How, not if, is the question mycologists should be asking about DNA-based typification

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Genomics
• Biodiversity Science

Background:

• Fungal metabarcoding reveals numerous species lacking morphological traits or culturability, excluding them from formal nomenclature.
• The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICNafp) currently relies on morphology and cultivation, limiting the recognition of novel fungi.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the disparity between species discovery rates via environmental sequencing and traditional methods.
• To advocate for the inclusion of DNA-based descriptions for fungal species and higher ranks within the ICNafp.
• To propose criteria for DNA-based typification to facilitate formal recognition of newly discovered fungi.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the UNITE database (release 9) for fungal species hypotheses.
• Analyzed trends in fungal species discovery comparing environmental sequencing with Sanger sequencing over five years.
• Reviewed current practices and challenges in fungal nomenclature.

Main Results:

• Species discovery through environmental sequencing has dramatically increased, far surpassing traditional methods.
• A significant trend shows environmental sequencing vastly outpaces Sanger sequencing for fungal species discovery.
• The current mycological community stance on nomenclature is challenged by these findings.

Conclusions:

• The rapid pace of fungal species discovery necessitates a re-evaluation of the ICNafp.
• Formal recognition of the majority of extant fungi requires the adoption of DNA-based typification criteria.
• Developing precise requirements for DNA-based descriptions is crucial for advancing fungal taxonomy and biodiversity studies.