One Novel Hyphodiscosia Species From Litchi Litter in China with Insights into Host Associations and Geographic Distribution of Muyocopronaceae (Muyocopronales, Dothideomycetes).

During our survey of fungal diversity associated with Litchi chinensis litter in South China, an interesting fungal collection was obtained from Haizhu National Wetland Park, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. Phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated dataset of ITS, LSU, and SSU gene regions, using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods, placed our collection within Hyphodiscosia. Morphologically, the collections exhibited characteristics of Hyphodiscosia, including pinkish colonies, conidiophores swollen at the apex, and cylindrical, 1-septate conidia with two subterminal appendages on the same side. Based on molecular phylogenetic evidence and morphological distinctiveness, H. litchii is introduced as a new species. Detailed morphological illustrations, taxonomic descriptions, and molecular data are given. Species in Muyocopronaceae have been increasingly documented in recent years. This study also compiles a comprehensive dataset of Muyocopronaceae taxa worldwide, including host, host family associations, and geographical distribution. This dataset provides a valuable resource for future systematic and ecological studies on the biogeography and host specificity of the family.