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Stictidaceae has ubiquitous distribution and its members inhabit a wide range of hosts and substrates. However, many genera in this family are represented by a limited number of species and molecular data is lacking for those old genera. Documentation and description of new species is necessary to bring insight into the natural classification of Stictidaceae. An investigation of microfungi in Yunnan Province, China led to the discovery of the novel genus et species, Neohormodochis septispora based on morphological evidence and phylogenetic characterization of combined LSU, ITS, mtSSU and RPB2 sequnces. White-pruinose conidiomata, crystalline conidiomatal wall, cylindrical conidiogenous cells and dominantly sepate conidia arranged in branched chain characterize the novel genus. The phylogenetic placement of Dendroseptoria was uncertain and in this study, we confirmed its placement in Stictidaceae based on the phylogenetic affiliation of D. mucilaginosa.

Fungi are an essential component of the ecosystem. They play an integral role in the decomposition of leaf litter and return nutrients to the ecosystem through nutrient cycling. They are considered as the “key players” in leaf litter decomposition, because of their ability to produce a wide range of extracellular enzymes. Time-related changes of fungal communities during leaf litter decomposition have been relatively well-investigated. However, it has not been established how the tree species, tree phylogeny, and leaf litter chemistry influence fungal communities during decomposition. Using direct observations and a culturing approach, this study compiles fungi found in freshly collected leaf litter from five phylogenetically related, native tree species in Taiwan: Celtis formosana (CF), Ficus ampelas (FA), Ficus septica (FS), Macaranga tanarius (MT), and Morus australis (MA). We investigated (i) the effects of tree species (including tree phylogeny) and leaf litter chemistry on fungal community succession, and (ii) specific patterns of fungal succession (including diversity and taxonomic community assembly) on decomposing leaf litter across the selected tree species. We hypothesized that host species and leaf litter chemistry significantly affect fungal community succession. A total of 1325 leaves (CF: 275, FA: 275, FS: 275, MT: 275 and MA: 225) were collected and 236 fungal taxa were recorded (CF: 48, FA: 46, FS: 64, MT: 42 and MA: 36). Tree species relationships had variable associations on the fungal communities, as even closely related tree species had strongly differing communities during decomposition. A high number of species were unique to a single tree species and may indicate ‘host-specificity’ to a particular leaf litter. The overlap of microfungal species in pair wise comparisons of tree species was low (7–16%), and only 1–2% of microfungal species were observed in leaves of all tree species. The percentage of occurrences of fungal communities using Hierarchical Cluster Analyses (HCA) showed that there were at least four succession stages in each tree species during decomposition. Fungal diversity increased at the beginning of each tree species leaf decay, reached peaks, and declined at the final stages. Overall, our findings demonstrate that tree species and leaf litter chemistry are important variables in determining fungal diversity and community composition in leaf litter. This study also provides a host-fungus database for future studies on these hosts and increases the knowledge of fungal diversity in leaf litter. New fungal discoveries from this study (two new families, two new genera, 40 new species and 56 new host records) were described in our previous publications and are used for comparison here.

The global diversity of fungi has been estimated using several different approaches. There is somewhere between 2–11 million estimated species, but the number of formally described taxa is around 150,000, a tiny fraction of the total. In this paper, we examine 12 ascomycete genera as case studies to establish trends in fungal species descriptions, and introduce new species in each genus. To highlight the importance of traditional morpho-molecular methods in publishing new species, we introduce novel taxa in 12 genera that are considered to have low species discovery. We discuss whether the species are likely to be rare or due to a lack of extensive sampling and classification. The genera are Apiospora, Bambusicola, Beltrania, Capronia, Distoseptispora, Endocalyx, Neocatenulostroma, Neodeightonia, Paraconiothyrium, Peroneutypa, Phaeoacremonium and Vanakripa. We discuss host-specificity in selected genera and compare the number of species epithets in each genus with the number of ITS (barcode) sequences deposited in GenBank and UNITE. We furthermore discuss the relationship between the divergence times of these genera with those of their hosts. We hypothesize whether there might be more species in these genera and discuss hosts and habitats that should be investigated for novel species discovery.

Sexual reproduction is the basic way to form high genetic diversity and it is beneficial in evolution and speciation of fungi. The global diversity of teleomorphic species in Ascomycota has not been estimated. This paper estimates the species number for sexual ascomycetes based on five different estimation approaches, viz. by numbers of described fungi, by fungus:substrate ratio, by ecological distribution, by meta-DNA barcoding or culture-independent studies and by previous estimates of species in Ascomycota. The assumptions were made with the currently most accepted, “2.2–3.8 million” species estimate and results of previous studies concluding that 90% of the described ascomycetes reproduce sexually. The Catalogue of Life, Species Fungorum and published research were used for data procurement. The average value of teleomorphic species in Ascomycota from all methods is 1.86 million, ranging from 1.37 to 2.56 million. However, only around 83,000 teleomorphic species have been described in Ascomycota and deposited in data repositories. The ratio between described teleomorphic ascomycetes to predicted teleomorphic ascomycetes is 1:22. Therefore, where are the undiscovered teleomorphic ascomycetes? The undescribed species are no doubt to be found in biodiversity hot spots, poorly-studied areas and species complexes. Other poorly studied niches include extremophiles, lichenicolous fungi, human pathogens, marine fungi, and fungicolous fungi. Undescribed species are present in unexamined collections in specimen repositories or incompletely described earlier species. Nomenclatural issues, such as the use of separate names for teleomorph and anamorphs, synonyms, conspecific names, illegitimate and invalid names also affect the number of described species. Interspecies introgression results in new species, while species numbers are reduced by extinctions.

