Full Issue

In this study, we describe four species of <i>Cortinarius</i> subgen. <i>Telamonia</i> sect. <i>Bovini</i> as new to science: <i>Cortinarius acutipes</i>, <i>C. cepiformis</i>, <i>C. schistaceus</i> and <i>C. sericeovelatus</i>. We also provide updated descriptions and synonymies for several known species in the section, including <i>C. pachypus</i> (formerly <i>C. terribilis</i> and <i>C. pseudobulbosus</i>), <i>C. sordescens</i> (neotypified here), <i>C. turgidulus</i> and <i>C. urbis-veteris</i>, as well as for <i>C. hillieri</i>, here supported as a genuine <i>Bovini</i> member. In addition, through DNA sequencing of its holotype, we fix here the interpretation of <i>C. aprinus</i>, the iconic member of a difficult group of large, fleshy, grey brown <i>Telamonia</i> species often referred to as <i>Aprini</i> or <i>Sordescentes</i>. We also update the taxonomy of <i>C. diffractosuavis</i> (sect. <i>Sordescentes</i>) and <i>C. testaceomicaceus</i> (sect. <i>Exsulares</i>), to yield a most comprehensive overview of phylogenetically supported "bovinoid" species from deciduous forests on calcareous soils of Europe. The habitat and distribution of all treated species are presented, and a tentative identification key is also proposed. <b>Citation:</b> Schmidt-Stohn G, Bellanger J-M, Brandrud TE, Bidaud A, Oertel B, Saar G, Ballarà J, Carteret X, Reyes García JdD, Dondl B, Ploch S, Thines M, Dima B (2025). The big brown <i>Telamonia</i> unlocked: four new species in <i>Cortinarius</i> section <i>Bovini</i> (<i>Agaricales</i>, <i>Basidiomycota</i>) and a revised taxonomy of bovinoid Cortinarii. <i>Persoonia</i> <b>55</b>: 1-57. doi: 10.3114/persoonia.2025.55.01.