A Contribution to Knowledge of Russula Section Ingratae (Russulales, Russulaceae) in China: Two New Taxa and Amended Descriptions of One Known Species

Abstract

Russula, one of the main genera of Russulaceae (Russulales), is both ecologically and economically important. It is a large and complex genus including eight subgenera. Although many studies have focused on Russula in China, the diversity still remains incompletely understood. In the present study, several collections of Russula subgen. Heterophyllidiae sect. Ingratae from China were studied based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Three species were recognized, two of them described as new, R. fujianensis and R. oraria, and one of them already a known taxon, R. rufobasalis. Detailed descriptions, color photos of fresh basidiomata, and line-drawings of microstructures of the three species are presented.

1. Introduction

Russula Pers. (Russulaceae, Russulales) is a highly diverse group with about 2000 species worldwide. Nearly all species of the genus are typical ectomycorrhizal fungi, which play an important role in maintaining biodiversity in forest ecosystems [1,2,3]. Due to the importance of ecological value, extensive studies about Russula have been performed. Recently, the genus has been divided into eight subgenera: Archaeae Buyck and V. Hofst., Brevipedum Buyck and V. Hofst., Compactae (Fr.) Bon, Crassotunicatae Buyck and V. Hofst., Glutinosae Buyck and X.H. Wang, Heterophyllidiae Romagn., Malodorae Buyck and V. Hofst., and Russula Pers [4,5]. Among them, subgen. Heterophyllidiae, especially sect. Ingratae (Quél.) has received much attention. The section is characterized by a pileus with yellow to brown tints, a margin with obvious radial tuberculate striate, a presence of distinctly fetid or acrid odour, and basidiospores inamyloid to partly amyloid in the suprahilar area [6,7,8,9]. In China, species diverstiy of sect. Ingratae is abundant, with 14 taxa confirmed to distribute across the country [9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16]. Moreover, the poisonousness of the section has attracted great interest in the country. For example, collections identified as R. senecis S. Imai were reported to be poisonous, which can cause gastroenteritis [17,18,19].

Although many species of sect. Ingratae have been described in China [9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16], with more field investigations, more novel species of the section will be uncovered. During field investigations in subtropical and tropical China, several Russula collections were made. These specimens were examined using morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses, and were eventually confirmed to represent two novel species and one previously known species of sect. Ingratae. Thus, the three taxa were described/redescribed herein, aiming to contribute to new taxonomic knowledge of sect. Ingratae.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Morphological Studies

Fresh basidiomata were photographed in the field in daylight and their macroscopic characteristics were measured and recorded. Specimens were dried at 50–60 ℃, then deposited in the Fungal Herbarium of Hainan Medical University (FHMU) (Index Herbariorum), Haikou City, Hainan Province, China. Color codes referred to Kornerup and Wanscher [20]. Templates of descriptions and terminologies of micromorphological characters were obtained from Adamčík et al. [21]. The pileipellis section taken from the pileus between the center and margin, and the stipitipellis from the middle part along the longitudinal axis of the stipe, were also observed [22]. Spore ornamentation density estimated from scanning electron microscopy pictures followed Adamčík and Marhold [23]. The hymenial cystidia density estimates referred to Buyck [24]. The pileipellis ortho- or metachromatic reactions were examined in Cresyl Blue after Buyck [25]. Sulfovanillin (SV) was used to observe color changes of cystidia contents [26]. Observations and measurements of microscopic features were made in 1% Congo Red, five percent potassium hydroxide (KOH), or Melzer’s reagent. Basidiospore measurements exclude ornamentation and apiculus. The basidiospores were examined using a TM4000Plus scanning electron microscope (SEM). All the microscopic structures were drawn by free-hand. The number of measured basidiospores is given as n/m/p, where “n” represents the total number of basidiospores measured from “m” basidiomata of “p” specimens. Dimensions of basidiospores are presented as (a–)b–e–c(–d), where the “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; “Qm” refers to the average “Q” of basidiospores and is given with standard deviation.

2.2. Molecular Procedures

Plant Genomic DNA Kit (CWBIO, Beijing, China) was used to extracted total genomic DNA from silica gel-dried collections according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Primer pairs used for amplification were: nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains (28S) with LR0R/LR5 [27,28], nuc rDNA region including the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2, along with the 5.8S rDNA (ITS) with ITS5/ITS4 [29]. PCR reactions were performed with 4 min initial denaturation at 95 °C, followed by 35 cycles of denaturation at 94 °C for 30 s, annealing at the appropriate temperature (50 °C for 28S and ITS) for 30 s, extension at 72 °C for 120 s and a final extension at 72 °C for 7 min. Amplified PCR products were purified using the DNA Purification Kit (TIANGEN, Beijing, China) according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and then directly sequenced using a BigDye terminator v3.1 Kit and an ABI 3730xl DNA Analyzer (Guangzhou Branch of BGI, Guangzhou, China) with the same primers used for PCR amplification. DNA sequences were compiled with BioEdit v7.0.9 [30], and then deposited in GenBank (

Table 1. Taxa, vouchers, locations, and GenBank accession numbers of DNA sequences used in this study. The new sequences are in bold.

