Notes for genera: Ascomycota

Integrating phytoremediation and mycoremediation with biosurfactant-producing fungi for hydrocarbon removal and the potential production of secondary resources

Treatment of petroleum-contaminated soil to a less toxic medium via physical and chemical treatment is too costly and requires posttreatment. This review focuses on the employment of phytoremediation and mycoremediation technologies in cleaning hydrocarbon-contaminated soil which is currently rare. It is considered environmentally beneficial and possibly cost-effective as it implements the synergistic interaction between plants and biosurfactant producing mycorrhiza to degrade hydrocarbon contaminants. This review also covers possible sources of hydrocarbon pollution in water and soil, toxicity effects, and current technologies for hydrocarbon removal and degradation. In addition to these problems, this review also discusses the challenges and opportunities of transforming the resultant treated sludge and treating plants into potential by-products for a higher quality of life for future generations.

Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic evidence reveal two new species and the first report of Comoclathris (Pleosporaceae, Pleosporales) on dicotyledonous plants from China

Two novel Comoclathris species were identified from dicotyledonous plants (Clematis sp. and Xanthocerassorbifolium) in China. The results were supported by morphological characters and Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) analyses. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, LSU, SSU and rpb2 sequences revealed two new species Comoclathrisclematidis and C.xanthoceratis, which are phylogenetically distinct. The new species are phylogenetically closely related to C.arrhenatheri. However, they are distinguishable from C.arrhenatheri by having comparatively larger asci and ascospores. This study improves our knowledge of Comoclathris as no species has been previously described from China. This suggests such taxa may be rare and it is likely that new taxa will be discovered from hosts and environments that have not yet been extensively investigated.

Mycobiomes of two distinct clades of ambrosia gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) are species-specific in larvae but similar in nutritive mycelia

IMPORTANCE

Ambrosia gall midges are endophagous insect herbivores whose larvae live enclosed within a single gall for their entire development period. They may exhibit phytomycetophagy, a remarkable feeding mode that involves the consumption of plant biomass and mycelia of their cultivated gall symbionts. Thus, AGMs are ideal model organisms for studying the role of microorganisms in the evolution of host specificity in insects. However, compared to other fungus-farming insects, insect-fungus mutualism in AGMs has been neglected. Our study is the first to use DNA metabarcoding to characterize the complete mycobiome of the entire system of the gall-forming insects as we profiled gall surfaces, nutritive mycelia, and larvae. Interestingly, larval mycobiomes were significantly different from their nutritive mycelia, although Botryosphaeria dothidea dominated the nutritive mycelia, regardless of the evolutionary separation of the tribes studied. Therefore, we confirmed a long-time hypothesized paradigm for the important evolutionary association of this fungus with AGMs.

Multi-Locus Phylogeny and Morphology Reveal Two New Species of Hypoxylon (Hypoxylaceae, Xylariales) from Motuo, China

Hypoxylaceous fungi are abundant in China, but their discovery and report are uneven in various provinces, with more fungi in Yunnan and Hainan and fewer fungi in Tibet. During the investigation of macro-fungi in Motuo county, Tibet Autonomous Region, we collected a number of xylarialean specimens. Six hypoxylaceous specimens growing on dead angiosperm were collected from the forests of Motuo county, and they were described and illustrated as two new species in Hypoxylon based on a combination of morphological characters and molecular evidence. Hypoxylon diperithecium was characterized by its bistratal perithecia, purple-brown stromatal granules, citrine to rust KOH-extractable pigments, and light brown to brown ascospores ellipsoid-inequilateral with conspicuous coil-like ornamentation. Hypoxylon tibeticum was distinct from other species by having pulvinate and applanate stromata, surface vinaceous, with orange granules, orange KOH-extractable pigments, and brown ascospores with inconspicuous ornamentation. The multi-gene phylogenetic analyses (ITS-LSU-RPB2-TUB) supported the two new taxa as separate lineages in the genus Hypoxylon. A key to all known Hypoxylon taxa from China is provided.

Frankliniella occidentalis pathogenic fungus Lecanicillium interacts with internal microbes and produces sublethal effects

Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a pest that feeds on various crops worldwide. A prior study identified Lecanicillium attenuatum and L. cauligalbarum as pathogens of F. occidentalis. Unfortunately, the potential of these two entomopathogenic fungi for the biocontrol of F. occidentalis has not been effectively evaluated. The internal microbes (endosymbionts and the gut microbiota) of insects, especially gut bacteria, are crucial in regulating the interactions between the host and intestinal pathogens. The role of thrips internal microbes in the infection of these two entomopathogenic fungi is also unknown. Therefore, biological control of thrips is immediately needed, and to accomplish that, an improved understanding of the internal microbes of thrips against Lecanicillium infection is essential. The virulence of the two pathogenic fungi against F. occidentalis increased with the conidia concentration. Overall, the LC50 of L. cauligalbarum was lower than that of L. attenuatum, and the pathogenicity degree was adult > pupa > nymphs. The activities of protective enzymes include superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD); detoxification enzymes include polyphenol oxidase (PPO), glutathione s-transferase (GSTs), and carboxylesterase (CarE); hormones include ecdysone and juvenile hormone; and the composition and proportion of microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in F. occidentalis infected by L. cauligalbarum and L. attenuatum have changed significantly. According to the network correlation results, there was a considerable correlation among the internal microbes (including bacteria and fungi), enzyme activities, and hormones, which indicates that in addition to bacteria, internal fungi of F. occidentalis are also involved in the L. cauligalbarum and L. attenuatum infection process. In addition, the development time of the surviving F. occidentalis exposed to L. cauligalbarum or L. attenuatum was significantly shorter than that of the control group. Furthermore, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0), mean generation time (T), and gross reproductive rate (GRR) were significantly lower in the treatment groups than in the control group. L. attenuatum and L. cauligalbarum have biocontrol potential against F. occidentalis. In addition to bacteria, internal fungi of F. occidentalis are also involved in the infection process of insect pathogenic fungi. Disruption of the internal microbial balance results in discernible sublethal effects. Such prevention and control potential should not be ignored. These findings provide an improved understanding of physiological responses in thrips with altered immunity against entomopathogenic fungal infections, which can guide us toward the development of novel biocontrol strategies against thrips.

Additions to Diatrypaceae (Xylariales): Novel Taxa and New Host Associations

Diatrypaceae members have a broad distribution and are commonly found on decaying wood. Despite taxonomic and morphological challenges within this group, there has been a growing interest in Diatrypaceae in recent years. The dead branches of several plant hosts with fungal fruiting bodies were collected from Doi Tung National Park, Chiang Rai, and the Narathiwat Provinces in Thailand. Their morphological characteristics, coupled with a molecular phylogeny of combined ITS and tub2 sequence data, were used to introduce two novel Allodiatrype species (A. dalbergiae and A. eleiodoxae) and one new Melanostictus species (M. chiangraiensis). Moreover, four new host records, Diatrypella heveae, D. major, Melanostictus thailandicus, and Paraeutypella citricola on Microcos paniculata, Nayariophyton zizyphifolium, Dalbergia cultrata, and M. paniculata, respectively, as well as a new geographical record of D. major are reported. This research provides detailed descriptions of macro- and microcharacteristics, coupled with a phylogenetic tree for the newly introduced species and host records. The morphological features of Allodiatrype and Melanostictus are listed in the synoptic table.

