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1. Testudinimyces gracilis gen. nov, sp. nov. and Astrotestudinimyces divisus gen. nov, sp. nov., two novel, deep-branching anaerobic gut fungal genera from tortoise faeces

   https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.005921  

   Pratt, Carrie J.; Chandler, Emily E.; Youssef, Noha H.; Elshahed, Mostafa S. (May 2023, International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology)

   The anaerobic gut fungi (AGF,Neocallimastigomycota) represent a basal zoosporic phylum within the kingdomFungi. Twenty genera are currently described, all of which were isolated from the digestive tracts of mammalian herbivores. Here, we report on the isolation and characterization of novel AGF taxa from faecal samples of tortoises. Twenty-nine fungal isolates were obtained from seven different tortoise species. Phylogenetic analysis using the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene, ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1, and RNA polymerase II large subunit grouped all isolates into two distinct, deep-branching clades (clades T and B), with a high level of sequence divergence to their closest cultured relative (Khoyollomyces ramosus). Average amino acid identity values calculated using predicted peptides from the isolates’ transcriptomes ranged between 60.80–66.21  % (clade T), and 61.24–64.83  % (clade B) when compared to all other AGF taxa; values that are significantly below recently recommended thresholds for genus (85%) and family (75%) delineation in theNeocallimastigomycota. Both clades displayed a broader temperature growth range (20–45 °C, optimal 30 °C for clade T, and 30–42 °C, optimal 39 °C for clade B) compared to all other AGF taxa. Microscopic analysis demonstrated that strains from both clades produced filamentous hyphae, polycentric rhizoidal growth patterns, and monoflagellated zoospores. Isolates in clade T were characterized by the production of unbranched, predominantly narrow hyphae, and small zoospores, while isolates in clade B were characterized by the production of multiple sporangiophores and sporangia originating from a single central swelling resulting in large multi-sporangiated structures. Based on the unique phylogenetic positions, AAI values, and phenotypic characteristics, we propose to accommodate these isolates into two novel genera (TestudinimycesandAstrotestudinimyces), and species (T. gracilisandA. divisus) within the orderNeocallimastigales. The type species are strains T130A^T(T. gracilis) and B1.1^T(A. divisus). 

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2. Phylogenetic revision of Dennstaedtioideae (Dennstaedtiaceae: Polypodiales) with description of Mucura , gen. nov.

   https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.12858  

   Triana‐Moreno, Luz A.; Yañez, Agustina; Kuo, Li‐Yaung; Rothfels, Carl J.; Pena, Nelson Túlio L.; Schwartsburd, Pedro B.; Sundue, Michael (February 2023, TAXON)

   Abstract We undertook a molecular phylogenetic revision of hayscented ferns (Dennstaedtiaceae: Dennstaedtioideae) using four plastid markers. Our sampling represents ca. 40% of the extant diversity and includes the type species for each of the relevant segregate genera. We coded 18 discrete morphological characters which we used to find diagnosable clades. We show that Dennstaedtia is polyphyletic, with the majority of species forming three morphologically distinct clades, but its type ( D. flaccida ) is nested within Microlepia . As such, we support the conservation of Dennstaedtia with a new type, D. dissecta . Following our results, we develop a classification of four genera: Dennstaedtia , Microlepia , Mucura (gen. nov.) and Sitobolium . Beyond the inclusion of D. flaccida , we propose to maintain Microlepia with its current circumscription. Except for a single adventive species in the Neotropics, Microlepia is a Paleotropical genus of about 60 species diagnosed by their distinctive perispore ornamentation of rodlets, and by petioles that lack epipetiolar buds. Mucura is a Neotropical genus of two species that differ from all other Dennstaedtiaceae by the combination of dichotomously branching rhizomes, petioles that lack epipetiolar buds, marginal sori with both abaxial and adaxial indusia, and trilete spores with a unique perispore ornamentation. As defined here, Dennstaedtia is a pantropical genus of about 55 species recognized by having unbranched rhizomes, petioles bearing epipetiolar buds, and by often bearing proliferous buds upon the leaves. Sitobolium is a small clade of ca. five species distinguished by their relatively small leaves that have elongate catenate hairs. These hairs often bear a capitate non‐glandular terminal cell. In support of our classification, we provide a key to the eleven genera of Dennstaedtiaceae, and for the four genera of Dennstaedtioideae we provide morphological and geographic synopses, a list of constituent species, and necessary new combinations. 

