Title : Unveiling a novel species of Pseudoomphalina distantifolia from Pakistan
Abstract:
Fungi, including mushrooms, are vital components of global ecosystems, contributing significantly to decomposition, nutrient cycling, and symbiotic relationships with plants and other organisms. Despite their ecological importance, up to 90% of fungal species remain undescribed. The present study aims to explore and document the diversity of fungal species—particularly Pseudoomphalina—in Ayubia National Park, Pakistan, through phylogenetic analysis, and to underscore the importance of continued exploration in this biodiversity-rich yet relatively understudied region. Fungal samples were collected from the Himalayan moist temperate coniferous forests of Pakistan between 2018 and 2020. Samples were cleaned, photographed, and identified using standard morphological keys. DNA was extracted from dried specimens using a modified CTAB method and amplified through PCR. The ITS and LSU regions were sequenced and analyzed using BLAST, MAFFT, and Sequencher software, followed by maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis using MEGA-X and CIPRES. A novel species of Pseudoomphalina was discovered during the study, distinguished by small to medium-sized fruiting bodies, campanulate to convex caps, distant lamellae, large apiculate basidiospores (7.5–16.5 × 4.0–7.3 µm), and narrowly clavate to clavate cheilocystidia. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses, alongside phylogenetic comparisons with related North American and European species, confirmed its unique taxonomic identity within the Pseudoomphalina kalchbrenneri complex. This study not only adds a new species to the global fungal inventory but also highlights the rich, untapped mycological diversity of Pakistan’s temperate forests. The findings provide crucial baseline data for researchers, conservationists, and land managers, contributing to biodiversity conservation, ecological monitoring, and potential applications in food security and sustainable ecosystem management in the face of a growing population.
