Mycobiology.  2023 Dec;51(6):401-409. 10.1080/12298093.2023.2283272.

Diversity of Nigrospora (Xylariales, Apiosporaceae) Species Identified in Korean Macroalgae Including Five Unrecorded Species

• Lee W
• Kim DG
• Perera RH
• Kim JS
• Cho Y
• Lee JW
• Seo CW
• Lim YW

• KMID: 2550769
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1080/12298093.2023.2283272

Abstract

Nigrospora (Xylariales, Apiosporaceae) consists of species of terrestrial plant endophytes and pathogens. Nigrospora has also been reported in marine environments such as mangroves, sea fans, and macroalgae. However, limited research has been conducted on Nigrospora associated with macroalgae. Here, we isolated Nigrospora species from three types of algae (brown, green, and red algae) from Korean islands (Chuja, Jeju, and Ulleung) based on phylogenetic analyses of multigenetic markers: the internal transcribed spacers (ITS), betatubulin (BenA), and translation elongation factor 1 (TEF1-α). A total of 17 Nigrospora strains were isolated from macroalgae and identified as nine distinct species. The majority of Nigrospora species (seven) were found on brown algae, followed by red algae (three), and then green algae (two). To our understanding, this study represents the first account of N.cooperae, N. covidalis, N. guilinensis, N. lacticolonia, N. osmanthi, N. pyriformis, and N. rubi occurring in marine environments. Additionally, this study provides the first report of the occurrence of N. cooperae, N. covidalis, N. guilinensis, N. lacticolonia, and N. osmanthi in South Korea. This study will provide valuable insights for future research exploring the func tions of fungi in macroalgal communities.

Keyword

Marine fungi; taxonomy; seaweed; algicolous fungi; Ascomycota