Fusicolla massiliensis sp. nov. Isolated from a Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon - Polluted Soil

The genus Fusicolla belongs to the order Hypocreales and the family Nectriaceae. These fungi, mainly saprobes, colonise various substrates such as soil, decaying wood and decomposing organic matter. As part of a study of fungal communities in soils contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a new species, here named Fusicolla massiliensis sp. nov. Fo821, was isolated from an environmental sample and cultured on FastFung medium. The identification and description of this species was carried out using a combination of morphological, microscopic, phenotypic and genetic approaches. The molecular analysis included the sequencing of four genetic regions: the internal transcribed space (ITS), a fragment of the β-tubulin gene (tub2), the rpb2 gene, and the D1/D2 region of the large ribosomal subunit (LSU). These sequences revealed a significant genetic distance from other known species of the genus Fusicolla, confirming its status as a new species. Phenotypic analyses established the substrate assimilation profiles and specific chemical characteristics of Fusicolla massiliensis Fo821, while optical and electron microscopic observations highlighted its unique morphology. Finally, an antifungal susceptibility profile was established using advanced methods. This study makes a valuable contribution to the taxonomy of the genus Fusicolla and sheds light on its adaptation to contaminated environments.