Taxon	Voucher	Locality	GenBank Accession Nos.		Reference
			ITS	28S
Russula aff. amoenolens	HMJAU37318	Heilongjiang, NE China	KY357332	—	[31]
R. ahmadii	LAH 35004	Pakistan	KT834638	KX911834	[32]
R. ahmadii	LAH 18081013	Pakistan	KU535609	—	[32]
R. amerorecondita	F (PGA17-017)	USA	MN130066	—	[21]
R. amerorecondita	SH120828	USA	MN130067	—	[21]
R. amoenolens	46372 (AH)	Spain	MK105626	MK105707	[33]
R. amoenolens	TUB nl27.9.95.6	Germany	AF418615	AF325295	[34]
R. arunii	CUH:AM270	India	KY450661	KY946733	[35]
R. arunii	CUH:AM261 (holotype)	India	KR872619	KY946732	[35]
R. blennia	569/BB08.066 (holotype)	Madagascar	MH545687	KU237556	[36]
R. benghalensis	CUH AM654 (holotype)	India	MK414583	MK496844	[37]
R. catillus	SFC20120725-52	Republic of Korea	KX574685	—	[38]
R. catillus	SFC20120827-01 (holotype)	Republic of Korea	KX574686	—	[38]
R. catillus	SFC20120919-35	Republic of Korea	KX574688	—	[38]
R. catillus	LHJ150915-19	Guangdong, southern China	MK860690	—	Unpublished
R. cerolens	F36	USA	JN681168	—	Unpublished
R. cf. pseudolepida	BPL247	USA	KT933962	KT933821	[39]
R. clavulus	RITF3300	Guizhou, SW China	MN317302	MN325079	[15]
R. clavulus	RITF3216	Guizhou, SW China	MN317303	MN325080	[15]
R. clavulus	RITF3204	Yunnan, SW China	MN317304	MN325081	[15]
R. clavulus	RITF3334 (holotype)	Yunnan, SW China	MN317301	MN325078	[15]
R. compacta	BPL242	USA	KT933960	KT933819	[39]
R. compacta	HFJAU0301	Jiangxi, SE China	MN258682	—	Unpublished
R. echidna	HO 593336	Australia	MN130079	—	[21]
R. echidna	HO 593337	Australia	MN130080	—	[21]
R. elastica	3/BB 06.009	Madagascar	—	KU237451	[40]
R. ferruginea subsp. ferruginea	HUA Corrales935	Colombia	MZ604289	MZ604284	[40]
R. ferruginea subsp. ferruginea	HUA Corrales1019	Colombia	MZ604291	MZ604286	[40]
R. ferruginea subsp. ferruginea	HUA Corrales944 (holotype)	Colombia	MZ604288	MZ604283	[40]
R. ferruginea subsp. panamensis	UCH A28 (holotype)	Panama	MZ604292	MZ604287	[40]
R. flavobrunnea var. violaceotincta	71//BB 06.050	Madagascar	—	KU237468	[40]
R. fluvialis	KUO (JR8666) (holotype)	Finland	MN130084	MN130125	[21]
R. fluvialis	KUO (JR8313)	Finland	MN130085	MN130126	[21]
R. foetens	HMJAU 32234	Heilongjiang, NE China	KX095018	—	Unpublished
R. foetens	TUB hue124	Germany	AF418613	AF325299	[34]
R. foetens	GENT FH-12-277	Germany	KT934016	KT933877	[39]
R. foetentoides	LAH 04081023	Pakistan	HE647707	—	[41]
R. foetentoides	LAH 13081034	Pakistan	HE647708	—	[41]
R. foetentula	156	USA	KJ834623	—	[42]
R. fragrantissima	98	Italy	KJ530751	—	[42]
R. fujianensis	N.K. Zeng1449 (FHMU993)	Fujian, SE China	ON332048	ON318391	This study
R. fujianensis	N.K. Zeng1431 (FHMU975) (holotype)	Fujian, SE China	ON332049	ON318392	This study
R. garyensis	F (PGA17-008)	USA	MN130088	—	[21]
R. garyensis	F (PGA1-910)	USA	MN130089	—	[21]
R. gelatinosa	K15052626 (holotype)	Guangdong, southern China	MH168575	—	[12]
R. gelatinosa	K16053119	Guangdong, southern China	MH168574	—	[12]
R. granulata	PC BB2004-226	USA	EU598192	—	Unpublished
R. granulata	PC BB2004-225	USA	EU598190	—	Unpublished
R. granulata	HMAS252604	Jilin, NE China	KF850414	—	[43]
R. granulata	BPL272	USA	KT933971	KT933832	[39]
R. grata	HMJAU 38008	Heilongjiang, NE China	KY681444	—	[31]
R. griseobrunnea	JAC13201	New Zealand	MW683824	MW683661	Unpublished
R. hainanensis	N.K. Zeng4888 (FHMU4860)	Hainan, southern China	—	OM280996	[16]
R. hainanensis	N.K. Zeng4899 (FHMU4855) (holotype)	Hainan, southern China	OM280999	OM280997	[16]
R. heterophylla	UE20.08.2004-2	Sweden	DQ422006	—	[44]
R. hortensis	IB 1997/0787 (holotype)	Italy	HG798528	—	Unpublished
R. illota	MICH73719	France	KF245509	—	Unpublished
R. illota	UE26.07.2002-3	Sweden	DQ422024	—	[34]
R. inamoena	107	Italy	KJ834597	—	[42]
R. inamoena	109	Italy	KJ834595	—	[42]
R. indocatillus	HGAS-MF009917	Guizhou, SW China	MN649191	—	[9]
R. indocatillus	HGAS-MF009903	Guizhou, SW China	MN649192	—	[9]
R. indocatillus	AG 17-1571 (holotype)	India	MN581483	—	[45]
R. indocatillus	AG 18-1653	India	MN581165	—	[45]
R. indosenecis	AG-21-04A	India	OL701254	—	[46]
R. indosenecis	AG-21-06A (holotype)	India	OL701269	—	[46]
R. insignis	HMAS267740	Heilongjiang, NE China	KF850404	—	[9]
R. laurocerasi	FH12178	Germany	KT933988	KT933849	[39]
R. laurocerasi	TUB nl1348	Germany	AF418614	—	[34]
R. laurocerasi	E00290534	UK	KF245532	—	Unpublished
R. livescens	F0177	China	GU371295	—	[47]
R. maguanensis	XHW4765	Yunnan, SW China	MH724918	MH714537	[48]
R. mistiformis	JC170305NR	Spain	MK105677	—	[33]
R. mistiformis	AMC H-69	Spain	MK105680	—	[33]
R. multilamellula	LHJ14092423 (holotype)	Guizhou, SW China	MT791347	MT793120	[15]
R. multilamellula	wuxingliang03	Guizhou, SW China	MT791348	MT793121	[15]
R. mustelina	1176/S. Adamcik 09.88	Slovakia	—	KU237596	[40]
R. mutabilis	DPL10654	USA	KF810137	—	[49]
R. mutabilis	BHI-F384a	USA	MF161239	—	[50]
R. obscuricolor	KD 16-30 (holotype)	India	MF805816	—	[51]
R. obscuricolor	KD 16-22	India	MF805817	—	[51]
R. oleifera	254/BB 98.024	Burundi	—	KU237490	[40]
R. ombrophila	86	Spain	KF971694	—	[42]
R. oraria	N.K. Zeng4829 (FHMU5374)	Hainan, southern China	ON332052	OQ380695	This study
R. oraria	N.K. Zeng4823 (FHMU5355) (holotype)	Hainan, southern China	ON332053	OQ380696	This study
R. pectinata	2010BT02	Germany	KF318081	—	[42]
R. pectinata	2010BT48	Germany	KF318082	—	[42]
R. pectinatoides	HMAS251202	Yunnan, SW China	JX425405	—	[43]
R. pectinatoides	NYS2303.1	USA	KU640189	—	[42]
R. pila	JMV800654 (BCN)	Spain	MK105691	MK105736	[33]
R. pilosella	BRI-H5974	Australia	EU019941	—	[52]
R. pseudocatillus	K16042406 (holotype)	Guangdong, southern China	MK049974	—	[14]
R. pseudocatillus	K15060706	Guangdong, southern China	MK049975	—	[14]
R. pseudociliata	545/BB 08.061	Madagascar	MH545688	KU237537	[40]
R. pseudopectinatoides	HMAS265020	Xizang, SW China	KM269079	—	[11]
R. pseudopectinatoides	HMAS251523 (holotype)	Xizang, SW China	KM269077	—	[11]
R. pseudopectinatoides	RITF1353	China	MK860689	—	[13]
R. pseudosenecis	AG 20-062 (holotype)	India	OL461233	—	[46]
R. pseudosenecis	AG 21-073	India	OL461234	—	[46]
R. pulverulenta	4-1144IS79	USA	AY061736	—	[53]
R. pulverulenta	PC BB2004-245	USA	EU598186	—	Unpublished
R. punctipes	K17052318	Guangdong, southern China	MH168576	—	[12]
R. punctipes	K16051001	Guangdong, southern China	MH168577	—	[12]
R. recondita	92	Switzerland	KJ530750	—	[42]
R. rufobasalis	H17052204 (holotype)	Guangdong, southern China	MH168570	—	[12]
R. rufobasalis	H15060622	Guangdong, southern China	MH168567	—	[12]
R. rufobasalis	N.K. Zeng1416 (FHMU961)	Fujian, SE China	ON332050	ON318393	This study
R. rufobasalis	N.K. Zeng1270 (FHMU827)	Fujian, SE China	ON332051	ON318394	This study
R. senecis	CUH AM102	India	KP142981	—	[54]
R. senecis	SFC20110921-18	Republic of Korea	KX574698	—	[38]
R. siamensis	Watling 28784	Thailand	AB206535	—	[55]
R. straminella	HGAS-MF009920	Guizhou, SW China	MN649194	—	[9]
R. straminella	HGAS-MF009922 (holotype)	Guizhou, SW China	MN649195	—	[9]
R. straminella	HGAS-MF009925	Guizhou, SW China	MN649189	—	[9]
R. subfoetens	HMJAU 38006	Heilongjiang, NE China	KY681430	—	[31]
R. subpectinatoides	HBAU15023 (holotype)	Jiangsu, eastern China	MW041163	—	[9]
R. subpectinatoides	HBAU15024	Jiangsu, eastern China	MW041164	—	[9]
R. subpectinatoides	HBAU15025	Jiangsu, eastern China	MW041165	—	[9]
R. subpectinatoides	HBAU15026	Jiangsu, eastern China	MW041166	—	[9]
R. subpunctipes	RITF2616 (holotype)	Hubei, central China	MK860692	MK860695	[13]
R. subpunctipes	RITF2617	Hubei, central China	MK860693	MK860696	[13]
R. substriata	WJ292	Yunnan, SW China	MH724919	MH714538	[48]
R. substriata	XHW4749	Yunnan, SW China	MH724920	MH714539	[48]
R. substriata	XHW4766 (holotype)	Yunnan, SW China	MH724921	MH714540	[48]
R. substriata	XHW4767	Yunnan, SW China	MH724922	MH714541	[48]
R. substriata	XHW4785	Yunnan, SW China	MH724923	MH714542	[48]
R. succinea	HGAS-MF 009909	Guizhou, SW China	MN649196	—	[9]
R. succinea	HGAS-MF 009904 (holotype)	Guizhou, SW China	MN649188	—	[9]
R. succinea	HGAS-MF 009906	Guizhou, SW China	MN649198	—	[9]
R. succinea	HGAS-MF 009915	Guizhou, SW China	MN649190	—	[9]
R. variata	BPL241	USA	KT933959	KT933818	[39]
R. ventricosipes	PC 0142480	USA	KY800364	—	[56]
R. vinaceocuticulata	PDD 64246	New Zealand	GU222258	—	Unpublished
Russula sp.	LHJ170913-01	Guangdong, southern China	MK860691	MK860694	[13]