Palm Fungi and Their Key Role in Biodiversity Surveys: A Review

Over the past three decades, a wealth of studies has shown that palm trees (Arecaceae) are a diverse habitat with intense fungal colonisation, making them an important substratum to explore fungal diversity. Palm trees are perennial, monocotyledonous plants mainly restricted to the tropics that include economically important crops and highly valued ornamental plants worldwide. The extensive research conducted in Southeast Asia and Australasia indicates that palm fungi are undoubtedly a taxonomically diverse assemblage from which a remarkable number of new species is continuously being reported. Despite this wealth of data, no recent comprehensive review on palm fungi exists to date. In this regard, we present here a historical account and discussion of the research on the palm fungi to reflect on their importance as a diverse and understudied assemblage. The taxonomic structure of palm fungi is also outlined, along with comments on the need for further studies to place them within modern DNA sequence-based classifications. Palm trees can be considered model plants for studying fungal biodiversity and, therefore, the key role of palm fungi in biodiversity surveys is discussed. The close association and intrinsic relationship between palm hosts and palm fungi, coupled with a high fungal diversity, suggest that the diversity of palm fungi is still far from being fully understood. The figures suggested in the literature for the diversity of palm fungi have been revisited and updated here. As a result, it is estimated that there are about 76,000 species of palm fungi worldwide, of which more than 2500 are currently known. This review emphasises that research on palm fungi may provide answers to a number of current fungal biodiversity challenges.

Diversity of Agaricomycetes in southern South America and their bioactive natural products

Fungi have a unique metabolic plasticity allowing them to produce a wide range of natural products. Since the discovery of penicillin, an antibiotic of fungal origin, substantial efforts have been devoted globally to search for fungal-derived natural bioactive products. Andean region forests represent one of the few undisturbed ecosystems in the world with little human intervention. While these forests display a rich biological diversity, mycological and chemical studies in these environments have been scarce. This review aims to summarise all the efforts regarding the chemical or bioactivity analyses of Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota) from southern South America environments. Overall, herein we report a total of 147 fungal species, 21 of them showing chemical characterisation and/or biological activity. In terms of chemical cores, furans, chlorinated phenol derivatives, polyenes, lactones, terpenes and himanimides have been reported. These natural products displayed a range of biological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, neuroprotective and osteoclast-forming suppressing effects.

Pleomorphic Dematiomelanommayunnanense gen. et sp. nov. (Ascomycota, Melanommataceae) from grassland vegetation in Yunnan, China

During a survey of microfungi associated with grasslands and related vegetation types from Yunnan Province in China, various ascomycetous and coelomycetous fungi were isolated. This study reports the discovery of four strains of ascomycetous and coelomycetous fungi from dead stalks of Hypericummonogynum L. (Hypericaceae) and Rubusparvifolius L. (Rosaceae) in the Zhaotong region of Yunnan Province, China. The isolates were characterized using multi-locus phylogenetic analyses and were found to represent a new monophyletic lineage in Melanommataceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes). This new clade was named as Dematiomelanommayunnanense gen. et sp. nov. which consists of both sexual and asexual morphs. The sexual morph is characterized by globose to subglobose ascomata with a central ostiole, cylindrical asci with a pedicel and ocular chamber, and muriform, ellipsoidal to fusiform ascospores. The asexual morph has synanamorphs including both brown, muriform macroconidia and hyaline, round to oblong or ellipsoidal microconidia. These findings contribute to the understanding of fungal diversity in grasslands and related vegetation types in Yunnan Province, China.

Pseudolepraria, a new leprose genus revealed in Ramalinaceae (Ascomycota, Lecanoromycetes, Lecanorales) to accommodate Leprariastephaniana

The new genus Pseudolepraria Kukwa, Jabłońska, Kosecka & Guzow-Krzemińska is introduced to accommodate Leprariastephaniana Elix, Flakus & Kukwa. Phylogenetic analyses of nucITS, nucLSU, mtSSU and RPB2 markers recovered the new genus in the family Ramalinaceae with strong support. The genus is characterised by its thick, unstratified thallus composed entirely of soredia-like granules, the presence of 4-O-methylleprolomin, salazinic acid, zeorin and unknown terpenoid, and its phylogenetic position. The new combination, P.stephaniana (Elix, Flakus & Kukwa) Kukwa, Jabłońska, Kosecka & Guzow-Krzemińska, is proposed.

Relationship between Dubas Bug (Ommatissus lybicus) Infestation and the Development of Fungal-Induced Leaf Spots in Date Palms (Phoenix dactylifera)

The dubas bug (Ommatissus lybicus) (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae) is a serious pest in date palms in several date-producing countries, including Oman. Infestation results in a severe reduction in yield and a weakening of date palm growth. In addition, egg laying, which causes injuries to date palm leaves, results in the development of necrotic lesions on the leaves. This study aimed at investigating the role of fungi in the development of necrotic leaf spots following dubas bug infestation. Leaf samples developing leaf spot symptoms were collected from dubas-bug-infested leaves, as the leaf spot symptoms were not observed on the non-infested leaves. Isolation from date palm leaves collected from 52 different farms yielded 74 fungal isolates. Molecular identification of the isolates revealed that they belonged to 31 fungal species, 16 genera, and 10 families. Among the isolated fungi, there were five Alternaria species, four species each of Penicillium and Fusarium, three species each of Cladosporium and Phaeoacremonium, and two species each of Quambalaria and Trichoderma. Out of the thirty-one fungal species, nine were pathogenic on date palm leaves and induced varying levels of leaf spot symptoms. The pathogenic species were Alternaria destruens, Fusarium fujikuroi species complex, F. humuli, F. microconidium, Cladosporium pseudochalastosporoides, C. endophyticum, Quambalaria cyanescens, Phaeoacremonium krajdenii, and P. venezuelense, which were reported for the first time as leaf spot causal agents in date palms. The study provided novel information on the effect of dubas bug infestation in date palms on the development of fungal infection and associated leaf spot symptoms.

Morphology and Multigene Phylogeny Revealed Three New Species of Helminthosporium (Massarinaceae, Pleosporales) from China

Saprobic hyphomycetes are highly diverse on plant debris. Over the course of our mycological surveys in southern China, three new Helminthosporium species, H. guanshanense sp. nov., H. jiulianshanense sp. nov. and H. meilingense sp. nov., collected on dead branches of unidentified plants, were introduced by morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Multi-loci (ITS, LSU, SSU, RPB2 and TEF1) phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference to infer their taxonomic positions within Massarinaceae. Both molecular analyses and morphological data supported H. guanshanense, H. jiulianshanense and H. meilingense as three independent taxa within Helminthosporium. A list of accepted Helminthosporium species with major morphological features, host information, locality and sequence data was provided. This work expands our understanding of the diversity of Helminthosporium-like taxa in Jiangxi Province, China.

Additions to Thelebolales (Leotiomycetes, Ascomycota): Pseudogeomyces lindneri gen. et sp. nov. and Pseudogymnoascus campensis sp. nov

Thelebolales are globally distributed fungi with diverse ecological characteristics. The classification of Thelebolales remains controversial to date and this study introduces two new taxa, based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses. The results of phylogenetic analyses indicated that the new taxa formed distinct lineages with strong support that were separated from the other members of Thelebolales. The new taxa described herein did not form sexual structures. The phylogenetic relationships of the new taxa and the morphological differences between these taxa and the other species under Thelebolales are also discussed.

Multiverruca sinensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermotolerant fungus isolated from soil in China

During a survey of thermotolerant fungi in China, three isolates were obtained from soil samples. Phylogenetic analysis of a combined internal transcribed spacer and large subunit dataset showed that these isolates belong to the same species, which form a well-separated lineage distinct from the other genera in Latoruaceae. Morphologically, the isolates are characterized by having globose and smooth conidiogenous cells, verruculose mycelium and cymbiform conidia. Combining the phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics, Multiverruca gen. nov. is proposed and introduced to accommodate a single new species, Multiverruca sinensis sp. nov. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and notes are provided for the new genus and species.

