Taxonomy and Molecular Identification of a Novel Absidia Species Isolated from Soil in Korea

Taxonomy and Molecular Identification of a Novel Absidia Species Isolated from Soil in Korea

Kallol Das1, Jin-Sil Choi1,2, Gwang-Jae Lim1, Soo-Min Hong1, Kyoung-Taek Park1,2, Seung-Yeol Lee1,2, and Hee-Young Jung1,2*

1 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea

2 Department of Plant Protection and Quarantine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea

*Email: heeyoung@ knu.ac.kr

During an investigation of soil microfungi from Gangwon Province, Korea, an undiscovered species within the Cunninghamellaceae family was explored, with two strains designated as KNUF-22-121A and KNUF-22-126A. Following a comprehensive analysis encompassing both morphological and molecular aspects, it became evident that these strains exhibited substantial similarities, prompting a focused observation of strain KNUF-22-121A. This specific strain demonstrated distinct characteristics, including shorter sporangiophores, smaller sporangia, columellae, and the presence of collars when compared to its closest species Absidia radiata CGMCC 3.16257T and A. yunnanensis CGMCC 3.16259T. Notably, the uniqueness of this strain was firmly established through phylogenetic analysis, utilizing molecular data from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the 28S rRNA of the large subunit (LSU). Although it shared a close phylogenetic relationship with A. radiata and A. yunnanensis, the strain exhibited distinct morphological disparities in sporangiophores, sporangia, columellae, and collars. The robust molecular phylogeny provided compelling evidence supporting its distinction from previously known Absidia species, thus providing a comprehensive description and illustration of this newly proposed species as Absidia collaris sp. nov. from Korea.