Efibula punctata Z. R Gu & C. L. Zhao, 2025

Gu, Zirui, Zhou, Chunqin, Zhang, Jianling, Liu, Yu, Deng, Qiaohua, Yang, Rongcong, Yang, Shunqiang & Zhao, Changlin, 2025, Taxonomy and phylogeny of Irpicaceae and Meruliaceae (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) with descriptions of four new species from southwestern China, MycoKeys 119, pp. 197-234 : 197-234

Efibula punctata Z. R Gu & C. L. Zhao sp. nov.

Figs 11 , 12 , 13

Diagnosis.

Differs from other Efibula species by its membranaceous, slightly gray to pale brown basidiomata, a monomitic hyphal system with simple-septate generative hyphae, and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 4.3–6.2 × 2.2–3.3 µm.

Holotype.

China • Yunnan Province, Dehong, Yingjiang County, Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve , GPS coordinates: 27°77'N, 104°25'E, altitude 1900 m asl., on the fallen angiosperm branch, leg. C. L. Zhao, 18 July 2023, CLZhao 30011, GenBank: ITS = PV 470544 , nLSU = PV 474189 ( SWFC).

Etymology.

Punctata (Latin or Greek origin): refers to the species having cushion-shaped hymenial surface of the type specimens.

Description.

Basidiomata. Annual, resupinate, closely adnate, thin membranaceous, without odor or taste when fresh, up to 10 cm long, 2 cm wide, and 200 μm thick at center. Hymenophore smooth, cream to slightly brown when fresh, slightly gray to pale brown upon drying. Sterile margin narrow, cream to slightly brown, up to 1 mm.

Hyphal system. Monomitic; generative hyphae with simple septa, colorless, thin-walled, smooth, branched, interwoven, 1.5–3.5 µm in diameter; IKI –, CB –; tissues unchanged in KOH. Hymenium. Cystidia absent, cystidoles mostly subfusiform, colorless, thin-walled, smooth, 9.8–22 × 2.8–5.7 µm. Basidia subcylindrical to subclavate, slightly flexuous, with a basal simple septum and four sterigmata, 11.8–19.4 × 3.7–5.9 µm; basidioles numerous, in shape similar to basidia but smaller. Basidiospores. Basidiospores ellipsoid, colorless, thin-walled, IKI –, CB –, (3.6 –) 4.3–6.2 (– 6.7) × (1.8 –) 2.2–3.3 (– 3.9) µm, L = 5.17 µm, W = 2.74 µm, Q = 1.81–1.92 (n = 240 / 8).

Additional specimens examined (paratypes).

China • Yunnan Province, Dali, Weishan County, Leqiu Town, Zhongyao Village , GPS coordinates: 25°01'N, 100°4'E, altitude 1900 m asl., on the fallen angiosperm branch, leg. C. L. Zhao, 19 July 2022, CLZhao 22764, GenBank: ITS = PV 470541 , nLSU = PV 474186 ( SWFC) . • Dehong, Yingjiang County, Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve , GPS coordinates: 24°42'N, 97°56'E, altitude 850 m asl., on the fallen angiosperm branch, leg. C. L. Zhao, 17 July 2023, CLZhao 29674, GenBank: ITS = PV 470542 ; nLSU = PV 474187 ; CLZhao 29678, GenBank: ITS = PV 470543 ; nLSU = PV 474188 ; on the fallen angiosperm branch, leg. C. L. Zhao, 18 July 2023, CLZhao 30054, GenBank: ITS = PV 470545 ; nLSU = PV 474190 ; on the fallen angiosperm branch, leg. C. L. Zhao, 20 July 2023, CLZhao 30615, GenBank: ITS = PV 470546 ; nLSU = PV 474191 , CLZhao 30637, GenBank: ITS = PV 470547 ; nLSU = PV 474192 , CLZhao 30648, GenBank: ITS = PV 470548 ; nLSU = PV 474193 , CLZhao 30659, GenBank: ITS = PV 470549 ; nLSU = PV 474194 , CLZhao 30664, GenBank: ITS = PV 470550 ; nLSU = PV 474195 , CLZhao 30691, GenBank: ITS = PV 470551 ; nLSU = PV 474196 , CLZhao 30718, GenBank: ITS = PV 470552 ; nLSU = PV 474197 ( SWFC) .

Figures

Figure 11. Basidiomata of Efibula punctata (holotype, CLZhao 30011). A. Basidiomata on the substrate; B. Macroscopic characteristics of hymenophore. Scale bars: 1 cm (A); 1 mm (B).

Figure 12. Sections of hymenium of Efibula punctata (holotype, CLZhao 30011). A – I. Basidiospores; J – M. Basidia; N – P. Cystidoles; Q – S. Basidioles. Scale bars: 10 µm (A – S); 10 × 100 Oil.

Figure 13. Microscopic structures of Efibula punctata (holotype, CLZhao 30011). A. Basidiospores; B. Basidia; C. Basidioles; D. Cystidoles. Scale bars: 5 µm (A); 10 µm (B – D).