taxonID	type	description	language	source
7EB6A88DC1CD546AA75236BCCB61DA3D.taxon	description	Figs 2 A, B, 8 A, B	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
7EB6A88DC1CD546AA75236BCCB61DA3D.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet chinensis (Latin, chinensis = “ of China ”) refers to the country of origin of the type specimen, China.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
7EB6A88DC1CD546AA75236BCCB61DA3D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Late-appearing, medium- to large-sized morel, characterized by an ovoid or bluntly conical pileus with deep and large pits in irregular sizes and with primary vertical and transecting horizontal ridges. Stipe long, usually inflated at the base, glabrous or finely mealy with yellowish granules. Paraphyses slender, obviously inflated at the apex. Usually occurring in subtropical broad-leaved forests, associated with Quercus sp., Juglans sp., and Castanea sp., and sometimes beside weeds.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
7EB6A88DC1CD546AA75236BCCB61DA3D.taxon	description	Description. Ascomata 91 mm high. Hymenophore 17 mm high; 43 mm wide at the widest point; ovoid with a convex or bluntly conical; the hymenophore attached to the stipe with a sinus, 10 – 12 primary vertical ridges and some shorter, secondary vertical ridges, and transecting horizontal ridges, forming a honeycomb-like structure. Ridges finely tomentose; pale yellow to dark brown. Pits asymmetrical; deep and irregular in outline and size; glabrous or finely tomentose; primarily elongated vertically; pale yellowish to yellowish brown. Stipe clavate to subclavate, 74 mm high; 23 mm wide; glabrous or finely mealy with yellowish granules. Context whitish; 2 – 3 mm thick in the hollow hymenophore; sometimes slightly chambered near the base. Sterile inner surface whitish and pubescent. Ascospores measuring (19.36 -) 19.98 – 25.08 (- 25.78) × (12.37 -) 12.49 – 14.88 (- 15.79) μm (Q = 1.46 – 1.78, Qm = 1.65 ± 0.08), elliptical to ovoid, with obviously regular longitudinal ornamentation; contents homogeneous. Asci cylindrical, eight-spored, (299.92 -) 310.98 – 385.80 (- 388.74) × (18.26 -) 19.85 – 24.54 (- 26.92) μm. Paraphyses, cylindrical in shape, apices generally rounded but occasionally subclavate to clavate, septate, (123.98 -) 130.51 – 239.75 (- 263.98) × (10.35 -) 10.73 – 17.78 (- 23.32) μm, but difficult to measure their length. Elements on sterile ridges (105.09 -) 116.22 – 214.51 (- 226.41) × (10.96 -) 13.57 – 19.30 (- 21.07) μm, difficult to measure their length. The number of ascospores in asci observed to vary among four, six, seven, and eight.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
7EB6A88DC1CD546AA75236BCCB61DA3D.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species is only known from Chongqing, China, and Shaanxi, China.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
ADF10226BC0F5ED18AF230B6DE3734DA.taxon	description	Figs 2 G, 3, 9 C	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
ADF10226BC0F5ED18AF230B6DE3734DA.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet diversa is derived from the Latin adjective diversus, meaning “ different, varied, divers. ” It refers to the diverse vegetation found in the habitats where this species grows.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
ADF10226BC0F5ED18AF230B6DE3734DA.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Early- to middle-appearing, small- to middle-sized morel, characterized mainly by a conical (sometimes oval or bluntly conical) pileus with shallow to deep, large and dominantly vertical pits of irregular sizes and shapes, and with primary vertical and secondary transecting horizontal tomentose ridges. Ridges dark brown to black at maturity. The color of pielus varying from grayish at juvenility to dark brown at maturity, sometimes light brown or yellowish, easily affected by environmental conditions. Stipe whitish to yellowish, short to middle length, finely mealy with whitish granules. Paraphyses slender, without obviously inflated at the apex. Occurring in subtropical broad-leaved or mixed forests, associated with Bamboo, Quercus sp., Pinus sp., Quercus sp., and Daphniphyllum sp.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
