Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 716 No. 4: 4 Sept. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-09-04
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.716.4.6
Abstract views: 1309
PDF downloaded: 12

Morphology and Phylogeny reveal a new species, Nigrograna pruni (Nigrogranaceae, Pleosporales), from sweet cherry

School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, P.R. China
School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, P.R. China
School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, P.R. China
School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Informational Biology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, P.R. China
1 new species Dothideomycetes fungal taxonomy multi-gene phylogeny Sichuan Province Fungi

Abstract

During a survey of saprobic fungi in Sichuan Province, we isolated a fungus from sweet cherry (Prunus avium). Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region indicated that the isolate belongs to the cryptic genus Nigrograna. To better determine the taxonomic status, phylogenetic analysis was conducted using ITS, the nuclear ribosomal large subunit rRNA (LSU), the partial second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and the nuclear ribosomal small subunit rRNA (SSU). Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) approaches showed that the isolate forms a sister but separate clade with N. norvegica. Detailed morphological characterization, together with phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, RPB2, and SSU sequence data, supports the recognition of a new species, Nigrograna pruni. This study enhances the understanding of the genus Nigrograna and broadens the diversity of Nigrograna in Sichuan Province, China.

References

  1. Ahmed, S.A., van de Sande, W.W., Stevens, D.A., Fahal, A., van Diepeningen, A.D., Menken, S.B. & de Hoog, G.S. (2014) Revision of agents of black-grain eumycetoma in the order Pleosporales. Persoonia 33 (1): 141–154. https://doi.org/10.3767/003158514x684744
  2. Boonmee, S., Wanasinghe, D.N., Calabon, M.S., Huanraluek, N., Chandrasiri, S.K.U., Jones, G.E.B., Rossi, W., Leonardi, M., Singh, S.K., Rana, S., Singh, P.N., Maurya, D.K., Lagashetti, A.C., Choudhary, D., Dai, Y.C., Zhao, C.L., Mu, Y.H., Yuan, H.S., He, S.H., Phookamsak, R., Jiang, H.B., Martín, M.P., Dueñas, M., Telleria, M.T., Kałucka, I.L., Jagodzinski, A.M., Liimatainen, K., Pereira, D.S., Phillips, A.J.L., Suwannarach, N., Kumla, J., Khuna, S., Lumyong, S., Potter, T.B., Shivas, R.G., Sparks, A.H., Vaghefi, N., Abdel-Wahab, M.A., Abdel-Aziz, F.A., Li, G.J., Lin, W.F., Singh, U., Bhatt, R.P., Lee, H.B., Nguyen, T.T.T., Kirk, P.M., Dutta, A.K., Acharya, K., Sarma, V.V., Niranjan, M., Rajeshkumar, K.C., Ashtekar, N., Lad, S., Wijayawardene, N.N., Bhat, D.J., Xu, R.J., Wijesinghe, S.N., Shen, H.W., Luo, Z.L., Zhang, J.Y., Sysouphanthong, P., Thongklang, N., Bao, D.F., Aluthmuhandiram, J.V.S., Abdollahzadeh, J., Javadi, A., Dovana, F., Usman, M., Khalid, A.N., Dissanayake, A.J., Telagathoti, A., Probst, M., Peintner, U., Garrido-Benavent, I., Bóna, L., Merényi, Z., Boros, L., Zoltán, B., Stielow, J.B., Jiang, N., Tian, C.M., Shams, E., Dehghanizadeh, F., Pordel, A., Javan-Nikkhah, M., Denchev, T.T., Denchev, C.M., Kemler, M., Begerow, D., Deng, C.Y., Harrower, E., Bozorov, T., Kholmuradova, T., Gafforov, Y., Abdurazakov, A., Xu, J.C., Mortimer, P.E., Ren, G.C., Jeewon, R., Maharachchikumbura, S.S.N., Phukhamsakda, C., Mapook, A. & Hyde, K.D. (2021) Fungal