New Chinese Absidia Species Expand Early-Diverging Fungal Diversity

A recent publication in MycoKeys reports that researchers Fei Li, Ri-Peng Zhang, Jun-Nan Fang, Xiao-Jie Wang, Hong-Yu Zou, Shu-Ting Geng, Shi Wang, Ze-Min Fang, and Xiao-Yong Liu have described five previously unknown *Absidia* species and one new *Gongronella* species from China’s diverse landscapes ¹.net]. The work appeared in volume 136, pages 193–216, and is available under DOI 10.3897/mycokeys.136.201393 ¹.net].

The team sampled fungal material from six distinct provinces—Guangxi, Heilongjiang, Hubei, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Yunnan—and uncovered the following novel taxa: *Absidia guangxiensis* sp. nov., *A. heilongjiangensis* sp. nov., *A. hubeiensis* sp. nov., *A. longisporangiophora* sp. nov., and *A. myceliosa* sp. nov.; plus a single *Gongronella globospora* sp. nov. ¹.net].

Phylogenetic analyses employed multiple genetic markers—including SSU, ITS, LSU, TEF1α, and act—to place each new species within the broader Cunninghamellaceae family tree. The results show that *A. guangxiensis* and *A. heilongjiangensis* form a distinct clade; *A. hubeiensis* clusters closely with *A. cylindrospora*; and *A. longisporangiophora* sits sister to *A. myceliosa*. Morphologically, *A. guangxiensis* is distinguished by broad apophyses, while *A. heilongjiangensis* bears large projections. *A. hubeiensis* features enlarged sporangia, *A. longisporangiophora* displays elongated sporangiophores, and *A. myceliosa* shows abundant mycelial growth. In contrast, *Gongronella globospora* is closely related to *G. chlamydospora*, yet differs in subtle morphological traits such as spore size and ornamentation ¹.net].

The discovery adds to the growing understanding of fungal biodiversity in Asia. Similar findings were reported for *Cryptococcus neoformans* var. *gattii* in Australia back in 2015.

These findings provide a valuable reference point for mushroom foragers seeking to understand the ecological roles of non‑edible, saprobic fungi that decompose plant litter across varied Chinese ecosystems. While the new Absidia and Gongronella species are not edible, their presence signals healthy decomposition processes essential for nutrient cycling—an aspect often overlooked by casual foragers but critical for forest health and soil fertility. The detailed phylogenetic framework also aids future researchers who may discover additional cryptic species within this lineage or assess potential biotechnological applications derived from these early-diverging fungi.

Foraging communities can use this research to refine identification guides, ensuring they recognize when they encounter morphologically similar but genetically distinct species. However, because many Absidia species produce toxic compounds, it remains prudent to avoid consuming any unidentified specimens until confirmed safe by reliable taxonomic keys. This study exemplifies the importance of rigorous molecular analysis alongside traditional morphology for accurate species delineation—a lesson applicable both to academic mycology and everyday foraging decisions.