Ten new species of Leucoagaricus and Leucocoprinus from Beijing: Revealing rich diversity in temperate regions

Leucoagaricus and Leucocoprinus (Agaricaceae) exhibit global distribution, with notable abundance and diversity in tropical and subtropical regions and play as decomposers in the ecosystem. However, a recent survey of macrofungi in the urban area of Beijing resulted in the discovery of a rich diversity of these fungi. In this study, 88 Leucoagaricus and Leucocoprinus specimens have been collected from Beijing. The following morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and nrLSU sequence data, complemented by a four-gene dataset (ITS, nrLSU, rpb2, and tef1-α) identified them into 22 species, including eight new species in Leucoagaricus: La. bulbosus, La. centrobrunneolus, La. cinereibisporus, La. luteocanus, La. subcandidus, La. subnivalis, La. testaceumbonatus, and La. xantholepis, and two new species of Leucocoprinus: Lc. beijingensis and Lc. digitatocystis. Detailed descriptions of all proposed new species are provided. Additionally, three new combinations in Leucocoprinus were proposed, and four Leucocoprinus names were reinstated. This research expands the understanding of Leucoagaricus and Leucocoprinus species diversity, especially the distribution in temperate regions. The rich species diversity of those mushrooms also indicated urban habitats specially urban green land, despite being heavily influenced by human activity, may serve as unexpected hotspots of biodiversity because they can provide a favourable ecological environment.