Rungtiwa Phookamsak

Endophytic fungi are an important component of microbial diversity in plant ecosystems and have substantial potential for ecological and biotechnological applications. This study reports Nigrospora species associated with Santalum album (white sandalwood) in Yunnan Province, China. Endophytic fungi were isolated from fresh leaves of S. album and identified based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequence data from three loci: the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), partial translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α), and partial β-tubulin (tub2) genes. Based on morphological characterization and multilocus phylogenetic analyses of a concatenated ITS, tef1-α, and tub2 dataset, three Nigrospora species were identified, namely Nigrospora lacticolonia, N. shadeganensis, and N. sphaerica. These three species are reported for the first time as endophytes associated with S. album. These findings expand the known host range of the genus Nigrospora, enrich our understanding of its taxonomic and ecological diversity, and provide new insights into the diversity of endophytic fungi associated with sandalwood, a commercially and ecologically valuable tree species.

Neosulcatispora is a poorly known coelomycetous genus of Phaeosphaeriaceae , previously represented by two species. During a survey of microfungi associated with dead leaves of Agave vera-cruz in the dry-hot valley of Honghe County, Yunnan Province, China, five isolates representing two unknown lineages were obtained. Morphology, culture characteristics and a multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of concatenated SSU, LSU, ITS, tef1-α and rpb2 sequence data support their recognition as two new species viz. Neosulcatispora agavicola sp. nov . and N. hongheensis sp. nov . Neosulcatispora agavicola is characterized by relatively large, semi-immersed to erumpent conidiomata and golden-brown to dark brown, 1-septate, longitudinally striate conidia. Neosulcatispora hongheensis has smaller conidiomata and mature, 3–4-septate conidia. The new taxa form independent lineages within the clade containing the type species, N. agaves . In contrast, the ex-type strain of N. strelitziae is recovered elsewhere in Phaeosphaeriaceae in the present analysis, indicating that the generic placement of N. strelitziae requires reassessment using broader taxon and locus sampling. These findings increase the known diversity of Neosulcatispora sensu stricto and emphasize the dry-hot valleys of southwestern China as an understudied niche of undescribed plant-associated microfungi.

Ascomycete diversity in Yunnan Province, China, remains substantially underexplored. Many species likely remain undetected. This study aimed to discover the ascomycete diversity in Yunnan, China, depending on three fungal collections obtained from Baoshan and Kunming city regions. Based on morphological characteristics, host association, ecological habitats, and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of these collections, together with representative strains of taxa in Didymella and Nothophoma , three new species are introduced, namely Didymella baoshanensis , Nothophoma aceris , and N. ginkgonis . Phylogenetic analyses of a concatenated ITS, LSU, rpb2 , and tub2 sequence dataset using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods supported the novelty of these taxa within Didymella and Nothophoma . Phylogenetically, D. baoshanensis forms a distinct sister lineage to the type strain of D. brevipilosa , with strong statistical support. Nothophoma aceris clusters with the invalidly published name N. juglandis with high support values. While N. ginkgonis forms a distinct branch as basal of N. ferruginea , N. platycladi , and N. pruni . Didymella baoshanensis was found as a saprobe on dead fern rachises and is characterized by multi-loculate ascostromata; subglobose to ampulliform, ostiolate ascomata; 8-spored, bitunicate, fissitunicate, cylindrical to subcylindrical-clavate asci embedded in broadly cellular pseudoparaphyses; and fusiform, hyaline, 1-septate ascospores. Nothophoma aceris was found as a saprobe on dead aerial twigs of Acer palmatum and is characterized by scattered to clustered, globose to subglobose, stromatic, brown to dark brown, glabrous, ostiolate, apapillate, pycnidial conidiomata; holoblastic, phialidic conidiogenous cells, sometimes proliferating at the same level, with 1–2 conidiogenous loci; and hyaline to brown or dark brown, subglobose, ovoid to obovoid, aseptate, thick- and smooth-walled conidia. Nothophoma ginkgonis was found as a saprobe on dead aerial twigs of Ginkgo biloba and is characterized by subglobose to hemispherical or ellipsoidal, uni-loculate, brown to dark brown, glabrous, ostiolate, apapillate, pycnidial conidiomata; holoblastic, phialidic, hyaline, ampulliform to somewhat isodiametric, unbranched, determinate, discrete, smooth-walled conidiogenous cells; and hyaline to light brown, or yellowish-brown, subglobose to ellipsoidal, or obovoid, aseptate, smooth-walled conidia. Detailed description, photographic illustration, and updated phylogenetic analyses of Didymella and Nothophoma are provided in the present study.

