Wongia setariae sp. nov. (Papulosaceae, Sordariomycetes), a new species from Poaceae in Sichuan, China

Abstract

Wongia belongs to Papulosaceae (Sordariomycetes) and currently comprises 16 species. Most species have been reported from freshwater habitats and are known from their asexual morphs. During a a survey of fungi associated with Poaceae in Sichuan Province, China, a previously undescribed species of Wongia was collected from a terrestrial habitat. Based on morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 sequence data, the fungus is introduced herein as Wongia setariae sp. nov. Wongia setariae is distinguished from the extant members by having ascomata that are semi-immersed in the bark, overlapping uniseriate asci, and 3-septate, median cells dark brown, and the end cells pale brown to subhyaline, broadly fusiform ascospores with obtuse ends, with prominent four refractive globules. Phylogenetic analysis places the new species within Wongia as a distinct lineage, clearly separated from other known species of the genus. Comparisons of nucleotide sequences across the examined loci further support its recognition as a novel taxon. This study adds a new species to Wongia and contributes to a better understanding of the diversity and host associations of the genus in terrestrial ecosystems.