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Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology of Fungi from Different Ecological Niches
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Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology of Fungi from Different Ecological Niches

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungal Evolution, Biodiversity and Systematics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 6559

Editors

Dr. André Luiz Cabral Monteiro de Azevedo Santiago

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Guest Editor
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Fungos, Departamento de Micologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. da Engenharia s/n, Recife 50740–600, PE, Brazil
Interests: zygosporic fungi; ecology; soil; taxonomy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hyang Burm Lee

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Environmental Microbiology Lab, Department of Agricultural Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
Interests: antimicrobial metabolites; biodiversity; undiscovered taxa; fungi; taxonomy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to welcome contributions to the JoF Special Issue "Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology of Fungi from Different Ecological Niches". Fungi can play crucial roles in both natural ecosystems and human societies. From their ecological niches as primary decomposers to their extensive applications in biotechnology, fungi are one of the most essential eukaryotic organisms on Earth. Despite their huge importance, fungi represent one of the least explored kingdoms of life, with scientists estimating that over 95% of species remain unknown. This makes it urgent to carry out inventories to access the diversity and ecology of these microorganisms in different ecosystems, especially those that are little or not yet explored. With the advent and popularization of the use of molecular biology, there have been significant advances in fungal taxonomy and ecology in the last two decades, with an increase in the number of new species proposed per year. In this Special Issue, we welcome articles with a focus on the taxonomical, phylogenetical, and ecological aspects of fungi from diverse ecological niches.

Dr. André Luiz Cabral Monteiro de Azevedo Santiago
Dr. Hyang Burm Lee
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fungal diversity
  • phylogeny
  • ecology
  • unexplored habitats

