Two new species of Veronaea (Herpotrichiellaceae, Chaetothyriales) from Guizhou Province, China

Abstract

Abstract Freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems harbor a rich diversity of fungi, many of which remain poorly explored, particularly within the order Chaetothyriales. Four hyphomycetous isolates were obtained from freshwater and terrestrial habitats in Guizhou Province, China. Their morphological characteristics were examined, and multilocus phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, SSU, and tub2 were performed to clarify their taxonomic positions. Phylogenetic reconstruction indicated that the isolates represent two distinct species within Veronaea (Herpotrichiellaceae, Chaetothyriales), which are herein described as V. guizhouensis and V. terrestris. Comprehensive descriptions, illustrations, and morphological comparisons with related taxa are provided. These findings expand the known diversity of Veronaea and underscore the significance of freshwater and terrestrial woody substrates as reservoirs of novel fungal taxa.