ADF10226BC0F5ED18AF230B6DE3734DA.taxon	description	Description. Ascomata 68 mm high. Hymenophore 53 mm high; 23 mm wide at the widest point; conical or lanceolate; light brown with slightly glossy; pitted and ridged, with approximately 12 – 15 vertical ridges and numerous horizontal and transecting ridges; forming a honeycomb-like structure. Ridges thick, sometimes sharpened; obviously tomentose; dark brown to gray. Pits primarily elongated vertically; irregular in outline and size, relatively deep; finely tomentose; pale brown. Stipe slightly inflated at the base, 15 mm high; 11 mm wide; obviously mealy with whitish granules; pure white. Context whitish; 1 – 3 mm thick in the hollow hymenophore; sometimes slightly chambered near the base. Sterile inner surface whitish and pubescent. Ascospores measuring (14.33 -) 15.04 – 20.32 (- 21.37) × (6.76 -) 7.75 – 10.53 (- 11.90) μm (Q = 1.70 – 2.57, Qm = 1.99 ± 0.19), elliptical to ovoid, with regular, obviously protuberant longitudinal ornamentation; contents homogeneous. Asci cylindrical, eight-spored, (229.47 -) 234.84 – 263.07 (- 263.63) × (15.34 -) 15.45 – 18.28 (- 19.99) μm. Paraphyses, cylindrical in shape, apices generally rounded but occasionally subclavate to clavate, septate, (109.84 -) 114.58 – 148.93 (- 159.68) × (8.72 -) 9.13 – 13.93 (- 15.20) μm, but difficult to measure their length. Elements on sterile ridges (74.00 -) 78.06 – 122.55 (- 123.38) × (11.62 -) 11.94 – 19.85 (- 20.66) μm. The number of ascospores in asci observed to vary among five, seven, and eight.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
ADF10226BC0F5ED18AF230B6DE3734DA.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species is only recorded from China and Japan.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
4F4168F229315068A6F50A69D9426C50.taxon	description	Figs 2 H – J, 8 D	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
4F4168F229315068A6F50A69D9426C50.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet eoa is derived from the Latinized Greek word eōas (from Eōs, the goddess of dawn), meaning “ eastern ” or “ of the dawn. ” It refers to the species’ distribution currently only found in Eastern Asia.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
4F4168F229315068A6F50A69D9426C50.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Middle-appearing, small- to middle-sized morel, characterized by an oval or bluntly conical pileus with middle, deep, and relatively dense pits in irregular and polygonal sizes and primary vertical and rich transecting horizontal ridges. Stipe whitish to yellowish, of medium length, with a distinctly wrinkled surface, glabrous or finely mealy with yellowish granules, without obvious inflated. Paraphyses slender, slightly inflated at the apex. Occurring under Pinus sp.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
4F4168F229315068A6F50A69D9426C50.taxon	description	Description. Ascomata 124 mm high. Hymenophore 62 mm high; 34 mm wide at the widest point; conical to bluntly conical; pale brownish yellow or yellowish; with 9 – 11 primary vertical ridges and some shorter, secondary vertical ridges, and transecting horizontal ridges, forming a honeycomb-like or reticulate pattern. Ridges undulate, forming maze-like irregular geometric patterns; light yellowish-brown. Pits irregular polygonal, with serrated margins, moderate light brown. Stipe clavate to subclavate, 62 mm high; 16 mm wide; glabrous or finely mealy with yellowish granules. Context whitish; 2 – 3 mm thick in the hollow hymenophore; sometimes slightly chambered near the base. Sterile inner surface whitish and pubescent. Ascospores (16.93 -) 18.40 – 23.00 (- 28.12) × (7.93 -) 10.87 – 15.24 (- 15.62) μm (Q = 1.37 – 3.55, Qm = 1.60 ± 0.34), elliptical to ovoid, with nearly irregular longitudinal and interconnecting transverse ornamentation; contents homogeneous. Asci cylindrical, eight-spored, (236.10 -) 251.78 – 254.87 (- 371.77) × (17.58 -) 19.20 – 24.88 (- 25.19) μm. Paraphyses, cylindrical, septate, apices generally merely rounded but occasionally subclavate, (113.03 -) 115.07 – 174.92 (- 177.91) × (10.84 -) 10.90 – 16.49 (- 19.65) μm, but difficult to measure their length. Elements on sterile ridges (75.37 -) 80.45 – 131.94 (- 150.68) × (12.05 -) 12.11 – 20.32 (- 21.02) μm. The number of ascospores in asci observed to vary from one to nine.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
