Macaw palm is a harbor of new non-grass species of dark septate endophytes belonging to the genus Pseudophialophora (Magnaporthaceae).

Abstract

Macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata) is an oleaginous crop native to Brazil with significant economic and environmental value. It has been explored commercially in Brazil within sustainable management. The microbiota associated with macaw palm is still little known and there is no report about their root's fungal endophytes. Recently, the community of dark septate endophytes (DSE) from macaw palm began to be investigated, and new taxa were found. The present study aimed to describe two new Pseudophialophora species associated with macaw palm roots. The isolation method performed was the dilution-to-extinction cultivation. ITS, RPB1, tef1-α, LSU, and SSU regions were amplified and sequenced for phylogenetic analyses. The isolates formed two phylogenetically independent lineages and we proposed the new species P. chlamydospora and P. endophytica. For the first time, new taxa of DSE fungi were described from macaw palm.