Fungal-Nematode-Insect Interactions

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental and Ecological Interactions of Fungi".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 November 2024) | Viewed by 2758

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies/Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Apdo. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
Interests: biocontrol; nematophagous fungi; entomopathogenic fungi; chitosan; plant pathology; endophytes; fungal "omics"
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies/Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Apdo. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
Interests: biocontrol; nematophagous fungi; entomopathogenic fungi; chitosan; plant pathology; endophytes; fungal "omics"
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Interactions between fungi, nematodes and insects are universal in nature, and fungal–insect symbiosis benefits both fungus and insects greatly. Many fungi from different phyla are known to infect and kill insects and nematodes. Fungal pathogens can modify insect behavior to their benefit. In turn, insects can modify their behavior to prevent or minimize fungal infections. Little information is available on nematodes. Advances in research on fungal pathogen evolution and host adaptation, the underlying molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity (receptors, adhesives, enzymes, secondary metabolites, effectors) and immunity (melanisation) have been made due to comparative functional genomics studies on fungi, nematode and insects. Fungal pathogens of insects are used for sustainable management of pests in agriculture but can also be used to control insect vectors of animal and human pathogens. Nematophagous fungi are similarly applicable for a variety of uses, but they are less developed than their entomopathogenic counterparts. Therefore, enhancing our knowledge of infection and defense in fungus–insect interactions will help us to advance the development of this system for efficient biocontrol and cell factory sourcing of useful bioactive compounds. The relationship of nematophagous and entomopathogenic fungi with plants is fascinating. Fungi can act as biofertilizers and enhance the growth and development of both model plants and crops. The cellular, agronomical and molecular basis of this component of the biology of these biocontrol fungi is just emerging.

The Special Issue will cover all aspects of fungal–nematode–insect interactions. Topics to be addressed include, but are not limited to, biology, physiology, genetics and the -omics of nematophagous and entomopathogenic fungi, fungal–insect symbiosis, fungal infection and pathogenesis in insects, insect/nematode immunity to fungal infection and insect/nematode biocontrol with fungi. Authors may submit basic (laboratory), as well as applied (field), studies. Both reviews and original research articles discussing recent progress and advances in the field are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Luis Vicente López-Llorca
Dr. Federico Lopez-Moya
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nematophagous fungi
  • entomopathogenic fungi
  • fungal "omics"
  • insect immunity
  • biocontrol
  • pathogenesis

