Morphology and phylogeny reveal the asexual morph of Muriformispora (Neohendersoniaceae), M. thailandica sp. nov., and a new host and geographical record for M. magnoliae

A new collection of Pleosporales (Dothideomycetes) was obtained during an investigation of plant-associated microfungi. In this study, we establish a novel species Muriformispora thailandica, with its asexual morph characteristics of Muriformispora for the first time. The asexual morph is characterised by having solitary to gregarious, subglobose conidiomata, phialidic, cylindrical, hyaline conidiogenous cells, and oblong to ovoid one-septate, guttulate brown conidia. A new host and geographical record of M. magnoliae from Alstonia scholaris (Apocynaceae) is also reported herein. A biphasic approach, combining morphology and molecular phylogeny, is presented to support the new discoveries in Neohendersoniaceae (Pleosporales). Molecular phylogenetic tree reconstruction using a concatenated LSU, SSU, ITS, tef1, and rpb2 sequence data set confirmed the placement of new strains within Muriformispora. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic analysis results are presented to support the establishment of a novel taxon and new host and geographical record of Muriformispora.