Novel Species and Records of Dictyosporiaceae from Freshwater Habitats in China and Thailand
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 2022-11-14
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Summary
This research discovered and described six new species of fungi from freshwater environments in China and Thailand. The study helps us better understand the diversity of microscopic fungi that break down wood in freshwater ecosystems. These findings are important because:
• They demonstrate the rich biodiversity still being discovered in Asian freshwater environments
• They improve our understanding of how dead plant material is decomposed in aquatic ecosystems
• They provide baseline data for monitoring environmental changes in freshwater habitats
• They contribute to the global inventory of fungal species diversity
• They help establish evolutionary relationships between different groups of fungi
Background
China and Thailand are rich in fungal diversity with abundant freshwater resources favorable for numerous fungal encounters. The majority of Dictyosporiaceae species have been reported from these two countries. The Greater Mekong Subregion includes Yunnan Province in China and Thailand and is a highly diverse region for plants and fungi.
Objective
To investigate the diversity of lignicolous freshwater fungi in the Greater Mekong Subregion by examining eleven collections of cheirosporous species on submerged wood from lentic and lotic habitats in China and Thailand. The aims were to clarify phylogenetic positions and taxonomy, provide morphological comparisons, and increase knowledge of microfungi in the region.
Results
Phylogenetic analysis revealed six new species: Dictyocheirospora chiangmaiensis, D. multiappendiculata, D. suae, Digitodesmium aquaticum, Vikalpa grandispora and V. sphaerica. Additionally, four known species were identified and reported based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The study provided detailed descriptions and illustrations of these taxa with an updated phylogenetic tree of Dictyosporiaceae.
Conclusion
The study expanded knowledge of fungal diversity in freshwater habitats of the Greater Mekong Subregion by describing six new species and providing new records. The findings demonstrate that this region is rich in cheirosporous hyphomycetes resources, with species on wood substrates in freshwater habitats accounting for more than 50% of the total in this region.
- Published in:Journal of Fungi,
- Study Type:Taxonomic Research,
- Source: 10.3390/jof8111200