Exophiala amphawaensis sp. nov., a novel black yeast isolated from the gut of amphipods in Thailand.

The genus Exophiala is polymorphic, able to transition between yeast, hyphal and pseudohyphal forms. Species of the genus Exophiala are ubiquitous fungi that are distributed in various environments around the world. During a survey of fungal diversity in the gut of amphipods (Floresorchestia amphawaensis and undescribed Dogielinotid amphipods) from the Amphawa estuary, Samut Songkhram province, Thailand, five black yeast strains (DMKU-MG01, DMKU-MG07, DMKU-MG08, DMKU-HG10 and DMKU-FG04) were identified as representing a novel taxon on the basis of a combination of morphological and molecular phylogenetic features. The five strains did not produce filamentous hyphae or pseudohyphae. Only budding yeast cells were observed. On the basis of the phenotypic characteristics and the results of molecular analyses of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the five strains were identified as representing a novel species via applied nucleotide pairwise analysis. They differed from the most closely related species Exophiala alcalophiala by 3.54 % nucleotide substitutions (20 nucleotide substitutions in 572 bp) in the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene. Moreover, the sequences of the ITS region of the five strains differed from those of the most closely related species E. alcalophiala, by 7.44-9.62 % nucleotide substitutions, and Exophiala halophiala, by 7.2-7.53 % nucleotide substitutions. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated sequences of the ITS regions and the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene confirmed that the five black yeast strains represented a single novel species of the genus Exophiala. In this study, Exophiala amphawaensis sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these strains. The holotype is TBRC 15626T and the isotype is PYCC9020. The MycoBank accession number of the novel species is MB 851477.

Wickerhamiella lachancei f.a. sp. nov., a novel ascomycetous yeast species isolated from flowers of Lantana camara in India.

Two isolates representing a novel species of the genus Wickerhamiella were obtained in India from nectar of flowers of Lantana camara, an ornamental exotic species native to Central and South America. Phylogenetic analyses of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and physiological characteristics, supported the recognition of the novel species, that we designate Wickerhamiella lachancei sp. nov (MycoBank no. MB851709), with MCC 9929T as the holotype and PYCC 10003T as the isotype. Considering pairwise sequence similarity, the type strain of the novel species differs from the type strain of the most closely related species, Wickerhamiella drosophilae CBS 8459T, by 16 nucleotide substitutions and two gaps (3.9 % sequence variation) in the D1/D2 region (560 bp compared) and 28 nucleotide substitutions and five gaps (7.22 % sequence variation) in the ITS region (444 bp compared).

Molecular authentication of commercial "Qian-hu" through the integration of nrDNA internal transcribed spacer 2 and nucleotide signature.

BACKGROUND: Peucedani Radix, also known as "Qian-hu" is a traditional Chinese medicine derived from Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn. It is widely utilized for treating wind-heat colds and coughs accompanied by excessive phlegm. However, due to morphological similarities, limited resources, and heightened market demand, numerous substitutes and adulterants of Peucedani Radix have emerged within the herbal medicine market. Moreover, Peucedani Radix is typically dried and sliced for sale, rendering traditional identification methods challenging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We initially examined and compared 104 commercial "Qian-hu" samples from various Chinese medicinal markets and 44 species representing genuine, adulterants or substitutes, utilizing the mini barcode ITS2 region to elucidate the botanical origins of the commercial "Qian-hu". The nucleotide signature specific to Peucedani Radix was subsequently developed by analyzing the polymorphic sites within the aligned ITS2 sequences. RESULTS: The results demonstrated a success rate of 100% and 93.3% for DNA extraction and PCR amplification, respectively. Forty-five samples were authentic "Qian-hu", while the remaining samples were all adulterants, originating from nine distinct species. Peucedani Radix, its substitutes, and adulterants were successfully identified based on the neighbor-joining tree. The 24-bp nucleotide signature (5'-ATTGTCGTACGAATCCTCGTCGTC-3') revealed distinct differences between Peucedani Radix and its common substitutes and adulterants. The newly designed specific primers (PR-F/PR-R) can amplify the nucleotide signature region from commercial samples and processed materials with severe DNA degradation. CONCLUSIONS: We advocate for the utilization of ITS2 and nucleotide signature for the rapid and precise identification of herbal medicines and their adulterants to regulate the Chinese herbal medicine industry.

