New species of Aspergillus in sections Cavernicolarum and Nigri from terrestrial ecosystems of China (Eurotiales, Aspergillaceae)

Aspergillus species are of great industrial, agricultural, and medicinal importance. During investigations on the biodiversity of Aspergillaceae, two species of Aspergillus isolated from soil samples in China were identified as new to science based on sequence analyses and morphological comparisons. Aspergillus hebeiensis from a traditional cultural and Buddhist heritage site is the second member of the series Hainanici in section Cavernicolarum of subgenus Nidulantes, while A. xishuangbannaensis from a tropical nature reserve is classified in subgenus Circumdati, section Nigri, series Japonici.

Detailed descriptions and illustrations of both species are provided, and the ecological functions of their habitats are also discussed.