Global Diversity and Updated Phylogeny of Auricularia (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota)

Metabolic profiles and biomarkers of Auricularia cornea based on de-oiled camphor leaf substrate

This study investigates the metabolic responses of Auricularia cornea when cultured on de-oiled leaves of Cinnamomum longepaniculatum (DeCL), an underutilized waste product. The metabolic profiles of A. cornea cultured with four different quality ratios of DeCL substrate (0 %, 14 %, 28 % and 42 %) were analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics. A total of 516 metabolites were identified and classified into 78 categories, with phenols, alkaloids and flavonoids accounting for 26.7 % of the total. In addition, 32 metabolite biomarkers associated with eight major metabolic pathways were identified. This pioneering research provides valuable insights into the utilization of DeCL, and expands our knowledge of the metabolic dynamics underlying the growth of A. cornea on alternative substrates.

What are the 100 most cited fungal genera?

The global diversity of fungi has been estimated between 2 to 11 million species, of which only about 155 000 have been named. Most fungi are invisible to the unaided eye, but they represent a major component of biodiversity on our planet, and play essential ecological roles, supporting life as we know it. Although approximately 20 000 fungal genera are presently recognised, the ecology of most remains undetermined. Despite all this diversity, the mycological community actively researches some fungal genera more commonly than others. This poses an interesting question: why have some fungal genera impacted mycology and related fields more than others? To address this issue, we conducted a bibliometric analysis to identify the top 100 most cited fungal genera. A thorough database search of the Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed was performed to establish which genera are most cited. The most cited 10 genera are Saccharomyces, Candida, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Botrytis, Pichia, Cryptococcus and Alternaria. Case studies are presented for the 100 most cited genera with general background, notes on their ecology and economic significance and important research advances. This paper provides a historic overview of scientific research of these genera and the prospect for further research. Citation: Bhunjun CS, Chen YJ, Phukhamsakda C, Boekhout T, Groenewald JZ, McKenzie EHC, Francisco EC, Frisvad JC, Groenewald M, Hurdeal VG, Luangsa-ard J, Perrone G, Visagie CM, Bai FY, Błaszkowski J, Braun U, de Souza FA, de Queiroz MB, Dutta AK, Gonkhom D, Goto BT, Guarnaccia V, Hagen F, Houbraken J, Lachance MA, Li JJ, Luo KY, Magurno F, Mongkolsamrit S, Robert V, Roy N, Tibpromma S, Wanasinghe DN, Wang DQ, Wei DP, Zhao CL, Aiphuk W, Ajayi-Oyetunde O, Arantes TD, Araujo JC, Begerow D, Bakhshi M, Barbosa RN, Behrens FH, Bensch K, Bezerra JDP, Bilański P, Bradley CA, Bubner B, Burgess TI, Buyck B, Čadež N, Cai L, Calaça FJS, Campbell LJ, Chaverri P, Chen YY, Chethana KWT, Coetzee B, Costa MM, Chen Q, Custódio FA, Dai YC, Damm U, de Azevedo Santiago ALCM, De Miccolis Angelini RM, Dijksterhuis J, Dissanayake AJ, Doilom M, Dong W, Alvarez-Duarte E, Fischer M, Gajanayake AJ, Gené J, Gomdola D, Gomes AAM, Hausner G, He MQ, Hou L, Iturrieta-González I, Jami F, Jankowiak R, Jayawardena RS, Kandemir H, Kiss L, Kobmoo N, Kowalski T, Landi L, Lin CG, Liu JK, Liu XB, Loizides M, Luangharn T, Maharachchikumbura SSN, Makhathini Mkhwanazi GJ, Manawasinghe IS, Marin-Felix Y, McTaggart AR, Moreau PA, Morozova OV, Mostert L, Osiewacz HD, Pem D, Phookamsak R, Pollastro S, Pordel A, Poyntner C, Phillips AJL, Phonemany M, Promputtha I, Rathnayaka AR, Rodrigues AM, Romanazzi G, Rothmann L, Salgado-Salazar C, Sandoval-Denis M, Saupe SJ, Scholler M, Scott P, Shivas RG, Silar P, Souza-Motta CM, Silva-Filho AGS, Spies CFJ, Stchigel AM, Sterflinger K, Summerbell RC, Svetasheva TY, Takamatsu S, Theelen B, Theodoro RC, Thines M, Thongklang N, Torres R, Turchetti B, van den Brule T, Wang XW, Wartchow F, Welti S, Wijesinghe SN, Wu F, Xu R, Yang ZL, Yilmaz N, Yurkov A, Zhao L, Zhao RL, Zhou N, Hyde KD, Crous PW (2024). What are the 100 most cited fungal genera? Studies in Mycology 108: 1-411. doi: 10.3114/sim.2024.108.01.

