Fungal Communities Associated with Siricid Wood Wasps: Focus on Sirex juvencus, Urocerus gigas, and Tremex fuscicornis

We investigated the diversity and occurrence of wood wasps in Lithuania and determined communities of associated fungi. Trapping of wood wasps resulted in three different species, including Sirex juvencus, Urocerus gigas, and Tremex fuscicornis. Fungal culturing from adult females of T. fuscicornis mainly resulted in fungi from the genera Penicillium and Trichoderma. High-throughput sequencing of ITS2 rDNA resulted in 59,797 high-quality fungal sequences, representing 127 fungal OTUs. There were 93 fungal OTUs detected in U. gigas, 66 in S. juvencus, and 10 in T. fuscicornis. The most common fungi were Fusarium sporotrichioides (63.1% of all fungal sequences), Amylostereum chailletii (14.9%), Penicillium crustosum (7.8%), Microascus sp. 2261_4 (5.0%), and Pithoascus ater (2.1%). Among these, only A. chailletii was found in all three insect species with the highest relative abundance in U. gigas (15.2%), followed by S. juvencus (7.7%), and the lowest in T. fuscicornis (0.3%) (p < 0.0003). Correspondence analysis of fungal communities showed a distant placement of different species of wood wasps, indicating that fungal communities in each of these were largely different. In conclusion, the study showed that the economically important tree pathogen A. chailletii was among the most common fungal OTUs vectored by siricid wood wasps.

Long-term Dynamics of Fungal Communities Inhabiting Decaying Stumps of Quercus robur

We studied the diversity, composition, and long-term dynamics of wood-inhabiting fungi in Quercus robur stumps left after commercial tree harvesting in Lithuania. Sampling of wood was carried out at three sites and from stumps, which were 10-, 20-, 30-, 40-, and 50-year-old. DNA was isolated from wood samples and fungal communities analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that stump age had a limited effect on fungal diversity. The development of fungal communities in oak stums was found to be a slow process as fungal communities remained similar for decades, while larger changes were only detected in older stumps. The most common fungi were Eupezizella sp. (18.4%), Hyphodontia pallidula (12.9%), Mycena galericulata (8.3%), and Lenzites betulinus (7.1%). Fistulina hepatica, which is a red-listed wood-decay oak fungus, was also detected at a low relative abundance in stump wood. In the shortage of suitable substrate, oak stumps may provide habitats for long-term survival of different fungal species, including red-listed and oak-related fungi.

Biogeography of Fungal Communities Associated with Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. along the Latitudinal Gradient in Europe

We assessed the diversity and composition of fungal communities in different functional tissues and the rhizosphere soil of Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies stands along the latitudinal gradient of these tree species distributions in Europe to model possible changes in fungal communities imposed by climate change. For each tree species, living needles, shoots, roots, and the rhizosphere soil were sampled and subjected to high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that the latitude and the host tree species had a limited effect on the diversity and composition of fungal communities, which were largely explained by the environmental variables of each site and the substrate they colonize. The mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation had a strong effect on root fungal communities, isothermality on needle fungal communities, mean temperature of the warmest quarter and precipitation of the driest month on shoot fungal communities, and precipitation seasonality on soil fungal communities. Fungal communities of both tree species are predicted to shift to habitats with a lower annual temperature amplitude and with increasing precipitation during the driest month, but the suitability of these habitats as compared to the present conditions is predicted to decrease in the future.

An Overview of Phytophthora Species on Woody Plants in Sweden and Other Nordic Countries

The genus Phytophthora, with 326 species in 12 phylogenetic clades currently known, includes many economically important pathogens of woody plants. Different Phytophthora species often possess a hemibiotrophic or necrotrophic lifestyle, have either a broad or narrow host range, can cause a variety of disease symptoms (root rot, damping-off, bleeding stem cankers, or blight of foliage), and occur in different growing environments (nurseries, urban and agricultural areas, or forests). Here, we summarize the available knowledge on the occurrence, host range, symptoms of damage, and aggressiveness of different Phytophthora species associated with woody plants in Nordic countries with a special emphasis on Sweden. We evaluate the potential risks of Phytophthora species to different woody plants in this geographical area and emphasize the increasing threats associated with continued introduction of invasive Phytophthora species.

Principal Drivers of Fungal Communities Associated with Needles, Shoots, Roots and Adjacent Soil of Pinus sylvestris

The plant- and soil-associated microbial communities are critical to plant health and their resilience to stressors, such as drought, pathogens, and pest outbreaks. A better understanding of the structure of microbial communities and how they are affected by different environmental factors is needed to predict and manage ecosystem responses to climate change. In this study, we carried out a country-wide analysis of fungal communities associated with Pinus sylvestris growing under different environmental conditions. Needle, shoot, root, mineral, and organic soil samples were collected at 30 sites. By interconnecting the high-throughput sequencing data, environmental variables, and soil chemical properties, we were able to identify key factors that drive the diversity and composition of fungal communities associated with P. sylvestris. The fungal species richness and community composition were also found to be highly dependent on the site and the substrate they colonize. The results demonstrated that different functional tissues and the rhizosphere soil of P. sylvestris are associated with diverse fungal communities, which are driven by a combination of climatic (temperature and precipitation) and edaphic factors (soil pH), and stand characteristics.

Fungal Communities in Re-Emerging Fraxinus excelsior Sites in Lithuania and Their Antagonistic Potential against Hymenoscyphus fraxineus

Fifty-nine fungal taxa, isolated from re-emerging Fraxinus excelsior sites in Lithuania, were in vitro tested against three strains of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus on agar media to establish their biocontrol properties. All tested fungi were isolated from leaves and shoots of relatively healthy Fraxinus excelsior trees (<30% defoliation), which were affected by ash dieback but their phytosanitary condition has not worsened during the last decade. The inhibition of H. fraxineus growth by tested fungal taxa ranged between 16−87%. Occasionally isolated fungal taxa such as Neonectria coccinea, Nothophorma quercina, and Phaeosphaeria caricis were among the most effective fungi inhibiting the growth of H. fraxineus cultures. Among the more commonly isolated fungal taxa, Cladosporium sp., Fusarium sp., Malassezia sp., and Aureobasidium pullulans showed a strong growth inhibition of H. fraxineus.

