Identification and nomenclature of the genus <i>Penicillium</i>

TLDR

Penicillium is a globally diverse genus that functions as a decomposer, food spoilage agent, enzyme producer, and indoor allergen, yet lacks a comprehensive, verified reference database and has recently been redefined to include species from related genera, forming a large monophyletic clade. The authors aim to update the accepted species list of Penicillium and propose a standardized method for species description and identification. They provide for each accepted species its MycoBank number, living ex‑type strain status, and GenBank accession numbers for ITS, β‑tubulin, calmodulin, and RPB2, thereby supplying a verified sequence set. The updated list contains 354 accepted species, including new combinations for Aspergillus crystallinus, A.

Abstract

Penicillium is a diverse genus occurring worldwide and its species play important roles as decomposers of organic materials and cause destructive rots in the food industry where they produce a wide range of mycotoxins. Other species are considered enzyme factories or are common indoor air allergens. Although DNA sequences are essential for robust identification of Penicillium species, there is currently no comprehensive, verified reference database for the genus. To coincide with the move to one fungus one name in the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants, the generic concept of Penicillium was re-defined to accommodate species from other genera, such as Chromocleista, Eladia, Eupenicillium, Torulomyces and Thysanophora, which together comprise a large monophyletic clade. As a result of this, and the many new species described in recent years, it was necessary to update the list of accepted species in Penicillium. The genus currently contains 354 accepted species, including new combinations for Aspergillus crystallinus, A. malodoratus and A. paradoxus, which belong to Penicillium section Paradoxa. To add to the taxonomic value of the list, we also provide information on each accepted species MycoBank number, living ex-type strains and provide GenBank accession numbers to ITS, β-tubulin, calmodulin and RPB2 sequences, thereby supplying a verified set of sequences for each species of the genus. In addition to the nomenclatural list, we recommend a standard working method for species descriptions and identifications to be adopted by laboratories working on this genus.