Morphological and molecular identification for four new wood-inhabiting species of Trechispora (Basidiomycota) from China

Four new wood-inhabiting fungi, Trechisporaalbofarinosa, T.bisterigmata, T.pileata and T.wenshanensisspp. nov., are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Trechisporaalbofarinosa is characterized by the farinose basidiomata with flocculence hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and ellipsoid, warted basidiospores. Trechisporabisterigmata is characterized by the membranous basidiomata with odontioid hymenial surface, rhizomorphic sterile margin, barrelled basidia and subglobose to broad ellipsoid, smooth basidiospores. Trechisporapileata is characterized by the laterally contracted base, solitary or imbricate basidiomata, fan shaped pileus, radially striate-covered surface with appressed scales, odontioid hymenophore surface, and subglobose to broad ellipsoid, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores. Trechisporawenshanensis is characterized by a cottony basidiomata with a smooth hymenial surface, and ellipsoid, thin-walled, warted basidiospores. Sequences of ITS and LSU marker of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with the maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the ITS+nLSU sequences highlighted that four new species were grouped into the genus Trechispora.

Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Analyses Reveal Three New Wood-Inhabiting Fungi (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in China

Three new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Cerioporus yunnanensis, Perenniporiopsis sinensis, and Sarcoporia yunnanensis, are proposed based on a combination of the morphological features and molecular evidence. Cerioporus yunnanensis is characterized by the pileate basidiomata having a fawn brown to black pileal surface, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the fusoid cystidioles and cylindrical basidiospores (9-12.5 × 3.5-5 µm). Perenniporiopsis sinensis is distinct from the osseous pileus with verrucose, an orange-yellow to dark reddish-brown pileal surface with a cream margin, a trimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the fusiform cystidioles and ellipsoid basidiospores (9-11 × 5.5-6.5 µm). Sarcoporia yunnanensis is typical of the pileate basidiomata with a salmon to reddish-brown pileal surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the ellipsoid basidiospores (4-5.5 × 2.5-4 µm). Sequences of ITS + nLSU + mt-SSU + TEF1 + RPB1 + RPB2 genes were used for the phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The multiple genes with six loci analysis showed that the three new species nested within the order Polyporales, in which C. yunnanensis and P. sinensis nested into the family Polyporaceae, and S. yunnanensis grouped into the family Sarcoporiaceae.

Medicinal Value, Genetic Diversity, and Genetic Relationship Analysis of Auricularia cornea (Agaricomycetes) Based on ITS, ISSR, and SRAP Markers

Wild resources of Auricularia cornea (A. polytricha) are abundant in China, and genetic diversity and genetic relationships analysis of A. cornea can provide basis for germplasm resource utilization and innovation and molecular marker-assisted breeding. In this study, 22 Auricularia strains collected were identified as A. cornea based on ITS sequence analysis, and its genetic diversity was examined by ISSR and SRAP markers. The results showed that a total of 415 bands were amplified by 11 selected ISSR primers, with an average amplification of 37.73 bands per primer, and the mean values of Ne, I, and H were 1.302, 0.368, and 0.219, respectively. A total of 450 bands were amplified by 10 SRAP primers, with an average of 45 bands per primer, and the average of Ne, I, and H were 1.263, 0.302, and 0.183, respectively. The unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means analysis based on ISSR-SRAP marker data revealed that the genetic similarity coefficient between the tested strains was 0.73-0.97, and the strains could be divided into five groups at 0.742, which had a certain correlation with regional distribution. The results of PCOA and population structure analysis based on ISSR-SRAP data also produced similar results. These results demonstrate the genetic diversity and distinctness among wild A. cornea and provide a theoretical reference for the classification, breeding, germplasm innovation, utilization, and variety protection of A. cornea resources.

