A new wood-decaying fungus, Heterocorticium niveomarginatum (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota) from Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China

Wood-decaying fungi are among the most important groups of macrofungi with crucial ecological roles and economic value. In this study, a new wood-decaying fungal species, Heterocorticium niveomarginatum, is described from Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China, based on integrated morphological and molecular evidence. Morphologically, H. niveomarginatum is characterized by grayish to grayish-brown basidiomata with a distinct white margin, clamped hyphae, the presence of clavate to fusiform and subulate cystidia, and allantoid basidiospores. Phylogenetic analysis shows that H. niveomarginatum is most closely related to H. latisporum. A description, illustrations, phylogenetic analysis results, and a comparison with closely related taxa of the new species are provided. Ecologically, the species has a relatively broad host range, growing on Quercus mongolica, Tilia amurensis, and Pinus koraiensis. This study enriches the diversity of wood-decaying fungi in Northeast China.