ITS Sequence Data Research Articles

Additions to the genus Kirschsteiniothelia (Dothideomycetes); Three novel species and a new host record, based on morphology and phylogeny

During a survey of microfungi associated with forest plants, four specimens related to Kirschsteiniothelia were collected from decaying wood in Guizhou, Hainan and Yunnan Provinces, China. Kirschsteiniothelia species have sexual and asexual forms. They are commonly found as saprophytes on decaying wood and have been reported as disease-causing pathogens in humans as well. In this study, we introduce three novel Kirschsteiniothelia species (K. bulbosapicalis, K. dendryphioides and K. longirostrata) and describe a new host record for K. atra, based on morphology and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of a concatenated ITS, LSU and SSU rDNA sequence data. These taxa produced a dendryphiopsis- or sporidesmium-like asexual morph and detailed descriptions and micromorphological illustrations are provided. Furthermore, we provide a checklist for the accepted Kirschsteiniothelia species, including detailed host information, habitat preferences, molecular data, existing morphological type, country of origin and corresponding references.

Freshwater Sordariomycetes: a new species Nais submersa and a new record Natantispora unipolaris in Halosphaeriaceae from China

During our ongoing surveys of freshwater fungi in Yunnan Province, two halosphaeriaceous species were collected from submerged wood. Based on their morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU and ITS sequence data, a new species Nais submersa and a new habitat record Natantispora unipolaris are reported. Descriptions and illustration of two taxa are provided.

Additions to Lentitheciaceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes): Pseudosetoseptoria jiangxiensis sp. nov. from decaying culms of bamboo in China

In terms of morphology, ecology, and phylogeny, Lentitheciaceae species exhibit an enormous diversity. They have a cosmopolitan distribution worldwide, and lead diverse lifestyles. A novel species in Lentitheciaceae, Pseudosetoseptoria jiangxiensis occurring on decaying culms of bamboo in Jiangxi province, China is described and illustrated. Morphologically, Pseudosetoseptoria jiangxiensis has dark brown to black, semi-immersed, carbonaceous, pycnidial conidiomata and hyaline, obovoid, elliptic, or nearly spherical, aseptate conidia with minute guttules. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of combined ITS, LSU, SSU and tef1-α sequence data were used to clarify the phylogenetic affinities of the species.

Novel endophytic fungal species Pithoascus kurdistanensis producing morphine compounds

Papaver genus, commonly known as popies, is a valuable source of alkaloids used in medicine, including papaverine, morphine, codeine, and thebaine. We isolated six endophytic fungal isolates producing morphinan alkaloids from four Papaver species growing in Kurdistan Province, Iran. To do this, a 1:1 mixture of methanol and chloroform was used to extract fungal cultures. The contents of morphinan alkaloids in the extracts were subsequently determined using phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Among the morphinan alkaloid-producing fungal isolates, IRAN 4653C had the highest yield giving 23.06 (mg/g) morphine and 2.03 (mg/g) codeine when grown in potato dextrose liquid medium. The identity of this isolate was examined and recognized as a new fungal species named as Pithoascus kurdistanesis sp. nov. based on multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of ITS, TEF-1α, and TUB2 sequences data and morphological features. The morphinan-producing endophytic fungus and the isolated Pithoascus species from Papaver are being reported for the first time. Accordingly, this fungus shows promise as a new source of valuable compounds which is illustrated and introduced here as a new Microascaceae member belonging to Pithoascus from Kurdistan Province, Iran. Moreover, the morphinan productivity of P. kurdistanesis was further validated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS).

Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses revealed a new invertebrate-pathogenic fungus Akanthomyces bannaensis (Cordycipitaceae, Ascomycota), in China

The ubiquitous yet diverse associations between insects and fungi have long evolved. At the same time, the interactions between beetles, microbes, and hosts have not been well documented, especially for new fungi taxa. Two interesting specimens of Akanthomyces were found on adult moths of Dudusa sphingiformis in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. These specimens were identified as a new species based on morphology and phylogeny. Akanthomyces bannaensis sp. nov. is characterized by being determined to occur on an adult of Dudusa sphingiformis and synnemata arising from a moth body up to 5 cm long and 0.1–1.3 mm wide, unbranched, cylindrical to clavate with acute or blunt end. The morphological identification and phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, nLSU, and RPB2 sequence data support A. bannaensis as a new species, in which A. bannaensis is sister to A. pyralidarum. A full description, illustrations and phylogenetic analysis results of the new species are provided.

Two new species of Nectriaceae (Hypocreales, Sordariomycetes) from Yunnan, China.

Nectriaceae is a highly diverse family, and members have a worldwide distribution, particularly in warm temperate to tropical regions. During the survey of fungal diversity in different habitats in Yunnan province, China, two new species isolated from soil and air respectively, namely Atractiumyunnanense sp. nov. and Nalanthamalaxishuangbannaensis sp. nov., were proposed based on morphological comparisons and the multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tub2 sequence data. Phylogenetically, both species clustered in a monophyletic clade within Nectriaceae with strong support. A.yunnanense is characterized by synnematous conidiophores, pale olivaceous-green, clavate to oblong-ellipsoidal, multi-septate conidia, and pale olivaceous-green chlamydospores. N.xishuangbannaensis has acremonium-like or penicillium-like conidiophores and either obovate or ellipsoidal, cylindrical or fusiform conidia. Full descriptions, illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree showing the phylogenetic position of the two new species were provided.

The Genus Ravenelia: Insights on Taxonomy, Diversity and Distribution.

Ravenelia is the third largest rust genus of the order Pucciniales with more than 200 described species. It is an important rust genus that has undergone tremendous taxonomic changes. This genus produces teliospores united into a head on a compound pedicel composed of two to several hyphae with autoecious, macro-, demi- to hemi-, and, more rarely, microcyclic modes of their life cycle which provide it a unique identity and have proved helpful in the identification of the genus. The current understanding of the taxonomy, history, diversity and distribution of this genus is discussed in this paper. Both online and offline resources were searched to gather data of the published literature. The data thus obtained were analyzed for numerical and graphical summaries to provide the diversity and distribution of the genus. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS and nLSU DNA sequence data available in GenBank and the published literature was performed to examine the taxonomic placement of different species within the genus. The genus was reported to be distributed over 53 countries of the world. Around 51 plant genera belonging to four plant families, viz., Fabaceae, Phyllanthaceae, Asphodelaceae and Zygophyllaceae were found to be infected with these rust fungi. The phylogenetic analysis based on LSU and ITS sequence data revealed the polyphyletic nature of the genus. A table of 248 species of this genus is also provided with all information of host, distribution and cited reference that can be helpful for mycologists to find all information at one place. Future perspectives for the advancement of this genus are also discussed.

Molecular studies of Allographa effusosoredica sp. nov. (Graphidaceae) along with its Trentepohlia photobiont and a comprehensive checklist for Indian Allographa

The current study describes a new species, Allographa effusosoredica, from the Western Ghats, India, along with its Trentepohlia photobiont. This study is based on morphological, chemical and molecular analyses using mtSSU, LSU and RPB2 sequence data for Allographa effusosoredica mycobiont and ITS sequence data for Trentepohlia photobiont. Allographa effusosoredica is characterized by a thin effuse thallus with diffuse soredia, 8-spored asci, transversely 7–11 septate ascospores, and norstictic acid chemistry. It is surprisingly similar to the widespread Graphis glaucescens, which differs in the absence of soredia and norstictic acid, but clusters phylogenetically within Allographa, allied to Allographa xanthospora, making the limits between Allographa and the distantly related genus Graphis more diffuse and raising doubts about the correct placement of G. glaucescens. The photobiont of the novel species is allied to Trentepohlia cf. arborum HZ-2017 isolate YN1047. This is the first species of Allographa sequenced from India.

