Unveiling species diversity within early-diverging fungi from China V: Five new species of Absidia (Cunninghamellaceae, Mucoromycota)

<i>Absidia</i> is widely distributed in soil, koji, and various types of feces. A multi-locus phylogeny covering the small subunit (SSU), internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and large subunit of ribosomal RNA gene (LSU rDNA), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (<i>TEF1α</i>), and actin (<i>Act</i>), combined with morphological characteristics, revealed five new species in this genus. This study provides their descriptions and illustrations and discusses their differences from morphological allies and phylogenetic relatives. <i>Absidiacollariata</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> is distinguished from other species in terms of the length of collars. <i>A.hainanensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> is named after the geographical location Hainan, distinctive with a higher maximum growing temperature. <i>A.pyriformis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> is different from other species in terms of sporangial shape. <i>A.tardiva</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> is characterized by slow growth. And <i>A.tibetensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> is named after the geographical location Tibet and differentiated by more ampulliform swellings. This study further enriches the species diversity of <i>Absidia</i> as the latest discovery of early-diverging fungi in China.