Two New Penicillium Species Penicillium Dongtaiense Sp. Nov and Penicillium Yanchengense sp. nov., Isolated From a Poplar Plantation in China

Studies on the degradation of plant cell wall polysaccharides by fungal extracellular enzymes have attracted much recent attention. In this study, dozens of fungus species spanning genera were isolated from rotting leaves based on their ability to decompose xylan. Using genetic sequencing (rDNA internal transcribed spacer), strains were identified as members of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Campylocarpon, Pyrenochaeta and Cladosporium. Among these strains, two Penicillium strains can’t be assigned to any reported species. In this study, they are described new species as Penicillium yanchengium sp. novT (AF 2021051) and Penicillium dongtaiense sp. novT (AF 2121001) based on multigene phylogenetic analysis and morphology. Penicillium yanchengense sp. novT belong to Penicillium section Lanata-Divaricata and are phylogenetically closely related to Penicillium oxalicum and Penicillium asturianum. Isolates of Penicillium yanchengense sp. novT have a faster growth on Czapek yeast agar (CYA) at 37 ℃, abundant exudate present on CYA, and a greater ability to produce acid on creatine sucrose agar (CREA). Penicillium dongtaiense sp. novT was placed in section Sclerotiora and it is most closely related to Penicillium exsudans, Penicillium mallochii and Penicillium acidum. It is unique in slower growth on CYA and MEA plates, abundant exudate on MEA, and cerebriform grooves on YES compared to its relatives. In this study, we provide detailed description about two species.

Morphology, Phylogeny and Pathogenicity of Colletotrichum menglaense sp. nov., Isolated from Air in China

A new species, Colletotrichum menglaense, isolated from air in Mengla, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China, was characterized and described combining morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analysis. Morphologically, it is characterized by oblong, sometimes slightly constricted, micro-guttulate conidia and simple obovoid to ellipsoidal appressoria. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS, ACT, CHS, and GAPDH sequences showed that C. menglaense belongs to the C. gloeosporioides complex. The pathogenicity of C. menglaense on fruits of several crop plants, including strawberry, orange, grape, tomato, and blueberry, was tested and confirmed by the re-isolation of C. menglaense.

Characterization of Alternaria Species Associated with Heart Rot of Pomegranate Fruit

This study was aimed at identifying Alternaria species associated with heart rot disease of pomegranate fruit in southern Italy and characterizing their mycotoxigenic profile. A total of 42 Alternaria isolates were characterized. They were obtained from pomegranate fruits with symptoms of heart rot sampled in Apulia and Sicily and grouped into six distinct morphotypes based on macro- and microscopic features. According to multigene phylogenetic analysis, including internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and a SCAR marker (OPA10-2), 38 isolates of morphotypes 1 to 5 were identified as Alternaria alternata, while isolates of morphotype 6, all from Sicily, clustered within the Alternaria arborescens species complex. In particular, isolates of morphotype 1, the most numerous, clustered with the ex-type isolate of A. alternata, proving to belong to A. alternata. No difference in pathogenicity on pomegranate fruits was found between isolates of A. alternata and A. arborescens and among A. alternata isolates of different morphotypes. The toxigenic profile of isolates varied greatly: in vitro, all 42 isolates produced tenuazonic acid and most of them other mycotoxins, including alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, altenuene and tentoxin.

Parametarhizium (Clavicipitaceae) gen. nov. With Two New Species as a Potential Biocontrol Agent Isolated From Forest Litters in Northeast China

A novel genus Parametarhizium with two new entomopathogenic species, Parametarhizium changbaiense and Parametarhizium hingganense, was introduced based on their morphological characteristics and a multigene phylogenetic analysis, which were isolated from the forest litters collected in Northeast China. To infer their phylogenetic relationships, a six-gene dataset consisting of DNA fragments of [nuclear small subunit rDNA (SSU) + LSU + TUB + TEF + RPB1 + RPB2] was used for phylogenetic analysis, including 105 related fungi. The new genus Parametarhizium formed a monophyletic clade basal to Metarhizium and its related genera (formerly Metarhizium sensu lato). Parametarhizium can be morphologically distinguished from related genera by the combination of the following characteristics: formation of white to yellow colonies on different media, candelabrum-like arrangement of cylindrical or obpyriform phialides, and small subglobose to ellipsoidal conidia. Both P. hingganense and P. changbaiense exhibited anti-insect activities against three farmland pests Monolepta hieroglyphica, Callosobruchus chinensis, and Rhopalosiphum maidis. This is the first report of entomopathogenic fungi exhibiting the anti-insect activity against Mo. hieroglyphica.

