Morpho-phylogenetic evidence reveals novel hyphomycetous fungi on medicinal plants in Southwestern China

A survey of saprobic fungi on medicinal plants in Southwestern China identified 39 hyphomycetous collections belonging to Dictyosporiaceae, Melanommataceae, and Stachybotryaceae, representing 19 distinct species.

This study is led by Dr. Hong-Zhi Du (School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China; School of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine) and Prof. Jian-Kui Liu (School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China).

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During a survey of saprobic fungi on medicinal plants in Southwestern China, thirty-nine hyphomycetous collections belonging to Dictyosporiaceae, Melanommataceae, and Stachybotryaceae were identified, representing nineteen distinct species. These taxa were characterized and identified based on morphological and culture characteristics, coupled with phylogenetic analyses of combined sequences of calmodulin (cmdA), the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA (ITS), nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU), RNA polymerase second-largest subunit (rpb2), the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α), and β-tubulin (tub2).

12 novel species

In this study, twelve novel species are described, including Camposporium alangii, C. polygoni, Dendryphiella verrucosispora, Jalapriya cheirospora, Memnoniella cnidiicola, M. guttulatispora, M. reniformis, M. reynoutriae, M. verrucosispora, Sirastachys aspidistrae, Sir. ellipsoidispora, and Striatibotrys biguttulatispora.

Additionally, three new host records, M. alishanensis, Sir. castanedae, and Stachybotrys chartarum, and four new hosts and geographical records of M. ellipsoidea, M. pseudonilagirica, Str. rhabdospora, and Virgatospora echinofibrosa are reported. 

Memnoniella nilagirica is revised and synonymized under M. pseudonilagirica. The key morphological characteristics, hosts specificity, and distributional data of Memnoniella, Sirastachys, and Striatibotrys were summarized. This study provides comprehensive illustrations, descriptions, and notes for each new taxon and record, marking the first report of these species from medicinal plants in China.

Medicinal plants

Additionally, all collections were reported from terrestrial habitats and associated with medicinal plants belonging to twenty-one families. The fresh samples of microfungi were primarily collected from dead leaves, petioles, stems, twigs, and vines.

Besides their medicinal value, some host plants also possess economic significance, such as Bletilla striata (Orchidaceae), edible value, such as Houttuynia cordata (Saururaceae) and Disporopsis longifolia (Asparagaceae). Some hosts are cherished and endangered medicinal plants, such as Alsophila spinulosa (Cyatheaceae), known as living fossils.