Geastrum tupiense: A new earthstar species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and a new insertion in the Velutina subsection (Geastrales, Basidiomycota)
Biodiversity, Geastraceae, Neotropics, Taxonomy, Phylogeny.
Geastrum tupiense is a new species belonging to subsect. Velutina (Sect. Myceliostroma), and the fundamental diagnostic characteristics are reddish immature basidiomata and rhizomorph with bipyramidal crystals. It was found in two areas of the Atlantic Forest biome, considered one of the main hotspots in the world for its high level of endemism and biodiversity. Description of this new species was based on morphological characters and molecular
analyses of ITS/LSU nrDNA. Descriptions, phylogenetic tree, photographs, and taxonomic discussion are provided.