First Report of the Larch Longhorn (Tetropium gabrieli Weise, Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Spondylidinae) on Larix spp. in Lithuania

Tetropium gabrieli is known to be native to the Alps in Europe where it breeds in European larch (Larix decidua), but it has spread to other areas and was reported in Poland, Sweden, Denmark and Belorussia. Although T. gabrieli is considered an important secondary pest of Larix spp., it can be particularly harmful to trees subjected to abiotic stress. Here we report that in Lithuania, T. gabrieli was for the first time captured in 2019 using sticky traps attached to Larix spp. trees. Two adult beetles were trapped at two different sites in central Lithuania, and this was in the period between 10th of May and 5th of June. Regarding potential threats caused by this insect pest, this new finding requires special attention, particularly on its biology, ecology, and local distribution.

DNA-Metabarcoding of Belowground Fungal Communities in Bare-Root Forest Nurseries: Focus on Different Tree Species

The production of tree seedlings in forest nurseries and their use in the replanting of clear-cut forest sites is a common practice in the temperate and boreal forests of Europe. Although conifers dominate on replanted sites, in recent years, deciduous tree species have received more attention due to their often-higher resilience to abiotic and biotic stress factors. The aim of the present study was to assess the belowground fungal communities of bare-root cultivated seedlings of Alnus glutinosa , Betula pendula, Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies and Quercus robur in order to gain a better understanding of the associated fungi and oomycetes, and their potential effects on the seedling performance in forest nurseries and after outplanting. The study sites were at the seven largest bare-root forest nurseries in Lithuania. The sampling included the roots and adjacent soil of 2-3 year old healthy-looking seedlings. Following the isolation of the DNA from the individual root and soil samples, these were amplified using ITS rRNA as a marker, and subjected to high-throughput PacBio sequencing. The results showed the presence of 161,302 high-quality sequences, representing 2003 fungal and oomycete taxa. The most common fungi were Malassezia restricta (6.7% of all of the high-quality sequences), Wilcoxina mikolae (5.0%), Pustularia sp. 3993_4 (4.6%), and Fusarium oxysporum (3.5%). The most common oomycetes were Pythium ultimum var. ultimum (0.6%), Pythium heterothallicum (0.3%), Pythium spiculum (0.3%), and Pythium sylvaticum (0.2%). The coniferous tree species (P. abies and P. sylvestris) generally showed a higher richness of fungal taxa and a rather distinct fungal community composition compared to the deciduous tree species (A. glutinosa, B. pendula , and Q. robur). The results demonstrated that the seedling roots and the rhizosphere soil in forest nurseries support a high richness of fungal taxa. The seedling roots were primarily inhabited by saprotrophic and mycorrhizal fungi, while fungal pathogens and oomycetes were less abundant, showing that the cultivation practices used in forest nurseries secured both the production of high-quality planting stock and disease control.

In vitro evidence of root colonization suggests ecological versatility in the genus Mycena

The root-associated habit has evolved on numerous occasions in different fungal lineages, suggesting a strong evolutionary pressure for saprotrophic fungi to switch to symbiotic associations with plants. Species within the ubiquitous, saprotrophic genus Mycena are frequently major components in molecular studies of root-associated fungal communities, suggesting that an evaluation of their trophic status is warranted. Here, we report on interactions between a range of Mycena species and the plant Betula pendula. In all, 17 Mycena species were inoculated onto B. pendula seedlings. Physical interactions between hyphae and fine roots were examined using differential staining and fluorescence microscopy. Physiological interactions were investigated using ¹⁴ C and ³² P to show potential transfer between symbionts. All Mycena species associated closely with fine roots, showing hyphal penetration into the roots, which in some cases were intracellular. Seven species formed mantle-like structures around root tips, but none formed a Hartig net. Mycena pura and Mycena galopus both enhanced seedling growth, with M. pura showing significant transfer of ³² P to the seedlings. Our results support the view that several Mycena species can associate closely with plant roots and some may potentially occupy a transitional state between saprotrophy and biotrophy.

The great spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus micans Kug.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in Lithuania: occurrence, phenology, morphology and communities of associated fungi

We studied the occurrence, morphology and phenology of Dendroctonus micans in Lithuania and the fungi associated with the beetle at different developmental stages. The occurrence of D. micans was assessed in 19 seed orchards (at least 40 years old) of Picea abies (L. Karst.) situated in different parts of the country. Bark beetle phenology was studied in two sites: a seed orchard of P. abies and a plantation of Picea pungens (Engelm.). D. micans morphology was assessed under the dissection microscope using individuals at different developmental stages that were sampled during phenology observations. Communities of fungi associated with D. micans were studied using both fungal culturing methods and direct high-throughput sequencing from D. micans. Results showed that the incidence D. micans was relatively rare and D. micans was mainly detected in central and eastern Lithuania. The life cycle included the following stages: adult, egg, I-V developmental stage larvae and pupa. However, development of D. micans was quicker and its nests larger under the bark of P. pungens than of P. abies, indicating the effect of the host species. Fungal culturing and direct high-throughput sequencing revealed that D. micans associated fungi communities were species rich and dominated by yeasts from a class Saccharomycetes. In total, 319 fungal taxa were sequenced, among which Peterozyma toletana (37.5% of all fungal sequences), Yamadazyma scolyti (30.0%) and Kuraishia capsulate (17.7%) were the most common. Plant pathogens and blue stain fungi were also detected suggesting their potentially negative effects to both tree health and timber quality.

