Inocybaceae of Pakistan: a checklist and description of two novel Inocybe species using morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic evidence.

The family ( , ) comprises ecologically important ectomycorrhizal fungi widely distributed across temperate and tropical forests. Pakistan hosts a diverse representation of this family, particularly species of the genus . This study presents a comprehensive checklist of members of the family reported from Pakistan. Based on the latest published data, the country contains 55 species of , including 28 of the genus , six of , ten of , and 11 of , while no records of , , or have been documented in the country to date. Additionally, two new species, and , are described herein based on integrated morphological and multigene phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetically, forms a distinct and strongly supported clade within the genus, confirming its relationship to allopatric species from Mexico, Japan, and the USA, while forms a well-supported clade within the Xanthomelas group, sister to European and . Basidiomata of are differentially characterized by a vivid orange-brown subglabrous pileus, large and broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores, and a near absence of caulocystidia. Basidiomata of are morphologically distinct from their phylogenetic relatives by the beige to brown, distinctly scaly pileus, bulbous but weakly marginate stipe, apically restricted caulocystidia, utriform-obclavate hymenial cystidia, and subisodiametric, bluntly nodulose basidiospores. Morphological descriptions, illustrations, micrographs, and sequences of ITS+LSU- and 1-based phylogenetic analyses are presented in this article with reference to the newly described species.