Revealing the Cryptic Diversity of Wood-Inhabiting Auricularia (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota) in Europe

Some unusual specimens of the wood-inhabiting fungus Auricularia auricula-judae have been studied using morphological and molecular methods. As expected from external features, we describe a new species Auricularia cerrina sp. nov. Sequencing of the ITS region confirms differences from other species of Auricularia, and preliminary phylogenetic analysis is presented. Auricularia cerrina is characterized by blackish fruitbodies in fresh conditions with the combined presence of the medulla layer and small spores compared with Auricularia auricula-judae. The new species is based on specimens from the Czech Republic (central Europe) of Quercus cerris. Colour photographs in situ of fruitbodies and some microscopic photos are provided.