Four novel species of Pleurotheciaceae collected from freshwater habitats in Jiangxi Province, China.

During an investigation of fungal diversity from freshwater environments in different regions in Jiangxi Province, China, four interesting species were collected. Morphology coupled with combined gene analysis of an ITS, LSU, SSU, and rpb2 DNA sequence data showed that they belong to the family Pleurotheciaceae. Four new species, Pleurotheciella ganzhouensis, Pla. irregularis, Pla. verrucosa, and Pleurothecium jiangxiense are herein described. Pleurotheciella ganzhouensis is characterized by its capsule-shaped conidia and short conidiophores, while Pla. irregularis has amorphous conidiophores and 3-septate conidia. Pleurotheciella verrucosa has cylindrical or verrucolose conidiogenous cells, 1-septate, narrowly fusiform, meniscus or subclavate conidia. Pleurothecium jiangxiense characterized in having conidiogenous cells with dense cylindrical denticles and short conidiophores. Pleurothecium obovoideum was transferred to Neomonodictys based on phylogenetic evidence. All species are compared with other similar species and comprehensive descriptions, micrographs, and phylogenetic data are provided.

Tricholyophyllum (Agaricales; Lyophyllaceae) an addition to the fungal flora of Pakistan with the description of a new species T. rubrum

Phylogenetic analysis of ITS and LSU sequence data and morphological characters support the recognition of Tricholyophyllum rubrum as a new species. The new species differs from the type species of the genus by its reddish brown pileus surface, the presence of pleurocystidia, and comparatively broader basidiospores. This is the first report of a Tricholyophyllum species from Pakistan and the second in the world.

Ovicillium sinense, a new species from Guizhou, China

A new species, Ovicillium sinense, which was isolated from an infected pupa, is introduced. Morphological comparisons with extant species and DNA-based phylogenies from analysis of a multigene dataset of combined ITS, LSU and TEF sequence data support the establishment of the new species. It differs from other species by its phialides that are attenuated from the middle to the apex, the conidia aggregated in large globose to subglobose heads, and having shorter phialides and smaller conidia.

Phylogenetic Insights Reveal New Taxa in Thyridariaceae and Massarinaceae.

Pleosporales is a highly diverse (and the largest) order in Dothideomycetes, and it is widespread in decaying plants in various environments around the world. During a survey of fungal diversity in Sichuan Province, China, specimens of hyphomycetous and Thyridaria-like fungi were collected from dead branches of pine trees and cherry trees. These taxa were initially identified as members of Massarinaceae and Thyridariaceae through morphological examination. Phylogenetic analyses of the Thyridariaceae, combining ITS, SSU, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1 sequence data, indicated a distinct clade sister to Pseudothyridariella and Thyridariella, distinct from any genus in the family. Thus, a new genus, Vaginospora, is proposed to accommodate the type species Vaginospora sichuanensis, which is characterized by semi-immersed globose to oblong ascomata with an ostiolar neck, cylindrical to clavate asci with an ocular chamber, and hyaline to dark brown, fusiform, 3-5-transversely septate ascospores with an inconspicuous mucilaginous sheath. Based on the morphological comparisons and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (ITS, SSU, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1) of the Massarinaceae, we have identified three collections belonging to the genus Helminthosporium, leading us to propose H. filamentosa sp. nov., H. pini sp. nov., and H. velutinum as a new host record. According to Phylogenetic analysis, H. pini formed an independent clade sister to H. austriacum and H. yunnanense, and H. filamentosa represents the closest sister clade to H. quercinum. Helminthosporium pini is distinct from H. austriacum by the shorter conidiophores and H. yunnanense by the longer and wider conidia. The H. filamentosa differs from H. quercinum in having longer conidiophores and smaller conidia. This study extends our understanding of diversity within Thyridariaceae and Helminthosporium. Our findings underscore the rich biodiversity and potential for discovering novel fungal taxa within these groups.

