Taxonomy and phylogeny of Hypoxylon zhaotongensis sp. nov. (Hypoxylaceae, Xylariales), a bambusicolous fungus from Yunnan, China

During a survey of bambusicolous fungi in Yunnan Province, southwestern China, several saprobic fungi associated with dead bamboo culms were collected and cursorily identified as species belonging to Xylariales (Sordariomycetes), based on a morphological approach. In this study, a new species, Hypoxylon zhaotongensis, from bamboo was established. In addition, molecular analyses based on multiple gene sequences (ITS, LSU, RPB2, beta-tubulin) were carried out to determine the phylogenetic placement of the new isolates. The morphological characteristics show that our new taxon differs from the known Hypoxylon species in having broader asci and ascospores with conspicuously straight germ-slit, which is less than the spore length. Detailed description, photo-plate and a phylogenetic tree showing the taxonomic placement of the new species are provided in this paper.

Automated summary

Several saprobic fungi associated with dead bamboo culms were collected during a survey in Yunnan Province, southwestern China, and initially identified as species belonging to Xylariales (Sordariomycetes) based on morphology. A new species, Hypoxylon zhaotongensis, from bamboo, was established, and molecular analyses using multiple gene sequences confirmed its phylogenetic placement. The new taxon differs from known Hypoxylon species in its morphological characteristics, such as broader asci and ascospores with a conspicuously straight germ-slit, which is shorter than the spore length. The paper provides a detailed description, photo-plate, and a phylogenetic tree displaying the taxonomic placement of the new species.