DNA analysis reveals rich diversity of Hydnotrya with emphasis on the species found in China

Molecular analysis of the truffle genus Hydnotrya was conducted with nrDNA-ITS sequences available including newly generated sequences from Chinese specimens. Twenty-one phylotypes were recognized with the threshold of 97% ITS identity. Seven phylotypes corresponded to the described species, H. bailii, H. cerebriformis, H. cubispora, H. laojunshanensis, H. michaelis, H. cf. variiformis, and H. tulasnei, and four phylotypes represented by Chinese specimens were described and illustrated as new species, i.e., H. badia, H. brunneospora, H. nigricans, and H. puberula. The remaining ten phylotypes may represent undescribed species. Moreover, the 21 phylotypes grouped into four distinct clades each having as core species H. cerebriformis, H. cubispora, H. michaelis, and H. tulasnei, respectively, which were strongly supported by phylogenetic analysis and morphological characterization.