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The land snail Elona quimperiana is listed in annexes II and IV of the Europe Habitats Directive. In this study, phylogenetic relationships between populations of this protected species from its whole distribution range were reconstructed based on the sequencing of two mtDNA gene fragments (COI and 16S rRNA) and one nDNA gene fragment (ITS2). Haplotype networks were also generated for the COI and 16S rRNA gene fragments. Results yielded three main intraspecific phylogroups, here designated as the lineages Brittany-Spain, Basque, and Navarre-Rioja. This last lineage had not been identified previously. Genetic distances between the three main phylogroups suggest they could have originated by allopatric fragmentation before the Last Glacial Maximum, and then separately evolved in three refugia in the Iberian Peninsula. We here propose that each phylogroup is considered an Evolutionarily Significant Unit. Through extended sampling, we were able to delimit the geographic distribution of all three lineages. Our genetic results support post-glacial colonization of this species from the north-eastern Iberian Peninsula to Brittany in NW-France as proposed previously, and rule out its recent anthropic introduction.

Lemon fruits are an important source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, carotenoids, polyphenols, coumarins and terpenes. These lemon compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which have beneficial effects on human health. This research aimed to elucidate the etiology of blue and green molds detected on lemon fruits in Serbia. Using integrative identification approach, the obtained isolates were characterized from morphological, physiological, molecular, phylogenetic and pathological aspects. Colony growth and morphology were examined on Czapek yeast autolysate agar (CYA), Malt extract agar (MEA) and Creatine sucrose agar (CREA), and on CYA at two additional incubation temperatures (5 and 37 °C). For molecular identification, ITS and partial β-tubulin (BenA) genes were sequenced. Phylogenetic relationships were investigated using maximum-likelihood method. A pathogenicity test was carried out and the possible difference in pathogenicity among isolates was assessed with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and subsequent Tukey’s test. Four species were identified: Penicillium expansum, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium polonicum and Talaromyces rugulosus. All four species proved to be pathogenic on lemon fruits, producing symptoms similar to those observed on naturally infected fruits. The results of this study are the first records of the beforementioned Penicillium/ Talaromyces species as postharvest pathogens on lemon fruits in Serbia and the first world report of T. rugulosus as phytopathogenic on the same host.

Mendogia belongs to Dothideomycetes and its members are epiphytic on living bamboo culms or palms and distributed in tropical regions. Currently the genus comprises seven species. A further species of Mendogia was collected from the leaves of Fagales in Thailand. Morphological characteristics and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses using SSU, LSU and ITS sequences showed that the fungus is new to science, described herein as Mendogia diffusa. Mendogia diffusa is characterized by apothecial ascostromata, a carbonized epithecium, dark brown setae on the ascostromatal surface, hyaline paraphysoids, ovoid to clavate asci, and oblong to elliptical, muriform ascospores. The fungus has a dark pigmented surface, and is occasionally facultative, associated with patches of green algae, but not actually lichenized. Instead, the fungus penetrates the upper leaf surface, forming dark pigmented isodiametric cells below the epidermis. A re-examination of specimens of M. chiangraiensis, M. macrostroma and M. yunnanensis revealed the absence of algal association. In addition, Mendogia philippinensis (=M. calami) and M. bambusina (=Uleopeltis bambusina) were established based on morphological comparisons and previous studies. Comprehensive descriptions with phylogenetic analyses support M. diffusa as a novel species in Myriangiaceae. An updated key to the genus is provided.new species, morphology, phylogeny, saprobe, taxonomy

