Fungal Diversity最新文献

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is a globally renowned biodiversity epicentre which plays an important role in maintaining the ecological health of China and the Asian region. Understanding the distribution of phytopathogenic fungi in the major agricultural zones of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is crucial for the agricultural management of major crops (e.g., highland barley) in the region. The genus Fusarium and its relatives in the family Nectriaceae (Ascomycota, Hypocreales) encompass a diverse array of species with pathogenic and ecological significance, but previous studies to the region have been very limited. This study aims to investigate the diversity and distribution of species belonging to Fusarium and allied genera in Xizang. A hitherto most intensive collection of diseased crops and samples of sediments, soils, and water from adjacent environments of cropland was carried out at 56 sites in Xizang, resulting in the isolation of 916 strains of fusarioid fungi. Using the FUSARIUM-ID v.3.0 and the FUSARIOID-ID databases, these strains were preliminarily classified into six genera: Cosmospora (4 strains), Fusarium (867 strains), Fusicolla (17 strains), Neocosmospora (21 strains), Neonectria (1 strain), and Thelonectria (6 strains). The representative strains were then subjected to multi-locus phylogenetic analyses, resulting in the identification of 46 species, including 17 new species described in this study and 8 new records for China. Our results provided preliminary insights into the species diversity and distribution of Fusarium and related genera in the Xizang region, and also suggested that cropland, including crop material, as well as neighboring ploughed and irrigated environments constitute a major reservoir for fungal pathogens.

The family Agaricaceae sensu lato (s.l.) represents a highly diverse and ecologically significant group of Basidiomycota, yet its taxonomic framework has long been contentious due to morphological convergence and conflicting phylogenetic hypotheses. Here, we present a comprehensive phylogenomic and taxonomic revision of Agaricaceae s.l. integrating multi-locus phylogenetics (ITS, nrLSU, rpb2, tef1), including 522 newly generated sequences, totaled 996 sequences from 334 species across 60 genera, genome-scale data (1764 single-copy orthologs from 118 genomes including 12 newly generated for this study), divergence time estimation, and detailed morphological analyses. Our analyses resolve Agaricaceae s.l. as a monophyletic lineage comprising five ancient, robustly supported clades that diverged during the Cretaceous. Based on this integrative evidence, we propose a revised classification recognizing five families: the re-circumscribed Agaricaceae sensu stricto and Lycoperdaceae; the reinstated Battarreaceae and Coprinaceae; and corroborating the family rank of Verrucosporaceae. Within the redefined Agaricaceae, we establish four subfamilies (Agaricoideae, Leucocoprinoideae, Macrolepioideae, and Podaxioideae) to provide a stable internal framework. Additionally, two new genera (Furfuragaricus, Conioexocarpus) and 43 novel species are described, along with 10 new combinations. This new classification provides unprecedented stability by resolving the contentious family-level status of major gasteroid lineages and clarifying the boundaries of historically problematic genera (Leucoagaricus, Leucocoprinus, Lepiota). This integrative framework combines molecular, morphological, and temporal evidence, resolving long-standing taxonomic ambiguities and providing a robust foundation for future studies on fungal diversity, evolution, and ecology. Our results underscore the critical role of phylogenomics in disentangling complex taxonomic groups and highlight the underestimated diversity within Agaricaceae s.l.

Yunnan, China, and Chiang Rai, Thailand, are located in the northern part of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), characterized by its warm climate and rich ecological diversity, harboring an abundance of unique fungal resources. This comprehensive study investigated the saprobes associated with the economic crop coffee in Yunnan, China, and Chiang Rai, Thailand. A total of 360 collections were obtained from eight locations: Baoshan, Dali, Dehong, Jinghong, Lincang, Nujiang, and Pu'er in Yunnan in China and Chiang Rai in Thailand, and initial ITS analyses revealed that they belong to seven classes, 37 orders, 83 families, and 137 genera; the life modes of these genera are discussed based on prior studies. The fungal diversity and specificity of the above-mentioned eight collection places are also compared and discussed. Out of the 360 collections, 100 were selected for further morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on well-preserved samples, abundant fruiting bodies, and fully matured morphological structures that can be used for morphological observation. The 100 collections belong to three classes, 23 orders, 51 families, and 64 genera. Halotthicoffea, Loculimurus, Neoamorocoelophoma, Occultineomassaria, Similroussoella, and Vaginomyces were identified as new genera. Forty-nine new species, one species with new sequence data, 40 new records, and four new collections are also reviewed. Acrocalymma daliense, Pseudohelminthosporium clematidis, Tubeufia coffeae, and Menisporopsis dinemasporioides are reported in their sexual and asexual morphs from different collection sites, and the taxonomic status of Pseudohelminthosporium clematidis is confirmed based on both morphological characteristics. In addition, two new combinations (Neoamorocoelophoma camelliae and Similroussoella jinghongensis) are introduced in this study based on evidence from morphology and multi-locus phylogeny. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images, and phylogenetic analyses results are provided for all the species.

