Fungal systematics and evolution最新文献

The phylogeny and taxonomy of Cercospora malkoffii, an anamorphic ascomycete (Mycosphaerellaceae) causing a phytopathologically relevant leaf-spot disease on anise (Pimpinella anisum), are examined and clarified. This species is currently treated as belonging to the genus Passalora, based on a morphological species concept. However, genera of the Mycosphaerellaceae in general and particularly Passalora s. lat. underwent significant taxonomic changes in the past decades owing to comprehensive molecular phylogenetic revisions of cercosporoid fungi. Cercospora malkoffii has recently been repeatedly observed in commercial fields of P. anisum and has been isolated and cultivated in this study. Based on these cultures, ITS, LSU, CaM, tef1, tub2, and rpb2 sequences were retrieved and phylogenetic analyses were performed. These analyses revealed that C. malkoffii pertains to the genus Fusoidiella that currently comprises two former Passalora species on apiaceous hosts. Accordingly, the new combination Fusoidiella malkoffii is introduced. In addition, an epitype is designated here for C. malkoffii, and a pathogenicity test has been successfully carried out to fulfil Koch's postulates. Citation: Kreth L-S, Groenewald JZ, Braun U, Götz M (2025). Phylogeny and taxonomy of Cercospora malkoffii (Mycosphaerellaceae). Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16: 233-242. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.13.

Camarotella torrendiella and Camarotella acrocomiae, the causal agents of coconut black leaf spot, are of great economic importance to coconut cultivars. Species of hyperparasites have previously been reported in the stromata of these species, which delay and reduce the viability of the ascospores of these pathogens, demonstrating their bio-control potential. In order to identify and analyse the parasitic species affecting the pathogens that cause coconut black leaf spot, symptomatic leaflets exhibiting parasitized stromata of both C. torrendiella and C. acrocomiae were collected in the states of Pernambuco and Paraíba (Brazil) and the fungi present in the stromata were isolated. The hyperparasites were phylogenetically identified based on different gene regions according to genera and presented in this paper with a detailed taxonomic description as well as their abundance and constancy in the coconut grove. A new species of Fusicolla was described in this study as Fusicolla parasitica sp. nov. Acremonium cavaraeanum presented a new record for the states of Paraíba and Pernambuco. Fusarium pseudocircinatum and Fusarium caatingaense presented the first report of their fungicolous lifestyles, while Purpureocillium lilacinum was for the first time recorded hyperparasitizing a Camarotella spp. causing leaf lesions. This study shows Fusicolla parasitica and Acremonium cavaraeanum as constant and abundant species in the coconut grove, while Fusarium pseudocircinatum and Purpureocillium lilacinum are accessory and common; Fusarium caatingaense was considered rare and accidental. Citation: Sá CEVA, Souza-Motta CM, Tiago PV, Machado AR (2025). Diversity of fungicolous fungi associated with Camarotella spp. (Phyllachorales, Sordariomycetes) on Cocos nucifera in Brazil, including Fusicolla parasitica sp. nov. (Nectriaceae). Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16: 155-180. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.9.

The genus Lycogala was historically considered a small, morphologically uniform group of myxomycetes, with its classification remaining largely unchanged for most of the 20^th century. However, recent molecular studies have revealed exceptional cryptic diversity within the genus, challenging its traditional species delimitations. This study continues the taxonomic reassessment of Lycogala, integrating three-gene phylogenies and morphological analyses of 716 specimens from four continents. A total of 706 nucSSU, 273 mtSSU, and 130 COI sequences were analysed to delimit species within the genus using recombination test and distance-based delimitation. As a result, 716 specimens were assigned to 93 nucSSU ribogroups, which were further grouped into 63 putative morphological species. Of these, only 20 had been formally described prior to this study. Herein, we describe an additional 24 species, significantly expanding the known diversity of the genus. Phylogenetic analyses suggest the division of Lycogala into five major clades, which correspond to distinct morphological traits, supporting the proposal of five new sections within the genus. The study also confirms that L. epidendrum s. str. exhibits significant genetic polymorphism, with at least 29 subgroups detected. However, species delimitation within L. epidendrum remains challenging due to conflicting results from genetic markers and the presence of recombined genotypes. The study underscores the necessity of integrating molecular and morphological approaches for resolving Lycogala taxonomy and highlights the potential for further discoveries in myxomycete diversity. Citation: Leontyev D, Ishchenko Y, Leontieva M, Yatsiuk I, Shchepin O, Song W-L, Chen SL, Moroz E, Schnittler M (2025). Expanding Lycogala: twenty-four new species, their morphology and phylogenetic relationships. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16: 93-146. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.7.