The genus Myotis is one of the most diverse and widely distributed mammals, providing a good model for studies of speciation and diversification across large geographic scales. However, the classification within this genus has long been chaotic. Taxonomic revisions based on multiple data sources are essential and urgent. In this study, morphometrics and genetic markers with different modes of inheritance were used to clarify the taxonomy of Myotis distributed in China. Based on 173 mitochondrial Cytb sequences and five morphological characteristics, 114 specimens collected nationwide over the past 20 years were assigned to 11 Myotis species. All Chinese samples classified into M. davidii and M. longipes were revised to M. alticraniatus and M. laniger. Then, two nuclear fragments (Rag2 and Chd1) and Cytb sequences from representative individuals of Chinese Myotis were used for multilocus phylogeny reconstruction and genetic divergence evaluation. The phylogenetic relationships were clearly demonstrated in the species tree: M. alticraniatus and M. laniger; M. fimbriatus, M. pilosus, M. macrodactylus, and M. petax; and M. pequinius, M. chinensis, and M. blythii formed three strongly supported monophyletic clades. Mitochondrial divergence was almost 10 times that of nuclear divergence, with interspecific K2P distances ranging from 8% to 20% for Cytb and 0.3% to 2.3% for concatenated nuclear genes. Low levels of genetic divergence were observed between M. alticraniatus and M. laniger, as well as M. fimbriatus and M. pilosus. These results provide new insights into the taxonomy and phylogeny of Myotis bats in China and are important for the future research and conservation of Chinese Myotis.

Lactifluus (Pers.) Roussel is an ectomycorrhizal genus that was recently recognized to be distinct from the genus Lactarius. To date, 226 Lactifluus species have been reported worldwide. Misidentification of Lactifluus species is common because of intraspecific morphological variation, cryptic diversity, and the limited number of taxonomic keys available. Molecular data are indispensable for species delimitation; a multilocus phylogenetic analysis showed that most Asian Lactifluus species are not conspecific with morphologically similar species present on other continents. In particular, Korea has misused European and North American Lactifluus names. In this study, we evaluated the taxonomy of Lactifluus in Korea using both morphological and multilocus molecular (ITS, nrLSU, rpb1, and rpb2) data. We examined 199 Lactifluus specimens collected between 1980 and 2016, and a total of 24 species across the four Lactifluus subgenera were identified. All Korean species are distinct and clearly separated from European and North American species. Five taxa corresponded to previously described species from Asia and the remaining 19 taxa are confirmed as new species. Herein, we provide keys to the Korean Lactifluus species within their subgenera, molecular phylogenies, a summary of diversity, and detailed description of the new species.

Leptosphaeriaceae is a widely distributed fungal family with diverse lifestyles. The family includes several genera that can be distinguished by morphology and molecular phylogenetic analysis. During our investigation of saprobic fungi on grasslands in Yunnan Province, China, four fungal taxa belonging to Leptosphaeriaceae associated with grasses were collected. Morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses of the combined SSU, LSU, ITS, tub2, and rpb2 loci based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference were used to reveal the taxonomic placement of these fungal taxa. This study introduces four new taxa, viz. Leptosphaeria yunnanensis, L. zhaotongensis, Paraleptosphaeria kunmingensis, and Plenodomus zhaotongensis. Colour photo plates, full descriptions, and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of the new taxa are provided.

Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is an economically valuable landscaping ornamental plant. Serious outbreaks have been reported, in its leaf tips curl upward, irregular black brown spots appear on leaves, and extensive defoliation is commonly observed. The incidence in Hangzhou was estimated at 50% and resulted in large economic losses for growers in 2018. Samples were collected from the main cultivation area in Zhejiang Province. In total, 11 fungal isolates were obtained from diseased leaves through a single-spore purification method, and isolate LVY 9 exhibited strong pathogenicity. Based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses based on multilocus sequence typing of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, actin (ACT), calmodulin (CAL), and chitin synthase (CHS-1) genes, we identified the pathogen as Colletotrichum siamense, causative agent of anthracnose of winterberry holly.