Diatrypaceae is among the most species-rich families within Xylariales, exhibiting a global distribution, a broad host range, and diverse ecological lifestyles. However, its taxonomy remains problematic due to overlapping morphological traits, insufficient diagnostic features in historical classifications, and the frequent absence of type specimens and corresponding multi-locus sequence data in GenBank. These limitations have resulted in poorly resolved generic boundaries and hinder accurate identification and natural classification within the family. In this study, we undertook an integrative taxonomic revision of Diatrypaceae by examining 17 herbarium specimens loaned from major international collections (B, BPI, BRIP, E, G, K, NY, PC, PDD, S), supplemented by redrawn illustrations from original descriptions where type material was unavailable. Additionally, approximately 150 fresh collections from China, Italy, and Thailand were investigated through single spore isolation and morphological examination. Molecular data were generated for multi-gene phylogenetic analysis based on combined ITS, tub2, LSU, and rpb2 sequences. Phylogenetic reconstruction using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference supports the recognition of 183 species within 34 genera, including the introduction of ten novel genera: Allantoideospora, Alloperoneutypa, Brunneosepta, Fusiformiascus, Guttuliascospora, Imitatirotula, Lineariascus, Retiticulatihypha, Sessiliascus, and Trichromostroma. The study also describes 29 novel species, 23 previously known species, and proposes 56 new combinations, all of which are illustrated and compared with morphological data and phylogenetically related taxa. Until further investigation using molecular data is proven, several morphologically characterized genera (Dothideovalsa, Echinomyces, Endoxylina, Leptoperidia, and Rostronitschkia) were placed within Diatrypaceae. This comprehensive morpho-molecular framework significantly refines the taxonomy of Diatrypaceae and provides a foundation for future systematic and ecological studies in this complex family.

The fungal order Botryosphaeriales includes numerous ecologically and economically important plant-associated taxa, yet its genomic diversity and evolutionary mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we present high-quality de novo genome assemblies for three representative species—Botryosphaeria dothidea, Neofusicoccum parvum, and Phyllosticta capitalensis—and perform integrative analyses using comparative genomics, population genetics, and pan-genome frameworks. Pathogenic species (B. dothidea and N. parvum) exhibit significant expansions in gene families related to membrane transport and metabolism, suggesting enhanced adaptability and virulence potential. Selective sweep analyses highlight population-level divergence in metabolic and stress-response pathways, reflecting natural selection in host and environmental adaptation. Cross-species pan-genome comparisons of six Phyllosticta species reveal a conserved core genome, dynamic gene family turnover, and extensive horizontal gene transfer from bacterial, and archaeal sources—potentially driving ecological diversification. Furthermore, effector proteins display striking domain variation across genera, particularly in regions associated with host cell wall targeting, indicating convergent strategies for host adaptation. Together, these findings provide comprehensive insights into the genomic evolution, adaptation, and virulence mechanisms of Botryosphaeriales fungi, laying a foundation for future studies on plant–fungal interactions.

