Clavariadelphus pakistanicus sp nov., a new club fungus (Basidiomycota: Gomphales) from Himalayan moist temperate forests of Pakistan

A new club fungus, Clavariadelphus pakistanicus sp. nov. included within genus Clavariadelphus Donk and section Clavariadelphus, is described from the Himalayan moist temperate forests of Pakistan. Clavariadelphus pakistanicus is characterized by its solitary growth habit, clavate to subcylindrical gray-orange to orange-white longitudinally rugose to rugulose basidiocarps with broadly ellipsoid smooth basidiospores measuring 7.5-9.2 mu m x 4.0-5.6 mu m, and a dense white rhizomorphic mat. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA cluster C. pakistanicus, Clavariadelphus sachalinensis (S. Imai) Corner, and Clavariadelphus truncatus (Quel.) Donk as sister clades.