Molecular Systematics and Taxonomic Analyses of Three New Wood-Inhabiting Fungi of Hyphoderma (Hyphodermataceae, Basidiomycota)

In this present study, three new wood-inhabiting fungal taxa, Hyphoderma niveomarginatum, H. sordidum and H. weishanense, are proposed. Hyphoderma niveomarginatum is characterized by the ceraceous basidiomata having a smooth, cracking hymenial surface and the presence of the moniliform cystidia and ellipsoid basidiospores (7-9 × 3.5-5 µm). Hyphoderma sordidum is characterized by its resupinate basidiomata with a smooth hymenial surface with the fimbriate margin, the presence of the tubular cystidia and ellipsoid basidiospores (3-4.5 × 2-3 µm). Hyphoderma weishanense differs in its membranous basidiomata with a slightly buff to buff hymenial surface and the presence of broadly ellipsoid basidiospores (4.5-8.5 × 4-7 µm). Sequences of ITS+nLSU+mt-SSU+RPB1+RPB2 genes were used for the phylogenetic analyses using three methods. The ITS+nLSU+mt-SSU+RPB1+RPB2 analysis of the genus Hyphoderma indicated that the 3 new species of Hyphoderma were nested into genus Hyphoderma, in which H. niveomarginatum formed a single group and then grouped with H. membranaceum and H. sinense; H. sordidum was a sister to H. nudicephalum; and H. weishanense closely grouped with H. crystallinum.

Diversity and distribution of macrofungi (Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) in Tolima, a Department of the Colombian Andes: an annotated checklist

Background

Macrofungi are classified in the phylum Ascomycota and Basidiomycota and they are very important from an ecological and economic point of view. Most studies of fungi in Colombia have been carried out mainly in the Andean Region, especially in the Departments of Antioquia, Valle del Cauca and Cundinamarca. However, other Departments in the Andean Region, like Tolima, located in the Cordillera Central, are well documented for plants (4,797 species) and animals (2,983 species), but very poorly documented in terms of knowledge of fungal diversity.

New information

This study provides a compiled and annotated checklist of all known macrofungi in the Department of Tolima, based on published literature and on the identification of new specimens collected from five localities of the Department. All records were updated taxonomically and we include detailed information on the localities in which they are distributed in the Department. The list includes 164 taxa distributed in 15 orders (Agaricales, Polyporales, Russulales, Boletales, Hymenochaetales, Xylariales, Auriculariales, Thelephorales, Cantharellales, Hypocreales, Pezizales, Gloeophyllales, Phallales, Tremellales, Dacrymycetales) and eighteen records in a doubtful taxa section. We present 26 new reports, 19 for Tolima and nine for Colombia. We also provide genetic and phylogenetic evidence of the occurrence of Gloeoporustelephoroides and Podoscyphavenustula in Colombia. This checklist provides the basis for future studies on species diversity and taxonomy in Tolima, by identifying the least studied taxa and ecosystems and conservation priorities.

Macrofungi as Medicinal Resources in Uzbekistan: Biodiversity, Ethnomycology, and Ethnomedicinal Practices

Interest in edible and medicinal macrofungi is millennial in terms of their uses in health and food products in Central Asia, while interest in inedible and medicinal macrofungi has grown in popularity in recent years. Edible and inedible medicinal basidiomycetes were collected during field surveys from different regions of Uzbekistan. The morphological characters and similarity assessment of rDNA-Internal Transcribed Spacer sequence data were used to measure diversity and habitat associations. A number of 17 species of medicinal macrofungi of ethnomycological and medicinal interest was found associated with 23 species of trees and shrubs belonging to 11 families and 14 genera. Polyporaceae and Hymenochaetaceae were represented by the highest number of species followed by Ganodermataceae, Fomitopsidaceae, Auriculariaceae, Cerrenaceae, Grifolaceae, Phanerochaetaceae, Laetiporaceae, Schizophyllaceae, and Stereaceae. The highest number of medicinal basidiomycete species was reported in the following host genera: Acer, Betula, Celtis, Crataegus, Juglans, Juniperus, Lonicera, Malus, Morus, Platanus, Populus, Prunus, Quercus, and Salix. An updated list of edible and inedible medicinal mushrooms identified in Uzbekistan, their morphological characteristics, and phylogenetic placement are given for the first time. Information is provided on their uses in traditional and modern medicine. Their bioactive compounds and extracts can be applied as medicines, as well as food and cosmetic ingredients.

