Expanding the Known Diversity of Thai Fungus Absidia (Mucorales, Mucoromycota): Morphological and Molecular Evidence for Absidia khaoyaiensis sp. nov.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.13866Keywords:
Mucorales, Novel taxon, Phylogeny, Soil fungus, ThailandAbstract
The genus Absidia (Mucorales, Mucoromycota) is globally recognized for its ecological, industrial, and medicinal significance, yet its diversity within Thai ecosystems remains understudied. We describe a novel soil-derived fungus, Absidia khaoyaiensis sp. nov. from the rhizosphere of an endemic plant Polyalthia khaoyaiensis in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. A polyphasic approach was employed combining morphological data with phylogenetic analyses of concatenated internal transcribed spacers (ITS), large subunit (LSU), small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA, and α-actin (ACT) sequences. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that A. khaoyaiensis forms a highly supported distinct lineage within the genus in the Mucorales. Morphologically, the novel species is distinguished from its phylogenetically closest relative, A. hainanensis, by its growth rate, sporangiophore, sporangia, columella measurements, and sporangiospore shape. Our results contribute to diversity of Thai Absidia and provide robust evidence for the establishment of A. khaoyaiensis as a new species.
HIGHLIGHTS
- A new mucoralean fungus, Absidia khaoyaiensis nov., is described from tropical forest soil in Thailand
- The species was isolated from the rhizosphere of the endemic plant Polyalthia khaoyaiensis
- Polyphasic taxonomy using a four-gene phylogeny confirms its distinct lineage
- Morphological traits, including sporangiospore shape and growth rate, distinguish it from a related species hainanensis
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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