Pluteus is a genus of wood-rot fungi with considerable ecological importance in forest ecosystems. Within this genus, section Hispidoderma is distinctively characterized by a specific combination of pileipellis structures (trichoderm, hymeniderm, or trichohymeniderm) and non-metuloid hymenial cystidia, which together provide key morphological basis for section delimitation. In this study, we combined genetic data from three gene regions (large subunit ribosomal RNA [LSU], internal transcribed spacer [ITS], and translation elongation factor 1-alpha [tef1]) to construct the major phylogenetic framework of section Hispidoderma. Our analysis revealed three primary clades (/plautus clade, /leoninus clade, /umbrosus clade) and one lineage (/pantherinus lineage). We subsequently identified several important morphological features and correlated them with phylogenetic relationships to reveal shared characteristics among species within each evolutionary clade. Building on this framework, we constructed phylogenetic trees using three datasets (ITS, tef1 and a combined ITS+tef1) to analyze the phylogenetic structure and species relationships within each clade and lineage. By comprehensively integrating morphology, phylogenetic data, substrate preferences, and species distribution, we identified 18 species: nine new species (P. albivillus, P. baishanzuensis, P. costatus, P. hinnuleus, P. jilinensis, P. piceicola, P. spaniophyllus, P. tenuipileus, and P. ultraputripiceae), one new record for China (P. ussuriensis), seven previously known species (P. granularis, P. leoninus, P. longistriatus, P. umbrosus, P. umbrosoides, P. variabilicolor, and P. velutinus), and one species of uncertain taxonomic affinity (P. aff. semibulbosus). This study provides detailed documentation, including line drawings and color photographs of the 18 identified species, along with phylogenetic analyses of their evolutionary relationships. Additionally, we present a thorough identification key for the 25 species of sect. Hispidoderma found in China. By clarifying the delineation of clades and species boundaries within sect. Hispidoderma, this work significantly advances our understanding of the taxonomy of this ecologically important fungal group.

Hydnum, a well-defined genus in the family Hydnaceae (order Cantharellales), is characterized by its distinctive spine-bearing hymenophores. In this study, we performed a multi-locus phylogenetic analysis (ITS-nrLSU-tef1) of Hydnum species. Integrating morphological examinations and phylogenetic evidence, we identified and delineated five Hydnum species in China, which include four novel species (Hydnum crassipedum, H. albomarginatum, H. fulvostriatum, and H. bifurcatum) and the first record (H. orientalbidum) in Anhui Province. This study provides a comprehensive morphological description (including macroscopic morphology and microscopic structure), hand-drawn illustrations (encompassing basidiocarps, basidiospores, basidia, and pileipellis hyphae), morphological comparative analysis with similar species, and comparative phylogenetic analysis with related taxa. Furthermore, we developed a dichotomous key for identifying Hydnum species distributed in China.

Hydnellum is an ectomycorrhizal fungus with important ecological and medicinal value. However, the species diversity of Hydnellum in China remains poorly understood. To deepen the understanding of the diversity of Hydnellum species in China, this study, based on a combination of morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nrLSU) regions, identified and described four new species: H. aureoluteum sp. nov., H. aureotomentosum sp. nov., H. fuscozonatum sp. nov., and H. pileospinosum sp. nov. For each new species, we provided detailed morphological descriptions, hand-drawn illustrations, and comparisons with closely related taxa. In addition, this study systematically compiled key morphological characteristics and ecological distribution data for all known Hydnellum species in China and constructed a dichotomous identification key. This work provides an important basis for taxonomic research on the genus Hydnellum and enhances our understanding of its ecological distribution patterns in China.

Xinjiang, northwestern China, encompasses sharply contrasting desert–wetland and montane forest ecosystems, providing a natural setting to study species limits and habitat-associated morphological variation in Agaricus subgen. Pseudochitonia. We examined 303 specimens collected from 2021 to 2025 and generated 905 sequences across three loci (ITS, LSU, tef1). Species delimitation followed an integrative framework incorporating morphology, multilocus phylogeny, pairwise genetic distances, chemical reactions, and habitat data. We recognized ten species from Xinjiang. Among them, Agaricus acanthosquamosus is described as a new species in sect. Bohusia. It is recovered as a sister to A. bohusii and is distinguished by conspicuous squarrose spinose pileus scales, subglobose to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores, a solitary to scattered fruiting habit, and reddening context. We also document newly observed morphological variation in several previously described species. These include irregularly clavate cheilocystidia in A. desjardinii, clavate pleurocystidia in A. subperonatus, non-digitate pleurocystidial apices in A. sinodeliciosus, and habitat-associated macromorphological variation in A. xanthodermus. These observations extend the known morphological range of each taxon. Exploratory PCA, PERMANOVA, and trait comparisons revealed significant assemblage-level morphological structuring between the Ebinur Lake desert–wetland assemblage and the Qiongkushitai montane forest assemblage, notably in basidioma size, robustness, and basidiospore dimensions. In addition, we compiled a comprehensive identification key and species checklist for Agaricus subgen. Pseudochitonia in Xinjiang. These integrative results highlight both the diversity of subgen. Pseudochitonia in arid northwestern China and the value of combining morphological, ecological, and molecular evidence for accurate species delimitation.

Single-factor and orthogonal experiments were conducted to investigate the biological characteristics of Dichomitus squalens strains isolated from wild fruiting bodies collected in Tekes County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Building upon the optimal mycelial culture conditions identified, domestication cultivation studies were performed, including experiments to induce fruiting body formation. Liquid strains were inoculated into substrates to monitor developmental stages from primordia formation to mature fruiting bodies, with macroscopic characteristics recorded throughout the cultivation process. Crude polysaccharides were extracted from the cultivated fruiting bodies using the water extraction and ethanol precipitation method. The scavenging rates of these polysaccharides against hydroxyl radicals (OH⁻) and superoxide anion radicals (O₂⁻) were measured to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant activity. Results demonstrated that the optimal growth conditions for D. squalens were as follows: sucrose as the preferred carbon source, yeast extract powder as the optimal nitrogen source, a pH of 5.0, and a temperature of 30 °C. Among these factors, pH exerted the most significant influence on the mycelial growth rate, followed by nitrogen source, carbon source, and temperature. Mature fruiting bodies developed approximately 57 days after inoculation with liquid strains. The crude polysaccharide extraction yield from the cultivated fruiting bodies reached 7.07%, with a total polysaccharide content of 24.69% in the extract. The crude polysaccharides exhibited potent radical scavenging activity: at a concentration of 5.0 mg/mL, the hydroxyl radical scavenging rate was 56.74%, while the superoxide anion radical scavenging rate reached 78.3%. These findings indicate that D. squalens possesses significant antioxidant potential.