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Open AccessArticle

Species Diversity of Helvella lacunosa Clade (Pezizales, Ascomycota) in China and Description of Sixteen New Species

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Xin-Cun Wang

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Wen-Ying Zhuang

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Rui-Lin Zhao

J. Fungi 2023, 9(7), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9070697 - 23 Jun 2023

Viewed by 714

Abstract

Helvella lacunosa and its allies are widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and perform important functions in ecosystems. A comprehensive study on 101 collections of Helvella lacunosa, including those deposited in four Chinese fungaria or collected recently from 10 provinces, was conducted [...] Read more.

Helvella lacunosa and its allies are widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and perform important functions in ecosystems. A comprehensive study on 101 collections of Helvella lacunosa, including those deposited in four Chinese fungaria or collected recently from 10 provinces, was conducted based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Phylogenies of “Helvella lacunosa clade” inferred from Hsp90, ITS, LSU, and TEF were reconstructed with 49 lineages recognized, of which 25 lineages occurred in China, and each represented an individual species. Sixteen new species were determined with detailed descriptions and illustrations. Two new Chinese records were reported. Species concepts and their distinctions in macro- and micro-features were discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Ascomycete Fungi)

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Open AccessArticle

Bioclimatic Origin Shapes Phylogenetic Structure of Tirmania (Pezizaceae): New Species and New Record from North Africa

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Fatima El-Houaria Zitouni-Haouar

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Martin I. Bidartondo

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Gabriel Moreno

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Juan Ramón Carlavilla

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José Luis Manjón

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Samir Neggaz

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Saida Hanane Zitouni-Nourine

J. Fungi 2023, 9(5), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9050532 - 29 Apr 2023

Viewed by 936

Abstract

The phylogenetic relationships among Tirmania were investigated using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) regions of the nuclear-encoded ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and compared with morphological and bioclimatic data. The combined analyses of forty-one Tirmania samples from Algeria and Spain supported [...] Read more.

The phylogenetic relationships among Tirmania were investigated using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) regions of the nuclear-encoded ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and compared with morphological and bioclimatic data. The combined analyses of forty-one Tirmania samples from Algeria and Spain supported four lineages corresponding to four morphological species. Besides the two previously described taxa, Tirmania pinoyi and Tirmania nivea, here we describe and illustrate a new species, Tirmania sahariensis sp. nov., which differs from all other Tirmania by its distinct phylogenetic position and its specific combination of morphological features. We also present a first record of Tirmania honrubiae from North Africa (Algeria). Our findings suggest that restrictions imposed by the bioclimatic niche have played a key role in driving the speciation process of Tirmania along the Mediterranean and Middle East. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Ascomycete Fungi)

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Open AccessArticle

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

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Rafael F. Castañeda-Ruíz

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J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040470 - 14 Apr 2023

Viewed by 953

Abstract

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 [...] Read more.

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Ascomycete Fungi)

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Open AccessArticle

Studies on the Genus Pyrenopolyporus (Hypoxylaceae) in Thailand Using a Polyphasic Taxonomic Approach

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Esteban Charria-Girón

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Prasert Srikitikulchai

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Marc Stadler

J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040429 - 30 Mar 2023

Viewed by 2223

Abstract

Over the past two decades, hypoxylaceous specimens were collected from several sites in Thailand. In this study, we examined their affinity to the genus Pyrenopolyporus using macroscopic and microscopic morphological characters, dereplication of their stromatal secondary metabolites using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled [...] Read more.

Over the past two decades, hypoxylaceous specimens were collected from several sites in Thailand. In this study, we examined their affinity to the genus Pyrenopolyporus using macroscopic and microscopic morphological characters, dereplication of their stromatal secondary metabolites using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and ion mobility tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-IM-MS/MS), and molecular phylogenetic analyses. We describe and illustrate five novel species and a new record for the country, present multi-locus phylogenetic analyses that show the distinction between the proposed species, and provide proteomic profiles of the fungi using matrix associated laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) for the first time. Based on our findings, this strategy is useful as a complementary tool to distinguish species between Daldinia and Pyrenopolyporus in a consistent way with the phylogenetic analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Ascomycete Fungi)

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Open AccessArticle

Neofusicoccum cryptomeriae sp. nov. and N. parvum Cause Stem Basal Canker of Cryptomeria japonica in China

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J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040404 - 24 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1640

Abstract

Cryptomeria japonica D. Don is a coniferous tree species widely grown in southern China for its high ornamental value. Recently, during disease surveys in China, a symptom of dieback occurred on C. japonica in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 130 trees [...] Read more.