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 5341 KB  
Article
Morphological and Molecular Identification of Three New Macrofungal Species from Shenyang and Adjacent Areas, Northeast China
by Zi-Qi You, Lin-Jiang Zhou, Hai-Sheng Yuan and Hyang Burm Lee
J. Fungi 2026, 12(7), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12070491 - 3 Jul 2026
Viewed by 384
Abstract
Macrofungal resources are abundant in Northeast China, but those from Shenyang and its surrounding areas remain insufficiently investigated. In this study, morphological and phylogenetic analyses were carried out on specimens collected from the vicinity of Shenyang, Liaoning Province. Phylogenetic trees were inferred using [...] Read more.
Macrofungal resources are abundant in Northeast China, but those from Shenyang and its surrounding areas remain insufficiently investigated. In this study, morphological and phylogenetic analyses were carried out on specimens collected from the vicinity of Shenyang, Liaoning Province. Phylogenetic trees were inferred using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods based on sequence data from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU). Three new species, Descolea laevis (Bolbitiaceae), Leucocoprinus shenyangensis (Agaricaceae), and Tephrocybe umbonata (Lyophyllaceae), are described herein. Descolea laevis is characterized by pale yellow to light yellow basidiomata, a nearly smooth pileus surface, clavate to narrowly clavate cheilocystidia, fusiform to clavate pleurocystidia, and amygdaliform to limoniform, verrucose basidiospores. Leucocoprinus shenyangensis is distinguished by white to yellowish-white basidiomata, a pileus covered with light grey squamules, narrowly clavate to subcylindrical cheilocystidia, a hymenidermal pileipellis, and amygdaliform to limoniform basidiospores. Tephrocybe umbonata is characterized by orange-white to greyish-orange basidiomata, a pileus with a blunt umbo, a smooth or slightly finely fibrillose pileus surface, lageniform pleurocystidia with slightly acute apices, and amygdaliform to limoniform basidiospores. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations of microscopic structures, and phylogenetic evidence for the three new species are provided. The diagnostic characteristics separating the new taxa from their closely related species are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology of Fungi from Different Ecological Niches)
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25 pages, 48822 KB  
Article
Four New Species of Sistotrema (Hydnaceae, Cantharellales) from China
by Yu-Jin Cui, Jian-Zhao Qi, Guang-Yu Zeng, Rui Xing, Ying-Da Wu, Yu-Cheng Dai, Heng Zhao and Yuan Yuan
J. Fungi 2026, 12(6), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12060433 - 13 Jun 2026
Viewed by 464
Abstract
Wood-inhabiting fungi play important ecological roles in forest ecosystems by participating in wood decomposition and nutrient cycling and represent a highly diverse group within Basidiomycota. In this study, four new wood-inhabiting species of Sistotrema from China are described and illustrated based on morphological [...] Read more.
Wood-inhabiting fungi play important ecological roles in forest ecosystems by participating in wood decomposition and nutrient cycling and represent a highly diverse group within Basidiomycota. In this study, four new wood-inhabiting species of Sistotrema from China are described and illustrated based on morphological examination and phylogenetic analyses of ITS, nLSU, nuc-SSU, and RPB2 sequence data. Sistotrema armandii is characterized by a hypochnoid hymenial surface, ventricose to suburniform basidia, and long sterigmata. Sistotrema caeruleogriseum is separated by its slightly tuberculate hymenial surface, subclavate to suburniform basidia with 4-sterigmata, and subglobose to globose basidiospores. Sistotrema luteum is typified by angular to irregular pores, thin and slightly fimbriate dissepiments, and globose basidiospores. Sistotrema tenuissimum is distinguished by a farinaceous hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with thin- to slightly thick-walled generative hyphae, and barrel-shaped to suburniform basidia with 4 or 6 long sterigmata. The four new species and their phylogenetically related and morphologically similar species are discussed. This study expands the current knowledge of species diversity and phylogenetic relationships within the genus Sistotrema in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology of Fungi from Different Ecological Niches)
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16 pages, 6572 KB  
Article
Unveiling Species Diversity Within Early-Diverging Fungi from China XIV: Five New Species of Mucorales
by Wen-Xiu Liu, Jing Zhu, Ning Wang, Heng Zhao, Xiao-Yong Liu and Zhi-Dong Zhang
J. Fungi 2026, 12(6), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12060386 - 27 May 2026
Viewed by 515
Abstract
Mucoralean fungi are mostly saprotrophic. During a fungal investigation of soil in Guangdong and Anhui provinces of China, five new species of Mucorales were discovered, namely Cunninghamella brevispora sp. nov., C. geminata sp. nov., Mucor chlamydosporiferus sp. nov., M. citrinus sp. nov., and [...] Read more.
Mucoralean fungi are mostly saprotrophic. During a fungal investigation of soil in Guangdong and Anhui provinces of China, five new species of Mucorales were discovered, namely Cunninghamella brevispora sp. nov., C. geminata sp. nov., Mucor chlamydosporiferus sp. nov., M. citrinus sp. nov., and M. magnisporus sp. nov. The identification is based on morphological characteristics, as well as molecular phylogenetics of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (LSU rDNA), translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (TEF1α), and RNA polymerase II largest subunit gene (RPB1). Cunninghamella brevispora sp. nov. is sister to C. guizhouensis, and is distinguished by short sporangiophores. Cunninghamella geminata sp. nov. is sister to C. subclavata; rhizoids are absent in the former but well-developed in the latter. Mucor chlamydosporiferus sp. nov. is closely related to M. prayagensis, and is characterized by abundant chlamydospores. Mucor citrinus sp. nov. is closely related to M. paraorantomantidis, and is differentiated by pale yellow sporangiospores. Mucor magnisporus sp. nov. is sister to M. merdicola, and is discriminated by large sporangiospores. To date, with the addition of the five new species described herein, the total number of accepted species in the genus Cunninghamella and Mucor has increased to 49 and 163, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology of Fungi from Different Ecological Niches)
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29 pages, 6340 KB  
Article
Descriptions of Four New Species in Cunninghamellaceae (Mucoromycota) from the Brazilian Savanna Through Integrative Taxonomy
by Leslie Waren Silva de Freitas, Layanne de Oliveira Ferro, Andre Rodrigues, Camila Santana de Oliveira, Mateus Oliveira da Cruz, Jadson Diogo Pereira Bezerra, Hyang Burm Lee, Cristina Maria de Souza-Motta, Maria Alice Barbosa dos Santos, Roger Fagner Ribeiro Melo and André Luiz Cabral Monteiro de Azevedo Santiago
J. Fungi 2026, 12(5), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12050329 - 2 May 2026
Viewed by 1335
Abstract
During a survey on Mucorales fungi from soil in the world’s most biodiverse savanna, the the Brazilian Cerrado, nine specimens belonging to the Cunninghamellace were isolated. Morphological, multiloci analyses (ITS-nLSU-act) and maximum temperature growth data revealed that those specimens represent four [...] Read more.
