Microfungi associated with Azadirachta (Meliaceae, Sapindales): New species, new records, and a global checklist

Azadirachta (Meliaceae) is a small genus comprising economically and ecologically important plants, including A. indica , which is widely used in traditional medicine and other applications such as natural pest control and cosmetics. Several studies have previously been conducted on Azadirachta , including its phytochemistry and associated microfungi, particularly endophytic species inhabiting the A. indica host. In this study, dead stems of Azadirachta indica bearing fungal fruiting bodies were collected, and the fungi were isolated. Based on morphology and multi-locus (ITS, LSU, SSU, tef 1-α, and rpb 2) phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI), the taxonomic placements of the isolated fungal strains were determined. Five taxa are reported, including two new species, Neomassaria azadirachtae and Nigrograna azadirachtae ; Aquadictyospora yunnanensis as a new host and geographical record; and Neoaquastroma bauhiniae and Pararoussoella lincangensis as two additional new host records. All new isolates in this study belong to Pleosporales ( Dothideomycetes , Ascomycota ), contributing to the understanding of the diversity of Pleosporales taxa associated with Azadirachta . In addition, a global checklist of 212 microfungal taxa and fungus-like Oomycota (excluding Basidiomycota ) reported from Azadirachta species has been compiled. Of the two known Azadirachta species ( A. indica and A. excelsa ), most fungal species were recorded from A. indica (210 species), whereas only one was reported from A. excelsa . This study provides an updated overview of fungal diversity associated with Azadirachta , particularly A. indica , with a global checklist and new saprobic collections including new species, host records, and geographical records.