Whose Ear?: Proposal to conserve the name Auricularia auricula (L.) Underw. for Auricularia auricula-judae (Bull.) Quél

Auricularia auricula-judae is a saprobic European jelly fungus with traditional culinary and medicinal significance, often said to resemble a human ear. It was originally named Tremella auricula by Linnaeus and has been moved to different genera since, but its specific epithet was also changed from auricula to auricula-judae by Bulliard in 1789, which is not normally a valid nomenclatural alteration. However, due to the practice of "name sanctioning" in the mycological nomenclatural code, this change has been accepted. This article outlines the nomenclatural and cultural history of the controversial name Auricularia auricula-judae and suggests its return to the original specific epithet auricula, as well as the designation of an epitype specimen.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of Sidera (Hymenochaetales, Rickenella clade) from China and North America revealing two new species

Sidera, belonging to the Rickenella clade of Hymenochaetales, is a worldwide genus with mostly poroid hymenophore of wood-inhabiting fungi. Two new species in the genus, Sideraamericana and S.borealis, are described and illustrated from China and North America based on morphological and molecular evidence. They were mainly found growing on rotten wood of Abies, Picea and Pinus. S.americana is characterized by annual, resupinate basidiomata with silk sheen when dry, round pores (9-11 per mm), a dimitic hyphal system, and allantoid basidiospores measuring 3.5-4.2 × 1 μm. S.borealis is characterized by annual, resupinate basidiomata with cream to pinkish buff dry pore surface, angular pores (6-7 per mm), a dimitic hyphal system, and allantoid basidiospores measuring 3.9-4.1 × 1-1.1 μm. Phylogenetic analysis based on a combined 2-locus dataset [ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) + nuclear large subunit RNA (nLSU)] shows that the two species are members of Sidera, and they are compared with morphologically similar and phylogenetically related species, respectively. An identification key to 18 accepted species of Sidera in worldwide is provided.

Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Corticioid Fungi in Auriculariaceae (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota): A New Genus, Five New Species and Four New Combinations

The Auriculariaceae accounts for most of the species in the Auriculariales, and all species in the family are wood-decaying fungi with gelatinous, crustaceous, or woody basidiomes. Many new taxa were published recently, but the taxonomy and phylogeny of the corticioid species in the Auriculariaceae are far from resolved. We undertook a comprehensive taxonomic and phylogenetic study of the family with emphasis on corticioid specimens collected from East and Southeast Asia. Phylogenetic analyses on concatenated ITS and 28S rDNA sequences of representative taxa of the Auriculariaceae and the genera Eichleriella and Heteroradulum were carried out that resolved five new lineages. Heterocorticium gen. nov. is established for two species with resupinate coriaceous basidiomes with smooth, pigmented hymenophores. Five new species, H. bambusicola (generic type), H. latisporum, Eichleriella alpina, E. bambusicola, and Heteroradulum maolanense, are described and illustrated. In addition, Heterochaete delicata, H. discolor, and H. sinensis are transferred to Eichleriella, whereas H. roseola is regarded as a synonym of Kneiffia discolor (= H. discolor). Eichleriella aculeobasidiata is treated as a synonym of Heterochaete sinensis (= E. sinensis). Heterochaete mussooriensis is transferred to Heteroradulum with Heteroradulum semis as a heterotypic synonym. The present study contributes to the understanding of species diversity, taxonomy, and phylogeny of corticioid fungi in Asia.

Two new species of Exidia sensu lato (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota) based on morphology and DNA sequences

In the present study, fourteen Exidia-like specimens were collected from China, France, and Australia. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses using the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) and the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), four species in Exidia sensu lato, including Exidia saccharina and Tremellochaete atlantica, and two new species, Exidia subsaccharina and Tremellochaete australiensis, were identified. The four species are described and illustrated in detail. E. saccharina and T. atlantica, two known species from China are reported for the first time. E. subsaccharina and T. australiensis, two new species from France and Australia, respectively are also described. E. subsaccharina is characterized by its reddish brown to vinaceous brown basidiomata, slightly papillate hymenial surface, and narrowly allantoid basidiospores without oil drop measuring 12.5-17.5 × 4.2-5.5 μm. It differs from the similar species, E. saccharina, by distinctly larger basidiospores (12.5-17.5 × 4.2-5.5 vs. 10-14.2 × 3.2-4.5 μm). Tremellochaete australiensis is characterized by its white to grayish blue basidiomata, obviously and densely papillate hymenial surface, and allantoid basidiospores with oil drop measuring 13.8-16.2 × 4.8-6.5 μm. It also can be distinguished from the similar species, T. atlantica and T. japonica, by its distinctly larger basidiospores (13.5-17.8 × 4-5.2 vs. 10-11.8 × 4-4.8 μm in T. atlantica; 9.4-11.8 × 3.5-4.2 μm in T. japonica).

