Mycokeys最新文献

During an investigation of fungal diversity in Guangxi and Yunnan provinces, two interesting hyphomycetes were collected and isolated. Based on morphology, these hyphomycetes were similar to Periconia-like taxa. To confirm their classification, morphological characterization and multigene phylogenetic inference (using LSU, ITS, SSU, and tef1-α) were employed. Based on phylogenetic analyses, our two collections clustered within Periconia (Periconiaceae) as distinct two taxa, and morphological analyses also confirmed that they are new species of Periconia. Periconia guangxiense sp. nov. formed a well-supported monophyletic lineage (92% ML/1.00 PP) sister to P. variicolor, but morphologically, it is distinguishable by its branched, micronematous to semi-macronematous conidiophores. While Periconia xishuangbannaensis sp. nov. formed a distinct lineage closely related to P. guangxiense; it is distinguished by its macronematous conidiophores and dark brown conidia. This study highlights the role of unique habitats in driving fungal diversity and contributes to the taxonomic refinement of the Periconia genus.

This study investigates the taxonomic identity of Leiwan (), a traditional medicinal fungus used in Chinese herbal medicine. Over the past two decades, 21 specimens were collected from herbal markets and through extensive field surveys across multiple provinces in China. Both morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal that Leiwan originates from multi-evolutionary lineages, represented by at least three distinct species: Gerronema brunneosquamulosum (), G. sinense sp. nov. () and Moniliophthora sclerotium sp. nov. (). We confirm that G. brunneosquamulosum is a valid name for the traditional Chinese medicine Leiwan and propose G. lapidescens as its synonym. Furthermore, M. sclerotium is the first report of a sclerotium-forming species within this genus, marking a significant expansion of its known ecological and morphological diversity. This study provides a taxonomic framework for Leiwan, establishing a scientific basis for future mycological and pharmacological research.

Curvularia, a cosmopolitan fungal genus, occupies various ecological niches, but displays a pronounced tendency to colonise the leaves of plants. In this study, several fungal isolates with similar characteristics in the genus Curvularia were collected from leaf spots of turfgrasses (Cynodon dactylon and Lolium perenne) in Jiangsu Province, China. Based on the morphological characteristics and three locus phylogeny of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genes, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and translation elongation factor-1 alpha (tef1), five new species in Curvularia: C. cynodontis, C. herbicola, C. loliicola, C. nanjingensis and C. xuanwuensis, are described hereby. The present study contributes to the understanding of species diversity, taxonomy and phylogeny of Curvularia species in China.

Penicillium and Talaromyces species are frequently isolated from the respiratory tracts of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, yet their diversity, ecological roles, and clinical significance remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed 521 fungal isolates (482 Penicillium and 39 Talaromyces) obtained from Dutch CF patients to investigate species diversity and prevalence. Using a combination of AFLP fingerprinting and DNA sequences analysis, we identified 57 Penicillium and 18 Talaromyces species, including a putatively new species named Penicillium subluteum sp. nov. The most commonly isolated Penicillium species included P. crustosum, P. frequentans, P. chrysogenum, P. rubens, and P. brevicompactum, while Talaromyces rugulosus was the most prevalent Talaromyces species. Our findings highlight the underestimated diversity of Penicillium and Talaromyces in CF patients and emphasize the importance of accurate species identification for understanding fungal colonization patterns and assessing pathogenic potential. This study provides the most comprehensive overview to date of Penicillium and Talaromyces diversity in the CF airway and contributes valuable taxonomic and ecological insights into the role of these fungi in patients with chronic airway disease.

The species of the Mortierellaceae family are diverse and widely distributed. Four new species in this family are proposed from rhizosphere soil through a comprehensive taxonomic approach that combined multi-locus (SSU-ITS-LSU-RPB1-Act) phylogenetic analyses with detailed morphological examination. This study describes and illustrates these taxa, clarifying their morphological features from closely related species and their phylogenetic positions within the family. Linnemannia chlamydospora sp. nov. (phylogenetically proximate to L. longigemmata) is characterized by the abundant production of thick-walled chlamydospores. Linnemannia ovalispora sp. nov. (a sister taxon to L. rugosa) is distinguished by its oval sporangiospores. Linnemannia yunnanensis sp. nov. (closely allied to L. bainierella) is characterized by its oval chlamydospores and is named after Yunnan Province, its type locality. Mortierella irregularispora sp. nov. (clustering with M. parvispora) is distinguished by its irregularly shaped sporangiospores. As this is the tenth instalment of our systematic survey of Mortierellomycota diversity in China, this study expands the global species inventory of Mortierellaceae to 158.

Lobothallia is a species-rich genus of crustose lichens that is mainly distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the taxonomy and phylogeny of this genus, leading to the description of numerous new species. However, Lobothallia in China has never been systematically revised. In this study, approximately 500 specimens of Lobothallia collected from different provinces of China were examined. Based on morphological and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses, an overview of this genus in China was provided. Eight species, L. benzilanensis, L. complanata, L. polypycnidiata, L. pseudopruinosa, L. pulchra, L. rubra, L. stipitata and L. wangii, were described as new to science. The species, Lobothallia brachyloba, was reported in China for the first time. In addition, we generated DNA sequences of the species Lobothallia hedinii from topotype specimens and clarified its phylogenetic position. Detailed descriptions, illustrations of morphological characters of the above-mentioned species, and comparisons with closely related taxa are provided. A dichotomous key to 22 species of Lobothallia from China is presented.

