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Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Forest Fungi, 2nd Edition
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Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Forest Fungi, 2nd Edition

A Special Issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X) belonging to the section "Fungal Evolution, Biodiversity and Systematics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 7875

Editor

Prof. Dr. Haisheng Yuan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110164, China
Interests: fungal taxonomy and phylogeny; edible and medicinal fungi; fungal population genetics; fungal comparative genomics; fungal population genetics; sustainable utilization of fungal resources; fungal biogeography; fungal ecology; host–fungi interaction; assembly of mycorrhizal fungal community; coordination mechanism between ectomycorrhizal fungal communities and vegetation succession
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forests are the largest, most complex, highest biomass, and primary productivity ecosystems on land, playing an irreplaceable role in maintaining land ecological balance and human survival and development. Fungi are an important component of forest ecosystems. Saprophytic fungi can decompose and utilize organic matter residues, promoting energy flow and material cycling in forest ecosystems; mycorrhizal fungi can enhance the stress resistance and nutrient absorption capacity of the host plant, as well as promote forest vegetation succession. Fungi interact with other organisms to jointly maintain forest biodiversity. Thus, fungi are crucial for maintaining the health and function of forest ecosystems.

In the first edition of this Special Issue, mycologists from around the world published 16 papers on the taxonomy, phylogeny, and ecology of forest fungi, demonstrating the rapid progress in this field. The Journal of Fungi has decided to launch the second edition of the Special Issue, ‘Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Forest Fungi’, in which research and review manuscripts on all topics related to forest fungi are welcome. Submissions may involve fungal taxonomy and phylogeny, fungal genomics, population genetics, fungal biogeography, or fungal ecology.

Manuscripts dealing with host–fungi interactions, the assembly of the mycorrhizal fungal community, soil fungi and carbon/nitrogen cycling, forest ecosystem functions related to fungi, and the biodegradation of lignocellulose by fungi are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Haisheng Yuan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fungal taxonomy and phylogeny
  • fungal genomics
  • fungal ecology
  • host–fungi interaction
  • assembly of fungal community
  • the role of fungi in carbon and nitrogen cycling

