Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.4
3.5
Journals
Biology
Special Issues
Exploring the Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Ecology and Genomics of Fungi
share announcement

Exploring the Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Ecology and Genomics of Fungi

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2027 | Viewed by 5002

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chitrabhanu S. Bhunjun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
Interests: evolution; fungal diversity; genome biology; phylogeny; plant–fungal interactions
Dr. Chayanard Phukhamsakda

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
Interests: Dothideomycetes; fungal diversity; fungal evolution; metabolomics
Prof. Dr. Sajeewa Maharachchikumbura

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
Interests: ascomycetes taxonomy; fungal evolution; plant pathology; phylogenomics; Sordariomycetes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue "Exploring the Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Ecology and Genomics of Fungi" explores the vast and diverse world of fungi, encouraging the use polyphasic approaches to enhance our understanding of fungal diversity. This collection highlights recent advancements in fungal research, providing insights into the genetic makeup, functional capabilities, and evolutionary processes of various fungal species. Additionally, it examines the ecological roles of fungi in different environments, from soil ecosystems to plant–microbe interactions, emphasizing their contributions to biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem functioning. This Special Issue offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on fungal biodiversity and its far-reaching implications. We invite submissions of original research articles, review papers, and other relevant contributions that enhance our understanding of fungal diversity, taxonomy, ecology, and genomics.

Dr. Chitrabhanu S. Bhunjun
Dr. Chayanard Phukhamsakda
Prof. Dr. Sajeewa Maharachchikumbura
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biodiversity
  • ecological roles of fungi
  • fungal communities
  • genomics
  • polyphasic approaches
  • metabolomics

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

16 pages, 110154 KB  
Article
Nasopharyngeal Bacterial–Fungal Dysbiosis in Respiratory-Diseased Endangered Forest Musk Deer (Moschus berezovskii)
by Lijuan Suo, Kun Bian, Jie Tang, Feiran Li, Kuo Sun and Chao Yang
Biology 2026, 15(7), 587; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15070587 - 6 Apr 2026
Viewed by 604
Abstract
Background: The nasopharyngeal microbiome is crucial for respiratory health in mammals, yet it remains poorly characterized in the endangered forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii), particularly in the context of disease. Methods: We compared the bacterial (16S rRNA) and fungal (ITS2) communities [...] Read more.
Background: The nasopharyngeal microbiome is crucial for respiratory health in mammals, yet it remains poorly characterized in the endangered forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii), particularly in the context of disease. Methods: We compared the bacterial (16S rRNA) and fungal (ITS2) communities in the nasopharynx of healthy (n = 6) and clinically diseased (n = 6) individuals. Results: Although alpha diversity did not differ significantly, beta diversity (PCoA) analysis revealed distinct bacterial (PERMANOVA, R2 = 0.165, p = 0.014) and fungal (R2 = 0.577, p = 0.003) community structures between groups. The diseased group exhibited a significant increase in the bacterial phylum Proteobacteria (70.97% vs. 46.27%), primarily driven by the genera Bibersteinia and Pseudomonas. Fungal communities in the diseased group were dominated by a higher relative abundance of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, with significant enrichment of Wallemia and Aspergillus. LEfSe analysis identified Pseudomonas and multiple fungal taxa (e.g., Wallemia, Aspergillus) as biomarkers for the diseased group. PICRUSt2 prediction indicated enrichment of pathways related to carotenoid biosynthesis and sphingolipid metabolism in the diseased state, while FUNGuild analysis suggested a higher abundance of animal/plant pathogen-related fungi. Conclusions: Symptomatic respiratory infections in forest musk deer are associated with significant dysbiosis of the nasopharyngeal microbiome, characterized by the marked enrichment of potential bacterial opportunists (e.g., Pseudomonas) and specific fungal taxa (e.g., Wallemia, Aspergillus), alongside distinct functional shifts in the microbiome. These findings provide the first integrated bacterial–fungal profile of the nasopharyngeal microbiome in this endangered species, and highlight potential microbial biomarkers associated with respiratory disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Ecology and Genomics of Fungi)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 6045 KB  
Article
Screening of Heat-Resistant Morchella Strains and Elucidation of Their Heat-Tolerance Mechanisms
by Qilong Wu, Xiaoxuan You, Lihong Zheng, Zhen Li, Dingbang Da, Hongyu Chen, Yicheng Cao, Yuping Fan, Minglei Li and Wenqiang Li
Biology 2026, 15(5), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15050386 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 633
Abstract
Morchella is a nutritious and artificially cultivable rare ascomycete, and its growth and development regulation mechanisms are a current research hotspot. High-temperature stress severely limits the annual yield of Morchella, and this challenge is intensifying with global warming. However, previous studies have [...] Read more.
Morchella is a nutritious and artificially cultivable rare ascomycete, and its growth and development regulation mechanisms are a current research hotspot. High-temperature stress severely limits the annual yield of Morchella, and this challenge is intensifying with global warming. However, previous studies have lacked systematic screening for heat-tolerant Morchella strains, and their molecular response mechanisms to heat stress remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of phenotypic characteristics, physiological metabolism, and transcriptomics on 19 Morchella strains under normal (25 °C) and high-temperature (30 °C) conditions. The heat-tolerant strain HLM exhibited superior performance in mycelial growth, morphology, and field cultivation. It maintained cell homeostasis under heat stress through mild osmotic regulation (elevated levels of proline, soluble sugars, and proteins), a robust antioxidant system (increased activities of CAT, POD, and SOD), and reduced malondialdehyde accumulation. Transcriptomic analysis identified a novel regulatory model of “stress perception—metabolic preparation—terminal detoxification” in the heat-tolerant strain HLM under heat stress. The rapid upregulation of the SMPD1 gene may mediate ceramide signal generation, promoting G6PDH expression to drive carbon flow into the pentose phosphate pathway, thereby increasing NADPH output. As the detoxification terminal, AKR4C uses this reducing power to eliminate toxic carbonyl end products like malondialdehyde, completing the defense loop. These findings offer new insights into the heat-tolerance mechanisms of large ascomycetes, provide a theoretical foundation for stress-resistant Morchella breeding and cultivation in high-temperature areas, and serve as valuable resources for exploring heat-tolerance mechanisms and molecular breeding in other edible fungi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Ecology and Genomics of Fungi)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

