A study on the genus Candolleomyces (Agaricales: Psathyrellaceae) from Punjab, Pakistan

Many basidiomata of the genus Candolleomyces were found on sandy and loamy soil from the Indus Riverbed, Kot Addu District. A phylogenetic study was conducted to examine the occurrence of Candolleomyces sindhudeltae sp. nov. using a combination of ITS and LSU regions. Our morphological, anatomical, and phylogenetic studies indicated the novelty of Candolleomyces sindhudeltae sp. nov. The distinguishing features of C. sindhudeltae are convex to campanulate and areolate pileus with scalloped to cracked cap margins, branched, and pale reddish lamellae, greenish-brown ellipsoid to ovoid basidiospores, polymorphic cheilo, and caulocystidia. The novel taxa formed independent phylogenetic relationships within the genus Candolleomyces. The addition of our new species to the genus Candolleomyces makes us confident that the genus was separated from Psathyrella accurately.