title: Synchytrium microbalum sp. nov. is a saprobic species in a lineage of parasites.
abstract: The diversity of the Chytridiomycota is poorly known and sequence information is not well represented in databases, often preventing identification of chytrid sequences retrieved from environmental samples. We found an unknown, saprobic chytrid, related to Synchytrium, which heretofore has been considered a lineage of parasites. Because of its phylogenetic relationship, and ecological dissimilarity to other Synchytrium species, we considered this fungus of scientific interest and describe it herein. We based our study on an analysis of 18S rDNA, light microscopic morphology, and ultrastructural characters of the zoospores. The fungus is tiny and produces filamentous projections 4-5 times as long as the diameter of the sporangium. The small zoospores are longer than wide and their ultrastructure is similar to that of Synchytrium endobioticum, except that they lack a microtubule root. Our molecular analysis placed the organism within a clade of Synchytrium species and we name the new species Synchytrium microbalum.
authors: School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA. Electronic address: longcore@maine.edu.
authors: Joyce E
authors: JE
authors: Longcore
authors: School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
authors: D Rabern
authors: DR
authors: Simmons
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA.
authors: Peter M
authors: PM
authors: Letcher
mesh_terms: D008411:Chytridiomycota / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D008853:Microscopy; D010802:Phylogeny; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
keywords: JEL517; Micromyces; Molecular phylogeny; Nowakowskia; Synchytriales; Transmission electron microscopy