Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal a new genus and two new species of Hymenochaetales (Basidiomycota) from southeast China

The Hymenochaetales is an order in which most species are wood-inhabiting fungi, which has high phylogenetic complexity and morphological diversity, and comprises mostly polypores, corticioid, and hydnoid fungi, with some agaricoid and clavarioid fungi. During an investigation of wood-inhabiting fungi in Fujian Province, China, four corticioid fungal specimens assigned to Hymenochaetales were collected. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular evidence, a new genus Spongoides, and a new species, Peniophorella subalbohymenia, were proposed.

The new genus was established to accommodate a single species Spongoides fissurata, characterized by its resupinate, effused, spongy basidiomata with two types cystidia, and ellipsoid basidiospores growing on living Chamaecyparis formosensis. The new species, Peniophorella subalbohymenia, is characterized by its membranaceous, white basidiomata with a smooth hymenial surface, the presence of three variable cystidia, and ellipsoid basidiospores.

Illustrated descriptions of both novel taxa are provided. This study advances the understanding of Hymenochaetales diversity in China and supplements the taxonomic framework for wood-inhabiting fungi.