Verticillium-like Anamorphic Fungi in Sordariomycetes from Southwestern China: Two New Taxa and a New Record
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 8/18/2025
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Summary
Researchers discovered two new fungal species in southwestern China’s rainforests: Leptobacillium gasaense and Ovicillium yunnanense. They also documented the asexual reproductive structures of Muscodor coffeanus, an endophytic fungus known for producing antibiotic compounds. These findings expand our understanding of beneficial fungi that can control pests and diseases in agriculture and forestry.
Background
Verticillium-like fungi within Sordariomycetes are significant for biocontrol and ecological functions. The genus Muscodor comprises endophytes producing antibiotic volatile organic compounds with biotechnological value. However, asexual morphological characteristics remain poorly documented for genus-level classification.
Objective
This study describes two novel species (Leptobacillium gasaense and Ovicillium yunnanense) and provides the first documentation of asexual morphological characteristics for Muscodor. The research aims to expand understanding of Verticillium-like fungal diversity in southwestern China through integrated morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses.
Results
Phylogenetic analysis resolved three distinct lineages with strong support. Two new species were identified: L. gasaense isolated from Gibellula sp. with distinctive bacilliform conidia, and O. yunnanense from dead insects with subglobose to ellipsoidal conidia. M. coffeanus was documented as a new record for China with detailed asexual morphology including verticillate conidiophores and phialides.
Conclusion
The study contributes significantly to understanding Verticillium-like fungal diversity in East Asian subtropical forests. Documentation of M. coffeanus asexual characteristics represents the first such description for the genus, advancing taxonomic knowledge of these ecologically and biotechnologically important fungi.
- Published in:Journal of Fungi,
- Study Type:Taxonomic Description and New Record,
- Source: 10.3390/jof11080598