Field notes and digital photographs were made from fresh specimens which were dried and deposited in the Fungal Herbarium of Hainan Medical University (FHMU) (Index Herbariorum), Haikou City, Hainan Province of China. Color codes follow Kornerup and Wanscher (1981). An optical light microscope (CX23, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) was used to observe and measure the microstructures of basidiomata; the samples were hand-sectioned and mounted in a 5% KOH solution. The notation [n/m/p] indicates “n” basidiospores measured from “m” basidiomata of “p” collections. Dimensions of basidiospores are presented as (a–)b–e–c(–d), where the range “b–c” represents a minimum of 90% of the measured values (5th to 95th percentile), and extreme values (a and d), whenever present (a <5th percentile, d >95th percentile), are in parentheses, “e” refers to the average length/width of basidiospores. “Q” refers to the length/width ratio of basidiospores; “Q_m” refers to the average “Q” of basidiospores and is presented with standard deviation. The terms referring to the size of basidioma are based on Bas (1969).

Total genomic DNA was extracted from dried basidiomata (10–20 mg) using the Plant Genomic DNA Kit (CWBIO, Beijing, China) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Protocols for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing followed An et al. (2017). The universal primer pairs ITS5/ITS4 (White et al., 1990) and LR0R/LR5 (Vilgalys and Hester, 1990; James et al., 2006) were used for PCR amplification of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit ribosomal DNA (28S), respectively. PCR conditions followed Zhang et al. (2021). PCR products were checked using 1% (w/v) agarose gel electrophoresis. The amplified PCR products were sequenced using an ABI 3730 DNA Analyzer (BGI, Guangzhou, China) with the PCR primers. Forward or reverse sequences were assembled with BioEdit (Hall, 1999). All newly obtained sequences were deposited in GenBank¹.

A total of thirty DNA sequences (16 of 28S, 14 of ITS) from 17 collections were newly generated for this study (Table 1). For the concatenated dataset, the 28S and ITS sequences generated in the study were aligned with selected sequences from previous studies and GenBank (Table 1). Hydnum minus FHMU2461 and Hydnum cremeoalbum FHMU2153 were chosen as outgroups as described by An et al. (2017). Sequences of 28S and ITS were aligned separately to test for phylogenetic conflict. The topologies of the phylogenetic trees based on a single gene were identical, indicating that the phylogenetic signals present in the different gene fragments were not in conflict. Then, the sequences of the different genes were aligned using MUSCLE (Edgar, 2004), and alignments were purged from unreliably aligned positions and gaps using Gblocks (Castresana, 2000). The sequences of the different genes were concatenated using Phyutility v2.2 for further analyses (Smith and Dunn, 2008).

The combined nuclear dataset (28S + ITS) was analyzed using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. ML tree generation and bootstrap (BS) analyses were performed using RAxML v7.2.6 (Stamatakis, 2006), running 1,000 replicates combined with the ML search. BI was conducted in MrBayes v3.1 (Huelsenbeck and Ronquist, 2005) on the CIPRES Science Gateway portal (Miller et al., 2011). The best-fit likelihood models of 28S (GTR + I + G) and ITS (HKY + I + G) were estimated in MrModeltest v2.3 (Nylander, 2004) based on the Akaike information criterion. Bayesian analysis was repeated for 30 million generations and sampled every 1,000 generations. Trees sampled from the first 25% generations were discarded as burn-in, and Bayesian posterior probabilities (PP) were then calculated for a majority-rule consensus tree of the retained sampled trees.