Unveiling Trichosporon austroamericanum sp. nov.: A Novel Emerging Opportunistic Basidiomycetous Yeast Species.

During an epidemiological survey, a potential novel species within the basidiomycetous yeast genus Trichosporon was observed. The clinical strain was obtained from a urine sample taken from a Brazilian kidney transplant recipient. The strain was molecularly identified using the intergenic spacer (IGS1) ribosomal DNA locus and a subsequent phylogenetic analysis showed that multiple strains that were previously reported by other studies shared an identical IGS1-genotype most closely related to that of Trichosporon inkin. However, none of these studies provided an in-depth characterization of the involved strains to describe it as a new taxon. Here, we present the novel clinically relevant yeast for which we propose the name Trichosporon austroamericanum sp. nov. (holotype CBS H-24937). T. austroamericanum can be distinguished from other siblings in the genus Trichosporon using morphological, physiological, and phylogenetic characters.

Endophytic species of Nigrospora from grasses and shrubs of Shadegan International Wetland, with new species and records from Iran.

The "Shadegan International Wetland" (SIW) is one of the wetlands internationally recognized in the Ramsar convention. The vegetation of this wetland ecosystem consists of mostly grasses and shrubs that host a large number of fungi including endophytes. In this study, Nigrospora isolates were obtained from healthy plants of this wetland and its surrounding salt marshes and identified based on morphological features and multilocus phylogenetic analyses based on three DNA loci, namely the internal transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 including the intervening 5.8S nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS), ß-tubulin (tub2), and elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α). Accordingly, the following Nigrospora species were identified: N. lacticolonia, N. oryzae, N. osmanthi, N. pernambucoensis and a novel taxon N. shadeganensis sp. nov., which is described and illustrated. To the best of our knowledge, 10 new hosts for Nigrospora species are here reported, namely Aeluropus lagopoides, Allenrolfea occidentalis, Anthoxanthum monticola, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Cressa cretica, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Seidlitzia rosmarinus, Suaeda vermiculata, Tamarix passerinoides, and Typha latifolia. Moreover, the species N. lacticolonia and N. pernambucoensis are new records for the mycobiota of Iran.

Unveiling genotypic diversity of Theileria orientalis in lethal outbreaks among bovines in Karnataka, India.

Theileria orientalis, the causal agent of oriental theileriosis, is known to cause mild disease in cattle and buffalo across the world. Recently, different genotypes of T. orientalis have emerged as pathogenic, causing high reported morbidity in cattle. This study focuses on investigating three suspected outbreaks of oriental theileriosis that resulted in fatalities among crossbred and indigenous bulls in Karnataka, India. Examination of blood smears revealed the presence of T. orientalis piroplasms within erythrocytes. The genetic characterization of T. orientalis was conducted by targeting specific markers, including the mpsp gene, p23 gene, and ribosomal DNA markers (18S rRNA gene, ITS-1, and ITS-2). Analysis based on the 18S rRNA gene unveiled the presence of both Type A and Type E genotypes of T. orientalis in the outbreaks. The mpsp gene-based analysis identified genotype 7 of T. orientalis in crossbred cows, whereas genotype 1 (Chitose B) was found to be present in indigenous bulls. Haplotype network analysis based on the mpsp gene revealed the presence of 39 distinct haplotypes within the 12 defined genotypes of T. orientalis with a high haplotype diversity of 0.9545 ± 0.017. Hematological and biochemical analysis revealed a decrease in calcium, hemoglobin levels, red blood cell counts, and phosphorus. This study constitutes the initial documentation of a clinical outbreak of oriental theileriosis in indigenous bulls with genotype 1 (Chitose 1B). Substantial epidemiological investigations are imperative to gain a comprehensive understanding of the geographical distribution of distinct genotypes and the diverse clinical manifestations of the disease across various hosts.

