Ima Fungus最新文献

Background: As a globally distributed dermatophyte, Trichophyton mentagrophytes (T. mentagrophytes) causes diverse dermatophytoses in humans and animals. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), which serve as critical regulators of diverse biological processes, have been extensively characterized in numerous fungal species. However, the role of mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs during T. mentagrophytes germination remains unexplored. Objectives: In this study, the molecular mechanisms involved in the germination of T. mentagrophytes were systematically investigated. Methods: RNA-sequencing technology, small RNA-sequencing technology, related bioinformatics methods, and qRT-PCR were used to systematically characterize the expression profiles of mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs in T. mentagrophytes spores and hyphae, and analyze the regulatory mechanisms of mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs during T. mentagrophytes germination. Results: In our study, RNA-sequencing was performed to identify mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs in spores and hyphae of T. mentagrophytes. A total of 3,193 differentially expressed mRNAs, 409 differentially expressed lncRNAs, and 119 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, with qRT-PCR subsequently used to verify the dependability of the sequencing data. In addition, an mRNA-lncRNA-miRNA regulatory network containing 2,672 mRNAs, 107 miRNAs, and 329 lncRNAs was constructed. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis suggested that mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs may play important roles during spore germination, potentially participating in fundamental biosynthetic, cell wall remodelling, cell cycle regulation, cytoskeletal reorganization, epigenetic regulation, and metabolic processes. Conclusion: Our study revealed the characteristics of mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs in T. mentagrophytes using transcriptomic methods, and set the stage for future pathogenicity studies and antifungal drug development for T. mentagrophytes.

Mitonuclear interactions are crucial in governing mitochondrial function, development and responses to stress in eukaryotic organisms. In this study, we explored how varying mitochondrial haplotypes affect the phenotype and oxidative stress response using hybrids of the basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus) as a model system. By performing reciprocal crosses between monokaryotic strains with distinct nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, we identified notable differences in growth rates, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and gene expression patterns. Hybrids with incompatible mitonuclear combinations displayed slower growth and elevated expression of genes - some showing transgressive inheritance - associated with the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) and antioxidant defences. Mitochondria-dependent heterosis was observed in hybrids sharing the same nuclear background, but differing in mitochondrial genome, suggesting that mitonuclear incompatibilities can result in oxidative imbalance and compromised fungal performance. This experimental approach opens wide possibilities for exploring mitonuclear interactions and highlights the significance of mitonuclear co-adaptation in an edible mushroom, offering valuable insights for enhancing hybrid breeding programmes by accounting for the role of mitonuclear interactions in shaping quantitative traits related to mushroom yield.

Recognition of Tylopilus alboater once relied heavily on the morphological features of the basidiomata, which resulted in considerable confusion due to morphological stasis and plasticity. In this study, we examined specimens morphologically identified as T. alboater from Asia, North America, and Australia using phylogenomics and multi-locus sequence data. To clarify its phylogenetic placement within Boletaceae, we conducted a phylogenomic analysis based on 45 genomes (including three newly sequenced T. alboater genomes) comprising representatives from the eight subfamilies of Boletaceae. Additionally, we constructed a concatenated dataset (nrLSU + tef1-α + rpb1 + rpb2), incorporating representative species from all genera within the subfamily to which T. alboater belongs, to infer its phylogeny. Our phylogenomic analysis revealed that specimens morphologically identified as T. alboater exhibit polyphyly, clustering entirely within the subfamily Boletoideae. Our multi-locus phylogenetic analyses further indicated that these specimens represent eight distinct species distributed across five generic lineages within the subfamily Boletoideae, including one new genus, Neoporphyrellus, proposed in this study, as well as one new species, N. sinoalboater, and two new combinations, N. alboater and N. atronicotianus. The remaining five species are nested in four known genera, including two new species of Abtylopilus, Ab. indonesiensis and Ab. australiensis, and three known species belonging to Anthracoporus, Indoporus, and Tylopilus, respectively. These findings highlight the taxonomic complexity of the T. alboater complex and emphasize the importance of integrating phylogenomic and multi-locus approaches for accurate fungal systematics. Color photos of fresh basidiomata, line drawings of microscopic features, and detailed descriptions of the new taxa are presented.