The combined dataset (28S + ITS) of Craterellus consisted of 161 taxa and 2,173 nucleotide sites (Figure 2), and the alignment was submitted to TreeBase (S28981). The topologies of the phylogenetic trees based on the combined dataset generated from ML and BI analyses were identical, but statistical support showed slight differences. In this study, we focused on lineages 1–14 from China (Figure 2). Lineage 1, with strong statistical support (BS = 85%, PP = 0.99), comprised of three collections (GDGM46432, GDGM48105, and GDGM49495) of C. luteus, and three collections (FHMU2100, FHMU2102, and FHMU2407) from southern China, and two collections (FHMU6549, FHMU6550) from eastern China. Lineage 2, with strong statistical support (BS = 82%, PP = 1.0), comprised of two collections (FHMU6551, and FHMU6552) from eastern China. Lineage 3, three collections (FHMU6555, FHMU6556, and FHMU6557) from southern China grouped together with high statistical support (BS = 100%, PP = 0.99). Lineage 4 comprised of the holotype of C. atrobrunneolus. Lineage 5, with strong statistical support (BS = 94%, PP = 1.0), comprised of two collections (Yuan 14,520, and Yuan 14,721) of C. squamatus from northeastern China. Lineage 6 comprised of the holotype of C. macrosporus. Lineage 7, with strong statistical support (BS = 100%, PP = 1.0), comprised of two collections (Yuan 14,623, and Yuan 14,647) of C. croceialbus from northeastern China. Lineage 8 comprised of one collection named C. cornucopioides from western China. Lineage 9, with strong statistical support (BS = 100%, PP = 1.0), comprised of two collections (Yuan 14,776 and Yuan 14,779) of C. badiogriseus from northeastern China. Lineage 10, with strong statistical support (BS = 96%, PP = 1.0), comprised of two collections (HGASMF01-10046, and HGASMF01-3581) of C. albidus from southwestern China. Lineage 11, with strong statistical support (BS = 95%, PP = 1.0), comprised of one collection (FHMU6553) from central China, and one collection labeled as C. tubaeformis from Japan. Lineage 12, with strong statistical support (BS = 99%, PP = 1.0), comprised of one collection (FHMU6554) from central China, and one collection labeled as C. melanoxeros also from China. Lineage 13 comprised of one collection (ECM90) from eastern China. Lineage 14, with strong statistical support (BS = 90%, PP = 1.0), comprised of seven collections of C. lutescens (UPSF-11789, UPSF-11790, UPSF-11791, 104198, SS575, ma023, and TM02_22), five collections labeled as Craterellus sp. (RSEM15_01, RSEM16_35, RSEM26, RSEM26_17, and RSEM26_64), and five collections (FHMU6544–FHMU6548) from southwestern China.

Craterellus aureus Berk. & M.A. Curtis, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts & Sci. 4: 123, 1860 Figures 3A–E, 4.

Basidiomata medium-sized. Pileus 1.5–5 cm diam, infundibuliform, broadly infundibuliform with age; surface dry, vivid yellow (1A5) to orange (3A7); margin straight when young, wavy or lobed at maturity. Hymenophore nearly smooth, dirty white (1B2), yellow (4A7) to pale orange (1A2); context 0.1–0.15 cm in thickness, whitish (3A1) to pale yellow (3A2). Stipe 1.2–2.7 × 0.35–0.45 cm, central, hollow, usually curved, without any obvious demarcation between pileus and stipe; surface dry, yellowish-white (3A2), yellow (4A4) to pale orange (1A2). Basal mycelium white. Odor mild. Spore print not obtained.

Basidiospores [60/9/5] (7–)7.5–8.21–9(–9.5) × 5.5–5.97–6.5(–7) μm, Q = (1.17–)1.23–1.55(–1.64), Q_m = 1.38 ± 0.1, ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid, smooth, slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm), hyaline or yellowish in KOH. Basidia 50–83 × 6.5–8.5 μm, cylindro-clavate, with irregular flexuous, slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm), 4–6-spored, pale yellowish in KOH; sterigmata 5–6 μm in length. Cystidia absent. Pileipellis intricate trichoderm composed of cylindrical, 4–9 μm wide, slightly thick-walled (0.5–0.7 μm) hyphae, faintly pale yellow in KOH; terminal cells 27–59 × 4–8 μm, subcylindrical to subclavate with obtuse apex. Clamp connections absent in all tissues.

Habitat: Gregarious, caespitose, or rarely solitary on the ground of forests dominated by Castanea spp. and Quercus spp. (Zhong et al., 2018).

Known distribution: Eastern China (Jiangxi Province), and southern China (Guangdong and Hainan Provinces, Hong Kong) (Berkeley and Curtis, 1860).

