Search Results (33)

México is the world’s leading producer of avocado, with 2,540,715 tons in the last year. Trametes spp. are macromycete fungi that rot wood. In 2022, in the state of Michoacán, México, sporomas of Trametes sp. were found in the trunks of avocado trees (Persea americana var. Hass) of 10 years old and older. The trees showed disease symptoms including yellowing of leaves, widespread defoliation, and wilting. It was observed that 10% of the infected trees were felled after heavy rains. In the place where the fungus settled, abundant cream-colored and cottony mycelium developed, causing “white rot”. The incidence of the disease in the sampled orchards was 60% in the tree population per hectare with 350 trees. The symptomatic trees studied were randomly selected from seven orchards. The collected fungal samples show typical structures corresponding to Trametes sp., including large sporomas, a pileus with a surface of concentric zones of various ocher tones, and a porous hymenium. The samples showed a 99% match with the species Trametes hirsuta. Laboratory bioassays of inoculation in fresh wood segments of avocado formed typical sporomas of the pathogen. Finally, the fungus was recovered and reisolated in vitro in PDA, and its identity was confirmed through the morphological characteristics and molecular tests. To the best of our knowledge, this article reports for the first time that P. americana cv. Hass and Mendez are new hosts for T. hirsuta. Therefore, the environmental and horticultural management conditions that favor the proliferation of T. hirsuta must be investigated. Full article

Short-term observations suggest that environmental changes affect the diversity and composition of soil fungi, significantly influencing forest resilience, plant diversity, and soil processes. However, time-series experiments should be supplemented with geobiological archives to capture the long-term effects of environmental changes on fungi–soil–plant interactions, particularly in undersampled, floristically diverse tropical forests. We recently conducted trnL-P6 amplicon sequencing to generate a sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) record of the regional catchment vegetation of the tropical waterbody Lake Towuti (Sulawesi, Indonesia), spanning over one million years (Myr) of the lake’s developmental history. In this study, we performed 18SV9 amplicon sequencing to create a parallel paleofungal record to (a) infer the composition, origins, and functional guilds of paleofungal community members and (b) determine the extent to which downcore changes in fungal community composition reflect the late Pleistocene evolution of the Lake Towuti catchment. We identified at least 52 members of Ascomycota (predominantly Dothiodeomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, and Leotiomycetes) and 12 members of Basidiomycota (primarily Agaricales and Polyporales). Spearman correlation analysis of the relative changes in fungal community composition, geochemical parameters, and paleovegetation assemblages revealed that the overwhelming majority consisted of soil organic matter and wood-decaying saprobes, except for a necrotrophic phytopathogenic association between Mycosphaerellaceae (Cadophora) and wetland herbs (Alocasia) in more-than-1-Myr-old silts and peats deposited in a pre-lake landscape, dominated by small rivers, wetlands, and peat swamps. During the lacustrine stage, vegetation that used to grow on ultramafic catchment soils during extended periods of inferred drying showed associations with dark septate endophytes (Ploettnerulaceae and Didymellaceae) that can produce large quantities of siderophores to solubilize mineral-bound ferrous iron, releasing bioavailable ferrous iron needed for several processes in plants, including photosynthesis. Our study showed that sedaDNA metabarcoding paired with the analysis of geochemical parameters yielded plausible insights into fungal-plant-soil interactions, and inferred changes in the paleohydrology and catchment evolution of tropical Lake Towuti, spanning more than one Myr of deposition. Full article

Extracts from 58 species of corticioid fungi (phylum Basidiomycota), mainly belonging to the orders Hymenochaetales, Polyporales and Russulales, were tested for their inhibitory activity against five species of bacteria: Corynebacterium striatum, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Twenty-four of the species we analyzed in this study were tested for antibacterial activity for the first time. The fruiting bodies of the fungi were collected from dead wood in the forests of north-eastern Poland, and macerated in methanol. Dried extracts were redissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide and applied to broth cultures of the bacteria, which were then inoculated on agar plates. Noblesia crocea demonstrated moderate inhibitory activity against all five tested bacteria; Amylocorticium subincarnatum, Laxitextum bicolor, Peniophora laeta, P. rufomarginata, Phanerochaete sordida, and Xylobolus frustulatus inhibited four bacterial species. The extracts from 14 fungal species tested were moderately active against only two bacteria, P. aeruginosa and C. striatum; 17 species were active against C. striatum only. The full inhibition was observed with concentrations of extract 25 or 50 mg/mL. Full article

