Molecular Identification of a New Species of Absidia (Cunninghamellaceae, Mucorales) Isolated from Soil in Korea.

The species within the family Cunninghamellaceae during an investigation of soil microfungi in Korea, in which three strains were isolated from Gangwon, Chungbuk, and Gyeongbuk provinces, designated as KNUF-22-121A, KNUF-22-126A, and KNUF-22-316, respectively. Because the morphological and molecular analyses of these three strains were identical, KNUF-22-316 underwent further detailed study. Phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region and the large subunit 28S rRNA gene revealed that the strain belonged to the genus Absidia, but occupied a distinct phylogenetic position. The strain KNUF-22-316 was compared with closely related species Absidia radiata CGMCC 3.16257T and Absidia yunnanensis CGMCC 3.16259T, morphologically different with shorter sporangiophores, smaller sporangia and columellae, and the consistent presence of collars. Here, we provide a detailed description and images of this proposed new species, which we have named Absidia microsporangia sp. nov.

Triangularia manubriata sp. Nov.: A Novel Fungal Species Belonging to the Family Podosporaceae Isolated from Soil in Korea.

The fungal strain designated as KNUF-21-020, belonging to the genus Triangularia, was isolated from a soil sample collected in the Chungnam province, Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated nucleotide sequences of internal transcribed spacer regions and partial sequences of large subunit rRNA, beta-tubulin, and RNA polymerase II subunit genes revealed that the strain was grouped in a clade with Triangularia species. However, it occupied a distinct phylogenetic position. We also observed morphological differences between strain KNUF-21-020 and closely related species. Here, we provided detailed descriptions, illustrations, and discussions regarding the morphological and phylogenetic analyses of the closely related species to support the novelty of this isolated species. The phylogenetic analyses and morphological observations indicate that the strain KNUF-21-020 represents a novel species in the genus Triangularia (family: Podosporaceae). We have designated this species as Triangularia manubriata sp. nov.