SW = Southwestern, SE = Southeastern, NE = Northeastern.

).

2.3. Dataset Assembly

Twelve DNA sequences (6 of 28S, and 6 of ITS) from 6 collections were newly generated. Edited sequences were submitted to GenBank; the GenBank accession numbers of 28S and ITS are provided in Table 1, which are identified in boldface. For the concatenated dataset, newly generated 28S and ITS sequences were aligned with sequences of sect. Ingratae with greater representativeness as well as availability from previous studies and GenBank (Table 1). Russula blennia Buyck, R. compacta Frost and R. griseobrunnea McNabb were chosen as outgroup. MUSCLE was used to align the 28S and ITS sequences individually to test for phylogenetic conflict [57]. Then, the sequences of the different genes were concatenated using Phyutility v2.2 for further analyses [58].

2.4. Phylogenetic Analyses

Both Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) were employed for phylogenetic analysis. Maximum Likelihood of the phylogenetic relationships was conducted with the program RAxML 7.2.6 running 1000 replicates combined with an ML search [59]. Bayesian analysis with MrBayes 3.1 implementing the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique and parameters predetermined with MrModeltest 2.3 was performed [60,61]. The best-fit likelihood models for 28S and ITS were SYM + I + G and HKY + I + G, respectively. Bayesian analysis was repeated for 17 million generations, and sampled every 100. Trees sampled from the first 25% of the generations were discarded as burn-in, and Bayesian posterior probabilities (PP) were then calculated for a majority consensus tree of the retained Bayesian trees. Runs were terminated once the average standard deviation of split frequencies decreased below 0.01.