Growing evidence for facultative biotrophy in saprotrophic fungi: data from microcosm tests with 201 species of wood-decay basidiomycetes

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbioses have evolved a minimum of 78 times independently from saprotrophic lineages, indicating the potential for functional overlap between ECM and saprotrophic fungi. ECM fungi have the capacity to decompose organic matter, and although there is increasing evidence that some saprotrophic fungi exhibit the capacity to enter into facultative biotrophic relationships with plant roots without causing disease symptoms, this subject is still not well studied. In order to determine the extent of biotrophic capacity in saprotrophic wood-decay fungi and which systems may be useful models, we investigated the colonization of conifer seedling roots in vitro using an array of 201 basidiomycete wood-decay fungi. Microtome sectioning, differential staining and fluorescence microscopy were used to visualize patterns of root colonization in microcosm systems containing Picea abies or Pinus sylvestris seedlings and each saprotrophic fungus. Thirty-four (16.9%) of the tested fungal species colonized the roots of at least one tree species. Two fungal species showed formation of a mantle and one showed Hartig net-like structures. These features suggest the possibility of an active functional symbiosis between fungus and plant. The data indicate that the capacity for facultative biotrophic relationships in free-living saprotrophic basidiomycetes may be greater than previously supposed.

Impact of Heterobasidion root-rot on fine root morphology and associated fungi in Picea abies stands on peat soils

We examined differences in fine root morphology, mycorrhizal colonisation and root-inhabiting fungal communities between Picea abies individuals infected by Heterobasidion root-rot compared with healthy individuals in four stands on peat soils in Latvia. We hypothesised that decreased tree vitality and alteration in supply of photosynthates belowground due to root-rot infection might lead to changes in fungal communities of tree roots. Plots were established in places where trees were infected and in places where they were healthy. Within each stand, five replicate soil cores with roots were taken to 20 cm depth in each root-rot infected and uninfected plot. Root morphological parameters, mycorrhizal colonisation and associated fungal communities, and soil chemical properties were analysed. In three stands root morphological parameters and in all stands root mycorrhizal colonisation were similar between root-rot infected and uninfected plots. In one stand, there were significant differences in root morphological parameters between root-rot infected versus uninfected plots, but these were likely due to significant differences in soil chemical properties between the plots. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer of fungal nuclear rDNA from ectomycorrhizal (ECM) root morphotypes of P. abies revealed the presence of 42 fungal species, among which ECM basidiomycetes Tylospora asterophora (24.6 % of fine roots examined), Amphinema byssoides (14.5 %) and Russula sapinea (9.7 %) were most common. Within each stand, the richness of fungal species and the composition of fungal communities in root-rot infected versus uninfected plots were similar. In conclusion, Heterobasidion root-rot had little or no effect on fine root morphology, mycorrhizal colonisation and composition of fungal communities in fine roots of P. abies growing on peat soils.

Cytotoxic Illudane Sesquiterpenes from the Fungus Granulobasidium vellereum (Ellis and Cragin) Jülich

Eight illudane sesquiterpenes were obtained from the wood-decomposing fungus Granulobasidium vellereum (Ellis and Cragin) Jülich; among them were the enantiomers of the known compounds illudin M (1) and dihydroilludin M (4) and the diastereomers of illudin M (2) and illudin S (3), as well as two previously undescribed illudanes (5, 6). The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-4 and 6 was evaluated against two tumor cell lines (Huh7 and MT4), which showed that compounds 1-3 had potent cytotoxic activity, whereas compounds 4 and 6 had no or only moderate effects at concentrations up to 400 μM. Surprisingly, both compounds 2 and 3 were about 10 times more potent than 1. When the chemical reactivity of 1 and 2 was tested, compound 2 was shown to have a substantially higher reaction rate when reacted both with 2 M HCl and with cysteine, indicating that the difference in cytotoxicity is probably due to chemical reactivity and not to enzymatic affinity.

High-Throughput Sequencing Reveals Drastic Changes in Fungal Communities in the Phyllosphere of Norway Spruce (Picea abies) Following Invasion of the Spruce Bud Scale (Physokermes piceae)

The aim of this study was to assess the diversity and composition of fungal communities in damaged and undamaged shoots of Norway spruce (Picea abies) following recent invasion of the spruce bud scale (Physokermes piceae) in Lithuania. Sampling was done in July 2013 and included 50 random lateral shoots from ten random trees in each of five visually undamaged and five damaged 40-50-year-old pure stands of P. abies. DNA was isolated from 500 individual shoots, subjected to amplification of the internal transcribed spacer of fungal ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA), barcoded and sequenced. Clustering of 149,426 high-quality sequences resulted in 1193 non-singleton contigs of which 1039 (87.1 %) were fungal. In total, there were 893 fungal taxa in damaged shoots and 608 taxa in undamaged shoots (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, 431 (41.5 %) fungal taxa were exclusively in damaged shoots, 146 (14.0 %) were exclusively in undamaged shoots, and 462 (44.5 %) were common to both types of samples. Correspondence analysis showed that study sites representing damaged and undamaged shoots were separated from each other, indicating that in these fungal communities, these were largely different and, therefore, heavily affected by P. piceae. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that invasive alien tree pests may have a profound effect on fungal mycobiota associated with the phyllosphere of P. abies, and therefore, in addition to their direct negative effect owing physical damage of the tissue, they may also indirectly determine health, sustainability and, ultimately, distribution of the forest tree species.

Cytotoxic illudalane sesquiterpenes from the wood-decay fungus Granulobasidium vellereum (Ellis & Cragin) Jülich

Seven illudalane sesquiterpenes were obtained from the wood decomposing fungus Granulobasidium vellereum: granuloinden A, granuloinden B and dihydrogranuloinden, along with the previously known compounds radulactone, pterosin M, echinolactone A and D. Granuloinden B showed potent cytotoxic activity against the Huh7 and MT4 tumor cell lines (CC₅₀ values of 6.7 and 0.15 µM, respectively), whereas granuloinden A and dihydrogranuloinden had no or moderate activity.

Sesquiterpenes from the saprotrophic fungus Granulobasidium vellereum (Ellis & Cragin) Jülich

Twelve sesquiterpenes comprising either the protoilludane or the rare cerapicane carbon skeletons were obtained from the saprotrophic wood decomposing fungus Granulobasidium vellereum; 2a-hydroxycoprinolone (1), 3-hydroxycoprinolone (2), coprinolone diol B (3), granulodiene A (4), granulodiene B (5), granulone A (6), 8-deoxy-4a-hydroxytsugicoline B (7), granulone B (8), demethylgranulone (9), cerapicolene (10), as well as the known compounds radudiol and Δ(6)-coprinolone. The structures were determined using spectroscopic methods and biosynthetic considerations. Granulone A had growth stimulating effect on the total elongation of lettuce seedlings. None of the isolated compounds showed any antifungal effect.