Species of Ganoderma (Ganodermataceae, Polyporales) have been extensively utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for over two millennia, owing to their remarkable medicinal properties and diverse chemical constituents. Hainan Island, located in tropical China, harbors a rich diversity of Ganoderma species. Among these, certain varieties referred to as “Lingzhi Wang” or “Zhu Lingzhi” by indigenous communities are distinguished by their diminutive pilei and slender stipes. Despite their traditional recognition, these species have been subject to morphological confusion. In this study, specimens labeled as “Lingzhi Wang” or “Zhu Lingzhi” were subjected to comprehensive morphological examinations and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The findings reveal that the Ganoderma species characterized by small pilei and gracile stipes encompass at least five distinct species. Among these, two are new to science: G. baisuzhenii and G. shennongii. The remaining three species, G. bambusicola, G. flexipes, and G. subflexipes, have been previously described. Taxonomically, G. bambusicola was reported for the first time on the Chinese mainland. This study provides a clearer taxonomic framework for these medicinally significant fungi. Full article

Fungal secondary metabolites (SMs) have broad applications in biomedicine, biocontrol, and the food industry. In this study, whole-genome sequencing and annotation of Taiwanofungus gaoligongensis were conducted, followed by comparative genomic analysis with 11 other species of Polyporales to examine genomic variations and secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways. Additionally, transcriptome data were used to analyze the differential expression of polyketide synthase (PKS), terpene synthase (TPS) genes, and transcription factors (TFs) under different culture conditions. The results show that T. gaoligongensis differs from other fungal species in genome size (34.58 Mb) and GC content (50.72%). The antibiotics and Secondary Metabolites Analysis Shell (AntiSMASH) analysis reveals significant variation in the number of SM biosynthetic gene clusters (SMBGCs) across the 12 species (12–29), with T. gaoligongensis containing 25 SMBGCs: 4 PKS, 6 non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), and 15 TPS clusters. The TgPKS1 gene is hypothesized to be involved in the biosynthesis of orsellinic acid or its derivatives, while TgPKS2 might catalyze the synthesis of 6-methylsalicylic acid (6MSA) and its derivatives. The TgTRI5 genes are suggested to synthesize tetracyclic sesquiterpene type B trichothecene compounds, while TgPentS may be involved in the synthesis of δ-cadinol, β-copaene, and α-murolene analogs or derivatives. Comparative genomic analysis shows that the genome size of T. gaoligongensis is similar to that of T. camphoratus, with comparable SMs. Both species share four types of PKS domains and five distinct types of TPS. Additionally, T. gaoligongensis exhibits a high degree of similarity to Laetiporus sulphureus, despite belonging to a different genus within the same family. Transcriptome analysis reveals significant variation in the expression levels of PKS and TPS genes across different cultivation conditions. The TgPKS1 and TgPKS4 genes, along with nine TgTFs, are significantly upregulated under three solid culture conditions. In contrast, under three different liquid culture conditions, the TgPKS3, TgTRI5-1, and TgTRI5-2 genes, along with twelve TgTFs, exhibit higher activity. Co-expression network analysis and TgTFs binding site prediction in the promoter regions of TgPKS and TgTPS genes suggest that TgMYB9 and TgFTD4 regulate TgPKS4 expression. TgHOX1, TgHSF2, TgHSF3, and TgZnF4 likely modulate TgPKS3 transcriptional activity. TgTRI5-1 and TgTRI5-5 expression is likely regulated by TgbZIP2 and TgZnF15, respectively. This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of SMs in T. gaoligongensis and offers potential strategies for enhancing the biosynthesis of target compounds through artificial intervention. Full article

