Morphological and Phylogenetic Evidence Reveals Lepiota brunneodiscata sp. nov. From Pakistan

Abstract

A new species, Lepiota brunneodiscata , is described from Punjab, Pakistan, based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence (ITS and LSU sequences). It is distinguished from the phylogenetically closest relative, Lepiota ochraceofulva , by its small, off‐white to pale cream pileus with a darker brown disc covered with minute, brown squamules, incurved margins, crowded pale cream to light brown, crowded lamellae with lamellulae in two tires, a slender, fibrous stipe with a superior annulus, globose to subglobose basidiospores (3.2 × 3.1 µm), and utriform cheilocystidia. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS and LSU nrDNA sequences place L . brunneodiscata in a distinct lineage within the genus. Photographs of basidiomata, descriptions and micrographs of micro‐morphological features, molecular phylogenetic analyses, and comparison with allied species are given.