Geographical and climatic distribution of lentil-nodulating rhizobia in Iran.

Lentil is one of the most important legumes cultivated in various provinces of Iran. However, there is limited information about the symbiotic rhizobia of lentils in this country. In this study, molecular identification of lentil-nodulating rhizobia was performed based on 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer (IGS) and recA, atpD, glnII, and nodC gene sequencing. Using PCR-RFLP analysis of 16S-23S rRNA IGS, a total of 116 rhizobia isolates were classified into 20 groups, leaving seven strains unclustered. Phylogenetic analysis of representative isolates revealed that the rhizobia strains belonged to Rhizobium leguminosarum and Rhizobium laguerreae, and the distribution of the species is partially related to geographical location. Rhizobium leguminosarum was the dominant species in North Khorasan and Zanjan, while R. laguerreae prevailed in Ardabil and East Azerbaijan. The distribution of the species was also influenced by agroecological climates; R. leguminosarum thrived in cold semiarid climates, whereas R. laguerreae adapted to humid continental climates. Both species exhibited equal dominance in the Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, in Lorestan and Kohgiluyeh-Boyer Ahmad provinces.

Morphological and molecular data on Pseudozoogonoides ugui Shimazu, 1974 (Digenea: Microphalloidea: Zoogonidae) ex Pseudaspius hakonensis (Günther, 1877) and taxonomic problems in Zoogoninae genera.

New morphological and molecular data were generated for trematodes recovered from the intestines of the fish Pseudaspius hakonensis from two locations in the south of the Russian Far East. Morphologically, these trematodes are identical to Pseudozoogonoides ugui (Microphalloidea: Zoogonidae) from Japan. According to results of phylogenetic analysis based on 28S rDNA sequence data, P. ugui was closely related to Zoogonoides viviparus, and P. subaequiporus appears as a sister taxon to these two species. Genetic distance values, calculated based on both 28S rDNA and ITS2 rDNA, between P. ugui and Z. viviparus represents an interspecific differentiation level. Our results have an ambiguous explanation, indicating that the implication of the presence of one or two compact vitellarial aggregations for the differentiation of Zoogonoides and Pseudozoogonoides should be reconsidered or that our results open up the question of the taxonomical status of trematodes previously denoted as Z. viviparus and P. subaequiporus.

Molecular detection of blood protozoa and identification of black flies of the Simulium varicorne species group (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Thailand.

Species of the Simulium varicorne group in Thailand have veterinary significance as vectors of haemosporidian parasites. Accurate identification is, therefore, critical to the study of vectors and parasites. We used morphology and molecular markers to investigate cryptic genetic lineages in samples identified as Simulium chumpornense Takaoka & Kuvangkadilok, 2000. We also tested the efficiency of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) marker for the identification of species in this group. Morphological examinations revealed that S. chumpornense lineage A is most similar to S. khelangense Takaoka, Srisuka & Saeung, 2022, with minor morphological differences. They are also genetically similar based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences. Geographically, the sampling site where paratypes of S. khelangense were originally collected is <50 km from where S. chumpornense lineage A was collected. We concluded that cryptic lineage A of S. chumpornense is actually S. khelangense. COI sequences could not differentiate S. kuvangkadilokae Pramual and Tangkawanit, 2008 from S. chumpornense and S. khelangense. In contrast, ITS2 sequences provided perfect accuracy in the identification of these species. Molecular analyses of the blood protozoa Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma demonstrated that S. khelangense carries L. shoutedeni, Leucocytozoon sp., and Trypanosoma avium. The Leucocytozoon sp. in S. khelangense differs genetically from that in S. asakoae Takaoka & Davies, 1995, signaling the possibility of vector-parasite specificity.