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3. The millipede family Striariidae Bollman, 1893. VI. Six new genera and thirteen new species from western North America (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Striarioidea)

   https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.6.1  

   SHEAR, WILLIAM A.; MAREK, PAUL E. (November 2022, Zootaxa)

   The following new genera and species of Striariidae are described from the states of California, Oregon and Washington: Nototrisaria ornata n. gen., n. sp., Maraplia napa n. gen., n. sp., Maraplia chico n. gen., n. sp., Maraplia schusteri n. gen., n. sp., Lamparia curryensis n. gen., n. sp., Lamparia bentonensis n. gen., n. sp., Lamparia pratensis n. gen., n. sp., Lamparia millicoma n. gen., n. sp., Rampalia cheathamensis n. gen., n. sp., Plaramia arcata n. gen., n. sp., Plaramia johnsonae n. gen., n. sp., Ralampia complexa n. gen., n. sp., and Ralampia filamentosa n. gen., n. sp.. The new species are all very small millipedes, 5.5 mm or less in length and with two or three ommatidia on each side of the head or blind. The majority have the sixth metazonital crest larger than the other crests and extended horizontally, so that the animals have the general appearance of having paranota. A new key to striariid genera is presented. 

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4. Aggregations of a Sessile Ctenophore, Coeloplana sp., on Indo-West Pacific Gorgonians

   https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101060  

   Samimi-Namin, Kaveh; Claereboudt, Michel R; Hoeksema, Bert W; McFadden, Catherine S; Bezio, Nicholas; Paulay, Gustav (October 2023, Diversity)

   We document the benthic ctenophores Coeloplana sp. and Vallicula multiformis from Oman, extending their geographic range. A new Coeloplana species was found forming aggregations on gorgonians of two octocoral host genera, Melithaea and Euplexaura, representing associations previously unknown to occur in the Indo-West Pacific region. Our findings also illustrate the concurrent presence of the ectocommensal ophiuroid Ophiothela mirabilis, which adversely affects other Coeloplana species in the tropical West Atlantic, where it is considered invasive. This exploration contributes to our understanding of the biogeography, species distribution, and ectosymbiotic associations of these genera, setting the stage for a comprehensive species description and in-depth analysis of host relationships in future studies. 

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5. Phylogeny of the genus Loxospora s.l. (Sarrameanales, Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), with Chicitaea gen. nov. and five new combinations in Chicitaea and Loxospora

   https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.102.116196  

   Ptach-Styn, Łucja; Guzow-Krzemińska, Beata; Lendemer, James C; Tønsberg, Tor; Kukwa, Martin (February 2024, MycoKeys)

   Loxosporais a genus of crustose lichens containing 13 accepted species that can be separated into two groups, based on differences in secondary chemistry that correlate with differences in characters of the sexual reproductive structures (asci and ascospores). Molecular phylogenetic analyses recovered these groups as monophyletic and support their recognition as distinct genera that differ in phenotypic characters. Species containing 2’-O-methylperlatolic acid are transferred to the new genus,ChicitaeaGuzow-Krzem., Kukwa & Lendemer and four new combinations are proposed:C. assateaguensis(Lendemer) Guzow-Krzem., Kukwa & Lendemer,C. confusa(Lendemer) Guzow-Krzem., Kukwa & Lendemer,C. cristinae(Guzow-Krzem., Łubek, Kubiak & Kukwa) Guzow-Krzem., Kukwa & Lendemer andC. lecanoriformis(Lumbsch, A.W. Archer & Elix) Guzow-Krzem., Kukwa & Lendemer. The remaining species produce thamnolic acid and representLoxosporas.str. Haplotype analyses recovered sequences ofL. elatinain two distinct groups, one corresponding toL. elatinas.str. and one toPertusaria chloropolia, the latter being resurrected from synonymy ofL. elatinaand, thus, requiring the combination,L. chloropolia(Erichsen) Ptach-Styn, Guzow-Krzem., Tønsberg & Kukwa. Sequences ofL. ochrophaeawere found to be intermixed within the otherwise monophyleticL. elatinas.str. These two taxa, which differ in contrasting reproductive mode and overall geographic distributions, are maintained as distinct, pending further studies with additional molecular loci. Lectotypes are selected forLecanora elatina,Pertusaria chloropoliaand P. chloropolia f. cana. The latter is a synonym ofLoxospora chloropolia. New primers for the amplification of mtSSU are also presented. 

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