Plants play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the biosphere, but often suffer from pathogenic fungi during growth. During our continuing mycological surveys of plant pathogens from terrestrial plants in Jiangxi and Yunnan provinces, China, 24 strains of Pestalotiopsis isolated from diseased and healthy tissues of plant leaves represented eight new species, viz. P. alpinicola, P. camelliicola, P. cyclosora, P. eriobotryae, P. gardeniae, P. hederae, P. machiliana and P. mangifericola. Multi-locus (ITS, tef1-α and tub2) phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference to reveal their taxonomic placement within Pestalotiopsis. Both molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons supported them as eight independent taxa within Pestalotiopsis. Illustrations and descriptions of these eight taxa were provided, in conjunction with comparisons with closely related taxa in the genus. This work highlights the large potential for new fungal species associated with diseased plant leaves.

Fungal diversity is rapidly expanding, with numerous species being discovered worldwide. While plant debris is a habitat favoring the survival and multiplication of various microbial species. In this study, several kirschsteiniothelia-like isolates were collected from dead branches of unidentified perennial dicotyledonous plants. Based on morphological examination and phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, and SSU sequences data using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference, three new species of Kirschsteiniothelia, namely K. ganzhouensis, K. jiangxiensis, and K. jiulianshanensis, were introduced, and one known species, K. inthanonensis, was recorded for the first time from China. To improve our comprehensive knowledge of the species diversity of Kirschsteiniothelia, all accepted Kirschsteiniothelia species with morphological characteristics, sequence data, asexual morphs, habitat, host, and locality are listed.

Saprobic hyphomycetes with high density and species diversity were observed on plant debris. During our mycological surveys in southern China, numerous strains were isolated from dead branches of unidentified plants in the forest of Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, China. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1 sequence data using maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods revealed the systematic placement of several Sporidesmium-like species within Distoseptispora. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular evidence, four new species of Distoseptispora, namely D. fujianensis, D. ganzhouensis, D. nanpingensis and D. subtropica, are introduced, and two known species, D. clematidis and D. yunjushanensis, are reported. This study enhances our knowledge of the species diversity of Distoseptispora in southern China.

Saprobic hyphomycetous fungi exhibit high colonization density and diversity on rotting woody plant material. During our continuing mycological research in the forest ecosystem of Jiangxi, Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, China, several Distoseptispora-like and Helminthosporium-like strains were isolated from unidentified dead branches in terrestrial habitats. Based on morphological comparisons and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses using maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI), six novel species of Distoseptispora (D. terrestris, D. wuyishanensis, D. zhejiangensis) and Helminthosporium (H. ganzhouense, H. jiangxiense, H. saprophyticum) were introduced, and one known species, H. velutinum was reported. The species diversity within Distoseptispora and Helminthosporium was supplemented in this study.

During investigations of saprobic fungi on decaying wood in terrestrial habitats of southern China, several sporidesmium -like isolates were collected from dead branches of unidentified plants in Fujian, Jiangxi, and Yunnan provinces. Based on morphological comparisons and multilocus phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, RPB2 , and TEF1 sequence data, four new species of Distoseptispora , namely D. acropleurogena , D. distoseptata , D. ellipsoidea , and D. jiulianshanensis , are proposed. Detailed descriptions and comparisons with allied taxa are provided. This study enriches the species diversity of Distoseptispora in southern China and highlights the importance of integrating morphological and molecular data for species delimitation.

Pestalotioid fungi occurring as plant pathogens, endophytes, or saprophytes exhibit a wide range of plant hosts. During our ongoing mycological surveys in southern China, 21 strains of Pestalotiopsis were isolated from diseased leaves of terrestrial plants. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS, tef 1-α, and tub 2 sequence data were performed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference to reveal their taxonomic placement within Pestalotiopsis . Both molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons supported them as five new species of Pestalotiopsis , namely P. acericola , P. corchorifolii , P. fraseri , P. goeppertiae , and P. koelreuteriae , and one known species, P. machiliana . This study supplements the species diversity of Pestalotiopsis associated with multiple hosts in southern China.