Wickerhamomyces corioli f.a., sp. nov., a novel yeast species discovered in two mushroom species.

Two yeast strains, designated as 19-39-3 and 19-40-2, obtained from the fruiting bodies of Trametes versicolor and Marasmius siccus collected in Yunwu Mountain Forest Park, PR China, have been identified as representing a novel asexual ascomycetous yeast species. From the results of phylogenetic analyses of the sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA, small subunit (SSU) rRNA and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) genes, it was determined that these strains represent a member of the genus Wickerhamomyces, with Wickerhamomyces alni and Candida ulmi as the closest relatives. The novel species exhibited 6.6 and 6.7% differences in the D1/D2 domains compared with W. alni and C. ulmi, respectively. Additionally, distinct biochemical and physiological differences were observed between the novel species and its related counterparts. No sexual reproduction was observed in these strains, leading to the proposal of the name Wickerhamomyces corioli f.a., sp. nov. for this newly discovered species.

Savitreea siamensis sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast species in the family Saccharomycetaceae discovered in Thailand.

Four yeast strains, representing a novel anamorphic species, were isolated in Thailand. The two strains (ST-3660T and ST-3647) were obtained from two different estuarine water samples in a mangrove forest. Strain DMKU-FW1-37 was derived from a grease sample, and another strain (TSU57) was isolated from a fruiting body of Phallus sp. Pairwise sequence analysis showed that the four strains had identical or differed by only one nucleotide substitution in the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, and differed by one to three nucleotide substitutions in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Savitreea pentosicarens is the most closely related species to the four strains, but with 9-10 (1.57-1.72 %) nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene and 29-31 (4.22-4.45 %) nucleotide substitutions in the ITS regions. Phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated sequences of the ITS regions and the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene showed that the four strains form a well-separated lineage from S. pentosicarens with high bootstrap support, confirming that they represent a distinct species. Therefore, the four strains are assigned as representives of a novel species of the genus Savitreea, for which the name Savitreea siamensis sp. nov. is proposed. The holotype is TBRC 4481T and the ex-type is PYCC 9794T (=ST-3660T). The MycoBank number of the novel species is MB 851951.

The internal transcribed spacer 1 sequence polymorphism brings updates to tsetse species distribution in the northern Cameroon: Importance in planning efficient vector control.

Vector control remains one of the best strategies to prevent the transmission of trypanosome infections in humans and livestock and, thus, a good way to achieve the elimination of human African trypanosomiasis and animal African trypanosomiasis. A key prerequisite for the success of any vector control strategy is the accurate identification and correct mapping of tsetse species. In this work, we updated the tsetse fly species identification and distribution in many geographical areas in Cameroon. Tsetse flies were captured from six localities in Cameroon, and their species were morphologically identified. Thereafter, DNA was extracted from legs of each tsetse fly and the length polymorphism of internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS1) region of each fly was investigated using PCR. ITS1 DNA fragments of each tsetse species were sequenced. The sequences obtained were analysed and compared to those available in GenBank. This enabled to confirm/infirm results of the morphologic identification and then, to establish the phylogenetic relationships between tsetse species. Morphologic features allowed to clearly distinguish all the tsetse species captured in the South Region of Cameroon, that is, Glossina palpalis palpalis, G. pallicera, G. caliginea and G. nigrofusca. In the northern area, G. morsitans submorsitans could also be distinguished from G. palpalis palpalis, G. tachinoides and G. fuscipes, but these three later could not be distinguished with routine morphological characters. The ITS1 length polymorphism was high among most of the studied species and allowed to identify the following similar species with a single PCR, that is, G. palpalis palpalis with 241 or 242 bp and G. tachinoides with 221 or 222 bp, G. fuscipes with 236 or 237 bp. We also updated the old distribution of tsetse species in the areas assessed, highlighting the presence of G. palpalis palpalis instead of G. fuscipes in Mbakaou, or in sympatry with G. morsitans submorsitans in Dodeo (northern Cameroon). This study confirms the presence of G. palpalis palpalis in the Adamawa Region of Cameroon. It highlights the limits of using morphological criteria to differentiate some tsetse species. Molecular tools based on the polymorphism of ITS1 of tsetse flies can differentiate tsetse species through a simple PCR before downstream analyses or vector control planning.

