Additions to the Indian Periconia species: P. bharata sp. nov. and P. thailandica as a new record based on an integrative taxonomic approach

Abstract

Two Periconia species, P. bharata sp. nov. and P. thailandica, a new record for India, collected from Ochlandra travancorica and Bambusa vulgaris, respectively, from Kerala, India, are described herein. The new species is characterised by its branched setuliform conidiophores with distinctive mono or polyblastic conidiogenous cells which resembles species of Trichobotrys. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, ITS, SSU, and tef1-α sequence data using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods place P. bharata as a sister taxon to P. muchuanensis with strong statistical support within Periconiaceae. This study also reports P. thailandica for the first time from India. Additionally, MALDI-TOF MS data were also generated and integrated to support the rapid detection of these species in the future.