3. Results

3.1. Molecular Data

Sixty-three species of sect. Ingratae, four species of sect. Heterophyllae, two species of subsect. Cyanoxanthinae, and two species of subsect. Substriatinae were used for the construction of the phylogram of Russula sect. Ingratae (Figure 1). The topologies of the phylogenetic trees based on a single gene (28S and ITS) were identical, suggesting that the phylogenetic signals present in the different gene fragments (28S and ITS) were not in conflict. The two-locus data set (28S + ITS) consisted of 134 taxa and 1532 nucleotide sites. The topologies of phylogenetic trees generated from ML and BI analyses were identical, though statistical support for some branches showed slight differences. The phylogram with branch lengths inferred from the 28S and ITS dataset with RAxML is shown with the support values (Figure 1).

The current molecular data indicate that the Chinese specimens of sect. Ingratae were grouped into 24 independent lineages (1–24) (Figure 1). We were particularly interested in lineages 3, 20, and 21, which included our new collections. Lineage 3 had strong statistical support (BS = 100, PP = 1.0), and included two specimens (FHMU975 and FHMU993) from southeastern China; lineage 20 consisted of the holotype (H17052204) and one specimen (H15060622) of R. rufobasalis from southern China, and two collections (FHMU827 and FHMU961) from southeastern China, with high statistical support (BS = 100, PP = 1); lineage 21, which had strong statistical support (BS = 100, PP = 1) comprising two specimens (FHMU5355 and FHMU5374) from southern China (Figure 1).

3.2. Taxonomy

Russula fujianensis N.K. Zeng, Y.X. Han & Zhi Q. Liang, sp. nov. (Figure 2a,b, Figure 3a,b, Figure 4 and Figure 5).

MycoBank: MB 845634.

Etymology—Latin “fujianensis”, refers to Fujian Province, China, holotype locality.

Diagnosis—Differs from closest species of sect. Ingratae by a pale yellowish-brown pileus, a long, white stipe (ca. 6.5–12 cm), basidiospores usually with large wings (up to 2.0 μm), never forming a reticulum, a hymenophore with fewer pleurocystidia (less than 700/mm²), cystidia turning to yellowish brown in SV, and it is associated with trees of Fagaceae.

Holotype—CHINA. Fujian Province: Zhangping County, Xinqiao Town, Chengkou Village, elev. 350 m, 18 August 2013, N.K. Zeng1431 (FHMU975). GenBank accession numbers: 28S = ON318392, ITS = ON332049.

Description—Basidiomata medium-sized. Pileus 5–7 cm diameter, spherical at first, then subhemispherical, applanate, center slightly depressed; surface slightly sticky, pale yellowish-brown (1B3), pale brown (5D4) to dark brown (5E5), margin with obvious radial tuberculate-striate; context 4–5 mm thick at the center of the pileus, white (2A1), unchanging in color when injured. Hymenophore lamellate, adnate; lamellae about 5 mm in height, crowded, occasionally forked, white (2A1), unchanging in color when injured, edge even; lamellulae rare, concolorous with lamellae. Stipe 6.5–12 × 1–1.8 cm, central, subcylindrical to cylindrical, hollow, annulus absent; surface white, sometimes tined with peal brown (5B3) to peal yellowish-brown (1B4). Taste acrid. Odour fetid. Spore print not obtained.

Basidiospores (excluding ornamentation) [40/6/2] 7–8.1–8.5 (–9) × 6.5–7.6–8 (–8.5) μm, Q = 1–1.14 (–1.15), Qm = 1.07 ± 0.04, globose to subglobose, ornamentation composed of large, moderately distant to dense ((5–) 6–8 in a 3 μm diameter circle) amyloid warts or wings, 0.9–2.0 μm high, isolated or occasionally fused (0–3 fusions in the circle); wings nearly encircling the spores, mixed with numerous short, blunt, isolated warts, line connections absent; suprahilar spot inamyloid and indistinct. Basidia (35–) 39.5–45–51.5 (–54) × (10–) 14.5–15.5–16 (–17) μm, hyaline in KOH, thin-walled (up to 0.4 μm), clavate, 4-spored; sterigmata 4–7 μm, slightly tortuous, sometimes straight; basidiola clavate, ca. 7.5–15 μm wide. Pleurocystidia dispersed, less than 700/mm², (35–) 46–52–60 × (6.5–) 7.5–8.5–10 μm, narrowly clavate to clavate, apically often obtuse or acute, sometimes fusiform, occasionally with 2.5–4 μm long appendage, thin-walled (up to 0.4 μm); contents abundant granulose, yellowish in Congo Red, turning to yellowish brown in SV. Cheilocystida (45–) 49.5–52–62 × (6–) 7.5–9.5–11.5 μm, narrowly clavate to subcylindrical, apex obtuse or mucronate, sometimes with 1.5–4 μm long appendage, thin-walled (up to 0.3 μm); contents granulose, yellowish in Congo Red, turning to yellowish brown in SV. Lamellae edges fertile. Marginal cells (6–) 10.5–16.5–20.5 × 3.5–4–5 (–6.5) μm, clavate or subcylindrical, usually shorter than basidiola, thin-walled (up to 0.4 μm). Lamellar trama mainly composed of sphaerocytes measuring up to 49 μm in diameter, hyaline in KOH, thick-walled (1–1.5 μm). Pileipellis orthochromatic in Cresyl Blue, not sharply delimited from the underlying context, a trichoderm 120–200 μm thick, two-layered, weakly gelatinized; composed of suprapellis (50–100 μm thick) and subpellis (70–100 μm thick). Suprapellis composed of erect to suberect hyphae 3–7 μm in diameter, thin-walled (up to 0.3 μm). Subpellis composed of horizontally oriented, dense, 2.5–7 μm wide intricate hyphae. Acid-resistant incrustations absent. Hyphal terminations near the pileus margin composed of 1–3 unbranched cells, not flexuous, thin-walled (up to 0.3 μm); terminal cells (9–) 12–18–23 × 4–4.5–5 μm, mainly clavate, occasionally subcylindrical, apexobtuse, rarely mucronate; subterminal cells often wider and longer, rarely branched. Hyphal terminations on the middle part between center and margin of pileus 1–3 cells, less flexuous and unbranched, terminal cells (13–) 18–21.5–24 × (4–) 4.5–5–7 μm, mainly clavate, occasionally subcylindrical, apexobtuse, rarely mucronate; subterminal cells often wider and longer, occasionally branched. Hyphal terminations near the pileus centre 1–3 cells, not flexuous; shorter terminal cells 8–14–20 × 3–4–4.5 (–5) μm, subcylindrical, apically obtuse; subterminal cells often wider and longer, rarely branched. Pileal trama made up of hyphae up to 41 μm in diameter, thick-walled (up to 1 μm), hyaline to pale yellowish in KOH. Pileocystidia near the pileus margin always long, one-celled, (55–) 63–70–89 × 7–8–8.5 μm, cylindrical to clavate, apex occasionally obtuse or usually mucronate, contents yellow in Congo Red, turning to yellowish brown in SV. Pileocystidia near the pileus centre narrower cylindrical to clavate, 1–2 celled, (26–) 45–57–65 × 5–5.5–6 μm, contents granulose, yellow in Congo Red, turning to yellowish brown in SV. Cystidioid hyphae in subpellis and context, contents granulose. Stipitipellis a cutis composed of hyphae slightly thick-walled (up to 0.7 μm), 2–6 μm wide, hyaline in KOH; terminal cells 12–28 × 4–5.5 μm, subcylindrical or subclavate. Stipe trama mainly composed of sphaerocytes measuring up to 43 μm in diameter, hyaline to pale yellowish in KOH, thick-walled (1.5–2 μm). Clamp connections absent in all tissues.

