RPB2 Sequence Data Research Articles

Phylogenetic and taxonomic evidence reveal Roussoella bambusicola sp. nov. (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes) from Yunnan Province, China

During an investigation of saprobic microfungi associated with plants in Yunnan Province, China, an ascomycetous fungus collected from dead bamboo is proposed as a new species (Roussoella bambusicola) in Roussoellaceae based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 sequence data. The new species is characterized by ampulliform or lageniform to subcylindrical, slightly curved, hyaline, smooth conidiogenous cells and oblong or ellipsoidal, aseptate, smooth to rough-walled conidia. This paper provides a description, illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of the new species.

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.

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.

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.

Multi-locus molecular phylogenetic analysis reveals two new species of Amphichorda (Bionectriaceae, Hypocreales).

Amphichorda has been previously accepted as a member of the Cordycipitaceae and currently it is considered a member of the Bionectriaceae. The substrates of Amphichorda were complex and varied, being mainly animal faeces. This study reports two new species of Amphichorda from Yunnan Province in south-western China. Based on the five-gene (nrSSU, nrLSU, tef-1α, rpb1 and rpb2) sequence and ITS data phylogenetic analysis, two new species, namely A.excrementa and A.kunmingensis, are proposed and a detailed description of the new species is provided. Amphichordaexcrementa and A.kunmingensis were isolated from animal faeces in the park. The morphological characteristics of two novel species and seven known species in Amphichorda are also compared.

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.

Morphology and phylogeny of Cytospora (Cytosporaceae, Diaporthales) species associated with plant cankers in Tibet, China.

During our biodiversity investigations in Tibet, China, typical Cytospora canker symptoms were observed on branches of hosts Myricariapaniculate, Prunuscerasifera and Sibiraeaangustata. Samples were studied, based on morphological features coupled with multigene phylogenetic analyses of ITS, act, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 sequence data, which revealed two new species (Cytosporamyricicolasp. nov. and C.sibiraeicolasp. nov.) and a known species (C.populina). In addition, Cytosporapopulina is newly discovered on the host Prunuscerasifera and in Tibet.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of endophytic Chaetomium (Chaetomiaceae) associated with mango (Mangifera indica) in Yunnan, China

ABSTRACT Endophytic fungi reside within plant tissues throughout their entire or partial life cycle, establishing a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with their host plant, free from causing any adverse effects or diseases. In addition, endophytic fungi are known as a rich source of new and physiologically active natural chemicals with great therapeutic potentials. Endophytic fungi can promote their host's growth and improve tolerance towards biotic and abiotic stresses. The endophytic fungi associated with mangoes have been infrequently studied, and most isolates lack both morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. When investigating fungal endophytes associated with mango, we isolated four species of Chaetomium from fresh mango leaves, which were collected from mango trees under commercial cultivation in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. Based on morphological comparisons and the results of phylogenetic analyses of concatenated LSU, ITS, rpb2, and tub2 sequence data, here we introduce a new species: Chaetomium hongheensis (KUNCC22-10764, 22-10750); and two new host records: C. cochliodes (KUNCC22-10741) and C. globosum (KUNCC22-10752) from mango leaves. The two new host records were frequently reported on various substrates in China previously. In addition, the new host and country record Chaetomium unguicola (KUNCC22-10758) is first reported in this study as a mango endophyte in China.

Diversity of Lasiodiplodia Species Associated with Canker and Dieback in Fruit Trees in the Henan and Shandong Provinces of China.

