Coprinoid Psathyrellaceae species from Cyprus: three new sabulicolous taxa from sand dunes and a four-spored form of the fimicolous species Parasola cuniculorum

The island of Cyprus occupies a unique geographical position in the south-eastern region of the Mediterranean basin, with European, West Asian and North African elements present in its fungal diversity. Our investigations over the years have revealed considerable diversity of species belonging to the genera Coprinellus, Tulosesus, Coprinopsis, Coprinus and Parasola on the island. Nevertheless, a number of collections remain unnamed as their molecular, ecological and morphological profiles do not match any presently known taxa. In this first contribution of our study, two setulose Tulosesus taxa and one new Parasola species collected from coastal dunes and adjacent areas are proposed: Tulosesus maritimus, Parasola litoralis spp. nov. and Tulosesus callinus var. miionis var. nov. They are characterised by a combination of unique morphological features and significant genetic differences evidenced by phylogenetic analyses based on multiple DNA markers. Two additional lineages of Tulosesus putatively representing unnamed species are also identified. An ITS rDNA sequence from the type collection of the 2-spored species Parasola cuniculorum was obtained for the first time and unexpectedly revealed to be conspecific with a 4-spored collection from Cyprus. DNA data was obtained also from the type collections of P. megasperma and P. nudiceps, and compared with homologous sequences from Parasola litoralis and other Parasola species. Detailed descriptions and imagery of the newly described taxa are provided, as well as a comparative study of similar species in genera Coprinellus, Tulosesus and Parasola.

Automated summary

This study investigates the fungal diversity of Cyprus and proposes new species in the genera Tulosesus and Parasola. The unique morphological features and genetic differences of these species are demonstrated through analyses of multiple DNA markers. Additional lineages of Tulosesus that potentially represent unnamed species are also identified.