Species diversity, taxonomy and multi-gene phylogeny of phlebioid clade (Phanerochaetaceae, Irpicaceae, Meruliaceae) of Polyporales

The phlebioid clade (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) accommodates numerous species of corticioid and polyporoid fungi of the Phanerochaetaceae, Irpicaceae, and Meruliaceae. The present study used morphological and phylogenetic approaches to revise the generic classification of the phlebioid clade and survey species diversity. The phylogenetic analyses were performed using sequences of multiple genes, including the nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS), the D1-D2 domains of 28S rDNA (28S), the RNA polymerase II largest subunit (rpb1), the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2), and the translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1). We overall recognize 57 genera including six new ones (Alboefibula, Cremeoderma, Gelatinofungus, Luteochaete, Phanerochaetella and Quasiphlebia). We describe 26 new species belonging to 15 genera (Alboefibula bambusicola, A. gracilis, Crustodontia taiwanensis, Cytidiella albomarginata, Efibula matsuensis, E. turgida, E. subglobispora, Gelatinofungus brunneus, Hydnophlebia aurantia, H. crocata, Irpex lenis, Mycoaciella efibulata, Phanerochaete alpina, P. crystallina, P. guangdongensis, P. rhizomorpha, P. spadicea, P. subcarnosa, Phanerochaetella formosana, Phlebiopsis odontoidea, P. yushaniae, Quasiphlebia densa, Rhizochaete chinensis, Roseograndinia jilinensis, R. minispora, and Scopuloides allantoidea), and present 18 new combinations belonging to 12 genera (Cremeoderma unicum, Crustodontia nigrodontea, C. tongxiniana, Cytidiella albida, Efibula intertexta, Hydnophlebia alachuana, Irpex laceratus, I. latemarginatus, I. rosettiformis, Luteochaete subglobosa, Luteoporia lutea, Phanerochaetella angustocystidiata, P. exilis, P. leptoderma, P. xerophila, Phlebiopsis alba, Rhizochaete lutea, Scopuloides dimorpha). Descriptions, illustrations and notes of new species and some new records are provided, as well as identification keys to genera of each family.