2026-10-08T11:29:03Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/33684880 2026-09-13T07:01:39Z category_24364 category_24274 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

Integrating multi-marker phylogeny and morphology reveals hidden diversity and morphological plasticity in the genus Pseudohydnum (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota) from China Taijie Yu (22273393) Wen-Hao Zhang (24844607) Xiu-Juan Li (24844612) Yuan-Yuan Xiong (24844613) Yu-Xian Gao (24844616) Ting Li (24844619) Yuan-Tian Lu (24844620) Xu Chang (7113536) Jia Li (24844622) Rou Xue (5897516) Mycology Plant and fungus systematics and taxonomy Edible mushrooms Hidden diversity jelly fungi morphological plasticity The toothed jelly genus Pseudohydnum (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota) has historically been treated under a broad morphological concept centered on P. gelatinosum, a view that has long masked substantial cryptic diversity worldwide. However, many Chinese collections remain taxonomically unresolved and species boundaries are poorly defined. Here, we reassess the species diversity of Chinese Pseudohydnum through an integrative approach combining detailed morphology with multi-marker phylogenetics (ITS, nrLSU, and rpb1). We formally describe three new species, P. ellipsosporum, P. macroumbrosum, and P. roseolostipitatum. We also refinethe circumscriptions of four previously described taxaand provide new insights into their intraspecific variation, geographic distribution, and ecology. Notably, we document a previously unknown host association: P. brunneiceps was consistently found on decayed bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), a substrate never before recorded for any Pseudohydnum species. Critically, our results demonstrate that morphology alone is insufficient for species delimitation, because convergent or plastic characters obscure diagnostic differences, reinforcing the necessity of molecular validation. These findings substantially expand the known taxonomic and ecological diversity of Pseudohydnum in Asia suggest that China, particularly the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, may be a global hotspot for the genus. Overall, this study underscores the essential role of phylogenetic inference in revising species boundaries and elucidating evolutionary patterns in morphologically plastic groups of fungi. 2026-09-13T07:01:39Z Dataset Dataset 10.6084/m9.figshare.33684880.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/_b_Integrating_multi_b_b_-_b_b_marker_phylogeny_and_morphology_reveals_hidden_diversity_and_morphological_plasticity_in_the_genus_b_b_b_b_i_Pseudohydnum_i_b_b_i_i_b_b_Auriculariales_b_b_b_b_Basidiomycota_from_China_b_/33684880 CC BY 4.0