Genome sequencing and annotation of Cercospora sesami, a fungal pathogen causing leaf spot to Sesamum indicum

Cercospora sesami is a plant pathogen that causes leaf spot disease in sesame plants worldwide. In this study, genome sequence assembly of C. sesami isolate Cers 52-10 (MCC 9069) was generated using native paired-end and mate-pair DNA sequencing based on the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. The genome assembly of C. sesami is 34.3 Mb in size with an N50 of 26,222 bp and an average GC content of 53.02%. A total number of 10,872 genes were predicted in this study, out of which 9,712 genes were functionally annotated. Genes assigned to carbohydrate-active enzyme classes were also identified during the study. A total of 80 putative effector candidates were predicted and functionally annotated. The C. sesami genome sequence is available at DDBJ/ENA/GenBank, and other associated information is submitted to Mendeley's data.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03468-4.

Phylogeny and Morphology of Novel Species and New Collections Related to Sarcoscyphaceae (Pezizales, Ascomycota) from Southwestern China and Thailand

Sarcoscyphaceae (Pezizales) is distinguished by small to large, vividly-coloured sessile to stipitate apothecia, plurinucleate and pigmented paraphyses, operculate asci with thick walls, and plurinucleate, uniguttulate to multiguttulate ascospores with smooth walls or ornamentations. We collected more than 40 Sarcoscyphaceae specimens from dead twigs or wood. Based on morphology and phylogeny, these species belong to Cookeina, Nanoscypha, Phillipsia, Pithya, and Sarcoscypha. Among these, we introduce three new species-Nanoscypha aequispora, Pithya villosa, and Sarcoscypha longitudinalis. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb2, and tef-1α gene regions indicate the relationships of these species within Sarcoscyphaceae. Meanwhile, we propose Ph. gelatinosa as a synonym of Ph. domingensis. One new record of C. sinensis is reported from Thailand.

Da Vinci's yeast: Blastobotrys davincii f.a., sp. nov

A new species of the yeast genus Blastobotrys was discovered during a worldwide survey of culturable xerophilic fungi in house dust. Several culture-dependent and independent studies from around the world detected the same species from a wide range of substrates including indoor air, cave wall paintings, bats, mummies, and the iconic self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci from ca 1512. However, none of these studies identified their strains, clones, or OTUs as Blastobotrys. We introduce the new species as Blastobotrys davincii f.a., sp. nov. (holotype CBS H-24879) and delineate it from other species using morphological, phylogenetic, and physiological characters. The new species of asexually (anamorphic) budding yeast is classified in Trichomonascaceae and forms a clade along with its associated sexual state genus Trichomonascus. Despite the decade-old requirement to use a single generic name for fungi, both names are still used. Selection of the preferred name awaits a formal nomenclatural proposal. We present arguments for adopting Blastobotrys over Trichomonascus and introduce four new combinations as Blastobotrys allociferrii (≡ Candida allociferrii), B. fungorum (≡ Sporothrix fungorum), B. mucifer (≡ Candida mucifera), and Blastobotrys vanleenenianus (≡ Trichomonascus vanleenenianus). We provide a nomenclatural review and an accepted species list for the 37 accepted species in the Blastobotrys/Trichomonascus clade. Finally, we discuss the identity of the DNA clones detected on the da Vinci portrait, and the importance of using appropriate media to isolate xerophilic or halophilic fungi.

Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal a New Species of Genus Monochaetia Belonging to the Family Sporocadaceae in Korea

The fungal strain belonging to the genus Monochaetia of the family Sporocadaceae was isolated from hairy long-horned toad beetle (Moechotypa diphysis) during the screening of microfungi associated with insects from Gangwon Province, Korea. The strain KNUF-6L2F produced white, light brown to dirty black surface, and olivaceous green colonies with the higher growth, while the closest strain M. ilicis KUMCC 15-0520^T were light brown to brown, and M. schimae SAUCC 212201^T light brown to brown toward center. The strain KNUF-6L2F produced shorter (5.7-14.0 μm) apical appendages than M. ilicis (6.0-24.0 μm), but similar to M. schimae (7.0-12.5 μm). Three median cells of KNUF-6L2F were light brown to olivaceous green, whereas brown and olivaceous cells were observed from M. ilicis and M. schimae, respectively. And the strain KNUF-6L2F produced larger conidiogenous cells than M. ilicis and M. schimae. Additionally, phylogenetic analyses based on molecular datasets of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1α), and β-tubulin (TUB2) genes corroborated the strain's originality. Thus, the strain is different from other known Monochaetia species, according to molecular phylogeny and morophology, hence we suggested the new species Monochaetia mediana sp. nov. and provided a descriptive illustration.

Phylogeny and taxonomy of the genera of Erysiphaceae, part 2: Neoerysiphe

The second contribution to a new series devoted to the phylogeny and taxonomy of powdery mildews is presented. An overview of Neoerysiphe species is given, including references to ex-type sequences or, if unavailable, representative reference sequences for phylogenetic-taxonomic purposes are provided. The new species N. stachydis is described, and Striatoidium jaborosae is reduced to synonymy with Neoerysiphe macquii. Epitypes with ex-epitype sequences are designated for Alphitomorpha ballotae, A. labiatarum, Erysiphe galii, E. chelones, and E. galeopsidis. Based on phylogenetic analyses, it has been demonstrated that Neoerysiphe cumminsiana is confined to its type host, Roldana hartwegii (= Senecio seemannii), and other North and South American parasites on Asteraceae hosts, previously assigned to this species, pertain to N. macquii. The first record of N. macquii from Europe (Germany) on cultivated Bidens aurea was confirmed by sequencing. Sequence analysis of type material of N. rubiae reveals that this species should be excluded from Neoerysiphe; however, the true affinity of this taxon is not yet clear.

Anamorphic chaetosphaeriaceous fungi from China

Chaetosphaeriaceae is one of the largest families in Sordariomycetes with its members commonly found on decaying leaf, fruit, branch, bark and wood in both terrestrial and submerged environment in nature. This paper reports our research result of diversity, taxonomy and phylogeny of anamorphic Chaetosphaeriaceae in China, which is based on a systematic study with an integrated approach of morphological observation and phylogenetic analysis for a large collection (> 1300 herbarium specimens and 1100 living strains). The family Chaetosphaeriaceae is expanded to accommodate 89 accepted genera, including 22 new genera and 10 newly assigned genera. Most of these genera (except for Chaetosphaeria and several other relatively large genera) are delimitated as monophyletic genera with well-defined diagnostic characters in morphology. The phylogenetic connection of non-phialidic Sporidesmium-like fungi is further confirmed and expanded to 10 different genera. The polyphyletic Codinaea/Dictyochaeta/Tainosphaeria complex is further resolved with a taxonomic framework of 28 monophyletic genera by redelimitation of Codinaea and Dictyochaeta with narrower concept, acceptance of the 16 established genera, and finally introduction of 10 new genera. Chloridium is phylogenetically redefined as monophyletic genus with narrower concept as typified by the type species, but a systematic review in both generic and species level is still needed. For biodiversity of chaetosphaeriaceous fungi, a total of 369 species in 76 genera, including 119 new species, 47 new combinations, and one new name, are documented. The identification keys are provided for most genera, especially the large genera such as Codinaea s. str., Codinaeella, Stilbochaeta, Cryptophiale, Thozetella, Dinemasporium and Pseudolachnella. In addition, ten known species were excluded from the family and reclassified. Systematic revision of several relatively large polyphyletic genera should be conducted in future studies, including Bahusutrabeeja, Ellisembia, Stanjehughesia, Cacumisporium, Chaetosphaeria, Chloridium, Craspedodidymum, Cryptophiale, Cryptophialoidea, Dictyochaetopsis, Minimidochium, and many published species of Codinaea and Dictyochaeta.

Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Reassessment of Pyrgidium (Mycocaliciales) and Investigation of Ascospore Morphology

Mycocaliciales comprise non-lichenized either saprotrophic or lichenicolous fungi which occur in temperate and tropical regions. The mazaediate, saprotrophic and monospecific genus, Pyrgidium, is currently assigned to this order, yet the phylogenetic placement of the genus has remained uncertain due to the absence of molecular data. In order to investigate the systematic position of Pyrgidium, two specimens collected in Brazil and Thailand, respectively, were used to generate mtSSU, SSU, LSU and ITS sequences. However, given that most other representatives of this order only have LSU and ITS sequences available, the phylogenetic reconstruction was limited to these two markers. The phylogenetic analyses confirmed placement of the genus within Mycocaliciales, the genus possessing a sister group relationship with the lichenicolous genus Sphinctrina. Detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided, including those for type specimens of the various synonyms subsumed under the hitherto only accepted species, Pyrgidium montellicum (Beltr.) Tibell. The ascospore morphology was investigated using compound and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed for the ascospore size using PC-ORD 7. The molecular data and re-examination of the type specimens support the monospecific nature of this genus.

Pyrenochaeta fraxinina as colonizer of ash and sycamore petioles, its morphology, ecology, and phylogenetic connections

Pyrenochaeta fraxinina was first described in 1913 from the state of New York (USA) on petioles of Fraxinus sp. Since then, the species has not been reported from North America and reports from the other regions of the world are very sparse. The results of this study on P. fraxinina are based on the material collected in various regions of Poland from 2012 to 2019. The material comprised 2700 previous year’s leaf petioles of Fraxinus excelsior and 1970 petioles or leaf residues of eight other deciduous tree species. As a result, the occurrence of pycnidial conidiomata of P. fraxinina was confirmed on F. excelsior (3.4% of petioles), F. mandshurica (1.5%), F. pennsylvanica (3.2%), and Acer pseudoplatanus (2.0%). The morphology of the microstructures was described based on the fresh material and compared with the holotype of P. fraxinina. The optimal temperature for the growth of the fungus in vitro was estimated as 20 °C. The analyses based on ITS-LSU rDNA sequences and a protein coding sequence of TUB2 and RPB2 genes showed that P. fraxinina isolates form a well-supported clade in the phylogenetic trees. The species proved to be closely related to Nematostoma parasiticum (asexual morph Pyrenochaeta parasitica), a species occurring on Abies alba in connection with needle browning disease. Interactions between P. fraxinina and the ash dieback pathogen, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, were analyzed in vivo on ash petioles and in vitro in dual cultures. Among 93 petioles of F. excelsior, for which P. fraxinina conidiomata were detected, 26 were also colonized by H. fraxineus. Mostly, these two fungi occurred separately, colonizing different sections of a petiole. For all dual cultures, both fungi, P. fraxinina and H. fraxineus, showed growth inhibition toward the counterpartner. The role of P. fraxinina as a saprotrophic competitor toward H. fraxineus in ash petioles is discussed.

Ascomycota as a source of natural colorants

In the last few decades, there has been a great demand for natural colorants. Synthetic colorants are known to be easy to produce, are less expensive, and remain stable when subjected to chemical and physical factors. In addition, only small amounts are required to color any material, and unwanted flavors and aromas are not incorporated into the product. Natural colorants present in food, in addition to providing color, also have biological properties and effects that aid in the prevention and cure of many diseases. The main classes of colorants produced by phylum Ascomycota include polyketides and carotenoids. A promising producer of colorants should be able to assimilate a variety of sources of carbon and nitrogen and also exhibit relative stability. The strain should not be pathogenic, and its product should not be toxic. Production processes should also provide the expected color with a good yield through simple extraction methods. Research that seeks new sources of these compounds should continue to seek products of biotechnological origin in order to be competitive with products of synthetic and plant origin. In this review, we will focus on the recent studies on the main producing species, classes, and metabolic pathways of colorants produced by this phylum, historical background, impact of synthetic colorants on human health and the environment, social demand for natural colorants and also an in-depth approach to bioprocesses (influences on production, optimization of bioprocess, extraction, and identification), and limitations and perspectives for the use of fungal-based dyes.

Does Abiotic Host Stress Favour Dothideomycete-Induced Disease Development?

Dothideomycetes represent one of the largest and diverse class of fungi. This class exhibits a wide diversity of lifestyles, including endophytic, saprophytic, pathogenic and parasitic organisms. Plant pathogenic fungi are particularly common within the Dothideomycetes and are primarily found within the orders of Pleosporales, Botryosphaeriales and Capnodiales. As many Dothideomycetes can infect crops used as staple foods around the world, such as rice, wheat, maize or banana, this class of fungi is highly relevant to food security. In the context of climate change, food security faces unprecedented pressure. The benefits of a more plant-based diet to both health and climate have long been established, therefore the demand for crop production is expected to increase. Further adding pressure on food security, both the prevalence of diseases caused by fungi and the yield losses associated with abiotic stresses on crops are forecast to increase in all climate change scenarios. Furthermore, abiotic stresses can greatly influence the outcome of the host-pathogen interaction. This review focuses on the impact of abiotic stresses on the host in the development of diseases caused by Dothideomycete fungi.

Diaporthe citri: A Fungal Pathogen Causing Melanose Disease

Citrus melanose is a fungal disease caused by Diaporthe citri F.A. Wolf. It is found in various citrus-growing locations across the world. The host range of D. citri is limited to plants of the Citrus genus. The most economically important hosts are Citrus reticulata (mandarin), C. sinensis (sweet orange), C. grandis or C. maxima (pumelo), and C. paradisi (grapefruit). In the life cycle of D. citri throughout the citrus growing season, pycnidia can be seen in abundance on dead branches, especially after rain, with conidia appearing as slimy masses discharged from the dead twigs. Raindrops can transmit conidia to leaves, twigs, and fruits, resulting in disease dispersion throughout small distances. Persistent rains and warm climatic conditions generally favor disease onset and development. The melanose disease causes a decline in fruit quality, which lowers the value of fruits during marketing and exportation. High rainfall areas should avoid planting susceptible varieties. In this article, information about the disease symptoms, history, geographic distribution, epidemiology, impact, and integrated management practices, as well as the pathogen morphology and identification, was reviewed and discussed.

A Global Overview of Diversity and Phylogeny of the Rust Genus Uromyces

Uromyces is the second-largest plant pathogenic rust genus, is responsible for numerous diseases, and has major effects on both agricultural and non-agricultural plants. The genus is generally characterized by its unicellular teliospores that help to characterize it and distinguish it from another important rust genus, Puccinia. In this study, a global overview of the diversity and distribution of Uromyces is presented based on both online and offline resources. The information obtained was analyzed for numerical and graphical summaries to provide the diversity and distribution of the genus by country and continent. Besides this, broad taxonomical aspects, a brief life cycle, and other comparative aspects on diversity and distribution were also provided. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS and nLSU DNA sequence data available in GenBank and published literature was performed to examine the intergeneric relationships of Uromyces. The results obtained revealed that the rust genus is found distributed over 150 countries, territories, and occupancies of the world on around 647 plant genera belonging to 95 plant families. Phylogenetic studies based on LSU and ITS sequence data revealed that Uromyces species are polyphyletic and require more DNA-based analyses for a better understanding of their taxonomic placement.

Species of the common discomycete genus Bisporella reassigned to at least four genera

Bisporella as typically conceived is a genus of noticeable, bright yellow inoperculate discomycetes. This interpretation of the genus, however, is at odds with Bisporella pallescens, the current name of the type species of the genus; furthermore, the genus has been interpreted as including the unusual species Bisporella resinicola. By comparing morphological and molecular traits of species traditionally included in Bisporella, we show that the genus is polyphyletic, with many "typical" members of the genus belonging instead in Calycina in Pezizellaceae. Bisporella pallescens is conclusively linked with its asexual morph, Bispora antennata, and the genus Bisporella is abandoned as a later synonym of the monotypic genus Bispora (previously applied only to asexual fungi) and placed as sister to Hymenoscyphus in Helotiaceae. Bisporella resinicola is shown to represent an independent monotypic genus, Eustilbum, which so far is placed incertae sedis in Helotiales. Finally, "Bisporella" subpallida, like Bispora, belongs to Helotiaceae but is instead related to "Phaeohelotium" epiphyllum.

