Three New Species of Dicephalospora (Helotiaceae, Helotiales) from Thailand

Dicephalospora is a genus of Helotiaceae (Helotiales) that presently comprises 14 species, all of which were collected from Asia. The current study describes three additional species and a collection from Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai Provinces, Thailand. The new fungi were identified based on morphological characteristics coupled with phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU and ITS nrDNA loci. Dicephalospora chiangraiensis is characterized by small asci (90-110 x 5-10 mu m) and ascospores of 20-25 x 2-4 mu m, featuring a non-mucilaginous cap. Dicephalospora irregularis is characterized by sessile apothecia, non-amyloid asci, branched, filiform paraphyses, and fusoid-clavate to ellipsoid ascospores with a mucilaginous cap, while D. inthanonensis is characterized by unbranched and aseptate paraphyses, a partly globose blue reaction with Melzers reagent at ascal apices, and fusoid ascospores in the range of 24-32 x 3-5 mu m with a non-mucilaginous cap. With the present study, the number of species of Dicephalospora known from Thailand has now increased to three. A dichotomous key to the species of the genus is also provided.

Automated summary

This study reports three new species and a collection of Dicephalospora fungi from Thailand, which were identified based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis. A dichotomous key to the species of the genus is provided.