Rhodocybe-Clitopilus clade (Entolomataceae, Basidiomycota) in the Dominican Republic: new taxa and first reports of Clitocella, Clitopilus, and Rhodocybe for Hispaniola

Based on morphological and phylogenetic investigations, four new species, Clitocella termitophila , Clitopilus velutinus , Rhodocybe dominicana , and Rhodocybe pseudoalutacea , one new variety, Rhodocybe luteocinnamomea var. fulva , and first reports of Clitopilus prunulus , Rhodocybe mellea , and Rhodocybe roseiavellanea are described and illustrated from the island of Hispaniola. Three protein coding genes, RPB2 , TEF1 , and ATP6 , were used to compare taxa and make phylogenetic inferences about novel species and varieties. Where necessary, because of non-availability of these protein coding gene data for every taxon, ITS sequences were used to confirm uniqueness or species similarity for C. velutinus and R. mellea , respectively. This contribution is a result of and based on numerous expeditions in the Dominican Republic by two different groups over a 20-year period that were designed to gather data on macrofungal biodiversity of this region. The new agaric taxa documented here contribute to the limited but growing knowledge on biodiversity of the Entolomataceae (Agaricales) for the Dominican Republic and the island of Hispaniola.