A new species of Marasmius section Globulares from Kerala State, India

Marasmius cystidiatus sp. nov. is described from Kerala State, India based on both morphology and nrITS sequence-based molecular phylogeny. The phylogenetic tree inferred from maximum likelihood analysis showed M. cystidiatus nesting within the Glade representing Marasmius section Globulares. Within this Glade, M. cystidiatus formed a distinct lineage, sister to a cluster containing mostly members of the series Atrorubentes. A comprehensive description and photographs of both basidiocarps and microscopic structures of the new species are provided along with a comparison with morphologically close and phylogenctically related species.