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Article

Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Insights into Novel Ascomycota from Forest Woody Litter

by
Dhanushka N. Wanasinghe
1,2,* and
Peter E. Mortimer
1,2,*
1
Center for Mountain Futures, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Honghe 654400, China
2
Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biology 2022, 11(6), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11060889
Submission received: 17 March 2022 / Revised: 2 June 2022 / Accepted: 7 June 2022 / Published: 9 June 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Species Diversity and Phylogeny of Ascomycota (Fungi))

Abstract

:

Simple Summary

Studies suggest that fungi belonging to Ascomycota are sensitive to environmental changes which are disrupting ecosystems globally, with numerous extinction events, imbuing fungal diversity research with a sense of urgency. Thus, it is crucial we assess the diversity of Ascomycota across different habitats and substrates, and include programs to seek out novel taxa within Ascomycota. Our study provides some insights into the woody-based saprotrophic microfungi in Yunnan, China by introducing two novel Ascomycota species. Furthermore, these species were discovered by a 5-year-old boy, thus highlighting how young enthusiasts can be involved in field studies and make a significant impact.

Abstract

While surveying the mycobiomes of dead woody litter in Yunnan Province, China, numerous isolates with affinity to Pleosporales (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) were recovered. The present work characterizes two species associated with dead woody twigs found in terrestrial habitats in the Kunming area of Yunnan. The novel taxa were recognized based on a polyphasic approach, including morphological examination and multiple gene phylogenetic analyses (non-translated loci and protein-coding regions). Neokalmusia jonahhulmei sp. nov. is introduced in Didymosphaeriaceae (Pleosporales) as a woody-based saprobic ascomycete that possesses multiloculate ascostromata immersed under a black clypeus-like structure, and three-septate, brown, fusiform, guttulate ascospores. Thyridaria jonahhulmei (Thyridariaceae) is introduced with teleomorphic and anamorphic (coelomycetous) characteristics. The teleomorph has the following characteristics: globose to subglobose ascomata with an ostiolum, a pruinose layer of yellow to reddish- or orange-brown material appearing around the top of the ostiolar necks, and brown, ellipsoid to fusoid, two-to-three-septate, euseptate, rough-walled ascospores; the anamorph features pycnidial conidiomata, phialidic, ampulliform to doliiform, conidiogenous cells, and brown, guttulate, ellipsoidal, aseptate conidia.

1. Introduction

Forest ecosystems produce a large quantity of litter in various forms, such as leaves, branches, twigs, inflorescence, and other debris. Plant litter maintains pathways involved in nutrient cycling that are crucial to forest productivity [1,2,3,4,5,6]. A great proportion of total forest carbon (C) is contained in these woody debris, providing habitats for thousands of organisms, including fungi. Fungi play a critical role in the decomposition of woody litter as they are capable of actively decomposing lignin and other recalcitrant components found in these materials. However, comprehensive studies of the fungal taxonomic systematics of woody litter are scarce.
Most of the described woody-based fungal species lack biological and ecological information and reliable taxonomic status. Researchers have paid more attention to economic species, such as those producing edible mushrooms, and less attention to the narrowly distributed microfungal species responsible for the decomposition and recycling of woody material. However, in recent years, there have been numerous studies into woody-based microfungal occurrences in Yunnan Province, leading to reports of higher microfungal diversity, especially in Dothideomycetes [7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16]. At the Centre for Mountain Futures (Kunming Institute of Botany), researchers are investigating microfungal diversity across several substrates in southwest China, including leaf and woody litter, in order to clarify their taxonomy using morphology in conjunction with multigene phylogeny. Accordingly, we have isolated ascomycetes (Pleosporales) from woody litter, collected in a Pinus yunnanensis forest in Yunnan Province (Kunming), China (Figure 1). This study assesses the systematic categorization of two taxonomic novelties in Neokalmusia and Thyridaria, assesses morphological characteristics on natural substrates and in cultures, and conducts phylogenetic analyses.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Isolates and Specimens

During fieldwork in the Kunming region, Yunnan, China, characteristic black ascomata/conidiomata on dead woody twigs were collected during the dry season. The local environment features mixed forests (predominantly Fagaceae and Pinus spp., with Pinus yunnanensis being the most abundant tree species) (Figure 1) and a humid temperate climate at elevation 2080 masl. Specimens were stored in Ziploc plastic bags and taken to the laboratory. Isolations were made from single ascospores, according to the methods of Wanasinghe et al. [11]. Voucher specimens were preserved in the herbarium of the Kunming Institute of Botany (KUN-HKAS), and the living cultures were placed in the Culture Collection of Kunming Institute of Botany (KUMCC), Kunming, China. Nomenclatural novelties were deposited in MycoBank as outlined in http://www.MycoBank.org (accessed on 17 March 2022).

2.2. Morphological Observations

Examination of external structures of the fungal specimens were made using a Motic SMZ 168 Series stereo-microscope (Motic Asia, Kowloon, Hong Kong). Micro-morphological characters were examined and evaluated following the protocols provided by Wanasinghe et al. [10]. Macroscopic images of colonies were documented using an iPhone XS Max (Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA, USA) with daylight. Photoplates and images were processed using Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Adobe Systems, San Jose, CA, USA).

2.3. DNA Extraction, PCR Amplifications and Sequencing

The genomic DNA of each isolate was extracted from scraped mycelia following Wanasinghe et al. [10] using the Biospin Fungus Genomic DNA Extraction Kit-BSC14S1 (BioFlux, Shanghai, China). Primers for PCR amplification used were ITS (internal transcribed spacers) = ITS5/ITS4 [17], LSU (partial 28S large subunit rDNA) = LR0R/LR5 [18,19], SSU (partial 18S small subunit rDNA) = NS1/NS4 [17], tef1 (translation elongation factor 1-α) = EF1-983F/EF1-2218R [20,21], and rpb2 (RNA polymerase II second largest subunit) = fRPB2-5f/fRPB2-7cR [22]. The PCR protocols were programmed as described in The PCR protocols of SSU, LSU, ITS, and tef1 and were programmed as described in Wanasinghe et al. [11]. The PCR amplification condition of rpb2 was set as denaturation at 98 °C for 2 min, followed by 35 cycles of denaturation at 98 °C for 10 s, annealing at 52 °C for 10 s, and extension at 72 °C for 20 s, with a final extension step at 72 °C for 5 min. DNA sequencing were performed at a private company for sequencing (BGI, Ltd., Shenzhen, China).

