Melomastia (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) species associated with Chinese Aquilaria spp.

This study is based on three terrestrial saprobic fungi associated with Aquilaria in Guangdong and Yunnan provinces in China. All isolated species matched with generic concepts of Melomastia . Detailed morphological characteristics and combined multigene phylogeny of LSU, SSU, and TEF revealed that the new isolates represent two new species ( Melomastiaguangdongensis and M.yunnanensis ), and one new host and geographical record ( M.sinensis ). Melomastiaguangdongensis is distinct from the phylogenetically closest species in having semi-immersed to immersed, globose to subglobose ascomata, and two strata of the peridium. Melomastiayunnanensis differs from the phylogenetically closest species in having immersed ascomata, conical ostiolar canals, and branched pseudoparaphyses. The discovery of these two new species and one new record collected expands the number of saprobic species associated with Aquilaria from 28 to 31. Descriptions, photo plates, and phylogenetic analyses of taxa are provided.
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
(Tian-Ye Du, Samantha C. Karunarathna, Saowaluck Tibpromma, Kevin D. Hyde, Somrudee Nilthong, Ausana Mapook, Xiang-Fu Liu, Dong-Qin Dai, Chen Niu, Abdallah M. Elgorban, Ekachai Chukeatirote, Hao-Han Wang.)