Two new species of Chionosphaera and Kurtzmanomyces (Chionosphaeraceae, Agaricostilbomycetes) isolated from China

Within the family Chionosphaeraceae, only nine species of <i>Chionosphaera</i> and <i>Kurtzmanomyces</i> have been described to date. In this study, two strains of <i>Chionosphaera</i> and two strains of <i>Kurtzmanomyces</i> from China were examined using phylogenetic, physiological, and biochemical approaches. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (<i>tef1</i>α) were conducted to infer species relationships within the genera <i>Chionosphaera</i> and <i>Kurtzmanomyces</i>. As a result, two novel species are proposed: <i>Chionosphaera foliicola</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> (holotype GDMCC 2.531^T) and <i>Kurtzmanomyces guiyangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> (holotype GDMCC 2.499^T). Descriptions and illustrations of both species are provided, together with comparisons to closely related taxa. This study expands the known diversity of Chionosphaeraceae in China and provides a basis for future taxonomic and ecological investigations.