Austropuccinia licaniae, first congeneric with the myrtle rust pathogen A. psidii.

In 1895 and 2001, rust fungi affecting Licania trees (Chrysobalanchaceae) in Brazil were described as Uredo licaniae by Hennings in the state of Goiás and as Phakopsora tomentosae by Ferreira et al. in the state of Amazonas, respectively. Recently, a Licania rust fungus collected close to the Amazonian type location sharing symptoms with the former two species was subjected to morphological examinations and molecular phylogenetic analyses using 28S nuc rDNA (ITS2-28S) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (CO3) gene sequences. Since the original type specimen of Ph. tomentosae is considered lost, we carefully reviewed the type description and questioned the identity of the telium, which justified the description of the fungus as a Phakopsora species. Furthermore, the additional revision of the type material described by Hennings revealed that Ph. tomentosae is a synonym of U. licaniae. Based on the morphological examinations, disease symptoms, and shared hosts, we concluded that the newly collected material is conspecific with U. licaniae. However, the phylogenetic analyses rejected allocation in Phakopsora and instead assigned the Licania rust fungus in a sister relationship with Austropuccinia psidii (Sphaerophragmiaceae), the causal agent of the globally invasive myrtle rust pathogen. We therefore favored a recombination of U. licaniae (syn. Ph. tomentosae) into Austropuccinia and proposed the new name Austropuccina licaniae for the second species now identified for this genus. The fungus shares conspicuous symptoms with A. psidii, causing often severe infections of growing leaves and shoots that lead to leaf necrosis, leaf shedding, and eventually to the dieback of entire shoots. In view of the very similar symptoms of its aggressively invasive sister species, we briefly discuss the current state of knowledge about A. licaniae and the potential risks, and the opportunity of its identification.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Cryptosporidium bat genotype XXI and bat genotype XXII in fruit bats (Rousettus leschenaultii) inhabiting a tropical park in Hainan Province, China.

Bats stand as one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom and are key players in the global transmission of emerging pathogens. However, their role in transmitting Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and genetic diversity of the two pathogens in fruit bats (Rousettus leschenaultii) in Hainan, China. Ten fresh fecal specimens of fruit bats were collected from Wanlvyuan Gardens, Haikou, China. The fecal samples were tested for E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis and sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and partial small subunit of ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene, respectively. Genetic heterogeneity across Cryptosporidium spp. isolates was assessed by sequencing 4 microsatellite/minisatellite loci (MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS16). The findings showed that out of the ten specimens analyzed, 2 (20 %) and seven (70.0 %) were tested positive for E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp., respectively. DNA sequence analysis revealed the presence of two novel Cryptosporidium genotypes with 94.4 to 98.6 % sequence similarity to C. andersoni, named as Cryptosporidium bat-genotype-XXI and bat-genotype-XXII. Three novel sequences of MS1, MS2 and MS16 loci identified here had 95.4 to 96.9 % similarity to the known sequences, which were deposited in the GenBank. Two genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified, including a novel genotype named HNB-I and a zoonotic genotype PigEbITS7. The discovery of these novel sequences provides meaningful data for epidemiological studies of the both pathogens. Meanwhile our results are also presented that the fruit bats infected with E. bieneusi, but not with Cryptosporidium, should be considered potential public health threats.

First confirmed case of equine pythiosis in Northern Veracruz, Mexico.

