A new species in the genus Russula from the mixed coniferous forest of District Shangla, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic data derived from DNA sequences of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), along with morphological characterizations, indicate the species is novel. Russula shanglaensis sp. nov. is distinct from other known species in subsect. Virescentinae. It is characterized by the convex to slightly depressed grayish pilei that often reflect rusty brown to light purplish spots, with very lightly striated to tuberculate striated margins. |
