Gigaspora polymorphira, a new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomeromycota) from Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in China

Scientists have identified Gigaspora polymorphira, a new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, from the Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in China. This discovery was made through morphological and phylogenetic analyses of spores collected from the rhizosphere soil of native plants, including Phyllostachys heterocycla (bamboo) and Cunninghamia lanceolata (Chinese fir). The fungus is distinguished by its large, irregularly shaped spores with a distinctive two-layered wall structure, which stains dark red to brown in Melzer’s reagent. Phylogenetic studies revealed that G. polymorphira forms a unique clade within the genus Gigaspora, closely related but genetically distinct from G. margarita. The research provides an updated taxonomic key for identifying Gigaspora species globally, contributing to the understanding of fungal diversity in UNESCO-listed ecosystems.

LONG, C.-L., TAO, G.-Y., YAO, L.-M., HE, R.-J., & JIANG, L. (2022). Gigaspora polymorphira, a new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomeromycota) from Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in China. Phytotaxa, 572(2), 167–181. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.572.2.4