Taxonomy, phylogeny, and successful cultivation of Marasmiellus scandens (Basidiomycota) associated with Aquilaria sinensis (agarwood tree) in China

Endophytic fungi are isolated from all parts of plants and several have been reported from Aquilaria sinensis and most of them are ascomycetous species. In this study, an endophytic Marasmiellus species collected from Aquilaria sinensis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China was isolated. Phylogenetic analyses of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (nrITS) gene region and morphological analyses confirmed the endophytic fungus as Marasmiellus scandens. In addition, fruiting bodies of M. scandens were successfully obtained in sawdust grow bags. A full description, illustrations, cultivation results, and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of M. scandens are provided. Marasmiellus scandens is reported here as a new country and host record. In addition, this is the first report of the M. scandens cultivation in its endophytic form.