Root-associated fungi of Rosa rugosa grown on the frontal dunes of the Baltic Sea Coast in Lithuania

The aim of the present study was to assess fungal communities associated with fine living roots of Rosa rugosa Thunb grown on the frontal dunes of Curonian Spit at the Baltic Sea coast in Lithuania. The roots of R. rugosa were sampled at five sites (Nida, Preila, Pervalka, Juodkrante and Smiltyne) situated at a distance ca. 5-15 km from each other. Direct amplification, cloning and sequencing of fungal ITS rRNA from the fine roots resulted in 134 high-quality sequences, representing 31 fungal taxa among which saprotrophs and endophytes Mycena sp. (14.2 %), Tumularia sp. (14.2 %), Penicillium spinulosum (11.9 %) and Cadophora malorum (9.0 %) were most common. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi including Entrophospora baltica (0.7 %) and Rhizophagus irregularis (0.7 %) and potentially root pathogenic fungi--Ceratobasidium sp. (4.5 %), Fusarium oxysporum (3.0 %), Fusarium culmorum (0.7 %) and Ilyonectria crassa (0.7 %)--were also detected at low proportions. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that the fine roots of R. rugosa are inhabited by various groups of fungi. Although saprotrophs and endophytes were dominant, the detection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi indicated that these may be important for mineral nutrition of R. rugosa established on dry and poor fertility coastal dunes.

Protoilludane sesquiterpenes from the wood decomposing fungus Granulobasidium vellereum (Ellis & Cragin) Jülich

The secondary metabolites of the saprotrophic wood-decay basidiomycete fungus Granulobasidium vellereum were studied. Six sesquiterpenes were obtained; 2-hydroxycoprinolone (1), 8-deoxy-4a-hydroxytsugicoline (2), 8-deoxydihydrotsugicoline (3), which were previously not described, radulone A and B, and coprinolone ketodiol. Additionally, base-treatment of 1 yielded the diagnostic degradation products 1a and 1b, whereas radulone A was found to form 4 under mild acidic conditions. The structures were determined by NMR, MS, CD and polarimetry, along with biosynthetic considerations. Radulone A fully inhibited the spore germination of the potentially competing fungi Phlebiopsis gigantea, Coniophora puteana and Heterobasidion occidentale at 10μM, 500μM and 100μM, respectively. None of the other substances tested gave rise to any growth inhibition.

Biosynthesis of fomannoxin in the root rotting pathogen Heterobasidion occidentale

Fomannoxin is a biologically active benzohydrofuran, which has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenicity of the root rotting fungus Heterobasidion annosum sensu lato. The biosynthesis of fomannoxin was investigated through an isotopic enrichment study utilizing [1-¹³C]glucose as metabolic tracer. ¹³C NMR spectroscopic analysis revealed the labeling pattern and showed that the isoprene building block originates from the mevalonic acid pathway, whereas the aromatic motif is formed via the shikimic acid route by elimination of pyruvate from chorismic acid. A natural product, 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)benzaldehyde, was isolated and characterized, and was suggested to be a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of fomannoxin and related secondary metabolites previously identified from the H. annosum fungal species complex.

Sesquiterpenes from the conifer root rot pathogen Heterobasidion occidentale

Investigation of the production of secondary metabolites of Heterobasidion occidentale led to the isolation and identification of six sesquiterpenes (illudolone A and B, illudolactone A and B, deoxyfomannosin A and B) along with the well-known sesquiterpene fomannosin and the previously described benzohydrofuran fomannoxin. The structures and relative configurations of the compounds were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis as well as by HRMS. Their absolute configuration and biosynthesis were suggested and discussed in relation to fomannosin. Four compounds showed growth inhibiting activity against several basidiomycetes, Phlebiopsis gigantea, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and H. occidentale, and toxicity towards the moss Physcomitrella patens. In addition, one compound displayed activity against the bacterium Variovorax paradoxus as well as against the ascomycete Fusarium oxysporum.

Large-scale introgression shapes the evolution of the mating-type chromosomes of the filamentous ascomycete Neurospora tetrasperma

The significance of introgression as an evolutionary force shaping natural populations is well established, especially in animal and plant systems. However, the abundance and size of introgression tracts, and to what degree interspecific gene flow is the result of adaptive processes, are largely unknown. In this study, we present medium coverage genomic data from species of the filamentous ascomycete Neurospora, and we use comparative genomics to investigate the introgression landscape at the genomic level in this model genus. We revealed one large introgression tract in each of the three investigated phylogenetic lineages of Neurospora tetrasperma (sizes of 5.6 Mbp, 5.2 Mbp, and 4.1 Mbp, respectively). The tract is located on the chromosome containing the locus conferring sexual identity, the mating-type (mat) chromosome. The region of introgression is confined to the region of suppressed recombination and is found on one of the two mat chromosomes (mat a). We used Bayesian concordance analyses to exclude incomplete lineage sorting as the cause for the observed pattern, and multilocus genealogies from additional species of Neurospora show that the introgression likely originates from two closely related, freely recombining, heterothallic species (N. hispaniola and N. crassa/N. perkinsii). Finally, we investigated patterns of molecular evolution of the mat chromosome in Neurospora, and we show that introgression is correlated with reduced level of molecular degeneration, consistent with a shorter time of recombination suppression. The chromosome specific (mat) and allele specific (mat a) introgression reported herein comprise the largest introgression tracts reported to date from natural populations. Furthermore, our data contradicts theoretical predictions that introgression should be less likely on sex-determining chromosomes. Taken together, the data presented herein advance our general understanding of introgression as a force shaping eukaryotic genomes.