Pleocatenata, a new genus, is introduced with its type species, Pleocatenata chiangraiensis, which was isolated from withered twigs of two medicinal plants, Clerodendrum quadriloculare (Blanco) Merr (Verbenaceae) and Tarenna stellulata (Hook.f.) Ridl (Rubiaceae) in northern Thailand. The genus is characterized by mononematous, septate, brown or dark brown conidiophores, monotretic conidiogenous cells and catenate, obclavate, olivaceous to blackish brown conidia. Phylogenetic analysis of combined LSU, SSU, tef1-α, rpb2 and ITS sequence data showed Pleocatenata forms a distinct phylogenetic lineage in Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes. Therefore, we treat Pleocatenata as Pleosporales genera incertae sedis based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses. Descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa are provided, and it is compared with morphologically similar genera.

Clavicipitoid fungi comprise three families, namely Clavicipitaceae, Cordycipitaceae, and Ophiocordycipitaceae. They are found worldwide and are specialized pathogens of invertebrate, plant and fungal hosts. Over the last decade, morphology- and phylogeny-based studies on clavicipitoid fungi have increased. The latter have revealed that Polycephalomyces, Perennicordyceps and Pleurocordyceps consistently cluster together.These genera are currently considered as members of Ophiocordycipitaceae. Nonetheless, information with regard to their diversity and ecology remains sparse. To fill this gap, we collected 29 fresh specimens from insect and fungal substrates from tropical and subtropical evergreen forests in Thailand and southwestern China. We performed detailed morphological analyses and constructed photoplates for all isolated fungi. We used extensive taxon sampling and a dataset comprising internal transcribed spacer gene region (ITS), small subunit ribosomal RNA gene region (SSU), large subunit rRNA gene region (LSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene region (TEF-1α), RNA polymerase II largest subunit gene region (RPB1) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) to infer order-, family and genus-level phylogenetic trees. Based on these biphasic analyses, we segregate Polycephalomyces, Perennicordyceps, and Pleurocordycepsfrom Ophiocordycipitaceae and introduce the new family Polycephalomycetaceae to accomodate these three genera. The majority of species in this family have a vast range of insect and fungal hosts. The sexual morph of Polycephalomycetaceaehas stromatic ascomata, long stipes, thick peridium, and cylindrical secondary spores. The asexual morph is characterized by colonies on the host surface or synnemata with stipes on the host, one or two types of phialides, and cylindrical to fusiform conidia. We expand the number of taxa in the new family by introducing seven new species (Polycephalomyces albiramus, Perennicordyceps lutea, Pleurocordyceps parvicapitata, Pleurocordyceps lanceolatus, Pleurocordyceps nutansis, Pleurocordyceps heilongtanensis, Pleurocordyceps vitellina), nine new hosts, and one new combination (Perennicordyceps elaphomyceticola). The results herein hint at a high level of diversity for Polycephalomycetaceae. Future investigations focusing on obtaining additional collections and specimens from different geographical areas would help to reveal not only the extent of the group’s diversity, but also resolve its deeper phylogenetic placement.

Four stains were isolated from two fresh twigs of Helwingia himalaica and two dead woods during investigations of micro-fungi in China and Thailand. Phylogenetic analyses of four gene regions LSU, ITS, SSU and tef1-α revealed the placement of these species in Montagnula. Based on the morphological examination and molecular data, two new species, M. aquatica and M. guiyangensis, and a known species M. donacina are described. Descriptions and illustrations of the new collections and a key to the Montagnula species are provided. Montagnula chromolaenicola, M. puerensis, M. saikhuensis, and M. thailandica are discussed and synonymized under M. donacina.

Three fungal specimens (two sexual and one asexual) were collected during fieldwork conducted in China, Taiwan and Thailand. Both sexual morphs share superficial, black ascomata surrounded by flexuous setae; 8-spored, unitunicate, cylindrical asci, with J+, apical ring, and ellipsoidal to allantoid, aseptate, guttulate ascospores. The asexual morph has ceratosporium-like conidia arising from aerial hyphae with a single arm and are usually attached or with 2–3 arms, brown, often with a subglobose to conical cell at the point of attachment. Morphological examinations and phylogenetic analyses of a combined LSU-ITS dataset via maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses indicated that these three collections were new species. Iodosphaeria chiayiensis (sexual morph), I. thailandica (sexual morph) and I. jinghongensis (asexual morph) are therefore introduced as new species in this study. Iodosphaeria chiayiensis has small, hyaline and ellipsoidal to allantoid ascospores, while I. thailandica has large ascomata, cylindrical to allantoid asci and hyaline to pale brown ascospores.

