Molecular phylogeny of Psilocybe cyanescens complex in Europe, with reference to the position of the secotioid Weraroa novae-zelandiae

A phylogenetic analysis with three molecular markers was undertaken to test the hypothesis that the complex of Psilocybe cyanescens in Europe consists of several, morphologically distinct species. The results support the existence of two molecularly well-supported morphological groups, that of Psilocybe cyanescens and P. azurescens on the one hand, and the complex of P. serbica on the other. However, in the last group, no sequence variability within the three molecular markers from P. serbica and related taxa P. bohemica, P. arcana, and P. moravica was found. It was decided, therefore, to merge these taxa into P. serbica, and to distinguish them below species level. It was also demonstrated that the secotioid Weraroa novae-zelandiae belongs to the P. cyanescens species complex. Accordingly, it was transferred to Psilocybe as P. weraroa, nomen novum.