4F4168F229315068A6F50A69D9426C50.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Currently, this species is only recorded from southwestern China, such as Chongqing, Xizang, and Yunnan.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
99C021C213505C9B99DCFE05FC3B69D9.taxon	description	Figs 2 C, 8 C	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
99C021C213505C9B99DCFE05FC3B69D9.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet huoguo (火锅, Mandarin Pinyin: huǒguō) refers to hotpot, a globally renowned culinary tradition originating from the type locality of this species, Chongqing, China. The name honors Chongqing’s iconic gastronomic cultural heritage while phonetically preserving the Mandarin term for “ hotpot ” in Latinized form.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
99C021C213505C9B99DCFE05FC3B69D9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Middle-appearing, small- to middle-sized morel, characterized by a bluntly conical pileus with very large, deep, and relatively sparse pits in irregular size and with primary vertical and few transecting horizontal ridges. Stipe long, usually slightly inflated at the top, obviously wrinkled at the surface, glabrous or finely mealy with yellowish granules. Paraphyses slender, inflated at the apex. Occurring under Pinus sp.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
99C021C213505C9B99DCFE05FC3B69D9.taxon	description	Description. Ascomata 79 mm high. Hymenophore 37 mm high; 23 mm wide at the widest point; conical or bluntly conical; the hymenophore attached to the stipe with a notable sinus; pitted and ridged, with 12 – 15 primary vertical ridges and some shorter, secondary vertical ridges, and transecting horizontal ridges, forming a honeycomb-like structure. Ridges slender, finely tomentose; pale yellowish to yellow-brown. Pits asymmetrical, mainly large; primarily elongated vertically; deep and irregular in outline and size; glabrous or finely tomentose; yellowish. Stipe cylindrical, 42 mm high; 12 mm wide; glabrous or finely mealy with whitish granules; whitish to pale yellowish. Context whitish; 1 – 2 mm thick in the hollow hymenophore; sometimes slightly chambered near the base. Sterile inner surface whitish and pubescent. Ascospores measuring (17.78 -) 19.87 – 23.78 (- 24.66) × (11.47 -) 11.83 – 15.22 (- 15.99) μm (Q = 1.34 – 1.85, Qm = 1.60 ± 0.14), elliptical to ovoid, with light irregular longitudinal and interconnecting transverse ornamentation; contents homogeneous. Asci cylindrical, eight-spored, (158.68 -) 180.73 – 356.59 (- 359.35) × (10.93 -) 11.45 – 29.92 (- 30.10) μm. Paraphyses, cylindrical in shape, apices generally rounded but occasionally subclavate to clavate, septate, (105.59 -) 115.34 – 169.05 (- 171.49) × (7.60 -) 9.86 – 14.84 (- 16.94) μm, but difficult to measure their length. Elements on sterile ridges (85.83 -) 88.14 – 172.47 (- 199.01) × (9.19 -) 9.36 – 17.57 (- 17.92) μm, difficult to measure their length. The number of ascospores in asci observed to vary from one to eight.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
99C021C213505C9B99DCFE05FC3B69D9.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species is only recorded from Chongqing, China.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
2625450769325D3286C67DEE29C62DFF.taxon	description	Figs 2 K, L, 9 B	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
