Molecular insights into fungal diversity reveal three novel species of <i>Leucocoprinus</i> from southern Punjab, Pakistan

Three novel species of the genus <i>Leucocoprinus</i>, named <i>Lc. cinnamomeodiscus, Lc. dahranwalanus</i>, and <i>Lc. iqbalii</i>, are described from unexplored regions of southern Punjab, Pakistan, based on comprehensive analyses of morphoanatomical characteristics and molecular phylogenetic data. We provide illustrations of freshly collected basidiomata and detailed line drawings highlighting key anatomical features. The molecular phylogenetic analyses, which are based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and combined ITS-28S sequences, consistently position these newly described species within the genus <i>Leucocoprinus</i>. Additionally, this study also introduces new taxonomic combinations for previously reported <i>Leucoagaricus</i> species.