Xylariomycetidae ( Ascomycota ) is a highly diversified group with variable stromatic characters. Our research focused on inconspicuous stromatic xylarialean taxa from China, Italy, Russia, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations and combined ITS-LSU- rpb 2- tub 2- tef 1 phylogenies revealed 38 taxa from our collections belonging to Amphisphaeriales and Xylariales . A new family ( Appendicosporaceae ), five new genera ( Magnostiolata , Melanostictus , Neoamphisphaeria , Nigropunctata and Paravamsapriya ), 27 new species ( Acrocordiella photiniicola , Allocryptovalsa sichuanensis , Amphisphaeria parvispora , Anthostomella lamiacearum , Apiospora guiyangensis , Ap. sichuanensis , Biscogniauxia magna , Eutypa camelliae , Helicogermslita clypeata , Hypocopra zeae , Magnostiolata mucida , Melanostictus longiostiolatus , Me. thailandicus , Nemania longipedicellata , Ne. delonicis , Ne. paraphysata , Ne. thailandensis , Neoamphisphaeria hyalinospora , Neoanthostomella bambusicola , Nigropunctata bambusicola , Ni. nigrocircularis , Ni. thailandica , Occultitheca rosae , Paravamsapriya ostiolata , Peroneutypa leucaenae , Seiridium italicum and Vamsapriya mucosa ) and seven new host/geographical records are introduced and reported. Divergence time estimates indicate that Delonicicolales diverged from Amphisphaeriales + Xylariales at 161 (123–197) MYA. Amphisphaeriales and Xylariales diverged 154 (117–190) MYA with a crown age of 127 (92–165) MYA and 147 (111–184) MYA, respectively. Appendicosporaceae ( Amphisphaeriales ) has a stem age of 89 (65–117) MYA. Ancestral character state reconstruction indicates that astromatic, clypeate ascomata with aseptate, hyaline ascospores that lack germ slits may probably be ancestral Xylariomycetidae having plant-fungal endophytic associations. The Amphisphaeriales remained mostly astromatic with common septate, hyaline ascospores. Stromatic variations may have developed mostly during the Cretaceous period. Brown ascospores are common in Xylariales , but they first appeared in Amphisphaeriaceae , Melogrammataceae and Sporocadaceae during the early Cretaceous. The ascospore germ slits appeared only in Xylariales during the Cretaceous after the divergence of Lopadostomataceae . Hyaline, filiform and apiospores may have appeared as separate lineages providing the basis to Xylariaceae , which may have diverged independently. The future classification of polyphyletic xylarialean taxa will not be based on stromatic variations, but the type of ring, the colour of the ascospores, and the presence or absence of the type of germ slit.

Laburnicola is a genus in Didymosphaeriaceae that includes saprobic and endophytic fungal taxa. The current study conducted in the subalpine region of Uzbekistan discovered a new species on a dead stem of a wild rose plant. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of combined LSU, SSU, ITS, and TEF 1-ɑ dataset confirmed the new species’ taxonomic position in Laburnicola. Our new species, Laburnicola zaaminensis (TASM 6152), was clustered with L. dactylidis (MFLUCC 16-0285) with strong bootstrap support. A detailed description together with illustrations are provided for Laburnicola zaaminensis. Furthermore, an annotated species list, a distribution map, and a taxonomic key for Laburnicola species are provided. This is the first record of Laburnicola from Central Asia.

A novel species Lembosia mimusopis is introduced with evidence from morpho-molecular characterization. It was collected from the leaves of Mimusops elengi in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. The new species is unique in having a mucilaginous sheath surrounding its immature ascospores. LSU sequence analyses phylogenetically support separation of this species from other Lembosia species.

A new species, Pezicula endophytica, was isolated from roots and stems of two Dendrobium species in northern Thailand. Evidence to support the new species is based on morphology and phylogenetic analysis of the combined ITS, LSU, and RPB2 DNA sequence dataset. Pezicula endophytica, which constituted a clade independent from other Pezicula species, has 4% distinct base pair differences in all genes. Pezicula endophytica has larger macroconidia and longer conidiophores compared with phylogenetically neighboring species. This is the first report of an endophytic Pezicula species from Dendrobium in Thailand.

During investigations into freshwater fungi from the Great Mekong Subregion, four Distoseptispora taxa were collected from China and Thailand. Based on morphological characteristics, and phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, ITS, SSU, TEF1-α, and RPB2 sequence data, two new species Distoseptispora bangkokensis and D. lancangjiangensis are introduced, and two known species D. clematidis and D. thysanolaenae were first reported in freshwater habitat. Illustrations and descriptions of these taxa are provided, along with comparisons with extant taxa in the genus.

This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-021-00493-7. Fungi are highly important biotic components of terrestrial ecosystems, but we still have a very limited understanding about their diversity and distribution. This data article releases a global soil fungal dataset of the Global Soil Mycobiome consortium (GSMc) to boost further research in fungal diversity, biogeography and macroecology. The dataset comprises 722,682 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) derived from PacBio sequencing of full-length ITS and 18S-V9 variable regions from 3200 plots in 108 countries on all continents. The plots are supplied with geographical and edaphic metadata. The OTUs are taxonomically and functionally assigned to guilds and other functional groups. The entire dataset has been corrected by excluding chimeras, index-switch artefacts and potential contamination. The dataset is more inclusive in terms of geographical breadth and phylogenetic diversity of fungi than previously published data. The GSMc dataset is available over the PlutoF repository.

