Additions to Macgarvieomyces in Iran: Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Six New Species

The genus <i>Macgarvieomyces</i> (<i>Magnaporthales</i>, <i>Sordariomycetes</i>, <i>Ascomycota</i>) currently includes three species, which are associated with leaf spots on plants belonging to the <i>Cyperaceae</i> and <i>Juncaceae</i> families and are known only in Europe and New Zealand. During a comprehensive survey conducted between 2020 and 2022 targeting host plants from these families across various regions of Iran, six novel species of <i>Macgarvieomyces</i>-<i>M. caspica</i>, <i>M. cyperi</i>, <i>M. junci-acuti</i>, <i>M. juncigenus</i>, <i>M. salkadehensis</i>, and <i>M. schoeni</i>-were uncovered. These species were identified based on detailed morphological characterizations and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses using ITS-rDNA, <i>RPB1</i>, <i>ACT</i>, and <i>CAL</i> gene regions. This study provides thorough descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa, including information on their morphology, ecological preferences, and geographic distribution. The phylogenetic relationships among the species are also discussed. This work significantly enhances the known diversity of <i>Macgarvieomyces</i> associated with <i>Cyperaceae</i> and <i>Juncaceae</i>, expands their geographic distribution, and underscores the value of integrating morphological and molecular data in fungal taxonomy; accordingly, the findings of this study lay the groundwork for future ecological and evolutionary studies of this genus.