Mycological Progress最新文献

Ten Argentinean Waitea circinata-like isolates (Corticiales, Basidiomycota) obtained from soil samples were identified to species level based on morphological features and molecular tools, and tested in order to explore their biological control abilities. Eight of them were identified as Waitea arvalis and two as W. circinata. Waitea arvalis isolates were tested as antagonists, and W. circinata isolates were used as pathogens. Most isolates performed well in in vitro antagonistic assays, inhibiting by 54–59% the growth of seven plant pathogens: Bipolaris sorokiniana, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium irregulare, two different isolates of W. circinata and Sclerotium rolfsii. The most inhibited pathogen was P. irregulare (72.6%), followed by S. rolfsii (66.7%) and W. circinata (~ 65%). There was no evidence of mycoparasitism. Their capacity for chitinase, cellulase, protease and ligninase (laccase, Mn-peroxidase and lignin-peroxidase) secretion was evaluated. Most of the isolates tested positive for chitinase activity. All the evaluated W. arvalis isolates produced cellulase, protease and laccase activities, and some of them also rendered positive results for Mn-peroxidase and decolorized the dye Azure B. Isolates INTA-L003 and INTA-L005 displayed top results for cellulase activity (both in carboxymethylcellulose plate assay and in filter paper tube assay). These activities might be responsible for their better antagonistic behavior on Pythium sp. Thus, these isolates are promising as biocontrol agents and as sources of new enzymes for industrial applications. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first citation of W. arvalis in Argentina.

Fulvifomes (Hymenochaetaceae) is a genus that was separated from Phellinus in the early 2000s based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuclear large ribosomal subunit (nLSU) analyses. Species recognition in the genus is challenging without molecular analysis due to general absence of discrete morphological characteristics. In this study, we examined Fulvifomes diversity in the Federated States of Micronesia (FS Micronesia), primarily found in the tropical and subtropical regions. Seven Fulvifomes species were confirmed: two new species, one unrecorded species and four species previously reallocated to Fulvifomes from other genera. We provide sequences including data on two protein-coding genes (RNA polymerase II; RPB2 and translation elongation factor-1 alpha; TEF1), nLSU and different conspecific ITS types.

The family Cucurbitariaceae is rich in species diversity and has a wide host range and geographic distribution. In this study, we identified 12 Cucurbitariaceae isolates which were obtained from disease symptoms in two forest trees in Khuzestan province, Iran. In addition, this family is reassessed using phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequences from five nuclear regions (ITS, LSU, TUB2, TEF1α, and RPB2). The phylogenetic analyses showed that the present isolates represent one new genus, Nothocucurbitaria, and three new species, Allocucurbitaria galinsogisoli, Nothocucurbitaria izehica, and Parafenestella quercicola, which are described and illustrated. Furthermore, the genus Allocucurbitaria is emended to accommodate Seltsamia ulmi that grouped with the type species of Allocucurbitaria. Parafenestella pittospori and A. prunicola are recombined into the genera Neocucurbitaria and Nothocucurbitaria, respectively. Comparative analysis of single-locus trees revealed that the TUB2 and TEF1α can distinguish most genera and species in Cucurbitariaceae, while the ITS and LSU phylogenies show low resolution at both generic and species level. The best single-locus marker, RPB2, was able to distinguish all generic and most species lineages in Cucurbitariaceae.

Matter and energy fluxes and ecosystem services in streams rely on fungi associated with leaf litter. However, the species diversity of this microbial group may differ between a protected area and its surroundings. Thus, to understand how beta diversity may depend on the conservation status of an area, we aimed to evaluate the structure and diversity (α, β, and γ) of the aquatic fungal community from a subtropical area and how it is distributed in streams from a protected area and from a farmland area. Hence, we compared eight streams inside with eight streams outside of a protected area. This is one of the first studies testing the biotic homogenisation hypothesis for fungi associated with leaf litter in streams. We found new records of fungal species from a global biodiversity hotspot. The gamma diversity of aquatic fungi was surprisingly high. Our analyses indicated a process of environmental homogenisation of streams outside the national park. Intriguingly, neither α nor β diversity differed between areas. Environmental variables presented large differences, especially regarding nutrients, which influence the aquatic fungal community. Altogether, this national park seems to be effective in protecting the environmental heterogeneity of streams to some extent; however, the national park was likely suffering from pollution, which requires further investigation.

Abstract

Two new species of the lichen genus Lecaimmeria are described and illustrated from Pakistan, namely, Lecaimmeria asiatica and L. crispula. The former taxon is characterized by pale brown to dark brown thallus, up to 2-mm large areoles, flat to strongly convex apothecial disc, taller hymenium 120–150 µm, apically branched, not anastomosing paraphyses, large conidia 5–7 × 1.1–1.4 µm, with respect to ecology, and the absence of secondary metabolites, whereas L. crispula can be characterized by having a light brown to chocolate brown thallus, apothecia having flat to slightly concave discs with wavy margins that curl inward, a tall hymenium150–180 μm, branched and anastomosing paraphyses, large ascospores 25–33 × 12–17 μm, and absence of secondary metabolites. A phylogenetic analysis is provided based on nrITS and nrLSU sequences that support the separation of both novel species. Comparative analyses with related species of Lecaimmeria are provided to confirm the status of these species.