diversity notes 1387–1511: Taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungal taxa. Fungal Diversity 111 (1): 1–335. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-021-00489-3
  3. Carbone, I. & Kohn, L. (1999) A method for designing primer sets for speciation studies in filamentous ascomycetes. Mycologia 91 (3): 553–556. https://doi.org/10.2307/3761358
  4. Cubeta, M.A., Echandi, E., Abernethy, T. & Vilgalys, R. (1991) Characterization of anastomosis groups of binucleate Rhizoctonia species using restriction analysis of an amplified ribosomal RNA gene. Phytopathology 81 (11): 1395–1400. https://doi.org/10.1094/Phyto-81-1395
  5. Dayarathne, M.C., Jones, E., Maharachchikumbura, S.S.N., Devadatha, B., Sarma, V., Khongphinitbunjong, K., Chomnunti, P. & Hyde, K.D. (2020) Morpho-molecular characterization of microfungi associated with marine based habitats. Mycosphere 11: 1–188. https://doi.org/10.5943/mycosphere/11/1/1
  6. de Gruyter, J., Woudenberg, J.H.C., Aveskamp, M.M., Verkley, G.J.M., Groenewald, J.Z. & Crous, P.W. (2012) Rediposition of phoma-like anamorphs in Pleosporales. Studies in Mycology 75: 1–36. https://doi.org/10.3114/sim0004
  7. Digra, S. & Nonzom, S. (2023) New record of novel endophyte Nigrograna hydei from the Northern Himalayas, India. Czech Mycology 75: (2). https://doi.org/10.33585/cmy.75201
  8. Ding, P.C., Madhushan, A., Shami, A., Alharbi, N.K., Liu, J.K. & Maharachchikumbura, S.S.N. (2025) A new species of Dendrostoma (Erythrogloeaceae, Diaporthales) identified by combined morphological and phylogenetic studies. Phytotaxa 714 (2): 181–190. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.714.2.6
  9. Dong, W., Wang, B., Hyde, K.D., McKenzie, E.H.C., Bhat, D.J., Raja, H.A., Tanaka, K., Abdel-Wahab, M.A., Abdel-Aziz, F.A., Doilom, M., Phookamsak, R., Hongsanan, S., Wanasinghe, D.N., Yu, X.D., Wang, G.N., Yang, H., Yang, J., Thambugala, K.M., Tian, Q., Luo, Z.L., Yang, J.B., Miller, A.N., Fournier, J., Boonmee, S., Hu, D.M., Nalumpang, S. & Zhang, H. (2020) Freshwater Dothideomycetes. Fungal Diversity 105: 319–575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-020-00463-5
  10. Du, H.Z., Lu, Y.H., Cheewangkoon, R. & Liu, J.K. (2024) Morpho-phylogenetic evidence reveals novel species and new records of Nigrograna (Nigrogranaceae) associated with medicinal plants in Southwestern China. MycoKeys 110: 1. https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.110.132628
  11. Egger, K.N. (1995) Molecular analysis of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities. Canadian Journal of Botany 73 (S1): 1415–1422. https://doi.org/10.1139/b95-405
