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Two new fungal genera (Diaporthales) found on Dipterocarpaceae in Thailand

Summary

Researchers studying fungal diversity in Thailand discovered two entirely new types of fungi living on Dipterocarpaceae trees, which are economically important trees that produce lumber and resin. Using a combination of microscopic examination and DNA analysis, they identified and named these new fungi as Pulvinaticonidioma hyalinum and Subellipsoidispora guttulata. This discovery suggests that many more fungal species remain unknown, especially on plants that haven’t been extensively studied for their fungal communities.

Background

Diaporthales is a species-rich order of fungi that includes endophytes, saprobes, and pathogens associated with forest plants and crops. Some severe pathogens wipe out large-scale cultivations of profitable crops and timber monocultures. This study focused on fungal collections from Dipterocarpaceae in Thailand to expand understanding of fungal diversity in this economically important plant family.

Objective

To introduce and characterize two new genera of Diaporthales found in Dipterocarpaceae in Thailand using morphological and phylogenetic analyses. The study aimed to describe Pulvinaticonidioma and Subellipsoidispora with detailed morphological comparisons and multi-gene phylogenetic support.

Results

Two new genera were identified and described: Pulvinaticonidioma hyalinum, characterized by solitary subglobose pycnidial conidiomata with hyaline conidia, and Subellipsoidispora guttulata, with clavate to broadly fusoid asci and biturbinate to subellipsoidal ascospores. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed Pulvinaticonidioma as distinct within Cryphonectriaceae and Subellipsoidispora within Coryneaceae.

Conclusion

The discovery of these two new genera on Dipterocarpaceae demonstrates previously unrecognized fungal diversity associated with this important plant family in Thailand. These findings suggest many more taxa remain to be discovered and described, particularly on lesser-studied hosts.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Taxonomy, Phylogenetic study,
  • Source: PMID: 37342559, DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1169052
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