This article is the 13th contribution in the Fungal Diversity Notes series, wherein 125 taxa from four phyla, ten classes, 31 orders, 69 families, 92 genera and three genera incertae sedis are treated, demonstrating worldwide and geographic distribution. Fungal taxa described and illustrated in the present study include three new genera, 69 new species, one new combination, one reference specimen and 51 new records on new hosts and new geographical distributions. Three new genera, Cylindrotorula (Torulaceae), Scolecoleotia (Leotiales genus incertae sedis) and Xenovaginatispora (Lindomycetaceae) are introduced based on distinct phylogenetic lineages and unique morphologies. Newly described species are Aspergillus lannaensis, Cercophora dulciaquae, Cladophialophora aquatica, Coprinellus punjabensis, Cortinarius alutarius, C. mammillatus, C. quercoflocculosus, Coryneum fagi, Cruentomycena uttarakhandina, Cryptocoryneum rosae, Cyathus uniperidiolus, Cylindrotorula indica, Diaporthe chamaeropicola, Didymella azollae, Diplodia alanphillipsii, Dothiora coronicola, Efibula rodriguezarmasiae, Erysiphe salicicola, Fusarium queenslandicum, Geastrum gorgonicum, G. hansagiense, Helicosporium sexualis, Helminthosporium chiangraiensis, Hongkongmyces kokensis, Hydrophilomyces hydraenae, Hygrocybe boertmannii, Hyphoderma australosetigerum, Hyphodontia yunnanensis, Khaleijomyces umikazeana, Laboulbenia divisa, Laboulbenia triarthronis, Laccaria populina, Lactarius pallidozonarius, Lepidosphaeria strobelii, Longipedicellata megafusiformis, Lophiotrema lincangensis, Marasmius benghalensis, M. jinfoshanensis, M. subtropicus, Mariannaea camelliae, Melanographium smilaxii, Microbotryum polycnemoides, Mimeomyces digitatus, Minutisphaera thailandensis, Mortierella solitaria, Mucor harpali, Nigrograna jinghongensis, Odontia huanrenensis, O. parvispina, Paraconiothyrium ajrekarii, Parafuscosporella niloticus, Phaeocytostroma yomensis, Phaeoisaria synnematicus, Phanerochaete hainanensis, Pleopunctum thailandicum, Pleurotheciella dimorphospora, Pseudochaetosphaeronema chiangraiense, Pseudodactylaria albicolonia, Rhexoacrodictys nigrospora, Russula paravioleipes, Scolecoleotia eriocamporesi, Seriascoma honghense, Synandromyces makranczyi, Thyridaria aureobrunnea, Torula lancangjiangensis, Tubeufia longihelicospora, Wicklowia fusiformispora, Xenovaginatispora phichaiensis and Xylaria apiospora. One new combination, Pseudobactrodesmium stilboideus is proposed. A reference specimen of Comoclathris permunda is designated. New host or distribution records are provided for Acrocalymma fici, Aliquandostipite khaoyaiensis, Camarosporidiella laburni, Canalisporium caribense, Chaetoscutula juniperi, Chlorophyllum demangei, C. globosum, C. hortense, Cladophialophora abundans, Dendryphion hydei, Diaporthe foeniculina, D. pseudophoenicicola, D. pyracanthae, Dictyosporium pandanicola, Dyfrolomyces distoseptatus, Ernakulamia tanakae, Eutypa flavovirens, E. lata, Favolus septatus, Fusarium atrovinosum, F. clavum, Helicosporium luteosporum, Hermatomyces nabanheensis, Hermatomyces sphaericoides, Longipedicellata aquatica, Lophiostoma caudata, L. clematidis-vitalbae, Lophiotrema hydei, L. neoarundinaria, Marasmiellus palmivorus, Megacapitula villosa, Micropsalliota globocystis, M. gracilis, Montagnula thailandica, Neohelicosporium irregulare, N. parisporum, Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum, Phaeoisaria aquatica, Poaceascoma taiwanense, Saproamanita manicata, Spegazzinia camelliae, Submersispora variabilis, Thyronectria caudata, T. mackenziei, Tubeufia chiangmaiensis, T. roseohelicospora, Vaginatispora nypae, Wicklowia submersa, Xanthagaricus necopinatus and Xylaria haemorrhoidalis. The data presented herein are based on morphological examination of fresh specimens, coupled with analysis of phylogenetic sequence data to better integrate taxa into appropriate taxonomic ranks and infer their evolutionary relationships.

The placement of the dothideomycetous family Teichosporaceae has been controversial. Recent phylogenetic investigations have used a taxonomic lumping approach with the Floricolaceae and its genera have been synonymized under the earlier family name, Teichosporaceae. Intergeneric relationships were therefore obscure and proper generic delimitation was needed in upcoming studies. We here taxonomically revised the family Teichosporaceae based on both morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Teichosporaceae species have immersed or semi-immersed, erumpent to superficial, ostiolate ascomata, cellular or trabeculate pseudoparaphyses, cylindrical to oblong or sub-clavate asci and ellipsoid to oblong or fusiform, cylindric-fusiform or oblong to elliptical, ovoid to clavate, symmetric or asymmetric, initially hyaline or pale brown to dark brown or yellowish brown, 1–3-septate or muriform ascospores. Asexual morphs are coelomycetous. Type or representative specimens of Teichosporaceae were loaned and fresh specimens were collected from China and Thailand. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of a combined ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1-α and rpb2 dataset were performed to clarify the phylogenetic affinities of taxa and examine monophyly of newly proposed genera. One new species (Floricola festucae), one new host record (Ramusculicola thailandica) and four new combinations (Aurantiascoma nephelii, A. quercus, Magnibotryascoma acaciae, M. melanommoides) are introduced. The broad genus concept of Teichospora is dismissed based on morphological dissimilarities and the monophyletic status of the proposed genera. We accept Asymmetrispora, Aurantiascoma, Floricola, Magnibotryascoma, Misturatosphaeria, Pseudoaurantiascoma, Pseudomisturatosphaeria, Ramusculicola and Teichospora as distinct genera in the Teichosporaceae. All recognized genera are phenotypically characterized and phylogenetically well-supported. The phylogenetic placements of three genera (Chaetomastia, Loculohypoxylon and Sinodidymella), which do not have molecular data cannot be conclusively clarified at present, but are still placed in Teichosporaceae for future studies.

Fungi have evolved diverse strategies to acquire nutrients as endophytes, saprobes, symbionts, or pathogens. Appressoria have been intensively studied due to their importance in attaching and breaching the host surface. These specialized infection structures have evolved into various morpho-types: proto-appressoria, hyaline appressoria, melanized (dark) appressoria, and compound appressoria. In this review, we discuss the differences in the formation, differentiation, and function of appressoria among fungi with diverse life strategies. Using DNA sequence information, LSU, 5.8S, SSU and rpb2 gene fragments, we reconstructed the ancestral states for appressorial types in the main phyla of fungi and fungus-like organisms and found that the hyaline appressoria was the most ancestral form. Our analysis estimated proto-appressoria diversification during the Mesozoic period (92–239 million years ago), however, its origin remains inconclusive. Our data suggest that these hyaline appressoria diversified into melanized or compound appressoria, with evidence of adaptive radiation.

