Phylogenetic and taxonomic appraisal of Neomanoharachariella xizangensis sp. nov. and the first asexual report of Acanthostigmina (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales) from Xizang Autonomous Region, China

Tubeufiaceae species have diverse morphologies and habitats and are distributed in both tropical and temperate regions. In the past decade, several new and interesting Tubeufiaceae species were reported from China in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. In this study, we investigated two saprobic species collected on decaying wood in a terrestrial habitat of Xizang Autonomous Region, China. Through phylogenetic analyses of a combined ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 dataset coupled with detailed morphological examinations, a novel species within Neomanoharachariella was identified. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that this new species formed a sister clade to Neomanoharachariella aquatica, but can be morphologically distinguished by its pale brown, septate, and flexuous conidiophores, alongside dark brown setae that turn hyaline at the apex and distinct muriform conidia. In addition, this study presents the first asexual and geographical record of Acanthostigmina (A. multiseptatum) from China. Acanthostigmina multiseptatum is characterized by micronematous, hyaline, and septate conidiophores with unique pleurogenous and helicoid conidia.