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Based on morphological and molecular data, Bonomyces pakistanensis is described as a new species found in coniferous forests of Pakistan. Several collections of Bonomyces were made during mycological field trips conducted in different coniferous forests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Detailed macro‐ and micro‐morphological descriptions and phylogenetic analyses of ITS and LSU sequence data support B. pakistanensis as a new species of Bonomyces. It has a small‐sized basidiome, orange to yellowish pileus covered with fine to coarse fibrils, or minute squamules at earlier stage. Later on, the pileus becomes smooth. The stipe is pale white with longitudinal fibrils. An illustrated description, molecular data, and detailed comparison with related or similar species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new powdery mildew species, Erysipheneelamensis, was found on Celtis eriocarpa in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The identification was based upon morpho‐anatomical features and results of a molecular sequence analysis. This species is morphologically distinguished from phylogenetically allied Erysiphe species by having chasmothecia with fewer, shorter appendages and a small number of asci and ascospores. A phylogenetic analysis of the nrDNA of ITS region of E. neelamensis supports the involvement of a novel species of the genus Erysiphe. The new species is described, illustrated and compared with all allied species, along with a phylogram showing its inferred phylogenetic position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species Buellia darelensis, B. densitheca, B. kashmirensis and two new records B. elegans and B. taishanensis are added to the lichen biota of Pakistan. Buellia darelensis and B. kashmirensis share the same habitats found on the rock while B. densitheca colonized on bark of Pinus hardwoods in the Himalayan forest, Pakistan. Morphological, chemical, and phylogenetic analyses were carried out to elucidate the placement of these species and to support the delimitation of the new taxa. Detailed descriptions and figures for the species are given, and a key to all known buellioid species from Pakistan is provided. Research Highlights: During recent explorations of lichens from different regions of Pakistan, we observed specimens that could not be readily assigned to any known species. A phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer nrDNA region confirms their position within the genus Buellia, and morphological data showed distinctiveness of three species from other known species of the genus. We therefore describe these specimens as new species to science, and two species are as new records for the country. Pakistan exhibits a large altitudinal variation, with climatic conditions and a diverse vegetation that supports a diverse and conspicuous lichen biota. The nature reserves have abundant biological resources, and it is expected that more new species of lichen may be discovered in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of powdery mildew fungus Erysiphe ahmadii and a new record, Erysiphe populicola, on Salicaceae are described from Pakistan. In addition to light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy is also done to clearly demonstrate the surface characters of chasmothecia. E. ahmadii sp. nov. is characterized by large conidia ((−26)29–35(−37) × (−16)17–21(−23) μm), long chasmothecial appendages (198–286 μm) and small conidiophores. The novelty is confirmed by analyzing the genetic variation of internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA gene, a universal fungal marker. E. populicola is characterized for the first time using molecular phylogenetic markers. Detailed descriptions along with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photographs are provided in this paper. Research Highlights: Powdery mildews are obligate biotrophic pathogens of plants.Erysiphe ahmadii, a new powdery mildew fungus on willow trees, is described.First reference sequence of Erysiphe populicola is also generated.Both taxa are discussed in detail using macro‐ and micro‐morphological and DNA barcoding techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new powdery mildew fungus, Phyllactinia cornicola (Erysiphaceae) infecting dogwood trees is described from Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan. Identification is based upon morpho-anatomical features and molecular analysis. This species is characterized by having shorter conidiophores, and smaller chasmothecia, asci and ascospores compared to P. guttata and P. corni. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences supports its recognition as novel species of Phyllactinia. A comprehensive description, along with photographs and a phylogram to show its exact position, as well as a comparison with closely related taxa is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tulostoma loonbanglaense sp. nov. is described from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. ITS sequences confirm its position within the genus Tulostoma, and suggest that it is separate from other identified species of this genus. The species has globose to subglobose, with wide, solitary and appressed spines basidiospores, the basidiospores are relatively small, 4.39 × 4.23 μm, that make it distinguished from the related species. Sequences of nr ITS region of the newly described species nested as a distinct taxon in both phylogenetic analyses of the current study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coprinopsis hispida is described and illustrated as a new species from lowland northern Pakistan. Morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 = ITS) were used to clarify the taxonomic identity of the species. Coprinopsis hispida belongs to C. section Alopeciae and is distinguishable from related species by having a medium‐sized basidioma, convex to plane pileus which is covered with silvery‐white fibrils, ellipsoid to amygdaliform basidiospores measuring 8.5–10.5 × 5.5–7.0 µm, smooth, dark brown, with a central germ‐pore that is 1.0–1.5 µm wide. Morphological characters are discussed and compared with other species of the section. With this report, the number of species of Coprinopsis known from Pakistan is raised to six. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]