Introgression is a process by which genetic material from one species becomes infiltrated into another, genetically distinct species. Introgression usually occurs via sexual reproduction: individuals of two species mate and produce a hybrid offspring, then the offspring repeatedly backcross with one of the parental species. Introgression has long been recognized as a key process in evolution, as it may contribute to speciation, diversification, and adaptation to new environments. The importance and prevalence of introgression has been well established in plant and animal systems, and in this study we use a fungal model system, Neurospora, to study the introgression at the genomic level. We gathered genomic data from six genomes, and by comparative genomics we revealed genetic transfer of DNA regions of unprecedentedly large sizes, covering over 50% of the mating-type chromosomes, and used phylogenetic analyses to reveal the origin and direction of the transfer. Introgression was found solely on the mating-type chromosomes, which contradicts theoretical predictions for sex-determining chromosomes. We argue that this unexpected pattern is due to the fact that fungi do not have differentiated sexes (female/male) and thereby are free from sex-biased evolutionary forces. Instead, we suggest that introgression between fungal species may result in reinvigoration of genomic regions exposed to suppressed recombination.

Occurrence and impact of the root-rot biocontrol agent Phlebiopsis gigantea on soil fungal communities in Picea abies forests of northern Europe

The aim of this study was to assess belowground occurrence, persistence and possible impact of the biocontrol agent Phlebiopsis gigantea (Fr.) Jülich on soil fungi. Sampling of soil and roots of Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. was carried out at 12 P. gigantea-treated and five nontreated control sites representing 1- to 60-month-old clear-cuts and thinned forest sites in Finland and Latvia. The 454-sequencing of ITS rRNA from fine roots, humus and mineral soil resulted in 8626 high-quality fungal sequences. Phlebiopsis gigantea represented 1.3% of all fungal sequences and was found in 14 treated and nontreated sites and in all three substrates. In different substrates, the relative abundance of P. gigantea at stump treatment sites either did not differ significantly or was significantly lower than in nontreated controls. No significant correlation was found between the time elapsed since the tree harvesting and/or application of the biocontrol and abundance of P. gigantea in different substrates. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that P. gigantea occasionally occurs belowground in forest ecosystems but that stump treatment with the biocontrol agent has little or no impact on occurrence and persistence of P. gigantea belowground, and consequently no significant impact on soil fungi.

Archaeorhizomycetes: unearthing an ancient class of ubiquitous soil fungi

Estimates suggest that only one-tenth of the true fungal diversity has been described. Among numerous fungal lineages known only from environmental DNA sequences, Soil Clone Group 1 is the most ubiquitous. These globally distributed fungi may dominate below-ground fungal communities, but their placement in the fungal tree of life has been uncertain. Here, we report cultures of this group and describe the class, Archaeorhizomycetes, phylogenetically placed within subphylum Taphrinomycotina in the Ascomycota. Archaeorhizomycetes comprises hundreds of cryptically reproducing filamentous species that do not form recognizable mycorrhizal structures and have saprotrophic potential, yet are omnipresent in roots and rhizosphere soil and show ecosystem and host root habitat specificity.

Fungi in roots of nursery grown Pinus sylvestris: ectomycorrhizal colonisation, genetic diversity and spatial distribution

The aims of this study were to investigate patterns of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) colonisation and community structure on nursery grown seedlings of Pinus sylvestris, spatial distribution of ECMs in the nursery plot and genetic diversity of commonly isolated ECM basidiomycete Hebeloma cavipes. One hundred seedlings were sampled in 225 m(2) area using a systematic grid design. For each seedling, 20 individual root tips were randomly collected, morphotyped, and surface sterilised for fungal isolation in pure culture. Results showed that ECM community was comprised of nine distinct morphotypes among which Thelephora terrestris (39.7%), Hebeloma sp. (17.8%) and Suillus luteus (6.1%) were the most abundant. Spatial distribution of ECMs in the nursery plot was determined by their relative abundance: even in common ECMs and random in rare ones. Fungal isolation yielded 606 pure cultures, representing 71 distinct taxa. The most commonly isolated fungi were the ascomycetes Neonectria macrodidyma (20.3%), Phialocephala fortinii (13.5%), Neonectria radicicola (6.3%) and the ECM basidiomycete H. cavipes (4.5%). Intraspecific genetic diversity within 27 H. cavipes isolates was studied using two methods: restriction digestion of the amplified intergenic spacer of nuclear ribosomal DNA and genealogical concordance of five genetic markers. Five and eight genotypes were revealed by each respective method, but both of those were largely consistent, in particular, in determining the largest genotype (A) composed of 18 isolates. Mapping positions for each H. cavipes isolate and genotype in the field showed that isolates of the A genotype covered a large part of the nursery plot. This suggests that H. cavipes is largely disseminated by vegetative means of local genotypes and that nursery cultivation practices are likely to contribute to the dissemination of this species in the forest nursery soils.

Effects of stump and slash removal on growth and mycorrhization of Picea abies seedlings outplanted on a forest clear-cut

The objectives of this study were to investigate impact of stump and slash removal on growth and mycorrhization of Picea abies seedlings outplanted on a forest clear-cut. Four non-replicated site preparation treatments included: (1) mounding (M), (2) removal of stumps (K), (3) mounding and removal of logging slash (HM) and (4) removal of logging slash and stumps (HK). Results showed that height increment of the seedlings was highest in K and lowest in M after the third growing season, and similar pattern remained after the fourth season. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) colonisation of seedling roots was highest in M (96.6%) and lowest in K (72.3%), and even in HK (76.0%) and HM (76.3%). Morphotyping and sequencing of internal transcribed spacer of fungal ribosomal DNA revealed a total of 13 ECM species. Among those, Thelephora terrestris and Cenococcum geophilum were the most common, found on 27.4% and 26.3% of roots, respectively. The rest of species colonised 26.6% of roots. Richness of ECM species was highest in M (10 species) and lowest in K (three species). Consequently, stump and slash removal from clear-felled sites had a positive effect on growth of outplanted spruce seedlings, but negative effect on their mycorrhization. This suggests that altered soil conditions due to site disturbance by stump and slash removal might be more favourable for tree growth than more abundant mycorrhization of their root systems in less disturbed soil.