During a survey on Mucorales fungi from soil in the world’s most biodiverse savanna, the the Brazilian Cerrado, nine specimens belonging to the Cunninghamellace were isolated. Morphological, multiloci analyses (ITS-nLSU-act) and maximum temperature growth data revealed that those specimens represent four new species: two in Absidia and two in Gongronella. Morphological characteristics of the isolates distinguishes them from other species: Absidia rhizoidea sp. nov. forms rhizopodiform rhizoids at the end of stolons, commonly next to the sporangiophores; A. variabilis sp. nov., mostly with slightly dorsiventrally flattened sporangia; Gongronella longapophysata sp. nov., which forms a long apophysis below sporangia; and G. verticilatta sp. nov., with whorled-branched sporangiophores. The maximum temperatures growth (Tmax) of those new species are as follows: A. rhizoidea (33 °C on MEA and 32 °C on PDA), A. variabilis (31 °C on MEA and 32 °C on PDA), G. longapophysata (32 °C on MEA and 33 °C on PDA), and G. verticilatta (31 °C on MEA and PDA). The present study highlights and discusses the micromorphological, physiological (Tmax) and phylogenetic characteristics of the new species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology of Fungi from Different Ecological Niches)
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28 pages, 60735 KB  
Article
Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Four New Species of Hydnellum from China
by Yonglan Tuo, Yiming Li, Libo Wang, Hang Chu, Zhengxiang Qi, Jiajun Hu, Xiao Li, Bo Zhang and Yu Li
J. Fungi 2026, 12(4), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12040267 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 965
Abstract
Hydnellum is an ectomycorrhizal fungus with important ecological and medicinal value. However, the species diversity of Hydnellum in China remains poorly understood. To deepen the understanding of the diversity of Hydnellum species in China, this study, based on a combination of morphological observations [...] Read more.
Hydnellum is an ectomycorrhizal fungus with important ecological and medicinal value. However, the species diversity of Hydnellum in China remains poorly understood. To deepen the understanding of the diversity of Hydnellum species in China, this study, based on a combination of morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nrLSU) regions, identified and described four new species: H. aureoluteum sp. nov., H. aureotomentosum sp. nov., H. fuscozonatum sp. nov., and H. pileospinosum sp. nov. For each new species, we provided detailed morphological descriptions, hand-drawn illustrations, and comparisons with closely related taxa. In addition, this study systematically compiled key morphological characteristics and ecological distribution data for all known Hydnellum species in China and constructed a dichotomous identification key. This work provides an important basis for taxonomic research on the genus Hydnellum and enhances our understanding of its ecological distribution patterns in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology of Fungi from Different Ecological Niches)
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18 pages, 2387 KB  
Article
Similiboletinus tomentopileatus gen. et sp. nov. from Tropical China, a New Boletoid Taxon Based on Morphological and Molecular Data
by Sipeng Jian, Xinjing Xu, Feng Gao, Yiwei Fang, Tianwei Yang, Jing Liu, Wenzhu Ai, Chunxia Zhang and Yanchun Li
J. Fungi 2026, 12(2), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12020145 - 16 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1061
Abstract
Boletaceae, a family of profound ecological influence and economic value, has been the subject of prolific taxonomic research over the past decade, with new taxa continually being discovered. In this study, Similiboletinus tomentopileatus gen. et sp. nov., collected from a tropical region of [...] Read more.
Boletaceae, a family of profound ecological influence and economic value, has been the subject of prolific taxonomic research over the past decade, with new taxa continually being discovered. In this study, Similiboletinus tomentopileatus gen. et sp. nov., collected from a tropical region of China, is proposed based on integrative morphological and phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic analyses of a multigene dataset (LSU-rpb2-tef1-α-atp6) strongly support the position of Similiboletinus within the Suillelloideae. Morphologically, it is characterized by a tomentose and yellow–brown pileus, a subdecurrent hymenophore, unchanging context when injured, a boletoid hymenophoral trama, a cutis-type pileipellis, and broadly ellipsoid to ovoid basidiospores. The identification of Similiboletinus further underscores the striking and largely unexplored diversity of Boletaceae within tropical China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology of Fungi from Different Ecological Niches)
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17 pages, 11260 KB  
Article
Unveiling the Unique Mitogenome Structure of Phylloporus: Implications for Phylogeny and Evolution in Boletaceae
by Jie-Yu Huang, Zhen Zhang, Ming-Wei Mao, Kuan Zhao and Shan Yang
J. Fungi 2025, 11(12), 831; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11120831 - 25 Nov 2025
Viewed by 955
Abstract
The genus Phylloporus (Boletaceae, Boletales) is a group of ectomycorrhizal fungi, distinguished from other members of Boletaceae by its unique lamellate hymenophore. Although some molecular data exist for this genus, its mitogenomic characteristics remain poorly understood. In our study, we sequenced, assembled, and [...] Read more.
The genus Phylloporus (Boletaceae, Boletales) is a group of ectomycorrhizal fungi, distinguished from other members of Boletaceae by its unique lamellate hymenophore. Although some molecular data exist for this genus, its mitogenomic characteristics remain poorly understood. In our study, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the complete mitogenomes of eight species representing seven major subclades of Boletaceae collected in Jiangxi Province, China, with a focus on four Phylloporus species. We found that Phylloporus mitogenomes are circular, ranging in size from 35,117 bp to 38,908 bp, and contain 14–15 core protein-coding genes (PCGs), 24–28 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. Our comparative analysis revealed that Phylloporus species share many features, such as gene content, gene length, tRNA repertoire, and gene order, while Boletaceae as a whole shows a lot of diversity. Codon usage patterns are quite similar across the family. The Ka/Ks ratios of most 15 core PCGs were less than 1, suggesting these genes have been preserved through purifying selection over time. By using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods and combining 28 other mitotic genomes in the NCBI database, our phylogenetic analysis produced highly consistent and well-supported trees (BPP ≥ 0.98, BS ≥ 71). It is noted that this family is divided into seven subfamilies, which is consistent with previous taxonomic studies. Altogether, our findings shed light on the unique features of Phylloporus and its connections to other members of Boletaceae. These findings not only provide valuable insights into the taxonomy, phylogeny, genetic diversity, and resource conservation of Boletaceae but also serve as a valuable genomic resource for future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology of Fungi from Different Ecological Niches)
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