Phylogenetic and ecological reevaluation of the order Onygenales

The order Onygenales is classified in the class Eurotiomycetes of the subphylum Pezizomycotina. Families in this order have classically been isolated from soil and dung, and two lineages contain causative agents of superficial, cutaneous and systemic infections in mammals. The ecology and habitat choices of the species are driven mainly by the keratin and cellulose degradation abilities. The present study aimed to investigate whether the ecological trends of the members of Onygenales can be interpreted in an evolutionary sense, linking phylogenetic parameters with habitat preferences, to achieve polyphasic definitions of the main taxonomic groups. Evolutionary processes were estimated by multiple gene genealogies and divergence time analysis. Previously described families, namely, Arthrodermataceae, Ajellomycetaceae, Ascosphaeraceae, Eremascaceae, Gymnoascaceae, Onygenaceae and Spiromastigoidaceae, were accepted in Onygenales, and two new families, Malbrancheaceae and Neogymnomycetaceae, were introduced. A number of species could not be assigned to any of the defined families. Our study provides a revised overview of the main lines of taxonomy of Onygenales, supported by multilocus analyses of ITS, LSU, TUB, TEF1, TEF3, RPB1, RPB2, and ribosomal protein 60S L10 (L1) (RP60S) sequences, combined with available data on ecology, physiology, morphology, and genomics.

Molecular phylogenetic analyses and micromorphology reveal placement of the enigmatic tropical discomycete Polydiscidium in Sclerococcum (Sclerococcales, Eurotiomycetes)

Polydiscidium is an enigmatic, monotypic, and rarely reported genus of Ascomycota of uncertain placement. The morphologically unique Polydiscidium martynii grows on dead wood and forms compound ascomata composed of thick, black, gelatinous somatic tissue that branches out from a common base. Multiple apothecia are located on the branches, mostly toward the tips, and are composed of 8-spored asci and paraphyses embedded in a gelatinous matrix that turns blue in Melzer's reagent. The species was previously known from only three collections from Guyana (holotype), Trinidad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and no sequences exist. Due to its peculiar morphology, taxonomic affinities of Polydiscidium have been debated, with different authors having placed it in Helotiaceae, Leotiaceae, or Leotiomycetes incertae sedis. Recent collections of this species resulting from long-term field work in Guyana and Cameroon led us to revisit the morphology and phylogenetic position of this fungus. Newly generated sequences of P. martynii were added to an Ascomycota-wide six-locus data set. The resulting phylogeny showed Polydiscidium to be a member of order Sclerococcales (Eurotiomycetes). Next, a four-locus (18S, ITS, 28S, mtSSU) phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that Polydiscidium is congeneric with Sclerococcum. A new combination is proposed for this species, Sclerococcum martynii. Micromorphological features, including the gelatinous hymenium composed of asci with amyloid gel cap and septate brown ascospores, are in agreement with Sclerococcum. New combinations are proposed for two additional species: Sclerococcum chiangraiensis and S. fusiformis. Finally, Dactylosporales is considered a later synonym of Sclerococcales.

Estimated Divergence Times of Lecanicillium in the Family Cordycipitaceae Provide Insights Into the Attribution of Lecanicillium

Background

The genus Lecanicillium W.Gams & Zare is a recognized insect pathogen but members of the genus have been found parasitizing various hosts including arthropods, nematodes, plants, and fungi. The new classification system for fungi proposed to reject Lecanicillium and transfer some of the species to the genus Akanthomyces. However, the attribution problem of most species in the original genus Lecanicillium remains unsolved. The current study aimed to improve understanding of the pivotal internal phylogeny in Lecanicillium by estimating the divergence times of Lecanicillium to provide additional insights into the status of this genus within the family Cordycipitaceae.

Results

Dating analyses support the supposition that the ancestor of Lecanicillium was in the Cretaceous period (84.36 Mya, 95% HPD: 72.12–94.74 Mya). After originating from a common ancestor, eight clades of Lecanicillium were derived and evolved independently in parallel with other genera of Cordycipitaceae. Based on the clear divergence age estimates, Lecanicillium clade 8 originated earlier as an independent group in the Cretaceous period (75.61 Mya, 95% HPD: 63.31–87.54 Mya), while Lecanicillium clades 1–7 originated later as an independent group in the boundary of the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods (64.66 Mya, 95% HPD: 52.75–76.74 Mya). Lecanicillium huhutii formed an independent branch in a polytomy together with a clade containing Lecanicillium tenuipes (BI posterior probabilities 1, ML bootstrap 100%).

Conclusion

The pivotal internal phylogeny, origin, and evolutionary history of Lecanicillium in the family Cordycipitaceae were investigated. Phylogenetic and morphological analyses indicated that there are eight representative clades (four representative branches of evolutionary history), including clade 1 (members have a relatively uniform sporulation structure comprising globose heads with a higher number of conidia), clade 8 (including all members of Gamszarea), clades 2–5 (the differences of the divergence time estimations were smaller compared with other clades), and clade 6–7 (members are close to Gibellula, Hevansia, and Ascopolyporus). Based on the above findings, a novel spider-pathogenic fungus, Lecanicillium huhutii, is described. All other species in Lecanicillium clade 1 (Lecanicillium araneogemum, L. nodulosum, L. pissodis, and L. uredinophilum) should be transferred to the genus Akanthomyces. Furthermore, the monotypic genus Parengyodontium should be merged with the genus Gamszarea. More novel species need to be discovered to thoroughly resolve the attribution problem of Lecanicillium. Finally, no major lineages of Lecanicillium were correlated with the nearby Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event, indicating that the diversity of Lecanicillium is more likely to be caused by long-term environmental adaptation and coevolution with insects rather than by dramatic extinction events.

A chromosome-scale genome assembly of the tomato pathogen Cladosporium fulvum reveals a compartmentalized genome architecture and the presence of a dispensable chromosome

Cladosporium fulvum is a fungal pathogen that causes leaf mould of tomato. The reference genome of this pathogen was released in 2012 but its high repetitive DNA content prevented a contiguous assembly and further prohibited the analysis of its genome architecture. In this study, we combined third generation sequencing technology with the Hi-C chromatin conformation capture technique, to produce a high-quality and near complete genome assembly and gene annotation of a Race 5 isolate of C. fulvum. The resulting genome assembly contained 67.17 Mb organized into 14 chromosomes (Chr1-to-Chr14), all of which were assembled telomere-to-telomere. The smallest of the chromosomes, Chr14, is only 460 kb in size and contains 25 genes that all encode hypothetical proteins. Notably, PCR assays revealed that Chr14 was absent in 19 out of 24 isolates of a world-wide collection of C. fulvum, indicating that Chr14 is dispensable. Thus, C. fulvum is currently the second species of Capnodiales shown to harbour dispensable chromosomes. The genome of C. fulvum Race 5 is 49.7 % repetitive and contains 14 690 predicted genes with an estimated completeness of 98.9%, currently one of the highest among the Capnodiales. Genome structure analysis revealed a compartmentalized architecture composed of gene-dense and repeat-poor regions interspersed with gene-sparse and repeat-rich regions. Nearly 39.2 % of the C. fulvum Race 5 genome is affected by Repeat-Induced Point (RIP) mutations and evidence of RIP leakage toward non-repetitive regions was observed in all chromosomes, indicating the RIP plays an important role in the evolution of this pathogen. Finally, 345 genes encoding candidate effectors were identified in C. fulvum Race 5, with a significant enrichment of their location in gene-sparse regions, in accordance with the 'two-speed genome' model of evolution. Overall, the new reference genome of C. fulvum presents several notable features and is a valuable resource for studies in plant pathogens.