22 pages, 2470 KB  
Review
The Multifaceted Menace of Fusarium as a Plant, Animal, and Human Pathogen
by Kavindya Abeysinghe, Asanka Madhushan, Ahmed Mahmoud Ismail, Evgeny Ilyukhin and Sajeewa S. N. Maharachchikumbura
Biology 2026, 15(6), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15060453 - 10 Mar 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 950
Abstract
Fusarium is a diverse genus of filamentous fungi that has long been recognized for its importance in plant disease and food security. Beyond its agricultural impact, a growing number of studies now show that Fusarium species can also act as opportunistic pathogens in [...] Read more.
Fusarium is a diverse genus of filamentous fungi that has long been recognized for its importance in plant disease and food security. Beyond its agricultural impact, a growing number of studies now show that Fusarium species can also act as opportunistic pathogens in animals and humans. This review synthesizes current knowledge on Fusarium biology by integrating perspectives from plant pathology, veterinary science, and medical mycology. We examine how shared virulence mechanisms, environmental reservoirs, and genomic plasticity—including accessory chromosomes and horizontal gene transfer—facilitate adaptation across plant, animal, and human hosts. We also consider the role of environmental change in shaping the distribution and pathogenic potential of this genus. By bringing together evidence that is often scattered across disciplines, this review emphasizes the need to move beyond host-specific views and highlights Fusarium as a useful model for understanding fungal adaptability and cross-kingdom pathogenicity within a One Health framework. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Ecology and Genomics of Fungi)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

18 pages, 415 KB  
Systematic Review
Aspergillus Infections in Cetaceans: A Systematic Review of Clinical, Ecological, and Conservation Perspectives
by Victor Garcia-Bustos, Inmaculada Rosario Medina, Marta Dafne Cabanero-Navalon, Rosie S. Williams, Shaheed Karl Macgregor, Shinto Kunjamma John, Francisco Javier Aznar, Patricia Gozalbes and Begoña Acosta-Hernández
Biology 2025, 14(6), 664; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14060664 - 7 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2111
Abstract
Aspergillus spp., particularly A. fumigatus, are increasingly reported as emerging pathogens in cetaceans, yet their clinical and ecological relevance remains poorly characterized. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from 34 studies involving 106 animals, identifying respiratory, neurological, and otic infections as the most [...] Read more.
Aspergillus spp., particularly A. fumigatus, are increasingly reported as emerging pathogens in cetaceans, yet their clinical and ecological relevance remains poorly characterized. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from 34 studies involving 106 animals, identifying respiratory, neurological, and otic infections as the most frequent presentations with potential interspecies tropism. Invasive disease, frequently fatal, was linked to co-infections—especially with morbillivirus—and environmental stressors such as pollution- and climate-related immune suppression. Despite cetaceans’ role as sentinel species, antifungal susceptibility testing and species-level identification were inconsistently performed. Additionally, azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains were isolated from wild porpoises, indicating environmental antifungal exposure and potential public health implications. Aspergillosis remains underdiagnosed in free-ranging populations, particularly in remote or pelagic species. Conservation implications were scarcely addressed, despite evidence suggesting that fungal disease may contribute to morbidity, stranding, and population impact. This review underscores the need for enhanced surveillance, integrative diagnostics, and recognition of fungal pathogens in a One Health framework. The growing intersection of climate change, emerging mycoses, and wildlife conservation positions Aspergillus infections in cetaceans as both a marine mammal health concern and an ecological indicator of broader environmental changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Biodiversity, Taxonomy, Ecology and Genomics of Fungi)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop