Morpho-phylogenetic evidence reveals novel Bambusicolous fungi from Guizhou Province, China

Abstract

The diversity and ecological importance of fungi associated with bamboo ecosystems are increasingly recognized, as these fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and bamboo decomposition. This study identified five ascomycetous species from decaying bamboo stems in Guizhou, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on a concatenated dataset of SSU, ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tef1-α sequences confirmed their placement within the family Bambusicolaceae. Three new species, Bambusicolapseudodimorphae, Bambusicolagelatinosospora, and Bambusicolaellipsospora, are described as new to science, while two previously known species, Bambusicolaautumnalis and Corylicolaitalica, are also reported. Notably, this study provides the first account of the asexual morph of Bambusicolaautumnalis, and Corylicolaitalica is newly recorded from China. Comprehensive morphological descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic assessments are presented, contributing to the expanding knowledge of fungi. These findings underscore the importance of continued exploration of fungal diversity in bamboo ecosystems.

Keywords: 3 new taxa; Bambusicolaceae; multi-gene; phylogeny; taxonomy.

Figure 1.

Phylogram generated from maximum likelihood analysis based on a combined dataset of SSU, ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tef1-α sequences. Bootstrap support values for ML (≥75%) and bayesian posterior probabilities (≥0.95) are given at the nodes (ML BS/PP). Branches with 100% ML BS and 1.00 PP are thickened. New strains are shown in red. The tree is rooted with Sulcatisporaberchemiae KT1607 and Sulcatisporaacerina KT2982, and ex-type strains are in bold.

Figure 2.

Bambusicolaellipsospora (HKAS 112592, holotype) A, B appearance of ascomata on the host C vertical section of an ascoma D peridium E pseudoparaphyses F, G cultures on PDAF from above G from below H–L asci M–Q ascospores. Scale bars: 100 µm (C); 10 µm (D, E, M–Q); 20 µm (H–L).

Figure 3.

Bambusicolagelatinosospora (HKAS 112599, holotype) A, B appearance of ascomata on the host C vertical section of an ascoma D pseudoparaphyses E germinated ascospores F, G cultures on PDAF from above G from below H–L asci M–Q ascospores. Scale bars:100 µm (C); 30 µm (E); 20 µm (H–L); 15 µm (D, M–Q).

Figure 4.

Bambusicolapseudodimorphae (HKAS 112597, holotype) A, B conidiomata on the host C vertical section of a conidioma D germinated conidium E, F cultures on PDAE from above F from below G−K conidiogenous cells and developing conidia L−P conidia. Scale bars: 100 µm (C); 20 µm (D); 5 µm (G−I); 10 µm (J−P).

Figure 5.

Reproduced Bambusicolapseudodimorphae (CGMCC 3.20353, ex-type) A, B colony on PDAC−F conidiogenous cells with conidia G−J macroconidia K microconidia. Scale bars: 10 µm (C−K).

Figure 6.

Bambusicolaautumnalis (HKAS 112598) A, B appearance of ascomata on the host C pseudoparaphyses D vertical section of an ascoma E peridium F germinated ascospore G, H cultures on PDAG from above H from below I–M asci N–R ascospores. Scale bars: 100 µm (D); 25 µm (E, F); 20 µm (I–M); 15 µm (C, N–R).

Figure 7.

Reproduced Bambusicolaautumnalis (CGMCC 3.20354) A, B colony on PDAC−F conidiogenous cells with macroconidia G−K macroconidia L−N conidiogenous cells with microconidia O microconidia. Scale bars: 10 µm (C−O).

Figure 8.

Corylicolaitalica (GZAAS 21-0243) A, B appearance of ascomata on host C vertical section of an ascoma D peridium E germinated ascospore F pseudoparaphyses G−J asci K−N ascospores. Scale bars: 50 µm (C); 10 µm (D−J); 5 µm (K−N).