Gene genealogies indicates abundant gene conversions and independent evolutionary histories of the mating-type chromosomes in the evolutionary history of Neurospora tetrasperma

Background

The self-fertile filamentous ascomycete Neurospora tetrasperma contains a large (~7 Mbp) and young (< 6 MYA) region of suppressed recombination within its mating-type (mat) chromosomes. The objective of the present study is to reveal the evolutionary history, including key genomic events, associated with the various regions of the mat chromosomes among ten strains representing all the nine known species (lineages) contained within the N. tetrasperma species complex.

Results

Comparative analysis of sequence divergence among alleles of 24 mat-linked genes (mat A and mat a) indicates that a large region of suppressed recombination exists within the mat chromosome for each of nine lineages of N. tetrasperma sensu latu. The recombinationally suppressed region varies in size and gene composition among lineages, and is flanked on both ends by normally recombining regions. Genealogical analyses among lineages reveals that eight gene conversion events have occurred between homologous mat A and mat a-linked alleles of genes located within the region of restricted recombination during the evolutionary history of N. tetrasperma.

Conclusions

We conclude that the region of suppressed recombination in the mat chromosomes has likely been subjected to independent contraction and/or expansion during the evolutionary history of the N. tetrasperma species complex. Furthermore, we infer that gene conversion events are likely a common phenomenon within this recombinationally suppressed genomic region. We argue that gene conversions might provide an efficient mechanism of adaptive editing of functional genes, including the removal of deleterious mutations, within the young recombinationally suppressed region of the mat chromosomes.

Phylogenetic relationships in European Ceriporiopsis species inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial ribosomal DNA sequences

The aim of this work was to clarify taxonomy and examine evolutionary relationships within European Ceriporiopsis species using a combined analysis of the large subunit (nLSU) nuclear rRNA and small subunit (mtSSU) mitochondrial rRNA gene sequences. Data from the ITS region were applied to enhance the view of the phylogenetic relationships among different species. The studied samples grouped into four complex clades, suggesting that the genus Ceriporiopsis is polyphyletic. The generic type Ceriporiopsis gilvescens formed a separate group together with Ceriporiopsis guidella and Phlebia spp. in the phlebioid clade. In this clade, the closely related species Ceriporiopsis resinascens and Ceriporiopsis pseudogilvescens grouped together with Ceriporiopsis aneirina. C. resinascens and C. pseudogilvescens have identical LSU and SSU sequences but differ in ITS. Ceriporiopsis pannocincta also fell in the phlebioid clade, but showed closer proximity to Gloeoporus dichrous than to C. gilvescens or C. aneirina-C. pseudogilvescens-C. resinascens group. Another clade was composed of a Ceriporiopsis balaenae-Ceriporiopsis consobrina group and was found to be closely related to Antrodiella and Frantisekia, with the overall clade highly reminiscent of the residual polyporoid clade. The monotypic genus Pouzaroporia, erected in the past for Ceriporiopsis subrufa due to its remarkable morphological differences, also fell within the residual polyporoid clade. Ceriporiopsis subvermispora held an isolated position from the other species of the genus. Therefore, the previously proposed name Gelatoporia subvermispora has been adopted for this species. Physisporinus rivulosus appeared unrelated to two other European Physisporinus species. Moreover, Ceriporiopsis (=Skeletocutis) jelicii grouped in a separate clade, distinct from Ceriporiopsis species. Finally, the ITS data demonstrated the proximity of some Ceriporiopsis species (Ceriporiopsis portcrosensis and Ceriporiopsis subsphaerospora) to Skeletocutis amorpha.

Phylogenetic and biological species diversity within the Neurospora tetrasperma complex

The objective of this study was to explore the evolutionary history of the morphologically recognized filamentous ascomycete Neurospora tetrasperma, and to reveal the genetic and reproductive relationships among its individuals and populations. We applied both phylogenetic and biological species recognition to a collection of strains representing the geographic and genetic diversity of N. tetrasperma. First, we were able to confirm a monophyletic origin of N. tetrasperma. Furthermore, we found nine phylogenetic species within the morphospecies. When using the traditional broad biological species recognition all investigated strains of N. tetrasperma constituted a single biological species. In contrast, when using a quantitative measurement of the reproductive success, incorporating characters such as viability and fertility of offspring, we found a high congruence between the phylogenetic and biological species recognition. Taken together, phylogenetically and biologically defined groups of individuals exist in N. tetrasperma, and these should be taken into account in future studies of its life history traits.

The mating-type chromosome in the filamentous ascomycete Neurospora tetrasperma represents a model for early evolution of sex chromosomes

We combined gene divergence data, classical genetics, and phylogenetics to study the evolution of the mating-type chromosome in the filamentous ascomycete Neurospora tetrasperma. In this species, a large non-recombining region of the mating-type chromosome is associated with a unique fungal life cycle where self-fertility is enforced by maintenance of a constant state of heterokaryosis. Sequence divergence between alleles of 35 genes from the two single mating-type component strains (i.e. the homokaryotic mat A or mat a-strains), derived from one N. tetrasperma heterokaryon (mat A+mat a), was analyzed. By this approach we were able to identify the boundaries and size of the non-recombining region, and reveal insight into the history of recombination cessation. The non-recombining region covers almost 7 Mbp, over 75% of the chromosome, and we hypothesize that the evolution of the mating-type chromosome in this lineage involved two successive events. The first event was contemporaneous with the split of N. tetrasperma from a common ancestor with its outcrossing relative N. crassa and suppressed recombination over at least 6.6 Mbp, and the second was confined to a smaller region in which recombination ceased more recently. In spite of the early origin of the first “evolutionary stratum”, genealogies of five genes from strains belonging to an additional N. tetrasperma lineage indicate independent initiations of suppressed recombination in different phylogenetic lineages. This study highlights the shared features between the sex chromosomes found in the animal and plant kingdoms and the fungal mating-type chromosome, despite fungi having no separate sexes. As is often found in sex chromosomes of plants and animals, recombination suppression of the mating-type chromosome of N. tetrasperma involved more than one evolutionary event, covers the majority of the mating-type chromosome and is flanked by distal regions with obligate crossovers.