  12. Hibbett, D.S. (1996) Phylogenetic evidence for horizontal transmission of group I introns in the nuclear ribosomal DNA of mushroom-forming fungi. Molecular Biology and Evolution 13 (7): 903–17. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a025658
  13. Hongsanan, S., Hyde, K.D., Phookamsak, R., Wanasinghe, D.N., McKenzie, E.H.C., Sarma, V.V., Lücking, R., Boonmee, S., Bhat, D.J., Liu, N.G., Tennakoon, D.S., Pem, D., Karunarathna, A., Jiang, S.H., Jones, E.B.G., Phillips, A.J.L., Manawasinghe, I.S., Tibpromma, S., Jayasiri, S.C., Sandamali, D.S., Jayawardena, R.S., Wijayawardene, N.N., Ekanayaka, A.H., Jeewon, R., Lu, Y.Z., Phukhamsakda, C., Dissanayake, A.J., Zeng, X.Y., Luo, Z.L., Tian, Q.,Thambugala, K.M., Dai, D.Q., Samarakoon, M.C., Chethana, K.W.T., Ertz, D., Doilom, M., Liu, J.K., Pérez-Ortega, S., Suija, A.,Senwanna, C., Wijesinghe, S.N., Niranjan, M., Zhang, S.N., Ariyawansa, H.A., Jiang, H.B., Zhang, J.F., Norphanphoun, C., de Silva, N.I., Thiyagaraja, V., Zhang, H., Bezerra, J.P.D., Miranda-González, R., Aptroot, A., Kashiwadani, H., Harishchandra, D., Sérusiaux, E., Abeywickrama, P.D., Bao, D.F., Devadatha, B., Wu,H.X., Moon, K.H., Gueidan, C., Schumm, F., Bundhun, D.,Mapook, A., Monkai, J., Bhunjun, C.S., Chomnunti, P., Suetrong, S., Chaiwan, N., Dayarathne, M.C., Yang, J., Rathnayaka, A.R., Xu, J.C., Zheng, J., Liu, G., Feng, Y. & Xie, N. (2020) Refined families of Dothideomycetes: orders and families incertae sedis in Dothideomycetes. Fungal Diversity 105: 17–318. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-020-00462-6
  14. Hyde, K.D., Norphanphoun, C., Abreu, V.P., Bazzicalupo, A., Thilini, Chethana, K.W., Clericuzio, M., Dayarathne, M.C., Dissanayake, A.J., Ekanayaka, A.H., He, M.Q., Hongsanan, S., Huang, S.K., Jayasiri, S.C., Jayawardena, R.S., Karunarathna, A., Konta, S., Kušan, I., Lee, H., Li, J., Lin, C.G., Liu, N.G., Lu, Y.Z., Luo, Z.L., Manawasinghe, I.S., Mapook, A., Perera, R.H., Phookamsak, R., Phukhamsakda, C., Siedlecki, I., Soares, A.M., Tennakoon, D.S., Tian, Q., Tibpromm, S., Wanasinghe, D.N., Xiao, Y.P., Yang, J., Zeng, X.Y., Abdel-Aziz, F.A., Li, W.J., Senanayake, I.C., Shang, Q.J., Daranagama, D.A., de Silva, N.I., Thambugala, K.M., Abdel-Wahab, M.A., Bahkali, A.H., Berbee, M.L., Boonmee, S., Bhat, D.J., Bulgakov, T.S., Buyck, B., Camporesi, E., Castañeda-Ruiz, R.F., Chomnunti, P., Doilom, M., Dovana, F., Gibertoni, T.B., Jadan, M., Jeewon, R., Jones, E.B.G., Kang, J.C., Karunarathna, S.C., Lim, Y.W., Liu, J.K., Liu, Z.Y., PlautzJr, H.L., Lumyong, S., Maharachchikumbura, S.S.N., Matočec, N., McKenzie, E.H.C., Mešić, A., Miller, D., Pawłowska, J., Pereira, O.L., Promputtha, I., Romero, A.I., Ryvarden, L., Su, H.Y., Suetrong, S., Tkalčec, Z., Vizzini, A., Wen, T.C., Wisitrassameewong, K., Wrzosek, M., Xu, J.C., Zhao, Q., Zhao, R.L. & Mortimer, P.E. (2017) Fungal diversity notes 603–708: Taxonomic and phylogenetic notes on genera and species. Fungal Diversity 87 (1): 1–235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-017-0391-3
  15. Jaklitsch, W.M. & Voglmayr, H. (2016) Hidden diversity in Thyridaria and a new circumscription of the Thyridariaceae. Studies in Mycology 85: 35–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simyco.2016.09.002