Comparative Genomics Reveals Evolutionary Traits, Mating Strategies, and Pathogenicity-Related Genes Variation of Botryosphaeriaceae

Botryosphaeriaceae, as a major family of the largest class of kingdom fungi Dothideomycetes, encompasses phytopathogens, saprobes, and endophytes. Many members of this family are opportunistic phytopathogens with a wide host range and worldwide geographical distribution, and can infect many economically important plants, including food crops and raw material plants for biofuel production. To date, however, little is known about the family evolutionary characterization, mating strategies, and pathogenicity-related genes variation from a comparative genome perspective. Here, we conducted a large-scale whole-genome comparison of 271 Dothideomycetes, including 19 species in Botryosphaeriaceae. The comparative genome analysis provided a clear classification of Botryosphaeriaceae in Dothideomycetes and indicated that the evolution of lifestyle within Dothideomycetes underwent four major transitions from non-phytopathogenic to phytopathogenic. Mating strategies analysis demonstrated that at least 3 transitions were found within Botryosphaeriaceae from heterothallism to homothallism. Additionally, pathogenicity-related genes contents in different genera varied greatly, indicative of genus-lineage expansion within Botryosphaeriaceae. These findings shed new light on evolutionary traits, mating strategies and pathogenicity-related genes variation of Botryosphaeriaceae.

Multigene Phylogeny Reveals Endophytic Xylariales Novelties from Dendrobium Species from Southwestern China and Northern Thailand

Xylariales are common endophytes of Dendrobium. However, xylarialean species resolution remains difficult without sequence data and poor sporulation on artificial media and asexual descriptions for only several species and old type material. The surface-sterilized and morph-molecular methods were used for fungal isolation and identification. A total of forty-seven strains were identified as twenty-three species belonging to Apiosporaceae, Hypoxylaceae, Induratiaceae, and Xylariaceae. Five new species—Annulohypoxylon moniliformis, Apiospora dendrobii, Hypoxylon endophyticum, H. officinalis and Nemania dendrobii were discovered. Three tentative new species were speculated in Xylaria. Thirteen known fungal species from Hypoxylon, Nemania, Nigrospora, and Xylaria were also identified. Another two strains were only identified at the genus and family level (Induratia sp., Hypoxylaceae sp.). This study recorded 12 new hosts for xylarialean endophytes. This is the first report of Xylariales species as endophytes from Dendrobium aurantiacum var. denneanum, D. cariniferum, D. harveyanum, D. hercoglossum, D. moniliforme, and D. moschatum. Dendrobium is associated with abundant xylarialean taxa, especially species of Hypoxylon and Xylaria. We recommend the use of oat agar with low concentrations to induce sporulation of Xylaria strains.

Current Insight into Traditional and Modern Methods in Fungal Diversity Estimates

Fungi are an important and diverse component in various ecosystems. The methods to identify different fungi are an important step in any mycological study. Classical methods of fungal identification, which rely mainly on morphological characteristics and modern use of DNA based molecular techniques, have proven to be very helpful to explore their taxonomic identity. In the present compilation, we provide detailed information on estimates of fungi provided by different mycologistsover time. Along with this, a comprehensive analysis of the importance of classical and molecular methods is also presented. In orderto understand the utility of genus and species specific markers in fungal identification, a polyphasic approach to investigate various fungi is also presented in this paper. An account of the study of various fungi based on culture-based and cultureindependent methods is also provided here to understand the development and significance of both approaches. The available information on classical and modern methods compiled in this study revealed that the DNA based molecular studies are still scant, and more studies are required to achieve the accurate estimation of fungi present on earth.

Predicting global numbers of teleomorphic ascomycetes

Sexual reproduction is the basic way to form high genetic diversity and it is beneficial in evolution and speciation of fungi. The global diversity of teleomorphic species in Ascomycota has not been estimated. This paper estimates the species number for sexual ascomycetes based on five different estimation approaches, viz. by numbers of described fungi, by fungus:substrate ratio, by ecological distribution, by meta-DNA barcoding or culture-independent studies and by previous estimates of species in Ascomycota. The assumptions were made with the currently most accepted, “2.2–3.8 million” species estimate and results of previous studies concluding that 90% of the described ascomycetes reproduce sexually. The Catalogue of Life, Species Fungorum and published research were used for data procurement. The average value of teleomorphic species in Ascomycota from all methods is 1.86 million, ranging from 1.37 to 2.56 million. However, only around 83,000 teleomorphic species have been described in Ascomycota and deposited in data repositories. The ratio between described teleomorphic ascomycetes to predicted teleomorphic ascomycetes is 1:22. Therefore, where are the undiscovered teleomorphic ascomycetes? The undescribed species are no doubt to be found in biodiversity hot spots, poorly-studied areas and species complexes. Other poorly studied niches include extremophiles, lichenicolous fungi, human pathogens, marine fungi, and fungicolous fungi. Undescribed species are present in unexamined collections in specimen repositories or incompletely described earlier species. Nomenclatural issues, such as the use of separate names for teleomorph and anamorphs, synonyms, conspecific names, illegitimate and invalid names also affect the number of described species. Interspecies introgression results in new species, while species numbers are reduced by extinctions.

Endophytic Colletotrichum Species from Aquatic Plants in Southwest China

Colletotrichum species are plant pathogens, saprobes, and endophytes in many economically important hosts. Many studies have investigated the diversity and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum species in common ornamentals, fruits, and vegetables. However, Colletotrichum species occurring in aquatic plants are not well known. During the investigation of the diversity of endophytic fungi in aquatic plants in southwest China, 66 Colletotrichum isolates were obtained from aquatic plants there, and 26 of them were selected for sequencing and analyses of actin (ACT), chitin synthase (CHS-1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and β-tubulin (TUB2) genomic regions. Based on morphological characterization and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses, 13 Colletotrichum species were recognized, namely, C. baiyuense sp. nov., C. casaense sp. nov., C. demersi sp. nov., C. dianense sp. nov., C. fructicola, C. garzense sp. nov., C. jiangxiense, C. karstii, C. philoxeroidis sp. nov., C. spicati sp. nov., C. tengchongense sp. nov., C. vulgaris sp. nov., C. wuxuhaiense sp. nov. Two species complexes, the C. boninense species complex and C. gloeosporioides species complex, were found to be associated with aquatic plants. Pathogenicity tests revealed a broad diversity in pathogenicity and aggressiveness among the eight new Colletotrichum species.

Reassessment of Dyfrolomyces and Four New Species of Melomastia from Olive (Olea europaea) in Sichuan Province, China

Pleurotremataceae species are saprobes on decaying wood in terrestrial, mangrove, and freshwater habitats. The generic boundary of the family has traditionally been based on morphology. All genera of Pleurotremataceae have a high degree of morphological overlap, of which the generic circumscription of Melomastia and Dyfrolomyces has not been well resolved. Thus, the delimitation of genera has always been challenging. Melomastia traditionally differs from Dyfrolomyces in having 2-septate, oblong, with obtuse-ends ascospores. These main characteristics have been used to distinguish Melomastia from Dyfrolomyces for a long time. However, the above characteristics sometimes overlap among Dyfrolomyces and Melomastia species. Based on the morphology and multigene phylogeny with newly obtained data, we synonymized Dyfrolomyces under Melomastia following up-to-date results. Four novel species (i.e., Melomastia fusispora, M. oleae, M. sichuanensis and M. winteri) collected from the dead branches of Olea europaea L. in Chengdu Olive Base, Sichuan Province in China are introduced based on detailed morphological characterization and phylogenetic analyses of sequences based on nuclear ribosomal (LSU and SSU) and protein-coding gene (tef1-α). The 11 new combinations proposed are Melomastia aquatica (=Dyfrolomyces aquaticus), M. chromolaenae (=D. chromolaenae), M. distoseptata (=D. distoseptatus), M. mangrovei (=D. mangrovei), M. marinospora (=D. marinosporus), M. neothailandica (=D. neothailandicus), M. phetchaburiensis (=D. phetchaburiensis), M. sinensis (=D. sinensis), M. thailandica (=D. thailandica), M. thamplaensis (=D. thamplaensis) and M. tiomanensis (=D. tiomanensis).