A clinical case of an adult horse with invasive, ulcerative, proliferative, pyogranulomatous disease of the skin (tumor) in the shoulder region is presented. The mass had a granulomatous and crater-shaped appearance, with serosanguinous discharge and the presence of fistulas with caseous material. The tumor was removed by surgery and sent to the laboratory for diagnosis. Histopathology was performed using Grocott-Gomori methenamine silver stain. The presence of necrotic material, fibrosis, infiltrated cells, and brown-colored hyphae, characteristic of members of the genus Pythium, were observed. To identify the infecting species, conventional PCRs for the amplification of the ITS-1 was carried out. Histopathological and PCR tests confirmed infection by a Pythium insidiosum strain closely associated with previous records from the US and Central America. Our report represents the first molecularly confirmed case of equine pythiosis in Mexico.

Genetic Diversity of Leishmania major Isolated from Different Dermal Lesions Using ITS2 Region.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is still considered to be an uncontrolled endemic disease that spreads in many countries. The current study aimed to determine intra-species relationships of L. major using ITS2 sequencing. METHODS: The study was conducted from the beginning of March to the end of November 2022. All medical information regarding CL was collected from patients of Thi-Qar province who attended the Dermatology Department of Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital in Nasiriyah city. Seventy-three samples were selected for the molecular identification after confirming microscopy with Giemsa stain. In this study, the primers were designed using NCBI GenBank sequence database and Primer 3 plus primer design online software. RESULTS: The results recorded 21 (28.77%) positive samples of L. major using the internal transcribed spacer 2 region (ITS2) in ribosomal RNA gene. The local L. major IQN.1-IQN.10 were submitted to NCBI GenBank database with accession numbers OM069357.1-OM069366.1, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that local isolates of L. major showed a close relationship with NCBI-BLAST L. major Iran isolate (KU680848.1). CONCLUSION: ITS2-PCR is suitable for identifying Leishmania spp. and determining genetic diversity. A phylogenetic data analysis may provide an idea on the genetic homogeneity of local isolates and knowing the genetic origin of the dermal lesion. However, the local isolates showed genetic proximity to the KU680848.1 isolate. This signifies the possibility of infection prevalence from Iranian areas. In general, genetic variation of L. major isolates may give several clinical manifestations of the cutaneous lesion. Therefore, determination of the heterogeneity is important for detecting the infection origin, epidemiology, therapy, and control strategies.

Widespread distribution of human-infective Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in small rodents in northeast China and phylogeny and zoonotic implications revisited.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi features high genetic diversity among host species and environmental sources and over 500 genotypes in 11 phylogenetic groups have been defined. Here we investigated 291 small rodents in Heilongjiang province, northeast China, for the presence of E. bieneusi by PCR of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Nine of 60 (15.0 %) gray squirrels from a park in Harbin, 120 of 201 (59.7 %) guinea pigs from a pet shop in Harbin, and two of 30 (6.7 %) peridomestic rats from a pasture in Qiqihar were positive for the parasite. Six known genotypes (EbpB, SCC-1, SCC-2, D, S7 and HLJ-CP1) and two novel genotypes (NESQ1 and NEGP1) were identified by sequence analysis of the ITS, with EbpB, SCC-1, SCC-2 and NESQ1 found in squirrels, D, S7 and NEGP1 in guinea pigs, and EbpB and HLJ-CP1 in rats. Widespread distribution of human-infective Group 10 genotype S7 and Group 1 genotype D in guinea pigs raised our concerns about the importance of pet animals as zoonotic reservoirs of microsporidiosis. Co-occurrence of Group 1 genotypes D and HLJ-CP1 in cancer patients and rodents in Heilongjiang indicated a possibility of zoonotic transmission. The host range of Group 1 genotype EbpB previously considered pig-adapted was extended. A potential variant of genotype S7, namely NESQ1, went into the existing Group 10 in phylogenetic analysis. The other new genotype, NEGP1, was clustered in an undefined clade we proposed as Group 15. With the emerging epidemiologic evidence, the host specificity of existing E. bieneusi genotypes is now being challenged.

