Multigene phylogeny and taxonomy of Dendryphion hydei and Torula hydei spp. nov. from herbaceous litter in northern Thailand
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 2/5/2020
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Summary
Scientists discovered and formally named two new fungal species from dead plant material in northern Thailand. Using both traditional microscopy to examine the fungi’s physical structures and modern DNA analysis, they determined these are previously unknown species within the Torulaceae fungal family. The research helps scientists better understand fungal diversity and how different fungal species are related to each other.
Background
Torulaceae is a fungal family containing asexual fungi characterized by specific morphological features. During studies on fungi colonizing herbaceous litter in northern Thailand, two new fungal species were discovered from samples collected between 2015-2016.
Objective
To describe two new fungal species, Dendryphion hydei and Torula hydei, from herbaceous litter in northern Thailand. The study examined morphological characteristics and analyzed DNA sequences from ribosomal and protein coding genes to infer phylogenetic relationships.
Results
Multigene phylogenetic analyses using combined LSU, SSU, TEF1-α, RPB2 and ITS sequences showed that Torula hydei forms a distinct lineage basal to T. fici, while Dendryphion hydei forms a distinct lineage basal to D. europaeum, D. comosum, D. aquaticum and D. fluminicola within Torulaceae. Both species were distinguished by unique morphological characteristics including conidial size, septation, and conidiophore dimensions.
Conclusion
Two new fungal species have been formally described and characterized with comprehensive phylogenetic support. The study provides an updated phylogenetic tree for the family Torulaceae and demonstrates the utility of multigene analysis coupled with morphological examination for fungal taxonomy.
- Published in:PLoS One,
- Study Type:Taxonomy and Phylogenetic Analysis,
- Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228067, PMID: 32023268