Four new species of Erioscyphella (Leotiomycetes, Helotiales) from southwestern China

Abstract

Erioscyphella is found across various regions and is part of the family Lachnaceae (Helotiales). It is distinguished by its white to orange disc-shaped apothecia, white to brown receptacles, and granulated hairs that contain amorphous or resinous material. These hairs lack swelling apices and crystals. Additionally, this genus is unique for its long ascospores. In the present study, we collected eight specimens from southwestern China. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses based on the combined LSU, ITS, mtSSU and RPB2 dataset showed that our specimens represent four new species of Erioscyphella, including E. ailaoensis, E. baimana, E. gelangheica and E. tengyueica. Here, we provide complete morphological descriptions with illustrations and sequence data essential for future taxonomic and evolutionary research.