Fuscoporia Murrill, a cosmopolitan genus of the Hymenochaetaceae, consists of parasitic and saprotrophic fungi characterized by resupinate to pileate, strictly dimitic hyphal systems, encrusted generative hyphae, the presence of hymenial setae, and hyaline, smooth, thin-walled basidiospores. Based on morpho-microtaxonomic examinations and phylogenetic analyses using a combined ITS, nrLSU, partial rpb2, and tef1-α dataset, three new species of Fuscoporia-F. indica, F. sirumalaiensis, and F. terminalianae-are described from the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. The newly described species form three distinct lineages within the F. torulosa complex. Fuscoporia indica is characterized by imbricate, convex, dimidiate basidiomes, a glabrous, azonate pilear surface, and ellipsoid basidiospores (3.5-4.5 × 2.5-2.9 μm). Fuscoporia sirumalaiensis has a smooth to glabrous, concentrically zonate pilear surface, a duplex context, and smaller basidiospores (3.1-3.6 × 2.1-2.6 μm). Finally, F. terminalianae is recognized by its effused-reflexed to imbricate basidiome, widely zonate and warted pilear surface, and ellipsoidal basidiospores (3.3-4.3 × 2.8-3 μm). This study provides comprehensive descriptions, morphological illustrations, and insights into the differences among these new species and their respective allied taxa, along with the results of phylogenetic analysis.

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), located in the arid hinterland of northwest China, serves as important substrates for Betula species. As the most widely distributed floral genus of Betulaceae in Xinjiang, Betula serves as a vital pioneer species due to its stress tolerance and adaptation to extreme environments, playing an irreplaceable role in sustaining regional ecosystems. During disease surveys on Betula trees in the Tianshan and Altai Mountains of Xinjiang, we observed symptoms of stem and branch cankers. A total of 37 fungal strains were isolated and identified, based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. As a result, Cytospora altayensis sp. nov. was proposed and Coryneum lanciforme, Cryptosporella betulae, Cr. tomentella, Cy. tanaitica and Melanconis groenlandica are reported for the first time in China. In addition, Cytospora sophoriopsis is recorded for the first time on the host genus Betula. This study identifies potential pathogenic fungi associated with Betula, providing a foundation for future disease management and forest health research.

During a survey of microflora associated with dead plant substrates in coastal regions of Guangdong Province, China, we identified several interesting Dothideomycetes fungi and provided refined updated phylogenetic analyses for Dictyosporium and Melomastia species. Two novel species are introduced, Dictyosporium thecatum and Melomastia shenzhenensis, based on molecular and morphological evidence. New host records of M. beihaiensis, M. hydei and M. fusispora are also reported in this paper. Molecular phylogenetic studies of new isolates were based on concatenated (i) ITS, LSU, tef1-α and (ii) LSU, SSU, ITS, tef1-α gene regions for Dictyosporium and Melomastia, respectively. These taxonomic novelties were recognised by comparing morphological characteristics with closely-related taxa. Melomastia shenzhenensis closely clustered with M. oleae (CGMCC 3.20619 and UESTCC 21.0003) with high statistical support value (ML/BYPP = 100%/1.00). Morphologically, Melomastia shenzhenensis can be distinguished from M. oleae in having larger of ascomata, ostiolar canal and peridium and smaller asci and ascospores. Dictyosporium thecatum forms a distinct basal clade with D. sexualis (MFLUCC 10-0127). Dictyosporium thecatum is different from D. sexualis in having smaller ascomata, asci and ascospores and possesses a larger mucilaginous sheath surrounding ascospores than D. sexualis. Two pairwise identity analyses were conducted for Dictyosporium and Melomastia. The resulting sequence identity scores were saved as a matrix and visualised as plots with a colour key to indicate the correspondence between pairwise identities. This study offers new insights into saprobic Dothideomycetes colonising dead woody substrates in coastal habitats of Guangdong Province, China.

Pinus massoniana Lamb. is an important tree species widely used for afforestation and industrial timber on barren hills in China. Needle blight of P. massoniana, caused by Pestalotiopsis spp., is widespread and occurs over a large area. In this study, 10 representative strains were isolated from diseased needles of P. massoniana in Anhui and Guangxi provinces. Based on phylogenetic analysis of three genomic loci (ITS, TEF1, and TUB2), combined with morphological characteristics, two new species-Pestalotiopsis liuzhouensis sp. nov. and Pestalotiopsis kendrickii sp. nov.-were identified. Pathogenicity experiments showed that these 10 representative strains were pathogenic to P. massoniana. This study enhances understanding of the diversity of pathogens causing P. massoniana needle blight and provides insights for future control strategies.