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 4520 KB  
Article
Integrating Phylogenetic and Morphological Data Reveals New Taxa of Hydnum (Hydnaceae, Cantharellales) from China
by Ting Cao, Dong-Xu Ji, Hai-Sheng Yuan and Tie-Zhi Liu
J. Fungi 2026, 12(9), 674; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12090674 - 9 Sep 2026
Viewed by 335
Abstract
Hydnum is a genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi characterized by umbrella-shaped basidiocarps and hydnoid hymenium in the family Hydnaceae of Cantharellales. New species of this genus have been increasingly discovered worldwide, particularly in Asia in recent years. But compared with other fungal groups, [...] Read more.
Hydnum is a genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi characterized by umbrella-shaped basidiocarps and hydnoid hymenium in the family Hydnaceae of Cantharellales. New species of this genus have been increasingly discovered worldwide, particularly in Asia in recent years. But compared with other fungal groups, the species richness of Hydnum still warrants sustained attention. In this study, phylogenetic analyses of Hydnum in China were conducted based on the dataset of the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (tef-1α). Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses were used to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree. Five phylogenetic taxa have been recognized and described or redescribed employing phylogenetic and morphological analyses: one new subsection, namely the Hydnum subsect. Tangerinum, two new species namely H. cavum and H. dazhouense, as well as two newly recorded species of China: H. albopallidum and H. repando-orientale. A key to the species of Hydnum in China was provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Forest Fungi, 2nd Edition)
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21 pages, 6318 KB  
Article
Exploration of the Potential Suitable Distribution Range of the Lyophyllum decastes Complex in High-Altitude Cold Regions of Southwest China
by Shuwei Wei, Yue Mi, Xiaozhuo Zhang, Bao Qi, Wanyi Wang, Qi Wang, Dongfang Shi and Yu Li
J. Fungi 2026, 12(8), 571; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12080571 - 1 Aug 2026
Viewed by 356
Abstract
Climate change may alter the abiotic conditions associated with macrofungal occurrence, but projections for taxonomically unresolved species complexes require cautious interpretation. Here, we used an AICc-optimized MaxEnt model to characterize the climate-defined aggregate suitability envelope of records assigned to the Lyophyllum decastes (Fr.) [...] Read more.
Climate change may alter the abiotic conditions associated with macrofungal occurrence, but projections for taxonomically unresolved species complexes require cautious interpretation. Here, we used an AICc-optimized MaxEnt model to characterize the climate-defined aggregate suitability envelope of records assigned to the Lyophyllum decastes (Fr.) Singer complex in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Xizang, Southwest China, under current conditions and four RCP scenarios for the 2050s and 2070s. After spatial thinning, 70 occurrence records compiled from field surveys and published sources were modeled with correlation-filtered bioclimatic variables. The optimized model showed high discrimination for the pooled occurrence dataset (mean AUC > 0.95), and mean temperature of the coldest quarter had the largest contribution (50.8%). Projected changes differed between scenarios, with increasing fragmentation and reductions in highly suitable climate space under several futures. These outputs do not represent a lineage-resolved species distribution, as the occurrence records were not uniformly verified by molecular barcodes, and the model omits host availability, vegetation, soil, land use, dispersal, and other biotic processes. We therefore interpret the maps as a hypothesis-generating, aggregate climatic envelope for the complex that can guide stratified field surveys, molecular sampling, and habitat monitoring rather than as direct evidence of taxon-specific physiological tolerances or realized distributions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Forest Fungi, 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 1975 KB  
Article
Macrofungal Diversity and Funga in Two Forest Types of Motuo Ecosystems, Southwest China
by An-Hong Zhu, Zhi Qu, Si-Yu Ma, Zhong-Xin Sun, Rong-Shen Li and Hai-Xia Ma
J. Fungi 2026, 12(7), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12070533 - 19 Jul 2026
Viewed by 664
Abstract
The study on macrofungi diversity in Motuo county, Xizang Autonomous Region, was conducted from 2021 to 2025, and 2286 vouchered fungal collections were obtained from local forest ecosystems. A total of 534 species, representing two phyla, eight classes, 28 orders, 96 families, and [...] Read more.
The study on macrofungi diversity in Motuo county, Xizang Autonomous Region, was conducted from 2021 to 2025, and 2286 vouchered fungal collections were obtained from local forest ecosystems. A total of 534 species, representing two phyla, eight classes, 28 orders, 96 families, and 241 genera were identified according to the morphological characters and molecular evidence. The orders Agaricales (174), Polyporales (91), Xylariales (74) and Russulales (69) were the dominant orders, collectively accounting for 76.40% of the total species listed. Fifteen dominant families with more 10 species each were identified, namely Russulaceae (58), Polyporaceae (37), Xylariaceae (34), Hypoxylaceae (30), Boletaceae (17), Psathyrellaceae (13), Mycenaceae (12), Agaricaceae (11), Hymenochaetaceae (11), Auriculariaceae (11), Stromphariaceae (11), Marasmiaceae (10), Omphalotaceae (10), Steccherinaceae (10), and Pleurotaceae (10), which occupied approximately 53.37% of the total species. Additionally, 21 dominant genera with more than five species each were recorded, including Russula (27), Xylaria (25), Hypoxylon (17), Lactarius (16), Lactifluus (15), and other 16 genera (101), accounting for around 37.64% of all species. We further compared species composition, distribution patterns, dominant taxa and trophic modes of macrofungi between tropical monsoon forest and evergreen broad-leaved forest. A total of 439 species (82.21%) were endemic to a single forest type, while only 95 species (17.79%) were shared by the two forest habitats. The evergreen broad-leaved forest exhibited slightly higher macrofungal species richness than the tropical monsoon forest in Motuo County. Moreover, it harbored a higher proportion of ectomycorrhizal fungi (25.32% vs. 14.06%) and a lower proportion of saprotrophic fungi (71.52% vs. 83.71%). This study fills the research gap in systematic macrofungal diversity investigation in Motuo County, and provides fundamental data for revealing the evolutionary mechanisms of macrofungi on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau margin and clarifying the biodiversity formation process across the Himalayan region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Forest Fungi, 2nd Edition)
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25 pages, 11826 KB  
Article
Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Stipitate Stereoid Basidiomycetes from China
by Jia-Xue Liu, Lin-Jiang Zhou, Ya-Quan Zhu, Hyang Burm Lee and Hai-Sheng Yuan
J. Fungi 2026, 12(6), 400; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12060400 - 31 May 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1020
Abstract
