Phylogenetic studies in Hypochnicium (Basidiomycota), with special emphasis on species from New Zealand

The taxonomic and phylogenetic affiliation of Hypochnicium specimens from New Zealand were studied using morphological and molecular analyses. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS region of rDNA suggest that species within Hypochnicium form a monophyletic group with respect to outgroups. The synonymy of Gyrophanopsis with Hypochnicium is validated and the genus Nodotia is re-evaluated as a synonym of Hypochnicium. Sequence analyses of H. zealandicum and a specimen within the H. punctulatum complex from New Zealand place both as sister taxa of H. polonense and H. cremicolor, respectively. Although spore dimensions of H. zealandicum overlap with those of H. polonense, it is currently retained as a separate species on the basis of geographical separation and phylogenetic analysis. New Zealand specimens recorded as H. punctulatum represent a new species, which is described and illustrated as H. aotearoae.