Alternaria species are commonly found as saprophytes, endophytes and plant pathogens. During a survey of small-spored Alternaria in China, two new species were discovered from Cucurbitaceae plants collected in Hubei and Sichuan provinces. This study identified two new species of Alternaria using seven genes (ITS, GAPDH, TEF1, RPB2, Alt a 1, EndoPG, and OPA10-2) for phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics. The two new species A.jingzhouensis and A.momordicae were described and illustrated. Alternariajingzhouensis sp. nov., associated with Citrulluslanatus, is characterized by producing muriform, ellipsoidal, flask-shaped, rostrate, and beaked conidia. It differs from A.koreana, A.ovoidea, and A.baoshanensis by bearing conidia in a simple conidiogenous locus with occasionally longer beaks in a chain, and from A.momordicae sp. nov. by having shorter beaks. Alternariamomordicae sp. nov. from Momordicacharantia was distinct from A.koreana, A.ovoidea, and A.baoshanensis by producing muriform, long ellipsoid or ovoid to obclavate, sometimes inverted club-shaped conidia on a single conidiogenous locus with a wider body and longer beak in a chain, and distinct from A.jingzhouensis sp. nov. by a longer beak conidia. These two species were clearly distinguished from other species in the section Alternaria based on DNA based phylogeny and morphological characteristics. The morphological features were discussed and compared to relevant species in the present paper.

Plant-beneficial Pseudomonas bacteria hold the potential to be used as inoculants in agriculture to promote plant growth and health through various mechanisms. The discovery of new strains tailored to specific agricultural needs remains an open area of research. In this study, we report the isolation and characterization of four novel Pseudomonas species associated with the wheat rhizosphere. Comparative genomic analysis with all available Pseudomonas type strains revealed species-level differences, substantiated by both digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity, underscoring their status as novel species. This was further validated by the phenotypic differences observed when compared to their closest relatives. Three of the novel species belong to the P. fluorescens species complex, with two representing a novel lineage in the Pseudomonas phylogeny. Functional genome annotation revealed the presence of specific features contributing to rhizosphere colonization, including flagella and components for biofilm formation. The novel species have the genetic potential to solubilize nutrients by acidifying the environment, releasing alkaline phosphatases and their metabolism of nitrogen species, indicating potential as biofertilizers. Additionally, the novel species possess traits that may facilitate direct promotion of plant growth through the modulation of the plant hormone balance, including the ACC deaminase enzyme and auxin metabolism. The presence of biosynthetic clusters for toxins such as hydrogen cyanide and non-ribosomal peptides suggests their ability to compete with other microorganisms, including plant pathogens. Direct inoculation of wheat roots significantly enhanced plant growth, with two strains doubling shoot biomass. Three of the strains effectively antagonized fungal phytopathogens (Thielaviopsis basicola, Fusarium oxysporum, and Botrytis cinerea), demonstrating their potential as biocontrol agents. Based on the observed genetic and phenotypic differences from closely related species, we propose the following names for the four novel species: Pseudomonas grandcourensis sp. nov., type strain DGS24T ( = DSM 117501T = CECT 31011T), Pseudomonas purpurea sp. nov., type strain DGS26T ( = DSM 117502T = CECT 31012T), Pseudomonas helvetica sp. nov., type strain DGS28T ( = DSM 117503T = CECT 31013T) and Pseudomonas aestiva sp. nov., type strain DGS32T ( = DSM 117504T = CECT 31014T).

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize the three bacterial strains (FP830T, FP2034, and FP2262) isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rice, corn, and highland barley in Beijing, Heilongjiang, and Tibet, respectively, in PR China. These strains were Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and have one or two polar flagella. They exhibited optimal growth at 28 °C and pH 7.0 in the presence of 1 % (w/v) NaCl and showed fluorescence under ultraviolet light when cultivated on King\'s B plates. The FP830T genome size is 6.4 Mbp with a G+C content of 61.0 mol%. FP830T has the potential to promote plant growth by producing various metabolites such as fengycin, pyoverdin, indole-3-acetic acid, and the volatile substance 2,3-butanediol. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that three isolates formed an independent branch, which most closely related to type strains Pseudomonas thivervalensis DSM 13194T and Pseudomonas zanjanensis SWRI12T. The values of average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization between three isolates and closest relatives were not higher than 93.7 and 52.3 %, respectively. The dominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1  ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c), and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, and aminophospholipid. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone (Q-9). Based on polyphasic taxonomic analysis, it was concluded that strains FP830T, FP2034, and FP2262 represented a novel species within the genus Pseudomonas, and Pseudomonas beijingensis sp. nov. was proposed for the name of novel species. The type strain is FP830T (=ACCC 62448T=JCM 35689T).