2625450769325D3286C67DEE29C62DFF.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet montana is derived from the Latin adjective montānus, - a, - um (“ of the mountains ”). It refers to the frequent occurrence of this species at high elevations and its type locality in Chongqing, which is widely known as “ Mountain City ” in China.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
2625450769325D3286C67DEE29C62DFF.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Middle- to late-appearing, middle-sized morel, characterized by an oval or bluntly conical pileus with deep, small, and very dense pits in irregular sizes and shapes, and with rich vertical and transecting horizontal ridges, yellowish at maturity. Stipe whitish to yellowish, middle length, glabrous or finely mealy with yellowish granules. Paraphyses slender, with slightly inflated at the upper middle place. Occurring under Castanopsis sp.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
2625450769325D3286C67DEE29C62DFF.taxon	description	Description. Ascomata 82 mm high. Hymenophore 24 mm high; 38 mm wide at the widest point; ovoid with a conical apex; light yellowish-brown to beige; pitted and ridged, with 10 – 12 primary vertical ridges, some shorter secondary vertical ridges, and transecting horizontal ridges, forming a typical morel-like structure. Ridges thick, sometimes sharpened, finely tomentose or glabrous; grayish. Pits asymmetrical, relatively deep; primarily elongated vertically; glabrous or finely tomentose; pale yellowish or nearly whitish. Stipe cylindrical, slightly inflated in the lower half; 58 mm high; 15 mm wide; glabrous or finely mealy with yellowish white granules; whitish to pale yellowish. Context whitish; 1 – 2 mm thick in the hollow hymenophore; sometimes slightly chambered near the base. Sterile inner surface whitish and pubescent. Ascospores measuring (13.65 -) 15.08 – 20.41 (- 20.64) × (8.74 -) 9.15 – 13.20 (- 13.73) μm (Q = 1.32 – 1.95, Qm = 1.63 ± 0.15), elliptical to ovoid, with regular longitudinal ornamentation; contents homogeneous. Asci cylindrical, eight-spored, (201.40 -) 218.80 – 310.13 (- 312.45) × (17.09 -) 17.45 – 23.98 μm. Paraphyses, cylindrical in shape, apices usually rounded or subclavate but occasionally clavate, septate, (103.80 -) 105.75 – 149.21 (- 155.62) × (6.62 -) 7.15 – 15.83 (- 16.91) μm, but difficult to measure their length. Elements on sterile ridges (71.16 -) 72.25 – 124.97 (- 133.54) × (9.69 -) 10.11 – 18.38 (- 19.56) μm, septate. The number of ascospores in asci observed to vary between one and eight.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
2625450769325D3286C67DEE29C62DFF.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species is only recorded from southwestern China.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
51F9C11651125B98A13423F26346081E.taxon	description	Figs 2 D, 9 D	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
51F9C11651125B98A13423F26346081E.taxon	description	Description. Ascomata lanceolate; attached to the stipe with a small sinus; longitudinally pitted and ridged, with primary vertical ridges and some shorter, secondary vertical ridges, and transecting horizontal ridges. Ridges are slender and finely tomentose; yellow-orange or locally becoming orange brown. Large pits, asymmetrical, deep, flat, and irregular in outline and size; glabrous or finely tomentose; primarily elongated vertically. Stipe cylindrical; slightly swollen in the lower half; glabrous or finely mealy with orange-yellow granules. Context whitish; 1 – 2 mm thick in the hollow hymenophore; thickened and slightly chambered near the base. Sterile inner surface whitish and pubescent. Ascospores measuring (15.40 -) 15.53 – 21.34 (- 21.61) × (9.13 -) 9.56 – 12.82 (- 12.92) μm (Q = 1.19 – 2.05, Qm = 1.76 ± 0.21), elliptical to ovoid, with nearly irregular longitudinal and interconnecting transverse ridges; contents homogeneous. Asci cylindrical, eight-spored, frequently (248.50 -) 266.25 – 340.92 (- 346.30) × (16.98 -) 17.11 – 24.31 (- 25.21) μm. Paraphyses, cylindrical in shape, apices generally rounded but occasionally subclavate to clavate; septate, (123.28 -) 142.03 – 365.04 (- 367.07) × (11.04 -) 12.01 – 20.75 (- 22.92) μm, but difficult to measure their length. Elements on sterile ridges (120.04 -) 121.05 – 185.19 (- 195.97) × (10.52 -) 11.57 – 14.9 (- 16.31) μm, difficult to measure their length. The number of ascospores in asci observed to vary from two to eight.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