Hyphomycetes is an artificial group of asexual fungi with an estimated 2200 recognizable genera. These fungi have crucial ecological and biotechnological significance by decomposing organic matter, facilitating nutrient recycling, and providing valuable metabolites, enzymes, and proteins for various applications in medicine, industry, and agriculture. Specifically, hyaline-spored hyphomycetes refer to hyphomycetes that produce colorless (hyaline) conidia. In this study, a comprehensive outline for hyaline-spored hyphomycetes is provided and includes 1237 genera with 151 synonyms, which are distributed among six phyla, 27 classes, 97 orders, and 239 families. At the phylum level, Ascomycota (1157 genera) is the dominant group of hyaline-spored hyphomycetes, with Sordariomycetes (506 genera) as the dominant class and Hypocreales (216 genera) as the dominant order in Ascomycota. In Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes (46 genera) is the dominant class and Agaricales (11 genera) stands as the dominant order. For each accepted genus, notes including sexual morphs, synasexual morph, DNA sequence data and morphology are provided. Based on both morphology and phylogeny, the taxonomic position for 38 genera is re-organized, 22 of which were previously located in Ascomycota genera incertae sedis. DNA sequence data is one of the key components for each genus in our notes. This study represents the most comprehensive analysis to date of hyaline-spored hyphomycetes subjected to multi-gene phylogenetic analysis with combined LSU, SSU and rpb2 DNA sequence data. This analysis encompasses 754 hyaline-spored hyphomycetous genera, and recognized three phyla clades, 25 classes and class-level clades, 107 orders and order-level clades, as well as 264 families and family-level clades. Thirty-eight taxa from 30 genera were documented based on fresh collections, utilizing both morphological characteristics and multi-gene phylogeny, resulting in one new genus Parapleurothecium, with one new combination P. obovoideum; 14 new species, viz. Aciculomyces hyalosporus, Beltraniella hyalospora, Cylindrotrichum hyalosporum, Haplographium hyalosporum, Mariannaea hyalina, Neohelicomyces astrictus, N. brunneus, Parasympodiella hyalospora, Pleurotheciella brevis, Pleurothecium hyalosporum, Pseudonectria hyalina, Rhamphoriopsis brevis, Sarocladium hyalosporum, Xylolentia oblongispora; and three new geographical records, viz. Monilochaetes regenerans, Subulispora longirostrata, Zygosporium pseudogibbum.

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (abbreviated as Q-X Plateau) is the world’s highest plateau, characterized by a Holarctic flora. The plateau and its surrounding mountainous areas cover two of the 34 world’s biodiversity hotspots. Former studies have shown that the diversity of fungal species on the plateau, especially that in the east-southeastern part, is remarkably high. In 2017, the Chinese government initiated the second scientific expedition to the Q-X Plateau. Supported by this comprehensive project, we conducted intensive fungal sampling on the Q-X Plateau and its surrounding areas, including the middle and southern parts of the Gaoligong Mountains, the Ailao Mountains, and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Ninety-two new and notable species of Basidiomycota are reported in this paper, based on 501 specimens and 1706 newly generated DNA sequences. These taxa involve 37 genera of seven orders, i.e., Agaricales, Auriculariales, Boletales, Cantharellales, Phallales, Polyporales, and Russulales, covering both Heterobasidiomycetes and Homobasidiomycetes. One new section, 64 new species, one new subspecies, two new varieties, one new combination, five new synonyms, and 11 new records to China, were documented. Ectomycorrhizal fungi account for two-thirds of the species, while the remaining ones are saprotrophic. Most specimens studied are from altitudes 2000–3700 m, in broad-leaved fagaceous forests, mixed forests with pines and fagaceous trees, and subalpine coniferous forests. Among the 92 species documented, 30 species are exclusive to the subalpine region, and 12 species cover both the subalpine and subtropical zones. Most of these subalpine species are either formerly described temperate species or close relatives of north temperate taxa, which suggests a strong temperate affinity of the funga on the Q-X Plateau. In obvious contrast to the subalpine elements, species from the adjacent subtropical zone often sit on long branches with an isolated position or have a close relationship with species from other subtropical and tropical parts of the world. In the surrounding areas with lower altitude of the Q-X Plateau, the endemic species apparently have evolved for a longer time, some relict species found their refuge, and the funga received more immigrants from the tropics. By comparing the species reported from the western Himalayas, through the Hengduan Mountains and central China to Taiwan Island, we found that altitude matters more than geographical distance in the development of the funga. The sharp altitude gradient on the Q-X Plateau and its surrounding mountains acts as a biodiversity hotspot to further test such speculation. In future studies, more efforts should be focused on other representative groups (Gomphalales, Hymenochaetales, Thelephorales, and Tremellales) and on the southern slope of the western Himalayas and the Pamir-Kunlun regions.