Three strains of a sugar-tolerant Aspergillus species were isolated from powdered milk. Phylogenetic analysis based on four loci (internal transcribed spacer of the rRNA gene cluster, β-tubulin, calmodulin and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit) revealed that these strains form a distinct lineage within section Restricti and are closely related to Aspergillus penicillioides, Aspergillus hordei, Aspergillus tardicrescens and Aspergillus magnivesiculatus in series Penicillioides. Morphological comparison revealed three key distinctions from other species within the series Penicillioides: (i) orange reverse colouration at colony centres on Harrold's agar, (ii) restricted growth on 18% glycerol dichloran agar and (iii) smooth conidiophore stipes. As the isolated strains are clearly distinct from any other species known in the Aspergillus section Restricti, we propose the novel species named Aspergillus orionensis sp. nov. (CICC 41815T).
Cai et al. (Mon,) studied this question.