Habitat—Gregarious or fascicled on the ground in forests dominated by Castanopsis kawakamii Hayata.

Known distribution—Eastern China (Fujian Province).

Additional specimen examined—China. Fujian Province: Zhangping County, Xinqiao Town, Chengkou Village, elev. 350 m, 20 August 2013, N.K. Zeng1449 (FHMU993).

Notes—Morphologically, some Asian members of section Ingratae, viz., R. gelatinosa Y. Song and L.H. Qiu, R. punctipes Singer, and R. subpunctipes J. Song share similar winged basidiospores with our new species. However, R. gelatinosa, originally described from Guangdong Province of southern China, has higher wings (up to 3.5 μm high) on basidiospores, short, blunt ridges and warts forming an incomplete network between basidiospores wings, and suprapellis composed of short, inflated to globular subterminal and terminal elements [12]; R. punctipes, originally described from Hunan Province of central China, has a smaller basidioma, a shorter stipe (3.5–5.5 cm long), higher wings (up to 3 μm high) on basidiospores, short, blunt ridges and warts forming an incomplete network between basidiospores wings, suprapellis mainly composed of inflated subterminal cells [12]; R. subpunctipes, originally described from Hubei Province of central China, has a pileus cracking into patches towards the margin, higher wings (up to 2.5 μm high) on basidiospores, and suprapellis mainly composed of inflated subterminal cell [13].

Phylogenetically, R. fujianensis is closely related to R. multilamellula B. Chen and J. F. Liang (Figure 1). However, R. multilamellula, originally described from southwestern China, has a stipe with brownish spot at the base, smaller basidiospores measuring (5.6–) 6.3–6.9–7.4 (–8) × (5–) 5.8–6.4–7 (–7.3) μm, a hymenophore with more abundant pleurocystidia (ca. 1000/mm²), and it is associated with trees of Pinaceae [15].

Russula oraria N.K. Zeng, Y.X. Han and Zhi Q. Liang, sp. nov. (Figure 2c,d, Figure 3c,d, Figure 6 and Figure 7).

MycoBank: MB 845636.

Etymology—Latin “oraria”, refers to the new species growing near the coast.

Diagnosis—Differs from closest species of R. sect. Ingratae by a white pileus with pale yellow to pale yellowish brown at center, basidiospores with small, dense, cylindric to subcylindrical warts (0.5–1 μm high), never forming a reticulum, cystidia turning to yellowish brown in SV, and it is associated with trees of Dipterocarpaceae.

Holotype—China. Hainan Province: Wanning County, Shimei Bay, elev. 5 m, 28 August 2020, N.K. Zeng4823 (FHMU5355). GenBank accession numbers: ITS = ON332053.

Description—Basidiomata small-sized. Pileus 3.5–4 cm diameter, broadly convex to applanate, center slightly depressed, margin occasionally cracked; surface dry, white (2A1), pale yellow (3B2) to pale yellowish-brown (1B4) at center, margin with obvious radial tuberculate-striate; context about 2 mm thick at the center of the pileus, white (3A1), unchanging in color when injured. Hymenophore lamellate, adnate; lamellae 4–5 mm in height, occasionally forked, white (3A1), unchanging in color when injured; lamellulae common, concolor with lamellae. Stipe 40–45 × 6–8 mm, central, subcylindric to cylindric, hollow, annulus absent; surface dry, white (3A1). Taste acrid. Odour fetid. Spore print not obtained.

