Three new species in Cortinarius (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) from coniferous forests

Abstract

Three new Cortinarius species from coniferous forests are formally described based on morphological characters and molecular data, and their ecology and distribution are discussed. Cortinarius minutus (section Acetosi) is characterised by very small basidiomata resembling Galerina species, a white universal veil forming fibrils and tiny scales on the pileus margin, and ellipsoid to narrowly amygdaloid, finely verrucose basidiospores. Cortinarius rubrobadius (section Obtusi) looks like most species of the section, but can be defined by a red brown pileus, a white universal veil, and ellipsoid basidiospores. Cortinarius sphagnofulvescens (section Laeti) represents a molecularly well-supported species of the Cortinarius fulvescens complex, from which it differs morphologically in longer basidiospores. Detailed macroscopic and microscopic descriptions are provided, and the phylogenetic analysis based on ITS rDNA sequences is discussed. The phylogenetic analysis of sections Acetosi, Laeti, and Obtusi reveals that each of these three new species forms a well-supported lineage within their respective section.