New sections in Penicillium containing novel species producing patulin, pyripyropens or other bioactive compounds

Abstract

Subgenera and sections have traditionally been used in Penicillium classifications. In the past, this sectional classification was based on macro- and microscopic characters, and occasionally supplemented with physiological and/or extrolite data. Currently, 25 sections are accepted, largely based on phylogenetic data. Certain sections of subgenus Penicillium were never studied in detail using a multigene sequence approach combined with phenotypic, ecological and extrolite data. Based on a combined partial β-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) multigene sequence dataset, we introduce two new sections (Osmophila and Robsamsonia) in subgenus Penicillium and synonymize section Digitata with section Penicillium. The phylogeny correlates well with phenotypic, physiological and ecological data, and some extrolites were diagnostic for certain Penicillium sections. Furthermore, four new species belonging to the newly introduced sections are described using a polyphasic approach, including BenA, CaM and RPB2 sequences, macro- and micromorphological data and extrolite profiles. The new section Robsamsonia and the new species Penicillium robsamsonii and Penicillium samsonianum were introduced to celebrate Dr. Robert A. Samson’s 70th birthday.