Ima Fungus最新文献

The new genus Garciamycella is here erected to accommodate the soil-borne fungus G. chlamydospora, as well as G. cyclaminis and G. fici, based on a phylogenetic study using sequences of ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tub2. The establishment of Garciamycella has important taxonomic implications, as it helps to resolve a phylogenetically distinct lineage in the order Sordariales, a group in which the placement of numerous taxa remains uncertain. The new species G. chlamydospora was investigated for its secondary metabolite production, affording one previously undescribed papulacandin derivative (1), together with two known compounds from the same family, Mer-WF3010 (2) and papulacandin D (3). In addition, two previously undescribed metabolites, penazaphilone M (4) and cremenoic acid (5), were isolated alongside the known derivatives cremenolide (6) and aspinolide B (7). All compounds were isolated using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and their chemical structures were elucidated through comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, in addition to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities were assessed for all metabolites, and compounds (1-3) revealed potent antifungal activity. This research highlights how exploring novel fungal taxa can lead to the discovery of structurally unique metabolites with significant antifungal properties. It further confirms the potential of the order Sordariales as prolific producers of bioactive compounds with potential applications in the development of new antifungal agents.

Numerous severe cases of neurotoxic mushroom poisoning worldwide are caused by ibotenic acid and muscimol produced by specific species belonging to section Amanita of the genus Amanita. Recent studies have demonstrated that both toxins are produced through the ibotenic acid biosynthetic gene cluster (iboBGC) in these species. In addition to these two toxins, section Amanita is also thought to include several species producing another neurotoxic compound, muscarine. However, the taxonomic distribution and evolutionary history of these toxins within the section remain poorly understood. In this study, phylogenetic analyses based on nucleotide sequences of two loci (ITS and LSU) and five loci (ITS, LSU, RPB2, TEF1, and TUB2), together with a phylogenomic analysis using 467 single-copy genes, were conducted to reconstruct the phylogenetic framework of section Amanita. BEAST analysis was used to estimate divergence times within the section. Gene identification of the iboBGC was conducted using 25 Amanita genomes, followed by phylogenetic analyses of each ibo gene. Biochemical analysis of muscarine was performed on 31 representative species. Based on these analyses, ibo genes were detected in 21 species forming a major monophyletic clade within the section Amanita, whereas muscarine was detected in eight species that constituted a small subclade nested within this clade. Finally, our phylogenetic, phylogenomic, chemotaxonomic, and molecular dating results indicate a monophyletic distribution of the iboBGC and muscarine within the section Amanita, with independent origins approximately 28 million years ago (Mya) and 15 Mya, respectively, and no evidence of subsequent losses.

Nitrate (NO₃ ^-) and ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) are the two main forms of inorganic nitrogen (N) found in soil. Most macrofungi show a preference for specific forms of N; however, the mechanisms behind these preferences remain poorly understood. In this study, we explored the metabolic responses induced by NO₃ ^- and NH₄ ⁺ uptake and assimilation in the ascomycete Morchella importuna, a highly valued soil-grown mushroom. Through transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, we demonstrated that growth on NO₃ ^- inhibited the expression and activity of NADP-glutamate dehydrogenase while increasing the expression and activity of glutamate synthase (GOGAT) and glutamate levels, underscoring the significant role of the GOGAT pathway in glutamate synthesis in NO₃ ^--grown mycelia. Furthermore, growth on NO₃ ^- results in the downregulation of proteins involved in ribosome biogenesis and RNA transport pathways, inducing a status analogous to N starvation and oxidative stress. Simultaneously, nitrate initiated metabolic alterations related to sexual morphogenesis, such as increased glutathione levels to counter oxidative stress, the upregulated expression of tyrosinase and its substrates to accelerate melanin deposition and enhanced glycosylation to supply cell-wall formation. These findings enhance our understanding of the differential response mechanisms to N sources that affect mushroom cell homeostasis.

