Integrating multi-marker phylogeny and morphology reveals hidden diversity and intraspecific morphological variation in the genus Pseudohydnum P. Karst. (Basidiomycota, Auriculariales) from China
- 1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, China School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical University Kunming China https://ror.org/038c3w259
- 2Yunnan College of Modern Biomedical Industry, Kunming 650500, China Yunnan College of Modern Biomedical Industry Kunming China
Abstract
The toothed jelly genus Pseudohydnum P. Karst. (Basidiomycota, Auriculariales) 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. ellipsosporumsp. nov., P. macroumbrosumsp. nov., and P. roseolostipitatumsp. nov. We also refine the circumscriptions of four previously described taxa and 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 currently insufficient for species delimitation as 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, suggesting 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.
Related
- Integrative Phytochemical, Morphological and Molecular Analyses Reveal Intraspecific Diversification in Wild Iranian Populations of Heracleum persicum Desf. ex Fischer
- Integrating morphological and molecular approaches to assess photosynthetic species diversity in the Venice Lagoon
- Integrating morphological and molecular perspectives on foraging tactic constancy in a nectar-robbing bumble bee
- Catálogo de hongos gasteroides (Basidiomycota) de Catamarca, Argentina
- Análisis morfológico y filogenético del complejo Pluteus cervinus (Pluteaceae, Basidiomycota) revela la presencia de Pluteus hongoi y Pluteus primus en México
BibTeX
@article{yu2026integrating,
title = {{Integrating multi-marker phylogeny and morphology reveals hidden diversity and intraspecific morphological variation in the genus Pseudohydnum P. Karst. (Basidiomycota, Auriculariales) from China}},
author = {Tai-Jie Yu and Wen-Hao Zhang and Xiu-Juan Li and Yuan-Yuan Xiong and Yu-Xian Gao and Ting Li and Rou Xue and Yuan-Tian Lu and Chang Xu and Jia Li and Li-Ping Tang},
journal = {MycoKeys},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3897/mycokeys.142.215470},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.142.215470},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Integrating multi-marker phylogeny and morphology reveals hidden diversity and intraspecific morphological variation in the genus Pseudohydnum P. Karst. (Basidiomycota, Auriculariales) from China
AU - Tai-Jie Yu
AU - Wen-Hao Zhang
AU - Xiu-Juan Li
AU - Yuan-Yuan Xiong
AU - Yu-Xian Gao
AU - Ting Li
AU - Rou Xue
AU - Yuan-Tian Lu
AU - Chang Xu
AU - Jia Li
AU - Li-Ping Tang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - MycoKeys
DO - 10.3897/mycokeys.142.215470
UR - https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.142.215470
AB - The toothed jelly genus Pseudohydnum P. Karst. (Basidiomycota, Auriculariales) 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. ellipsosporumsp. nov., P. macroumbrosumsp. nov., and P. roseolostipitatumsp. nov. We also refine the circumscriptions of four previously described taxa and 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 currently insufficient for species delimitation as 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, suggesting 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.
SN - 1314-4057
SN - 1314-4049
ER -