Specimens examined: CHINA. Hainan Province: Jianfengling of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, elev. 850 m, 4 July 2012, N.K. Zeng1057 (FHMU2407); Limushan of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, elev. 750 m, 27 July 2017, N.K. Zeng3139, 3141 (FHMU2100, 2102). Jiangxi Province: Ganzhou City, Shangyou Town, Youshixiangmeiling Village, elev. 180 m, 9 June 2016, M.S. Su145 (FHMU6549); Nanchang City, Wanli District, Zhaoxian Town, Dongyuan Village, elev. 180 m, 24 June 2018, M.S. Su196 (FHMU6550).

Notes: Our recent collections and the holotype of C. luteus, a species originally described from Guangdong Province, southern China (Zhong et al., 2018), phylogenetically group together with high statistical support (Figure 2), which suggests that these new specimens belong to C. luteus. Morphologically, these newly collected materials easily remind us of C. aureus, a species first described in Hong Kong, southern China. When C. luteus was first described (Zhong et al., 2018), the species looked different from the original diagnosis of C. aureus (Berkeley and Curtis, 1860; Corner, 1966): the bright yellow cap, large size, and robust aspect of the basidiomata and the white hymenophore made it impossible to associate C. luteus with Berkeley and Curtis’ original description. Our new collections, which share near-identical (BS = 83%, PP = 1.0) sequences with the holotype of C. luteus, indicate that this species might be more variable in overall aspect and color, thereby, significantly reducing the morphological differences with the orange C. aureus. Our collections also have a near-identical basidiospore size compared with those reported for C. aureus, whereas basidiospores of C. luteus are longer [(8.5–)9–11(–12.5) μm]. The fact that both species were described from southern China, sharing the same climate and vegetation, suggests C. luteus is a synonym of C. aureus, but it does not exclude the presence of a larger species complex in southern China within this clade.

The phylogenetic analyses also showed that C. aureus is closely related to C. odoratus (Schwein.) Fr. (Figure 2), a species originally described in North America (Petersen, 1979b; Knopf, 1981). However, C. odoratus has a more fragile basidioma, narrower basidiospores measuring 8.9–11.8 × 4.4–6.3 μm, and a strong pleasant odor (Petersen, 1979b; Knopf, 1981).

Craterellus fulviceps N.K. Zeng, Y.Z. Zhang, P. Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, sp. nov. Figures 3F, 5 MycoBank: MB841969.

Diagnosis: This species is distinguished from others in Craterellus by its very small-sized basidioma, a fulvous pileus, a veined hymenophore, an egg-yolk yellow stipe, and a presence of clamp connections in all parts of the basidioma.

Etymology: Latin “fulvi-,” meaning fulvous, and “ceps,” meaning pileus, refer to the fulvous pileus of our new species.

Holotype: CHINA. Hunan Province: Rucheng County, Jiulongjiang Nature Reserve, elev. 600 m, 2 October 2020, P. Zhang MHHNU10567 (FHMU6553). GenBank accession number: 28S = OL439678, ITS = OL439548.

Basidiomata very small-sized. Pileus 1–3 cm diam, convex to applanate, center slightly depressed; surface nearly smooth, fulvous (2A3); margin decurved; context very thin. Hymenophore veined, decurrent; folds about 0.1 cm broad, distant, relatively spaced, yellowish (1A2). Stipe 2–4 × 0.3–0.8 cm, central, slightly concave and curved in the middle; surface dry, egg-yolk yellow (2A4). Basal mycelium white. Odor not distinctive. Spore print not obtained.

Basidiospores [40/2/1] 8–9–10 × 6.5–7.6–8.5 μm, Q = 1.06–1.36(–1.38), Q_m = 1.19 ± 0.09, ellipsoid, rarely subglobose, smooth, slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm), yellowish in KOH. Basidia 58–82 × 9–15.5 μm, long, narrow, subcylindrical, slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm), 2–5-spored, yellowish in KOH; sterigmata 3–7 μm in length. Cystidia absent. Pileipellis a cutis composed of mostly cylindrical, 4–10.5 μm wide, slightly thick-walled (0.5–0.7 μm) hyphae, faintly pale yellow in KOH; terminal cells 45–75 × 5–10 μm, subcylindrical to subclavate with obtuse apex. Clamp connections abundant in all parts of the basidioma.