In fungi, mating occurs between individuals of alternative mating-types and there is no dichotomy of individuals into two morphologically different sexes. Nevertheless, in this paper we show that chromosomal regions controlling mating-type identity in fungi share features with the more complex sex chromosomes found in the other eukaryote kingdoms. We have specifically studied the mating-type chromosome in an emerging model-species of filamentous ascomycetes, Neurospora tetrasperma, and show that it resembles the sex chromosomes of animals and plants both in failing to recombine with its homologous chromosome over the majority of its length, and having obligate crossovers at the flanking “pseudoautosomal” regions. Furthermore, our data indicate that the evolution of the mating-type chromosome in this species involved more than one successive evolutionary event, each defining an “evolutionary stratum”, a term initially introduced by to represent different sequential steps whereby recombination became arrested between the proto-sex chromosomes in humans. We argue that insight into the evolution of chromosomal sex determination can be gained through the study of alternative, simple, systems, such as N. tetrasperma, in which the genomic consequences of reduced recombination per se can be disentangled from sex-biased evolutionary forces such as male-biased mutation and dispersal.

Afforestation of abandoned farmland with conifer seedlings inoculated with three ectomycorrhizal fungi - impact on plant performance and ectomycorrhizal community

The aim of a 3-year study was to investigate whether inoculation of Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. seedlings with mycorrhizas of Cenococcum geophilum Fr., Piceirhiza bicolorata, and Hebeloma crustuliniforme (Bull.) Quel. has any impact on: 1) survival and growth of outplanted seedlings on abandoned agricultural land, and 2) subsequent mycorrhizal community development. For inoculation, the root system of each plant was wrapped in a filter paper containing mycelium, overlaid with damp peat-sand mixture and wrapped in a paper towel. In total, 8,000 pine and 8,000 spruce seedlings were planted on 4-ha of poor sandy soil in randomized blocks. Already after the first year natural mycorrhizal infections prevailed in the inoculated root systems, and introduced mycorrhizas were seldom found. Yet, the seedlings that had been pre-inoculated with C. geophilum and the P. bicolorata during the whole 3-year period showed significantly higher survival and growth as compared to controls. Moreover, the independent colonization of roots by C. geophilum and the P. bicolorata from natural sources was also observed. A diverse mycorrhizal community was detected over two growing seasons in all treatments, showing low impact of inoculation on subsequent fungal community development. A total of 19 additional ectomycorrhizal morphotypes was observed, which clustered into two well-separated groups, according to host tree species (pine and spruce). In conclusion, the results showed limited ability to increase tree survival and growth, and to manipulate the mycorrhizal community even by extensive pre-inoculations, indicating that fungal community formation in root systems is governed mainly by environmental factors.

Wood-decay fungi in fine living roots of conifer seedlings

The mycorrhizal basidiomycetes are known to have multiple, independent evolutionary origins from saprotrophic ancestors. To date, a number of studies have revealed functional resemblance of mycorrhizal fungi to free-living saprotrophs, but information on the ability of saprotrophic fungi to perform as mycorrhizal symbionts is scarce. Here, the objective was to investigate the ability of three wood-decay fungi, Phlebiopsis gigantea, Phlebia centrifuga and Hypholoma fasciculare, to colonize fine roots of conifer seedlings. For each fungus, mycorrhizal syntheses were attempted with Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris. After 24 wk, isolation of fungi and direct sequencing of fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA were carried out from healthy-looking surface-sterilized root tips that yielded both pure cultures and ITS sequences of each inoculated strain. Mycelial mantle of P. gigantea was frequently formed on root tips of P. abies, and microscopical examination has shown the presence of intercellular hyphae inside the roots. The results provide evidence of the ability of certain wood-decay fungi to colonise fine roots of tree seedlings.

Low-abundance kutznerides from Kutzneria sp. 744

Five new (5-9) and four known (1-4) kutznerides were isolated from the actinomycete Kutzneria sp. 744. Compounds 1-9 all consisted of a cyclohexadepsipeptide core with the general structure 2-(1-methylcyclopropyl)-D-glycine-(2S,3aR,8aS)-6,7-dichloro-3a-hydroxy-1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole-2-carboxylic acid-3-hydroxy-D-glutamic acid-O-methyl-L-serine-L-piperazic acid-(S)-2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutyric acid. Compounds 5, 6, and 8 contained erythro-3-hydroxy-D-glutamic acid, whereas 7 and 9 contained the threo isomer and the hydroxy acid was present as (S)-2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid in 5 and 7. The piperazic acid was C-5-N unsaturated and 4-hydroxylated in 6, 4-chlorinated in 8, and C-5-N unsaturated in 9. Minimal inhibitory concentrations for bacteria were found down to 6 microM (Staphylococcus aureus and Erwinia carotovora) and for fungi down to 70 microM (Fusarium culmorum). The trichlorinated 2 and 8 showed the highest antimicrobial activity, whereas 6, with a hydroxylated piperazic acid unit, did not show any inhibition of the pathogens at 230 microM.

Early outcomes of coronary artery bypass with and without cardiopulmonary bypass in octogenarians

BACKGROUND

Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery has been successfully used in diverse patient populations and has been postulated to be safer than conventional coronary artery bypass (CCAB) surgery in some high-risk patients, including the elderly.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the safety of OPCAB surgery versus CCAB surgery in the octogenarian population of two large southwestern Ontario cardiac surgical units.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirty-six consecutive octogenarians underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass surgery from November 2000 to March 2005. Patients undergoing OPCAB surgery tended to have higher Parsonnet scores, while patients undergoing CCAB surgery had a greater number of emergent operations. The Canadian Cardiovascular Network predicted that mortality risk was similar in both groups. In-hospital mortality was similar between groups, as was postoperative myocardial infarction and new onset of renal dysfunction. However, in the OPCAB group, there was a decreased incidence of postoperative neurological dysfunction (2.3% in the OPCAB group versus 10.5% in the CCAB group, P=0.01), in particular cerebrovascular accidents (1.5% in the OPCAB group versus 7.6% in the CCAB group, P=0.05), and a decreased incidence of prolonged intubation (5.3% in the OPCAB group versus 13.3% in the CCAB group, P=0.04). Multivariable analysis found that cardiopulmonary bypass had no significant impact on mortality or length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

In octogenarian patients, OPCAB surgery is as safe as CCAB surgery in terms of mortality and major morbidity. Furthermore, a significant reduction in neurological dysfunction and prolonged intubation was seen in the OPCAB group compared with the CCAB group.