Molecular detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in bats from Portugal.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a microsporidia commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and a wide range of other animals, constituting a major cause of microsporidiosis in humans. Although E. bieneusi has been detected in humans, domestic, and wild animals in Portugal, and its presence in bats has been linked to zoonotic characteristics, its occurrence in bats within the country has not been reported. In this study, we investigated the presence of E. bieneusi in 380 bat fecal samples collected in mainland Portugal through a nested PCR assay targeting the internal transcribed spacer region and the flanking small and large subunits of the ribosomal RNA. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in one bat sample (i.e., 0.26%; Pipistrellus pipistrellus). Additionally, another sample tested positive for Enterocytozoon sp. Phylogenetic analysis of the obtained ITS sequence of E. bieneusi revealed clustering within the potentially zoonotic Group 1. This study represents the first report of E. bieneusi in a bat from Europe. Findings presented here contribute to an enhanced understanding of E. bieneusi epidemiology.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most frequent cause of microsporidiosis in humans. In this study, E. bieneusi, belonging to a potentially zoonotic Group, was detected in 0.26% bat samples from Portugal, highlighting bats' potential role in transmitting this microsporidia to humans and other animals.

Three new species in Russula subsection Xerampelinae supported by genealogical and phenotypic coherence.

Xerampelinae is a subsection composed of species of ectomycorrhizal fungi belonging to the hyperdiverse and cosmopolitan genus Russula (Russulales). Species of Xerampelinae are recognized by their fishy or shrimp odor, browning context, and a green reaction to iron sulfate. However, species delimitation has traditionally relied on morphology and analysis of limited molecular data. Prior taxonomic work in Xerampelinae has led to the description of as many as 59 taxa in Europe and 19 in North America. Here we provide the first multilocus phylogeny of European and North American members based on two nrDNA loci and two protein-coding genes. The resulting phylogeny supports the recognition of 17 species-rank Xerampelinae clades; however, higher species richness (~23) is suggested by a more inclusive nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS barcode) analysis. Phylogenetic and morphological analyses support three new species with restricted geographic distributions: R. lapponica, R. neopascua, and R. olympiana. We confirm that the European species R. subrubens is present in North America and the North American species R. serissima (previously known as R. favrei) is present in Europe. Most other Xerampelinae appear restricted to either North America or Eurasia, which indicates a high degree of regional endemism; this includes R. xerampelina, a name widely applied to North American taxa, but a species restricted to Eurasia.

Chionobium takahashii, gen. et sp. nov., associated with snow blight of conifers in Japan.

Gremmenia abietis (Dearn.) Crous (syn: Phacidium abietis) was originally described in North America to accommodate the species associated with snow blight of Abies and Pseudotsuga spp. In Japan, this species was first observed on the dead needles on Abies sachalinensis and Picea jezoensis var. jezoensis in 1969. However, the identity of Japanese species was unclear due to the lack of molecular data and the absence of anamorph description. In this study, we collected fresh specimens from various conifer species (A. sachalinensis, A. veitchii, Pic. jezoensis var. jezoensis, Pic. jezoensis var. hondoensis, Pinus koraiensis, and Pin. pumila) in Japan and revised the taxonomy based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS), nuc 28S rDNA (28S), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) regions indicated that the species belongs to Phacidiaceae. Conidiomata formed in vitro produced pyriform, hyaline conidia without mucoid appendage, which distinguished the species from phylogenetically related genera. Consequently, we established Chionobium takahashii to accommodate the snow blight fungus in Japan. Further phylogenetic analyses also indicated that C. takahashii includes several distinct clades corresponding to the host genera (Abies, Picea, Pinus). Morphological differences among those clades were unclear, suggesting that C. takahashii may contain host-specific cryptic species.