Search Results (144)

This study investigates the potential role of Acrocalymma dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi in promoting the growth of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). Recognized as important symbionts that enhance plant growth and resilience under stress, particularly Acrocalymma species, DSE fungi were the focus of this investigation. Specifically, four stains isolated from gramineous plant roots (Acrocalymma sp. E00677, Acrocalymma vagum E00690, Acrocalymma chuxiongense E01299A, and Acrocalymma chuxiongense E01299B) were examined. Morphological characteristics were observed using three different media, confirming typical DSE traits such as dark pigmentation and septate hyphae. Phylogenetic analysis using six genetic markers (ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1, rpb2, and tub2) placed the strains within the Acrocalymma genus. Co-culture test and physiological index measurements showed that all strains significantly enhanced root development, as evidenced by an increased root-to-shoot ratio and a higher number of lateral roots. Additionally, the Acrocalymma DSE strains elevated chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll content, suggesting improved photosynthetic efficiency. Anthocyanin levels were also increased in the tomato leaves, indicating enhanced antioxidative defense mechanisms. Among these strains, Acrocalymma vagum E00690 exhibited the most substantial effect on root activity. The widespread presence of 325 Acrocalymma isolates from 25 countries underscores its broad ecological adaptability. These findings suggest that Acrocalymma DSE fungi positively influence tomato growth, with potential implications for improving plant resilience under environmental stress. This study highlights the importance of further exploring DSEs, particularly Acrocalymma fungi, to better understand their ecological roles in agricultural practices, particularly in tomato cultivation. Full article

The cosmopolitan nematode Spirinia parasitifera has long been considered a single, morphologically variable species; however, mounting molecular evidence suggests that it represents a complex of cryptic taxa. In this study, we describe Spirinia koreana sp. nov., a new species collected from intertidal sediments of the Republic of Korea. The new species exhibits a high degree of morphological resemblance to both S. antipodea and S. parasitifera, with overlapping ranges in most morphological traits. While certain measurements, such as relatively shorter body length, more slender form (higher a ratio), moderately long tail length, and shorter spicule length differ from those in some described populations, no single morphological character alone reliably separates S. koreana from all previously reported specimens of S. parasitifera or S. antipodea. Nevertheless, molecular evidence from multiple genetic markers clearly supports its distinction as a separate species. Molecular data from mitochondrial COI, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA genes confirm the genetic distinctness of the Korean specimens from S. parasitifera and S. antipodea. Notably, S. koreana sp. nov. differs from other Spirinia species by 2.1–3.4% in 18S and up to 34.4% in 28S sequences, surpassing thresholds previously used to delimit marine nematode species. Our results emphasize the value of integrative taxonomy combining fine-scale morphology and multi-marker molecular data to uncover hidden diversity in meiofaunal nematodes. Full article

The fungal family Mortierellaceae represents ubiquitous and ecologically significant components of soil ecosystems across terrestrial habitats. Through an integrative taxonomic approach combining multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, SSU rDNA, RPB1, and Act) with detailed morphological examinations of rhizosphere soil isolates, four novel species within this family were proposed. This study elucidates the morphological distinctions of novel species from allied species and the phylogenetic relationships among the novel and existing species within the family. Linnemannia rotunda sp. nov. (closely related to L. longigemmata) is distinguished by its globose sporangia and sporangiospores. Mortierella acuta sp. nov. (clustering with M. yunnanensis) is characterized by spiky collarettes. Mortierella oedema sp. nov. (a sister to M. macrocystis) exhibits distinctive ampulliform swellings. Mortierella tibetensis sp. nov. (clustering with M. parvispora) is named for its geographic origin in Tibet. As the eighth installment in a systematic investigation of early diverging fungal groups in China, this work expands the global taxonomic inventory of Mortierellaceae to 148 species, underscoring the ongoing discovery of cryptic biodiversity within this ecologically pivotal group. Full article

Absidia is the most species-rich genus within the family Cunninghamellaceae, with its members commonly isolated from diverse substrates, particularly rhizosphere soil. In this study, four novel Absidia species, A. irregularis sp. nov., A. multiformis sp. nov., A. ovoidospora sp. nov., and A. verticilliformis sp. nov., were discovered from soil samples collected in southern and southwestern China, using integrated morphological and molecular analyses. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated ITS, SSU, LSU, Act, and TEF1α sequence data reconstructed trees that strongly supported the monophyly of each of these four new taxa. Key diagnostic features include A. irregularis (closely related to A. oblongispora) exhibiting irregular colony morphology, A. multiformis (sister to A. heterospora) demonstrating polymorphic sporangiospores, A. ovoidospora (forming a clade with A. panacisoli and A. abundans) producing distinctive ovoid sporangiospores, and A. verticilliformis (next to A. edaphica) displaying verticillately branched sporangiophores. Each novel species is formally described with comprehensive documentation, including morphological descriptions, illustrations, Fungal Names registration identifiers, designated type specimens, etymological explanations, maximum growth temperatures, and taxonomic comparisons. This work constitutes the sixth instalment in a series investigating early-diverging fungal diversity in China aiming to enhance our understanding of the diversity of fungi in tropical and subtropical ecosystems in Asia. In this paper, the known species of Absidia are expanded to 71. Full article

