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Two new Periconia species (Pleosporales, Ascomycota) in China

Summary

Scientists discovered two new fungal species in China belonging to the genus Periconia. These fungi were found in different habitats: one in freshwater streams on decaying wood and another on dead corn leaves. By examining their physical features and DNA sequences, researchers confirmed they are distinct species that differ from known Periconia species. This discovery adds to our understanding of fungal diversity in Chinese ecosystems.

Background

Periconiaceae is a fungal family within Pleosporales that has historically been neglected. The genus Periconia includes numerous species globally distributed in temperate and tropical regions, occupying diverse ecological roles as saprobes, endophytes, and plant pathogens. Recent taxonomic revisions have refined the classification of Periconiaceae genera.

Objective

To identify and describe two new Periconia species collected from freshwater and terrestrial habitats in Guangxi and Yunnan provinces, China. The study employed morphological characterization and multigene phylogenetic inference to confirm their classification and distinguish them from closely related species.

Results

Two new species were identified: Periconia guangxiense formed a well-supported monophyletic lineage (92% ML/1.00 PP) with branched, micronematous to semi-macronematous conidiophores, while Periconia xishuangbannaensis formed a distinct lineage with macronematous conidiophores and dark brown conidia. Both species showed 7.5-7.96% ITS sequence divergence from P. variicolor.

Conclusion

Two novel Periconia species are formally described with detailed morphological and molecular characterization. The discovery of P. guangxiense in freshwater habitats expands the known ecological range of the genus and highlights the role of unique habitats in driving fungal diversity in China.
  • Published in:MycoKeys,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic Study,
  • Source: 10.3897/mycokeys.125.173913, PMID: 41356276
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