Mycologia最新文献

Species of Clonostachys and Sesquicillium are commonly found in soils and associated with plants as saprophytes or endophytes. Clonostachys also contains mycoparasitic species used as biocontrol agents. Thirty-three isolates of both genera, obtained from different substrates and locations in Brazil, were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and phylogenetic analysis based on acl1 gene sequences. Ex-type and reference strains of eight species were also included in the MALDI-TOF MS analyses. Multivariate cluster analysis of MALDI-TOF MS data grouped the reference strains in species-specific clusters and classified 26 isolates into clusters corresponding to seven known species, Clonostachys chloroleuca (n = 1), C. farinosa (n = 13), C. pseudochroleuca (n = 5), C. rhizophaga (n = 1), C. rogersoniana (n = 2), C. rosea (n = 2), and Sesquicillium lasiacidis (n = 2). Two additional clusters were composed of three and four isolates having morphological characteristics resembling C. compactiuscula. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses using five loci (acl1, tub2, tef1, rpb1, rpb2) grouped the seven strains in a single lineage consisting of two subclades and corresponding to a novel phylogenetic species, herein described as Clonostachys itumiriensis, sp. nov. This species belongs to subgenus Bionectria and is phylogenetically close to C. cylindrica, C. divergens, C. hongkongensis, C. rogersoniana, and C. samuelsii. Strains of this species were mostly obtained from leaf litter. Our results show the robustness of MALDI-TOF MS for delimiting known and novel species of Clonostachys and validate the use of this technique as a tool for classifying fungi from diverse substrates.

Although Armillaria solidipes was described in 1900, confusion has surrounded the appropriate use of this taxonomic epithet, largely because DNA sequence-based characterization and an associated culture were unavailable for the original holotype. An epitype for A. solidipes (previously known as North American Biological Species I) is established herein, along with morphological descriptions and genetic characterization that clearly distinguish A. solidipes, which is found in North America, from A. ostoyae (previously known as European Biological Species C), which is found in Eurasia. Of the five loci examined, translation elongation factor 1-alpha was the most useful for distinguishing A. solidipes from other Armillaria spp. including A. ostoyae. Further, the whole genome phylogeny of A. solidipes and A. ostoyae showed substantial differences that further demonstrate their separation. The specimen from Colorado, USA, which was collected in the locality where the original type specimen was collected, is designated as the epitype.

Agaricus sect. Minores is characterized by the production of small to medium-sized basidiomata, high species diversity (including several cryptic taxa), and occurrence in a large variety of habitats. A new species to science, i.e. Agaricus draconis, is formally described by adopting an integrative approach based on morphological features, molecular criteria, and habitat characteristics. The multilocus phylogenetic analysis performed through the use of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the partial nuc 28S rDNA (28S), and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α) gene clearly demonstrates that A. draconis is a sister species to A. brunneolus and A. dulcidulus. In addition, A. draconis exhibits distinct morphological features, including a predominantly white, smooth pileus with occasional tinges of gray, orange, violet, or yellowish colors lacking appressed scales and a single, solid rhizomorph at the stipe base. Furthermore, the presence of another 12 species of the A. sect. Minores was assessed in Greece, six of which constitute first national records, i.e. A. edmondoi, A. gemlii, A. heinemannianus, A. jacobi, A. kerriganii, and A. marisae. The most notable morphological features of these six species are presented, and their distribution in Mediterranean Europe is discussed.

From 2017 to 2024, 10 strains morphologically similar to Fusarium globosum were obtained from cereals in West Siberia, the Urals, and the Central European region of Russia. This study was conducted to confirm the species identity of the strains morphologically assigned to F. cf. globosum. For this purpose, comparison with F. globosum strain KSU 11554 from South Africa was performed using multilocus analysis, morphological features, growth tests, and production of secondary metabolites. In order to determine phylogenetic relationships, the translation elongation factor 1α, β-tubulin, RNA polymerase II second largest subunit, and histone H3 genes were used. Strains from Japan and Russia formed a separate and well-supported lineage, representing a single, previously undescribed species, described here as F. neoglobosum. Both F. globosum and F. neoglobosum are deeply nested within the Asian clade in the molecular phylogeny of Fusarium fujikuroi species complex. The key character in both species is a formation of globose microconidia in the dark. Opposite mating type idiomorphs was detected in F. globosum and F. neoglobosum, which is indicative of the heterothallic nature of sexual reproduction. Strains described as F. neoglobosum exhibit two mycotoxin-related phenotypes: mycotoxin-producing and non-mycotoxin-producing. Five F. neoglobosum strains and a F. globosum strain were capable of producing a wide range of fumonisins. None of the strains of either species produced moniliformin, and only 2 of 10 F. neoglobosum strains produced detectable beauvericin. The data presented confirm the distribution of F. neoglobosum in East and North Asia, with only one strain isolated from European Russia.

Microbial pathogens secrete a diverse array of proteins to manipulate plant defense mechanisms and facilitate infection. However, few secreted proteins were thoroughly characterized in Fusarium pseudograminearum. Here, we identify and characterize FpGDPD, a gene encoding a secretory glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (GDPD) domain-containing protein in F. pseudograminearum. We found that FpGDPD expression was significantly upregulated during specific stages of fungal infection. Disruption of FpGDPD in F. pseudograminearum did not affect vegetative growth, stress responses, or conidiation but enhanced phosphate tolerance and reduced fungal virulence in wheat. Furthermore, we demonstrated the secretory nature of the N-terminal signal peptide of FpGDPD and that the signal peptide contributes to F. pseudograminearum pathogenicity. Interestingly, FpGDPD triggers immune responses in Nicotiana benthamiana, inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and upregulating defense-related genes. Collectively, our findings reveal that FpGDPD plays a dual role: it promotes fungal virulence while simultaneously eliciting plant immune responses.