Polyporales is a diverse group of Agaricomycetes that has received extensive attention and study. Species in Irpicaceae and Steccherinaceae (Polyporales) are important wood-decaying fungi that cause white rot on both angiosperm and gymnosperm wood. Recently, many studies have focused on the classification of Irpicaceae and Steccherinaceae, but the familial placements of some taxa remain unresolved. In the present study, phylogenies of species in the two families were reconstructed using multilocus DNA sequence data, including ITS, nLSU, mtSSU, tef1-α, and rpb2, as well as two combined datasets: ITS+nLSU+mtSSU+rpb2+tef1-α for Steccherinaceae and ITS+nLSU for Efibula and related species. Three new species of Efibula, one new species of Phanericium within the family Irpicaceae, and one new genus, Odentinium, including two new species, O. aurantium and O. cremeum, within the family Steccherinaceae, are described and illustrated. The genus Odentinium is characterized by resupinate basidiomata with an odontioid hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, cylindrical cystidia that are strongly encrusted, and ellipsoid, smooth basidiospores. Furthermore, the evolutionary times of Polyporales, including Irpicaceae and Steccherinaceae, were inferred based on conserved regions of DNA sequences (ITS+nLSU+mtSSU+rpb2+tef1-α). Bayesian evolutionary analysis indicated that the ancestors of Irpicaceae and Steccherinaceae are estimated to have emerged with mean crown ages of 199.17 Mya and 142.95 Mya, respectively, followed by the genus Odentinium, with a mean crown age of 120.8 Mya.

Aspergillus flavus is a globally important human pathogen and agricultural contaminant, while its domesticated relative A. oryzae is widely used in food fermentation and biotechnology. Despite their importance, the evolutionary relationship, population structure and domestication history of these fungi remain unresolved. Here, we present the first global population genomic analysis of 639 A. flavus and A. oryzae isolates from clinical, environmental and food-fermentation sources across multiple continents. Our analyses reveal a complex evolutionary landscape comprising well-separated clades interspersed with highly admixed mosaic groups and potential evidence for multiple independent domestication events giving rise to A. oryzae. Clinical A. flavus isolates are distributed across several clades and mosaic groups, some overlapping with fermentation strains, highlighting an apparent role of domestication and admixture in shaping pathogen diversity. These results challenge current species boundaries and provide a framework for understanding evolutionary history, taxonomy and pangenomic architecture in these fungi, with broad implications for pathogenicity, food safety, biocontrol and metagenomic surveillance.

The family Epibryaceae is one of the early-diverging lineages within the order Chaetothyriales. Available molecular data show that most species are associated with mosses, liverworts, and lichens, typically inhabiting apparently psychrophilic environments. However, genomic information about this family remains scarce. This study presents whole-genome sequencing of six reference strains from the genus Epibryon (Chaetothyriales, Epibryaceae), aiming to elucidate their ecological adaptations and evolutionary relationships. Comparative analyses of CAZymes and MEROPS annotations showed that most members of Epibryaceae have a reduced set of enzymes associated with lignin degradation. Additionally, the presence of the CspA protein, linked to freezing tolerance, and the absence of the ClpA/B enzyme, associated with heat stress tolerance, suggest a strong preference for cold environments compared with other Chaetothyriales lineages. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses clarified species boundaries and resulted in the introduction of Epibryon brunneolum comb. nov. within the family. Based on phylogenetic analysis, ecological data regarding the preferred habitat of the family, and the presence of exclusive enzymes associated with extreme cold environments, the results indicate that this family is distinct from other chaetothyrialean fungi.

Pteridophytes are iconic symbols of the Earth's biodiversity and harbor diverse fungal communities. In this study, an investigation of saprobic fungi associated with pteridophytes in China identified several fascinating taxonomic groups within Dothideomycetes. A polyphasic approach based on morphology, along with multi-gene phylogenetic analysis using combined LSU, RPB2, SSU, and tef1-α sequence data, revealed nine new collections representing five species in Pleosporales and five new collections representing two species in Muyocopronales. Consequently, six new genera (Cyatheomyces, Microlepicola, Neoberkleasmium, Pseudopalawaniella, Synnematospora, and Xenopleopunctum), six new species (Cyatheomyces synnematosus, Microlepicola guizhouensis, Pseudopalawaniella woodwardiae, Synnematospora pronephrii, Xenopleopunctum guizhouense, and X. sporodochiale), and five new combinations, viz., Neoberkleasmium micronesiacum (≡ Berkleasmium micronesiacum), N. nigroapicale (≡ B. nigroapicale), Xenoberkleasmium crinisium (≡ B. crunisia), X. pandani (≡ B. pandani), and X. typhae (≡ B. typhae), are proposed. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis reveals that four species of Xenoberkleasmium form a distinct lineage within Pleosporales, and they are evolving in a newly proposed family, Xenoberkleasmiaceae. Detailed morphological descriptions and a phylogenetic tree revealing the taxonomic placements of these new taxa are provided.