Two new corticioid species of Phanerochaetaceae (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from Southwest China

Two new corticioid fungi in the family Phanerochaetaceae, Phanerochaete shenghuaii and Rhizochaete variegata, are described and illustrated from Southwest China based on morphological characteristics and molecular data. Phanerochaete shenghuaii is characterized by annual, effused, inseparable basidiocarps from substrate, ivory white to cream hymenial surface when juvenile, buff to yellowish brown with age, buff in KOH, a monomitic hyphal system, smooth cystidia, and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 4.8-6 × 2.5-3.8 µm. Rhizochaete variegata is characterized by annual, effused, easily separable basidiocarps from substrate, buff-yellow to clay-pink fresh hymenial surface becoming cream to buff upon drying, violet in KOH, a monomitic hyphal system, encrusted cystidia, and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 3-4 × 2.2-3 µm. The phylogenetic analyses based on ITS + nLSU rDNA sequences confirm the placement of the two new species, respectively, in the Phanerochaete clade and the Rhizochaete clade of Phanerochaetaceae. Phylogenetically related and morphologically similar species to these two new species are discussed.

Two new species of Haploporus (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from China and Ecuador based on morphology and phylogeny

At present, 25 species are accepted in Haploporus and are distributed in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and Africa. In this study, two new species, Haploporus ecuadorensis from Ecuador and H. monomitica from China, are described and illustrated based on morphological examination and phylogenetic analyses. H. ecuadorensis is characterized by annual, resupinate basidiomata with pinkish buff to honey yellow hymenophore when dry, round to angular pores of 2-4 per mm, a dimitic hyphal structure with generative hyphae bearing clamp connections, hyphae at dissepiment edge usually with one or two simple septa, the presence of dendrohyphidia and cystidioles, and oblong to ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 14.9-17.9 × 6.9-8.8 µm. Haploporus monomitica differs from other Haploporus species in that it has a monomitic hyphal system and strongly dextrinoid basidiospores. The differences between the new species and morphologically similar and phylogenetically related species are discussed. In addition, an updated key to 27 species of Haploporus is provided.

Morphological and phylogenetic evidence reveal three new Pseudohydnum (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota) species from North China

Pseudohydnum is characterized by gelatinous basidiomata with hydnoid hymenophores and longitudinally septate basidia. In this study, samples of the genus from North China were examined morphologically and phylogenetically using a dataset of the internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal RNA gene and the nuclear large subunit rDNA. This study describes three new species, namely Pseudohydnum abietinum, Pseudohydnum candidissimum, and Pseudohydnum sinobisporum. Pseudohydnum abietinum is characterized by pileate and pale clay pink basidiomata when fresh, with a rudimentary stipe base, four-celled basidia, and broadly ellipsoid to ovoid or subglobose basidiospores (6-7.5 × 5-6.3 μm). P. candidissimum is characterized by very white basidiomata when fresh, frequently four-celled basidia, and broadly ellipsoid to subglobose basidiospores (7.2-8.5 × 6-7 μm). P. sinobisporum is characterized by ivory basidiomata when fresh, two-celled basidia, ovoid to broadly ellipsoid, or subglobose basidiospores (7.5-9.5 × 5.8-7.2 μm). The main characteristics, type localities, and hosts of Pseudohydnum species are listed.

Genetic Clarification of Auricularia heimuer Strains Bred and Cultivated in Korea Using the ITS and IGS1 rDNA Region Sequences

Auricularia is one of the broadly cultivated edible mushrooms in Korea. Most of the Korean Auricularia strains used for cultivation and breeding are known as A. auricula-judae. Recently, this species has been reported to belong to a species complex. Therefore, this study was carried out to genetically clarify the bred and cultivated Korean A. auricula-judae strains. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and IGS1 rDNA region sequences were determined from 10 A. auricula-judae strains by PCR and sequencing. Variation in the nucleotide sequence and sequence length of the two rDNA regions were found among the seven A. auricula-judae strains. A maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree based on the ITS sequences clearly placed all the 10 Korean A. auricula-judae strains in the A. heimuer clade of the A. auricula-judae complex. A. heimuer is diverged from A. auricula-judae. An ML phylogenetic tree based on the IGS1 sequences revealed the close relationship between Korean A. heimuer strains to Chinese A. heimuer strains. But each strain could be distinguishable by the IGS1 sequence. Furthermore, progeny strains in the seven Korean strains could be differentiated from their parental strains by the IGS1 sequence based phylogenetic tree. Our results are expected to be used to complement the distinction of domestic Auricularia cultivars.

