Journal of Fungi
January 7, 2025
Xi-Xi Han, Dorji Phurbu, Bin Cao et al.
2 citations
On the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, a region shaped by high altitude, plate collision, and crustal uplift, seven Conocybe mushroom species were identified from specimens collected over the past decade. Four of these—C. alticola, C. alticoprophila, C. versicolor, and C. yadongensis—are new to science. Multi-gene DNA sequencing (ITS, nrLSU, and tef-1α) confirmed their taxonomic placement within the genus. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and comparisons with related species are provided. This work expands knowledge of Conocybe diversity on the plateau, contributing to understanding fungal biodiversity in extreme environments. Some Conocybe species produce psilocybin and other compounds with potential medicinal value.
IMA fungus
January 1, 2026
Mao-Qiang He, Wen-Qiang Yang, Dorji Phurbu et al.
The hallucinogenic mushroom group Panaeolus sensu lato, commonly found on dung and in grasslands, is shown through phylogenomic, multigene phylogenetic, molecular clock, and morphological analyses to form a distinct family, Galeropsidaceae, separate from Bolbitiaceae. The family's taxonomy is revised: accepted genera are Panaeolus and Staktophyllus, with Crucispora and Panaeolopsis synonymized under Panaeolus. Three subgenera are recognized in Panaeolus, including one new subgenus, and eight new species are proposed. Psilocybin production was tested in 14 species using HPLC-MS; two species—the known P. cinctulus and the new P. subfoenisecii—are confirmed to produce psilocybin. The evolution of dung-inhabiting and psilocybin-producing traits in Panaeolus is discussed using phylogenetic relationships and divergence times.
Global Biodiversity Information Facility
January 1, 2026
Mao-Qiang He, Wen-Qiang Yang, Dorji Phurbu et al.
A group of hallucinogenic mushrooms, Panaeolus sensu lato, is shown to belong to a distinct family, Galeropsidaceae, separate from Bolbitiaceae, based on phylogenomic, multigene phylogenetic, molecular clock, and morphological analyses. The taxonomic system of Galeropsidaceae is revised: it contains the genera Panaeolus and Staktophyllus, while Crucispora and Panaeolopsis are synonymized under Panaeolus. Three subgenera are accepted in Panaeolus. Eight new species and one new subgenus are proposed. Species from China are documented with descriptions and illustrations. Testing 14 species for psilocybin using HPLC–MS confirmed that the known species P. cinctulus and the new species P. subfoenisecii possess psilocybin-producing traits. The evolution of the coprophilous lifestyle and psilocybin-producing traits is discussed.