Moniliophthora aurantiaca sp. nov., a Polynesian species occurring in littoral forests

A new species of Moniliophthora is described from the Samoan Islands. The new species is characterized by its bright orange pileus and pale orange stipe and lamellae. It occurs commonly on woody debris in moist littoral forests and has not been found in upland forests. A phylogenetic analysis of nLSU and ITS sequences indicates that Moniliophthora aurantiaca has an affinity with the Central and South American members of the genus. Possible mechanisms for the dispersal of fungi from the Neotropics to the Samoan Islands are discussed.