  16. Kolarik, M. (2018) New taxonomic combinations in endophytic representatives of the genus Nigrograna. Czech Mycology 70: 123–126. https://doi.org/10.33585/cmy.70202
  17. Kolarik, M., Spakowicz, D.J., Gazis, R., Shaw, J., Kubatova, A., Novakova, A. & Chudickova, M (2017) Biatriospora (Ascomycota: Pleosporales) is an ecologically diverse genus including facultative marine fungi and endophytes with biotechnological potential. Plant Systematic and Evolution 303: 35–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-016-1350-2
  18. Li, W.L., Liang, R.R., Dissanayake, A.J. & Liu, J.K. (2023) Mycosphere Notes 413–448: Dothideomycetes associated with woody oil plants in China. Mycosphere 14 (1): 1436–1529. https://doi.org/10.5943/mycosphere/14/1/16
  19. Lu,L., Karunarathna, S.C., Dai, D.Q., Jayawardena, R.S., Suwannarach, N. & Tibpromma, S. (2022) Three new species of Nigrograna (Dothideomycetes, Pleosporales) associated with Arabica coffee from Yunnan Province, China. MycoKeys 94: 51–71. https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.94.95751
  20. Mack, J.N., Sproule, A., Shields, S.W., Seifert, K.A., Smith, M. & Overy, D.P. (2024) Two novel Pleosporales species isolated from the bark of Acer saccharum. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 13 (1): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3114/fuse.2024.13.01
  21. Mapook, A., Hyde, K.D., McKenzie, E.H.C., Jones, E.B.G., Bhat, J.D., Jeewon, R., Stadler, M., Samarakoon, M.C., Malaithong, M., Tanunchai, B., Buscot, F., Wubet, T. & Purahong, W. (2020) Taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungi associated with the invasive weed Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed). Fungal Diversity 101: 1–175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-020-00444-8
  22. Naysmith, B.J., Hume, P.A., Sperry, J. & Brimble, M.A. (2017) Pyranonaphthoquinones—isolation, biology and synthesis: An update. Natural Product Reports 34 (1): 25–61. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6NP00080K
  23. Phukhamsakda, C., McKenzie, E.H., Phillips, A.J., Gareth, J.E.B., Bhat, J.D., Stadler, M., Bhunjun, C.S., Wanasinghe, D.N., Thongbai, B., Camporesi, E., Ertz, D., Jayawardena, R.S., Perera, R.H., Ekanayake, A.H., Tibpromma, S., Doilom, M., Xu, J. & Hyde, K.D. (2020) Microfungi associated with Clematis (Ranunculaceae) with an integrated approach to delimiting species boundaries. Fungal Diversity 102: 1–203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-020-00448-4
  24. Rathnayaka, A.R., Tennakoon, D.S., Jones, G.E., Wanasinghe, D.N., Bhat, D.J., Priyashantha, A.H., Stephenson, S.L., Tibpromma, S., Karunarathna, S.C. (2025) Significance of precise documentation of hosts and geospatial data of fungal collections, with an emphasis on plant-associated fungi. New Zealand Journal of Botany 63 (2–3): 462–489. https://doi.org/10.1080/0028825X.2024.2381734
  25. Rehner, S.A. & Buckley, E. (2005) A Beauveria phylogeny inferred from nuclear ITS and EF1-alpha sequences: evidence for cryptic diversification and links Cordyceps teleomorphs. Mycologia 97 (1): 84–98. https://doi.org/10.3852/mycologia.97.1.84