2.4. Molecular Phylogenetic Analyses

2.4.1. Sequencing and Sequence Alignment

Sequences generated from SSU, LSU, ITS, tef1, and rpb2 were first used for BLASTn analyses. Based on BLAST similarities and relevant publications [23,24,25], closely related sequences were downloaded from GenBank (Table 1 and Table 2). Loci were aligned using MAFFT v. 7 [26,27]) under default conditions. Final improvements were made when necessary using BioEdit v.7.0.5.2 software [28].

2.4.2. Phylogenetic Analyses

The single-gene data sets were examined for topological incongruence among loci for members of the analyses. The conflict-free single alignments for each locus were combined into a multi-locus dataset. Concatenated alignment was used to construct maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian (BI) phylogenetic analyses. MrModeltest v. 2.3 [29] was used under the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) implemented in PAUP v. 4.0b10 to determine the evolutionary models for Bayesian and maximum-likelihood analyses.
The CIPRES webportal [30] was used to execute RAxML [31] and Bayesian analyses [32]. RAxML-HPC2 on XSEDE v. 8.2.10 [30] was used with default parameters and 1000 bootstrap repetitions to construct the ML analysis.
MrBayes analyses were performed setting GTR+I+G as the evolutionary model, with 2 M generations, sampling every 1000 generations, ending the run automatically when standard deviations of split frequencies dropped below 0.01, and with a burnin fraction of 0.25. ML bootstrap values equal or greater than 70% and BYPP greater than 0.95 are given above each node of every tree.
FigTree v1.4.0 program [33] was used to visualize the phylogenetic trees and reorganized in Microsoft Power Point (2007). The finalized datasets and trees were submitted to TreeBASE, submission ID: 29569 (http://purl.org/phylo/treebase/phylows/study/TB2:S29569 (accessed on 17 March 2022)).

3. Results

3.1. Phylogenetic Analyses

Two analyses were performed in this study. The first is a phylogenetic overview of the genera treated in Didymosphaeriaceae (Figure 2), while the remaining alignment represents the genera in Thyridariaceae (Figure 3). Other details related to both ML and BI analyses from Didymosphaeriaceae and Thyridariaceae datasets are presented in Table 3.