The genus Hemileia was established in 1869 and made famous by H. vastatrix, the agent of coffee leaf rust. This group of obligate biotrophs has grown to include more than 42 species, infecting plant hosts from 43 genera across Africa and Asia. A specimen collected in 1943 in Uganda, on the host plant Aristolochia, was identified to Hemileia sp. (BPI019726). Species identification was historically inconclusive and subsequent examinations noted that the material was insufficient. In this study, the specimen was morphologically re-examined, and partial sequences of the small subunit (18S) and large subunit (28S) of the rDNA were obtained. It was found to be sufficiently different from other species in the genus, and here described as Hemileia ritscheliae sp. nov., named for the work by Anja Ritschel in compiling the Hemileia monograph (Ritschel 2005), and whose research greatly assisted our work. Citation: Bailey J, Miller ST, Castlebury LA (2025). Hemileia ritscheliae, a new species of rust fungus on Aristolochia sp. collected from Uganda in 1943. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16: 147-153. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.8.

Three members of ectomycorrhizal fungi belonging to Russula subsection Castanopsidum are described from neotropical montane forests dominated by species of Fagaceae in Panama and Colombia. Russula esperanzae sp. nov. from Colombia differs in the field from other members of the subsection by slender longitudinally striated red stipes as well as characteristics of spores and basidia. Russula atroamethystina subsp. atroamethystina, originally described from Costa Rica, is reported for the first time from Panama. Closely related and morphologically similar Colombian collections are described as R. atroamethystina subsp. guacahayoensis subsp. nov. and differ from the typical subspecies by longer hymenial cystidia as well as molecular sequence data. The distribution of this newly described subspecies is restricted to Fagaceae forests east of the Isthmus of Panama. This suggests an allopatric diversification, likely driven by the absence of Fagaceae in the tropical lowland forest of the Darién Gap. Russula esperanzae is exclusively associated with Trigonobalanus excelsa, a tree species of Fagaceae endemic to Colombia. The role of its association with this tree in the evolutionary history of the species is discussed. Based on molecular timing, species of the subsection Castanopsidum started to evolve approximately 15.1 M years ago (mya) and display an amphi-pacific disjunct distribution with an Asian clade that split from the American clade around 11 mya. Citation: Manz C, Ortiz-Suárez A, Adamčíková K, Looney B, Noffsinger CR, Caboň M, Hampe F, Piepenbring M, Hofmann T, Buyck B, Parra-Aldana CA, Adamčík S, Corrales A (2025). Recent taxonomic discoveries suggest a host-symbiont co-migration of Russula subsect. Castanopsidum with Fagaceae in the Americas. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16: 181-195. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.10.

The Rhizocarpaceae, a family of lichenized fungi within the Ascomycota, comprises approximately 160 species within five genera: Catolechia, Epilichen, Haugania, Poeltinula, and Rhizocarpon. Rhizocarpon is the most species-rich, with about 150 species predominantly inhabiting siliceous rock in boreal and arctic-alpine environments. Molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed that current taxonomy, heavily reliant on morphology, chemistry, and life strategies, renders Rhizocarpon paraphyletic. This study aims to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships and clarify genus delimitation within the Rhizocarpaceae using an integrative taxonomic approach that combines three genetic markers and a diversity of taxa covering the morphological, chemical, and ecological spectrum of the family. Our comprehensive sampling includes 50 species across the Rhizocarpaceae collected from diverse geographical locations and ecological settings. Our phylogenetic hypothesis is based on a concatenated dataset of two nuclear (ITS and MCM7) and one mitochondrial (mtSSU) genetic marker. Ascospore characteristics and thallus pigmentation alongside secondary metabolite profiles were mapped onto this DNA-based evolutionary framework. Our results underscore significant refinements in the classification of the Rhizocarpaceae, highlighting the inadequacy of traditional taxonomic markers alone to infer robust phylogenetic affiliations. We advocate for new circumscriptions of Catolechia, Poeltinula, and Rhizocarpon based on the molecular phylogeny and propose synonymizing Epilichen with Catolechia, the transfer of the species in the R. hochstetteri complex to Poeltinula, and the resurrection of Rehmia. We hence propose 24 new combinations and three typifications. Collectively, this study sets the groundwork for future research and stability in the systematics of the Rhizocarpaceae, augmenting our understanding of their diversity and evolutionary dynamics. Citation: Möller EJ, Timdal E, Haugan R, Bendiksby M (2025). Integrative taxonomy and genus delimitation in the Rhizocarpaceae (lichenized Ascomycota). Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16: 215-231. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.12.