Pleosporalean fungi play significant roles as plant pathogens, saprobes, and endophytes in a wide variety of economically important plant hosts. During an investigation of saprobic fungi from Jilin and Hebei, China, five pleosporalean isolates were obtained from the dead stems of Xanthoceras sorbifolium. Morphological evidence and multi-locus sequence analyses using a combined dataset of ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb2, tef1-α, and tub2 indicate that these isolates represent two new species (Alloleptosphaeria xanthoceratis and Lophiostoma multiforme) and a new record of Lophiostoma montanae. Full morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided herein, and phylogenetic relationships of three pleosporalean taxa are also discussed. Detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations are presented, along with phylogenetic affiliations of three pleosporalean taxa. Full article

In recent decades, ships’ ballast water and associated sediments have been recognized globally as significant vectors for the dissemination of non-indigenous species, which has attracted extensive attention due to its ecological and economic impacts. The characteristics of production of resting cysts in the dinoflagellate life cycle further increases the risk of biological invasions through ballast tank sediments. Despite extensive research which has characterized the species diversity of dinoflagellate cysts within ballast tank sediments, the possibility and importance of invasions caused by different ribosomal types of the same species have been paid little attention. In this study, two cultures of dinoflagellates were established through cyst germination from the ballast tank sediments collected from two ships (“THETIS” and “WARIYANAREE”) arriving at the Jiangyin Port (China) and identified as Wangodinium sinense Z. Luo, Zhangxi Hu, Yingzhong Tang and H.F. Gu by comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences (including LSU, SSU, and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2). Despite the rDNA sequences of the isolates showing a generally high similarity to reference sequences, the LSU D1-D6 sequences contained up to 11 stable single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), while SSU and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences exhibited up to five and two divergence sites, respectively. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses based on partial LSU and SSU rDNA sequences further indicated that strains germinated from ships’ ballast tank sediments formed a strongly supported sister clade to the strains previously isolated from Chinese and Korean waters, representing a novel ribo-type distinct from Chinese and Korean strains. Detailed morphological observations using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) did not find differences between our isolates and the holotype of the species in key diagnostic characteristics including the position and shape of the nucleus and chloroplasts, as well as the ASC structure, which suggested that no significant morphological divergence has occurred among these ribo-types. Acute toxicity exposure assays indicated that this ribo-type of W. sinense posed no lethal effect on rotifers at concentrations ≤ 10⁴ cells/mL, yet it remains necessary to maintain vigilance regarding the potential risk of algal blooms resulting from higher cell density or environmental changes in the invaded ecosystems. This study reports the first successful germination of W. sinense cysts from ballast tank sediments, indicating that its cysts may be widely transferred through ballast tank sediments, and presents a potential risk of bio-invasions of new genotypes of species to a region where other genotypes of the same species have been present as indigenous species. Full article

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are widespread worldwide, causing serious economic losses to the vitiviniculture industry. The etiology of the complex pathogenic mycobiome associated with this group of diseases is critical to implementing appropriate management strategies. Diseased grapevines exhibiting typical GTD symptoms were collected from vineyards in different provinces of Cyprus, resulting in 19 pycnidial isolates. A subsequent multilocus sequence analysis of six genetic loci (ITS, LSU, SSU, b-tub, tef1-a, and rpb2) identified them as Kalmusia variispora, and twelve representative isolates are included in the phylogenetic analyses. According to pathogenicity trials on two-year-old potted vines (cv. Mavro), all tested isolates were pathogenic, exhibiting light to dark brown discoloration and lesions of varying levels, ranging from 4 to 12.3 cm long. The capacity of K. variispora isolates to produce cell-wall-degrading exoenzymes was qualitatively estimated on solid media. Cellulase, pectinase, and laccase production were evident for all the tested isolates, except isolate CBS 151329, where the latter enzyme was undetected. The severity of the symptoms was consistent with the laccase-producing capacity. The present study confirmed the association of K. variispora with grapevines as a pathogen and represents the first description of this ascomycete as a GTD causal agent in Cyprus. This highly virulent species may play a significant role in the GTD complex, and its biological cycle and epidemiology should be further investigated. Full article

