Characterization of novel Chrysosporium morrisgordonii sp. nov., from bat white-nose syndrome (WNS) affected mines, northeastern United States

A new fungal species, Chrysosporium morrisgordonii sp. nov., is described from bat white-nose syndrome afflicted Graphite mine in Warren county, New York. This taxon is characterized by its ability to grow at low temperature spectra from 6°C to 25°C and by the presence of tuberculate and thick-walled arthroconidia and aleurioconidia, spherical or broadly ellipsoidal, unicellular, intercalary, 3.5-4.6 μm × 3.5-4.6 μm, sessile or borne on side branches or at the ends of narrow stalks. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the analysis of the sequences of the large subunit D1/D2 and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 regions confirm the separation of this new species from other taxa of the genus Chrysosporium . Chrysosporium morrisgordonii is distinguished by morphology and physiology characteristics from the closest phylogenetic species or taxa. It is described here as a new species in Chrysosporium genus.