Morphology and Phylogeny reveal a new species, Nigrograna pruni (Nigrogranaceae, Pleosporales), from sweet cherry

During a survey of saprobic fungi in Sichuan Province, we isolated a fungus from sweet cherry (Prunus avium). Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region indicated that the isolate belongs to the cryptic genus Nigrograna. To better determine the taxonomic status, phylogenetic analysis was conducted using ITS, the nuclear ribosomal large subunit rRNA (LSU), the partial second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and the nuclear ribosomal small subunit rRNA (SSU). Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) approaches showed that the isolate forms a sister but separate clade with N. norvegica. Detailed morphological characterization, together with phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, RPB2, and SSU sequence data, supports the recognition of a new species, Nigrograna pruni. This study enhances the understanding of the genus Nigrograna and broadens the diversity of Nigrograna in Sichuan Province, China.