51F9C11651125B98A13423F26346081E.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species is only known from Chongqing, China, and Japan.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
5D7966F5450454108B919C15C136A58B.taxon	description	Figs 2 M – R, 9 A	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
5D7966F5450454108B919C15C136A58B.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet universitatis comes from the Latin noun universitas, - atis (f.), meaning “ university ” or “ community of scholars. ” Used here in the genitive singular, universitatis translates as “ of the university, ” referring to the species’ recurrent occurrence on university campuses.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
5D7966F5450454108B919C15C136A58B.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Middle-appearing, small- to middle-sized morel, characterized by an oval or bluntly conical pileus with deep and dense or sparse (depending on individuals) pits in irregular sizes and shapes and primary vertical and transecting horizontal ridges. Pileus grayish at juvenility and yellowish at maturity. Stipe whitish to yellowish, of medium length, obviously wrinkled at the surface, glabrous, or finely mealy with yellowish granules. Paraphyses slender, sometimes slightly inflated at the apex. Usually occurring in subtropical broad-leaved mixed forest, associated with Buxus sp., Kalopanax sp., Rheum sp., Cupressus sp., and Pinus sp., sometimes beside weeds.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
5D7966F5450454108B919C15C136A58B.taxon	description	Description. Ascomata 123 mm high. Hymenophore 45 mm high; 47 mm wide at the widest point; irregularly campanulate; margin slightly undulate; yellow to light yellowish-brown; pitted and ridged, with 8 – 10 primary vertical ridges and some shorter, secondary vertical ridges, and transecting horizontal ridges, forming a honeycomb-like structure. Ridges finely tomentose; light yellow before full maturity. Pits asymmetrical, usually irregularly polygonal; mainly small to middle; in high dense; glabrous or finely tomentose; deep and irregular in outline and size; pale brownish yellow to yellowish brown. Stipe 78 mm high, 15 mm wide, clavate to subclavate, finely mealy with scattered whitish to yellowish granules. Context whitish; 1 – 2 mm thick in the hollow hymenophore; sometimes slightly chambered near the base. Sterile inner surface whitish and pubescent. Ascospores (19.55 -) 20.31 – 25.96 (- 29.04) × (10.44 -) 11.81 – 16.78 (- 17.57) μm (Q = 1.38 – 2.17, Qm = 1.62 ± 0.17), subelliptical to elliptical, with nearly irregular longitudinal and interconnecting transverse ornamentation; contents homogeneous. Asci cylindrical, eight-spored, (244.23 -) 285.57 – 395.55 (- 397.40) × (17.18 -) 18.74 – 25.82 (- 25.96) μm. Paraphyses, generally rounded to subclavate, septate, (149.11 -) 153.29 – 201.79 (- 217.93) × (10.96 -) 11.09 – 17.22 (- 17.38) μm, but difficult to measure their length. Elements on sterile ridges (63.86 -) 77.17 – 106.42 (- 106.75) × (13.51 -) 13.99 – 21.23 (- 23.09) μm. The number of ascospores in asci varies from two, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
5D7966F5450454108B919C15C136A58B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species is only known from China.	en	Qin, Qin, Teng, Yan-Fei, Hu, Wen Shu, Wei, Jing-Yi, Yu, Zhong-Dong, Du, Ping, Zhang, Xiao-Yan, Guo, Xia, Chen, Meng-Qian, Wei, Wei, Du, Xi-Hui (2025): Unexpected richness and distinct patterns of Morchella (Ascomycota) species diversity in Chongqing, a notable “ Furnace City ”: unveiling rich diversity in hot regions. IMA Fungus 16: e 152685, DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.16.152685