New species and records of Chapsa (Graphidaceae) in China

We studied the genus Chapsa in China based on morphological characteristics, chemical traits and molecular phylogenetic analysis. One species new to science (C.murioelongata M.Z. Dou & M. Li) and two records new to China were found (C.wolseleyana Weerakoon, Lumbsch & Lücking and C.niveocarpa Mangold). Chapsamurioelongatasp. nov. is characterised by its lobed thalline margin, orange discs with white pruina, clear hymenium, and submuriform and long ascospores. Chapsawolseleyana was recombined into Astrochapsa based on phenotypic traits. Sequences of this species are for the first time reported here and phylogenetic analyses of three loci (mtSSU, ITS and nuLSU) supported the position of this species within Chapsa. A key for the Chapsa species known in China is provided.

Ophiocordycepsaphrophoridarum sp. nov., a new entomopathogenic species from Guizhou, China

Background

Ophiocordyceps is the largest genus in the family Ophiocordicipitaceae, including many entomopathogenic species. In recent years, many species have been described in this genus, with a wide range of host insects. Entomopathogenic fungi include ecologically, economically and medicinally important species, but a large portion of their diversity remains to be discovered and described.

New information

In this study, a new species, Ophiocordycepsaphrophoridarum sp. nov, parasitising Aphrophoridae sp. (Hemiptera) is proposed from China, based on evidence from morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses. This species is characterised by fibrous, pigmented stromata, cylindrical asci and filiform ascospores. Compared to its closest relative, O.tricentri, the new species has wider perithecia and longer asci. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multilocus dataset (consisting of SSU, ITS, LSU, TEF1, RPB1 and RPB2) confirm its placement in Ophiocordyceps. Ophiocordycepsaphrophoridarum is morphologically described and illustrated with colour photographs. Morphological comparisons with closely-related species are also presented in tabulated format.

Fungal diversity notes 1512-1610: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungal taxa

This article is the 14th in the Fungal Diversity Notes series, wherein we report 98 taxa distributed in two phyla, seven classes, 26 orders and 50 families which are described and illustrated. Taxa in this study were collected from Australia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Cyprus, Egypt, France, French Guiana, India, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Mexico, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. There are 59 new taxa, 39 new hosts and new geographical distributions with one new combination. The 59 new species comprise Angustimassarina kunmingense, Asterina lopi, Asterina brigadeirensis, Bartalinia bidenticola, Bartalinia caryotae, Buellia pruinocalcarea, Coltricia insularis, Colletotrichum flexuosum, Colletotrichum thasutense, Coniochaeta caraganae, Coniothyrium yuccicola, Dematipyriforma aquatic, Dematipyriforma globispora, Dematipyriforma nilotica, Distoseptispora bambusicola, Fulvifomes jawadhuvensis, Fulvifomes malaiyanurensis, Fulvifomes thiruvannamalaiensis, Fusarium purpurea, Gerronema atrovirens, Gerronema flavum, Gerronema keralense, Gerronema kuruvense, Grammothele taiwanensis, Hongkongmyces changchunensis, Hypoxylon inaequale, Kirschsteiniothelia acutisporum, Kirschsteiniothelia crustaceum, Kirschsteiniothelia extensum, Kirschsteiniothelia septemseptatum, Kirschsteiniothelia spatiosum, Lecanora immersocalcarea, Lepiota subthailandica, Lindgomyces guizhouensis, Marthe asmius pallidoaurantiacus, Marasmius tangerinus, Neovaginatispora mangiferae, Pararamichloridium aquisubtropicum, Pestalotiopsis piraubensis, Phacidium chinaum, Phaeoisaria goiasensis, Phaeoseptum thailandicum, Pleurothecium aquisubtropicum, Pseudocercospora vernoniae, Pyrenophora verruculosa, Rhachomyces cruralis, Rhachomyces hyperommae, Rhachomyces magrinii, Rhachomyces platyprosophi, Rhizomarasmius cunninghamietorum, Skeletocutis cangshanensis, Skeletocutis subchrysella, Sporisorium anadelphiae-leptocomae, Tetraploa dashaoensis, Tomentella exiguelata, Tomentella fuscoaraneosa, Tricholomopsis lechatii, Vaginatispora flavispora and Wetmoreana blastidiocalcarea. The new combination is Torula sundara. The 39 new records on hosts and geographical distribution comprise Apiospora guiyangensis, Aplosporella artocarpi, Ascochyta medicaginicola, Astrocystis bambusicola, Athelia rolfsii, Bambusicola bambusae, Bipolaris luttrellii, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Chlorophyllum squamulosum, Colletotrichum aeschynomenes, Colletotrichum pandanicola, Coprinopsis cinerea, Corylicola italica, Curvularia alcornii, Curvularia senegalensis, Diaporthe foeniculina, Diaporthe longicolla, Diaporthe phaseolorum, Diatrypella quercina, Fusarium brachygibbosum, Helicoma aquaticum, Lepiota metulispora, Lepiota pongduadensis, Lepiota subvenenata, Melanconiella meridionalis, Monotosporella erecta, Nodulosphaeria digitalis, Palmiascoma gregariascomum, Periconia byssoides, Periconia cortaderiae, Pleopunctum ellipsoideum, Psilocybe keralensis, Scedosporium apiospermum, Scedosporium dehoogii, Scedosporium marina, Spegazzinia deightonii, Torula fici, Wiesneriomyces laurinus and Xylaria venosula. All these taxa are supported by morphological and multigene phylogenetic analyses. This article allows the researchers to publish fungal collections which are important for future studies. An updated, accurate and timely report of fungus-host and fungus-geography is important. We also provide an updated list of fungal taxa published in the previous fungal diversity notes. In this list, erroneous taxa and synonyms are marked and corrected accordingly.

Two new asexual genera and six new asexual species in the family Microthyriaceae (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) from China

The family Microthyriaceae is represented by relatively few mycelial cultures and DNA sequences; as a result, the taxonomy and classification of this group of organisms remain poorly understood. During the investigation of the diversity of aquatic hyphomycetes from southern China, several isolates were collected. These isolates were cultured and sequenced and a BLAST search of its LSU sequences against data in GenBank revealed that the closest related taxa are in the genus Microthyrium. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the combined sequence data from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU), revealed that these isolates represent eight new taxa in Microthyriaceae, including two new genera, Antidactylariagen. nov. and Isthmomycesgen. nov. and six new species, Antidactylariaminifimbriatasp. nov., Isthmomycesoxysporussp. nov., I.dissimilissp. nov., I.macrosporussp. nov., Triscelophorusanisopterioideussp. nov. and T.sinensissp. nov. These new taxa are described, illustrated for their morphologies and compared with similar taxa. In addition, two new combinations are proposed in this family.

Pezicula endophytica sp. nov., endophytic in Dendrobium in Thailand

A new species, Pezicula endophytica, was isolated from roots and stems of two Dendrobium species in northern Thailand. Evidence to support the new species is based on morphology and phylogenetic analysis of the combined ITS, LSU, and RPB2 DNA sequence dataset. Pezicula endophytica, which constituted a clade independent from other Pezicula species, has 4% distinct base pair differences in all genes. Pezicula endophytica has larger macroconidia and longer conidiophores compared with phylogenetically neighboring species. This is the first report of an endophytic Pezicula species from Dendrobium in Thailand.

