Choiromyces helanshanensis sp. nov., a new species of subterranean truffle from China

• A new truffle species Choiromyces helanshanensis was described from China.
• The new species produced globose ascospores with conspicuously spiny ornamentation.
• A phenotypic key to related species was provided.

A new pig truffle species, Choiromyces helanshanensis sp. nov., was identified and illustrated in China using a morphological approach and sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and the D1–D2 domains of the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU) locus. This new species differs from other species of the genus in globose ascospores with conspicuously spiny ornamentation. Phylogenetic analysis also supports its identification as a distinct species. Several species with similar morphological characters are herein discussed, and a phenotypic key to related species is provided. This study confirms the occurrence of members of Choiromyces in China and provides fundamental information about the species diversity of this genus for further studies.