Lasiodiplodia is a widely distributed genus that is associated with a variety of diseases in many plant species, especially fruit trees. In this study, a disease survey of fruit trees growing in 12 orchards located in the Henan and Shandong provinces of China was conducted between 2020 and 2022. The symptoms observed included stem canker, branch dieback, and gummosis. Phylogenetic analyses of internal transcribed spacer, tub2, tef1, and rpb2 sequence data combined with morphological characteristics revealed that the 19 isolates collected during the survey belonged to five documented Lasiodiplodia species, namely, Lasiodiplodia citricola, L. chiangraiensis, L. huangyanensis, L. pseudotheobromae, and L. theobromae, and two previously undescribed species, L. xinyangensis and L. ziziphi. In addition, the survey identified three novel host-pathogen interactions: L. chiangraiensis on loquat, L. citricola on apple, and L. huangyanensis on grapevine. Furthermore, the detailed phylogenic analysis indicated that four previously described Lasiodiplodia species were genetically very closely related that they would be better classified as synonyms rather than distinct species, so L. paraphysoides and L. nanpingensis should be considered synonyms of L. citricola, L. fujianensis should be a synonym of L. iraniensis, and L. henanica should be a synonym of L. huangyanensis. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that representative isolates of the two novel species and three new host-pathogen interactions identified in the current study were pathogenic to their original hosts, thereby fulfilling Koch's postulates. Similarly, all of the isolates were found to be pathogenic on four alternative hosts, although a high degree of variation in virulence was observed.

Morpho-Molecular Characterization Reveals a New Genus, Three Novel Species and Two New Host Records in Xylariomycetidae.

Xylariomycetidae comprises extremely diverse taxa that are widespread on decaying wood worldwide. An investigation of the diversity of microfungi on oil tree plantations in Sichuan Province was conducted during 2020-2021. Twelve saprobic taxa representing five species were identified as members of Amphisphaeriales and Xylariales through morphological comparisons. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, rpb2, tub2 and tef1 sequence data indicated a distinct clade formed by three strains within Xylariomycetidae, unrelated to any currently recognized families. Thus, a novel anthostomella-like genus, Bicellulospora, is proposed and treated as Xylariales genera incertae sedis. Bicellulospora is characterized by dark brown to black, immersed, subglobose ascomata with a clypeus, cylindrical asci, and hyaline to yellowish brown, inequilaterally ellipsoidal ascospores with a large upper cell and a dwarf lower cell. Two new species of Amphisphaeria, namely A. oleae and A. verniciae, are introduced based on multi-gene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tub2) coupled with morphological characteristics. Amphisphaeria micheliae and Endocalyx ptychospermatis are reported as new host records.

Two new species of Rhodoveronaea (Rhamphoriales, Ascomycota) from terrestrial habitats in China

During a microfungi investigation carried out in a terrestrial forest in Guizhou Province in China, hyphomycetes on a decaying wood log in a terrestrial habitat were collected. Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 sequence data revealed that the collected hyphomycetes represent two distinct new species in Rhodoveronaea. The two new species introduced in this paper are Rhodoveronaea hyalina and R. lignicola. Full descriptions, illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of the two new species are provided.

Identification of two new species and a new host record of Distoseptispora (Distoseptisporaceae, Distoseptisporales, Sordariomycetes) from terrestrial and freshwater habitats in Southern China.

During our investigation of saprophytic fungi in Guizhou and Hainan provinces, China, three hyphomycetes were collected from terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 sequence data, two new species are introduced: Distoseptisporahainanensis and D.lanceolatispora. Additionally, one known species, D.tectonae, previously unreported from Edgeworthiachrysantha, is newly reported. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree to show the two new species and the new host record of Distoseptispora are provided. In addition, a checklist of Distoseptispora species with their locations, lifestyles, habitats, and hosts is provided.

Morphology and multigene phylogeny reveal three new species of Distoseptispora (Distoseptisporales, Distoseptisporaceae) on palms (Arecaceae) from peatswamp areas in southern Thailand.

Peatswamp forest is a unique habitat that supports high biodiversity, particularly fungal diversity. The current study collected submerged and dead plant parts from Eleiodoxaconferta, Eugeissonatristis and Licualapaludosa from a peatswamp forest in Narathiwat Province, Thailand. Morphological features coupled with multigene phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tef1-α sequence data identified our isolates as new Distoseptispora species (viz. D.arecacearumsp. nov., D.eleiodoxaesp. nov. and D.narathiwatensissp. nov.). Morphological descriptions, illustrations and notes are provided.

A Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Revision of Discula theae-sinensis, the Causal Agents of Anthracnose on Camellia sinensis.

Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) is one of the most important economic plants in China, and has many benefits for human health. Anthracnose is one of the most serious diseases of tea in China, and control of the fungus is important since most Chinese cultivars are susceptible to it. The agent of tea anthracnose was initially described as Gloeosporium theae-sinensis I. Miyake in Japan, which was later transferred to Discula, but this taxonomic position remains problematic. To shed light on these taxonomic and phylogenetic issues, the tea anthracnose pathogens were re-studied. Combining the morphological characteristics and a multigene phylogenetic analysis of nrITS, nrLSU, rpb2, and tef1 sequence data, a new genus Sinodiscula was proposed to accommodate the causal fungi of tea anthracnose, including a new species Sinodiscula camellicola and a new combination Sinodiscula theae-sinensis. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of the pathogens was determined according to Koch's postulates. This study thoroughly resolves the long-standing taxonomic and phylogenetic problems of the tea anthracnose pathogens.

Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Three New Species of Didymella (Didymellaceae, Pleosporales) from Jiangxi, China.

Didymella contains numerous plant pathogenic and saprobic species associated with a wide range of hosts. Over the course of our mycological surveys of plant pathogens from terrestrial plants in Jiangxi Province, China, eight strains isolated from diseased leaves of four host genera represented three new species of Didymella, D. bischofiae sp. nov., D. clerodendri sp. nov., and D. pittospori sp. nov. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, RPB2, and TUB2 sequence data, using maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI), revealed their taxonomic placement within Didymella. Both morphological examinations and molecular phylogenetic analyses supported D. bischofiae, D. clerodendri, and D. pittospori as three new taxa within Didymella. Illustrations and descriptions of these three taxa were provided, along with comparisons with closely related taxa in the genus.

A new species of Flabellascoma and a new record of Biappendiculispora japonica (Lophiostomataceae, Dothideomycetes) from Yunnan Province, China

During our taxonomic effort to document the woody litter microfungi of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), two collections of lophiostomataceae-like taxa were isolated from terrestrial habitats in China. Flabellascoma lancangense sp. nov. was isolated from dead woody twigs of Castanopsis indica, and a new collection was made for Biappendiculispora japonica from dead woody twigs of Camphora glandulifera. Phylogenetic analysis of combined SSU, LSU, ITS, tef1-α, and rpb2 sequence data was used to confirm the placement of our collections in Lophiostomataceae. Flabellascoma lancangense is characterized by globose to subglobose ascomata, which are immersed under the host substrates, short papillate, crest-like ostiole with a pore-like opening, filled with hyaline periphyses, peridium comprising thick-walled cells of textura angularis to globulosa cells, cellular pseudoparaphyses, cylindrical to cylindric-clavate asci with a truncate pedicel and a minute ocular chamber, hyaline, ellipsoidal 2-celled ascospores with large guttules in each cell. Detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided, with notes discussing allied species in the family.

Morphology and multi-gene phylogeny reveal a new Brunneofusispora species from coffee in Yunnan Province, China

Coffee is one of the most important cash crops native to north-central Africa, and the second most popular beverage ingredient worldwide. Coffee-associated fungal pathogens have been well studied, but few studies have reported saprobes of coffee. In China, Yunnan Province is the main region of coffee plantations and production. To investigate saprobic fungi of coffee plants, dead branches of Coffea with fungal fruiting bodies were collected in Baoshan City, Yunnan Province, China. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of SSU, ITS, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1-α sequence data indicated that our collections formed an independent branch within Brunneofusispora and sister to B. sinensis. The new species B. baoshanensis, characterized by uniloculate ascomata with an erumpent long neck, and inequilateral, ends acute, 1-septate, constricted at the septum ascospores with mucilaginous sheath, was identified based on morphology and multi-gene phylogeny. This is the first report of Brunneofusispora species isolated from Coffea in China. A complete description, micrographs, and a phylogenetic tree showing the placement of the new species are provided.