Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Four New Species in Absidia (Cunninghamellaceae, Mucorales) From China

Four new species within the genus , , , , and , are proposed based on a combination of morphological traits, physiological features, and molecular evidences. is characterized by globose sporangiospores, a 1.0- to 3.5-μm-long papillary projection on columellae, and sympodial sporangiophores. is characterized by cylindrical to oval sporangiospores, a 1.0- to 4.5-μm-long bacilliform projection on columellae, and spine-like rhizoids. is characterized by variable sporangiospores, up to 9.5-μm-long clavate projections on columellae, and swollen top of the projection and inflated hyphae. is characterized by cylindrical to oval sporangiospores, a 2.0- to 3.5-μm-long spinous projection on columellae, and as many as eight whorled sporangiophores. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of internal transcribed spacer rDNA and D1-D2 domains of LSU rDNA support the novelty of these four species within the . All new species are illustrated, and an identification key to all the known species of in China is included.