The Enigmatic Thelebolaceae (Thelebolales, Leotiomycetes): One New Genus Solomyces and Five New Species

Abstract

The family Thelebolaceae belongs to the order Thelebolales, class Leotiomycetes, and contains 22 genera. In this study, we introduce a new genus <i>Solomyces</i> gen. nov. in the family Thelebolaceae, which is supported by morphological observation and multilocus-based [internal transcribed spacers (ITS) + <i>LSU</i> and ITS + <i>LSU</i>+ <i>MCM7</i>+ <i>EF1A</i>+ <i>RPB2</i>] phylogenetic analysis. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic inference analyses indicated that <i>Solomyces</i> is a distinct genus within this family. The new genus is compared against related Thelebolaceae genera, and its description and illustration are provided. This genus comprises one new species and one unnamed species (including two strains). We also report the addition of four new species - <i>Pseudogymnoascus shaanxiensis</i>, <i>Pseudogymnoascus guizhouensis</i>, <i>Pseudogymnoascus sinensis</i>, and <i>Geomyces obovatus</i> - in the family Thelebolaceae and present their morphological and phylogenetic characterizations.