Morpho-phylogenetic evidence reveals novel Bambusicolous fungi from Guizhou Province, China.

Abstract

The diversity and ecological importance of fungi associated with bamboo ecosystems are increasingly recognized, as these fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and bamboo decomposition. This study identified five ascomycetous species from decaying bamboo stems in Guizhou, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on a concatenated dataset of SSU, ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tef1-α sequences confirmed their placement within the family Bambusicolaceae. Three new species, Bambusicolapseudodimorphae, Bambusicolagelatinosospora, and Bambusicolaellipsospora, are described as new to science, while two previously known species, Bambusicolaautumnalis and Corylicolaitalica, are also reported. Notably, this study provides the first account of the asexual morph of Bambusicolaautumnalis, and Corylicolaitalica is newly recorded from China. Comprehensive morphological descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic assessments are presented, contributing to the expanding knowledge of fungi. These findings underscore the importance of continued exploration of fungal diversity in bamboo ecosystems.