Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Pampa Biomes in the spotlight: an overview of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Talaromyces (Eurotiales) species and the description of Penicillium nordestinense sp. nov.

Abstract

The knowledge of the geographical distribution of fungi is essential to promote the understanding of global and national fungal diversity patterns. In this study, we provide a literature-based checklist of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Talaromyces species recorded in the biomes of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and the Brazilian Pampa. Only Penicillium digitatum was reported for the Pampa biome. For the Atlantic Forest, a total of 169 species (68 Aspergillus, 79 Penicillium, and 22 Talaromyces) are reported, of which 20 are typified with specimens from this biome, including the novel species Penicillium nordestinense (section Lanata-Divaricata) that is described in this study. Penicillium nordestinense is phylogenetically related to the invalidly described species Penicillium setosum, and this species is validated here. Soil was the most common substrate from where species were reported. Several reported species are well known in biotechnological processes. Penicilliopsis zonata and Sclerocleista ornata, species previously treated in Aspergillus, are recorded. This checklist reflects the limited knowledge of fungal species in tropical environments, such as the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Pampa biomes. This information is a good framework for understanding the Brazilian diversity of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Talaromyces and provides data for future fungal biogeographical studies in tropical environments.

Scaptona ramosa gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from nest of the stingless bee

“…In addition, other studies have reported the presence of different microorganisms associated with other genera of stingless bees [31,32]. In the Northeast region of Brazil, the few studies that report the occurrence of fungi in native bees were conducted by Barbosa et al [9,33,34] who identified species of Monascus, Penicillium and Talaromyces in substrates related to Melipona scutellaris. Studies like these contribute to a broader understanding of fungal diversity in specific ecosystems and can provide valuable information about the relationship between microorganisms and stingless bees.…”