Unveiling two novel species of Inocybe (Agaricales) with morphological and molecular inferences from temperate forests of Pakistan

Abstract

Two new species of Inocybe are described from pine dominating moist temperate forests of Pakistan. Inocybe alba is distinguished from I. nobilis by an apically pruinose stipe, less fibrillose pileus, absence of veil remnants, and larger basidiospores and cheilocystidia. Inocybe pinicola differs from I. appendiculata in having a brownish- to grayish-yellow pileus with paler margins, a pruinose stipe apex, and slightly larger basidiospores and pleurocystidia. Detailed macro- and micro-morphological investigations along with phylogenetic analysis of nrITS and LSU sequences support the distinct placement of both taxa, confirming them as novel species within Inocybe .