Do You Believe in “New” Fungal Species?
Author: Belle Damodara Shenoy
CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography Regional Centre, 176, Lawson’s Bay Colony, Visakhapatnam 530017, Andhra Pradesh, India, Email: shenoynio@gmail.com
Abstract
Fungal taxonomy has undergone a transformation in recent decades, propelled by the advent of molecular methodologies that have fundamentally reshaped traditional morphology-based species delineation. This paper examines the progression of fungal classification systems, with a focused discussion on integrative taxonomic frameworks, including Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Recognition (GCPSR) and coalescent-based methods. These molecular advancements have revealed extensive cryptic diversity, as exemplified by revisions within the Colletotrichum gloeosporioidesspecies complex. While DNA barcoding—particularly through the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region—has accelerated species discovery, the potential for taxonomic inflation highlights the need for robust multi-locus and population-genetic analyses. The conceptualization of “new” fungal species is critically evaluated through an eco-evolutionary lens, emphasizing the imperative for a multidisciplinary synthesis of molecular, morphological, and ecological data. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes the importance of equitable global access to molecular technologies and infrastructural resources, particularly in biodiverse yet under-resourced regions such as India. Such inclusivity is vital to fostering broader engagement in fungal systematics and ensuring more comprehensive biodiversity assessment and conservation efforts.
Keywords: Biodiversity, Fungal Taxonomy, Molecular Identification, Mycology, Species Delimitation
Document Type: Opinion Article
Citation: Shenoy, B. D. (2025). Do you believe in “new” fungal species? Mycological Spectrum, 1(1):47-58.
Received: 08 May 2025 | Accepted: 11 June 2025 | Published: 12 June 2025
Handling Editor: Dr. Shilpa A. Verekar | Reviewers: Prof. Samantha C. Karunarathna, Anonymous reviewer
Copyright: ©2025 Shenoy. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution, or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution, or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
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