Two new species and one new record of Xenosporium with ellipsoidal or ovoid conidia from Taiwan

Three species of Xenosporium producing ellipsoidal or ovoid conidia were collected from decaying culms of Miscanthus floridulus submerged in freshwater streams of Alishan area, Chiayi County, Taiwan. Xenosporium formosiforme and X. parvulum are described and illustrated as new species. Xenosporium africanum is described in this paper as a new record for Taiwan. The phylogenetic relationships of Xenosporium species and related taxa were sought by comparing the sequences of their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) barcode, 28S rDNA, and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) gene segments. Phylogenetic analysis of these Xenosporium species supports their placement in the Tubeufiaceae. A synopsis of Xenosporium species producing ellipsoidal or ovoid conidia is given. The criteria used to differentiate species are discussed.

Automated summary

This paper describes three species of Xenosporium collected from decaying culms of Miscanthus floridulus in the freshwater streams of Alishan area, Chiayi County, Taiwan. Two new species, Xenosporium formosiforme and X. parvulum, are illustrated, while Xenosporium africanum is reported as a new record for Taiwan. Phylogenetic analysis based on different gene segments supports the placement of these Xenosporium species in the family Tubeufiaceae. A synopsis of Xenosporium species producing ellipsoidal or ovoid conidia is provided, along with a discussion on the criteria used to differentiate species.