Itea is an economically and medicinally important plant, widely distributed across China, Japan and Southeast Asia, noted for producing rare sugars. Despite this, endophytic fungi associated with this plant remain poorly studied. This study focuses on the taxonomy and phylogeny of fungi isolated from healthy tissues of Itea japonica and I. riparia in Northern Thailand. By incorporating morphology, multiloci phylogenetic analyses and nucleotide polymorphism comparison, we establish two novel species, Diaporthe iteae ( Diaporthaceae , Sordariomycetes ) and Neptunomyces iteae ( Didymosphaeriaceae , Dothideomycetes ) as well as report a new host and a new geographical record for Diaporthe coracoralinae . Diaporthe iteae sp. nov . was collected from I. japonica , and is recognized within the Diaporthe siamensis species complex (section Sojae ). In addition, D. coracoralinae is reported on I. japonica in Thailand for the first time, occupying a position within section Sojae with an undetermined species complex. Neptunomyces iteae sp. nov . was collected from I. riparia and is classified within the family Didymosphaeriaceae . Updated phylogenetic trees and comprehensive morphological comparisons with closely related taxa are provided and discussed for better resolution of species delimitation. This study enhances our understanding of fungal diversity on Itea , and provides a taxonomic foundation for future biodiversity, ecological and applied studies.

This study reappraised the taxonomy of the genus Rostriconidium , and introduced a new species, Rostriconidium synnematicum , based on an integrated molecular and morphological taxonomic approach. This new taxon is the only synnematous species within Rostriconidium and forms a sister lineage to other Rostriconidium species in Torulaceae , as supported by phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb 2 and tef1 - α sequences using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods. Additionally, a new combination Rostriconidium yunnanensis is proposed under Rostriconidium . The study addresses the taxonomic complexities of four morphologically similar but phylogenetically distinct genera ( Neopodoconis , Pseudohelminthosporium , Rostriconidium , and Sporidesmioides ) within the Pleosporales . There are a few taxonomic challenges in resolving relationships among these genera, given their polyphyletic nature and overlapping morphologies. In this study, advanced mycological studies were conducted to resolve the generic circumscription of Sporidesmioides . In this study, we propose a new familial lineage, Sporidesmioidesaceae , to accommodate the monotypic species S. thailandica , based on phylogenetic analyses of a multi-locus dataset (ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb 2, and tef1 - α ). The results also accommodate Pseudohelminthosporium within Neomassarinaceae , rather than accepting the synonymization of Pseudohelminthosporium clematidis under Neopodoconis ampullacea . The conspecific nature of P. clematidis and N. ampullacea warrants a future type-based study to validate them. These findings underscore the critical importance of examining type specimens (morphological and multi-locus sequence analysis) before proposing synonymy among cryptic species and genera. This study also revalidated the placement of the recently proposed family Megacapitulaceae and provided their multigene sequence information.

Cannabis sativa L. is a multipurpose plant widely cultivated for fiber, food, medicinal products, and the production of bioactive compounds, including psychoactive cannabinoids. Fungal endophytes are a promising source of antimicrobial compounds used for biological control and sustainable crop production. However, the fungal endophytes associated with C. sativa have been poorly investigated, and their biological activities are still largely unexplored. Thus, this study aimed to identify fungal endophytes from C. sativa (marijuana and hemp biotypes) and to screen for their antagonistic activities against some plant pathogens. Based on ITS sequence analysis, a total of 103 fungal endophyte isolates (21 genera) were preliminarily identified from both biotypes, including 62 isolates (13 genera) from hemp and 41 isolates (nine genera) from marijuana. Fusarium was the dominant genus found in hemp (45%), while Nigrospora was the dominant genus isolated from marijuana (32%). Ten selected fungal endophytes were evaluated for in vitro antagonistic activity against four bacterial pathogens, Pectobacterium spp. (PC 01 and PC 02) and Ralstonia solanacearum (RA 01 and RA 02), and four fungal pathogens, Fusarium solani (FU 01), F. oxysporum (FU 02), and Sclerotium sp. (SC 01 and SC 02), all of which are causal agents of potato diseases. Among the tested fungal endophytes, Colletotrichum sp. (SLLC-M24) and Nigrospora sp. (SLLC-H15) exhibited the strongest antifungal activity against Fusarium spp. (FU 01 and FU 02), with inhibition rates ranging from 56 to 64%. In addition, Pestalotiopsis sp. (SLLC-H5) demonstrated effective antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial pathogens, producing inhibition zones ranging from 19 to 23 mm. This finding represents an important step toward discovering novel and promising endophytes associated with Cannabis and their biological control potential for utilization in sustainable agriculture.

