Citizen science project reveals novel fusarioid fungi ( Nectriaceae, Sordariomycetes ) from urban soils.

Soil fungi play a crucial role in soil quality and fertility in being able to break down organic matter but are frequently also observed to play a role as important plant pathogens. As part of a Citizen Science Project initiated by the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute and the Utrecht University Museum, which aimed to describe novel fungal species from Dutch garden soil, the diversity of fusarioid fungi ( and other fusarioid genera), which are members of () was investigated. Preliminary analyses of ITS and LSU sequences from more than 4 750 isolates obtained indicated that 109 strains belong to this generic complex. Based on multi-locus phylogenies of combinations of , , , and alignments, and morphological characteristics, 25 species were identified, namely 22 in and three in Furthermore two species were described as new namely from the species complex (FOSC), and from the species complex (FIESC) Other species encountered in this study include in the FOSC: and three undescribed spp.; in the FIESC: and ; species complex: and ; the species complex: and ; the species complex: ; and the species complex: Three species of were encountered, namely , and Although soil fungal diversity has been well studied in the Netherlands, this study revealed two new species, and eight new records: , and .