Fazli Maula

Dictyosporium sichuanense is described as a new species collected from submerged decaying twigs of Malus domestica (Rosaceae) in Sichuan Province, China. The species was identified using an integrative approach that combined morphological observations with molecular phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred from a combined dataset of the ITS, LSU, and tef1-α loci using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The new isolate was placed within a well-supported clade as the sister taxon to Dictyosporium oilvaceosporum and was separated from other Dictyosporium species. Its morphological characteristics further support its designation as a novel species. Morphologically, the new species differs from D. olivaceosporum by its dark black to olivaceous-brown conidia, composed of 15–32 cells arranged in 4–5 rows, and lacking conidial appendages. A detailed description, illustration, and a morphological comparison with closely related taxa are provided.

Coprinellus gregariodiguttulatus is described as a new species from Quaid‐i‐Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, based on morphological and molecular analyses. The species is distinguished by its small gray to light gray basidiomata, paraboloid to hemispherical pileus, and oblong to obovoid or rarely lemon basidiospores. Phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region supports its placement within Coprinellus sect. Disseminati is a distinct lineage, closely related to but separate from other known taxa. This discovery from an underexplored region highlights the potential for uncovering further novel fungal diversity in Pakistan.

A novel species, Leucocoprinus aurantiopileus , is described from Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan, using an integrated approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on combined internal transcribed spacer and large subunit sequences confirm its placement within Leucocoprinus . L. aurantiopileus is distinguished by a conical to campanulate, subumbonate to umbonate pileus, dark red center, and light orange margins, along with subcylindrical to oblong basidiospores. We provide detailed descriptions, colored photographs, microscopic structures, and a phylogenetic tree. This discovery highlights the mycological diversity of Margalla Hills and emphasizes the need for further fungal exploration in the region.

In this article, we describe a new fungal species, Leucocoprinus roseus , collected in Canal View Park, District Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, Pakistan. The species is proposed as new based on detailed morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analysis using nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) sequences. In a phylogenetic reconstruction, L. roseus forms a distinct clade clearly separated from related taxa. It is characterized by small basidiomata, a plano‐convex pileus with dark red center becoming pale reddish toward the margins, center covered with squarrose scales, broadly ellipsoid amygdaliform basidiospores and versiform cheilocystidia. A comprehensive description, illustrations, and results of the phylogenetic analysis are provided, along with a comparison with morphologically and genetically related species.

Limacella lenta , a new species of the well‐known fungal family Amanitaceae from district Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis of ITS and combined ITS‐28S sequences. The species is mainly characterized by its orange to bright reddish‐brown sticky pileus with faded pale margins, a stipe surface covered with white fibrils, comparatively large globose to subglobose basidiospores measuring 5.1–6.2 × 4.1–5.6 µm, the presence of clavate to subclavate cheilocystidia and the absence of clamp connections. A morphological description, color photographs, microscopic structures and a comparative ITS and combined ITS‐28S based phylogenetic analysis is presented.

This research work was conducted in March-April, 2022. This research aims to isolate aerial fungal spores in order to understand the presence of respiratory disorders caused by fungi in the future in certain areas. In this study, it was identified and isolated a total of 6 genera containing 7 species from 17 sampling sites. The medium used to capture fungal spores was potato dextrose agar. Fungal species were identified based on microscope characteristics. This study revealed that 7 species of fungi were identified and isolated from Swabi University, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. These fungi including Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium, Rhizopus oryzae, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium chrysogenum and Fusarium oxysporum. The maximum fungal colony was counted from the old canteen (Gate side) (25CFU) and the minimum was counted from the old door 2 (8CFU). Research also revealed that aerial sports were frequently practiced in various sampling areas of the University of Swabi. These spores can cause several serious fungal infections in students and faculty. Further research will be carried out to assess the status of fungal spores at Swabi University.

The specimens were collected during monsoon season from district Swabi, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan in 2023. Cyclocybe aegerita was identified as a new record of the species for Pakistan. This study makes an important contribution to fungal taxonomy by integrating morphological and phylogenetic analyses using universal barcode markers, namely the ITS region. The Maximum likelihood approach was used to build phylogenic trees. Their detailed morphological description and illustrations are provided. This species constitutes new records and additions to Pakistan mycobiota based on morphological and molecular conclusions. This study enhances our knowledge of fungal diversity by scrutinizing both morphological traits and genetic profiles.

This research article deals with the antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial efficacy of endophytic fungi belonging to genus Aspergillus isolated from the roots, leaves, flowers and fruits of Solanum surattense. We have identified four different species using universal barcode marker (ITS1 and ITS4). Isolated strains of A. fumigatus (E1) A. fumigatus (E3) A. flavus (E2) A. terreus (E4) and A. niger (E5) had strong antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumonia and strong antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum, Candida albicans and Penicillium chrysogenum. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the broad stretching of carboxylic acid, aliphatic primary amine and hydroxyl groups. Quantitative analysis of the ethyl acetate extracts revealed the occurrence of flavonoids and phenols. Due to secreting the bioactive compounds E1, E2, E4 and E5 play important role against plant pathogens. Furthermore, antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activity of the isolates suggests its use in agriculture and pharmaceutical industry.

In this article we describe a new species, Hymenagaricus quaidazamianus from Quaid-I-Azam, University, Islamabad, Pakistan. The species has been established as a new taxon through molecular phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region of nrDNA and comparison of its micro- and macroscopic characters with other taxa in the genus. The new species forms a separate independent clade in the phylogenetic tree that support its uniqueness. It is distinguished morphologically by its typically hemispheric, convex to plano-convex and rarely plano-concave pileus at young and mature stages respectively with a dull brown center and greyish-white margins. A detailed comparison with the closely related taxa has been provided.