INTRODUCTION

Ascomycetes belongs to the phylum Ascomycota, the largest fungal phylum, and consists of 93,000 species [1,2]. Ascomycota are widely distributed in various terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments [3]. Although some ascomycetes live in soil or dung, most are saprobes [4]. Some exist as infections that affect humans, animals, and plants. Others live as parasites, such as endophytes or fungicolous or parasitic fungi [5-7]. The fungal genus Clonostachys (teleomorph Bionectria) belongs to the suborder Sordariomycetes of the Bionectriaceae family in Ascomycota. Globally, there are several species of Clonostachys. They live on recently deceased trees and decompose leaves as saprotrophs or as harmful mycoparasites and lichenicoles [8]. The use of Clonostachys as a multipurpose biocontrol agent has increased because of its capacity to inhibit sporulation of plant pathogenic fungi (mycoparasites), colonize senescent and dead tissues, stimulate plant growth, and facilitate plant resistance [9].

Chrysosporium is a genus of hyaline hyphomycete fungi belonging to the division Ascomycota, class Euascomycetes, order Onygenales, and family Onygenaceae [10]. A filamentous keratinophilic fungus, Chrysosporium is frequently identified in rotting wood, soil, animal waste, freshwater and marine sediments, feathers from birds and reptiles, the skin and hair of mammals. It feeds on feathers and hair fragments that remain in the soil [11].

The purpose of this study was to investigate recently discovered fungus species in Korea based on cultural and morphological characteristics, as well as their molecular phylogeny. The two fungal species are described and illustrated as a new record for the country of Korea.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RESULTS

DISCUSSION

Previous studies have reported that Clonostachys rosea was associated with avocado fruit rot in Puebla, Mexico [24]. Clonostachys ambigua and C. pallens were identified on bark (unknown host) from Indonesia [25]. Clonostachys species, such as C. rosea, are well-known biological control agents for various plant pathogens [26]. In the present study, the reported species, C. divergens (KNUF-20-NI011), was isolated from soil in Gyeongbuk Province, Korea.

Members of Chrysosporium are distributed worldwide and can produce many valuable metabolites, especially keratinase, which can be used widely in the chemical industry and in environmental protection, medicine, and agriculture [27,28]. Previously, C. vallenarense was obtained from the dung of the Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) in Chile [29]. Chrysosporium sp. was reported to cause the death of rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus) with severe facial swelling and disfiguration in Illinois, USA [30]. In 2006, C. linfenense was explored as a new species in the rhizosphere soil of Cedrus deodara in China [31]. Furthermore, the emergence of the keratinophilic fungus Chrysosporium (anamorph: Nannizziopsis vriesii) has caused fatal diseases in captive bearded dragons within the past decade [32]. In recent years, microorganisms have received increased attention owing to their negative impacts and crucial roles in agriculture, the chemical industry, and environmental protection. Additional research is required to determine the industrial significance and possible pathogenicity of the host species present under the ecological and environmental conditions of Korea. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Clonostachys divergens and Chrysosporium merdarium in Korea.