Research progress of Auricularia heimuer on cultivation physiology and molecular biology

Auricularia heimuer (A. heimuer F. Wu, B. K. Cui, Y. C. Dai), a well-known gelatinous fungus used for both food and medicine, is a major edible fungus with a more than 1000-year history of cultivation in China. The nutrients of A. heimuer are abundant, including polysaccharides, melanin, mineral elements, etc. The A. heimuer polysaccharides exhibit antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anticancer properties. A. heimuer is a completely different species grown in China, unlike Auricularia auricula-judae (Bull.) Quel, which was used to characterize it. The cultivated strain varies based on the local climatic factors and cultivation practices. Hardwood chips are the primary material utilized in the cultivation of substitute materials, which is the principal cultivation technique. However, in actual production, straw is frequently replaced for some wood chips to address the issue of a lack of wood. There are three different types of growing techniques: open-air ground cultivation, arch cultivation, and shed-type hanging substitute cultivation of these three, the quality of A. heimuer grown in a shed is superior to that grown in an open-air environment. The A. heimuer genome sequencing project started later than expected, and the entire genome sequencing was not finished until 2019. A. heimuer’s molecular biology studies have mostly concentrated on analyzing genetic diversity and identifying cultivars using molecular markers including RAPD, ISSR, and ITS. There have only been a small number of studies on the function of A. heimuer genes, which have only focused on the preliminary cloning and expression study of a few genes, including the laccase gene and the triterpene compound production gene, among others. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive information concerning A. heimuer, necessitating a synopsis. To our knowledge, this is the first published review of A. heimuer, and it summarizes the most recent studies on its molecular biology and cultivation. This review can serve as a guide for future research on the fungus.

A Molecular Systematics and Taxonomy Research on Trechispora (Hydnodontaceae, Trechisporales): Concentrating on Three New Trechispora Species from East Asia

Trechispora are an important genus of wood-inhabiting fungi that have the ability to decompose rotten wood in the forest ecosystem. In this study, we reported three new species of Trechispora: T. murina, T. odontioidea, T. olivacea from a subtropical region of Yunnan Province, China. Species descriptions were based on a combination of morphological features and phylogenetic analyses of the ITS and LSU region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Trechispora murina is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata, grandinioid hymenial surface with a greyish tint, monomitic hyphal system and ellipsoid, thick-walled, ornamented basidiospores; T. odontioidea has an odontioid hymenial surface with cylindrical to conical, blunt aculei and subglobose to globose, colorless, slightly thick-walled, ornamented basidiospores; T. olivacea has a farinaceous hymenial surface with olivaceous tint, basidia clavate and thick-walled, ornamented, broadly ellipsoid to globose basidiospores. Sequences of the ITS and nLSU rDNA markers of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. After a series of phylogenetic analyses, the 5.8S+nLSU dataset was constructed to test the phylogenetic relationship of Trechispora with other genera of Hydnodontaceae. The ITS dataset was used to evaluate the phylogenetic relationship of the three new species with other species of Trechispora. Using ITS phylogeny, the new species T. murina was retrieved as a sister to T. bambusicola with moderate supports; T. odontioidea formed a single lineage and then grouped with T. fimbriata and T. nivea; while T. olivacea formed a monophyletic lineage with T. farinacea, T. hondurensis, and T. mollis.

Alloexidiopsis gen. nov., A Revision of Generic Delimitation in Auriculariales (Basidiomycota)

Auriculariales is a fungal order with highly diverse morphological traits of basidiomes, which partially leads to a poor understanding of its taxonomic system at the generic level. To identify our recently collected specimens of Auriculariales to a species level, we perform a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the generic relationships in Auriculariales. In association with morphological characteristics, a new genus Alloexidiopsis belonging to Auriculariaceae is erected with two new species, namely, A. australiensis and A. schistacea. Moreover, Exidiopsis calcea separated from the generic type E. effusa and Heteroradulum niveum and H. yunnanense recently inaccurately described as members of Heteroradulum are recovered in the clade of Alloexidiopsis. These three species are thus transferred to this new genus. One collection of Exidiopsis grisea also falls in the clade of Alloexidiopsis, whereas another collection of this species is separated far from Alloexidiopsis and E. effusa. Since we have no collection to confirm the species identity of E. grisea, its generic position is uncertain. The main taxonomic morphological differences among Alloexidiopsis and related corticioid genera in Auriculariales are summarized. A key to all the five accepted species of Alloexidiopsis is provided. As two unnamed lineages exist in Alloexidiopsis besides the abovementioned five species, it is assumed that more new species will be revealed from this genus under its current circumscription.

