Citation:
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Abstract:
The large genus Leucoagaricus (Basidiomycota) is poorly studied in Pakistan, where the northern parts of the country are considered hotspots for biodiversity. Based on morphological and molecular data, five new species are described: Leucoagaricus badius, L. lahorensiformis, L. pakistaniensis, L. sultanii and L. umbonatus. Descriptions and illustrations are given for the new taxa. A phylogeny based on morphology and four DNA regions, including the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) and D1-D2 domains of the 28S gene of the nuc rDNA), the gene for RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) and the translation elongation factor 1α gene (TEF1-α), show that the new taxa are clustered in a clade representing Leucoagaricus section Rubrotincti subgenus Sericeomyces.
KEY WORDS: Agaricales, biodiversity, Leucocoprinus, Malakand, phylogenetic analysis, taxonomy