Appendopyricularia guttulata sp. nov., a lignicolous freshwater fungus from Dianchi Lake in Yunnan, China

During an investigation into species diversity of lignicolous freshwater fungi from the plateau lakes in Yunnan Province, China, a hyphomycetous fungus was collected from Dianchi Lake. The new isolate was placed in Appendopyricularia as a sister taxon of Appendopyricularia juncicola within Barbatosphaeriaceae based on the phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS and LSU sequence data. The fungus is characterized by acrogenous, fusoid, guttulate conidia that are 3–4 septate and have a flexuous central apical appendage. It exhibits more pronounced guttulate appendages and more prominent denticle sporulation structure. Therefore, Appendopyricularia guttulata is introduced as a new species based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic evidence. The detailed description and illustrations of the new species are provided, as well as the morphological comparison with similar taxa.

One new species and a new record of saprobic fungi from Ananas comosus in northern Thailand

Pineapple is one of the major crops in northern Thailand. Like all the other plants, it has associated with it, a wide range of fungi, which may be saprobic, pathogenic, or endophytic. This study investigated fungi associated with pineapple in Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Based on morphology and multilocus phylogeny of the ITS and LSU sequence data, Anthracocystis ananatum is described as a new species with its detailed asexual morph. Compared to other Anthracocystis species, A. ananatum has a distinctive morphotype that includes septate hyphae, conidigenous cells, and conidiophores. In addition, Spegazzinia tessarthra is reported for the first time as a new host and geographic record. The complete descriptions, photo-micrographs, and phylogenies of the new species Anthracocystis ananatum and a new host and geographic record S. tessarthra are provided and discussed.

Diversity of causal agents of Pseudostellaria heterophylla leaf spot from Guizhou Province, China

AbstractPseudostellaria heterophylla, a valuable Chinese herbal medicine, is widely cultivated in China, with a planted area of 5402.7 hm2 in Shibing County, Guizhou Province. The occurrence of leaf spot disease represents a significant challenge in the production area. In this study, 30 samples of P. heterophylla exhibiting symptoms of leaf spot were collected from three primary production areas in Guizhou Province. Following isolation and purification, 51 isolates were classified into two genera based on both cultural and conidial characteristics, along with ITS sequence data. Fourteen representative strains were selected for morphological and multigene molecular identification, which revealed that these representative strains were affiliated with Alternaria arborescens species complex (SC), Alternaria tenuissima, Alternaria gaisen, and Sclerotiophoma versabilis. The isolation rates of Alternaria and Sclerotiophoma were 84.3% and 15.7%, respectively. Pathogenicity tests confirmed the identity of the causal agents and demonstrated varying levels of aggressiveness among the different genera and species of pathogens towards P. heterophylla leaves. This study marks the first identification of A. arborescens SC, A. gaisen, and S. versabilis as pathogens causing leaf spot in P. heterophylla in China.

Geopyxis carolinae sp. nov. (Pezizomycetes, Ascomycota) from Mexico

Geopyxis is an ectomycorrhizal genus found in temperate forests. The members form yellow and orange to brown apothecia that range from 3–25 mm in diameter. Its ascospores are smooth to finely verrucous. The specimen collected from Mount Tlaloc, Texcoco, State of Mexico, was identified as Geopyxis carolinae sp. nov. This species typically forms sessile apothecia, cupuliform to discoid, and its ascospores are the largest [17–23(25) × 10–12 µm] within the genus. The species was found growing on a burnt ground associated with Abies religiosa. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS and LSU sequence data confirmed that Geopyxis carolinae is distinct from other Geopyxis spp. The new species is described, illustrated, and compared with similar taxa based on molecular and morphological data.

An overview of Melanommataceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes): Current insight into the host associations and geographical distribution with some interesting novel additions from plant litter.

