Two Novel <i>Exophiala</i> Species Isolated from Galls on the Chinese Magnolia-Vine ( <i>Schisandra chinensis</i> ) in Korea

Two novel fungal species (KNUF-24-1Ha^T and KNUF-24-3La^T), belonging to the genus <i>Exophiala</i>, were isolated from galls produced by gall-midge (<i>Lasioptera</i> sp.; Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on a Chinese magnolia vine (<i>Schisandra chinensis</i>) collected in Mungyeong-si, Gyeongbuk province, South Korea. Molecular analyses based on combined sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and partial sequences of the large subunit (<i>LSU</i>), <i>rRNA</i>, beta-tubulin, and actin genes revealed that the strains clustered within the <i>Exophiala</i> genus. However, strains KNUF-24-1Ha^T and KNUF-24-3La^T each occupied a distinct phylogenetic position. Comparative analysis of the morphological characteristics of KNUF-24-1Ha^T and KNUF-24-3La^T and those of closely related species in the phylogenetic tree revealed distinct differences in the shape and size of conidia, conidiogenous cells, and yeast cells. Based on molecular and morphological evidence, strains KNUF-24-1Ha^T and KNUF-24-3La^T represent a novel species within the genus <i>Exophiala</i>, now designated as <i>Exophiala schisandrae</i> sp. nov. and <i>E. exsudans</i> sp. nov., respectively.