Cryptomeria japonica D. Don is a coniferous tree species widely grown in southern China for its high ornamental value. Recently, during disease surveys in China, a symptom of dieback occurred on C. japonica in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 130 trees were surveyed and more than 90% showed the same symptom. The crowns of affected trees were brown when viewing from a distance, and the bark showed no difference from the healthy ones. In this study, 157 isolates were isolated from the 3 affected plants of C. japonica, and based on the living culture on PDA, the fungal isolates were preliminarily divided into 6 groups. Thirteen representative isolates were selected for the pathogenicity test, and seven of them showed obvious pathogenicity on C. japonica, causing stem basal canker. These isolates were identified based on comparisons of the DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), β-tubulin (tub2), and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit (rpb2) and combined with their morphological characteristics. Results showed that these seven isolates belong to two taxa in Neofusicoccum, including a species new to science. The new species, Neofusicoccum cryptomeriae, was hereby described and illustrated. The other species was N. parvum. Both species were pathogens of stem basal canker of Cryptomeria japonica. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Ascomycete Fungi)

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Open AccessArticle

A Polyphasic Approach including Whole Genome Sequencing Reveals Paecilomyces paravariotii sp. nov. as a Cryptic Sister Species to P. variotii

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Andrew S. Urquhart

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Alexander Idnurm

J. Fungi 2023, 9(3), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9030285 - 22 Feb 2023

Viewed by 925

Abstract

Whole genome sequencing is rapidly increasing phylogenetic resolution across many groups of fungi. To improve sequencing coverage in the genus Paecilomyces (Eurotiales), we report nine new Paecilomyces genomes representing five different species. Phylogenetic comparison between these genomes and those reported previously [...] Read more.

Whole genome sequencing is rapidly increasing phylogenetic resolution across many groups of fungi. To improve sequencing coverage in the genus Paecilomyces (Eurotiales), we report nine new Paecilomyces genomes representing five different species. Phylogenetic comparison between these genomes and those reported previously showed that Paecilomyces paravariotii is a distinct species from its close relative P. variotii. The independence of P. paravariotii is supported by analysis of overall gene identify (via BLAST), differences in secondary metabolism and an inability to form ascomata when paired with a fertile P. variotii strain of opposite mating type. Furthermore, whole genome sequencing resolves the P. formosus clade into three separate species, one of which lacked a valid name that is now provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Ascomycete Fungi)

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Open AccessArticle

Morphology and Multigene Phylogeny Revealed Three New Species of Helminthosporium (Massarinaceae, Pleosporales) from China

by

Ya-Fen Hu

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Jing-Wen Liu

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Zhao-Huan Xu

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Rafael F. Castañeda-Ruíz

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Kai Zhang

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Jian Ma

J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020280 - 20 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1065

Abstract

Saprobic hyphomycetes are highly diverse on plant debris. Over the course of our mycological surveys in southern China, three new Helminthosporium species, H. guanshanense sp. nov., H. jiulianshanense sp. nov. and H. meilingense sp. nov., collected on dead branches of unidentified plants, were [...] Read more.

Saprobic hyphomycetes are highly diverse on plant debris. Over the course of our mycological surveys in southern China, three new Helminthosporium species, H. guanshanense sp. nov., H. jiulianshanense sp. nov. and H. meilingense sp. nov., collected on dead branches of unidentified plants, were introduced by morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Multi-loci (ITS, LSU, SSU, RPB2 and TEF1) phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference to infer their taxonomic positions within Massarinaceae. Both molecular analyses and morphological data supported H. guanshanense, H. jiulianshanense and H. meilingense as three independent taxa within Helminthosporium. A list of accepted Helminthosporium species with major morphological features, host information, locality and sequence data was provided. This work expands our understanding of the diversity of Helminthosporium-like taxa in Jiangxi Province, China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Ascomycete Fungi)

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Open AccessArticle

Molecular Phylogeny and Morphology Reveal Four Novel Species of Corynespora and Kirschsteiniothelia (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) from China: A Checklist for Corynespora Reported Worldwide

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Jingwen Liu

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Yafen Hu

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Xingxing Luo

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Rafael F. Castañeda-Ruíz

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J. Fungi 2023, 9(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9010107 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1705

Abstract

Plant debris are habitats favoring survival and multiplication of various microbial species. During continuing mycological surveys of saprobic microfungi from plant debris in Yunnan Province, China, several Corynespora-like and Dendryphiopsis-like isolates were collected from dead branches of unidentified perennial dicotyledonous plants. Four barcodes, [...] Read more.

Plant debris are habitats favoring survival and multiplication of various microbial species. During continuing mycological surveys of saprobic microfungi from plant debris in Yunnan Province, China, several Corynespora-like and Dendryphiopsis-like isolates were collected from dead branches of unidentified perennial dicotyledonous plants. Four barcodes, i.e., ITS, LSU, SSU and tef1-α, were amplified and sequenced. Morphological studies and multigene phylogenetic analyses by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference revealed three new Corynespora species (C. mengsongensis sp. nov., C. nabanheensis sp. nov. and C. yunnanensis sp. nov.) and a new Kirschsteiniothelia species (K. nabanheensis sp. nov.) within Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota. A list of identified and accepted species of Corynespora with major morphological features, host information and locality was compiled. This work improves the knowledge of species diversity of Corynespora and Kirschsteiniothelia in Yunnan Province, China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Ascomycete Fungi)

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