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2299 KiB  
Article
Isolation, Morphological and Molecular–Phenological Identification of Nematophagous Fungi Inhabiting the Soils of Agricultural Lands in Southern Kazakhstan
by Gulzat Kanalbek, Akniyet Zhanuzak, Dmitry Faleev, Aidos Nusupov, Karlygash Mukhatayeva and Kenzhe-Karim Boguspaev
J. Fungi 2025, 11(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11010042 - 7 Jan 2025
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Abstract
The aim of the present research is the isolation and morphological and molecular–phenological identification of nematophagous fungi of Southern Kazakhstan for the production of effective bionematicides on their basis. Nematophagous fungi, which include nematode-trapping, ovicidal, endoparasitic, toxin-producing, and special substance-producing fungi, are among [...] Read more.
The aim of the present research is the isolation and morphological and molecular–phenological identification of nematophagous fungi of Southern Kazakhstan for the production of effective bionematicides on their basis. Nematophagous fungi, which include nematode-trapping, ovicidal, endoparasitic, toxin-producing, and special substance-producing fungi, are among the most effective biological agents in controlling phytoparasitic nematodes. To isolate and characterize nematophagous fungi, soil samples were collected at 12 sites in three regions of Southern Kazakhstan. The samples were collected using the envelope method. The content of nematophagous fungi in the samples was determined using the standard surface sowing technique. The obtained strains of nematophagous fungi were identified. The attractive and nematophagous activity of the obtained fungal strains was determined by using standard methods. In experiments on the isolation and morphological identification of nematophagous fungi, the nematode species Meloidogyne incognita was used. Identification of the strains was carried out by the method of determining the direct nucleotide sequence of the region of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer, followed by determination of nucleotide identity with sequences deposited in the international GeneBank database. As a result, the following species of nematophagous fungi living in the soils of agricultural lands in Southern Kazakhstan were identified: Orbilia oligospora, Duddingtonia flagrans, Orbilia oligospora, and Arthrobotrys superba. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal-Nematode-Insect Interactions)
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16 pages, 2569 KiB  
Article
Arthropods as Vectors of Grapevine Trunk Disease Pathogens: Quantification of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora on Arthropods and Mycobiome Analysis of Earwig Exoskeletons
by Elisa Maria Brandenburg, Ralf Thomas Voegele, Michael Fischer and Falk Hubertus Behrens
J. Fungi 2024, 10(4), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10040237 - 22 Mar 2024
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Abstract
Viticulture worldwide is challenged by grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs). Involvement of arthropods in the dissemination process of GTD pathogens, notably esca pathogens, is indicated after detection of associated pathogens on arthropod exoskeletons, and demonstration of transmission under artificial conditions. The present study is [...] Read more.
Viticulture worldwide is challenged by grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs). Involvement of arthropods in the dissemination process of GTD pathogens, notably esca pathogens, is indicated after detection of associated pathogens on arthropod exoskeletons, and demonstration of transmission under artificial conditions. The present study is the first to quantify spore loads via qPCR of the esca-relevant pathogen Phaeomoniella chlamydospora on arthropods collected in German vineyards, i.e., European earwigs (Forficula auricularia), ants (Formicidae), and two species of jumping spiders (Marpissa muscosa and Synageles venator). Quantification of spore loads showed acquisition on exoskeletons, but most arthropods carried only low amounts. The mycobiome on earwig exoskeletons was described for the first time to reveal involvement of earwigs in the dispersal of GTDs in general. Metabarcoding data support the potential risk of earwigs as vectors for predominantly Pa. chlamydospora and possibly Eutypa lata (causative agent of Eutypa dieback), as respective operational taxonomical unit (OTU) assigned genera had relative abundances of 6.6% and 2.8% in total reads, even though with great variation between samples. Seven further GTD-related genera were present at a very low level. As various factors influence the successful transmission of GTD pathogens, we hypothesize that arthropods might irregularly act as direct vectors. Our results highlight the importance of minimizing and protecting pruning wounds in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal-Nematode-Insect Interactions)
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Review

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30 pages, 4603 KiB  
Review
Galleria mellonella as an Invertebrate Model for Studying Fungal Infections
by Gabriel Davi Marena, Luciana Thomaz, Joshua Daniel Nosanchuk and Carlos Pelleschi Taborda
J. Fungi 2025, 11(2), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11020157 - 18 Feb 2025
Abstract
The incidence of fungal infections continues to increase and one of the factors responsible for these high rates is the emergence of multi-resistant species, hospitalizations, inappropriate or prolonged use of medications, and pandemics, such as the ongoing HIV/AIDS pandemic. The recent pandemic caused [...] Read more.
The incidence of fungal infections continues to increase and one of the factors responsible for these high rates is the emergence of multi-resistant species, hospitalizations, inappropriate or prolonged use of medications, and pandemics, such as the ongoing HIV/AIDS pandemic. The recent pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a significant increase in fungal infections, especially systemic mycoses caused by opportunistic fungi. There is a growing and urgent need to better understand how these microorganisms cause infection and develop resistance as well as to develop new therapeutic strategies to combat the diverse diseases caused by fungi. Non-mammalian hosts are increasingly used as alternative models to study microbial infections. Due to their low cost, simplicity of care, conserved innate immunity and reduced ethical issues, the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is an excellent model host for studying fungal infections and it is currently widely used to study fungal pathogenesis and develop innovative strategies to mitigate the mycoses studied. G. mellonella can grow at 37 °C, which is similar to the mammalian temperature, and the anatomy of the larvae allows researchers to easily deliver pathogens, biological products, compounds and drugs. The aim of this review is to describe how G. mellonella is being used as a model system to study fungal infections as well as the importance of this model in evaluating the antifungal profile of potential drug candidates or new therapies against fungi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal-Nematode-Insect Interactions)
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