Craterellus indicus sp nov., a new species associated with Cedrus deodara from the western Himalayas, India

Craterellus indicus is proposed here as a new species, resulting from a morphological and molecular study on the diversity of Cantharellaceae in the western Himalayan region of India. The species is characterized by a pale brownish to creamish pileus and a smooth to folded hymenium that is distinctly detached from the stipe apex. There are no clamp connections. The combination of characters makes this species distinct from other known species of Craterellus. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of partial large subunit (LSU) and the ITS region of the nuclear ribosomal operon supports its position as a new species.