Diaporthe forlicesenica nom. nov. is proposed for D. dorycnii Dissan., Camporesi & K.D. Hyde, a later homonym of D. dorycnii (Mont.) Sacc. Diaporthe forlicesenica as well as the species D. goulteri have so far only been described in their asexual morphs. In this study, the sexual morphs for these species are recovered for the first time, from the dead branches of Cytisus sp. in Italy and from an unknown host in Thailand. The asexual-sexual morph connections of the species are confirmed by DNA sequence based phylogenetic analyses including the ITS, tef1, tub2 and his loci, supported by morphology. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and molecular data for the taxa are provided.

During our survey of the diversity of woody litter fungi in China and Thailand, three Hermatomyces species were collected from dead woody twigs of Dipterocarpus sp. (Dipterocarpaceae) and Ehretia acuminata (Boraginaceae). Both morphology and multigene analyses revealed two taxa as new species (Hermatomyces turbinatus and H. jinghaensis) and the remaining collections as new records of H. sphaericus. Hermatomyces turbinatus is characterized by 1) dimorphic conidia, having circular to oval lenticular conidia and 2) turbinate conidia consisting of two columns with two septa composed of 2–3 cells in each column. Hermatomyces jinghaensis is characterized by dimorphic conidia, having circular to oval lenticular conidia and clavate or subcylindrical to cylindrical conidia and consisting of one or two columns with 6–8 cells in each column. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, ITS, tub2, tef1-α and rpb2 sequence data supports the placement of these new taxa within Hermatomycetaceae with high statistical support.

The health and attractiveness of ornamental plants play key role in gardening and horticulture. They affect both the economical and ornamental value of the plants. In this study, we collected and isolated microfungi associated with dead petioles of dwarf date palm and living leaves of lady palm from Zhongkai University Garden, Guangzhou, China. Phylogenetic relationships were investigated based on multi-locus phylogeny of ITS, LSU, SSU and tef-1α sequence data. The morphology of the new collections was compared with all the relevant species. Based on the morphological comparison and multi-locus phylogeny, we introduce Byssosphaeria phoenicis sp. nov. and Pseudocoleophoma rhapidis sp. nov. in Melanommataceae and Dictyosporiaceae, respectively. Detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided with notes discussing allied species in Byssosphaeria and Pseudocoleophoma. Pathogenicity testing of P. rhapidis causing leaf spots on lady palm was proven and Koch’s postulates fulfilled. This is the first phytopathogenic Pseudocoleophoma species. The pathogenicity does not cause dieback, but the leaf spots reduce the aesthetical value of the plants.

During the study of lignicolous freshwater fungi from Thailand, three pleurotheciaceous species were collected from freshwater habitats in Thailand. Two were identified as Pleurothecium aquaticum and Rhexoacrodictys fimicola, and the third is a new species Dematipyriforma muriformis sp. nov.. Rhexoacrodictys is accepted in Pleurotheciaceae based on phylogenetic analysis. Rhexoacrodictys nigrospora is transferred to Dematipyriforma based on phylogenetic analysis and morphological characters. Pleurothecium aquaticum and Rhexoacrodictys fimicola are reported from Thailand for the first time.

Molecular barcoding and morphological characters were used to identify a new saprotrophic species in Pestalotiopsis, which was associated with senescent leaves of Eleutherococcus brachypus (Araliaceae) in Jilin Province, China. The matrix of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α), and β-tubulin (tub2) were used in the maximum likelihood (ML), maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. The new collections formed a distinct clade with Pestalotiopsis lijiangensis. The new species differs from P. lijiangensis by its conidial length/width ratio. Detailed description and micrographs revealed that the species is unique in its olivaceous concolorous median cells and has significantly smaller conidia compared to other related species. The position of the apical appendages of Pestalotiopsis eleutherococci are distinct and are slightly shorter while the basal appendage is slightly longer compared to P. lijiangensis. Therefore, we introduce Pestalotiopsis eleutherococci as a novel species.

In the present study, we report two new asexual fungal species (i.e., Discosia rhododendricola, Neopestalotiopsis rhododendricola (Sporocadaceae) and a new host for a previously described species (i.e., Diaporthe nobilis; Diaporthaceae). All species were isolated from Rhododendron spp. in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. All taxa are described based on morphology, and phylogenetic relationships were inferred using a multigenic approach (LSU, ITS, RPB2, TEF1 and TUB2). The phylogenetic analyses indicated that D. rhododendronicola sp. nov. is phylogenetically related to D. muscicola, and N. rhododendricola sp. nov is related to N. sonnaratae. Diaporthe nobilis is reported herein as a new host record from Rhododendron sp. for China, and its phylogeny is depicted based on ITS, TEF1 and TUB2 sequence data.

Backusella is morphologically and phylogenetically related to Mucor. Previously, due to various morphological similarities, distinction between these two genera was difficult and various Backusella species were classified within Mucor. However, in the last decade, with the advent of molecular phylogeny, the phylogenetic placement of the genus and its representative taxa was stabilised. In this study, a Backusella strain was isolated from soil samples in Thailand. A combination of morphology, phylogeny and physiology was used to characterize it. Phylogenetic analyses using the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and large subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (28S) genetic markers showed that the isolate is sister to Backusella gigacellularis. The new isolate is characterised by the production of simple or sympodially branched sporangiophores bearing a terminal sporangium. Columellae of sporangia are ellipsoidal, oblong to cylindrical, pyriform, and conical, often constricted in the centre. Sporangiola are globose to subglobose, often produced in short sympodially branched sporophores containing 4–8 sporangiospores each. The isolate grows on a relatively narrow temperature range of 15 °C–28 °C. The results of the three approaches indicated the novelty of the species. This is the first record of Backusella in Thailand.

