Work

Three New Species of Pyrenula (Ascomycota, Pyrenulales, Pyrenulaceae) from China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The lichenized fungal genus Pyrenula Ach. is one of the most common groups of crustose lichens in tropical and subtropical regions, but there has been little research on this genus in China. Based on an integrative taxonomic method including morphological, chemical characters, and three-locus phylogenetic analyses, we found three new Pyrenula species from southern China. Pyrenula falcatispora sp. nov. is characterized by multiseptate (7–9-septate), falciform ascospores with pointed ends, and the presence of pseudocyphellae; Pyrenula rectiloculata sp. nov. is characterized by elongate-fusiform ascospores (5–7(–8)-septate) with pointed ends and rectangular lumina, the absence of pseudocyphellae, and the inspersed hamathecium; Pyrenula jinghongensis sp. nov. is unique in having 2-spored asci, large and muriform ascospores with 14–19 transverse septa. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that these three species form independent lineages within the genus. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and comparisons with morphologically similar taxa are provided. Notably, taxa with ascospores more than four times as long as wide or 2-spored asci were uncommon within the genus Pyrenula. This is the first report of transversely septate Pyrenula taxa with ascospores more than four times as long as wide in China. Meanwhile, a key for the Pyrenula species reported in China is provided.

Source: Journal of Fungi

DOI: 10.3390/jof12070529

Authors: Xue Li, Lihua Chen, Wenting Liu, André Aptroot, Mingzhu Dou

Institutions: Liaocheng University, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul

Language: English

Topic: Lichen and fungal ecology

Subfield: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China