LSU Sequence Data Research Articles

Introducing Nigrograna wuhanensis sp. nov. (Nigrogranaceae, Pleosporales) from Camellia japonica in China

In this study, we introduce a new species Nigrograna wuhanensis, which was collected from Camellia japonica in Hubei Province, China. The new species was established based on morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of combined SSU, LSU, ITS and tef1-α sequence data. Nigrograna wuhanensis is characterized by scattered, immersed ascomata with a long neck superfi cial on the substrate, clavate and short pedicellate asci, and fusoid, pale brown to dark brown, mostly 3-septate ascospores which are deeply constricted and strongly pigmented at the septa. Nigrograna wuhanensis differs from its phylogenetically related species N. jinghongensis in having 3-septate ascospores and a long neck growing on the ascomata. The illustration and description of the new taxon are provided.

Morphological and molecular analyses reveal two new species of Microcera (Nectriaceae, Hypocreales) associated with scale insects on walnut in China.

The fungal genus Microcera consists of species mostly occurring as parasites of scale insects, but are also commonly isolated from soil or lichens. In the present study, we surveyed the diversity and assess the taxonomy of entomopathogenic fungi in Sichuan Province, China. Two new species of Microcera, viz. M.chrysomphaludis and M.pseudaulacaspidis, were isolated from scale insects colonising walnut (Juglansregia). Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses of ITS, LSU, tef1-α, rpb1, rpb2, acl1, act, tub2, cmdA and his3 sequence data provide evidence for the validity of the two species and their placement in Nectriaceae (Hypocreales). Microcerapseudaulacaspidis primarily differs from similar species by having more septate and smaller cylindrical macroconidia, as well as DNA sequence data. Meanwhile, Microcerachrysomphaludis has elliptical, one-septate ascospores with acute ends and cylindrical, slightly curved with 4-6 septate macroconidia up to 78 µm long. Morphological descriptions with illustrations of the novel species and DNA-based phylogeny generated from analyses of multigene dataset are also provided to better understand species relationships.

Two new records of Xylariales species from Northern Thailand

Xylariales members have conspicuous to inconspicuous perithecia with unitunicate asci. The most known species are endophytes and saprobes, known to produce secondary metabolites with fundamental importance in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The current study collected samples from decaying barks of Quercus kingiana at Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand. Based on morphological features coupled with combined gene analyses of ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tub2 sequence data, the isolates were identified as Xylaria karsticola and Jackrogersella minutella, belonging to Xylariaceae and Hypoxylaceae, respectively. This study provides the first geographical records of X. karsticola and J. minutella in Thailand and the first records of these species on Quercus kingiana.

Insights from the Endophytic Fungi in Amphisphaeria (Sordariomycetes): A. orixae sp. nov. from Orixa japonica and Its Secondary Metabolites

Endophytic fungi are a remarkably diverse group of microorganisms that have imperceptible associations with their hosts for at least a part of their life cycle. The enormous biological diversity and the capability of producing bioactive secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, terpenoids, and polyketides have attracted the attention of different scientific communities, resulting in numerous investigations on these fungal endophytes. During our surveys of plant-root-based fungi in the mountain areas of Qingzhen, Guizhou Province, several isolates of endophytic fungi were identified. In this study, a novel endophytic fungus was discovered in the roots of a medicinal plant (Orixa japonica) in Southern China and introduced as a new species (Amphisphaeria orixae) based on morphological evidence and molecular phylogenetic analysis (combined ITS and LSU sequence data). To the best of our knowledge, A. orixae is the first reported endophyte as well as the first hyphomycetous asexual morph in Amphisphaeria. A new isocoumarin, (R)-4,6,8-trihydroxy-5-methylisochroman-1-one (1), and 12 known compounds (2–13) were isolated from the rice fermentation products of this fungus. Using 1D- and 2D-NMR, mass spectrometry, and ECD studies, their structures were identified. The antitumor activity of these compounds was tested. Unfortunately, none of the compounds tested showed significant antitumor activity.

Ascopolyporus tibetensis (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales): a new species from Tibet, China

The genus Ascopolyporus belongs Cordycipitaceae. Its members infect scale insects as necrotrophs, and produce stromata on the living stems of plants as biotrophs. In this study, we introduce a new taxon of Ascopolyporus that was collected from Tibet, China. Fresh stromata of the new taxon were located on the living stems of bamboo. The new taxon is described based on morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, and tef1 sequence data, and compared with closely related taxa. The new species Ascopolyporus tibetensis formed a distinct, well-supported lineage (100% MLBS, 1.00 BIPP) separated from A. galloide in the clade comprising A. griseoperitheciatus. Ascopolyporus tibetensis is diagnosed by the widest asci, globose to sub-globose stromata, yellow upper part and dark green lower part.

Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Three New Species of Distoseptispora (Distoseptisporaceae, Distoseptisporales) from Yunnan, China.

Three new species of Distoseptispora, viz. D. mengsongensis, D. nabanheensis, and D. sinensis, are described and illustrated from specimens collected on dead branches of unidentified plants in Yunnan Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses of LSU, ITS, and TEF1 sequence data, using maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI), reveal the taxonomic placement of D. mengsongensis, D. nabanheensis, and D. sinensis within Distoseptispora. Both morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analyses supported D. mengsongensis, D. nabanheensis, and D. sinensis as three new taxa. To extend our knowledge of the diversity of Distoseptispora-like taxa, a list of recognized species of Distoseptispora with major morphological features, habitat, host, and locality is also provided.

Two new species of genus Leucoagaricus (Agaricaceae, Agaricales) from Pakistan.

The genus of basidiomycetous fungi, Leucoagaricus, occurs worldwide, from subtropical to boreal latitudes. Several collections of Leucoagaricus were made during mycological field trips conducted in different forests of Margalla, Pakistan. An integrative framework combining morphological and phylogenetic data was employed for their study. As a result, the two species La.margallensis and La.glareicolor are here described as new to science. Detailed macro- and micro-morphological descriptions, and a molecular phylogenetic reconstruction based on nrITS and LSU sequence data are provided and used to discriminate the new species from morphologically and phylogenetically close taxa. Whereas, our phylogenetic tree inference gave unequivocal support for the inclusion of these two species within the section Leucoagaricus.

Parafuscosporella xishuangbannaensis sp. nov. (Fuscosporellales, Sordariomycetes) from submerged wood in China

In this study, a novel lignicolous freshwater species, Parafuscosporella xishuangbannaensis, which was collected from Manfeilong reservoir in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species was established based on morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU, ITS and rpb2 sequence data. Parafuscosporella xishuangbannaensis is characterized by reduced conidiophores, holoblastic, monoblastic, integrated, terminal, hyaline, cylindrical conidiogenous cells, and acrogenous, obovoid to subglobose, brown to dark brown conidia with a septum near the base and a paler, wedge-shaped basal cell. Parafuscosporella xishuangbannaensis differs from its phylogenetically close sister taxon P. pyriformis in lacking cylindrical or moniliform conidiophores.

Morpho-phylogeny characterization of Linocarpon bambusina sp. nov. (Linocarpaceae, Chaetosphaeriales) associated with bamboo in Yunnan Province, China

Yunnan Province (China) is one of the most bamboo-rich regions in the world. In this study, a saprophytic fungus was collected from dead bamboo in Yunnan Province. Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU, and tef1-α sequence data, our collections grouped within Linocarpon and formed a separate clade with high statistical support. The morphological comparison showed that our collections has some characteristics such as semi-immersed ascomata, fusiform asci, and ascospores with 28–30 septa, which are different from other species in Linocarpon. Therefore, based on morpho-phylogenetic evidence, our collection is identified as a new bambusicolous species in China and named Linocarpon bambusina sp. nov. A full description, photo plate, and a phylogenetic tree are provided for the new species.

Cortinarius kashmirensis sp. nov. in Cortinarius sect. Disjungendi (Agaricales) from Pakistan

During recent fieldwork at Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan), many basidiomycetes of the genus Cortinarius were collected from mixed coniferous Himalayan temperate forests. Their morphological characterization and phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and LSU sequence data yielded a well-delimited, new species within C. subgenus Telamonia sect Disjungendi. It is characterized by producing small and dry basidiomata with blackish brown conico-convex pilei when young and uplifted at maturity, dark brown lamellae, a fibrillose stipe and small basidiospores (9.4 × 5.5 µm in average).

Phylogenetic placement of Tretospeira cheirospora in Phaeosphaeriaceae

A new hyphomycetous species, Tretospeira cheirospora, collected on decaying wood in a terrestrial habitat in northern Thailand is described and illustrated. It has macronematous, mononematous, erect, short, simple, brown to dark brown conidiophores, monotretic conidiogenous cells, and cheiroid, olivaceous brown to brown, distoseptate conidia composed of 4 columns and with an apical, hyaline, gelatinous sheath. Molecular data of Tretospeira are provided for the first time. The phylogenetic analysis of combined LSU and ITS sequence data shows that Tretospeira cheirospora belongs to Phaeosphaeriaceae and presents a distinct lineage which is sister to Banksiophoma australiensis. Hyphomycetous asexual morphs in Phaeosphaeriaceae and morphologically similar genera are compared and discussed.