Hylurgus ligniperda is a highly successful invader among bark beetles (Scolytinae), and has become established in every continent where its host plants occur. Bark beetles maintain a close symbiotic relationship with ophiostomatoid fungi whose morphology is highly adapted for beetle dispersal, and the presence of these fungal symbionts actively facilitates successful bark beetle invasions. At present, the fungal community associated with H. ligniperda in the newly invaded eastern China is still unknown. The aims of this study were therefore to characterize the ophiostomatoid communities associated with H. ligniperda in China. To achieve this, a total of 435 ophiostomatoid fungal strains were isolated from 326 adult samples collected in galleries and traps. Through morphological analysis and multilocus phylogenetic approaches, 13 species across six genera (Ceratocystiopsis, Graphilbum, Hawksworthiomyces, Leptographium, Masuyamyces, and Ophiostoma) were identified, of which six species were described as new. Fungal recovery rates differed significantly between gallery-derived and trap-collected adults (χ² test, p < 0.01). Furthermore, comparative analysis of ophiostomatoid fungal communities associated with H. ligniperda across five continents revealed distinct and well-defined assemblage patterns in each geographical region. This study elucidates the symbiotic relationship between H. ligniperda and ophiostomatoid fungi during invasion, providing a theoretical foundation for further research on their cooperative invasion and colonization mechanisms.

The ecological and evolutionary outcomes of plant-fungal interactions are strongly influenced by genome size and ploidy, yet the ploidy level of both partners is rarely assessed simultaneously. Epichloë symbioses with Pooideae grasses are established model systems for exploring these dynamics, but associations between polyploid hosts and haploid endophytes remain poorly documented. In this study, the association of the Iberian endemic Festuca rothmaleri-which includes tetraploid, hexaploid, and octoploid cytotypes-with Epichloë fungal endophytes is documented for the first time. An integrative, method-rich framework combining cytogenetics, morphometrics, and multilocus phylogenetics revealed a strikingly asymmetric interaction, with all cytotypes harboring a single haploid strain of Epichloë festucae. Two methodological innovations were developed: (i) an image-based tool for automated measurement of asexual structures, including the novel metric "conidial area," and (ii) a flow cytometry protocol for estimating fungal genome size. Despite morphological variability, all fungal isolates shared similar genome sizes and formed a well-supported monophyletic lineage in a coalescent species tree based on nuclear loci sequences (actG, CalM, ITS, tefA, tubB). This work provides the first comprehensive characterization of a haploid Epichloë endophyte spanning multiple naturally distributed host ploidy levels and highlights a rare but promising system for future evolutionary, physiological, and ecological studies of plant-fungal interactions.

The genus Phyllosticta comprises diverse plant-associated fungi, many of which are significant pathogens or endophytes with complex taxonomic histories. Traditional classification, reliant on morphology and host associations, has long been challenged by overlapping traits, necessitating integrative approaches combining molecular and phenotypic data. In this study, four new Phyllosticta species-P. decaspermi sp. nov. (from Decaspermum montanum and dead leaves), P. morellae sp. nov. (from Morella rubra), P. clematidea sp. nov. (from Clematis vitalba), and P. pittosporicola sp. nov. (from Pittosporum illicioides and dead leaves)-are described based on multi-locus phylogenetic analysis (ITS, LSU, tef1, act, and gpdh) and morphological characterization. These taxa are assigned to the P. capitalensis and P. concentrica species complexes, expanding the known diversity of these clades. Phylogenomic analysis using 5,399 orthologous protein clusters confirmed robust species boundaries within Phyllosticta, mirroring patterns observed in other fungal groups where phylogenomics resolves ambiguous relationships. Gene family analysis revealed a high proportion of conserved single-copy orthologs, indicating stable core functions, alongside unique gene families likely underlying ecological specialization. KEGG metabolic pathway analysis highlighted species-specific adaptations: for example, enhanced "Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum" in saprophytic species and active "Amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism" in host-associated taxa, reflecting functional divergence linked to lifestyle. These findings align with broader fungal evolutionary trends, where nuclear genomic divergence and potential mitochondrial contributions (e.g., intron dynamics) shape metabolic strategies enabling adaptation to diverse hosts. This study enhances our understanding of Phyllosticta taxonomy and evolution, emphasizing the utility of integrative approaches in resolving fungal diversity.