3.2. Taxonomy

Pleosporales Luttr. ex M.E. Barr, Prodromus to class Loculoascomycetes: 67 (1987)
Didymosphaeriaceae Munk, Dansk botanisk Arkiv 15 (2): 128 (1953)
Neokalmusia Ariyaw. & K.D. Hyde, Fungal Diversity 68: 92 (2014)
Neokalmusia jonahhulmei Wanas. & Mortimer sp. nov. (Figure 4)
MycoBank: MB843400
Etymology: The epithet is derived from Jonah Hulme Mortimer, who is the collector of this fungus.
Holotype: HKAS122910
Saprobic on dead bamboo culms. Teleomorph: Ascomata 200–300 μm high × 1200–1500 µm diam. (M = 180 × 1400 µm, n = 5), scattered or in groups, immersed under a black clypeus-like structure, composed of host epidermis and fungal mycelium, hemispherical, dark brown to black, multi-loculate. Locules 100–170 μm high, 150–280 μm diam. (M = 137.6 × 217.8 µm, n = 5), immersed within ascostromata, dark brown to black, subglobose to ampulliform, ostiolate. Peridium 10–12 μm wide at the base, 15–30 μm wide at the sides, comprising several layers; outer layers dark brown to brown, with compressed cells of textura angularis; inner layers hyaline, with compressed pseudoparenchymatous cells, arranged in textura angularis. Hamathecium contains 2–3 μm wide, branched, septate, cellular pseudoparaphyses. Asci 65–85 × 10–15 μm (M = 72.8 × 11.8 μm, n = 15), eight-spored, bitunicate, cylindrical to clavate, curved, short pedicel with slightly furcate ends, apically rounded. Ascospores 15–17 × 6–7 μm (M = 15.5 × 6.4 µm, n = 30), bi-seriate, overlapping and are initially hyaline, turning brown at maturity, fusiform, three-transversely septate, slightly curved, constricted at the septa, conically rounded at the ends, and smooth-walled, guttulated, without a distinct mucilaginous sheath. Anamorph: undetermined.
Culture characteristics: colonies reaching 4 cm diameter on PDA after 2 weeks at 20 °C. Mycelium dense, circular, slightly raised, smooth on surface and undulated floccose edge. Colony grey at the centre and coffee brown near margin from the top and dark brown at the bottom. Hyphae septate, branched, hyaline, thin, and smooth-walled.
Known distribution: Yunnan, China, on dead woody litter.
Material examined: China, Yunnan, Kunming, Wuhua, 25.131198 N, 102.590770 E, 2080 m, on dead bamboo culms (Phyllostachys sp.), 20 March 2021, Jonah Hulme Mortimer, PEM03-6-2-1 (HKAS122910, holotype), ex-holotype culture, KUMCC 21-0818. ibid. 25.131178 N, 102.590749 E, PEM03-6-2-4 (HKAS122911), living culture, KUMCC 21-0819.
Notes: The new fungus was collected from dead bamboo culms in Kunming. It is characterized as a typical Neokalmusia taxon based on its immersed, hemispherical multi-loculate ascomata under a black clypeus-like structure, bitunicate, clavate, apically rounded asci and bi-seriate, fusiform, brown ascospores with transverse septa [34]. It has a close phylogenetic affinity to Neokalmusia brevispora (KT 2313, KT 1466) and N. kunmingensis (KUMCC 18-0120), with 100 MLB and 1.00 BYPP support values (Figure 2). Neokalmusia brevispora and N. kunmingensis are reported as saprobes from Japan on the Sasa sp. and on dead bamboo culms in China, respectively [34,35,36]. These three species are morphologically similar with few dimensional differences in asci and ascospores. Neokalmusia brevispora has comparatively larger asci and ascospores (80–118 × 10.5–15 μm; 18–26.5 × 4–7 μm [34]) than N. kunmingensis (63–77 × 9.6–11.4 μm; 13–15 × 4–5 μm [36]) and our new collection (65–85 × 10–15 μm; 15–17 × 6–7 μm, this study). Further comparison of the ITS regions reveals Neokalmusia brevispora and N. kunmingensis feature nucleotide differences from N. jonahhulmei of 66/695 (9.5%) and 55/560 (9.8%), respectively. Comparison of the tef1 nucleotides of Neokalmusia brevispora and N. kunmingensis with our new strains revealed nucleotide differences of 31/917 (3.4%) and 26/904 (2.9%), respectively. The rpb2 region is not available for Neokalmusia brevispora and N. kunmingensis for comparison with our new species. This is the first time rpb2 sequence data for a Neokalmusia species have been provided (Table 1).
Ariyawansa et al. [34] established Neokalmusia to accommodate N. brevispora and N. scabrispora, which are characterized by immersed and subglobose to oblong ascomata with multiple perithecia, thin-walled clypeus-like structure, and verrucose ascospores. These two were found on dead culms of Sasa and Phyllostachys species in Japan, respectively [34,35]. Subsequent studies added four other species viz. N. arundinis (Italy) [37], N. didymospora (Thailand) [38], N kunmingensis (China) [36], and N. thailandica (Thailand) [37]. In this study, we introduce the seventh species in the genus from Phyllostachys species in China. All specimens of these species were obtained from dead culms of Bambusoideae (Poaceae) in China, Italy, Japan, and Thailand; therefore, Neokalmusia appear to be saprobic on bambusicolous hosts in temperate to tropical environments.
Thyridariaceae Q. Tian & K.D. Hyde, Fungal Diversity 63 (1): 254 (2013)
Thyridaria Sacc., Grevillea 4 (29): 21 (1875)
Thyridaria jonahhulmei Wanas. & Mortimer sp. nov. (Figure 5 and Figure 6)
MycoBank: MB843401
Etymology: The epithet is derived from Jonah Hulme Mortimer, who is the collector of this fungus.
Holotype: HKAS122912
