Molecular phylogeny and morphological characterization of Leucocoprinus birnbaumi from Punjab, Pakistan

Background: Leucocoprinus in Agaricaceae is a family distributed worldwide and represented by nearly 50 species. From Pakistan, only four species in this genus have been known so far.Methods: The specimen was identified by morphological and anatomical characters combining with sequence analysis of nrDNA-ITS region.Results: Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, a bright yellow mushroom found on wood log from Sialkot district, Punjab, Pakistan. This species is identified by its medium sized bell-shaped pileus bearing the same colored squamule with sulcate striate margins, presence of metachromatic basidiospores and pseudoparaphyses around the basidia. Molecular data also supported its taxonomy as L. birnbaumii. The species is being described for the first time based on morphological and anatomical characters in combination with molecular phylogeny using ITS region of nrDNA.Conclusion: Leucocoprinus birnbaumiiis widely distributed in Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and South America. It grows in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Its occurrence in Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan with humid subtropical climate represents its wide ecological amplitude and geographic distribution.