Sclerococcum is a species rich lichenicolous genus in Ascomycota. However, many species of Sclerococcum have been described based only on morphology. This study provides sequences for the large-subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and mitochondrial small-subunit ribosomal RNA (mtSSU) for the first time for Sclerococcum simplex, and the first geographical record of the genus from China. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that S. simplex clustered within Sclerococcum sensu stricto while the genus was recovered as paraphyletic in Dactylosporaceae. Our asexual specimen of Sclerococcum simplex was collected on a corticolous Pertusaria thallus. The taxonomic affinity of Sclerococcum simplex is investigated based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence.

Camarosporidiella specimens collected from woody plants in central Italy, eastern Ukraine, and southeastern Russia were identified based on morphology and multi-gene (LSU, SSU, ITS, and TEF) sequence analyses. Camarosporidiella caraganicola on Amorpha fruticosa, C. celtidis on Ulmus pumila, C. elaeagnicola on Cytisus ruthenicus are described with new host records and as new fungal records for Ukraine. Camarosporidiella moricola on Morus nigra is newly reported for Italy, and C. robiniicola on Robinia pseudoacacia is new for Ukraine. Camarosporidiella elaeagnicola on Elaeagnus angustifolia is re-described to facilitate identification. Notes on host distribution of Camarosporidiellaceae are also provided.

Biodiversity loss from disturbances caused by human activities means that species are disappearing at an ever increasing rate. The high number of species that have yet to be described have generated extreme crisis to the taxonomist. Therefore, more than in any other era, effective ways to discover and delimitate species are needed. This paper reviews the historically foremost approaches used to delimit species in Ascomycota, the most speciose phylum of Fungi. These include morphological, biological, and phylogenetic species concepts. We argue that a single property to delineate species boundaries has various defects and each species concept comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Recently the rate of species discovery has increased because of the advancement of phylogenetic approaches. However, traditional phylogenetic methods with few gene regions lack species-level resolution, and do not allow unambiguous conclusions. We detail the processes that affect gene tree heterogeneity, which acts as barriers to delimiting species boundaries in classical low-rank phylogenies. So far, limited insights were given to the DNA-based methodologies to establish well-supported boundaries among fungal species. In addition to reviewing concepts and methodologies used to delimit species, we present a case study. We applied different species delimitation methods to understand species boundaries in the plant pathogenic and cryptic genus Phyllosticta (Dothideomycetes, Botryosphaeriales). Several DNA-based methods over-split the taxa while in some methods several taxa fall into a single species. These problems can be resolved by using multiple loci and coalescence-based methods. Further, we discuss integrative approaches that are crucial for understanding species boundaries within Ascomycota and provide several examples for ideal and pragmatic approaches of species delimitation.

Species delimitation is one of the most fundamental processes in biology. Biodiversity undertakings, for instance, require explicit species concepts and criteria for species delimitation in order to be relevant and translatable. However, a perfect species concept does not exist for Fungi. Here, we review the species concepts commonly used in Basidiomycota, the second largest phylum of Fungi that contains some of the best known species of mushrooms, rusts, smuts, and jelly fungi. In general, best practice is to delimitate species, publish new taxa, and conduct taxonomic revisions based on as many independent lines of evidence as possible, that is, by applying a so-called unifying (or integrative) conceptual framework. However, the types of data used vary considerably from group to group. For this reason we discuss the different classes of Basidiomycota, and for each provide: (i) a general introduction with difficulties faced in species recognition, (ii) species concepts and methods for species delimitation, and (iii) community recommendations and conclusions.

Scientific names are crucial for communicating knowledge concerning fungi and fungus-like organisms. In plant pathology, they link information regarding biology, host range, distribution and potential risk to agriculture and food security. In the past, delimitation among pathogenic taxa was primarily based on morphological characteristics. Due to distinct species sharing overlapping characteristics, the morphological identification of species is often neither straightforward nor reliable. Hence, the phylogenetic species concept based on molecular phylogenetic reconstructions gained importance. The present opinion discusses what a fungal species is and how identification of species in plant pathology has changed over the past decades. In this context, host-specialization and species complexes are discussed. Furthermore, species concepts in plant pathology are examined using case studies from Bipolaris, Colletotrichum, Curvularia, Diaporthe, Diplodia, Meliola, Plasmopara, rust fungi and Trichoderma. Each entry contains a brief introduction to the genus, concepts used in species identification so far and the problems in describing a species followed by recommendations. The importance of correctly naming and identifying a species is addressed in the context of recent introductions, and we also discuss whether the introduction of new species in pathogenic genera has been overestimated. We also provide guidelines to be considered when introducing a new species in a plant pathogenic genus.

