A new acidophilic fungus Teratosphaeria acidotherma (Capnodiales, Ascomycota) from a hot spring

A novel acidophilic fungus was isolated by an acidic enrichment culture of microbial mats and biofilms collected at an extremely acidic and high temperature hot spring. In culture studies, this fungus was revealed to produce ascomycetous teleomorph structures. Molecular phylogenetic study and morphological observation showed this fungus is a new species of the genus Teratosphaeria (Capnodiales, Dothideomycetes) and is phylogenetically close to Acidomyces acidophilus and Bispora sp., which were previously reported as acidophilic anamorphic fungi. This new fungus is described here as a new species of Teratosphaeria, and its physiological properties adapting to its habitat are demonstrated. This is the first report of a teleomorphic fungus having highly acidophilic and thermophilic properties.