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Issue: Vol. 783 No. 1: 3 Nov. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-11-03
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.783.1.5
Page range: 83-89
Abstract views: 47
PDF downloaded: 1

Revealing hidden fungal diversity: A new species of Leightoniomyces discovered from historic Herbarium SP-Fungi in Brazil

Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Departamento de Ciências Biológicas; Av. Transnordestina s.n.; Novo Horizonte; 44036-900; Feira de Santana; Bahia; Brazil
Universidade Federal da Paraíba; Centro de Ciências Agrárias - Campus II; Rodovia PB079 - KM 12; 58.397-000; Areia; Paraíba; Brazil
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE); Centro de Biociências (CB); Departamento de Micologia; Av. da Engenharia; s/n; Cidade Universitaria; 50.740-600; Recife; Pernambuco; Brazil
Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Departamento de Ciências Biológicas; Av. Transnordestina s.n.; Novo Horizonte; 44036-900; Feira de Santana; Bahia; Brazil
Fungi taxonomy tropical fungi hyphomycetes synnematous fungi

Abstract

During a scientific visit to re-examine microfungi deposited in SP-Fungi, part of the Herbarium SP, a specimen previously identified as Leightoniomyces phillipsii and collected from decomposing roots was found to exhibit morphological features not reported in the original description. Detailed microscopic observations revealed consistent differences in conidial morphology, particularly the presence of digitate projections, and in reproductive structures, including connective cells forming short conidial chains. These characters support its recognition as a new species of the rare genus Leightoniomyces. Conidiogenesis is briefly discussed and a key to the known species are also provided. This study highlights the importance of herbarium collections as valuable repositories for detecting overlooked fungal diversity.

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How to Cite

Cantillo, T., Barreto, G.G., Ruiz, R.F.C. & Gusmão, L.F.P. (2026) Revealing hidden fungal diversity: A new species of Leightoniomyces discovered from historic Herbarium SP-Fungi in Brazil. Phytotaxa 783 (1): 83–89. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.783.1.5