In plant pathology, the correct naming of a species is essential for determining the causal agents of disease. Species names not only serve the general purpose of concise communication, but also are critical for effective plant quarantine, preventing the introduction of new pathogens into a territory. Many phytopathogenic genera have multiple species and, in several genera, disagreements between the multiple prevailing species concept definitions result in numerous cryptic species. Some of these species were previously called by various names; forma speciales (specialised forms), subspecies, or pathotypes. However, based on new molecular evidence they are being assigned into new species. The frequent name changes and lack of consistent criteria to delineate cryptic species, species, subspecies, forms, and races create increasing confusion, often making communication among biologists arduous. Furthermore, such ambiguous information can convey misleading evolutionary concepts and species boundaries. The aim of this paper is to review these concepts, clarify their use, and evaluate them by referring to existing examples. We specifically address the question, “Do plant pathogens require a different ranking system?” We conclude that it is necessary to identify phytopathogens to species level based on data from multiple approaches. Furthermore, this identification must go beyond species level to clearly classify hitherto known subspecies, forms and races. In addition, when naming phytopathogenic genera, plant pathologists should provide more information about geographic locations and host ranges as well as host specificities for individual species, cryptic species, forms or races. When describing a new phytopathogen, we suggest that authors provide at least three representative strains together with pathogenicity test results. If Koch’s postulates cannot be fulfilled, it is necessary to provide complementary data such as associated disease severity on the host plant. Moreover, more sequenced collections of species causing diseases should be published in order to stabilise the boundaries of cryptic species, species, subspecies, forms, and races.

This is the opening paper in the special issue of Fungal Diversity, which collates the data on defining species. Defining and recognizing species has long been a controversial issue. Since Darwin's proposed origin of species, over 30 species criteria have been brought forth and used to define species boundaries. In recent times, phylogenetic analyses based on multiple loci have been extensively used as a method to define species boundaries. However, only a few mycologists are aware that phylogenetic species criteria can mask discordances among fungal groups, leading to inaccurately defined species boundaries. In the current review, we discuss species recognition criteria, how and where these criteria can be applied along with their limitations and derived alternatives. In order to delimit fungal species, authors need to take into account not only the phylogenetic and phenotypic coherence, but also the timing of events that lead to fungal speciation and subsequent diversifications. Variations in the rate of phenotypic diversifications and convergent fungal evolution make it difficult to establish a universal species recognition criterion. The best practice can only be defined in the context of each fungal group. In this review, we provide a set of guidelines, encouraging an integrative taxonomic approach for species delimitation that can be used to define fungal species boundaries in the future. The other papers in this special issue deal with fungal speciation in Ascomycota, Dothideomycetes, Basidiomycota, basal fungi, lichen-forming fungi, plant pathogenic fungi, and yeasts.

The species is one of the basic units of biological classification. Both species concepts and recognition are essential topics in taxonomic studies and other biological research. In the first part of this review, we briefly discuss the taxonomic history of the class Dothideomycetes. In the second part of the paper, we review four commonly used species concepts, focusing on morphological, ecological, biological and phylogenetic criteria and their applicability in the taxonomy of Dothideomycetes. The application and utility of the four criteria is discussed with examples in the genera Ascochyta, Cercospora and Neofusicoccum. Some problems and challenges of studying Dothideomycetes are analyzed and basic guidelines for classifying species under the above criteria are provided.

This article provides descriptions and illustrations of microfungi associated with the leaf litter of Celtis formosana, Ficus ampelas, F. septica, Macaranga tanarius and Morus australis collected from Taiwan. These host species are native to the island and Celtis formosana is an endemic tree species. The study revealed 95 species, consisting of two new families (Cylindrohyalosporaceae and Oblongohyalosporaceae), three new genera (Cylindrohyalospora, Neodictyosporium and Oblongohyalospora), 41 new species and 54 new host records. The newly described species are Acrocalymma ampeli (Acrocalymmaceae), Arthrinium mori (Apiosporaceae), Arxiella celtidis (Muyocopronaceae), Bertiella fici (Melanommataceae), Cercophora fici (Lasiosphaeriaceae), Colletotrichum celtidis, C. fici, C. fici-septicae (Glomerellaceae), Conidiocarpus fici-septicae (Capnodiaceae), Coniella fici (Schizoparmaceae), Cylindrohyalospora fici (Cylindrohyalosporaceae), Diaporthe celtidis, D. fici-septicae (Diaporthaceae), Diaporthosporella macarangae (Diaporthosporellaceae), Diplodia fici-septicae (Botryosphaeriaceae), Discosia celtidis, D. fici (Sporocadaceae), Leptodiscella sexualis (Muyocopronaceae), Leptospora macarangae (Phaeosphaeriaceae), Memnoniella alishanensis, M. celtidis, M. mori (Stachybotryaceae), Micropeltis fici, M. ficina (Micropeltidaceae), Microthyrium fici-septicae (Microthyriaceae), Muyocopron celtidis, M. ficinum, Mycoleptodiscus alishanensis (Muyocopronaceae), Neoanthostomella fici (Xylariales genera incertae sedis), Neodictyosporium macarangae (Sordariales genera incertae sedis), Neofusicoccum moracearum (Botryosphaeriaceae), Neophyllachora fici (Phyllachoraceae), Nigrospora macarangae (Apiosporaceae), Oblongohyalospora macarangae (Oblongohyalosporaceae), Ophioceras ficinum (Ophioceraceae), Parawiesneriomyces chiayiensis (Wiesneriomycetaceae), Periconia alishanica, P. celtidis (Periconiaceae), Pseudocercospora fici-septicae (Mycosphaerellaceae), Pseudoneottiospora cannabacearum (Chaetosphaeriaceae) and Pseudopithomyces mori (Didymosphaeriaceae). The new host records are Alternaria burnsii, A. pseudoeichhorniae (Pleosporaceae), Arthrinium hydei, A. malaysianum, A. paraphaeospermum, A. rasikravindrae, A. sacchari (Apiosporaceae), Bartalinia robillardoides (Sporocadaceae), Beltrania rhombica (Beltraniaceae), Cladosporium tenuissimum (Cladosporiaceae), Coniella quercicola (Schizoparmaceae), Dematiocladium celtidicola (Nectriaceae), Diaporthe limonicola, D. millettiae, D. pseudophoenicicola (Diaporthaceae), Dictyocheirospora garethjonesii (Dictyosporiaceae), Dimorphiseta acuta (Stachybotryaceae), Dinemasporium parastrigosum (Chaetosphaeriaceae), Discosia querci (Sporocadaceae), Fitzroyomyces cyperacearum (Stictidaceae), Gilmaniella bambusae (Ascomycota genera incertae sedis), Hermatomyces biconisporus (Hermatomycetaceae), Lasiodiplodia thailandica, L. theobromae (Botryosphaeriaceae), Memnoniella echinata (Stachybotryaceae), Muyocopron dipterocarpi, M. lithocarpi (Muyocopronaceae), Neopestalotiopsis asiatica, N. phangngaensis (Sporocadaceae), Ophioceras chiangdaoense (Ophioceraceae), Periconia byssoides (Periconiaceae), Pestalotiopsis dracaenea, P. formosana, P. neolitseae, P. papuana, P. parva, P. portugallica, P. trachycarpicola (Sporocadaceae), Phragmocapnias betle (Capnodiaceae), Phyllosticta capitalensis (Phyllostictaceae), Pseudopestalotiopsis camelliae-sinensis (Sporocadaceae), Pseudopithomyces chartarum, P. sacchari (Didymosphaeriaceae), Pseudorobillarda phragmitis (Pseudorobillardaceae), Robillarda roystoneae (Sporocadaceae), Sirastachys castanedae, S. pandanicola (Stachybotryaceae), Spegazzinia musae (Didymosphaeriaceae), Stachybotrys aloeticola, S. microspora (Stachybotryaceae), Strigula multiformis (Strigulaceae), Torula fici (Torulaceae), Wiesneriomyces laurinus (Wiesneriomycetaceae) and Yunnanomyces pandanicola (Sympoventuriaceae). The taxonomic placement of most taxa discussed in this study is based on morphological observation of specimens, coupled with multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of sequence data. In addition, this study provides a host-fungus database for future studies and increases knowledge of fungal diversity, as well as new fungal discoveries from the island.

