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Morpho-phylogenetic evidence reveals novel hyphomycetous fungi on medicinal plants in Southwestern China

Summary

Researchers in China discovered 12 new species of fungi living on medicinal plants, along with several previously unreported fungal occurrences. These fungi were identified using both microscopic examination and DNA analysis. Some of these fungi can produce harmful toxins, while others produce beneficial compounds that affect medicinal plant quality. This research helps us better understand the invisible fungal world living on the plants we use for medicine.

Background

Medicinal plants are rich sources of biological ingredients crucial for disease prevention and control, with over 70% of the global population relying on them. Fungal pathogens affect medicinal plant quality and clinical efficacy. The relationships between medicinal plants and associated microfungi remain an important area of research for understanding fungal diversity in specialized ecological niches.

Objective

This study explores the diversity of hyphomycetous fungi from medicinal plants in Southwestern China, focusing on families Dictyosporiaceae, Melanommataceae, and Stachybotryaceae. The research aims to characterize and identify these taxa using morphological and culture characteristics combined with phylogenetic analyses of multiple gene sequences.

Results

Analysis of 39 hyphomycetous collections identified 19 distinct species. Twelve novel species were described including Camposporium alangii, C. polygoni, Dendryphiella verrucosispora, Jalapriya cheirospora, and five Memnoniella species. Additionally, three new host records and four new host and geographical records were reported, with Memnoniella nilagirica synonymized under M. pseudonilagirica.

Conclusion

This comprehensive study documents substantial fungal diversity on medicinal plants in Southwestern China and provides morphological descriptions and phylogenetic evidence for 12 novel species. The findings mark the first reports of these species from medicinal plants and contribute to understanding fungal-plant interactions relevant to medicinal plant quality assurance.
  • Published in:Mycology,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic Survey,
  • Source: PMID: 40937139
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