{
  "id": 2039451,
  "title": "Molecular phylogeny and ecological diversity of endolichenic fungi inhabiting Acarospora schleicheri (Ach.) A. Massal, isolated from a Chilean Andean zone",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/molecular-phylogeny-and-ecological-diversity-of-endolichenic-fungi",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-19T23:46:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Scientific Reports",
    "slug": "scientific-reports",
    "url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-56022-6"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The study examined the endolichenic fungal community associated with the Andean lichen Acarospora schleicheri, isolated from the Chilean Altiplano. Culturing techniques and molecular phylogenetics were employed to identify fungal strains belonging to various classes, including Dothideomycetes and Eurotiomycetes. Notably, the research identified Monascus sp. and Sporobolomyces reniformis, a basidiomycetous yeast, which are novel records within this lichen's thallus. These findings contribute to our understanding of the fungal biodiversity in Andean ecosystems and highlight the ecological importance of crustose lichen species in extreme environments.",
  "summary": "Scientific Reports, Published online: 20 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-56022-6 Molecular phylogeny and ecological diversity of endolichenic fungi inhabiting Acarospora schleicheri (Ach.) A. Massal, isolated from a Chilean Andean zone",
  "key_points": [
    "Study focuses on endolichenic fungi of Acarospora schleicheri in Chilean Altiplano",
    "Molecular phylogenetics identifies Dothideomycetes and Eurotiomycetes strains",
    "Novel records of Monascus sp. and Sporobolomyces reniformis found on lichen thallus"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The discovery of novel fungal species within Acarospora schleicheri expands knowledge of Andean ecosystem biodiversity and underscores the ecological significance of crustose lichens in extreme environments.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}