Vittaliana mangrovei Devadatha, Nikita, A.Baghela & V.V.Sarma, gen. nov, sp. nov. (Phaeosphaeriaceae), from Mangroves Near Pondicherry (India), Based on Morphology and Multigene Phylogeny

Exploring the Diversity and Systematics of Phaeosphaeriaceae: Taxonomic Novelties from Ecologically Diverse Habitats and Their Phylogenetic Resolution

The family Phaeosphaeriaceae is a diverse group of ascomycetous fungi that are commonly found in terrestrial habitats worldwide. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the biodiversity of Phaeosphaeriaceae in China, particularly in Sichuan Province, which has not been fully explored for its high fungal diversity. In our study, we conducted extensive surveys in Sichuan Province to identify and describe new species of Ascomycota with diverse habitats. Here, we present a taxonomic revision of Phaeosphaeriaceae with taxonomic novelties from terrestrial habitats in Sichuan Province based on a multi-gene phylogenetic approach. Our study focuses on the description of four new species of Phaeosphaeriaceae, representing novel additions to the diversity of this fungal family. Using a combination of morphological and molecular data, we provide detailed descriptions of the new taxa and their placement within the family. Additionally, we discuss the phylogenetic relationships of these new taxa with other members of Phaeosphaeriaceae, providing insights into the correct taxonomic classification of the family. Our taxonomic revision contributes to understanding fungal diversity in China and provides a foundation for future studies investigating the taxonomy and ecological roles of Phaeosphaeriaceae fungi. Furthermore, our multi-gene phylogenetic approach provides increased resolution and accuracy in the delimitation of species boundaries within the family. Our study highlights the importance of continued exploration and taxonomic revision in order to fully understand the diversity and distribution of fungal species in China and beyond. New species:Paraloratospora sichuanensis, Phaeosphaeria chengduensis, P. sichuanensis, and Septoriella shoemakeri. New combinations:Paraloratospora breonadiae, P. fructigena, Septoriella ammophilicola, S. asparagicola, S. festucae, S. luzulae, and S. verrucispora. New names:Septoriella paradactylidis, and S. neomuriformis.

Morpho-Molecular Characterization of Microfungi Associated with Phyllostachys (Poaceae) in Sichuan, China

In the present study, we surveyed the ascomycetes from bamboo of Phyllostachys across Sichuan Province, China. A biphasic approach based on morphological characteristics and multigene phylogeny confirmed seven species, including one new genus, two new species, and five new host record species. A novel genus Paralloneottiosporina is introduced to accommodate Pa. sichuanensis that was collected from leaves of Phyllostachys violascens. Moreover, the newly introduced species Bifusisporella sichuanensis was isolated from leaves of P. edulis, and five species were newly recorded on bamboos, four species belonging to Apiospora, viz. Ap. yunnana, Ap. neosubglobosa, Ap. jiangxiensis, and Ap. hydei, and the last species, Seriascoma yunnanense, isolated from dead culms of P. heterocycla. Morphologically similar and phylogenetically related taxa were compared. Comprehensive descriptions, color photo plates of micromorphology are provided.

Additions to Phaeosphaeriaceae (Pleosporales): Elongaticollum gen. nov., Ophiosphaerella taiwanensis sp. nov., Phaeosphaeriopsis beaucarneae sp. nov. and a new host record of Neosetophoma poaceicola from Musaceae

A novel ascomycetous genus, Elongaticollum, occurring on leaf litter of Hedychium coronarium (Zingiberaceae) in Taiwan, is described and illustrated. Elongaticollum is characterized by dark brown to black, superficial, obpyriform, pycnidial conidiomata with a distinct elongate neck, and oval to oblong, hyaline, aseptate conidia. Phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian) of combined ITS, LSU, SSU and tef1-α sequence data revealed Elongaticollum as a distinct genus within the family Phaeosphaeriaceae with high statistical support. In addition, Ophiosphaerella taiwanensis and Phaeosphaeriopsis beaucarneae are described as new species from dead leaves of Agave tequilana and Beaucarnea recurvata (Asparagaceae), respectively. Neosetophoma poaceicola is reported as a new host record from dead leaves of Musa acuminata (Musaceae). Newly described taxa are compared with other similar species and comprehensive descriptions and micrographs are provided.