New records of Hypocreales (Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) of the cloud forest from the Sierra Alta Hidalguense in Mexico

Background and Aims: The order Hypocreales is widely distributed in the temperate and tropical regions of the world. Seventeen species have been reported from the cloud forest of Mexico. The aim of this study is to expand the taxonomic knowledge of the species of Hypocreales from Mexico and in particular of the Sierra Alta Hidalguense. Methods: Five explorations were carried out in the Sierra Alta Hidalguense between 2011 and 2014. Eight species were collected and described morphologically, using traditional mycological techniques. Key results: Seven species of Hypocreales are cited for the first time from Mexico: Bionectria grammicospora belongs to the family Bionectriaceae; Hypomyces boletiphagus to Hypocreaceae; Sarcopodium flavolanatum, Thelonectria ostrina, T. veuillotiana and Viridispora alata to Nectriaceae and Valetoniella pauciornata to Niessliaciaceae. Bionectria ochroleuca is reported for the first time from the cloud forest of the state of Hidalgo. Taxonomic descriptions and illustrations of the eight species are presented. Conclusions: The cloud forests in Mexico are ecosystems with a high diversity of species, and the order Hypocreales is not an exception; hence, it is necessary to continue explorations and taxonomic studies of this group of fungi in this type of vegetation.