Polyphasic characterization of Plectosphaerella oligotrophica, a new oligotrophic species from China

Oligotrophic fungi can grow on carbon-free media. Most of the currently known oligotrophic fungi were reported from soil. Plectosphaerella oligotrophica sp. nov. was recently isolated from soil in China using a low carbon medium. The new species is morphologically characterized by pale yellow colonies on PDA, phialidic conidiogenous cells, and hyaline, ellipsoidal and 0–1-septate conidia. Phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences confirmed the placement of P. oligotrophica as a new species in the genus Plectosphaerella. The new species is compared to the morphologically and phylogenetically closely related species. Beta-tubulin fragments from the new species were also sequenced and deposited in GenBank. A key to the currently accepted species of the genus is provided.

► A new oligotrophic species, Plectosphaerella oligotrophica, was isolated from soil.
► P. oligotrophica was morphologically and phylogenetically characterized in this article.
► A key to currently accepted species in Plectosphaerella is provided.