What is the correct scientific name for “Fuling” medicinal mushroom?

In recent years, the scientific names of many cultivated and well-known medicinal fungal species have been changed. However, the results of taxonomic and nomenclature works on these economically important fungi are often overlooked or ignored in applied researches. The incorrect use of scientific names may cause uncertainty in research and in the global medicinal mushroom market. In this paper, we briefly review the current taxonomy and nomenclature of “Fuling” medicinal mushroom and make a proposal for biochemists, pharmacists and businessmen on the correct use of scientific names related to this species. Based on the recent taxonomic results and nomenclatural proposals, the use of the names Wolfiporia extensa, W. cocos and especially Poria cocos for the “Fuling” mushroom are incorrect and misleading; therefore, the acceptance of the names Pachyma hoelen or Wolfiporia hoelen is recommended.

Evidence for further non-coding RNA genes in the fungal rDNA region

Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) genes play important, but incompletely understood, roles in various cellular processes, notably translation and gene regulation. A recent report on the detection of the ncRNA Signal Recognition Particle gene in the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region of several species of three genera of ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetes prompted a more thorough bioinformatics search for additional ncRNA genes in the full fungal ribosomal operon. This study reports on the detection of three ncRNA genes hitherto not known from the fungal ribosomal region: nuclear RNase P RNA, RNase MRP RNA, and a possible snoRNA U14 in a total of five species of Auricularia and Inocybe. We verified their presence through resequencing of independent specimens. Two completed Auricularia genomes were found to lack these ncRNAs elsewhere than in the ribosomal operon, suggesting that these are functional genes. It seems clear that ncRNA genes play a larger role in fungal ribosomal genetics than hitherto thought.

Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Analyses of Three New Wood-Inhabiting Fungi of Xylodon (Basidiomycota) in a Forest Ecological System

Wood-inhabiting fungi are a cosmopolitan group and show a rich diversity, growing in the vegetation of boreal, temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions. Xylodon grandineus, X. punctus, and X. wenshanensis spp. nov. were found in the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, China, suggested here to be new fungal species in light of their morphology and phylogeny. Xylodon grandineus is characterized by a grandinioid hymenophore and ellipsoid basidiospores; X. punctus has a membranous hymenophore, a smooth hymenial surface with a speckled distribution, and absent cystidia; X. wenshanensis has a grandinioid hymenophore with a cream to slightly buff hymenial surface and cystidia of two types. Sequences of the ITS and nLSU rRNA markers of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed using the maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. After a series of phylogenetic studies, the ITS+nLSU analysis of the order Hymenochaetales indicated that, at the generic level, six genera (i.e., Fasciodontia, Hastodontia, Hyphodontia, Lyomyces, Kneiffiella, and Xylodon) should be accepted to accommodate the members of Hyphodontia sensu lato. According to a further analysis of the ITS dataset, X. grandineus was retrieved as a sister to X. nesporii; X. punctus formed a monophyletic lineage and then grouped with X. filicinus, X. hastifer, X. hyphodontinus, and X. tropicus; and X. wenshanensis was a sister to X. xinpingensis.

Revealing the Cryptic Diversity of Wood-Inhabiting Auricularia (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota) in Europe

Some unusual specimens of the wood-inhabiting fungus Auricularia auricula-judae have been studied using morphological and molecular methods. As expected from external features, we describe a new species Auricularia cerrina sp. nov. Sequencing of the ITS region confirms differences from other species of Auricularia, and preliminary phylogenetic analysis is presented. Auricularia cerrina is characterized by blackish fruitbodies in fresh conditions with the combined presence of the medulla layer and small spores compared with Auricularia auricula-judae. The new species is based on specimens from the Czech Republic (central Europe) of Quercus cerris. Colour photographs in situ of fruitbodies and some microscopic photos are provided.