Neotypification of <i>Muyocopron dipterocarpi</i>, a new host record on <i>Zanthoxylum</i> <i>fagara</i> (Rutaceae) and the potential for secondary metabolite production in Muyocopronaceae

<italic>Muyocopron</italic> is a genus with a diverse lifestyle, occurring in tropical and temperate regions and can be found on various hosts and habitats. The present study confirmed a new host record of <italic>Muyocopron dipterocarpi</italic> from dead twigs of <italic>Zanthoxylum</italic> <italic>fagara</italic> in northern Thailand, based on both morphological comparisons with multigene analyses of LSU, SSU, ITS, and TEF1 sequence data. A preliminary screening test also showed that <italic>M. dipterocarpi</italic> has a potential for antimicrobial activity, observable as partial inhibition, when compared with the positive control. In addition, a neotype is designated here for <italic>Mu. dipterocarpi</italic> due to the original material no longer existing. This will facilitate subsequent taxonomic work in stabilizing the application of name, and to serve as a foundation for further applied research of this species.

Phyllosticta rizhaoensis sp. nov. causing leaf blight of Ophiopogon japonicus in China

Suppplementary information:&lt;br /&gt;Fig. S1. Phylogenetic tree obtained by ML analyses using ITS sequence data of Phyllosticta concentrica species complex. Numbers above the branches indicate ML bootstraps (left, ML ≥ 50 %) and Bayesian Posterior Probabilities (right, BPP ≥ 0.9). The tree is rooted with Botryosphaeria stevensii (CBS 112553) and B. obtusa (CMW 8232). Ex-type strains are indicated in bold. Isolates from the present study are marked in blue.&lt;br /&gt;Fig. S2. Phylogenetic tree obtained by ML analyses using LSU sequence data of the Phyllosticta concentrica species complex. Numbers above the branches indicate ML bootstraps (left, ML ≥ 50 %) and Bayesian Posterior Probabilities (right, BPP ≥ 0.9). The tree is rooted with Botryosphaeria stevensii (CBS 112553). Ex-type strains are indicated in bold. Isolates from the present study are marked in blue.&lt;br /&gt;Fig. S3. Phylogenetic tree obtained by ML analyses using tef sequence data of the Phyllosticta concentrica species complex. Numbers above the branches indicate ML bootstraps (left, ML ≥ 50 %) and Bayesian Posterior Probabilities (right, BPP ≥ 0.9). The tree is rooted with Botryosphaeria obtusa (CMW 8232). Ex-type strains are indicated in bold. Isolates from the present study are marked in blue.&lt;br /&gt;Fig. S4. Phylogenetic tree obtained by ML analyses using act sequence data of the Phyllosticta concentrica species complex. Numbers above the branches indicate ML bootstraps (left, ML ≥ 50 %) and Bayesian Posterior Probabilities (right, BPP ≥ 0.9). The tree is rooted with Botryosphaeria stevensii (CBS 112553) and B. obtusa (CMW 8232). Extype strains are indicated in bold. Isolates from the present study are marked in blue.&lt;br /&gt;Table S1. Morphological comparison of species in the P. concentrica species complex.

Taxonomy and Multigene Phylogeny of Diaporthales in Guizhou Province, China.

In a study of fungi isolated from plant material in Guizhou Province, China, we identified 23 strains of Diaporthales belonging to nine species. These are identified from multigene phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, rpb2, tef1, and tub2 gene sequence data coupled with morphological studies. The fungi include a new genus (Pseudomastigosporella) in Foliocryphiaceae isolated from Acer palmatum and Hypericum patulum, a new species of Chrysofolia isolated from Coriaria nepalensis, and five new species of Diaporthe isolated from Juglans regia, Eucommia ulmoides, and Hypericum patulum. Gnomoniopsis rosae and Coniella quercicola are newly recorded species for China.

Neodeightonia septata sp. nov. and N. subglobosa (Botryosphaeriaceae) from northern Thailand

Neodeightonia species are mostly known from bamboo and palms. During an investigation of Botryosphaeriaceae species in northern Thailand, three Neodeightonia isolates were obtained. Morphological characteristics coupled with phylogenetic analyses based on the combined ITS, LSU, SSU and tef sequence data indicated that these taxa can be recognized as Neodeightonia septata sp. nov. (from palms) and Neodeightonia subglobosa (from bamboo). Neodeightonia septata is phylogenetically close to N. rattanica and N. rattanicola but formed a distinct lineage and differs morphologically from the latter in having 1-septate conidia. In addition, the asexual morph of N. subglobosa is reported for the first time from a natural substrate. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and phylogenetic trees are provided.

The plethora of Tubeufiaceae in lakes of the northwestern Yunnan plateau, China.

