MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

The addition of six novel species and a new record of Amphisphaeria from northern Thailand

Summary

Scientists discovered six new species of fungi called Amphisphaeria in northern Thailand, all found on dead wood. These fungi play an important role in decomposing woody materials in nature. By examining both their physical characteristics and genetic material, researchers confirmed these are distinct species previously unknown to science. One previously known species was also found on a new type of host plant.

Background

Amphisphaeria is a genus of fungi in the family Amphisphaeriaceae, characterized by immersed, clypeate, and ostiolate ascomata. Members are predominantly found on dead plant materials in terrestrial and marine habitats. Given the widespread nature and diverse lifestyles of Amphisphaeria species, further taxonomic studies are essential.

Objective

This study introduces six new Amphisphaeria species discovered on dead twigs from northern Thailand, based on a morpho-phylogenetic approach. The newly identified species are supported by combined analyses using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference of nuclear ribosomal large subunit rDNA (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data.

Results

Six new Amphisphaeria species were identified: A. mesuae, A. mimusopis, A. paraserianthis, A. pseudomicheliae, A. pterocarpi, and A. schimae. A. micheliae was also collected and reported as a new host record on Senna siamea. Phylogenetic analyses using combined LSU and ITS sequences confirmed the taxonomic placement of these species as novel within Amphisphaeria.

Conclusion

This study contributes to the expansion of the taxonomic framework of Amphisphaeria through the description of six novel species and a new host record. The morpho-phylogenetic approach combining morphological characteristics and molecular data supports the recognition of these taxa as distinct species within the genus.
  • Published in:MycoKeys,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic Description Study,
  • Source: 10.3897/mycokeys.125.163523; PMID: 41281974
Scroll to Top