Abstract

The genus Tuber comprises ectomycorrhizal fungal species producing belowground ascomata, including the gastronomically most prominent hypogeous fungi. Since the discovery and description of new species are ongoing, the proportion of undescribed species can be considerable and the taxonomy of the genus goes often through changes. The taxonomy of the genus Tuber would therefore benefit from a periodic review. Tuber species described in Europe in recent decades include Tuber regianum, T. bernardinii and T. magentipunctatum. The common characteristics of these three species are the relatively small-sized spores with alveolate-reticulate ornamentation, a high number of spores per ascus (most frequently 6–8 spores) and small-sized ascomata with a verrucose-papillate or smooth surface. The present study aimed at examining the morphology and ecology of the three species, and providing a detailed taxonomic description of the Regianum clade using a multilocus phylogenetic analysis. In addition to this, we examined whether the apparently plesiomorphic morphological character states of this phylogenetically basal clade are the result of the conservation of ancestral character states. Our results show that in the case of certain morphological traits of the Regianum clade, the apparently plesiomorphic character states are indeed retained ancestral states, while in others, they are convergently reappeared ones. Furthermore, taking an overlook at all Tuber clades, we found that some morphological characters, such as spore length, number of spores per ascus and ascus length, changed together in the same evolutionary patterns, while others transformed in different ways within the genus.

Fabaceae, one of the largest flowering plant families, comprises several subfamilies and genera. Fabaceous plant species host a large number of powdery mildew species belonging to the genus Erysiphe. The affiliation of these species to Erysiphe is readily possible, but they represent a morphologically and taxonomically complicated complex of closely related, morphologically similar species with overlapping traits. Precise morphological examinations along with phylogenetic analyses, including type collections and other representative samples, are needed to solve the complexity of Erysiphe spp. on legumes. In this study, we sequenced a number of collections of powdery mildews on Pisum, Lathyrus, Vicia and Ononis spp., with a special focus on specimens from Iran, to clarify species delimitations within the Erysiphe pisi complex and other Erysiphe species complexes on legumes. Sequences retrieved from powdery mildew on Pisum and Ononis fall into separate, well supported clades. Hence, the original status of E. cruchetiana as a species of its own on Ononis spp. is reinstated instead of E. pisi var. cruchetiana. Ten species, viz., E. astragali, E. bremeri, E. caulicola, E. cruchetiana, E. iranica, E. medicaginis, E. pisi, E. rayssiae, E. sesbaniae and E. trifoliorum were confirmed for Iran, redescribed and illustrated on the basis of Iranian collections. Erysiphe astragali, E. bremeri, E. coluteae and E. crispula form a genetically little differentiated clade in ITS/LSU analyses, which is referred to as E. astragali clade (complex), comparable to the E. trifoliorum clade (complex). Based on our results, E. coluteae and E. crispula are reduced to synonymy with E. astragali and E. sophorae is considered a synonym of E. bremeri. Sequences of the North American E. intermedia on Lupinus species form a small clade nested within the big E. astragali clade. DNA of the holotype of E. sesbaniae was sequenced for the first time in this study. To use the sequences obtained from some new collections as reference sequences for phylogenetic-taxonomic purposes, we propose, for the interim, reference sequences for E. bremeri, E. caulicola, E. cruchetiana, E. pisi and E. viciae-unijugae.

Xylodon lanatus and closely related species were studied with molecular and morphological means. This species complex contains six species, two of which we describe as new. Species in the complex have minutely odontioid hymenophore projections that consist of encrusted, firm-walled hyphae and ellipsoid spores. We assign an epitype for X. lanatus, for which ITS and 28S rDNA sequences were obtained, and amend the concept of X. pseudolanatus. The two new species, both well supported in our phylogenetic analyses, are X. afromontanus, found in Eastern Africa, and X. mantiqueirensis, found in southeastern Brazil. We show the phylogenetic affinity of X. echinatus with X. lanatus for the first time, and according to new data the range of the previous species extends to Sunda Archipelago. We provide scanning electron microscopy illustrations of the crystalline deposits on projecting hyphae for the above-mentioned species. The sixth member of the complex is X. kunmingensis. Outside the X. lanatus complex, we report additional sequenced specimens of X. hyphodontinus. A new species, X. neotropicus from South America, related to X. hyphodontinus, is described. We also describe X. gloeocystidiifer from Ecuador as new species. It is characterised by globose/broadly ellipsoid spores, gloeocystidia and capitate cystidia with a resinous cap. The heterotypic names Hyphodontia yunnanensis and Xylodon yunnanensis are considered. We suggest the previous one is a synonym of the latter.

Owing to ineffective biological nitrogen (N) fixation, and imbalanced doses of N and potassium (K) fertilization, soybean productivity is declining under intensive cropping practices. This study aimed to find out the effectiveness of Trichoderma viride priming on soybean root growth promotion, and enhancement of soil-N and K uptakes under graded fertilization. Soybean seeds were treated with freshly prepared T. viride BHU-2953 talc. Root lignification, indole acetic acid (IAA) production, and activity of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD) were determined to observe root growth-promoting activities. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate root volume, and soil exploration by roots, i.e., the potential volume of influence (PVI), uptakes of N and K, and different physiological attributes at different growth periods of soybean. Results revealed that biopriming enhanced the root lignification, IAA, and ACCD, assisting more soil volume exploration (PVI) for better N and K acquisitions. Biopriming increased the plant biomasses which ultimately, led to more seed yield than untreated soybeans, receiving even higher N-K doses. The PVI correlated well with root volume (r² = 0.95; P < 0.01), explaining good soil-nutrient foraging by bioprimed soybeans. Hence, we conclude that T. viride priming can enhance the N and K uptakes in soybeans under graded soil fertilization.