Cystinarius is a small genus belonging to the family Cortinariaceae, distinguished by its distinctive combination of small basidiospores and presence of both cheilo- and pleurocystidia, a combination that is rarely found in other genera within the Cortinariaceae. To date, this genus consists of only two subgenera and includes seven recognized species. Previously, only a single specimen of Cy. crassus was reported from China. Based on the analysis of 17 newly collected specimens, supported by morphological evidence and two-locus phylogenetic inference, five species, namely, Cy. fulvellus, Cy. longipes, Cy. shennongensis, Cy. crassus, and Cy. paurigarhwalensis, were recognized. Among them, the former three species are new to science, whereas the last one is new to China. This study provides comprehensive taxonomic descriptions and a detailed identification key to the Cystinarius species discovered in China.

Global fungal diversity is estimated at about 6.2 million species, but only 150 000 are currently described. Molecular studies reveal that this diversity is often underestimated, especially in less-studied regions. Phaeoclavulina, a genus of ramarioid fungi, has a wide distribution in areas with temperate and tropical climates. However, in southern South America, research on Phaeoclavulina species has been scarce, with only a few studies conducted in Argentina covering the morphology of a few species. This research aims to analyze Phaeoclavulina species in Argentina, exploring their morphology, ecological roles, and distribution. Four different ecological regions across Argentina were sampled. Molecular data (Sanger and next-generation sequencing [NGS] technology) were obtained to construct their phylogenetic relationships. Our results show a greater diversity of Phaeoclavulina than previously known. Eight taxa are described here, four of which are new species to science (Phaeoclavulina aena, P. angularis, P. prasina, and P. stelligera). Additionally, a neotypification is proposed for Phaeoclavulina camellia. For the other three species (P. articulotela, P. campoi, and P. minutispora), we provide new molecular data and elucidate their phylogenetic relationships with other previously described species. In addition, a key to species of Phaeoclavulina from Argentina and Chile is included to facilitate identification of known taxa. Finally, most Phaeoclavulina species richness is associated with tropical and subtropical forests.

Co-evolution of plants and fungi is of great importance for the phylogeny of both groups. Here we establish fossil thyriothecioid stromata on sequoioid (Cupressaceae) leaves from the Albian-Cenomanian of Western Siberia, Russia, which are assigned to the new fossil genus and species, Kiyamyces sequoiae. The new genus is described on the basis of thyriothecioid stromata arising from a host plant stoma, appearing first as a columella and with tendency to be confluent forming crusts. Thyriothecioid stromata are characterized by a "basal layer," a scutellum of radial, septate cells, a pseudoparenchyma inside the thyriothecioid stromata; a prominent hypostroma and an endophytic, septate mycelium. The new data contribute to our understanding of the range of character combinations of early epiphyllous Ascomycota. The newly discovered fungus and the conifer plant in the Cretaceous extend the range of character combinations of early epiphyllous Dothideomycetes.

Climate change is an important driver of shifts in species' geographic distributions, including those of several truffle species. Understanding these shifts is essential for effective conservation and sustainable ecosystem management. This study aimed to identify suitable habitats for three Tuber species discovered in Thailand-Tuber lannaense, T. thailandicum, and T. magnatum-and project their future distributions under climate change scenarios. Using MaxEnt modeling and presence-only occurrence data, we predicted current and future suitable habitats under two climate scenarios: SSP1-2.6 (low emissions) and SSP5-8.5 (high emissions) for the year 2050. Annual precipitation (bio12) and mean diurnal range (bio02) were the most influential environmental variables for three Tuber species and their host plants. Currently, suitable habitats for Tuber species and their host trees (Betula alnoides and Carpinus londoniana) are concentrated in mountainous areas of northern and northeastern Thailand, covering approximately 6000 km². By 2050, under both SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, the shared suitable habitat between truffles and their host plants is projected to be completely lost (100%). Carpinus londoniana is expected to lose nearly 100% of its suitable habitat under SSP1-2.6 and retain only 37 km² under SSP5-8.5, whereas B. alnoides shows potential for southward range expansion despite some habitat loss. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation strategies to preserve Thai Tuber species and their symbiotic hosts under changing climatic conditions.

The ascomycetes placed in Parmulariaceae represent a diverse assemblage of biotrophic plant parasites. They usually produce discoid/scutellinioid stromata that are external to erumpent on living leaves of plants in the tropics. Disease symptoms are usually mild, and fungal structures are often cryptic on their hosts. These fungi are poorly known to science, and their classification has relied mostly on morphological features. There was a general lack of molecular data for taxa placed in this family, until recently, and morphological descriptions of many genera and species were brief and incomplete. Morphology remains the main source of information for taxonomic delimitation within the family. Here we follow a polyphasic approach, combining morphological, molecular, and host association information in order to elucidate the identity of three members of the Parmulariaceae found on samples of three neotropical palm species (Arecaceae), namely, (i) Acrocomia aculeata (macaw palm), (ii) Astrocaryum aculeatissimum (brejaúva), and (iii) Syagrus romanzoffiana (queen palm). Each palm species is a host for a novel species, each belonging to a new genus. The following names are proposed: (i) Concertinularia acrocomiae, sp. et gen. nov.-on macaw palm; (ii) Amphistromularia astrocaryi, sp. et gen. nov.-on brejaúva, and (iii) Labyrinthularia syagri, sp. et gen. nov.-on queen palm.