Phylogenetic analysis demonstrating four new species in Megasporoporia sensu lato (Polyporales, Basidiomycota)

Megasporoporia sensu lato is a common polypore genus in tropics, the members of which are readily recognized in the field because of their resupinate, light-coloured basidiocarps with big pores. The species of the genus usually grow on fresh fallen trunks and branches. The genus was recognized as polyphyletic by molecular analyses and divided into three genera: Megasporia, Megasporoporia sensu stricto and Megasporoporiella. In the present study, phylogenies based on the combined 2-gene (ITS + nLSU) and 4-gene (ITS + nLSU + mtSSU + TEF) sequences datasets of Megasporoporia sensu lato are analysed, and 21 lineages nested in three clades (the Megasporia clade, the Megasporoporia sensu stricto clade and the Megasporoporiella clade) are formed. Based on morphological examination, four new species, Megasporia bambusae, Megasporia fusiformis, Megasporoporia inflata and Megasporoporiella australiae, are described based on materials from Australia, China and Malaysia, and a new combination, Megasporoporiella hubeiensis comb. nov., is proposed. Megasporoporiella pseudocavernulosa is selected as the type species of Megasporoporiella because the previous type species Megasporoporiella cavernulosa was misidentified. Polyporus megasporoporus is the revised name for Megasporoporiella lacerata. In addition, a comparison of main characteristics and an identification key of Megasporoporia sensu lato are provided.

Automated summary

Megasporoporia sensu lato is a common polypore genus in tropics, recognized by its resupinate, light-colored basidiocarps with big pores growing on fresh fallen trunks and branches. Molecular analyses revealed its polyphyletic nature, leading to its division into three genera. This study identified and described four new species and proposed a new combination within the genus.