Two new species from the Yellow Sea, Hypodontolaimus minus sp. nov. and Bolbolaimus distalamphidus sp. nov., are described in this study. Hypodontolaimus minus sp. nov. is characterized by a relatively small body length, a cuticle with two longitudinal lateral differentiations connected with transverse bars, four files of sublateral somatic setae, a pharynx with an anterior and posterior bulb, L-shaped spicules, a slightly swollen proximal end, a distal end tapered with a posterior pointed hook, and a gubernaculum with dorsal caudal apophysis. Bolbolaimus distalamphidus sp. nov. is characterized by a relatively small body size, a strongly annulated cuticle, six short outer labial sensilla and four long cephalic setae, an amphideal fovea unispiral oval that is far from the anterior end, slightly curved spicules, gubernaculum with anterior-pointed apophysis, and a conical tail. Phylogenetic analyses within the family Chromadoridae and the superfamily Microlaimoidea based on combined rDNA sequences confirmed the placement of Hypodontolaimus minus sp. nov. and Bolbolaimus distalamphidus sp. nov. The subfamily of Chromadorinae is shown as a monophyletic clade, the genera of subfamily Hypodontolaiminae are shown as a paraphyletic group, and the genus of Ptycholaimellus shows high intraspecific diversity. The placement of genera Aponema and Molgolaimus within the superfamily Microlaimoidea is discussed based on combined rDNA sequences. Full article

Tar spot diseases have a huge impact on various plants by reducing the photosynthesis surface and allowing secondary severe infections on the host. Phyllachoraceae species causing tar spots infect both monocot and dicot plants and are known as obligate parasites. In the current study, two different tar spot disease symptoms were observed on Pterocarpus macrocarpus and Dalbergia sp. in northern Thailand. The phylogeny of a combined matrix of LSU, SSU, and ITS and morphology revealed that both causal species of tar spot diseases belong to the genus Neophyllachora. Furthermore, these results showed that these are novel species of the genus Neophyllachora, N. pterocarpi-macrocarpae on P. macrocarpus and N. dalbergiae on Dalbergia sp. with high bootstrap supports. Full article

Tar spot is a prevalent fungal disease characterized by shiny black spots on the leaves, stems, and fruits of various plants. It is typically caused by members of the family Phyllachoraceae, which consists of biotrophic and obligate plant parasitic fungi. During field investigations of tar spot fungi in Sichuan Province, China, 70 fungal samples associated with tar spots belonging to the family Poaceae were collected from 13 different locations. Through morphological studies and multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, SSU, and LSU datasets, the collected samples were classified into eight Phyllachora species. Among these, five were identified as new species (Phyllachora cylindricae, P. festucae, P. luzhouensis, P. palmifoliae, and P. wenchuanensis), and two represented new host records (P. chongzhouensis, P. panicicola). The new species are accompanied by descriptions and illustrations, while their characteristics are discussed in relation to comparable taxa. Additionally, P. yuanjiangensis is synonymized under P. xinpingensis. These findings enhance our understanding of tar spot fungi in Sichuan and, given that Phyllachora species are important pathogens of plants in the Poaceae family, establish a foundation for further research to better understand their potential impacts on agriculture and the local ecology. Full article

The lichen genus Solorina exhibits significant morphological and chemical variations between species. Recent molecular studies have demonstrated that Solorina is polyphyletic, underscoring the need for a comprehensive taxonomic revision. Phylogenetic analyses employing Bayesian methods and Maximum Likelihood approaches based on three molecular loci (nrITS, nrLSU, mtSSU) revealed that species of Solorina segregate into two distinct clades. The first clade includes species characterized by bright orange lower surfaces that contain secondary metabolites, notably solorinic acid. The type species, Solorina crocea, is retained in the genus Solorina. The second clade encompasses species with white or brownish lower surfaces; most species lack secondary metabolites and are now classified as a new genus, Pseudosolorina. As a result of this taxonomic revision, two species: S. crocea and S. crocoides remain in the genus Solorina. Five species with white or brownish lower surfaces were transferred to the new genus Pseudosolorina, which consists of three newly described species and five new combinations. Four species previously described as Solorina: S. embolina, S. fuegiensis, S. octospora, and S. platycarpa have morphology consistent with Pseudosolorina, but are currently retained in Solorina due to the absence of supporting DNA sequence data. A key to Solorina and Pseudosolorina is provided. The spores of S. crocea exhibit wall ornamentation featuring rounded papillae, which are distinct from those of Pseudosolorina. Molecular data and morphological characters also indicate that both Solorina and Pseudosolorina engage in symbiotic associations with photobionts cyanobacteria Nostoc and chlorophytes Coccomyxa or Asterochloris. Full article

