Dentipellicula hainanensis (Hericiaceae, Agaricomycetes) and Phylloporia rigida (Hymenochaetaceae, Agaricomycetes), two new species of wood-inhabiting fungi from Hainan Province, South China

Wood-rotting fungi, which are essential constituents of forest ecosystems, act as critical mediators of organic matter decomposition and material recycling within such systems. During the investigation of wood-inhabiting fungi in Hainan, China, a large number of specimens were collected. Two new species are described, based on phylogeny, morphology, host and geographic distribution.

Dentipellicula hainanensis sp. nov. is characterised by resupinate, soft corky and tomentose basidiomata, uneven pileal surface and ellipsoid basidiospores (2.8 –) 3–4.7 (– 5.2) × 3.2–4.2 (– 4.4) µm. Phylloporia rigida sp. nov. is characterised by tough, fawn to reddish-brown basidiomata and ellipsoid basidiospores 2.3–4.5 × 2.2–3.8 µm. Detailed illustrations and descriptions of the novel species are provided.

Phylogenetic analyses inferred from the combined ITS + nLSU datasets confirmed that the two new species are distinct within Dentipellicula and Phylloporia.