Basidiospores (excluding ornamentation) [40/4/2] 6–6.6–7 (–7.5) × 5–5.4–6 μm, Q = 1.08–1.3 (–1.4), Qm = 1.24 ± 0.11, subglobose to broadly ellipsoid, ornamentation of relatively small, dense to very dense (9–14 in a 3 μm diameter circle) amyloid cylindric to subcylindrical warts, 0.5–1 μm high, isolated or rarely fused (0–2 fusions in the circle), line connections absent, never forming a reticulum; suprahilar spot inamyloid and indistinct. Basidia (28–) 29.5–32–36 × 7–9–10 (–11.5) μm, hyaline in KOH, thin- to slightly thick-walled (0.4–0.5 μm), clavate, 4-spored; sterigmata 4–6 μm, slightly tortuous, sometimes straight; basidiola cylindric, then narrowly clavate, ca. 4.5–9.5 μm wide. Pleurocystidia moderately numerous, ca. 1000/mm², (40.5–) 45–52–60.5 × 6–7–8 (–8.5) μm, narrowly clavate to subcylindrical, apex often obtuse or acute, sometimes moniliform, occasionally with 1–5 μm long appendage, slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm); contents abundant granulose, yellowish in Congo Red, turning to yellowish-brown in SV. Cheilocystida 40.5–52–55.5 (–61) × 7–8.5–9 μm, clavate to subcylindrical, apex obtuse or mucronate, sometimes with 3–7 μm long appendage, thin-walled (up to 0.4 μm); contents abundant granulose, yellowish in Congo Red, turning to yellowish-brown in SV. Lamellae edges fertile. Marginal cells (13–) 14.5–19–25 × (4–) 4.5–6–8 μm, clavate or subcylindrical, usually shorter than basidioles, thin-walled (up to 0.4 μm). Lamellar trama mainly composed of sphaerocytes measuring up to 39 μm in diameter, hyaline in KOH, thick-walled (1–1.5 μm). Pileipellis orthochromatic in Cresyl Blue, not sharply delimited from the underlying context, an ixotrichoderm 75–150 μm thick, two-layered, gelatinized; composed of suprapellis (50–100 μm thick) and subpellis (35–70 μm thick). Suprapellis composed of erect to suberect hyphae 1.5–7.5 μm in diameter, thin-walled (up to 0.4 μm). Subpellis composed of horizontally oriented, dense, 3–9 μm wide intricate hyphae. Acid-resistant incrustations absent. Hyphal terminations near the pileus margin composed of 1–3 unbranched cells, not flexuous, thin-walled (up to 0.4 μm); terminal cells (14–) 15–20–24.5 × 3.5–4–5 (–5.5) μm, narrowly subcylindrical or tapering upward; subterminal cells often wider, occasionally branched. Hyphal terminations on the middle part between center and margin of pileus 1–3 cells, unbranched and not flexuous; terminal cells 10–13–17.5 (–19) × (3–) 3.5–4–5 μm, subcylindrical, apex obtuse; subterminal cells often wider, occasionally branched. Hyphal terminations near the pileus center 1–3 cells, unbranched and not flexuous; terminal cells (10–) 14.5–17–38 (–40) × 3–4–5 (–5.5) μm, mainly clavate, occasionally subcylindrical; subterminal cells often shorter, unbranched. Pileal trama composed of hyphae up to 50 μm in diameter, thick-walled (1–2 μm), hyaline in KOH. Pileocystidia near the pileus margin one-celled, (40.5–) 48–56–70 × 5.5–7.5–8 (–8.5) μm, cylindrical to clavate, apex usually obtuse, contents granulose, yellow in Congo Red turning to yellowish-brown in SV. Pileocystidia near the pileus centre cylindrical to clavate, 1–2 celled, (12.5–) 20–47–67.5 × 4.5–5–6 (–7) μm, contents granulose, yellow in Congo Red turning to yellowish-brown in SV. Cystidioid hyphae in subpellis and context, contents granulose. Stipitipellis a cutis, composed of hyphae thin-walled (up to 0.4 μm), 3–8 μm wide, pale yellowish in KOH; terminal cells 10–30 × 3.5–5 μm, subcylindrical or subclavate. Stipe trama mainly composed of sphaerocytes measuring up to 46 μm in diameter, hyaline in KOH, thick-walled (1–1.5 μm). Clamp connections absent in all tissues.

Habitat—Gregarious on the ground in forests dominated by Vatica mangachapoi Blanco.

Known distribution—Southern China (Hainan Province).

Additional specimen examined—China. Hainan Province: Wanning County, Shimei Bay, elev. 5 m, 28 August 2020, N.K. Zeng4829 (FHMU5374).

Notes—Morphologically, some Asian members of section Ingratae, viz., R. ahmadii Jabeen, Razaq, Niazi, I. Ahmad and Khalid, R. catillus H. Lee, M.S. Park and Y.W. Lim, R. clavulus B. Chen and J.F. Liang, R. natarajanii K. Das, J.R. Sharma and Atri, R. obscuricolor K. Das, A. Ghosh and Buyck, R. pseudocatillus F. Yuan and Y. Song, R. pseudopectinatoides G.J. Li and H.A. Wen, R. straminella G.J. Li and C.Y. Deng, R. subpectinatoides G.J. Li and Q.B. Sun, and R. succinea G.J. Li and C.Y. Deng are similar to R. oraria. However, R. ahmadii has a darker pileus, and larger basidiospores (5.6–) 6.1–9.2 (–9.4) × (5.4–) 5.7–6.6 (–7.5) μm with ornamentations composed of lower, irregular warts (up to 0.3 μm high), sometimes forming a partial reticulum, and it is associated with trees of Pinaceae [32]; R. catillus has basidiospores with lower ornamentations composed of mostly conical warts (up to 0.8 μm high), sometimes forming a partial reticulum, and it is associated with trees of Fagaceae [38]; R. clavulus has a larger basidioma (pileus 7–9 cm in diameter), larger basidiospores measuring (5.6–) 7.0–7.8–8.6 (–9.0) × (5.4–) 6.5–7.2–8.0 (–8.3) μm with ornamentations composed of larger, cylindric warts (up to 1.6 μm high), often forming short or long ridges, and it is associated with trees of Fagaceae [15]; R. natarajanii has a larger basidioma (pileus 6–10.5 cm in diameter), larger basidiospores measuring 6.5–8.8 × 5.8–7.1 µm with ornamentations composed of minute warts and ridges (up to 0.4 μm high), forming an incomplete reticulum, and it is associated with trees of Fagaceae [62]; R. obscuricolor has a stipe with blood red coloration at stipe base, basidiospores with ornamentations composed of conical warts and ridges (up to 0.9 μm high), forming a partial to incomplete reticulum, and it is associated with trees of Fagaceae [51]; R. pseudocatillus has larger basidiospores measuring 7–7.9–8.6 (–9.2) × (5.1–) 5.5–6.1–6.6 (–6.7) μm with ornamentations composed of higher, conical to cylindrical warts (up to 1.2 μm high), cystidia negative in SV [14]; R. pseudopectinatoides has basidiospores with ornamentations composed of lower, conical warts (0.2–0.5 μm high), forming a partial reticulum, and it is associated with trees of Pinaceae [11]; R. straminella has a darker brown pileus, a stipe turning brownish-yellow when injured, basidiospores with ornamentations composed of conical warts (0.7–1 μm high), forming a partial reticulum, a hymenophore with fewer pleurocystidia (less than 500/mm²), and it is associated with trees of Pinaceae; R. subpectinatoides has a darker brown pileus, a context slowly turning pale ochre when injured, basidiospores with ornamentations composed of lower, long ridges (0.3–0.5 μm high), forming an incomplete to complete reticulum, a hymenophore with fewer pleurocystidia (less than 200/mm²), and it is associated with trees of Pinaceae; R. succinea has a stipe turning cream to pale ochre when injured, basidiospores with ornamentations composed of subcylindrical warts, forming an incomplete reticulum, and it is associated with trees of Pinaceae [9].