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. is one of the major problems in mango production worldwide, including Thailand. All mango cultivars are susceptible, but Nam Dok Mai See Thong (NDMST) is the most vulnerable. Through a single spore isolation method, a total of 37 isolates of Colletotrichum spp. were obtained from NDMST showing anthracnose symptoms. Identification was performed using a combination of morphology characteristics, Koch’s postulates, and phylogenetic analysis. The pathogenicity assay and Koch’s postulates on leaves and fruit confirmed that all Colletotrichum spp. tested were causal agents of mango anthracnose. Multilocus analysis using DNA sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, β-tubulin (TUB2), actin (ACT), and chitin synthase (CHS-1) was performed for molecular identification. Two concatenated phylogenetic trees were constructed using either two-loci of ITS and TUB2, or four-loci of ITS, TUB2, ACT, and CHS-1. Both phylogenetic trees were indistinguishable and showed that these 37 isolates belong to C. acutatum, C. asianum, C. gloeosporioides, and C. siamense. Our results indicated that using at least two loci of ITS and TUB2, were sufficient to infer Colletotrichum species complexes. Of 37 isolates, C. gloeosporioides was the most dominant species (19 isolates), followed by C. asianum (10 isolates), C. acutatum (5 isolates), and C. siamense (3 isolates). In Thailand, C. gloeosporioides and C. acutatum have been reported to cause anthracnose in mango, however, this is the first report of C. asianum and C. siamense associated with mango anthracnose in central Thailand.

The current study was aimed to introduce five new species of Cordyceps from Yunnan, with morphological descriptions, illustrations, color photographs, phylogenetic placement, associated host, and a comparison with allied taxa. The five new species were morphologically distinct from all other Cordyceps sensu lato species, and it was also suggested that they should differ from other species in the genus Cordyceps based on combined multigene analyses. Employing DNA nucleotide sequences of the nrLSU, nrSSU, tef-1α, rpb1, and rpb2, the five new species were recognized in the clade of Cordyceps by using molecular phylogenetic analyses, including five well-supported subclades: three new species, Cordyceps bullispora, Cordyceps longiphialis, and Cordyceps nabanheensis, were found in the subclade of C. pruinosa, and two new species, Cordyceps pseudotenuipes and Cordyceps simaoensis, were located in the subclade of C. tenuipes. The five novel species shared similar morphologies to other species in the genus Cordyceps, with fleshy and brightly pigmented stromata; perithecia superficial to completely immersed, ordinal in arrangement; and hyaline asci, with thickened cylindrical ascus apex. The morphological characteristics of 66 species in Cordyceps sensu stricto, namely, 5 novel species and 61 known taxa, were also compared.

Chinese kale (Brassica alboglabra) is commonly grown and consumed throughout Asia and is often treated with chemicals to control pests and diseases. In Thailand, public standards, Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), and International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) programs were introduced for the cultivation of Chinese kale with minimum input of chemical treatments. Black spot caused by the fungus Sphaerobolus has been affecting the plants grown under IFOAM standards in Chiang Mai, Thailand, for several years. Strongly adhering glebal spore masses of the fungus on leaf and stem surfaces have adversely affected postharvest management, especially in the quality classification of the product. Both morphological and phylogenetic (combined ITS, mtSSU, and EF 1-α dataset) studies confirmed a novel species, S. cuprophilus. Pathogenicity tests involving inoculation of Chinese kale by non-wound and mulch inoculation bioassays resulted in the production of symptoms of black spot and the re-isolation of S. cuprophilus, indicating that the new fungal species is the causal agent of black spots. Inhibitory effects of antagonistic bacteria and chemical fungicides, both allowed for use in plant cultivation under either IFOAM or GAP standards, indicated that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains (PBT2 and YMB7), chlorothalonil (20 and 500 ppm) and thiophanate-methyl (500 and 1500 ppm) were the most effective in controlling the growth of the causal fungus by 83 to 93%. However, copper oxychloride (5 to 20 ppm), a recommended chemical in control of downy mildew of Chinese kale, showed hormetic effects on S. cuprophilus by promoting the growth and sporulation of the fungus. The findings of this study provide vital information regarding the association of S. cuprophilus and Chinese kale and will support decisions to manage fungal diseases of this vegetable.

