First report of Quambalaria cyanescens (de Hoog &G.A.de Vries) Z.W.de Beer, Begerow &R. Bauer, (Basidiomycota) as endophytic fungi associated with Quercus aegilops L., from forest area in Kurdistan region, Iraq

This study reports, for the first time in Iraq, the identification and characterization of the basidiomycetous fungus Quambalaria cyanescens, as an endophyte associated with the oak species, Quercus aegilops from the mountainous area of Duhok province in the Kurdistan region. The fungus was isolated from seeds and identified using DNA sequencing (LSU genetic markers) and morphological traits. The sequence was deposited in GenBank with accession number OQ185455.The finding contributes to understanding the diversity of endophytic fungi associated with forest trees in the region.