Novel black yeast-like species in chaetothyriales with ant-associated life styles

Among ancestral fungi in Chaetothyriales, several groups have a life style in association with tropical ants, either in domatia or in carton-nests. In the present study, two strains collected from ant carton in Thailand and Malaysia were found to represent hitherto undescribed species. Morphological, physio-logical, phylogenetic data and basic genome information are provided for their classification. Because of the relatively large phylogenetic distances with known species confirmed by overall genome data, large subunit (LSU) and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA sequences were sufficient for taxo-nomic circumscription of the species. The analyzed strains clustered with high statistical support as a clade in the family Trichomeriaceae. Morphologically they were rather similar, lacking sporulation in vitro. In conclusion, Incumbomyces delicatus and Incumbomyces lentus were described as new species based on morphological, physiological and phylogenetic analysis. (c) 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of British Mycological Society.

Automated summary

In this study, two previously undescribed fungal species, Incumbomyces delicatus and Incumbomyces lentus, were discovered in ant cartons from Thailand and Malaysia. They were classified based on morphological, physiological, and phylogenetic analysis, with LSU and ITS ribosomal DNA sequences being sufficient for taxonomic circumscription. The strains clustered together within the family Trichomeriaceae, showing similarities in morphology and lack of sporulation in vitro.