  26. Shaw, J.J., Spakowicz, D.J., Dalal, R.S., Davis, J.H., Lehr, N.A., Dunican, B.F., Orellana, E.A., Narvaez-Trujillo, A. & Strobel, S.A. (2015) Biosynthesis and genomic analysis of medium-chain hydrocarbon production by the endophytic fungal isolate Nigrograna mackinnonii E5202H. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 99 (8): 3715–3728. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-014-6206-5
  27. Shu, Y.X., Cheng, R.L., Huang, J.L., Li, K.L., Zhao, S.Z., Zhao, H.J., Dong, W., Dong, Z.Y., Doilom, M. & Xu, B. (2023) Introducing Nigrograna wuhanensis sp. nov. (Nigrogranaceae, Pleosporales) from Camellia japonica in China. Chiang Mai Journal of Science 50: 1–11. https://doi.org/10.12982/CMJS.2023.025
  28. Su, P., Liao, Y., Jin, Y., Chen, Y., Madhushan, A., Liu, J.K. & Maharachchikumbura, S.S.N. (2025) Five new Phyllachora species from tar spot Fungi on Poaceae in Sichuan China. Journal of Fungi 11 (3): 208. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11030208
  29. Tian, W.H., Jin, Y., Liao, Y.C., Faraj, T.K., Guo, X.Y. & Maharachchikumbura, S.S.N. (2024) New and interesting pine-associated hyphomycetes from China. Journal of Fungi 10 (8): 546. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10080546
  30. Tian, W.H., Liu, J.W., Jin, Y., Chen, Y.P., Zhou, Y.F., Wu,K., Su, P.W., Guo, X.Y., Wanasinghe, D.N., Hyde, K.D., Liu, J.K. & Maharachchikumbura, S.S.N. (2024) Morphological and phylogenetic studies of Ascomycota from gymnosperms in Sichuan Province, China. Mycosphere 15 (1): 1794–1900. https://doi.org/10.5943/mycosphere/15/1/16
  31. Tibpromma, S., Hyde, K.D., Jeewon, R., Maharachchikumbura, S.S.N., Liu, J.K, Bhat, D.J., Jones, E.B.G., McKenzie, E.H.C., Camporesi, E., Bulgakov, T.S., Doilom, M., de Azevedo, Santiago, A.L.C.M., Das, K., Manimohan, P., Gibertoni, T.B., Lim, Y.W., Ekanayaka, A.H., Thongbai, B., Lee, H.B., Yang, J.B., Kirk, P.M., Sysouphanthong, P., Singh, S.K., Boonmee, S., Dong, W., Raj, K.N.A., Latha, K.P.D., Phookamsak, R., Phukhamsakda, C., Konta, S., Jayasiri, S.C., Norphanphoun, C., Tennakoon, D.S., Li, J., Dayarathne, M.C., Perera, R.H., Xiao, Y., Wanasinghe, D.N., Senanayake, I.C., Goonasekara, I.D., de Silva, N.I., Mapook, A., Jayawardena, R.S., Dissanayake, A.J., Manawasinghe, I.S., Chethana, K.W.T., Luo, Z.L., Hapuarachchi, K.K., Baghela, A., Soares, A.M., Vizzini, A., Meiras-Ottoni, A., Mešić, A, Dutta, A.K., de Souza, C.A.F., Richter, C., Lin, C.G., Chakrabarty, D., Daranagama, D.A., Lima, D.X., Chakraborty, D., Ercole, E., Wu, F., Simonini, G., Vasquez, G., da Silva, G.A., Plautz, H.L., Ariyawansa, H.A., Lee, H., Kušan, I., Song, J., Sun, J., Karmakar, J., Hu, K., Semwal, K.C., Thambugala, K.M., Voigt, K., Acharya, K., Rajeshkumar, K.C., Ryvarden, L., Jadan, M., Hosen, M.I., Mikšík, M., Samarakoon, M.C., Wijayawardene, N.N., Kim, N.K., Matočec, N., Singh, P.N., Tian, Q., Bhatt, R.P., de Oliveira, R.J.V., Tulloss, R.E., Aamir, S., Kaewchai, S., Marathe, S.D., Khan, S., Hongsanan, S., Adhikari, S., Mehmood, T., Bandyopadhyay, T.K., Svetasheva, T.Y., Nguyen, T.T.T., Antonín, V., Li, W.J., Wang, Y., Indoliya, Y., Tkalčec, Z., Elgorban, A.M., Bahkali, A.H., Tang, A.M.C., Su, H.Y., Zhang, H., Promputtha, I., Luangsa-ard, J., Xu, J.C., Yang, J., Kang, J.C., Stadler, M., Mortimer, P.E., Chomnunti, P., Zhao, Q., Phillips, A.J.L., Nontachaiyapoom, S., Wen, T.C. & Karunarathna, S.C. (2017) Fungal diversity notes 491–602: Taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal taxa. Fungal Diversity 83 (1): 1–261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-017-0378-0
