Pseudechiniscus in Japan: re-description of Pseudechiniscus asper Abe et al., 1998 and description of Pseudechiniscus shintai sp. nov.

Abstract

The classification and identification of species within the genus Pseudechiniscus Thulin, 1911 has been considered almost a Sisyphean work due to an extremely high homogeneity of its members. Only recently have several contributions made progress in the taxonomy feasible through their detailed analyses of morphology and, crucially, by the re-description of the ancient, nominal species P. suillus (Ehrenberg, 1853). Herein, we focus on the Japanese representatives of this genus: P. asper, a rare species originally described from Hokkaido, and a new species P. shintai. Both taxa belong to the widespread suillus-facettalis complex. Detailed descriptions entailing DNA barcoding of four markers and illustrations of the ventral pillar patterns are indispensable for an accurate delineation of species within this genus.