A new species of Volvariella from India

Volvariella sathei sp. nov., collected from Agharkar Research Institute Campus, Pune, is described, illustrated, and compared with morphologically closely related taxa of Volvariella and Volvopluteus. Diagnostic characters of the new species are the large white fruitbodies, relatively small basidiospores, and cylindric-clavate pleuro- and cheilocystidia. Neighbour-Joining analysis based on ITS sequences confirmed that it is distinct from its closest relative, V. nivea and other morphologically similar Volvariella species. A key to the Indian species of Volvariella and Volvopluteus is provided.