Gongronella fusoacuminata Y. - H. Wei & S. - S. Tzean 2024, sp. nov.

Gongronella fusoacuminata Y.-H. Wei & S.-S. Tzean, sp. nov. (Fig. 2) Mycobank MB856263 Gene sequences (ex-holotype): —(ITS) PQ496502; (LSU) PQ496505 Etymology: —The specific epithet ' fusoacuminata ' is derived from the Latin fusus (spindle) and acuminatus (pointed), referring to the fusiform shape of the sporangiospores with acuminate points at both ends. Diagnosis: — Gongronella fusoacuminata can be distinguished from other species in the genus by its unique fusiform sporangiospores with acuminate ends, and its relatively larger sporangiospores. Holotype: — TAIWAN. Hsinchu City, Gaofeng Botanical Garden, from rhizosphere soil of slash pine, Pinus elliottii, 5 Jul. 2010, leg. C.- C. Chen, Type BCRC 10 F0908, stored in a metabolically inactive state (in deep-frozen vial) in the Bioresource Collection and Research Center of the Food Industry Research & Development Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan. Description: —On PDA in darkness at 25 °C for 7 days, attaining 23–34 mm diameter, white, irregular at the edge, and velvety in texture, reverse milky white. Sporangiophores on aerial mycelia, erect or slightly bent, unbranched or simple laterally branched, monopodial or sympodial, hyaline, mostly with a septum below the apophyses. Sterile (aborted) sporangia abundant, hyaline, smooth, globose, 18.6–22.5(–25.9) μm long and (11.7–)17.1–24 μm wide. Fertile sporangia hyaline, spherical, 15.9–23.5(–42.5) μm long and 15.2–28.5(–42.5) μm wide, wall smooth and deliquescent. Columellae mostly hemispherical to sub-hemispherical, hyaline, 4–8.9(–12.5) μm long and 8.5–12.5(– 19) μm wide. Collars absent. Apophyses funnel- to bell-shaped, hyaline, 5.5–12(–15) μm high, (4.5–)7.4–12.8 μm wide. Sporangiospores hyaline, smooth-walled, fusiform with acuminate points at both ends, (7.5–)8.5–11.8(–17.7) × (3.3–)3.5–5.5(–6.9) µm. Chlamydospores abundant, smooth, hyaline, single, terminal, globose, 6.8–10.7 × 6.5–9.9 µm. Giant cells abundant, hyaline, often with small oil droplets; irregular, sometimes with thread-like projections, or globose to subglobose; single or in masses. Zygospores absent. Rhizoids absent. Additional strain examined: — TAIWAN. Hsinchu City, Gaofeng Botanical Garden. From rhizosphere soil of slash pine, 5 Jul. 2010, leg. C.- C. Chen (BCRC 10 F0909); from rhizosphere soil of mallow, 5 Jul. 2010, leg. C.- C. Chen (BCRC 10 F0918). GenBank accessions for additional strains: BCRC 10 F0909 (ITS: PQ496503; LSU: PQ496506); BCRC 10 F0918 (ITS: PQ496504; LSU: PQ496507).