Zhi-Yuan Zhang

During an investigation of fungal diversity in urban soils in China, four plectosphaerellaceous fungal isolates were obtained. Based on integrated morphological characterization and multigene phylogenetic analyses of four loci (ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tef1), Sodiomyces sinensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that this novel species forms a monophyletic clade with robust support values. Morphologically, S. sinensis can be distinguished from other species within the genus by lacking a known sexual morph, and by its subcylindrical to cylindrical, larger conidia (7.5–15 × 3–4 μm), and the presence of chlamydospores. This study contributes to fungal data from urban soils and enhances understanding of the species diversity, taxonomy, and distribution of Sodiomyces.

During a survey of keratinophilic fungi in karst caves, three isolates of chrysosporium-like fungi were isolated from cave soil collected in Guizhou Province, China, following enrichment using hair bait. Phylogenetic analyses based on combined ITS and LSU sequence data revealed that they belong to an undescribed Keratinophyton species. Morphologically, K. speluncicola differs from other species in the genus by producing 1-celled, 3.5‒8 × 1.5‒3 µm conidia that are smooth to finely roughened, and by the absence of observed intercalary conidia and chlamydospores. Based on these results, the new species Keratinophyton speluncicola sp. nov. is formally described.

Fungi in urban soils are an indispensable component of urban ecosystems, playing a central role in maintaining soil health, promoting nutrient cycling, facilitating plant growth, and safeguarding ecosystem functions. However, taxonomic studies of fungi in urban soils remain extremely limited. During an investigation of culturable fungi from urban soils in China, eight isolates belonging to Sympoventuriaceae were isolated. Although recent taxonomic refinements at the generic level within Sympoventuriaceae have progressed, the taxonomic status of some monotypic genera remains to be stabilized. Based on integrated morphological characterization and multigene phylogenetic analyses of five loci (ITS, LSU, tef1 , tub2 , and rpb2 ), three novel species are described and illustrated: Scolecobasidium campestre , Verruconis obovatus , and Veronaeopsis sinensis . This study provides comprehensive morphological descriptions, illustrations, phylogenetic data, and comparisons with closely related species for these novel taxa. This research contributes to fungal data from urban soils and enhances the understanding of the species diversity, taxonomy, and distribution of Sympoventuriaceae .

The genus Niesslia is common on decaying plant and fungal substrates, as well as in soil. During a survey of culturable mycobiota in urban soils, six Niesslia isolates were obtained in Shanxi Province, China. Based on combined multigene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, TEF1 , TUB and ACT ) and morphological characteristics, two novel species, Niesslia curvispora and N. shanxiensis , are proposed. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations and phylogenetic analyses of the new taxa are presented.

The dermatophytes, classified in a single family Arthrodermataceae (Onygenales). This family has received more attention due to their keratin-degrading properties and the ability of some taxa to invade the skin and cause dermatophytes in humans and/or mammals. The phylogeny of Arthrodermataceae is remarkably stable, with Arthroderma representing the ancestral geophilic lineage and Trichophyton constituting a derived clade of anthropophiles and some zoophiles. The other genera appear to represent intermediate forms along this ecological spectrum. During a survey of Arthrodermataceae in China, a geophilic species was isolated. A multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of three markers (ITS, β-tubulin, and tef1-α) reveals that this taxon is a sister species to Arthroderma cuniculi. It can be differentiated from other species in Arthroderma by two types of microconidia: (i) smooth-walled, cylindrical to clavate, (ii) smooth-walled, obovate to pyriform. Phylogenetic analyses, and morphology provide evidence that the new isolate is a distinct species. This study enriches the Arthroderma species inventory and expands our understanding of dermatophyte biodiversity.

Members of Scytalidium are primarily saprotrophic and are known for their ability to colonize a variety of substrates, including soil, decaying plant material, and wood. During an investigation of soil microfungi in Capsicum annuum cultivation areas of China, seven Scytalidium isolates were obtained from soil samples collected in Guizhou. In this study, we revised the genus Scytalidium by combining morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated ITS–LSU sequences. The results showed that Scytalidium sensu stricto comprises 16 species, including the type species S. lignicola and four novel species proposed in this study (S. chlamydosporum, S. guizhouense, S. rodionovae, and S. tongrenense). Ten species were excluded, and six species were treated as uncertain due to the lack of available molecular sequences. This study revised the genus Scytalidium, expanded its species diversity and geographical distribution, and lays the foundation for future taxonomic research on this genus.

While investigating culturable mycobiota in epiphytic soils found in urban tree holes from Guizhou Province, China, a new genus along with two new species of the family Wiesneriomycetaceae were discovered based on a combination of morphological characteristics, molecular evidence, and physiological features. Phylogenetic analyses of SSU, ITS, LSU, and tef1 sequences indicate that our new collections form a distinct clade; thus, Chlamydosporoidesgen. nov. is proposed. This genus is distinguished from other genera in Wiesneriomycetaceae by the absence of acropetal conidial chains, setae, synnemata, sporodochia, or stromata. We describe and illustrate the new genus Chlamydosporoides and the new species (C. guizhouensissp. nov. and C. sinensissp. nov.) herein, and we discuss their phenotypic and genotypic differences from allied genera.

The rapid development of industry and agriculture has led to a significant increase in the toxicity and pollution of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in soil. Consequently, soil remediation employing biochar or modified biochar has emerged as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approach to address the issue of heavy metal (HM) ion pollution. PEI-functionalization biochar (PBC) derived from corn straw (PBCC), wood straw (PBCW), and rice straw (PBCR) was synthesized to immobilize Cd and Pb in contaminated acidic yellow soil. Characterization revealed successful PEI grafting N-doped carbon XRD patterns at 26.7°. PBC increased average pore size by 25.23–30.60% (3.976–3.175 nm, 23.906–18.34 nm) but reduced specific surface area due to polymer occlusion, PBCW retaining the highest surface area (214.9 m²/g). Applied at 1–7% doses, PBC significantly elevated soil pH and electrical conductivity while enhancing soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and phosphorus. The 5% dose of PBCR showed strong Cd immobilization (47.15% reduction in bioavailable Cd, 8.32–11.01 mg/kg, p < 0.001) and reduced bioavailable Pb by 24.43% (0.06–0.11 mg/kg, p < 0.01). Sequential extraction confirmed PBC converted weak acid-extractable Cd/Pb into stable residual fractions. This study demonstrates that 5% PEI-modified rice straw biochar (PBCR) effectively remediates Cd/Pb co-contaminated acidic soils while enhancing agricultural productivity, confirming simultaneous metal passivation and nutrient retention. This work establishes agricultural residue-derived PEI-biochar as a sustainable strategy for co-remediating heavy metals and enhancing productivity in contaminated farmland.

Paragibellulopsis and Phialoparvum, both erected in 2018, currently comprise merely one and three validly published species, respectively. The identification of two new species, Paragibellulopsis sinensis and Phialoparvum sinense, was achieved by analyzing morphological characteristics and phylogenetic data obtained from four molecular markers (ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tef-1α). Morphologically, Pa. sinensis possessed short conidiogenous cells and aseptate and smaller conidia. On the other hand, Ph. sinense had obovate conidia and longer phialides. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Pa. sinensis formed an independent branch as a sister species to Pa. chrysanthemi, whereas Ph. sinense clustered in a monophyletic clade with a stable topology. The maximum likelihood bootstrap ratio and the Bayesian inference posterior probability provided robust statistical evidence, indicating the presence of two novel species within the genera of Paragibellulopsis and Phialoparvum. The present study contributes to the discovery of species diversity in Paragibellulopsis and Phialoparvum.