Colletotrichum is regarded as one of the 10 most important genera of plant pathogens in the world. It causes diseases in a wide range of economically important plants, including peaches. China is the largest producer of peaches in the world but little is known about the Colletotrichum spp. affecting the crop. In 2017 and 2018, a total of 286 Colletotrichum isolates were isolated from symptomatic fruit and leaves in 11 peach production provinces of China. Based on multilocus phylogenetic analyses (ITS, ACT, CAL, CHS-1, GAPDH, TUB2, and HIS3) and morphological characterization, the isolates were identified to be C. nymphaeae, C. fioriniae, and C. godetiae of the C. acutatum species complex, C. fructicola and C. siamense of the C. gloeosporioides species complex, C. karsti of the C. boninense species complex, and one newly identified species, C. folicola sp. nov. This study is the first report of C. karsti and C. godetiae in peaches, and the first report of C. nymphaeae, C. fioriniae, C. fructicola, and C. siamense in peaches in China. C. nymphaeae is the most prevalent species of Colletotrichum in peaches in China, which may be the result of fungicide selection. Pathogenicity tests revealed that all species found in this study were pathogenic on both the leaves and fruit of peaches, except for C. folicola, which only infected the leaves. The present study substantially improves our understanding of the causal agents of anthracnose on peaches in China.

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. is an important disease of blueberries and results in large economic losses for blueberry growers. Samples of anthracnose were collected from six main blueberry cultivation areas in Sichuan Province. In total, 74 Colletotrichum isolates were obtained through a single-spore purification method and identified to the species through morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses based on partial DNA sequences of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, and the β-tubulin (TUB2), actin (ACT) and calmodulin (CAL) genes. Among all species, Colletotrichum fructicola was the most dominant species, with an isolation percentage of up to 66.2% in Sichuan, followed by Colletotrichum siamense (17.6%), C. kahawae (5.4%), C. karstii (5.4%), C. nymphaeae (2.7%) and C. sichuaninese (2.7%). Pathogenicity tests showed all species were able to cause typical anthracnose symptoms on blueberry leaves and stems. Colletotrichum fructicola was the predominant species with strong aggressiveness. Moreover, C. fructicola, C. kahawae, C. sichuaninese and C. nymphaeae are first reported here to cause blueberry anthracnose. This study provides a comprehensive reference for the association of different Colletotrichum spp., which may support the sustainable management of blueberry anthracnose.

Subaerial biofilms (SAB) are an important factor in weathering, biofouling, and biodeterioration of bare rocks, building materials, and solar panel surfaces. The realm of SAB is continually widened by modern materials, and the settlers on these exposed solid surfaces always include melanized, stress-tolerant microcolonial ascomycetes. After their first discovery on desert rock surfaces, these melanized chaetothyrialean and dothidealean ascomycetes have been found on Mediterranean monuments after biocidal treatments, Antarctic rocks and solar panels. New man-made modifications of surfaces (e.g., treatment with biocides or photocatalytically active layers) accommodate the exceptional stress-tolerance of microcolonial fungi and thus further select for this well-protected ecological group. Melanized fungal strains were isolated from a microbial community that developed on highly photocatalytic roof tiles after a long-term environmental exposure in a maritime-influenced region in northwestern Germany. Four of the isolated strains are described here as a novel species, Constantinomyces oldenburgensis, based on multilocus ITS, LSU, RPB2 gene phylogeny. Their closest relative is a still-unnamed rock-inhabiting strain TRN431, here described as C. patonensis. Both species cluster in Capnodiales, among typical melanized microcolonial rock fungi from different stress habitats, including Antarctica. These novel strains flourish in hostile conditions of highly oxidizing material surfaces, and shall be used in reference procedures in material testing.