Twenty-one strains of Arthrinium were cultured from leaf samples of ten medicinal plant hosts in Yunnan Province, China. Morphological and multi-locus ITS+TUB+TEF1 sequence analyses revealed that the strains represented two previously described species (A. paraphaeospermum and A. rasikravindrae) and two new species: Arthrinium cordylines, which produces subglobose conidia that are shorter and wider than A. aureum but larger than A. hydei, and Arthrinium pseudomarii, which produces subglobose to ellipsoid conidia narrower than A. hispanicum, A. marii, and A. mediterranei.

Neofusicoccum species are endophytes, saprobes and opportunistic pathogens of many economic and ornamental plants. There are few reports of Neofusicoccum species are available to be associated with orchids worldwide. In this study, five endophytic Neofusicoccum strains were isolated from Dendrobium orchid leaves and stems in southwestern China and northern Thailand. Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the combined partial nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial RNA polymerase Ⅱ second largest subunit (RPB2), part of the translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1α) and beta-tubulin (TUB2) dataset revealed that these isolates belong to two species Neofusicoccum occulatum and N. parvum. This is the first record of Neofusicoccum occulatum associated with Dendrobium chrysanthum while N. parvum associated with D. harveyanum and D. moschatum.

Austropleospora is a genus of Didymosphaeriaceae with only three extant species. A survey of saprobic ascomycetes in Guizhou Province, China, discovered a new Austropleospora species on dead twigs in a terrestrial habitat. The molecular phylogeny based on a combined SSU-LSU-tef1-ITS DNA sequence dataset confirmed the new species’ taxonomic position in Austropleospora. Austropleospora ochracea sp. nov. is characterized by globose to subglobose and uni-loculate ascoma with a centric short papilla, brown to dark brown peridium with cells of textura angularis to textura prismatica and conical, comparatively smaller ascospores with narrowly rounded polar ends. The new taxon is compared with similar species in Austropleospora, and its taxonomic status is briefly discussed.

A Kirschsteiniothelia species was found on decayed twigs of Ficus microcarpa collected at the Garden of Medicinal Plants in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU and SSU sequence data showed the new isolate was phylogenetically distinct from other known species of Kirschsteiniothelia. Accordingly, Kirschsteiniothelia thailandica sp. nov. is described and illustrated and compared with other species in the genus.

Colletotrichum is one of the most important plant pathogenic genera that is responsible for numerous diseases which can have a profound impact on the agricultural sector. Species delineation is difficult due to a lack of distinctive phenotypic variation. Therefore, in this study three different genomic approaches based on phylogenetic, evolutionary and coalescent-based methods are applied to establish robust species boundaries. The reliability of five different DNA barcodes was also assessed to provide further insights into species delineation. The ITS region can resolve the placement of taxa up to the species complex level. The GAPDH and TUB2 markers are determined to be the most informative for most complexes. However, no single marker could discriminate between species in all complexes, therefore different molecular approaches based on multi-locus datasets are recommended. This is the first study to provide an estimated divergence time for all species complexes in Colletotrichum. The estimated divergence time for species complexes ranged between 4.8 to 32.2 MYA. Based on the high level of congruent results obtained from the different molecular approaches, a new species complex, the Colletotrichum agaves complex is introduced. This complex consists of five taxa which are characterised by the presence of straight or slightly curved conidia with obtuse apices. This study shows that coalescent approaches and multi-locus phylogeny are crucial to establish species boundaries in Colletotrichum. The taxonomic placement of three singleton taxa Colletotrichum axonopodi, C. cariniferi and C. parallelophorum is revised. We accept 248 species and provide recommendations regarding species boundaries in the graminicola–caudatum complex.