Habitat: Solitary, scattered, or gregarious on the ground of forests dominated by fagaceous trees.

Known distribution: Central China (Hunan Province).

Notes: The collection from central China phylogenetically clustered with one specimen (1D3) identified as C. tubaeformis from Japan with strong statistical support (Lineage 11 of Figure 2). Our molecular phylogenetic data also show that specimens identified as C. tubaeformis were present in several different parts of the tree (Figure 2). Although the true position of C. tubaeformis in the molecular tree should be defined in the future, now we are sure that the Chinese collection in Lineage 11 (Figure 2) is not true C. tubaeformis, for the European species has a fuscous or fuacous umber pileus, larger basidiospores measuring 8–11 × 5.5–8 μm, and narrower basidia 60–90 × 8–11 μm (Corner, 1966), which is morphologically different from the Chinese specimen. And thus, the Chinese collection was proposed as a new species.

Craterellus lutescens (Fr.) Fr., Epic. Syst. Mycol. (Upsaliae): 532, 1838 Figures 6A–D, 7.

Basidiomata very small-sized. Pileus about 3 cm diam, nearly convex to applanate, center slightly depressed; margin inrolled; surface nearly smooth, brown (6D5); context about 0.2 cm in thickness, yellowish (2A3). Hymenophore veined, sometimes smooth, decurrent; folds very thin, light orange-yellow (4A4) to orange-yellow (4A6). Stipe 4–6 × 0.5–0.8 cm, central, cylindrical, hollow; surface dry, sunflower yellow (3A8) to dark yellow (4B8); context yellowish-white (4A2). Odor pleasant, milky. Spore print not obtained.

Basidiospores [240/12/5] (8–)8.5–9.7–11(–11.5) × (6.5–)7–7.8–9(–9.5) μm, Q = 1.13–1.36(–1.46), Q_m = 1.23 ± 0.16, ellipsoid, smooth, slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm), pale yellowish in KOH. Basidia 61–84 × 7.5–10 μm, long, narrow, subcylindrical, thin to slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm), 4–6-spored, yellowish in KOH; sterigmata 5.5–7 μm in length. Cystidia absent. Pileipellis a cutis composed of 5.5–10.5 μm wide, slightly thick-walled (0.5–0.7 μm) hyphae, yellowish in KOH; terminal cells 30–58 × 4–8.5 μm, subcylindrical to subclavate with obtuse apex. Clamp connections abundant in all parts of the basidioma.

Habitat: Solitary, scattered, or gregarious on the ground of forests dominated by Pinus yunnanensis Franch. and Quercus L.

Known distribution: Southwestern China (Yunnan Province); Europe (Dahlman et al., 2000).

Specimens examined: CHINA. Yunnan Province: Jianchuan County, Shibaoshan Nature Reserve, near the grotto parking lot, elev. 2,499 m, 16 August 2014, L.P. Tang1647 (FHMU6547); same location, elev. 2,542 m, 19 August 2014, L.P. Tang1705 (FHMU6548); Lijiang City, bought from a market, 19 August 2020, W.H. Zhang441-1, 441-2, 441-3 (FHMU6544, FHMU6546, and FHMU6545).

Notes: Our collections and three Swedish specimens (UPSF-11789, UPSF-11790, and SS575) of C. lutescens phylogenetically group together with strong statistical support (Figure 2). Morphologically, the Chinese specimens match well with those of C. lutescens provided by Petersen (1969). Therefore, the specimen from China is recognized as C. lutescens.

Craterellus minor N.K. Zeng, Y.Z. Zhang, P. Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, sp. nov. Figures 6E,F, 8 MycoBank: MB841974.

Diagnosis: This species is distinguished from others in Craterellus by its very small-sized basidioma, a grayish yellow pileus without dark pigments, a veined hymenophore, a lemon-yellow stipe, and the presence of clamp connections in all parts of the basidioma.

