Phylogenomic systematics of Lanmaoa (Boletaceae) reveals cryptic diversity, resolves global evolutionary relationships, and suggests a novel psychoactive lineage.
Colin Domnauer, Bryn T M Dentinger
Mycologia January 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2026.2670968 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe genus Lanmaoa, a group of mushroom-forming fungi in the family Boletaceae, includes both edible and psychoactive species. By combining comprehensive sampling of all Lanmaoa species—including 21 type specimens—with whole genome sequencing of 53 specimens, a phylogeny based on 1515 single-copy orthologs resolves evolutionary relationships with full statistical support at all major nodes. Phylogenomic analysis supports six novel combinations and the discovery of four novel species, two described here: Lanmaoa fallax and Lanmaoa carbonilivor, bringing the genus to 17 species. Genome mining of Lanmaoa asiatica fails to detect canonical biosynthetic genes for psilocybin or ibotenic acid, suggesting a novel psychoactive compound.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Phylogenomic study with taxonomic revision Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 53 |
| Population | Lanmaoa species, including 21 type specimens and 53 specimens for genome sequencing |
| Keywords | 7 new taxa Boletaceae Psychoactive mushroom Systematics Taxonomy |
| Key finding | Phylogenomic analysis resolves evolutionary relationships in Lanmaoa, supports six novel combinations and four novel species, and suggests a novel psychoactive compound in Lanmaoa asiatica. |
Abstract
The genus Lanmaoa is a globally distributed, economically important group of mushroom-forming fungi in the family Boletaceae containing edible and psychoactive species. Despite the growing interest in its hallucinogenic properties, the fundamental systematics of this genus remains poorly resolved due to limited taxon sampling and limited genetic characterization. This study combines a comprehensive sampling of all Lanmaoa species, including 21 type specimens, with whole genome sequencing of 53 specimens. A phylogeny of Lanmaoa is generated based upon an alignment of 1515 single-copy orthologs and recovers full statistical support at all major nodes, resolving evolutionary relationships in the genus. Phylogenomic analysis of previously unsequenced type specimens supports several taxonomic changes, including six novel combinations and the discovery of four novel species, two of which are described here-Lanmaoa fallax, sp. nov. and Lanmaoa carbonilivor, sp. nov.-resulting in a total recognition of 17 species in the genus. Genome mining of Lanmaoa asiatica fails to detect canonical biosynthetic genes associated with psilocybin or ibotenic acid production, suggesting the presence of a novel psychoactive compound. This study establishes a comprehensive genomic foundation for Lanmaoa systematics, enabling future research to more robustly explore the evolutionary history and secondary chemistry of the genus.