Aspergillus europaeus sp. nov., a widely distributed soil-borne species related to A. wentii (section Cremei)

Abstract

A new species belonging to Aspergillus section Cremei is described, A. europaeus sp. nov. This species is most closely related to A. wentii, A. dimorphicus, and A. chrysellus and can be distinguished by an unique phenotype (colour of sporulation, production of yellow soluble pigment on MEA, shape of vesicle, ornamentation of conidia), specific spectrum of produced exometabolites and internal transcribed spacers (ITS), b-tubulin and calmodulin gene sequence data. In total, 18 isolates were identified which originated from soil (n = 14), cork (n = 2), indoor air (n = 1) and clinical material (n = 1) in the Czech Republic, Romania, Spain, Portugal, France and Tunisia. All strains were first identified by morphological characters as A. wentii or A. tamarii suggesting that A. europaeus is a common species but it has been overlooked and frequently misidentified. The ex-type strain is CCF 4409 T = CBS 134393 T = IBT 32228 T = NRRL 66252 T .

Cryptic Aspergillus from clinical samples in the USA and description of a new species in section Flavipedes

“…In these studies, from a total of 173 isolates belonging to the sections Aspergillus, Circumdati, Cremei, Flavipedes, Nidulantes, Terrei, Usti and Versicolores, we have identified 38 species, many of them considered cryptic because of their morphological similarity with the most common pathogens of each section studied. It is noteworthy that eight of these species were reported for the first time from animal and human clinical specimens, including three new ones, A. microperforatus, 12 A. pseudosclerotiorum, 16 In the present study, we identified A. europaeus of the section Cremei and although their isolation from clinical samples is rare, Hubka et al 29 suggested that A. europaeus is a relative common species in clinical settings and it has been overlooked and frequently misidentified, especially as A. wentii, the most well-known species of this section. The two species can be distinguished by the production of yellow soluble pigment on MEA in A. europaeus, which is not present in A. wentii.…”

“…In the present study, we identified A. europaeus of the section Cremei and although their isolation from clinical samples is rare, Hubka et al suggested that A. europaeus is a relative common species in clinical settings and it has been overlooked and frequently misidentified, especially as A. wentii , the most well‐known species of this section. The two species can be distinguished by the production of yellow soluble pigment on MEA in A. europaeus , which is not present in A. wentii . Moreover, they can be differentiated by the size of the conidial heads at the colony centre, which usually does not exceed 200 μm diam in A. europaeus , and are larger in A. wentii (approximately 500 μm diam) .…”

“…Another difficulty in identifying cryptic species is the fact that the taxonomy is being continuously updated with new modifications due to the new criteria for fungal nomenclature, 69 synonymisations 50,70 and new species being constantly described in the current literature. 6,8,12,16,[27][28][29]50,55,57,60,62 For example, among the species reported in the isolates of this study, three of them (A. europaeus, A. micronesiensis and A. spelaeus) were not even described at the moment of their isolation from clinical samples. Currently, a polyphasic approach that combines multilocus phylogenetic analyses using sequences of extype strains and the phenotypic characteristics of the isolates is the recommended methodology to reach reliable species identification in Aspergillus.…”

“…Another difficulty in identifying cryptic species is the fact that the taxonomy is being continuously updated with new modifications due to the new criteria for fungal nomenclature, synonymisations and new species being constantly described in the current literature . For example, among the species reported in the isolates of this study, three of them ( A. europaeus , A. micronesiensis and A. spelaeus ) were not even described at the moment of their isolation from clinical samples.…”

“…29 Moreover, they can be differentiated by the size of the conidial heads at the colony centre, which usually does not exceed 200 μm diam in A. europaeus, and are larger in A. wentii (approximately 500 μm diam). 29 By contrast, members of this section are mainly considered soil-borne fungi and can cause spoilage of cereals and nuts. 30 It is noteworthy the identification in this study of two species of the section Flavipedes, i.e.…”