e-ISSN: 3107-6203

Authors: Chandran Dilna 1, Sruthi O. Paraparath 1, Kunhiraman C. Rajeshkumar 1, 2*, Vinaykumar Hallur 3, Harikrishnan K 1, Parayelil A. Ansil 1, Sreejith K. Ashtamoorthy 4, Rajnish Kumar Verma 5

1 National Fungal Culture Collection of India (NFCCI), Biodiversity and Palaeobiology (Fungi) Group, MACS Agharkar Research Institute, G. G. Agarkar Road, Pune, 411 004, Maharashtra, India

2 Faculty of Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411 007, Maharashtra, India

3 ICMR Advanced Molecular Diagnostic and Research Centre, Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar-751019, Odisha, India

4 Department of Forest Ecology, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala 680653, India

5 Mycology Lab, Department of Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141 004, Punjab, India

*Corresponding author: Kunhiraman C. Rajeshkumar: E-mail: rajeshfungi@gmail.com

Abstract

This study represents the first molecular authentication of the medically and industrially relevant fungus, Parengyodontium album from Pune, India. The species was identified through an integrative approach that combined detailed morphological assessment with phylogenetic analyses based on three genetic markers, ITS, LSU, and tef1α. Based on morphology alone, this taxon can be misidentified as a Beauveria species due to its cryptic and comparable microscopic characteristics. Our findings provide the first molecular confirmation and phylogenetic placement of P. album, establishing its identity and occurrence as an indoor mould. This species has recently attracted considerable attention due to its dual significance: its emerging role in clinical contexts, particularly in respiratory infections, and its promising potential in plastic biodegradation.

Keywords: Cordycipitaceae, medical fungus, phylogeny, taxonomy, Maharashtra.

Document Type: Original Article

Citation: Dilna C, Sruthi O P, Rajeshkumar K C, Hallur V, Harikrishnan K, Ansil P A, Ashtamoorthy S K, Verma R K. (2026). Insights into the molecular taxonomy and phylogeny of Parengyodontium album, an uncommon indoor mould from western India. Mycological Spectrum, 2(1), 50-62.

Received: 08 September 2025 | Accepted: 02 December 2025 | Published: 04 January 2026.

Handling Editor: Dr. S.K. Deshmukh | Reviewers: Dr. Raghvendra Singh and Prof. Rajesh Jeewon.