MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal two new species of Tubeufia (Tubeufiales, Tubeufiaceae) from freshwater habitats in China

Summary

Scientists discovered two new species of fungi called Tubeufia yanuodaensis and Tubeufia yinggelingensis living in freshwater streams in Hainan Province, China. These fungi were found growing on decaying wood submerged in water. The researchers used both microscopic examination and DNA analysis to identify and distinguish these new species from previously known fungi. This discovery adds to our understanding of the diverse fungi that live in freshwater ecosystems around the world.

Background

Tubeufia is a genus of helicosporous hyphomycetes with high morphological variation in asexual morphs. The genus comprises 86 species, with 27 found in freshwater habitats and 44 in terrestrial habitats. Species are primarily saprobic on decaying wood in tropical and temperate regions, predominantly in China and Thailand.

Objective

To investigate helicosporous fungi in tropical regions and determine the phylogenetic placement of four fungal strains isolated from submerged decaying wood in Hainan Province, China. The study aimed to identify and describe two novel Tubeufia species using morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny.

Results

Two distinct new species were identified and described: Tubeufia yanuodaensis and T. yinggelingensis. Phylogenetic analyses showed the four isolates formed two separate clades with 100% ML and 1.00 BYPP support. The two species were distinguished by differences in conidial morphology, size, and molecular sequence variation across the four gene regions analyzed.

Conclusion

Two novel Tubeufia species from freshwater habitats in China are formally described based on molecular phylogenetic evidence and morphological comparison. This brings the total number of Tubeufia species to 88, with 57 identified as helicosporous fungi. The findings contribute to understanding the diversity and distribution of helicosporous hyphomycetes in freshwater ecosystems.
  • Published in:MycoKeys,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Study,
  • Source: 10.3897/mycokeys.121.158724; PMID: 40895209; PMCID: PMC12395188
Scroll to Top