Molecular characterization of stinkhorn fungus Aseroë coccinea Imazeki et Yoshimi ex Kasuya 2007 (Basidiomycota: Agaricomycetes: Phallales) from India

Abstract

In this note we provide the first report of stinkhorn fungus Aseroë coccinea from northern Western Ghats of India and first report of this species from outside its type locality in Japan. In addition to the morphological characters, we also provide sequences for two molecular markers and provide a phylogenetic tree, which questions the generic position of the species. Our report highlights the need for more exploratory surveys for understanding diversity, distribution and taxonomy of Phallales and in general fungal diversity of India.