Discovery of a New Lichtheimia ( Lichtheimiaceae , Mucorales ) from Invertebrate Niche and Its Phylogenetic Status and Physiological Characteristics

• Published in: Journal of fungi (Basel) Vol. 9; no. 3; p. 317
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Thuong T T, Santiago, André Luiz Cabral Monteiro de Azevedo, Kirk, Paul M, Lee, Hyang Burm
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 03.03.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Invertebrates; ITS rDNA; Laboratories; Lichtheimia; Lichtheimiaceae; LSU rDNA; Morphology; Mucorales; Mucormycosis; Mucoromycota; New species; Opportunist infection; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; Physical characteristics; Physiology; Sporangiophores; taxonomy; South Korea; taxonomy; morphology; Lichtheimiaceae; LSU rDNA; ITS rDNA; Mucoromycota
• ISSN: 2309-608X; 2309-608X
• DOI: 10.3390/jof9030317

Species of are important opportunistic fungal pathogens in the order that are isolated from various sources such as soil, indoor air, food products, feces, and decaying vegetables. In recent years, species of have become an emerging causative agent of invasive mucormycosis. In Europe and USA, are the second and third most common causal fungus of mucormycosis, respectively. Thus, the aim of this study was to survey the diversity of species of hidden in poorly studied hosts, such as invertebrates, in Korea. Eight strains were isolated from invertebrate samples. Based on morphology, physiology, and phylogenetic analyses of ITS and LSU rDNA sequence data, the strains were identified as , , , and a novel species, sp. nov. is characterized by a variable columellae, sporangiophores arising solitarily or up to three at one place from stolons, and slow growth on MEA and PDA at all temperatures tested. The new species grows best at 30 and 35 °C and has a maximum growth temperature of 40 °C. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree are provided.