Byssosphaeria Cooke is a monophyletic genus of the family Melanommataceae. The genus is characterized by ascomata smaller than 1000 µm, globose, well-developed subiculum, with a flat ostiole, and yellow-orange or reddish-brown color around the ostiole. The peridium is composed of an external layer of irregular cells followed by an internal layer of thinner cells. Clavate asci have fusiform ascospores, a hyaline-to-brown color, with one or more septa. The genus Byssosphaeria is composed of 29 species: saprophytes, endophytes, and parasites of woody angiosperms, and they are found in wood, leaves, and other decaying substrates. The distribution of these species is cosmopolitan, and four species have been described in Mexico. This study describes, through morphological characteristics and the phylogenetic analysis of molecular markers (ITS, SSU, LSU, tef1-α), four new species of Byssosphaeria: B. bautistae, B. chrysostoma, B. neorhodomphala, and B. neoschiedermayriana. These species are saprophytes on wood rot and are distributed in mountainous mesophilic forests from the states of Hidalgo, Puebla, and Oaxaca. The significance of this study is in the diversity of this genus in Mexico since eight species have been described. Full article

Freshwater fungi consist of a highly diverse group of organisms in freshwater habitats worldwide. During a survey of fungal diversity in freshwater habitats across different regions of Jiangxi Province, China, four freshwater fungi were collected. To study their phylogenetic relationships, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2), large subunit (28S, LSU), small subunit (18S, SSU), and RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2) genes were selected for phylogenetic analyses. Based on morphology coupled with phylogenetic analysis, these strains were confirmed to belong to Phaeoisaria, Pleurothecium, and Pseudodactylaria. Among them, three fungi were confirmed as the new species, namely, Pleurothecium lignicola (Pleurotheciaceae), Pseudodactylaria jiangxiensis (Pseudodactylariaceae), and Ps. lignicola (Pseudodactylariaceae). One species was identified as Phaeoisaria filiformis (Pleurotheciaceae), a new record of this species in China. All species were compared with other similar species, and detailed descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic data were provided. Full article

Patellaria species are widely distributed in terrestrial and marine habitats and are saprobes growing on decaying wood, stems, or bark. However, studies on this genus in Mexico are limited, and only the type species Patellaria atrata Fr. has been cited. This study describes twelve new Patellaria species in Mexico supported by molecular (ITS-LSU-SSU) and morphological data. Phylogenetic analysis shows that species of this genus in Mexico are not closely related to Patellaria atrata. Moreover, the results demonstrate that the greatest species diversity is found in dry climates, particularly in xerophilous scrub. Full article

The Cordycipitaceae family of insecticidal fungi is widely distributed in nature, is the most complex in the order Hypocreales (Ascomycota), with members displaying a diversity of morphological characteristics and insect host ranges. Based on Bayesian evolutionary analysis of five genomic loci(the small subunit of ribosomal RNA (SSU) gene, the large subunit of ribosomal RNA (LSU) gene, the translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α) gene, the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb1), and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2), we inferred the divergence times for members of the Cordycipitaceae, improving the internal phylogeny of this fungal family. Molecular clock analyses indicate that the ancestor of Akanthomyces sensu lato occurred in the Paleogene period (34.57 Mya, 95% HPD: 31.41–37.67 Mya), and that most species appeared in the Neogene period. The historical biogeography of Akanthomyces sensu lato was reconstructed using reconstructing ancestral state in phylogenies (RASP) analysis, indicating that it most likely originated in Asia. Combined morphological characterization and phylogenetic analyses were used to identify and taxonomically place five species within Cordycipitaceae. These include the following: (i) two new species, namely Akanthomyces baishanensis sp. nov. and Samsoniella sanmingense sp. nov., (ii) a new record species isolated from infected Lepidopteran host, Blackwellomyces lateris, (iii) a new record species in the genus Niveomyces, with sporothrix-like asexual morphs, namely N. multisynnematus, isolated from dipteran insects (flies), and (iv) a known species of the (hyper-) mycoparasite, Liangia sinensis, isolated from the fungus Ophiocordyceps globiceps (Ophiocordycipitaceae) growing on a dipteran host. Our data provide a significant addition to the diversity, ecology, and evolutionary aspects of the Cordycipitaceae. Full article