First Report and New Hosts of Pseudofabraea citricarpa Causing Citrus Target Spot in China

Citrus target spot, caused by Pseudofabraea citricarpa (Zhu et al.) Chen, Verkley & Crous, was a recently reported disease on satsuma mandarin and kumquat in Chenggu (Shaanxi province, China). In January 2019, target spot-like disease was also observed on ‘Eureka’ lemon and ‘Beijing’ lemon in Wanzhou (Chongqing province), satsuma in Yichang (Hubei province), and ‘Ponkan’ in Jishou (Hunan province). The identity of the causative agent was conducted and confirmed as P. citricarpa based on symptoms, fungal morphology, and multigene phylogenetic analysis, as well as pathogenicity tests. Investigations revealed that P. citricarpa can also infect ‘Tarocco’ blood orange and ‘Newhall’ navel orange. It can not only infect leaves and shoots but also can infect fruits. These results suggest that P. citricarpa could potentially spread to other citrus-growing regions in China.

Roussoella guttulata (Roussoellaceae, Pleosporales), a novel bambusicolous ascomycete from Thailand

Roussoella guttulata sp. nov. (Roussoellaceae) was found on bamboo culms collected in the northeast of Thailand. Roussoella guttulata differs from other species in having immersed, gregarious, black pseudoascostromata, single and central ostiole with periphyses, thin-walled peridium composed of cells of textura angularis to textura prismatica and yellowish brown ascospores. The multigene phylogenetic analysis shows that the new species forms a distinct lineage basal to R. hysterioides, R. japanensis, R. scabrispora and R. verrucispora. The new species is compared with closely related Roussoella species. A full description, color photo plates and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of the new species are provided.

One less mystery in Coleoptera systematics: the position of Cydistinae (Elateriformia incertae sedis) resolved by multigene phylogenetic analysis

Cydistinae are a rare monogeneric beetle lineage from Asia with a convoluted history of classification, historically placed in various groups within the series Elateriformia. However, their position has never been rigorously tested. To resolve this long-standing puzzle, we are the first to present sequences of two nuclear and two mitochondrial markers for four species of Cydistinae to determine their phylogenetic position. We included these sequences in two rounds of analyses: one including a broad Elateriformia dataset to test placement at the superfamily/family level, and a second, including a richer, targeted sampling of presumed close relatives. Our results strongly support Cydistinae as sister to Phengodidae in a clade with Rhagophthalmidae. Based on our molecular phylogenetic results and examination of morphological characters, we hereby transfer the formerly unplaced Cydistinae into Phengodidae and provide diagnoses for the newly circumscribed Phengodidae, Cydistinae and Cydistus. Since both Phengodidae and Rhagophthalmidae have bioluminescent larvae and strongly neotenic females, similar features can be hypothesized for Cydistinae. Additionally, Cydistus minor is transferred to the new genus Microcydistus.

Emydomyces testavorans, a New Genus and Species of Onygenalean Fungus Isolated from Shell Lesions of Freshwater Aquatic Turtles

ABSTRACTThe fungal orderOnygenalesincludes many pathogens of humans and animals, and recent studies have shown some onygenalean fungi to be significant emerging pathogens of reptiles. Although many of these fungi have similar morphological features in histologic tissue sections, recent molecular analyses have revealed a genetically complex and diverse group of reptile pathogens comprising several genera, most notablyNannizziopsis,Ophidiomyces, andParanannizziopsis. Infections by members of these genera have been previously reported in a variety of reptile species, including crocodilians, lizards, snakes, and tuataras, with negative impacts on conservation efforts for some reptiles. Despite the well-documented pathogenicity of these fungi in all other extant reptile lineages, infection has not yet been reported in aquatic turtles. In this study, we report the isolation of an onygenalean fungus associated with shell lesions in freshwater aquatic turtles. The morphologic and genetic characteristics of multiple isolates (n= 21) are described and illustrated. Based on these features and results of a multigene phylogenetic analysis, a new genus and species,Emydomyces testavorans, are proposed for these fungi isolated from turtle shell lesions.