New systematic position of Aurantiporus alborubescens (Meruliaceae, Basidiomycota), a threatened old-growth forest polypore

Abstract

Odoria (Meruliaceae, Basidiomycota) is described as a new genus established for the threatened old-growth forest polypore Phaeolus alborubescens that was previously discussed in Aurantiporus or Tyromyces. It is characterized by the annual pinkish white spongy basidiocarp with strong sweetish smell, turning pale brown when drying, and has a positive reaction with KOH solution, the lack of cystidia, and the monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae often covered with fine orange crystals. Multigene phylogenetic analyses based on a combined (5.8S–nucLSU–rpb1–rpb2) and a single locus (nrITS) dataset place Odoria in Meruliaceae (Phlebioid clade), close to Crustodontia, Sarcodontia, Luteoporia, and Phlebiporia. Molecular as well as anatomical study of the old type specimen of P. alborubescens is also provided.