title: A new representative of star-shaped fungi: Astraeus sirindhorniae sp. nov. from Thailand.
abstract: Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (PKWS) is a major hotspot of biological diversity in Thailand but its fungal diversity has not been thouroughly explored. A two-year macrofungal study of this remote locality has resulted in the recognition of a new species of a star-shaped gasteroid fungus in the genus Astraeus. This fungus has been identified based on a morphological approach and the molecular study of five loci (LSU nrDNA, 5.8S nrDNA, RPB1, RPB2 and EF1-a). Multigene phylogenetic analysis of this new species places it basal relative to other Astraeus, providing additional evidence for the SE Asian origin of the genus. The fungus is named in honour of Her Majesty Princess Sirindhorn on the occasion the 84th birthday of her father, who have both been supportive of natural heritage studies in Thailand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.
authors.forename: Cherdchai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Phosri
authors.affiliation: Caledonian Mycological Enterprises, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Watling
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nuttika
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suwannasai
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Micología, Real Jardín Botánico, RJB-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Martín
mesh_terms: D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal