New Genus Lignosporidesmium Clarifies Sporidesmium Complex

Researchers Hong‑Wei Shen, Kevin D. Hyde, Ying Wang, Lin Yang, Xi‑Jun Su, Yun‑Xia Li, and Zong‑Long Luo published a reassessment of Sporidesmium‑related taxa on 29 October 2026 in MycoKeys 142 (293–316) (DOI 10.3897/mycokeys.142.216747)¹. They used LSU, ITS, rpb2, SSU, and tef1‑α sequence data to construct a multi‑gene phylogenetic framework that resolved seven distinct lineages within the broader Sporidesmium sensu lato group.

Based on integrative evidence from morphology and phylogeny, they erected a new genus, Lignosporidesmium, to accommodate L. tropicale (≡ Sporidesmium tropicale). They also described a new species, Xenosporidesmium lignicola sp. nov. Nine new combinations were proposed, including Lylea lignicola, Xenosporidesmium bostenicum, X. dianchiense, X. distoseptatum, X. hongheense, X. lacustris, X. mucilaginosum, X. yangzonghaiense, and X. yilonghuense. These taxonomic changes aim to resolve long‑standing ambiguities caused by incomplete type material or limited population sampling in earlier studies of this fungal complex.¹

The authors noted that several previously recognized taxa such as Distoseptispora and Xenosporidesmium had been intensively studied, yet others remained poorly resolved due to missing molecular data.

By integrating multi‑marker phylogenetics with detailed morphological observations, the study provides a clearer framework for future research on Sporidesmium‑related fungi.