Saprobic on dead twigs of Fagaceae sp. Teleomorph: Ascomata 550–750 μm high, 200–300 μm diam. (M = 679.3 × 256.4 µm, n = 5), solitary or gregarious, immersed, coriaceous, heavily pigmented, globose to subglobose, ostiolate, yellow to reddish- or orange-brown pruinose layer forming around the apices of the ostiolar necks. Ostiole 100–150 μm long, 40–70 μm diam. (M = 121.1 × 57.8 µm, n = 5), central papillate, comprising hyaline periphyses. Peridium 15–25 μm wide, wider at the apex (60–70 μm), composed with two layers, with outer stratum comprising pale brown to brown, compressed, thick-walled cells of textura angularis, fused with the host tissues, and inner stratum multi-layered and composed with lightly pigmented to hyaline cells of textura angularis. Hamathecium comprised of 2–2.5 μm wide, branched, septate, cellular pseudoparaphyses, situated between and above the asci, embedded in a gelatinous matrix. Asci 150–200 × 18–22 μm (M = 170.2 × 20.1 μm, n = 25), eight-spored, bitunicate, fissitunicate, cylindrical to cylindric-clavate, long pedicellate (30–60 μm), and apex rounded with an ocular chamber. Ascospores 25–35 × 8–12.5 μm (M = 29.3 × 9.7 µm, n = 30), one-to-two-seriate, overlapping, and pale or yellowish brown when young, turning yellowish brown to brown at maturity, narrowly ellipsoid to fusoid, ends narrowly rounded (sometimes pointed), straight or curved, two-to-three-transversely septate, with median euseptum, slightly constricted at the septa, containing several guttules, with surface finely punctate to verruculose. Anamorph: Coelomycetous. Conidiomata (1–1.5 mm diam.), pycnidial, scattered or grouped, immersed and heavily pigmented. Pycnidial wall comprised with several strata, with brown-walled pseudoparenchymatous cells at outer margin becoming hyaline and thin-walled towards the inner conidiogenous cell-layer. Conidiogenous cells phoma-like, phialidic, ampulliform to doliiform, hyaline, flexuous, and smooth, with a short collarette. Conidia 5.5–8 × 2.5–3.5 μm (M = 6.9 × 3.1 μm, n = 50), first hyaline, turning pale brown, one-celled, straight or curved, ellipsoidal, rounded at both ends, thin and smooth-walled, comprising numerous guttules.
Culture characteristics: Colonies spreading on PDA up-to 4 cm diameter after 2 weeks at 20 °C, circular, whitish at the beginning, and becoming slightly raised and greenish-grey after 4 weeks, reverse dark brown. Hyphae septate, branched, hyaline, thin, smooth-walled, producing conidia after six weeks.
Known distribution: Yunnan, China, on dead woody litter.
Material examined: Material examined: China, Yunnan, Kunming, Wuhua, 25.131178 N, 102.590726 E, 2080 m, on dead twigs of woody litter of Fagaceae sp., 30 January 2021, Jonah Hulme Mortimer, PM03-2-1 (HKAS122912, holotype), ex-holotype culture, KUMCC 21-0816. ibid. 25.131157 N, 102.590708 E, 20 March 2021, PM03-2-3 (HKAS122913), living culture, KUMCC 21-0817.
Notes: Based on multi-gene sequence analyses (SSU, LSU, ITS, tef1 and rpb2), isolates KUMCC 21-0816 and KUMCC 21-0817 cluster with Thyridaria acaciae (CBS 138873), T. aureobrunnea (MFLUCC 21-0090) and T. broussonetiae (TB, TB1a, TB1, TB2) with 100 MLB and 1.00 BYPP bootstrap support values (Figure 3). Thyridaria acaciae is reported from Tanzania (on Acacia tortilis) [39], T. aureobrunnea from decaying wood in Thailand [40], and T. broussonetiae from Croatia (Hippocrepis emerus), Hungary (Amorpha fruticosa), and Italy (Broussonetia papyrifera) [41], whereas our new isolate is from dead woody twigs in Yunnan, China. Morphologically Thyridaria jonahhulmei has a close affinity to T. aureobrunnea and T. broussonetiae in its ascomata, asci, and ascospore characteristics. The asci dimensions of Thyridaria jonahhulmei (150–200 × 18–22 μm) are comparatively larger than T. aureobrunnea (45–61.5 × 7–8.5 µm) and are not significantly different from T. broussonetiae (109–183 × 12–19 µm). Comparison of the 546 ITS (+5.8S) nucleotides reveals 43 (7.9%) nucleotide differences between T. aureobrunnea and T. jonahhulmei. Thyridaria aureobrunnea lacks tef1 and rpb2 gene regions for comparison. Comparison of the 514 ITS (+5.8S) nucleotides of Thyridaria broussonetiae and T. jonahhulmei reveals 25 (4.86%) nucleotide differences, and in tef1 and rpb2 there are 8/712 (1.12%) and 18/1025 (1.75%) nucleotide differences, respectively. Thyridaria acaciae is known only from its asexual morph, and therefore it is not possible to compare their sexual morphologies. However, the asexual morph of Thyridaria jonahhulmei is similar to Thyridaria acacia. They both have ampulliform to doliiform conidiogenous cells and pale brown, aseptate conidia. Thyridaria acacia has subcylindrical conidia that lack guttules, whereas Thyridaria jonahhulmei has ellipsoidal conidia with large guttules. Comparison of the 469 ITS (+5.8S) nucleotides of these two strains reveals 23 (4.9%) nucleotide differences while tef1 and rpb2 gene regions were unavailable for comparison. Therefore, we recognize these isolates belong to two distinct species [42].
Excluding Thyridaria acaciae, T. aureobrunnea and T. broussonetiae, our new species resembles T. eminens (30 × 12 µm [43]), T. koae (14–21 × 6–9 µm [44]), T. minor (15–18 × 5–6.5 µm [45]), T. sambucina (12–15.5 µm [46]), T. subrufa (12–15 × 4–5 µm [46]), and T. triseptata (15–18 µm [47]) with its three-septate pigmented ascospores. Among them, Thyridaria eminens (collected from dead Streblus asper in Philippines [43]) is morphologically closely affiliated with T. jonahhulmei by ascospore dimensions. However, all of these species lack molecular data for further phylogenetic characterization.