Culturable Fungi from Urban Soils in China I: Description of 10 New Taxa

An investigation of members of the soil keratinophilic fungi community in China resulted in the identification of one new monotypic genus, Zongqia, and 10 new species, 2 of which are affiliated with Solomyces, 1 with the new genus Zongqia, 4 with Pseudogymnoascus, and 3 with Scedosporium. These novel taxa form an independent lineage distinct from other species, based on morphological and multilocus phylogenetic analyses. Descriptions, illustrations, and notes are provided for each taxon. These new taxa of the soil keratinophilic fungi add to the increasing number of fungi known from China, and it is now evident that numerous novel taxa are waiting to be described.

IMPORTANCE Keratinophilic fungi are a group that can degrade and utilize keratin-rich material. It is also because of this ability that many taxa can cause infections in animals or humans but remain poorly studied. In this study, we reported a novel genus and 10 novel species, 7 novel species belonging to the order Thelebolales and 3 to the genus Scedosporium, based on multilocus phylogenetic analyses combined with morphological characteristics. Our study significantly updates the taxonomy of Thelebolales and Scedosporium and enhances our understanding of this group of the keratin-degrading fungal community. The findings also encourage future studies on the artificially constructed keratin-degrading microbial consortia.

Comprehensive Review of Tolypocladium and Description of a Novel Lineage from Southwest China

Tolypocladium, a diverse genus of fungicolous fungi belonging to Ophiocordycipitaceae, includes saprotrophic soil inhabitants, plant endophytes and pathogens of insects, nematodes, rotifers, and parasites of truffle-like fungi. Here, we review the research progress achieved for Tolypocladium regarding its taxonomy, species diversity, geographic distribution, host affiliations and ecological diversity. Furthermore, an undescribed taxon from China was established using morphology and multi-gene phylogeny. Tolypocladium inusitaticapitatum is introduced as a new species parasitizing ectomycorrhizal Elaphomyces species. It is diagnosed by its irregularly enlarged fertile heads and lemon, yellow-to-dark-brown, smooth and nearly cylindrical stipe. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU, LSU, ITS, TEF1-α and RPB2 sequence data showed T. inusitaticapitatum to be an independent lineage separated from T. flavonigrum in the clade comprising T. capitatum, T. fractum and T. longisegmentatum. A key for identifying the sexual Tolypocladium species is also provided.

Fungi Detected in the Previous Year’s Leaf Petioles of Fraxinus excelsior and Their Antagonistic Potential against Hymenoscyphus fraxineus

Studies on fungal communities in the previous year’s leaf petioles of Fraxinus excelsior found in litter in five ash stands in southern Poland were made in 2017. Fungi were identified on the basis of isolation from 300 surface sterilized leaf petioles and by in situ inventory of fruit bodies (on 600 petioles, in spring and autumn). Identification was based on morphology of colonies and fruit bodies, and sequencing of ITS region of the rRNA gene cluster. In total, 2832 isolates from 117 taxa (Ascomycota—100; Basidiomycota—15; Mucoromycota—2 taxa) were obtained with the isolation method. The most frequent taxa (with frequency >10%) were: Nemania serpens, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, Alternaria sp. 1, Boeremia sp., Helotiales sp. 1, Epicoccum nigrum, Venturia fraxini, Fusarium sp., Fusarium lateritium, Nemania diffusa, Typhula sp. 2 (in descending order). In total, 45 taxa were detected with the in situ inventory method. Eleven taxa were classified as dominant: Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, Venturia fraxini, Leptosphaeria sp. 2, Cyathicula fraxinophila, Typhula sp. 2, Hypoderma rubi, Pyrenopeziza petiolaris, Cyathicula coronata, Hymenoscyphus scutula, Leptosphaeria sclerotioides and Hymenoscyphus caudatus. Among 202 leaf petioles colonized by H. fraxineus, 177 petioles also showed fructification of 26 other fungi. All the isolated saprotrophs were tested in dual-culture assay for antagonism to two strains of H. fraxineus. Three interaction types were observed: type A, mutual direct contact, when the two fungi meet along the contact line (occurred with 43.3% of test fungi); type B, with inhibition zone between colonies (with 46.9% of test fungi); type C, when the test fungus overgrows the colony of H. fraxineus (with 9.8% of test fungi). The possible contribution of the fungal saprotrophs in limiting of the expansion of H. fraxineus in ash leaf petioles, which may result in reduction in the inoculum of ash dieback causal agent, is discussed.

Mendogiadiffusa sp. nov. and an updated key to the species of Mendogia (Myriangiaceae, Dothideomycetes)

Background

Mendogia belongs to Dothideomycetes and its members are epiphytic on living bamboo culms or palms and distributed in tropical regions. Currently, the genus comprises seven species. Another collection resembling Mendogia was collected from the leaves of Fagales sp. in Thailand. Morphological characteristics and multilocus phylogenetic analyses, using ITS, LSU and SSU sequences, showed that the fungus is new to science, described herein as Mendogiadiffusa. Mendogiadiffusa is characterised by apothecial ascostromata, a carbonised epithecium, dark brown setae on the ascostromatal surface, hyaline paraphysoids, ovoid to clavate asci and oblong to elliptical, muriform ascospores. The fungus has a dark pigmented surface and is occasionally facultatively associated with patches of green algae, but not actually lichenised. Instead, the fungus penetrates the upper leaf surface, forming dark pigmented isodiametric cells below the epidermis.

New information

Re-examination of specimens of M.chiangraiensis, M.macrostroma and M.yunnanensis revealed the absence of algal associations. The status of Mendogiaphilippinensis (= M.calami) and M.bambusina (= Uleopeltisbambusina) was established, based on morphological comparisons and previous studies. Comprehensive morphological descriptions with phylogenetic analyses support M.diffusa as a novel species in Myriangiaceae. An updated key to the known species of the genus is also provided.

Biodiversity of Lignicolous Freshwater Hyphomycetes from China and Thailand and Description of Sixteen Species

Freshwater hyphomycetes are a highly diverse group of fungi with a worldwide distribution and have been mostly reported from tropical and subtropical regions. During investigations of freshwater fungi from the Greater Mekong subregion in China and Thailand, sixteen freshwater hyphomycetes (three of them belong to the class Dothideomycetes while thirteen belong to the class Sordariomycetes) were collected. Based on morphology and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses, Neospadicoides thailandica, Pseudodactylaria aquatica, Sporidesmium nujiangense, Tetraploa thailandica, Vamsapriyaaquatica and Wongia fusiformis are described as new species; Aquapteridospora bambusinum is proposed as a new combination; Acrodictys liputii, Chloridium gonytrichii, Pseudoberkleasmium chiangmaiense, Pleomonodictys capensis, Sporidesmium aturbinatum and Vamsapriya indica are reported as new country records; and Sporidesmium tropicale, Sporoschisma chiangraiense and Sporoschisma longicatenatum are introduced as three new collections. In addition, a checklist of freshwater fungi from China over the last five years is also provided.

Inopinatum lactosum gen. & comb. nov., the first yeast-like fungus in Leotiomycetes

Sporobolomyces lactosus is a pink yeast-like fungus that is not congeneric with other members of Sporobolomyces (Basidiomycota, Microbotryomycetes, Sporidiobolales). During our ongoing studies of pink yeasts we determined that S. lactosus was most closely related to Pseudeurotium zonatum (Ascomycota, Leotiomycetes, Thelebolales). A molecular phylogenetic analysis using sequences of the ITS region and the small and large subunit (SSU, LSU) rRNA genes, indicated that four isolates of S. lactosus, including three ex-type isolates, were placed in Thelebolales with maximum support. A new genus is proposed to accommodate S. lactosus, Inopinatum. This is the first pink yeast reported in Leotiomycetes.