Morpho-molecular characterization of Brunneofissuraceae fam. nov., Cirsosia mangiferae sp. nov., and Asterina neomangiferae nom. nov

Asterinales is an important epifoliar order which generally lacks of DNA-based sequence data. There are many genera in Asterinales lacking molecular data and the exact taxonomic placement of those genera is undetermined. In this study, we introduce Brunneofissuraceae fam. nov. and Cirsosia mangiferae sp. nov. and Asterina neomangiferae nom. nov. based on morpho-molecular evidences. All fungal specimens were collected during September (2020) from Chiang Mai, Thailand. The phylogenetic analysis based on 28s (LSU) and 5.8s (ITS) sequence data confirmed the placements of Asterolibertia, Brunneofissura, and Cirsosia in Asterinales. We provide the first molecular data for Asterolibertia (current name is Asterina) and Cirsosia. Comparative morphologies and phylogenetic analyses are provided for each taxon using illustrations and well-supported phylogenetic analyses.

Automated summary

In this study, a new family (Brunneofissuraceae) and a new species (Cirsosia mangiferae) were introduced based on morpho-molecular evidences. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed the taxonomic placement of Asterolibertia, Brunneofissura, and Cirsosia in Asterinales and provided the first molecular data for Asterolibertia and Cirsosia.