The diversity of lignicolous freshwater fungi in northwestern Yunnan, China, has been studied for several years in the College of Agriculture and Biological Science, at Dali University. Over the last 5 years, we published two new genera and nine new species of Tubeufiaceae from northwestern Yunnan. This study focused on introducing tubeufia-like hyphomycetous fungi found in freshwater lakes in the northwestern Yunnan plateau. Eleven fresh collections of tubeufiaceous taxa were gathered and identified. Among them, a new genus, Neomanoharachariella, is introduced to accommodate Neomanoharachariella aquatica, which is characterized by a light brown to dark brown color, dictyoseptate, and broadly oval to ellipsoid and well-developed conidiophores. Two new species, viz., Neohelicosporium suae and Parahelicomyces suae, one new record, Helicoma rufum, and three new collections, namely, H. rugosum, P. hyalosporus, and Tubeufia cylindrothecia are introduced based on morphological evidence and molecular phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, LSU, tef 1-α, and RPB2 sequence data. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of these species are provided, and a morphological comparison with similar taxa is discussed.

Four new species and three new records of helicosporous hyphomycetes from China and their multi-gene phylogenies.

Helicosporous hyphomycetes have the potential to produce a variety of bioactive compounds. However, the strain resources of this fungal group are relatively scarce, which limits their further exploitation and utilization. In this study, based on phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1α sequence data and the morphology from 11 isolates, we introduce four new species of helicosporous hyphomycetes, viz. Helicoma wuzhishanense, Helicosporium hainanense, H. viridisporum, and Neohelicomyces hainanensis, as well as three new records, viz. Helicoma guttulatum, H. longisporum, and Helicosporium sexuale. Detailed morphological comparisons of the four new species that distinguish them are provided.

Morpho-Phylogenetic Evidence Reveals New Species of Fuscosporellaceae and Savoryellaceae from Freshwater Habitats in Guizhou Province, China.

During a survey of freshwater fungi in Guizhou Province, China, six hyphomycetous collections were founded on decaying wood from freshwater habitats. These taxa were characterized and identified based on morphology, phylogeny, and culture characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis of combined LSU, SSU, ITS, RPB2 and TEF1α sequence data indicated that our six isolates formed three distinct lineages and were distributed within Fuscosporellaceae and Savoryellaceae. They can be organized as three new species: Fuscosporella guizhouensis, Mucisporaaquatica and Neoascotaiwaniaguizhouensis. Fuscosporella guizhouensis and Neoascotaiwania guizhouensis have sporodochial conidiomata, micronematous conidiophores and dark brown conidia. The former possesses irregularly ellipsoidal conidia with apical appendages, while the latter has fusiform to obovoid conidia. Mucispora aquatica is characterized by macronematous conidiophores, elongating percurrently and dark brown, narrowly obovoid conidia. The detailed, illustrated descriptions and notes for each new taxon are provided, and the species of Fuscosporella is reported for the first time in China.

Insight into the Taxonomic Resolution of Apiospora: Introducing Novel Species and Records from Bamboo in China and Thailand

Taxonomic studies of bambusicolous fungi in China and Thailand have resulted in the collection of three fascinating saprobic coelomycetes strains. Morphology coupled with combined gene analysis of ITS, LSU, TUB2, and TEF1-α DNA sequence data showed that they belong to the genus Apiospora, family Apiosporaceae. A new species from Thailand, Apiospora mukdahanensis, and new records of A. locuta-pollinis from China are herein described. In addition, based on both morphological data coupled with phylogenetics and nomenclatural analyses, A. mori is proposed as a new combination. Maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses were performed to clarify the phylogenetic affinities of the species obtained in this study. Newly obtained strains are compared with morphologically- and phylogenetically-related taxa. The comprehensive descriptions, illustrations, and updated phylogeny are provided and discussed for intra-and intergeneric relationships within Apiospora species.

Description of Four Novel Species in Pleosporales Associated with Coffee in Yunnan, China.

In Yunnan Province, the coffee-growing regions are mainly distributed in Pu’er and Xishuangbanna. During the surveys of microfungi associated with coffee in Yunnan Province, seven taxa were isolated from coffee samples. Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb2, and tef1-α sequence data and morphological characteristics, four new species viz. Deniquelata yunnanensis, Paraconiothyrium yunnanensis, Pseudocoleophoma puerensis, and Pse. yunnanensis, and three new records viz. Austropleospora keteleeriae, Montagnula thailandica, and Xenocamarosporium acaciae in Pleosporales are introduced. In addition, Paracamarosporium fungicola was transferred back to Paraconiothyrium based on taxonomy and DNA sequences. Full descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic trees to show the placement of new and known taxa are provided. In addition, the morphological comparisons of new taxa with closely related taxa are given.