Melanommataceous species exhibit high diversity with a cosmopolitan distribution worldwide and show a prominent saprobic lifestyle. In this study, we explored five saprobic species collected from plant litter substrates from terrestrial habitats in China and Thailand. A combination of morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses was used to determine their taxonomic classifications. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses of combined LSU, SSU, ITS and tef1-α sequence data were used to clarify the phylogenetic affinities of the species. Byssosphaeriapoaceicola and Herpotrichiazingiberacearum are introduced as new species, while three new host records, Bertiellafici, By.siamensis and Melanommapopulicola are also reported from litter of Cinnamomumverum, Citrustrifoliata and Fagussylvatica, respectively. Yet, despite the rising interest in the melanommataceous species, there is a considerable gap in knowledge on their host associations and geographical distributions. Consequently, we compiled the host-species associations and geographical distributions of all the so far known melanommataceous species.

A phylogenetic reappraisal of Moorella and Thaxteriellopsis based on fresh material of the type species from India

ABSTRACT Moorella was described as an asexual genus of Ascomycota initially discovered in India and comprises three accepted morphospecies. The original nomenclatural type (holotype) of Moorella speciosa (Herb. Hyd. V. V. C. B. L. No. 297) was missing from the repository, and neither a possible lectotype nor isotypes were located; we therefore designate a sequenced neotype from India to fix the application of this name. Even though, Thaxteriellopsis was synonymised initially under Chaetosphaerulina, the type species T. lignicola, was later resurrected due to its unique sexual morph characteristics. Although various authors reported natural and cultural co-occurrences of Moorella and Thaxteriellopsis, the taxonomy had not been reassessed by molecular methods under the provisions of one fungus: one name. Phylogenies inferred from Maximum Likelihood analysis and Bayesian Inference of the combined ITS, LSU, TEF1α and RPB2 sequence data delineated Moorella and erstwhile Thaxteriellopsis accessions in a single clade within Tubeufiaceae. Based on this molecular study and the one fungus: one name rule, the genus Moorella has priority over Thaxterillopsis, and both T. lignicola and T. obliqua are placed in Moorella (as M. lignicola and M. obliqua).

Multiple evidence reveals a new species of Neocucurbitaria (Cucurbitariaceae, Pleosporales) from China

Xanthoceras sorbifolium (yellowhorn) is an endemic edible oil crop in China. A novel Neocucurbitaria species associated with dead stems of yellowhorn in Jilin Province (northeast China) is described and illustrated. It is characterized by stromata with 1–5 locules and a subhyaline pycnidial wall under the inner layer. Full morphological details and a comparison with closely related species are also provided. The new species differs from the closely related species N. ribicola, N. rhamni, N. rhamnicola and N. rhamnioides by its distinct conidiogenous cells and conidia. Phylogenetic analysis (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference method) of combined ITS, LSU, rpb2, tef1-α and tub2 sequence data reveal that two strains of the fungus differ from all other species of Neocucurbitaria (Cucurbitariaceae). Therefore, we introduce N. subribicola as a new species, and this is the first report of the asexual morph of Neocucurbitaria in China

Hermatomyces pyriformis sp. nov., a novel dematiaceous hyphomycete (Hermatomycetaceae, Pleosporales) associated with medicinal plants in Yunnan Province, China

During investigations of hyphomycetous fungi from medicinal plants in Yunnan Province, China, a novel species of Hermatomyces was discovered. Hermatomyces pyriformis is introduced based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, ITS, tef1-α and rpb2 sequence data. This fungus is characterized by having sporodochial conidiomata and determinate, hyaline, pyriform conidiogenous cells bearing brown, globose to subglobose or ellipsoidal, muriform lenticular conidia with dark brown center and brown peripheral cells. Phylogenetic results indicated that two isolates of H. pyriformis represent a distinct lineage and can be recognized as a new species. A detailed description and illustration are provided for the new species.