Stipitate stereoid fungi are saprotrophic basidiomycetes characterized by a leathery basidiome, a central-to-lateral stipe and infundibuliform pilei. Although numerous species of stipitate stereoid fungi have been recorded worldwide, understanding of their phylogenetic relationships remains extremely limited, and research on this group of fungi [...] Read more.
Stipitate stereoid fungi are saprotrophic basidiomycetes characterized by a leathery basidiome, a central-to-lateral stipe and infundibuliform pilei. Although numerous species of stipitate stereoid fungi have been recorded worldwide, understanding of their phylogenetic relationships remains extremely limited, and research on this group of fungi in China is insufficient. In this study, specimens of the three stipitate stereoid genera, namely Podoscypha s. l., Cymatoderma s. l. and Stereopsis s. l., from southern China were investigated. Phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (LSU) using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods revealed that all three genera are polyphyletic. Consequently, Podoscypha s. s. and Cymatoderma s. s. were delimited, and Cladoderris—previously synonymized with Cymatoderma—was resurrected. Cladoderris is characterized by an imbricate basidiome, tomentose pilei and basidiospores typically shorter than 4 μm in length. Three new species, Podoscypha casiae, Stereopsis buccinata and Cladoderris perennis, were described and illustrated. The morphological distinctions and affinities between the new species and closely related taxa were discussed, the thresholds for the intraspecific and interspecific demarcation within the three genera in this study were provided, and identification keys for the species of each genus were presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Forest Fungi, 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 7277 KB  
Article
Two Novel Species of Cudonia and Pleurocordyceps (Ascomycota) from Mount Tianmu, China
by Yu-Yu Shen, Yan-Jia Chen, Zi-Ruo Deng, Jun-Yin Deng, Chun-Mei Pang, Yao-Bin Song and Ming Dong
J. Fungi 2026, 12(5), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12050323 - 28 Apr 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1994
Abstract
Cudonia and Pleurocordyceps comprise a relatively limited number of species worldwide. In particular, Pleurocordyceps represents an ecologically important group of entomopathogenic fungi with considerable potential for medicinal applications. In this study, two novel species, Cudonia aurantiaca and Pleurocordyceps tianmushanensis, were collected from [...] Read more.
Cudonia and Pleurocordyceps comprise a relatively limited number of species worldwide. In particular, Pleurocordyceps represents an ecologically important group of entomopathogenic fungi with considerable potential for medicinal applications. In this study, two novel species, Cudonia aurantiaca and Pleurocordyceps tianmushanensis, were collected from the National Nature Reserve of Mount Tianmu, Zhejiang Province, China. Detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided, and genus-level phylogenetic relationships are inferred based on a combined multi-locus sequence dataset comprising the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU), large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef-1α), RNA polymerase II largest subunit (rpb1), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) gene regions. This study contributes to a better understanding of the diversity and taxonomy of Cudonia and Pleurocordyceps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Forest Fungi, 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 12218 KB  
Article
Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Amylocorticiales (Basidiomycota): Two New Genera, Six New Species, and Four New Combinations
by Yu-Qing Liu, Jing Ye, Si-Yi He, Yuan Yuan, Sen Liu, Yue Li, Man-Rong Huang, Ning Yang and Shuang-Hui He
J. Fungi 2026, 12(2), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12020153 - 20 Feb 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1500
Abstract
Amylocorticiales forms a well-supported clade within Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota, and most of the species have resupinate basidiomes and cause brown rot on wood. It is one of the smallest orders of the basidiomycetes, with the species diversity and phylogeny being understudied. In the present [...] Read more.
Amylocorticiales forms a well-supported clade within Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota, and most of the species have resupinate basidiomes and cause brown rot on wood. It is one of the smallest orders of the basidiomycetes, with the species diversity and phylogeny being understudied. In the present study, we conduct phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated ITS + nLSU sequence dataset of the order with an emphasis on the samples from southern China. As a result, ten new lineages were found. Combined with the morphological evidence, two new genera and six new species are described and illustrated, and four new combinations are proposed. Amylophanerochaete hainanense gen. et sp. nov. is closely related to Serpulomyces but differs in having smooth hymenophores with rhizomorphs and narrowly cylindrical to slightly sigmoid amyloid basidiospores. The new genus Pseudoathelia is proposed to accommodate Leptosporomyces linzhiense and Athelia septentrionalis, two athelioid species. Four new species, viz. Amylocorticium athelioides, A. bisporum, A. guangxiense, and A. luteolum, collected from southern China, formed distinct lineages within the Amylocorticium clade. Serpulomyces borealis, the only species of the genus, is proven to be a species complex, while one new species, S. subborealis, and two new combinations, S. rhizomorphus and S. yunnanensis, transferred from Ceraceomyces, are found in the lineage. An identification key to all the known genera is provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Forest Fungi, 2nd Edition)
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35 pages, 21047 KB  
Article
Morphological and Phylogenetic Evidence Reveal Nine New Species of Russula (Russulaceae, Russulales) from Shanxi Province, North China
by Hao-Yu Fu, Jia-He Li, Hui-Min Ji, Ning Mao, Ting Li and Li Fan
J. Fungi 2026, 12(1), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12010078 - 22 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1282
Abstract
Shanxi Province, located in northern China, characterized by a warm-temperate monsoon climate, complex mountainous topography, and vegetation dominated by trees of Fagaceae and Pinaceae, provides diverse habitats for Russula diversity. Recent investigations on macrofungi in this region revealed nine new Russula species based [...] Read more.
Shanxi Province, located in northern China, characterized by a warm-temperate monsoon climate, complex mountainous topography, and vegetation dominated by trees of Fagaceae and Pinaceae, provides diverse habitats for Russula diversity. Recent investigations on macrofungi in this region revealed nine new Russula species based on integrated morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (ITS, nrLSU, rpb2, tef1), which are described and illustrated in this paper. These new taxa are classified into three subgenera of Russula: one species of subgen. Brevipes, four of subgen. Heterophyllidia, four of subgen. Russula. This work enhances the understanding of Russula resources in China’s temperate zone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Forest Fungi, 2nd Edition)
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