A downstream Hanjiang River collection in China had distinctive morphology and multilocus phylogeny, supporting Neolindgomyces guttulatus as a new species and the first Chinese freshwater record of the genus. The work expands fungal diversity knowledge but does not establish ecological function or distribution.
Key findings
- The fungus has immersed globose to subglobose ascomata, clavate bitunicate asci and hyaline cylindrical-fusiform ascospores with 8-9 septa, minute guttules, narrow rounded ends and a prominent gelatinous sheath. Multilocus phylogeny supported its placement as Neolindgomyces guttulatus.
Why this matters globally
A named, sequenced reference improves eDNA surveys and cross-region comparisons of poorly documented freshwater fungi involved in organic-matter decomposition.
Thai researcher contribution
Yongxin Shu is affiliated with Mae Fah Luang University's School of Science and Center of Excellence in Fungal Research. The specimen and biodiversity record are Chinese, not a fungal discovery in Thailand.
Limitations to consider
The abstract describes a single collection, with no abundance, seasonality, substrate breadth, culture, genome or ecological-function data. A new species name does not mean recent evolution or imply medicinal value.