Rhizopogon, a globally distributed genus of edible ectomycorrhizal fungi, is the focus of this study. This study describes a new species, Rhizopogon qujingensis sp. nov., along with two newly recorded species of the genus Rhizopogon from China. The new species is distinguished from other known Rhizopogon species by its distinctly phylogenetic position and unique morphological characteristics, the species is characterized by comparatively smaller basidiomata, a peridium that exhibits yellow tinting after injury and contains red-brown pigment, along with smaller, narrowly oblong to elongate spores. Furthermore, R. rubescens and R. evadens are recorded for the first time in China, with their taxonomic status confirmed through integrated morphological and molecular analysis, thereby extending their known geographical distribution. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted to elucidate the relationships between Chinese Rhizopogon species and other taxa within the genus. This research contributes essential data for advancing the understanding of global Rhizopogon species diversity and biogeographic patterns.

Hydnobolites is an ectomycorrhizal fungal genus with hypogeous ascomata in the family Pezizaceae (Pezizales). Molecular analyses of Hydnobolites using both single (ITS) and concatenated gene datasets (ITS-nLSU) showed a total of 223 sequences, including 92 newly gained sequences from Chinese specimens. Phylogenetic results based on these two datasets revealed seven distinct phylogenetic clades. Among them, the ITS phylogenetic tree confirmed the presence of at least 42 phylogenetic species in Hydnobolites. Combined the morphological observations with molecular analyses, five new species of Hydnobolites translucidus sp. nov., H. subrufus sp. nov., H. lini sp. nov., H. sichuanensis sp. nov. and H. tenuiperidius sp. nov., and one new record species of H. cerebriformis Tul., were illustrated from Southwest China. Macro- and micro-morphological analyses of ascomata revealed a few, but diagnostic differences between the H. cerebriformis complex, while the similarities of the ITS sequences ranged from 94.4 to 97.2% resulting in well-supported clades.

A new Chinese truffle species, Tuber sinomacrosporum belongs to the Macrosporum group was illustrated and described, it is characterized by brownish-red ascoma, prosenchymatous peridium, dark brown gleba, 1(2) spored asci and large ellipsoid ascospores with 2–6 μm high reticulate-alveolate. Molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA supports this species is distinct from the known species within the Macrosporum group. Phylogenetic relationships and morphological differences between this new species and its related species are discussed.

Tuber is a rare edible and medicinal fungus with a global distribution. The Macrosporum lineage within Tuber is a relatively small and infrequent clade, which has been receiving increasing attention due to the presence of an endangered species, T. gigantosporum. However, the species diversity, phylogenetic relationships, geographic distribution, and ecological characteristics of the Macrosporum group remain poorly understood. Through extensive sampling and combining the accurate and available global specimen and mycorrhizal data, 19 Tuber specimens from Southwest China were studied based on morphology, molecular systematics, and ecology. The specimens were identified as T. calosporum, T. glabrum, and T. sinomacrosporum within the Macrosporum group, with detailed descriptions provided, particularly supplementing the taxonomic features of T. glabrum. A classification key for the Macrosporum group species is also provided. The geographic distribution of specimens and diverse hosts suggest that the Macrosporum clade displays wider ecological adaptability. This study is important to better understand the diversity and conservation measures of Tuber resources throughout the world.