4. Discussion

In this study, we describe and illustrate two new species of microfungi on dead woody litter, Neokalmusia jonahhulmei (Didymosphaeriaceae) and Thyridaria jonahhulmei (Thyridariaceae), from Kunming, Yunnan, based on morphological and molecular analyses (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5). Neokalmusia jonahhulmei is introduced with only its sexual characteristics, whereas Thyridaria jonahhulmei is accounted for with both asexual and sexual morphological features.
Didymosphaeriaceae was introduced by Munk [48], and, given that the family is composed of 33 genera, it is considered one of the most specious families in the order Pleosporales [23,25]. Members of Didymosphaeriaceae are known to form numerous different types of life modes, including saprobes, pathogens, or endophytes, and can be found both on land or in water [23,49]. We have presented representative sequence data of all currently available genera listed in Hongsanan et al. [23] and Samarakoon et al. [25] for the phylogenetic analyses (except Barria, Curreya, Julella, and Lineostroma, for which no DNA-based sequence data were available). Additionally, we included the sequences of Pseudodidymocyrtis lobariellae that were introduced by Flakus et al. [50] as a lichenicolous fungus from Bolivia on Lobariella pallida. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses (Figure 2) revealed that Pseudodidymocyrtis clusters with Kalmusia species, and from the morphological perspective, these two genera appear to have a close resemblance. Therefore, generic delimitation needs defining among these two genera, possibly by using more fresh collections with additional morpho–phylo data.
Even though Thyridaria is one of the oldest genera (introduced in 1875) in Ascomycota, no exact family was available to accommodate this genus [51]. More than 30 species are included in Thyridaria [52]; however, for many of these species, data are lacking illustrations, descriptions, or DNA-based molecular data, leading to ambiguous taxonomic relationships. Therefore, Thyridaria species have suffered from uncertain family placement and have been assigned to different families in Dothideomycetes at various times [41,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61]. Hyde et al. [51] considered its unique morphology and the phylogenetic placement of Thyridaria rubronotata in the Dothideomycetes backbone tree and introduced Thyridariaceae to accommodate this genus. Recently, Jaklitsch and Voglmayr [41] studied several thyridaria-like genera and constructed a multi-gene analysis to clarify intergeneric taxonomic affinities of Thyridaria in the Pleosporales. They found that thyridaria-like genera are distributed among at least nine clades of the Pleosporales. Barr [61] thoroughly reviewed various descriptions of Thyridaria and suggested that a key characteristic of the genus is an ample subiculum surrounding fruiting bodies that are produced under the ascomata wall or in host tissues. Similarly, the intensive study of Jaklitsch and Voglmayr [41] pointed out that this feature is exclusive to delineate Thyridaria species from its phylogenetically closely related affiliates. We also observed that our new Thyridaria species was characterized with a pruinose layer of yellow to reddish- or orange-brown material forming around the apices of the ostiolar necks. The subiculum of Thyridaria species could be an adaptation for its terrestrial-based habitat, and their potential advantages should be further clarified with extensive sampling from both aquatic and non-aquatic habitats.
By contrast, wood-decaying Basidiomycota in tropical China are well studied, which has facilitated a better understanding of global Basidiomycota species diversity and systematics [62,63,64,65,66,67]. Nonetheless, the study of habitat properties and potential lifestyles of woody-based microfungal species is especially important to understanding their functional aspects. The trophic mode of many species can be highly variable, with the ability to switch between mutualistic, pathogenic, and saprotrophic strategies. Pathogenic taxa that cause leaf spots may begin as endophytes, but environmental stressors may necessitate becoming pathogenic or eventually saprotrophic after plant tissue [68,69]. Another example is Scedosporiosis, the human disease caused by Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium complex species (PSC), which can grow saprobically in wood [70,71]. Therefore, owing to their importance in all ecosystems, saprotrophic fungi simply cannot be overlooked in any region.
This study provides some insights into the saprotrophic taxa and contributes knowledge of microfungi associated with woody litter in Yunnan, China by introducing two novel species. Furthermore, these species were discovered by a 5-year-old boy, unassisted by any mycologists at the time of collection, thus highlighting how young enthusiasts can be involved in field studies and make a significant impact.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, D.N.W.; resources, P.E.M.; writing—original draft preparation, D.N.W.; writing—review and editing, P.E.M.; supervision, P.E.M.; funding acquisition, P.E.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

