Three novel aquatic species of Distoseptispora (Distoseptisporaceae, Distoseptisporales) from the Philippines, with a new geographic record for D. septata

Abstract

Surveys of lignicolous aquatic fungi conducted in the Philippines, yielded four taxa of Distoseptispora. Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses, based on a concatenated dataset of ITS, LSU, RPB 2 and TEF 1 - α sequences, together with detailed morphological examinations, confirmed the novelty and phylogenetic placement of Distoseptispora antiqueana, D. iloiloensis and D. panayensis as distinct species within the genus. In addition, the strain UPVMICC 25–0100 clustered with the ex-type strain of D. septata (GZCC 22–0078) with strong statistical support (100 % MLBS, 1.00 BYPP).

Phylogenetic inference further supported taxonomic revisions within the genus, resulting in the synonymisation of D. thailandica under D. phangngaensis and D. mengsongensis under D. fasciculata. The present study expands the known diversity of Distoseptispora in tropical aquatic habitats and provides updated phylogenetic insights and morphological descriptions supporting species delimitation and reclassification within the genus.