Taxonomic contributions to Pleosporales and Kirschsteiniotheliales from the Xizang Autonomous Region, China

The Xizang Autonomous Region, China, is a key ecological security barrier, renowned for its rich biodiversity and unique resources. It supports diverse life forms, including fungi, which are vital for ecological balance and the restoration of the region’s ecosystems. This study presents the results of a microfungal survey conducted on the Plateau, focusing on the orders Pleosporales and Kirschsteiniotheliales within the class Dothideomycetes. Based on morphological characteristics and multi-gene (ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1, tub2, and rpb2) phylogeny analyses, we report the discovery of 10 new taxa, including one new genus Neotriplosphaeria and nine new species, Kirschsteiniothelia linzhiensis, K. yadongensis, Neotriplosphaeria yadongensis, Periconia linzhiensis, Tetraploa linzhiensis, Torula dingjieensis, T. yadongensis, Trichobotrys motuoensis, Triseptatospora yadongensis, and one new host record Periconia spodiopogonis. The findings provide valuable insights into the morphological and phylogenetic relationships of these fungi, highlighting the Plateau’s significant role in fungal diversity. This study enriches our understanding of fungal biodiversity in extreme environments and underscores the importance of continued exploration in this region.