Species in Ceriporia and Meripilus are important wood-decaying fungi causing white rot on both angiosperm and gymnosperm wood. Morphologically, the two genera share similar micromorphology: a monomitic hyphal system of cyanophilous generative hyphae bearing simple septa. Phylogenetic and morphological analyses of Ceriporia and other related genera in Irpicaceae and Meripilus in Meripilaceae were carried out. Ceriporia is characterized by mostly resupinate basidiomata with a white to brightly colored pore surface when fresh, usually without changing color when bruised, and cylindrical to allantoid basidiospores. Meripilus is similar to Ceriporia, but it has resupinate, effused-reflexed to pileate basidiomata, sometimes with an erubescent pore surface when bruised, and ellipsoid to globose basidiospores. Phylogenies of species in the two genera were reconstructed with multiple-loci DNA sequences, including ITS, nLSU, nSSU, TEF1, RPB1, and RPB2, as well as two combined datasets: ITS+nLSU+TEF1+RPB1+nSSU for Ceriporia and ITS+nLSU+TEF1+RPB2+nSSU for Meripilus. Three new species of Ceriporia, one new species of Meruliopsis, and six new species of Meripilus are described and illustrated. Moreover, the evolutionary times of the Polyporales, including Irpicaceae and Meripilaceae, were revealed based on the conserved regions of three-loci DNA sequences (ITS+nLSU+TEF1). Irpicaceae and Meripilaceae are estimated to have emerged at the junction of the early and late Cretaceous, with mean crown ages of 108.9 Myr and 97.23 Myr, respectively. Bayesian evolutionary analysis shows that the divergence of Ceriporia emerged with a mean crown age of 83.61 Myr [95% highest posterior density (HPD): 65.25-106.35 Myr], which occurred during the late Cretaceous; the initial diversification of Meripilus also occurred during the late Cretaceous, with a mean crown age of 81.38 Myr [95% HPD: 61.89-105.78 Myr].

Aureoboletus projectellus is an American Boletaceae fungus that appeared on the shores of the Baltic Sea at the beginning of the 21^st century. The mushroom was soon gathered by local communities, and fungi enthusiasts travelled from all over Poland to gather this new food item. The aim of our study was to investigate the spread of the invasive Aureoboletus projectellus and its use in mycophylic Poland through an interview-based ethnomycological survey (carried out in the field and online). We gathered 274 questionnaires, and recorded many new localities of the species inland, all over the country, far from the original sites of introduction along the Baltic Sea. We have not found any clear correlation between the origin of the collectors coming to hunt it by the Baltic Sea and its localities inland. On the other hand, the interviews conducted as part of the project revealed 56 new localities of A. projectellus in Poland. This demonstrates that citizen science initiatives can yield valuable biogeographical and ethnobiological data, even for complex and poorly understood groups of organisms such as fungi. It seems that the species is already well-established in Poland, and used in dishes similarly to other Boletaceae species. Its local names often contain the word 'American' or 'heather' due to its origin and preferred habitat.

Members of Scytalidium are primarily saprotrophic and are known for their ability to colonize a variety of substrates, including soil, decaying plant material, and wood. During an investigation of soil microfungi in Capsicum annuum cultivation areas of China, seven Scytalidium isolates were obtained from soil samples collected in Guizhou. In this study, we revised the genus Scytalidium by combining morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated ITS-LSU sequences. The results showed that Scytalidium sensu stricto comprises 16 species, including the type species S. lignicola and four novel species proposed in this study (S. chlamydosporum, S. guizhouense, S. rodionovae, and S. tongrenense). Ten species were excluded, and six species were treated as uncertain due to the lack of available molecular sequences. This study revised the genus Scytalidium, expanded its species diversity and geographical distribution, and lays the foundation for future taxonomic research on this genus.

Entomopathogenic fungi exhibit a cosmopolitan distribution across diverse ecosystems, with their ubiquitous presence intrinsically linked to insect habitats-essentially occurring wherever insect populations exist. These fungi represent a vital biological resource, particularly in agriculture and forestry. They serve as a crucial repository of fungal strains for biological pest control. This investigation identified seven species from southwest China based on multi-gene (ITS, LSU, SSU, act, rpb1, rpb2, and tef1-α) phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics, including one new species and one newly recorded species in Cladosporium (Cladosporiaceae); four new species in Moelleriella (Clavicipitaceae); and one new species in Podonectria (Podonectriaceae). All seven fungi are in their asexual morphs and were discovered on aphids or scale insects, which are common and significant pests. These include Cladosporium kuwanaspidis, Cladosporium guizhouense, Moelleriella eucalypti, Moelleriella boehmeriae, Moelleriella cinnamomum, Moelleriella citrus, and Podonectria multiarmata. Descriptions and illustrations for all seven taxa are provided. Six of these species were collected from scale insects, specifically those found in bamboo forests, broad-leaved forests, or understory vegetation, and one was collected from aphids, primarily distributed on the underside of night-blooming jasmine leaves. This work reveals the rich diversity of entomopathogenic fungi in southwestern China, not only on larger insects such as Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera but also on smaller Hemiptera, many of which are significant agricultural and forestry pests. This study contributes fungal resources that may support the development of innovative pest control methods in the future.