Two New Penicillium Species Penicillium Dongtaiense Sp. Nov and Penicillium Yanchengense sp. nov., Isolated From a Poplar Plantation in China

Abstract Studies on the degradation of plant cell wall polysaccharides by fungal extracellular enzymes have attracted much recent attention. In this study, dozens of fungus species spanning genera were isolated from rotting leaves based on their ability to decompose xylan. Using genetic sequencing (rDNA internal transcribed spacer), strains were identified as members of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Campylocarpon, Pyrenochaeta and Cladosporium. Among these strains, two Penicillium strains can’t be assigned to any reported species. In this study, they are described new species as Penicillium yanchengium sp. novT (AF 2021051) and Penicillium dongtaiense sp. novT (AF 2121001) based on multigene phylogenetic analysis and morphology. Penicillium yanchengense sp. novT belong to Penicillium section Lanata-Divaricata and are phylogenetically closely related to Penicillium oxalicum and Penicillium asturianum. Isolates of Penicillium yanchengense sp. novT have a faster growth on Czapek yeast agar (CYA) at 37 ℃, abundant exudate present on CYA, and a greater ability to produce acid on creatine sucrose agar (CREA). Penicillium dongtaiense sp. novT was placed in section Sclerotiora and it is most closely related to Penicillium exsudans, Penicillium mallochii and Penicillium acidum. It is unique in slower growth on CYA and MEA plates, abundant exudate on MEA, and cerebriform grooves on YES compared to its relatives. In this study, we provide detailed description about two species.