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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Microbiol.
Sec. Terrestrial Microbiology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1458944
This article is part of the Research Topic Plant Mineral Microbe Interactions View all 3 articles

Two new species and three new records of Diachea (Physarales) from China based on morphological and molecular evidence

Provisionally accepted
Xuefei Li Xuefei Li 1Dan Dai Dan Dai 2Yonglan Tuo Yonglan Tuo 1You Li You Li 1JiaJun Hu JiaJun Hu 3Frederick L. Sossah Frederick L. Sossah 4BO ZHANG BO ZHANG 1*Xiao Li Xiao Li 1*Li Yu Li Yu 1*
  • 1 Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Edible and Medicinal Fungi, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
  • 2 Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
  • 3 Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China
  • 4 Oil Palm Research Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kade, Ghana

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Abstract: Diachea is an important genus of myxomycetes, recognized for its ecological role and wide distribution. This study aims to expand knowledge of species diversity within this genus in China. We collected Diachea specimens from various locations in Shaanxi and Sichuan Provinces and characterized them through morphological analysis and phylogenetic analysis using four genetic markers: small subunit ribosomal RNA (nSSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α), mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU), and alpha-tubulin gene (α-Tub). Based on these analyses, we describe two new species, Diachea plectophylla and D. sichuanensis, discovered in the Shaanxi and Sichuan Provinces, respectively. Diachea plectophylla is distinguished by its dense, rigid capillitium, spore warts, and distinct separation of capillitium ends from the peridium. Diachea sichuanensis, closely related to D. leucopodia, is identified by its blunt-headed columella, clustered spore warts, and robust stalks. In addition to these new species, we recorded five previously documented species, including D. bulbillosa in Gansu Province, D. leucopodia in Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces, and D. subsessilis in Sichuan Province. Detailed descriptions, micrographs, taxonomic comparisons, and an identification key are provided to aid in accurate identification. The discovery of these new species not only enhances the known diversity of slime molds in the region but also provides valuable information for future studies on their geographical distribution and ecological relationships.

    Keywords: diversity, morphology, Multigene phylogeny, New taxa, Taxonomy

    Received: 03 Jul 2024; Accepted: 18 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Li, Dai, Tuo, Li, Hu, Sossah, ZHANG, Li and Yu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    BO ZHANG, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Edible and Medicinal Fungi, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
    Xiao Li, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Edible and Medicinal Fungi, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
    Li Yu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Edible and Medicinal Fungi, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China

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