Etymology: Latin “minor”, refers to very small-sized basidioma of the new species.

Holotype: CHINA. Hunan Province: Sangzhi County, Badagong Mountain, Tianping Mountain, elev. 750 m, 15 September 2020, P. Zhang MHHNU32505 (FHMU6554). GenBank accession number: 28S = OL439684, ITS = OL439553.

Basidiomata very small-sized. Pileus about 1.7 cm in diam, center strongly depressed; margin inrolled, with irregular small crenulate; surface dry, grayish-yellow (1B2); context very thin, white or whitish (2A1). Hymenophore veined, decurrent; folds about 0.1 cm broad, forking gill-folds, white to pale (5A1). Stipe 2.6 × 0.3 cm, central, hollow, cylindrical, slightly concave and curved in the middle; surface dry, pale lemon yellow (1A4) with white base (3A1). Odor indistinct. Spore print not obtained.

Basidiospores [40/1/1] (8–)8.5–9.4–10.5 × 7–7.7–8.5 μm, Q = (1.07–)1.12–1.4, Q_m = 1.23 ± 0.08, ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid, smooth, inamyloid, slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm), yellowish in KOH. Basidia 56–75 × 8–13 μm, long, narrow, subcylindrical, slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm), 2–5-spored, yellowish in KOH; sterigmata 4.5–8 μm in length. Cystidia absent. Pileipellis a cutis composed of mostly cylindrical, 5–10 μm wide, slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm) hyphae, faintly pale yellow in KOH; terminal cells 35–85 × 5–7 μm, subcylindrical to subclavate with obtuse apex. Clamp connections present in all parts of the basidioma.

Habitat: Solitary to scattered on the ground of forests dominated by fagaceous trees.

Known distribution: Central China (Hunan Province).

Notes: The new collection from central China phylogenetically clustered with one specimen labeled as C. melanoxeros (Desm.) Pérez-De-Greg (420526MF0891) also from China with strong statistical support (Figure 2). The Chinese species is morphologically related to European C. melanoxeros (SS576). However, C. melanoxeros has a large basidioma, a presence of dark pigments, and narrower basidiospores (Dahlman et al., 2000; Akata and Kumbasli, 2014).

Craterellus parvopullus N.K. Zeng, Y.Z. Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, sp. nov. Figures 6G–I, 9 MycoBank: MB841977.

Diagnosis: This species is distinguished from others in Craterellus by its basidioma without any obvious demarcation between pileus and stipe, a blackish brown to blackish pileus, a smooth grayish hymenophore, subglobose to ellipsoid or broadly ellipsoid basidiospores, hyphae in pileipellis more or less inflated, but obviously slender in terminations, an absence of clamp connections in all parts of the basidioma, and it is associated with the trees of Dipterocarpaceae.

Etymology: Latin “parvo,” meaning small, and “pullus,” meaning blackish, refer to the small and blackish pileus of our new species.

Holotype: CHINA. Hainan Province: Wanning County, Bofangling, elev. 80 m, 29 August 2020, N.K. Zeng4913 (FHMU6555). GenBank accession number: 28S = OL439685, ITS = OM334829.

Basidiomata very small to small-sized. Pileus 1.8–4.6 cm diam, infundibuliform; margin slightly incurved, wavy, irregularly folded; surface dry, blackish brown (6F7) to black (5F1); context very thin, grayish (1E1). Hymenophore smooth to slightly folded, ashen gray (4B1). Stipe 1.2–2.6 × 0.15–0.4 cm, confluent with pileus, hollow; surface dry, ashen gray (4B1); context very thin, grayish (1E1). Odor not distinctive. Spore print not obtained.