Phylogenetically, R. oraria is closely related to R. siamensis Yomyart, Piap., Watling, Whalley and Sihan. (Figure 1), originally described from Thailand. However, the latter has a smaller basidioma (pileus 2.8 cm in diameter), a dark brownish beige to pale ochraceous grey pileus with flakes or squamules, and larger basidiospores measuring 8–9 × 6–7 μm [55].

Russula rufobasalis Y. Song and L.H. Qiu, Cryptog. Mycol. 39 (3): 352, 2018 (Figure 2e,f, Figure 3e,f, Figure 8 and Figure 9).

MycoBank: MB 824892.

Description—Basidiomata small-sized. Pileus 3–3.7 cm diameter, subhemispherical at first, then applanate, center slightly depressed; margin occasionally cracked; surface barely sticky, pale yellowish-brown (1B5), brown (5C5) to dark brown (5C8), margin with obvious radial tuberculate-striate; context about 2 mm thick at the center of the pileus, white (1A1), unchanging in color when injured. Hymenophore lamellate, adnate; lamellae 2 mm in height, distant, not forked, edge sparsely serrate, white (2A1), unchanging in color when injured; lamellulae rare. Stipe 30–35 × 5–6 mm, central, subcylindrical to cylindrical, hollow, annulus absent; surface white (3A1), sometimes tined with pale yellowish-brown (1B5), base reddish. Taste mild. Odour indistinct. Spore print not obtained.

Basidiospores (excluding ornamentation) [40/2/2] 5–6–6.5 (–7) × 4.5–5.2–6 μm, Q = 1–1.3, Qm = 1.15 ± 0.09, globose to broadly ellipsoid, ornamentation of relatively small, moderately distant to dense ((6–) 7–8 (–10) in a 3 μm diameter circle)) amyloid warts, 0.4–0.8 μm high, isolated or occasionally fused (0–3 fusions in the circle), small crests and ridges forming an incomplete reticulum, connected by occasional line connections ((0–) 1–3 in the circle); suprahilar spot inamyloid, distinct. Basidia (20.5–) 25–35–41 × 5–6–7.5(–8) μm, hyaline in KOH, thin-walled (up to 0.4 μm), narrowly clavate to subcylindrical, 4-spored; sterigmata 3–5 μm, slightly tortuous, sometimes straight; basidiola cylindrical, then narrowly clavate, ca. 4.5–8 μm wide. Pleurocystidia abundant, ca. 3200/mm², (40–) 45–51.5–57 (–60) × (6–) 6.5–7–8.5 μm, narrowly clavate to clavate, apically often obtuse, sometimes with mucronate apices, appendage 2.5–4 μm long, slightly thick-walled (up to 0.6 μm); contents abundant granulose, yellowish in Congo Red, turning to brownish in SV. Cheilocystida (32–) 46–50–58.5 (–70) × (7–) 7.5–8–8.5 μm, narrowly clavate to subcylindrical, apically obtuse or mucronate, sometimes with 3–5 μm long appendage, thin-walled (up to 0.4 μm); contents granulose, yellowish in Congo Red, turning brownish in SV. Lamellae edges fertile. Marginal cells (10–) 13–16.5–20 × 4.5–5–6 (–6.5) μm, clavate or subcylindrical, usually shorter than basidioles thin-walled (up to 0.4 μm). Lamellar trama mainly composed of sphaerocytes measuring up to 30 μm in diameter, hyaline in KOH, thick-walled (1–1.5 μm). Pileipellis orthochromatic in Cresyl Blue, not sharply delimited from the underlying context, a trichoderm 200–400 μm thick, two-layered, weakly gelatinized; composed of suprapellis (80–130 μm thick) and subpellis (150–300 μm thick). Suprapellis composed of erect to suberect hyphae 2.5–7 μm in diameter, slightly thick-walled (0.4–0.5 μm). Subpellis composed of frequently undulate-sinuous intricate hyphae (2.5–7 μm in diameter). Acid-resistant incrustations absent. Hyphal terminations near the pileus margin composed of 1–3 unbranched cells, not flexuous, slightly thick-walled (0.4–0.5 μm); terminal cells (7–) 12–18–26 × 3–4.5–5 μm, narrowly subcylindrical or tapering upward; subterminal cells often wider, occasionally branched. Hyphal terminations on the middle part between center and margin of pileus 1–3 cells, unbranched and not flexuous; terminal cells (14–)18–20–25 × 2.5–3–3.5 μm, subcylindrical; subterminal cells often wider and longer, rarely branched. Hyphal terminations near the pileus centre 1–3 cells, sometimes branched and not flexuous; terminal cells 12–18–24.5 (–27) × 3–4–5 (–5.5) μm, subcylindrical or tapering; subterminal cells often wider and longer, occasionally branched. Pileal trama composed of hyphae up to 35 μm in diameter, thick-walled (up to 1 μm), hyaline in KOH. Pileocystidia near the pileus margin one-celled, (30–) 45–54–61.5 × 4–5–6 μm, cylindrical to clavate, apex usually obtuse or occasionally mucronate, contents granulose, yellow in Congo Red, turning to yellowish-brown in SV. Pileocystidia near the pileus centre cylindrical to clavate, one-celled, (49–) 53.5–61–80 × 3.5–4–5.5 μm, contents yellow in Congo Red, turning to yellowish-brown in SV. Cystidioid hyphae in subpellis and context, contents granulose. Stipitipellis a cutis composed of hyphae slightly thick-walled (up to 0.5 μm), 2.5–8 μm wide, hyaline to pale yellowish in KOH; terminal cells 15–40 × 4–5.5 μm, subcylindrical or subclavate. Stipe trama mainly composed of sphaerocytes measuring up to 40 μm in diameter, hyaline in KOH, thick-walled (up to 1 μm). Clamp connections absent in all tissues.

Habitat—Solitary on the ground in forests dominated by Pinus massoniana Lamb or Castanopsis kawakamii Hayata.

Known distribution—Southern China (Guangdong Province) and eastern China (Fujian Province) [12].

Specimens examined—China. Fujian Province: Zhangping County, Xinqiao Town, Chengkou Village, elev. 80 m, 17 August 2013, N.K. Zeng1416 (FHMU961); Zhangping County, Fuzhige Park, elev. 80 m, 24 July 2013, N.K. Zeng1270 (FHMU827).