Funding was provided by the High-End Foreign Experts in the High-Level Talent 318 Recruitment Plan of Yunnan Province, 2021; the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative (number 2021FYB0005); the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under the project code 32150410362; and the Postdoctoral Fund from Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of Yunnan Province.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The datasets generated for this study can be found in the NCBI GenBank, MycoBank, and TreeBASE.

Acknowledgments

Austin G. Smith at World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Kunming Institute of Botany, China, is thanked for English editing. Shaun Pennycook is thanked for nomenclatural advice. Lu Wen Hua and Li Qin Xian are thanked for their invaluable assistance. We acknowledge Kunming Institute of Botany and the Chinese Academy of Sciences for providing the laboratories and instruments for molecular work.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Habitat. (ad) Mixed forest (predominantly Fagaceae and Pinus spp., with Pinus yunnanensis being the most abundant tree species); (e) collector.
Figure 1. Habitat. (ad) Mixed forest (predominantly Fagaceae and Pinus spp., with Pinus yunnanensis being the most abundant tree species); (e) collector.
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Figure 2. RAxML phylogram generated from combined dataset of partial SSU, LSU, ITS, tef1, and rpb2 DNA sequence analyses for Didymosphaeriaceae. The tree is rooted to Bambusistroma didymosporum (MFLU 15-0057, MFLU 15-0058). Bootstrap supports ML (MLB) ≥ 70% and Bayesian posterior probabilities (BYPP) ≥ 0.95 are given as MLB/BYPP above the branches. Branches with an asterisk (*) indicate MLB = 100% and BYPP = 1.00. The newly generated isolates are in blue.
Figure 2. RAxML phylogram generated from combined dataset of partial SSU, LSU, ITS, tef1, and rpb2 DNA sequence analyses for Didymosphaeriaceae. The tree is rooted to Bambusistroma didymosporum (MFLU 15-0057, MFLU 15-0058). Bootstrap supports ML (MLB) ≥ 70% and Bayesian posterior probabilities (BYPP) ≥ 0.95 are given as MLB/BYPP above the branches. Branches with an asterisk (*) indicate MLB = 100% and BYPP = 1.00. The newly generated isolates are in blue.
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Figure 3. Phylogram generated from RAxML based on a concatenated sequence dataset of partial SSU, LSU, ITS, tef1, and rpb2 DNA for Thyridariaceae. Bootstrap values equal to or greater than 70% for ML (MLB) and Bayesian posterior probabilities (BYPP) ≥ 0.95 are shown at each node (as MLB/BYPP). An asterisk (*) represents branches with MLB = 100% and BYPP = 1.00. The new isolates are show in in blue.
Figure 3. Phylogram generated from RAxML based on a concatenated sequence dataset of partial SSU, LSU, ITS, tef1, and rpb2 DNA for Thyridariaceae. Bootstrap values equal to or greater than 70% for ML (MLB) and Bayesian posterior probabilities (BYPP) ≥ 0.95 are shown at each node (as MLB/BYPP). An asterisk (*) represents branches with MLB = 100% and BYPP = 1.00. The new isolates are show in in blue.
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Figure 4. Neokalmusia jonahhulmei (HKAS122910, holotype). (a,b) Ascostromata on the bamboo culms; (c) horizontal section of ascostromata; (d,e) vertical sections of ascomata; (f) vertical section through two locules; (g) close-up of ostiole; (h) peridium; (i) pseudoparaphyses; (jl) asci; (mr) ascospores (r germinated ascospore); (s,t) colonies on PDA after 21 days. Scale bars, (df) 100 µm; (g) 50 µm; (h,mr) 10 µm; (i) 5 µm; (jl) 20 µm.
Figure 4. Neokalmusia jonahhulmei (HKAS122910, holotype). (a,b) Ascostromata on the bamboo culms; (c) horizontal section of ascostromata; (d,e) vertical sections of ascomata; (f) vertical section through two locules; (g) close-up of ostiole; (h) peridium; (i) pseudoparaphyses; (jl) asci; (mr) ascospores (r germinated ascospore); (s,t) colonies on PDA after 21 days. Scale bars, (df) 100 µm; (g) 50 µm; (h,mr) 10 µm; (i) 5 µm; (jl) 20 µm.
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Figure 5. Sexual morph of Thyridaria jonahhulmei (HKAS122912, holotype). (a,b) Ascomata on the dead woody twigs; (c,d) cross section of ascomata; (e) close-up of ostiole; (f) peridium; (g) pseudoparaphyses; (hj) asci; (kp) ascospores. Scale bars, (d) 200 µm; (e) 50 µm; (f,hj) 20 µm; (f,kp) 10 µm.
Figure 5. Sexual morph of Thyridaria jonahhulmei (HKAS122912, holotype). (a,b) Ascomata on the dead woody twigs; (c,d) cross section of ascomata; (e) close-up of ostiole; (f) peridium; (g) pseudoparaphyses; (hj) asci; (kp) ascospores. Scale bars, (d) 200 µm; (e) 50 µm; (f,hj) 20 µm; (f,kp) 10 µm.
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Figure 6. Asexual morph of Thyridaria jonahhulmei (KUMCC 21-081, ex-type culture). (a) Germinated ascospore (bd) colony on PDA (c from the bottom); (eg) immersed pycnidia in PDA; (h) squashed conidiomata; (i,j) conidiogenous cells; (k) conidia. Scale bars, (h) 100 µm; (i,j) 5 µm; (k) 10 µm.
Figure 6. Asexual morph of Thyridaria jonahhulmei (KUMCC 21-081, ex-type culture). (a) Germinated ascospore (bd) colony on PDA (c from the bottom); (eg) immersed pycnidia in PDA; (h) squashed conidiomata; (i,j) conidiogenous cells; (k) conidia. Scale bars, (h) 100 µm; (i,j) 5 µm; (k) 10 µm.
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Table 1. Taxa used in the phylogenetic analyses of Didymosphaeriaceae and their corresponding GenBank numbers of partial ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1, and rpb2 sequences. Isolates/sequences in bold were isolated/sequenced in the present study.
Table 1. Taxa used in the phylogenetic analyses of Didymosphaeriaceae and their corresponding GenBank numbers of partial ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1, and rpb2 sequences. Isolates/sequences in bold were isolated/sequenced in the present study.
SpeciesStrainGenBank Accession Numbers
ITSLSUSSUtef1rpb2
Alloconiothyrium camelliaeNTUCC 17-032-1MT112294MT071221MT071270MT232967-
Alloconiothyrium camelliaeNTUCC 17-032-2MT112295MT071222MT071271MT232965-
Austropleospora keteleeriaeMFLUCC 18-1551NR_163349MK347910NG_070075MK360045MK434909