Basidiospores [80/16/3] (6.5–)7–7.7–8.5(–9) × (5–)5.5–6.2–7(–7.5) μm, Q = (1.07–)1.14–1.42(–1.45), Q_m = 1.25 ± 0.09, subglobose to ellipsoid or broadly ellipsoid, smooth, slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm), yellowish in KOH. Basidia 53–73 × 7–10 μm, subcylindrical to subclavate, slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm), 3–5-spored, hyaline or yellowish in KOH; sterigmata 4–6.5 μm in length. Cystidia absent. Pileipellis a cutis composed of mostly cylindrical, occasionally branched hyphae, hyphae 8–14 μm wide, but slender in terminations (3–6 μm wide), thin- to thick-walled (up to 1.5 μm), yellowish in KOH; terminal cells 21–46 × 3–9 μm, clavate or subcylindrical with obtuse apex. Clamp connections absent in all tissues.

Habitat: Gregarious on the ground in forests of Vatica mangachapoi Blanco.

Known distribution: Southern China (Hainan Province).

Additional specimens examined: CHINA. Hainan Province: Wanning County, Bofangling, elev. 80 m, 29 August 2020, N.K. Zeng4911, 4912 (FHMU6557, FHMU6556).

Notes: The Chinese C. atrobrunneolus T. Cao & H.S. Yuan, C. badiogriseus T. Cao & H.S. Yuan, C. croceialbus T. Cao & H.S. Yuan, C. macrosporus T. Cao & H.S. Yuan, and C. squamatus T. Cao & H.S. Yuan are morphologically similar to C. parvopullus. However, C. atrobrunneolus is distributed in subtropical areas (Cao et al., 2021a), while C. badiogriseus, C. croceialbus, C. macrosporus, and C. squamatus grow in temperate regions (Cao et al., 2021b); all of them are not associated with trees of Dipterocarpaceae (Cao et al., 2021a,b). Moreover, C. atrobrunneolus has smaller basidiospores measuring (6.2–)6.5–7.8(–8) × (4.2–)4.5–6(–6.2) μm (Cao et al., 2021a); C. badiogriseus has larger basidiospores measuring (7.5–)8–10.5(–11) × (6.5–)6.8–7.5(–8) μm, and a pileipellis composed of thick-walled hyphae without slender terminations (Cao et al., 2021b); C. croceialbus has a brown pileus with an orange-white margin, larger basidiospores measuring (9–)10–12(–12.5) × (6.5–)6.8–8(–8.2) μm, and a pileipellis composed of hyphae without slender terminations (Cao et al., 2021b); C. macrosporus has a brown pileus, larger basidiospores measuring (12.5–)12.8–14.5(–15) × (8.8–)9–11(–11.5) μm, and a pileipellis composed of thin-walled hyphae without slender terminations (Cao et al., 2021b); C. squamatus has a squamulose pileus, larger basidiospores measuring (11.5–)12–13.8(–14) × (8.2–)8.5–9.5(–10) μm, and a pileipellis composed of thick-walled hyphae without slender terminations (Cao et al., 2021b).

Besides the five species found in China, Malaysian C. cornucopioides var. mediosporus Corner and C. verrucosus Massee, European C. cornucopioides, North American C. atrocinereus D. Arora & J.L. Frank, C. calicornucopioides D. Arora & J.L. Frank and C. fallax A.H. Sm are also morphologically similar to C. parvopullus. However, C. verrucosus has a rugulose hymenophore, larger basidiospores measuring 8–10 × 6.5–8 μm, and wider hyphae (up to 20 μm) more or less vertically arranged in the pileipellis (Corner, 1966); C. cornucopioides var. mediosporus has larger basidiospores measuring 8–10 × 6.5–7.5 μm, and a pileipellis composed of uninflated hyphae (Corner, 1966); C. cornucopioides s.s. has larger basidiospores measuring (7–)11–15(–20) × (5–)7(–11) μm, and its distribution in temperate areas (Pilz et al., 2003); C. atrocinereus has larger basidiospores measuring 8–10 × 4.5–6 μm, a prominently folded, distinctly thick hymenium, and groups on the ground under hardwoods, especially Quercus and Neolithocarpus (Frank, 2015); C. calicornucopioides has larger basidiospores measuring 11–14 × 8–10 μm, a presence of abundant clamp connections, and is mainly distributed with Quercus, Arctostaphylos, Vaccinium and Arbutus (Frank, 2015); C. fallax has larger basidiospores measuring 10–13 × 7–9 μm, and is mainly distributed in a broad host range, including Pinaceae (Pinus and Tsuga) and Fagaceae (Quercus and Castanea) (Matheny et al., 2010). Phylogenetically, C. parvopullus is not closely related to C. atrobrunneolus, C. atrocinereus, C. calicornucopioides, C. cornucopioides, and C. fallax (Figure 2).