BACKGROUND: Babesia spp. are protozoan parasites that infect the red blood cells of domesticated animals, wildlife and humans. A few cases of giant pandas (a flagship species in terms of wildlife conservation) infected with a putative novel Babesia sp. have been reported. However, comprehensive research on the morphological and molecular taxonomic classification of this novel Babesia sp. is still lacking. This study was designed to close this gap and formally describe this new Babesia sp. infecting giant pandas.
METHODS: Detailed morphological, molecular and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to characterise this Babesia sp. and to assess its systematic relationships with other Babesia spp. Blood samples from giant pandas infected with Babesia were subjected to microscopic examination. The 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), cytochrome b (cytb) and mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the new Babesia sp. were amplified, sequenced and assembled using DNA purified from blood samples taken from infected giant pandas. Based on the newly generated 18S rRNA, cytb and mitogenome sequences, phylogenetic trees were constructed.
RESULTS: Morphologically, the Babesia sp. from giant pandas exhibited various forms, including round to oval ring-shaped morphologies, resembling those found in other small canine Babesia spp. and displaying typical tetrads. Phylogenetic analyses with the 18S rRNA, cytb and mitogenome sequences revealed that the new Babesia sp. forms a monophyletic group, with a close phylogenetic relationship with the Babesia spp. that infect bears (Ursidae), raccoons (Procyonidae) and canids (Canidae). Notably, the mitogenome structure consisted of six ribosomal large subunit-coding genes (LSU1-6) and three protein-coding genes (cytb, cox3 and cox1) arranged linearly.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on coupled morphological and genetic analyses, we describe a novel species of the genus Babesia, namely, Babesia ailuropodae n. sp., which infects giant pandas.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, and creamy-white coloured bacterium, designated CAU 1616T, was isolated from sea sand collected at Ayajin Beach, Goseong-gun, Republic of Korea. The bacterium was found to grow optimally at 37 °C, pH 8.0-8.5, and with 1-5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain CAU 1616T within the order Rhodospirillales. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was to Fodinicurvata fenggangensis YIM D812T (94.1 %), Fodinicurvata sediminis YIM D82T (93.7 %), Fodinicurvata halophila BA45ALT (93.6 %) and Algihabitans albus HHTR 118T (92.3 %). Comparing strain CAU 1616T with closely related species (Fodinicurvata fenggangensis YIM D812T and Fodinicurvata sediminis YIM D82T), the average nucleotide identity based on blast+ values were 69.7-69.8 %, the average amino acid identity values were 61.3-61.4 %, and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values were 18.4-18.5 %. The assembled draft genome of strain CAU 1616T had 29 contigs with an N50 value of 385.8 kbp, a total length of 3 490 371 bp, and a DNA G+C content of 65.1 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1 2-OH, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1  ω6c and/or C18 : 1  ω7c). The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic, and chemotaxonomic evidence, strain CAU 1616T represents a novel genus in the family Rhodovibrionaceae, for which the name Aquibaculum arenosum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1616T (=KCTC 82428T=MCCC 1K06089T).

Demequina, commonly found in coastal and marine environments, represents a genus of Actinomycetes. In this study, strains Demequina PMTSA13T and OYTSA14 were isolated from the rhizosphere of Capsicum annuum, leading to the discovery of a novel species, Demequina capsici. Bacteria play a significant role in plant growth, yet there have been no reports of the genus Demequina acting as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). Comparative genomics analysis revealed ANI similarity values of 74.05-80.63% for PMTSA13T and 74.02-80.54% for OYTSA14, in comparison to various Demequina species. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values for PMTSA13T ranged from 19 to 39%, and 19.1-38.6% for OYTSA14. Genome annotation revealed the presence of genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism and transport, suggesting a potential role in nutrient cycling and availability for plants. These strains were notably rich in genes related to \'carbohydrate metabolism and transport (G)\', according to their Cluster of Orthologous Groups (COG) classification. Additionally, both strains were capable of producing auxin (IAA) and exhibited enzymatic activities for cellulose degradation and catalase. Furthermore, PMTSA13T and OYTSA14 significantly induced the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings primarily attributed to their capacity to produce IAA, which plays a crucial role in stimulating plant growth and development. These findings shed light on the potential roles of Demequina strains in plant-microbe interactions and agricultural applications. The type strain is Demequina capsici PMTSA13T (= KCTC 59028T = GDMCC 1.4451T), meanwhile OYTSA14 is identified as different strains of Demequina capsici.

Chytrids, often overshadowed by their other fungal counterparts, take center stage as we unravel the mysteries surrounding new species within Rhizophydiales and explore their unique characteristics. In the broader spectrum of chytrids, their significance lies not only in their roles as decomposers but also as key players in nutrient cycling within aquatic ecosystems as parasites and saprobes. Baited soil and aquatic samples collected from various provinces of Thailand, yielded new species of the Rhizophydiales (Chytridiomycota), some of which expanded previously single species genera. Our investigation incorporated a combination of morphological and phylogenetic approaches, enabling us to identify these isolates as distinct taxa. The novel isolates possess distinguishing features, such as variations in size and shape of the sporangium and zoospores, that somewhat differentiate them from described taxa. To confirm the novelty of the species, we employed robust phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood and bayesian methods. The results provided strong support for the presence of eight distinct lineages within the Rhizophydiales, representing our newly discovered species. Furthermore, we employed Poisson Tree Processes to infer putative species boundaries and supplement evidence for the establishment of our new Rhizophydiales species. By meticulously exploring their morphological characteristics and genetic makeup, we expand the known catalogue of fungal diversity by describing Alphamyces thailandicus, Angulomyces ubonensis, Gorgonomyces aquaticus, G. chiangraiensis, G. limnicus, Pateramyces pingflumenensis, Terramyces aquatica, and T. flumenensis and also provide valuable insights into the intricacies of this order. This newfound knowledge not only enriches our understanding of Rhizophydiales but also contributes significantly to the broader field of mycology, addressing a critical gap in the documentation of fungal species. The identification and characterization of these eight novel species mark a noteworthy stride towards a more comprehensive comprehension of fungal ecosystems and their vital role.

Sunflower (Helianthusannuus L.) is a widely cultivated, fast-growing crop known for its seeds and oil, with substantial ecological and economic importance globally. However, it faces challenges from leaf diseases caused by Alternaria species, which threaten its yield. Three small-spored Alternaria species were isolated from leaf spot and blight symptoms on sunflower in Myanmar. All the species were determined based on morphological characterization and a multi-locus phylogenetic assessment of seven genes, including the internal transcribed spacer of rDNA region (ITS), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2), translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1), Alternaria major allergen gene (Alt a 1), endopolygalacturonase gene (EndoPG), and an anonymous gene region (OPA10-2). The results introduced two new Alternaria species, A.myanmarensis sp. nov. and A.yamethinensis sp. nov., and a known species of A.burnsii, firstly reported from sunflower.

Banana wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) is a devastating fungal disease. Biocontrol strategies hold immense potential for inhibiting the spread of Foc TR4. Here, 30 actinobacteria were isolated from soils and screened for their antagonistic activity against Foc TR4. Strain SCA4-21T was selected due to its strongest antagonistic activity against Foc TR4. Strain SCA4-21T also exhibited strong antagonistic activity against the other eight phytopathogenic fungi. The strain was identified as the genus Streptomyces according to its physiological, biochemical, and phenotypic characteristics. The phylogenetic trees of 16S rRNA sequences demonstrated that strain SCA4-21T formed a subclade with S. iranensis HM 35T and/or S. rapamycinicus NRRL B-5491T with low bootstrap values. Considering that 16S rRNAs did not provide sufficient resolution for species-level identification, the whole genome of strain SCA4-21T was sequenced. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) based on five housekeeping gene alleles (atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB, and trpB) revealed that strain SCA4-21T clustered into S. hygroscopicus subsp. hygroscopicus NBRC 13472T with 100% of bootstrap value. The analysis of the genome-based phylogeny also approved the results. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) were 91.26 and 44.30%, respectively, with values below the respective species level threshold of 95 and 70%. Hence, strain SCA 4-21T represented a novel species within the genus Streptomyces, named Streptomyces luomodiensis sp. nov. The type strain is SCA4-21T (=GDMCC4.340T = JCM36555T). By the CAZymes analysis, 348 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) were detected, including 15 chitinases and eight β-1,3-glucanases. The fermentation broth of strain SCA4-21T, exhibiting strong antagonistic activity against Foc TR4, demonstrated high activities of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase, which might be involved in antifungal activity. Our results showed an innovative potential biocontrol agent for managing plant fungal diseases, specifically banana fusarium wilt.

Panus is a typical wood-rotting fungi, which plays considerable roles in ecosystems and has significant economic value. The genus Panus currently consists of more than 100 species; however, only eight species have been reported from China. This study aims to distinguish and describe two novel species from the Panussimilis complex, namely Panusminisporus and Panusbaishanzuensis, one new record species from Zhejiang Province, Panussimilis and three common species, Panusconchatus, Panusneostrigosus and Panusrudis, based on detailed morphological and phylogenetic studies, relying on Chinese specimens. Panusminisporus is characterised by its reddish-brown pileus, decurrent lamellae with cross-veins, slender stipe, smaller basidiospores, wider generative hyphae and absence of sclerocystidia. Panusbaishanzuensis is featured by its pileus with concentric and darker ring zone, decurrent lamellae with cross-veins, shorter stipe, longer basidiospores, diverse and shorter cheilocystidia and smaller sclerocystidia. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU) and translation elongation factor 1-α gene (tef-1α) were employed to perform a thorough phylogenetic analysis for genus Panus and related genera, using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood analysis. The results indicate that Panusminisporus and Panusbaishanzuensis form two independent clades within the Panussimilis complex themselves. Detailed descriptions, taxonomic notes, illustrations etc. were provided. In addition, a key to the reported species of Panus from China is also provided.