Our planet is inhabited by an estimated 2.5 million species of fungi, of which fewer than 10% have been scientifically described. Some of the most understudied yet remarkable fungal species are those capable of parasitizing arthropods, notably insects and spiders. Here, we explore the hidden diversity of a spider-attacking (araneopathogenic) fungus and its associated microbiome in one of the world's most biodiverse yet threatened biomes, the Atlantic Forest. We apply a field-based "taxogenomic" approach, comprising the integration of classical fungal taxonomy and genomic characterization of a sample's endogenous, associated, and incidental DNA. The data we produced in the field reveal a new species of Purpureocillium fungus belonging to the P. atypicola group, parasitizing trapdoor spiders, and provide a snapshot of its associated bacterial and fungal microbiota. Molecular, morphological, and ecological data support P. atypicola as a complex of cryptic species infecting a variety of ecologically distinct spider species globally. We call for consolidated efforts to accelerate and facilitate the publication of both new species and the characterization of the genomic composition of their associated taxa.

Cordyceps species are widespread entomopathogens and promising biocontrol agents that produce diverse secondary metabolites, yet the roles of these molecules during the infection process remain unclear. To interpret how fungal chemistry contributes to host colonization, we compared the metabolomes and virulence traits of two strains of phylogenetically distinct Cordyceps species (C. javanica and C. blackwelliae) and assessed their effects on beet armyworms (fungiSpodoptera exigua). Virulence assays revealed species-dependent pathogenicity, with C. javanica showing the highest virulence. Combining untargeted metabolomics, feature-based molecular networking (FBMN), 3D electron-diffraction crystallography and comprehensive 1D/2D NMR, we gained insights into their metabolomic traits. For instance, C. javanica displayed notable beauveriolide diversity, including three previously undescribed derivatives (1-3), while C. blackwelliae produced mainly diketopiperazines in vitro. The FBMN results revealed putative beauveriolide analogs in the C. blackwelliae extracts, unlike the cadaver analysis, revealing beauvericins in infected corpses. Remarkably, the crude extracts obtained from authentic insect cadavers contained beauveriolides and beauvericins, providing in vivo chemical evidences of their production during infection for the first time. Moreover, bioassays with purified compounds showed that insecticidal activity cannot be attributed across all beauveriolides but depends on amino-acid composition, implying multifunctional roles beyond direct toxicity. Altogether, these results reveal context-dependent metabolic reprogramming and species-specific chemical strategies in entomopathogenic fungi, with implications for microbial ecology, host specificity, and the rational development of fungal biocontrol agents. The results of this study also give rise to the need for more intensified study on the chemical composition of the insect cadavers that are colonized by other entomopathogens.

Capnodiales s. lat., the second largest order within the Dothideomycetes, comprises a highly diverse group of species exhibiting considerable morphological and phylogenetic diversity. In this study, we examined more than 800 fungal isolates from shoots of three species of healthy pine trees (Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc., P. thunbergii Parl., and P. elliottii Engelm.) in China, leading to the establishment of several novel taxa with Capnodiales s. lat.. The species were identified through morphological characterisation and phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated sequence of seven loci: the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the RNA polymerase II subunit B (RPB2), the actin gene (ACT), the calmodulin gene (CAL), the ß-tubulin gene (TUB) and the elongation factor 1-alpha gene (TEF1). As a result, three novel genera-Botryoconidia (Dissoconiaceae), Longisporomyces (Extremaceae), and Helianthoconium (Mycosphaerellaceae) are proposed, along with nine novel species: Botryoconidia globosus, Longisporomyces filisporum, Neocatenulostroma endophyticum, Rachicladosporium pennatum, Helianthoconium helianthosporum, Sphaerulina nanjingensis, Toxicocladosporium fusiforme, Zasmidium guttulatum, and Zasmidium longisporum. Furthermore, we employed fossil calibrations to estimate divergence times of these taxa within Capnodiales s. lat. The results suggest that the crown age of Capnodiales was around 241.9 Mya (95% HPD: 239.23-243.18 Mya), in the Middle Triassic. The major subclades such as Capnodiales s. str., Cladosporiales and Mycosphaerellales began diversifying during the Jurassic, with crown ages estimated at 169.56 Mya, 148.60 Mya, 187.18 Mya, respectively. This study provides comprehensive descriptions of these new endophytic taxa from pine hosts, contributing to the taxonomic and systematic understanding of the Capnodiales s. lat.