Craterellus cornucopioides, originally described in Europe, was previously considered a widely distributed species (Akata and Kumbasli, 2014). However, recent studies have indicated that C. cornucopioides represents a species complex rather than a single widespread species (Dahlman et al., 2000). Our molecular phylogenetic data also show that specimens identified as C. cornucopioides were present in several different parts of the tree (Figure 2). Interestingly, collections of C. cornucopioides from Europe were present in more than one part of the tree (Figure 2). The species concept of C. cornucopioides should be confirmed by obtaining collections and DNA sequences from the holotype locality. Craterellus cornucopioides s. str. likely occurs in fewer areas of Europe; one specimen identified as C. cornucopioides from Tibet, western China (Lineage 8 in Figure 2), might represent another species. Craterellus tubaeformis was also present in several parts of the tree (Figure 2), which indicates that C. tubaeformis represents a species complex rather than a single widespread species; the collections identified as C. tubaeformis in China from previous studies should be re-evaluated.

High species diversity of Craterellus in China was revealed in this study, with fourteen species-level lineages identified (Figure 2). Three lineages (3, 11, and 12) were described as new species, viz. C. minor, C. parvopullus, and C. fulviceps. Eight lineages (1, 4–7, 9, 10, and 14) represent previously described species, viz. C. albidus, C. atrobrunneolus, C. aureus, C. badiogriseus, C. croceialbus, C. lutescens, C. macrosporus, and C. squamatus. Three lineages (2, 8, and 13) remain undescribed because of insufficient materials. Five additional species have been reported from China, viz. C. cornucopioides, C. cornucopioides var. parvisporus, C. luteus, C. odoratus, and C. tubaeformis. Craterellus luteus is a synonym of C. aureus, and the occurrence of C. cornucopioides, C. cornucopioides var. parvisporus, C. odoratus, and C. tubaeformis has not yet been confirmed in China.

Our molecular phylogenetic data based on two-locus DNA sequences (28S + ITS) with a large number of collections from China have uncovered useful information regarding the phylogeny and geography of Craterellus. Our data indicate that the affinities of Craterellus species between China and Europe, North America, and Australia are evident (Figure 2); for example, C. lutescens (Lineage 14 in Figure 2) is found in China, Europe, and North America; C. badiogriseus (Lineage 9 in Figure 2) is associated with one specimen (LMAC6b-09) from Europe; C. aureus (Lineage 1 in Figure 2), and two Chinese specimens (FHMU6551 and FHMU6552) (Lineage 2 in Figure 2) of Craterellus are closely related to North American C. odoratus; C. parvopullus (Lineage 3 in Figure 2) is closely related to two specimens (GMB-2014 MEL:2382717 and GMB-2014 MEL:2383015) from Australia; C. macrosporus (Lineage 6 in Figure 2), C. squamatus (Lineage 5 in Figure 2), and two North American specimens (NC-8338 and FLAS-F-60401) labeled as C. sp. and C. fallax, respectively, are in the same clade; a Chinese specimen (ECM90) labeled as C. sp. (Lineage 13 in Figure 2) is closely related to one collection (M66A9) from Mexico. Moreover, C. fulviceps (lineage 11 in Figure 2) is found in China and Japan; C. parvopullus (lineage 3 in Figure 2) is associated with two specimens (LAM 0254 and AWW263) from Malaysia.

We also noted that there is little or no statistical support in some deeper nodes of the phylogeny, although the molecular data provided new insights into the phylogeny and geography of Craterellus with a large number of collections from China included. In the future, with more genes investigated and more Craterellus species discovered, a molecular phylogenetic tree of Craterellus should be constructed on the basis of the present data, which will provide more interesting information.