Leucoagaricus and Leucocoprinus are primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions and are widespread globally. Most species within these two genera act as important saprophytic fungi, playing a vital role in the material cycling of ecosystems by facilitating the decomposition of organic matter.
Existing molecular phylogenetic studies indicate a close evolutionary relationship between these two genera, and there is ongoing debate regarding their taxonomic classification. Currently, 232 species from these two genera are known worldwide, with 41 species reported in China.
Urban green spaces
Recently, the research group led by Zhao Rui-Lin conducted a systematic survey of large fungi in urban green spaces in Beijing, collecting 88 specimens of Leucoagaricus and Leucocoprinus for morphological and multi-gene phylogenetic analysis. Through morphological examination and phylogenetic trees constructed based on ITS + nrLSU sequence data, as well as ITS + nrLSU + rpb2 + tef1-α gene sequence data, 22 species were identified.
Among these, 12 species are known from China, while 10 represent new species (8 new species of Leucoagaricus and 2 new species of Leucocoprinus). Additionally, three new combinations for Leucocoprinus were proposed, and four species names from this genus were reinstated.
Tropical species
The species discovered in this study are primarily concentrated in areas with high human activity, such as park green spaces. The 12 known species identified in Beijing exhibit varied geographical distributions. In addition to species from the northern temperate region, tropical or subtropical species were found for the first time in Beijing. It is hypothesized that these tropical or subtropical species may have entered Beijing as a result of human activities, such as the introduction of plants and organic fertilizers. Another possibility is that these species possess a previously unrecognized broad adaptability.
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In summary, parks and other green spaces provide diverse microhabitats that promote the diversity and richness of fungal communities. Therefore, urban environments may have a positive impact on the biodiversity of specific fungal groups, indicating a continual improvement in the urban ecological environment of Beijing from another perspective.
This study is led by Dr. Jia-Xin Li and Dr. Rui-Lin Zhao (Institute of Microbiology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences) and appears in Mycology.
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