Arthrinium-like fungi in the family Apiosporaceae are taxonomically complex and still require a thorough characterization despite recent phylogenetic reassessments. This study aimed to investigate the diversity and taxonomic position of endophytic Arthrinium-like fungi associated with Itea japonica and I. riparia in Thailand. Two fungal strains discovered from healthy stems of these hosts were characterized by integrative approaches including morphology, multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, TEF1-α, TUB2 sequence data, and nucleotide base–pair comparisons. One isolate from I. japonica is introduced as Nigrospora iteae sp. nov. supported by distinct morphological traits, a well-resolved phylogenetic placement, and significant nucleotide difference from its closest relatives. The second isolate was identified as Apiospora vietnamensis and is reported herein as a new host record for I. riparia based on morphological congruence, a close phylogenetic relationship, and TUB2 nucleotide similarity with the type strain. In addition, a new species, Apiospora fici, originally described from dead leaves of Ficus septica in Taiwan, is reclassified based on updated phylogenetic analyses to clarify its taxonomic placement within Apiosporaceae. Furthermore, Nigrospora wurfbainiae nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name for the later homonym N. guangdongensis. A summary of important morphological characteristics, host relationships, current distribution, and biological activities of Nigrospora species is provided. This study emphasizes the previously unrecognized fungal diversity within Itea hosts and offers new insights into species diversity and phylogenetic relationships within the Apiosporaceae.

A survey of lignicolous freshwater fungi in Yunnan Province, China, resulted in the discovery of a new species, Aquimassariosphaeria yunnanensis. Morphological characteristics are described, and DNA sequences from ribosomal and protein‐coding loci are analyzed to determine its phylogenetic relationships with other related species in the genus Aquimassariosphaeria . Aquimassariosphaeria yunnanensis sp. nov. is typical of the genus and characterized by micro‐ to macronematous, unbranched conidiophores that extend laterally, forming integrated, monoblastic, cylindrical, pale to dark brown conidiogenous cells, and long, solitary, scolecosporous, unbranched, multiseptate, smooth‐walled, grayish brown to dark brown conidia that proliferate apically. Multigene phylogenetic analyses of a combined ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1 ‐ α, and rpb 2 DNA sequence dataset generated from Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses indicated that A. yunnanensis forms a separate branch and is closely related to other species in Aquimassariosphaeria (Lindgomycetaceae, Pleosporales). Results from the pairwise homoplasy index (PHI) tests revealed no significant genetic recombination (Φ w = 1.0) between A. yunnanensis and closely related species, A. aquatica and A. typhicola . This study provides a detailed morphological description and illustration of A. yunnanensis and an updated phylogeny of the family Lindgomycetaceae in Pleosporales.

Endophytic fungi associated with roots of the baobab tree ( Adansonia digitata L.) remain poorly documented in terms of species diversity worldwide. During an ongoing fungal survey in the dry-hot valleys of Honghe (Yunnan Province, China), five endophytic fungal strains were isolated from healthy roots of A. digitata . Based on multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of four loci (ITS, LSU, SSU, and rpb 2), combined with morphological observations, all five strains were identified as belonging to the genus Polyschema . Hence, three novel species are introduced in the present study, namely P. adansoniae-digitatae , P. hongheense , and P. radicicola . This study constitutes the first record of Polyschema from mainland China. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic placements of the three new species are provided. Additionally, the species diversity, morphology, and phylogeny of Polyschema are updated and discussed. These findings enrich knowledge of endophytic fungal diversity associated with baobab in China and provide insights into the taxonomy and diversity of Polyschema . Furthermore, an updated discussion on the ecology and genera within the family Latoruaceae is presented.

1. Querciphoma was initially introduced as a monotypic genus by Crous and Groenewald [1], to accommodate a phoma-like fungus and is typified by Querciphoma carteri (Gruyter & Boerema) Crous. Crous ...