Two novel Aspergillus species from hypersaline soils of The National Park of Lake Urmia, Iran

Abstract

Two novel Aspergillus species, one belonging to the section Terrei and the other to section Flavipedes, were isolated from hypersaline soils of The National Park of Lake Urmia (Iran) and are here described as Aspergillus iranicus and Aspergillus urmiensis. A polyphasic taxonomic approach comprising extrolite profiles, phenotypic characters and molecular data (beta-tubulin, calmodulin and ribosomal polymerase II second largest subunit gene sequences) was applied to determine their novel taxonomic status. Aspergillus iranicus (CBS 139561 T ) is phylogenetically related to A. carneus, A. niveus, A. allahabadii and A. neoindicus, and it can be differentiated from those species by a unique extrolite pattern (citrinin, gregatins, and a terrequinone) and its conidial colour. Aspergillus urmiensis (CBS 139558 T ) shares a most recent common ancestor with A. templicola. The former species produces globose vesicles, and those of A. templicola are predominantly elongate. The Aspergillus urmiensis isolates produce several uncharacterized extrolites. Two other strains obtained during this study reside in a clade, together with the type strain of A. movilensis (CCF 4410 T ), and are identified accordingly. Based on the phylogenetic data presented in this study, A. frequens is reduced to synonymy with A. micronesiensis and A. mangaliensis is considered to be a synonym of A. templicola.

Cryptic Aspergillus from clinical samples in the USA and description of a new species in section Flavipedes

“…Another difficulty in identifying cryptic species is the fact that the taxonomy is being continuously updated with new modifications due to the new criteria for fungal nomenclature, 69 synonymisations 50,70 and new species being constantly described in the current literature. 6,8,12,16,[27][28][29]50,55,57,60,62 For example, among the species reported in the isolates of this study, three of them (A. europaeus, A. micronesiensis and A. spelaeus) were not even described at the moment of their isolation from clinical samples. Currently, a polyphasic approach that combines multilocus phylogenetic analyses using sequences of extype strains and the phenotypic characteristics of the isolates is the recommended methodology to reach reliable species identification in Aspergillus.…”

“…Another difficulty in identifying cryptic species is the fact that the taxonomy is being continuously updated with new modifications due to the new criteria for fungal nomenclature, synonymisations and new species being constantly described in the current literature . For example, among the species reported in the isolates of this study, three of them ( A. europaeus , A. micronesiensis and A. spelaeus ) were not even described at the moment of their isolation from clinical samples.…”

“…However, Hubka et al re‐identified several clinical isolates of A. flavipes as A. frequens, and suggested that most infections reported could be caused by A. frequens . Currently, A. frequens is considered a synonym of A. micronesiensis ; both species were practically described simultaneously, the latter being considered the valid name for the species. We identified A. micronesiensis from a canine urine sample.…”

“…suttoniae , the vesicles are commonly hemispherical, no diminutive conidiophores were observed, and the exudate on CYA is pale yellow (3A3) to orange yellow (4A6). Aspergillus urmiensis was described from hypersaline soil, and it differs by showing globose vesicles with radiate growth, while A . suttoniae has conidial heads mainly columnar.…”

“…26 On the other hand, in A. suttoniae, the vesicles are commonly hemispherical, no diminutive conidiophores were observed, and the exudate on CYA is pale yellow (3A3) to orange yellow (4A6). Aspergillus urmiensis was described from hypersaline soil, 28…”