Phylogeny, divergence time and historical biogeography of Hyphoderma (Hyphodermataceae, Polyporales): Introducing five new species from China

Species of <i>Hyphoderma</i> are important wood-inhabiting fungi and play a crucial role in forest ecosystems. Although species diversity within this genus has been increasingly documented in recent years, studies on its origin, evolutionary history, and biogeography remain limited. In this study, we compiled a global dataset of <i>Hyphoderma</i> sequences and reconstructed an updated phylogeny, divergence times, and biogeographic history of the genus <i>Hyphoderma</i> based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and nuclear large ribosomal subunit (nLSU) sequences. In addition, integrated morphological and phylogenetic analyses revealed five new <i>Hyphoderma</i> species. Molecular clock estimates indicated that the ancestor of <i>Hyphoderma</i> likely originated in the Cretaceous, with a mean stem age of 117.76 Mya (95% HPD = 92.38-147.74 Mya). Biogeographic reconstruction further suggested that Asia is the most probable ancestral area of <i>Hyphoderma</i> species. This study provides the first comprehensive inference of divergence times, biogeography, and speciation patterns within <i>Hyphoderma</i>.