Morphological, molecular and 3D synchrotron X-ray tomographic characterizations of Helicascus satunensis sp. nov., a novel mangrove fungus
Sita Preedanon,
Anupong Klaysuban,
Satinee Suetrong,
Oraphin Pracharoen,
Waratthaya Promchoo,
Tanuwong Sangtiean,
Catleya Rojviriya,
Jariya Sakayaroj
Affiliations
Sita Preedanon
National Biobank of Thailand, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Anupong Klaysuban
National Biobank of Thailand, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Satinee Suetrong
National Biobank of Thailand, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Oraphin Pracharoen
Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Laksi, Bangkok, Thailand
Waratthaya Promchoo
Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Laksi, Bangkok, Thailand
Tanuwong Sangtiean
Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Laksi, Bangkok, Thailand
Catleya Rojviriya
Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization), Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Jariya Sakayaroj
National Biobank of Thailand, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
A new species of Helicascus satunensis sp. nov. was collected on mature dead fruits of the Nypa palm in Satun Province, southern Thailand. Its morphological characteristics are similar to those of the genus Helicascus. Recently, a genus Helicascus with three species from marine habitats worldwide was studied. The morphology of this fungus was investigated and combined with multigene sequence analyzes of small subunit (SSU), large subunit (LSU), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1α) and RNA polymerase II (RPB2) genes. Morphologically, H. satunensis sp. nov. is characterized by semi-immersed, lenticular ascomata, multilocules, a bitunicate ascus and smooth, obovoid, dark brown ascospores that are one-septate and unequally two-celled. In addition, 3D visualization using synchrotron X-ray tomography was performed to investigate the interaction between fruiting body and substrata. Molecular phylogeny with multigene revealed that H. satunensis sp. nov. belongs to the family Morosphaeriaceae, order Pleosporales, class Dothideomycetes. Furthermore, H. satunensis sp. nov. forms a well-supported clade with Helicascus species described from marine habitats. Based on the unique morphological and molecular evidence, we propose this fungus, H. satunensis sp. nov., as a new species for Helicascus.
