Unveiling species diversity within early-diverging fungi from China IV: Four new species of (Cunninghamellaceae, Mucoromycota).

To investigate early-diverging fungi in soil from Yunnan Province, China, four novel species of the genus were discovered based on a combination of morphological characteristics, molecular evidence, and physiological features. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of SSU-ITS-LSU-Act-TEF1α sequences indicate that , , , and are closely related to , , , and , respectively. is named for the sparse presence of rhizoids. refers to the simple branching of its sporangiophores. is characterized by its spherical columellae. is distinctive for its light green colony. These four new species are described and illustrated herein, and their phenotypic and genotypic differences from allied species are discussed.