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Six Unrecorded Species of Agaricales (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) from Mudeungsan National Park in Korea

Summary

Researchers discovered six previously unknown mushroom species in Mudeungsan National Park in southern Korea. These species were identified using both traditional microscopic examination and modern DNA analysis techniques. The findings show that despite being a major protected area, the park’s fungal diversity remains incompletely documented, suggesting more undiscovered species may exist there. Some of these mushrooms are notable for having bioactive properties with potential medicinal applications.

Background

Agaricales is the largest order of mushroom-forming fungi with approximately 40,000 identified species worldwide. In Korea, 2,188 macrofungi have been recorded until 2023, with 1,000 species identified as Agaricales. Mudeungsan National Park, designated as a National Park in 2012 and UNESCO Global Geopark in 2018, has been less studied for macrofungal diversity compared to its flora and fauna.

Objective

This study aimed to document unrecorded Agaricales species in Mudeungsan National Park through morphological and molecular analyses. Six unrecorded species were identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (nLSU) regions.

Results

Six unrecorded Agaricales species were identified: Agaricus parvibicolor, Clitopilus subscyphoides, Deconica cokeriana, Hohenbuehelia tristis, Mycena heteracantha, and M. silvae-nigrae. All species showed high sequence similarity with reference sequences and formed distinct clades with bootstrap values of 96-100. Notable findings include C. subscyphoides being new to temperate regions and D. cokeriana being the first report in Asia.

Conclusion

Morphological and molecular analyses revealed six unrecorded Agaricales species from Mudeungsan National Park, representing important additions to Korean fungal diversity. The findings support the need for ongoing mycological research to identify long-term macrofungal diversity in southern Korea and discover new or unrecorded species in this major National Park.
  • Published in:Mycobiology,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic Study,
  • Source: 10.1080/12298093.2025.2517905, PMID: 40741291
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