Preliminary phylogeny of Coemansia (Kickxellales), with descriptions of four new species from Taiwan

ABSTRACT

Four new species of Coemansia from Taiwan are described. Three produce spirally twisted sporangiophores, and these new taxa increase the number of species in the Coemansia spiralis complex from three to six. Each new taxon is morphologically unique. Coemansia biformis, sp. nov., has two different asexual reproductive types on the same thallus; one is straight and the other has a spiral fertile region. Coemansia helicoidea, sp. nov., has stoloniferous sporangiophores with a helicoid fertile region. Coemansia pennisetoides, sp. nov., has a sporangiophore with a fertile region that resembles the inflorescence of the plant genus Pennisetum. Coemansia umbellata, sp. nov., has an umbellate sporangiophore branching pattern and a spirally twisted fertile region on the lowest branches. A dichotomous key was provided to identify the 23 accepted Coemansia species. Phylogenetic analysis based on a combined data set of D1–D2 domains of nuc 28S ribosomal RNA (rDNA) and partial nuc 18S rDNA identifies several independent evolutionary lineages within Coemansia and suggests that Spirodactylon aureum and Kickxella alabastrina may be nested within the genus Coemansia. Sequences of nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (internal transcribed spacer [ITS] barcode) are also used to support the description of these new species of Coemansia.

KEYWORDS:

• Coemansia spiralis complex
• D1–D2 domains of nuc 28S rDNA
• ITS
• Kickxellales
• nuc 18S rDNA
• Taiwan

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by the National Science Council of ROC (NSC 95-2621-B-152-559 001, NSC 96-2621-B-152-001) and the United States National Science Foundation grant 560 DEB-1441677 (to MES). We appreciate the editorial comments and constructive criticism provided by two anonymous reviewers.

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Funding

This research was supported by the National Science Council of ROC (NSC 95-2621-B-152-001, NSC 96-2621-B-152-001) and the United States National Science Foundation grant DEB-1441677 (to M.E.S.).