  32. Toju, H., Tanabe, A.S., Yamamoto, S. & Sato, H. (2012) High-coverage ITS primers for the DNA-based identification of ascomycetes and basidiomycetes in environmental samples. PLoS One 7 (7): e40863. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0040863
  33. Vilgalys, R. & Hester, M. (1990) Rapid genetic identification and mapping of enzymatically amplified ribosomal DNA from several Cryptococcus species. Journal of Bacteriology 172 (8): 4238–4246. https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.172.8.4238-4246.1990
  34. Wanasinghe, D.N., Wijayawardene, N.N., Xu, J.C., Cheewangkoon, R. & Mortimer, P.E. (2020) Taxonomic novelties in Magnolia-associated pleosporalean fungi in the Kunming Botanical Gardens (Yunnan, China). PLoS ONE 15 (7): e0235855. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235855
  35. Zhang, J.F., Liu, J.K., Thambugala, K.M., Yang, J., Meng, Z.H. & Liu, Z.Y. (2020) Two new species and a new record of Nigrograna (Nigrogranaceae, Pleosporales) from China and Thailand. Mycological Progress 19 (11): 1365–1375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11557-020-01633-0
  36. Zhao, Y.Z., Zhang, Z.F., Cai, L., Peng, W.J. & Liu, F. (2018) Four new filamentous fungal species from newly-collected and hive-stored bee pollen. Mycosphere 9 (6): 1089–1116. https://doi.org/10.5943/mycosphere/9/6/3
  37. Zhou, L.W., Wang, X.W., Liu, S.L., Li, G.J., Deng, C.Y., Rossi, W., Leonardi, M., Liimatainen, K., Kekki, T., Niskanen, T., Smith, M.E., Ammirati, J., Bojantchev, D., Abdel-Wahab, M.A., Zhang, M., Tian, E., Lu, Y.Z., Zhang, J.Y., Ma, J., Dutta, A.K., Acharya, K., Du, T.Y., Xu, J.Z., Kim, J.S., Lim, Y.W., Gerlach, A., Zeng, N.K., Han, Y.X., Razaghi, P., Raza, M., Cai, L., Calabon, M.S., Jones, E.B.G., Saha, R., Kumar, T.K.A., Krishnapriya, K., Thomas, A., Kaliyaperumal, M., Kezo, K., Gunaseelan, S., Singh, S.K., Singh, P.N., Lagashetti, A.C., Pawar, K.S., Jiang, S.H., Zhang, C., Zhang, H., Qing, Y., Bau, T., Ramirez, N.A., Niveiro, N., Li, M.X., Yang, Z.L., Wu, G., Tarafder, E., Tennakoon, D.S., Kuo, C.H., da Silva, T.M., Souza-Motta, C.M., Bezerra, J.D.P., He, G., Ji, X.H., Suwannarach, N., Kumla, J., Lumyong, S., Wannathes, N., Rana, S. & Hyde, K.D. (2022) Fungal diversity notes 1717–1817: Taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungal taxa. Fungal Diversity 124 (1): 1–216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-023-00529-0

How to Cite

Ding, P.-C., Liao, Y.-C., Jin, Y. & Maharachchikumbura, S.S. (2025)

Morphology and Phylogeny reveal a new species, Nigrograna pruni (Nigrogranaceae, Pleosporales), from sweet cherry

. Phytotaxa 716 (4). https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.716.4.6