Austropleospora ochraceaKUMCC 20-0020MT799859MT808321MT799860MT872714-
Austropleospora osteospermiMFLUCC 17-2429MK347757MK347863MK347974MK360044MK434884
Bambusistroma didymosporumMFLU 15-0057KP761733KP761737KP761730KP761727KP761720
Bambusistroma didymosporumMFLU 15-0058KP761734KP761738KP761731KP761728KP761721
Bimuria novae-zelandiaeCBS 107.79 MH861181AY016338AY016356DQ471087DQ470917
Bimuria omanensisSQUCC 15280 NR_173301-NG_071257MT279046-
Chromolaenicola lampangensisMFLUCC 17-1462MN325016MN325010MN325004MN335649MN335654
Chromolaenicola nanensisMFLUCC 17-1477MN325014MN325008MN325002MN335647MN335653
Chromolaenicola thailandensisMFLUCC 17-1475MN325019MN325013MN325007MN335652MN335656
Cylindroaseptospora leucaenaeMFLUCC 17-2424NR_163333MK347856NG_066310MK360047-
Cylindroaseptospora siamensisMFLUCC 17-2527NR_163337MK347866NG_066311MK360048-
Deniquelata barringtoniaeMFLUCC 16-0271MH275059-MH260291MH412766MH412753
Deniquelata hypolithiCBS 146988MZ064429-NG_076735MZ078250MZ078201
Deniquelata vittaliiNFCCI4249MF406218MF622059MF182395MF182398MF168942
Didymocrea sadasivaniiCBS 438.65 MH858658DQ384066DQ384103--
Didymosphaeria rubi ulmifoliiCBS 100299 MH862698AY642523JX496124--
Didymosphaeria rubi ulmifoliiMFLUCC 140023 KJ436586NG_063557KJ436586--
Kalmusia ebuliCBS 123120 KF796674JN851818JN644073--
Kalmusia erioiMFLU 18-0832MN473058MN473046MN473052MN481599-
Kalmusia italicaMFLUCC 14 0560 KP325440KP325442KP325441--
Kalmusia variisporumCBS 121517 NR_145165-JX496143--
Kalmusibambusa triseptataMFLUCC 13-0232KY682697KY682696KY682695--
Karstenula rhodostomaCBS 690.94-GU296154GU301821GU349067GU371788
Karstenula rhodostomaCBS 691.94LC014559AB797241AB807531AB808506-
Laburnicola hawksworthiiMFLUCC 13 0602 KU743194KU743196KU743195--
Laburnicola muriformisMFLUCC 16 0290 KU743197KU743199KU743198KU743213-
Laburnicola muriformisMFLUCC 14 0921KU743200KU743202KU743201--
Laburnicola rhizohalophilaCGMCC 8756 KJ125522-KJ125523KJ125525KJ125524
Letendraea cordylinicolaMFLUCC 11 0150KM213996KM214002KM213999--
Letendraea cordylinicolaMFLUCC 11 0148 NR_154118KM214001NG_059530--
Letendraea helminthicolaCBS 884.85MK404145AY016345AY016362MK404174MK404164
Letendraea padoukCBS 485.70-GU296162AY849951--
Montagnula bellevaliaeMFLUCC 14 0924NR_155377KT443904KT443902KX949743-
Montagnula chromolaenicolaMFLUCC 17-1469NR_168866NG_070157NG_070948MT235773MT235809
Montagnula cirsiiMFLUCC 13 0680KX274242KX274255KX274249KX284707-
Montagnula krabiensisMFLUCC 16-0250MH275070MH260343MH260303MH412776-
Montagnula thailandicaMFLUCC 17-1508MT214352NG_070158NG_070949MT235774MT235810
Neokalmusia arundinisMFLU 17-0754MT649882MT649880MT649878MT663766-
Neokalmusia arundinisMFLUCC 15-0463NR_165852NG_068372NG_068237KY244024-
Neokalmusia arundinisMFLUCC 14-0222KX965731KX986344KX954400KY271091-
Neokalmusia brevisporaKT 2313 LC014574AB524460AB524601AB539113-
Neokalmusia brevisporaKT 1466LC014573AB524459AB524600AB539112-
Neokalmusia didymosporaMFLUCC 11-0613 -KP091435KP091434--
Neokalmusia jonahhulmeiKUMCC 21-0818ON007043ON007039ON007048ON009133ON009137
Neokalmusia jonahhulmeiKUMCC 21-0819ON007044ON007040ON007049ON009134ON009138
Neokalmusia kunmingensisKUMCC 18-0120MK079886MK079887MK079889MK070172-
Neokalmusia scabrisporaKT 1023LC014575AB524452AB524593AB539106-
Neokalmusia scabrisporaKT 2202LC014576AB524453AB524594AB539107-
Neokalmusia thailandicaMFLUCC 16-0405NR_154255KY706137NG_059792KY706145KY706148
Neokalmusia thailandicaMFLUCC 16-0399KY706141KY706136KY706131--
Neptunomyces aureusCMG12MK912121--MK948000-
Neptunomyces aureusCMG13MK912122--MK948001-
Neptunomyces aureusCMG14MK912123--MK948002-
Paracamarosporium fagiCPC 24890NR_154318-NG_070630--
Paracamarosporium fagiCPC 24892KR611887-KR611905--
Paracamarosporium hawaiienseCBS 120025 JX496027EU295655JX496140--
Paraconiothyrium cyclothyrioidesCBS 972.95 JX496119AY642524JX496232--
Paraconiothyrium estuarinumCBS 109850 JX496016AY642522JX496129--
Paramassariosphaeria anthostomoidesCBS 615.86MH862005GU205246GU205223--
Paramassariosphaeria clematidicolaMFLU 16-0172 KU743206KU743208KU743207--
Paraphaeosphaeria rosaeMFLUCC 17-2547 MG828935MG829150MG829044MG829222-
Paraphaeosphaeria rosaeMFLUCC 17-2549MG828937MG829152MG829046MG829223-
Paraphaeosphaeria rosicolaMFLUCC 15-0042 NR_157528MG829153MG829047--
Phaeodothis winteriCBS 182.58-GU296183GU301857--
Pseudocamarosporium propinquumMFLUCC 13 0544KJ747049KJ819949KJ813280--
Pseudocamarosporium pteleaeMFLUCC 17-0724 NR_157536MG829166MG829061MG829233-
Pseudocamarosporium ulmi-minorisMFLUCC 17-0671 NR_157537MG829167MG829062--
Pseudodidymocyrtis lobariellaeKRAM Flakus 25130 NR_169714NG_070349NG_068933--
Pseudopithomyces entadaeMFLUCC 17-0917 MK347835NG_066305MK360083MK434899
Pseudopithomyces kunmingnensisMFLUCC 17-0314 MF173607MF173606MF173605--
Pseudopithomyces rosaeMFLUCC 15-0035 MG828953MG829168MG829064--
Spegazzinia deightoniiyone 212 AB797292AB807582AB808558-
Spegazzinia radermacheraeMFLUCC 17-2285MK347740MK347848MK347957MK360088MK434893
Spegazzinia tessarthraSH 287JQ673429AB797294AB807584AB808560-
Tremateia arundicolaMFLU 16 1275KX274241KX274254KX274248KX284706-
Tremateia chromolaenaeMFLUCC 17-1425 NR_168868NG_070160NG_068710MT235778MT235816
Tremateia guiyangensisGZAAS01KX274240KX274253KX274247KX284705-
Tremateia murisporaGZCC 18-2787NR_165916MK972750MK972751MK986482-
Tremateia thailandensisMFLUCC 17-1430NR_168869NG_070161NG_068711MT235781MT235819
Verrucoconiothyrium nitidaeCBS 119209EU552112-EU552112--
Vicosamyces venturisporusCDA1494 MF802825-MF802828--
Vicosamyces venturisporusCDA1495MF802826-MF802829--
Vicosamyces venturisporusCDA495MF802827-MF802830--
Xenocamarosporium acaciaeCPC 24755 NR_137982-NG_058163--
Xenocamarosporium acaciaeMFLUCC 17-2432MK347766MK347873MK347983MK360093-
Table 2. Taxa used in the phylogenetic analyses of Thyridariaceae and their corresponding GenBank numbers of partial ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1, and rpb2 sequences. Isolates/sequences in bold were isolated/sequenced in the present study.
Table 2. Taxa used in the phylogenetic analyses of Thyridariaceae and their corresponding GenBank numbers of partial ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1, and rpb2 sequences. Isolates/sequences in bold were isolated/sequenced in the present study.
SpeciesStrainGenBank Accession Numbers
