Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic disease endemic to most of Latin America,
with greatest impact in rural areas. The taxonomic status of one of the best studied
Paracoccidioides isolates (Pb01) as P. brasiliensis remains unresolved due to its
genomic differences from the other three previously described phylogenetic species
(S1, PS2 and PS3; Carrero et al., 2008. Fungal Genet. Biol. 45, 605). Using the genealogic
concordance method of phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR) via maximum parsimony
and Bayesian analysis, we identified a clade of 17 genotypically similar isolates,
including Pb01, which are distinct from the S1/PS2/P3 clade. Consistent with GCPSR,
this "Pb01-like" group can be considered a new phylogenetic species, since it is strongly
supported by all independent and concatenated genealogies. "Pb01-like" species exhibit
great sequence and morphological divergence from the S1/PS2/PS3 species clade, and
we estimate that these groups last shared a common ancestor approximately 32 million
years ago. In addition, recombination analysis revealed independent events inside
both main groups suggesting reproductive isolation. Consequently, we recommend the
formal description of the "Pb01-like" cluster as the new species Paracoccidioides
lutzii, a tribute to Adolpho Lutz, discoverer of P. brasiliensis in 1908.