MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

A New Species and Eight New Records of Ascomycetes from Freshwater Niches in Korea

Summary

Scientists discovered a new fungal species and eight species new to South Korea while studying fungi in freshwater habitats. These fungi are important decomposers that break down plant material in aquatic environments. The study used modern genetic analysis to identify and describe these species, expanding our knowledge of the fungal diversity in Korean freshwater ecosystems.

Background

Freshwater ascomycetes play an important role in the decomposition of submerged plant debris in freshwater habitats. Approximately 3000 species of ascomycetes have been described from freshwater environments globally, but the diversity of freshwater fungi in South Korea remains poorly documented.

Objective

This study aimed to expand understanding of the diversity and distribution of freshwater ascomycetes in South Korea through morphological and multigene phylogenetic analyses of fungi isolated from freshwater samples.

Results

Three Dothideomycetes strains and seven Sordariomycetes strains were collected and characterized. One new species, Neopestalotiopsis koreensis, was delimited, and eight species were reported for the first time from South Korea: Chaetocapnodium philippinense, Curvularia plantarum, Engyodontium rectidentatum, Fusarium arcuatisporum, Microdochium yunnanense, Septoriella verrucispora, Stephanonectria chromolaenae, and Trichoderma amoenum.

Conclusion

This study reveals abundant fungal diversity in freshwater habitats of South Korea and provides detailed morphological descriptions and phylogenetic analyses of a new species and eight new records. The findings expand knowledge of freshwater ascomycete distribution and ecology in this region.
  • Published in:Mycobiology,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic Survey,
  • Source: 10.1080/12298093.2025.2546689, PMID: 40904479
Scroll to Top