Global diversity analysis of plant-associated <i>Pseudopithomyces</i> fungi reveals a new species producing the toxin associated with facial eczema in livestock: <i>Pseudopithomyces toxicarius sp. nov</i>.

ABSTRACT: Facial eczema (FE) in ruminants is associated with the fungal toxin sporidesmin that can cause significant mortality in grazing livestock. Incidences are particularly severe in New Zealand but are reported worldwide. The syndrome has historically been attributed to Pithomyces chartarum, a species transferred to Pseudopithomyces in 2015, but the classification of many other Pithomyces species remains unresolved. In this study we investigated the taxonomy of Pseudopithomyces using modern species concepts and clarified which species make sporidesmin. Fungal isolates were cultured from grass samples obtained from New Zealand farms and roadside collections in 2014-2022. International isolates, including all available types, and historic isolates deposited in the Inte

SUBMITTER: Weir BS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12786636 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature