Reinstating Dyfrolomyces and introducing Melomastia pyriformis sp. nov. (Pleurotremataceae, Dyfrolomycetales) from Guangdong Province, China

Abstract

As part of an ongoing investigation into fungal diversity in plant substrates, a novel species was discovered and isolated from the gardens of Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering. The DNA sequence data from our collection were analyzed against the NCBI database, revealing affinities to species within Pleurotremataceae and Dyfrolomycetales. Further, a combined analysis of LSU, SSU, and tef1-α DNA sequences was conducted using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods to elucidate their phylogenetic relationships. The phylogenetic analysis and distinctive morphological characteristics provide support for the establishment of a new species, Melomastia pyriformis. Melomastia pyriformis is subjected to comparative analysis with other similar taxa, accompanied by a comprehensive morphological description and illustration. In addition to morphological comparison, the classification of Dyfrolomyces and Melomastia is re-evaluated based on their ascospore morphology and septation. The genus Dyfrolomyces was reinstated to accommodate M. tiomanensis (type) and M. chromolaenae.