Kutznerides 1-4, depsipeptides from the actinomycete Kutzneria sp. 744 inhabiting mycorrhizal roots of Picea abies seedlings

Bioassay-guided fractionation of culture supernatants of the actinomycete Kutzneria sp. 744 resulted in the isolation of four new depsipeptides (1-4). Structure analysis revealed the general structure: cyclo[2-(1-methylcyclopropyl)-D-glycine-(2S,3aR,8aS)-6,7-dichloro-3a-hydroxy-1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole-2-carboxylic acid-3-hydroxy-D-glutamic acid-O-methyl-L-serine-L-piperazic acid-(S)-2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutanoic acid]. The 3-hydroxy-d-glutamic acid was present as its threo-isomer in 1 and 2 and as its erythro-isomer in 3 and 4. The piperazic acid was modified to its (R)-4-chloro analogue in 2 and to its C-5/N unsaturated analogue in 4. Compounds 1-4 displayed moderate spore germination inhibiting activity against several common root-rotting fungi.

Fungal communities in mycorrhizal roots of conifer seedlings in forest nurseries under different cultivation systems, assessed by morphotyping, direct sequencing and mycelial isolation

Fungi colonising root tips of Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies grown under four different seedling cultivation systems were assessed by morphotyping, direct sequencing and isolation methods. Roots were morphotyped using two approaches: (1) 10% of the whole root system from 30 seedlings of each species and (2) 20 randomly selected tips per plant from 300 seedlings of each species. The first approach yielded 15 morphotypes, the second yielded 27, including 18 new morphotypes. The overall community consisted of 33 morphotypes. The level of mycorrhizal colonisation of roots determined by each approach was about 50%. The cultivation system had a marked effect on the level of mycorrhizal colonisation. In pine, the highest level of colonisation (48%) was observed in bare-root systems, while in spruce, colonisation was highest in polyethylene rolls (71%). Direct internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA sequencing and isolation detected a total of 93 fungal taxa, including 27 mycorrhizal. A total of 71 (76.3%) fungi were identified at least to a genus level. The overlap between the two methods was low. Only 13 (13.9%) of taxa were both sequenced and isolated, 47 (50.5%) were detected exclusively by sequencing and 33 (35.5%) exclusively by isolation. All isolated mycorrhizal fungi were also detected by direct sequencing. Characteristic mycorrhizas were Phialophora finlandia, Amphinema byssoides, Rhizopogon rubescens, Suillus luteus and Thelephora terrestris. There was a moderate similarity in mycorrhizal communities between pine and spruce and among different cultivation systems.

Ecology and molecular characterization of dark septate fungi from roots, living stems, coarse and fine woody debris

The aim of the present work was to determine the identity and molecular relationships between 127 strains of dark septate (DS) fungi isolated from healthy root tips, decayed coarse roots, live healthy-looking stems, coarse (stumps, snags and logs) and fine (tree branches and tops) woody debris in temperate-boreal forests in Sweden and Lithuania. Sequence analysis of ITS rDNA was used to identify the fungi. In a neighbour-joining similarity tree, all sequences were grouped into five distinct clusters. Within each of these, ITS rDNA sequence variation consisted of 2-18 nucleotides, corresponding to 1-3% of their total length. The four least variable clusters were supported with high bootstrap values of 86-100%. Comparisons with the sequences in the GenBank database showed that all our strains had a 95-100% homology with identified Phialocephala species, and they were thus assigned to this genus. The representatives of two clusters were identified, as P. fortinii and P. dimorphospora. The representatives of three remaining clusters were defined as Phialocephala sp. 35, Phialocephala sp. 6 and Phialocephala sp. 18. Within each of these clusters, ITS rDNA sequence uniformity was higher than that observed within P. fortinii and P. dimorphospora. Consequently, their clusters were most discrete, supported with bootstrap values of 100%. Genetic variation in the five distinguished Phialocephala species and their possible ecological roles are discussed. Phialocephala sp. 6 was confined to healthy root tips of conifers. P. dimorphospora was only associated with dead woody tissue of P. abies. P. fortinii, Phialocephala sp. 18 and sp. 35 were isolated from both dead and living conifers and Betula pendula. In conclusion, the present study revealed the ability of fungi from the genus Phialocephala to colonise and persist in live and dead trees under strikingly different ecological conditions.

Is lung retransplantation indicated? Report on four patients

As more lung transplantations are performed, many patients will suffer graft failure and will be considered for retransplantation. This article reviews the case management reports of four patients who received lung or heart/lung retransplantation, with overall disappointing results. The pros and cons of lung retransplantation are discussed.

Is lung retransplantation indicated? Report on four patients

As more lung transplantations are performed, many patients will suffer graft failure and will be considered for retransplantation. This article reviews the case management reports of four patients who received lung or heart/lung retransplantation, with overall disappointing results. The pros and cons of lung retransplantation are discussed.

A computerized system for video analysis of the aortic valve

A novel technique was developed to study the dynamic behavior of the porcine aortic valve in an isolated heart preparation. Under the control of a personal computer, a video frame grabber board continuously acquired and digitized images of the aortic valve, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter read four channels of physiological data (flow rate, aortic and ventricular pressure, and aortic root diameter). The valve was illuminated with a strobe light synchronized to fire at the field acquisition rate of the CCD video camera. Using the overlay bits in the video board, the measured parameters were super-imposed over the live video as graphical tracing, and the resultant composite images were recorded on-line to video tape. The overlaying of the valve images with the graphical tracings of acquired data enabled the data tracings to be precisely synchronized with the video images of the aortic valve. This technique enabled us to observe the relationship between aortic root expansion and valve function.