Notes—Russula rufobasalis was originally described from Guangdong Province of southern China [12]. In the present study, it was also found to be distributed in Fujian Province, southeastern China. The species was redescribed according to our new specimens; it is characterized by a pale yellowish-brown, brown to dark brown pileus, lamellate edges sparsely serrate, a stipe with reddish base, basidiospores with small crests and ridges (0.4–0.8 μm high), forming an incomplete reticulum, and it is associated with both trees of Pinaceae and Fagaceae. The previous description indicated the basidioma of R. rufobasalis is larger (3–6 cm), and the lamellulae are frequent [12], whereas the newly collected specimens have smaller basidiomata (3–3.7 cm) and rare lamellulae.

4. Discussion

4.1. Species Diversity of Sect. Ingratae in China

High species diversity of sect. Ingratae in China was revealed in this study, and 24 lineages of the section were identified (Figure 1). Two lineages (lineages 3 and 21) were described as new species: R. fujianensis and R. oraria; thirteen lineages (lineages 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 20, 22 and 23) represent known species: R. multilamellula, R. clavulus, R. punctipes Singer, R. subpunctipes J. Song, R. gelatinosa Y. Song and L. H. Qiu, R. hainanensis N.K. Zeng, Y.X. Han and Zhi Q. Liang, R. succinea, R. straminella, R. indocatillus A. Ghosh, K. Das and R.P. Bhatt, R. pseudocatillus F. Yuan and Y. Song, R. rufobasalis, R. subpectinatoides, and R. pseudopectinatoides [9,11,12,13,14,15,16]; other lineages (1, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, and 24) also included Chinese specimens wait to be further identified, combing with morphological evidence. Aside from the aforementioned species/lineages, four additional taxa, viz., R. foetens Pers., R. guangdongensis Z.S. Bi and T.H. Li, R. laurocerasi Melzera, and R. senecis have also been described/reported from China [10,63,64]. Russula guangdongensis, originally described from southern China, should be examined with DNA sequences and more collections, while the collections identified as R. foetens, R. laurocerasi, and R. senecis in China should be re-evaluated.

4.2. Species Delimitation of Sect. Ingratae in China

Although the diagnosis of sect. Ingratae is relatively straightforward, species within the section are difficult to distinguish. This is explained by the lack of molecular phylogenetic studies as well as morphological convergence documented in this group in previous studies [65]. With the wide application of molecular phylogenetic analyses, the diversity of species in sect. Ingratae was revealed in China (Figure 1). In order to delimit the phylogenetic species, we should pay much attention to the ornamentations of basidiospores, which are more reliable characters for species of sect. Ingratae. For example, basidiospores of R. clavulus, R. indocatillus, R. multilamellula, R. pseudocatillus, and R. subpunctipes are absent of reticula [9,12,14,15]; those of R. gelatinosa, R. hainanensis, R. pseudopectinatoides, R. punctipes, R. rufobasalis, R. straminella, and R. succinea often form incomplete reticulums; R. subpectinatoides has basidiospores with incomplete to complete reticula [9,11,12,16]. Moreover, five ornamentation types, viz., cone, cylinder, crest, ridge, and wing were observed; for example, basidiospores ornamentations of R. indocatillus and R. straminella mostly composed of conical warts [9], R. subpectinatoides mostly composed of long ridges [9], R. clavulus and R. multilamellula composed of cylindric warts and ridges [15], R. subpunctipes composed of cylindrical warts and wings [13], R. hainanensis composed of crests and ridges [16], R. pseudocatillus composed of conical to cylindrical warts [14], R. pseudopectinatoides composed of conical warts and ridges [11], R. succinea composed of crests and ridges [9], R. gelatinosa and R. punctipes composed of cylindrical warts, ridges and wings [12], R. rufobasalis composed of subcylindrical warts, crests and ridges [12]. In addition, the height of ornamentations is also a useful character: R. gelatinosa, R. punctipes, and R. subpunctipes have basidiospores with high ornamentations (>2 μm) [12,13]; that of R. clavulus, R. fujianensis, R. multilamellula, R. pseudocatillus, and R. succinea is moderately high (1–2 μm) [9,14,15]; while that of R. hainanensis, R. indocatillus, R. oraria, R. pseudopectinatoides, R. rufobasalis, R. straminella, and R. subpectinatoides is low (<1 μm) [9,11,12,16]. As to our new species, viz., R. fujianensis and R. oraria are absent of reticula; R. oraria is mostly composed of cylindric warts, while R. fujianensis is composed of cylindrical warts and wings.

Besides ornamentations of basidiospores, the ecological preferences should also be noted; for example, R. clavulus and R. subpunctipes are associated with Fagaceae [13,15], while R. multilamellula, R. pseudopectinatoides, R. straminella, R. subpectinatoides, and R. succinea are associated with Pinaceae [9,11,15]. Some species, e.g., R. indocatillus and R. rufobasalis can be associated with both Pinaceae and Fagaceae [9,45]. More particularly, R. hainanensis is associated with Dipterocarpaceae [16]. As to our new species, R. fujianensis and R. oraria are associated with Fagaceae and Dipterocarpaceae, respectively.

4.3. Phylogenetic Relationships and Geographic Divergence of Chinese Sect. Ingratae

Recent phylogenetic studies have provided new perspectives into the phylogeny and geography of sect. Ingratae [9,15,16]. Besides revealing two new species of sect. Ingratae, our molecular data have also contributed to other knowledge of this group (Figure 1). The molecular data indicated that the affinities of sect. Ingratae species between northeastern China and Europe are obvious, two species-level lineages (1 and 9) occuring in the two regions (Figure 1). Similar patterns have been documented in other fungi [66,67,68,69,70]. Moreover, we also noted that some Chinese species are closely related to the North America taxa; for example, one collection identified as R. granulata (lineage 19) from northeastern China is affiliated with one taxon labelled as R. granulata from USA; lineage 24 from China is closely related to one species identified as R. amerorecondita also from USA (Figure 1). Our study did not identify disjunct populations of the same purported taxon in the two regions (Figure 1). In addition, we also noted that R. indocatillus occurs both in China and India (Figure 1).

5. Conclusions

In this study, three species of Russula sect. Ingratae are recognized in China; two of them are described as new: R. fujianensis and R. oraria, and one of them is an already known taxon: R. rufobasalis.