Morphology and phylogeny reveal a new species of Luteoporia (Meruliaceae) in East Asia

Abstract

The genus Luteoporia (Meruliaceae) comprises a distinctive group of resupinate fungi characterized by their bright yellow odontioid to poroid hymenophore, a monomitic hyphal system with clamp connections, and crystal-encrusted generative hyphae. So far, seven species have been described, occurring predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. During recent surveys of wood-inhabiting fungi in South Korea, a distinctive Luteoporia yeosusiensis sp. nov. was discovered and is described here as new to science. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combined ITS and nLSU datasets confirmed the placement of the new species in the odontioid hymenophore lineage, closely related to L. lutea. It is distinguished by its bright lemon to sulphur-yellow hymenophore, tissues turning reddish-purple in KOH, and slightly longer ellipsoid basidiospores (4.0–4.8 × 2.2–3.0 μm). A complete account of the new species is given, including descriptive morphology, illustrations, phylogenetic relationships, and comparisons with morphologically or phylogenetically similar or related species. Additionally, L. straminea is reported as a new record for South Korea. This study expands the known diversity and geographic distribution of Luteoporia in East Asia and documents its first occurrence in the Korean Peninsula.