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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 living in freshwater streams in China’s Hainan Province. By examining the fungi under microscopes and analyzing their genetic material, researchers confirmed these were entirely new species distinct from all previously known Tubeufia. These findings add to our understanding of fungal diversity in freshwater ecosystems and demonstrate how different scientific approaches together provide the clearest picture of fungal species.

Background

Tubeufia is a genus of helicosporous hyphomycetes with high morphological variation in its asexual forms. The genus currently comprises 86 species, primarily saprobic on decaying wood in tropical and temperate regions, with particular abundance in China and Thailand.

Objective

To identify and describe two novel Tubeufia species isolated from submerged decaying wood in freshwater habitats of Hainan Province, southern China using morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses.

Results

Two novel species, Tubeufia yanuodaensis and T. yinggelingensis, were identified and described with distinct morphological characteristics and phylogenetic placement. The two species formed a sister lineage with 100% ML/1.00 BYPP support and differed in conidial size and morphology.

Conclusion

The discovery of these two new Tubeufia species increases the known diversity of freshwater helicosporous hyphomycetes in China. The study demonstrates the importance of combining morphological and molecular approaches for accurate fungal taxonomy and species delimitation.
  • Published in:MycoKeys,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic Study,
  • Source: 10.3897/mycokeys.121.158724
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