MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Morphological and Phylogenetic Characterization of Trichomerium koreanum sp. nov. and Exophiala radicis Belonging to Chaetothyriales Fungi in Korea

Summary

Scientists discovered a new type of black yeast fungus in Korea called Trichomerium koreanum, found on a longhorn beetle. They also identified another fungus called Exophiala radicis in Korean soil for the first time. These fungi are related to species that can sometimes cause infections in humans and animals. The researchers used genetic testing and microscopy to confirm these findings and understand how these fungi are related to other similar species.

Background

The order Chaetothyriales encompasses black yeasts and related fungi known for diverse morphologies and asexual reproduction. These fungi inhabit various ecological niches including extreme environments and vertebrate hosts as opportunistic pathogens. The genus Trichomerium has not been previously reported in Korea, and only two Exophiala species have been reported environmentally.

Objective

To isolate and characterize two fungal strains from a longhorn beetle and soil sample in Korea, and to determine their taxonomic classification and phylogenetic relationships using morphological and molecular analyses.

Results

Strain KNUF-23-13A was identified as a novel Trichomerium species (T. koreanum sp. nov.) with distinct morphological characteristics, particularly larger lateral arms in conidia compared to closely related species. Strain KNUF-22-020 was identified as Exophiala radicis, marked by the first report of this species in Korea. Both strains were deposited in the National Institute of Biological Resources as reference cultures.

Conclusion

T. koreanum sp. nov. represents the first Trichomerium species isolated from an insect and the first Trichomerium recorded in Korea. E. radicis is the first report of this species in Korea. These findings expand knowledge of fungal diversity in Korea and provide reference strains for future research on Chaetothyriales fungi.
  • Published in:Mycobiology,
  • Study Type:Descriptive Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39445131, DOI: 10.1080/12298093.2024.2380553
Scroll to Top