Identification and taxonomic position of a new Pseudoomphalina species from Pakistan based on light, scanning electron microscopy, and molecular analysis

Khanspur, a small town located near Ayubia National Park, is a famous mountainous resort lying in Galyat area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is included in one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the country. Despite of extensive previous studies, many new species are awaiting to be documented, including macrofungi. In this study, a new macrofungus Pseudoomphalina khanspurensis is analyzed by both light and scanning electron microscopy as well as DNA sequences based on nrITS and nrLSU regions. The sister species P. cokeri differs by its red to purple, dark to reddish brown, broadly convex to applanate pileus, purple blue to brownish stipe, and numerous cylindrical to lageniform cheilocystidia. Highlights This is the first report of genus Pseudoomphalina from Pakistan and first study based on Scanning electron microscopy. These species have been described with detailed micro‐morphological and molecular makers (nrITS and nrLSU). General distribution, ecology, diagnostic features and comparisons with alies have been provided. Graphical representation of DNA extraction and geographical locations of sampling sites are also illustrated. Softwares such as CIPRES Science Gateway Portal, MUSCLE, BioEdit, FigTree, Adobe illustrator and Adobe Photoshop are used in the current study. No member of this genus is already described from Pakistan. Pseudoomphalina khanspurensis described in this study is a new to science. It has been deliberated in detail based on both Macro‐micromorphological, DNA barcoding and SEM technique. This is the first report of genus from Pakistan. It will be a further addition to the fungal flora of Pakistan as well as of the world.