Kombocles bakaiana gen. sp. nov. (Boletaceae), a new sequestrate fungus from Cameroon

Abstract

<I>Kombocles bakaiana</I> gen. sp. nov. is described as new to science. This sequestrate, partially hypogeous fungus was collected around and within the stilt root system of an ectomycorrhizal (ECM) tree of the genus <I>Uapaca</I> (<I>Phyllanthaceae</I>) in a Guineo-Congolian mixed tropical rainforest in Cameroon. Molecular data place this fungus in <I>Boletaceae</I> (<I>Boletales, Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota</I>) with no clear relationship to previously described taxa within the family. Macro- and micromorphological characters, habitat, and DNA sequence data are provided. Unique morphological features and a molecular phylogenetic analysis of 304 sequences across the Boletales justify the recognition of the new taxa. <I>Kombocles bakaiana</I> is the fourth sequestrate <I>Boletaceae</I> described from the greater African tropics, and the first to be described from Cameroon.