New blueberry plantings in South Africa have increased dramatically since the year 2000, exceeding the global expansion rate. The crop is, however, impacted by several economically important fungal pathogens. Lesser-known fungi such as pestalotioid species can cause leaf and twig blight, and have the potential to become a global threat to blueberry production and expansion. This study aimed to assess the presence of such fungal species in blueberry nurseries in South Africa due to the industry's exponential growth and mass introduction of new cultivars. Symptomatic leaf and twig samples were collected from six propagation nurseries, resulting in 180 pestalotioid isolates, of which a subset of 48 isolates were selected for molecular characterisation using multi-locus sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), partial translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) and partial β-tubulin (TUB2) gene regions. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Inference methods. Based on the phylogenetic analyses, all isolates clustered with three previously described species of Neopestalotiopsis, namely N. rosae, N. hispanica and N. longiappendiculata. Of these, 32 isolates were identified as N. rosae, followed by N. hispanica (12) and N. longiappendiculata (4). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of these species in South Africa. Based on phylogenetic analysis and morphological comparisons, we further recommend that N. vaccinii be considered a synonym of N. hispanica. Citation: Van der Vyver LS, De Bruin W, Siyoum N, Nsibo DL, Groenewald JZ, Crous PW, Korsten L (2025). Exploring Neopestalotiopsis diversity associated with Blueberry leaf and twig blight in South African nurseries. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16: 41-53. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.3.

Cordycipitaceae is a large family belonging to the order Hypocreales, including cosmopolitan species found on different substrates. This family includes species with different lifestyles such as entomopathogenic, endophytic, and mycoparasitic fungi. Some mycoparasitic species in this family attack phytopathogenic fungi. We identified species of Cordycipitaceae found during a survey of fungicolous fungi associated with Pseudocercospora fijiensis and P. musae in Brazil. Based on morphological characters combined with phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU, SSU, RPB1, RPB2, and TEF1-α, we propose a new genus in Cordycipitaceae, namely Matutinistella, with its type species M. brasiliensis, and a new species of the genus Simplicillium, namely S. pseudocercosporicola. Furthermore, we report P. fijiensis as a new host of the mycoparasitic fungus Simplicillium lanosoniveum. In this study we newly report fungicolous fungi of Cordycipitaceae associated with the causal agents of Black Sigatoka and Yellow Sigatoka on banana crops. We provide relevant information for future work involving control measures for these diseases that cause major losses in banana crops. Citation: Custódio FA, Pereira OL (2025). New treasures in Cordycipitaceae: Fungicolous fungi associated with Pseudocercospora fijiensis and P. musae in Brazil, including Matutinistella gen. nov. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 15: 133-152. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.06.

During our long-term studies on Cortinarius species in alpine habitats, we discovered several collections of a Cortinarius species resembling C. spilomeus. We carried out comparative morphological studies and a phylogenetic analysis based on rDNA ITS sequences. We included also type material of Cortinarius spilomeus forma dryadicola. We confirmed that Cortinarius spilomeoalpinus is a distinct species which is typical for alpine Dryas octopetala habitats. Cortinarius spilomeus forma dryadicola is not part of C. spilomeus sensu stricto. It is conspecific with the later described C. ferrusinus, another taxon of sect. Spilomei, and we treat it as forma of it. Detailed descriptions are given for the alpine taxa, and a differential diagnosis and dichotomous identification key are provided. Citation: Peintner U, Huymann L, Ferrari RJ (2025). Cortinarius spilomeoalpinus (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) a new alpine species of sect. Spilomei from the South-Tyrolean Dryas octopetala habitats. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 15: 265-274. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.12.