ITSLSUSSUtef1rpb2
Arthopyrenia salicisCBS 368.94KF443410AY538339AY538333KF443404KF443397
Chromolaenomyces appendiculatusMFLUCC 17-1455NR_168862NG_068705MT214394MT235770MT235806
Cycasicola goaensisMFLUCC 17-0754MG828885MG829001MG829112MG829198-
Cycasicola leucaenaeMFLUCC17-0914NR_163322MK347942MK347833MK360046MK434900
Liua muriformisKUMCC 18-0177MK433599MK433598MK433595MK426798MK426799
Neoroussoella alishanenseAKW 11 FU31018MK503818MK503824MK503830MK336182MN037757
Neoroussoella alishanenseAKW 03 FU31016MK503816MK503822MK503828MK336181MN037756
Neoroussoella entadaeMFLUCC 18-0243MK347786MK348004MK347893MK360065MK434866
Neoroussoella leucaenaeMFLUCC 18-1544MK347767MK347984MK347874MK360067MK434876
Occultibambusa bambusaeMFLUCC 11-0394KU940124KU863113-KU940194KU940171
Occultibambusa bambusaeMFLUCC 13-0855KU940123KU863112KU872116KU940193KU940170
Ohleria modestaMGCKX650562KX650562-KX650533KX650582
Ohleria modestaOMKX650563KX650563KX650513KX650534KX650583
Parathyridaria clematidisMFLUCC 17-2154MT310645MT214601MT226712MT394657MT394712
Parathyridaria clematidisMFLUCC 17-2157MT310644MT214600MT226711MT394656MT394711
Parathyridaria clematidisMFLUCC 17-2160MT310643MT214599MT226710MT394655MT394710
Parathyridaria clematidisMFLUCC 17-2185MT310642MT214598NG_070668MT394654MT394709
Parathyridaria ellipsoideaKNU-JJ-1829LC552950LC552952---
Parathyridaria flabelliaeMUT 4886KR014358KP671720KT587317MN605910MN605930
Parathyridaria flabelliaeMUT 4859KR014355KP671716KT587315MN605909MN605929
Parathyridaria percutaneaCBS 128203KF322117KF366448KF366450KF407988KF366453
Parathyridaria percutaneaCBS 868.95KF322118KF366449KF366451KF407987KF366452
Parathyridaria philadelphiCBS 143432MH107905NG_063958-MH108023-
Parathyridaria ramulicolaMUT 4397KC339235KF636775MN556311MN605913MN605933
Parathyridaria ramulicolaCBS 141479NR_147657KX650565KX650514KX650536KX650584
Parathyridaria robiniaeMUT 2452MG813183MG816491MN556312MN605903MN605923
Parathyridaria robiniaeMUT 4893KM355998MN556328KM355993MN605904MN605924
Parathyridaria robiniaeMFLUCC 14-1119KY511142KY511141-KY549682-
Parathyridaria rosaeMFLU 17-0623NR_157530NG_059873---
Parathyridaria serratifoliaeMFLUCC 17-2210MT310646MT214602NG_070669MT394658MT394713
Parathyridaria tyrrhenicaMUT 4966KR014366KP671740KT587309MN605911MN605931
Parathyridaria tyrrhenicaMUT 5371KU314951MN556329KU314952MN605912MN605932
Parathyridaria virginianaeMFLUCC 17-2163MT310647NG_073853NG_070670MT394659MT394714
Parathyridariella dematiaceaMUT 4419KC339245KF636786MN556313MN605905MN605925
Parathyridariella dematiaceaMUT 5310KU255057MN556330MN556314MN605907MN605927
Parathyridariella dematiaceaMUT 5381KU314959MN556331KU314960MN605908MN605928
Parathyridariella dematiaceaMUT 4884MN556317KP671726KT587329MN605906MN605926
Pseudothyridariella chromolaenaeMFLUCC 17-1472NR_168863NG_068706MT214395MT235771MT235807
Pseudothyridariella mahakoshaeNFCCI 4215MG020435MG020438MG020441MG023140MG020446
Roussoella hysterioidesCBS 546.94KF443405KF443381AY642528KF443399KF443392
Roussoella intermediaCBS 170.96KF443407KF443382KF443390KF443398KF443394
Roussoella japanensisMAFF 239636KJ474829AB524621AB524480AB539114AB539101
Roussoella margidorensisMUT 5329KU314944MN556322MN556309MN605897MN605917
Roussoella mediterraneaMUT 5306KU255054MN556323MN556310MN605898MN605918
Roussoella padinaeMUT 5341KU158153MN556325KU158176MN605900MN605920
Roussoella pustulansKT 1709KJ474830AB524623AB524482AB539116AB539103
Roussoella siamensisMFLUCC 11-0149KJ474837KJ474845KU872125KJ474854KJ474861
Thyridaria acaciaeCBS 138873KP004469KP004497---
Thyridaria aureobrunneaMFLUCC 21-0090MZ538528MZ538562---
Thyridaria broussonetiaeTBKX650567KX650567-KX650538KX650585
Thyridaria broussonetiaeTB1aKX650569KX650569---
Thyridaria broussonetiaeTB2KX650570KX650570-KX650540KX650587
Thyridaria broussonetiaeTB1KX650568KX650568KX650515KX650539KX650586
Thyridaria jonahhulmeiKUMCC 21-0816ON007041ON007037ON007046ON009131ON009135
Thyridaria jonahhulmeiKUMCC 21-0817ON007042ON007038ON007047ON009132ON009136
Thyridariella mangroveiNFCCI 4214MG020436MG020439MG020442MG020444MG020447
Thyridariella mangroveiNFCCI 4213MG020434MG020437MG020440MG020443MG020445
Torula herbarumCBS 111855KF443409KF443386KF443391KF443403KF443396
Torula herbarumCBS 595.96KF443408KF443385KF443387KF443402KF443395
Table 3. Maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian (BI) analyses results for each sequenced dataset.
Table 3. Maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian (BI) analyses results for each sequenced dataset.
AnalysesDidymosphaeriaceaeThyridariaceae
Number of taxa8859
Gene regionsSSU, LSU, ITS, tef1, and rpb2SSU, LSU, ITS, tef1, and rpb2
Number of character positions (including gaps)50164529
ML optimization likelihood value−35,672.743881−30,606.10565
Distinct alignment patterns in the matrix22491796
Number of undetermined characters or gaps (%)41.88%19.56%
Estimated base frequenciesA0.2404180.249274
C0.2533510.25578
G0.2707840.267476
T0.2354460.227469
Substitution ratesAC1.5616641.486771
AG3.2487183.744601
AT1.4334961.706836
CG1.3235661.014483
CT7.4280457.933665
GT1.01.0
Proportion of invariable sites (I)0.3968290.505108
Gamma distribution shape parameter (α)0.4543680.442817
Number of generated trees in BI11,3012501
Number of trees sampled in BI after 25% were discarded as burn-in84761876
Final split frequency0.0099590.009966
The total of unique site patterns22521798
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Wanasinghe, D.N.; Mortimer, P.E. Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Insights into Novel Ascomycota from Forest Woody Litter. Biology 2022, 11, 889. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11060889

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Wanasinghe DN, Mortimer PE. Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Insights into Novel Ascomycota from Forest Woody Litter. Biology. 2022; 11(6):889. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11060889

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Wanasinghe, Dhanushka N., and Peter E. Mortimer. 2022. "Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Insights into Novel Ascomycota from Forest Woody Litter" Biology 11, no. 6: 889. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11060889

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