Tropical montane and premontane forests are diverse, including fungi. However, little is known about spalting fungi (decay fungi that change the color of wood) in tropical regions despite the economic importance they could bring by enhancing wood esthetics. To increase the knowledge of the diversity of spalting fungi, a sampling of fallen logs, branches (exposing xylem to identify potential pigmenting and zone line-producing fungi), and fruiting bodies (on wood) was conducted in the premontane moist forest in the district of San Ramon, Junín, Peru. The fungi were collected, cultured, isolated, and sequenced. Also, the identified species were used in a novel test to confirm they were producing spalting on Guazuma crinita. The species found belong to the Ascomycota orders Xylariales and Diaporthales and the Basidiomycota orders Agaricales, Polyporales, and Russulales. The fungi collected produced bleaching, different colors of zone lines, and pigmentation in laboratory conditions. The results increase the database of spalted fungi in Peru, and the test used in this research could be the basis for a quick test to identify spalting fungi. Full article

Brown-rot fungi are an important group of wood-decaying fungi, but there has been limited research on the species diversity of brown-rot fungi in Xinjiang, China. During an investigation of brown-rot fungi in Xinjiang, from July 2018 to July 2023, five new species belonging to the family Postiaceae were discovered based on morphological and molecular evidence. Amaropostia altaiensis is characterized by a conchate pileus, circular pores (5–8 per mm), and growing on Populus. Amaropostia tianshanensis is characterized by a flabelliform-to-conchate pileus, angular pores (5–6 per mm), and growing on Picfea. Cyanosporus latisporus is characterized by a hirsute and dark greyish blue pileal surface with fresh, larger pores (3–6 per mm) and broad basidiospores (4.3–5.9 × 1.4–2 µm). Cyanosporus tianshanensis is characterized by a smooth and white-to-cream pileal surface with fresh, smaller pores (6–9 per mm). Osteina altaiensis is characterized by a light mouse-grey-to-honey-yellow pileal surface, smaller pores (4–6 per mm), and slightly wide basidiospores (5–6 × 1.7–2.2 µm). Each of these five new species form independent lineages in phylogenetic analyses based on the seven gene loci (ITS + nLSU + nSSU + mtSSU + TEF1 + RPB1 + RPB2). This research enriches the diversity of brown-rot fungi species, while also demonstrating the substantial discovery potential and research value of brown-rot fungi in Xinjiang. Full article

Phellinotus (Polyporales) is a common genus of wood-decay fungi in tropical and subtropical areas, endemic to the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest (SDTF) biome. However, Phellinotus diversity remains unexplored, despite being a major threat to living trees. Therefore, this study is aimed at confirming and characterizing through morphological and molecular data the first isolates of Phellinotus teixeirae in Pithecellobium dulce (Fabaceae) trees (locally referred to as ‘Chiminango’) from the endangered Colombian SDTF biome. Fifteen fungal specimens were recovered from living P. dulce trees, in the urban area and at the Universidad del Valle campus, and classified as P. teixeirae based on taxonomical descriptors. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred from a four-loci dataset (ribosomal and gene-coding regions), including 82 taxa covering 3991 nucleotide positions. The analysis recovered seven highly supported (>90% bootstrapping) monophyletic taxa of the ‘Phellinotus Clade’, and confirmed the new distribution range of P. teixeirae (100% bootstrap support), which extends approx. 1000 km north in the Neotropics. Hierarchical stratified Analysis of MOlecular VAriance (AMOVA) provided a clear genetic distinction between species (70% of variation, p-value = 0.001) and low differentiation among country of origin within species (11%, p-value = 0.044). Discriminant Analysis for Principal Components (DAPC) indicated complex clustering including closely related species, probably a signal of recent radiation and weak species boundaries. Median-joining haplotype network analysis identified unique haplotypes, which may correlate with new host colonization and population expansion (Tajima’s D ≤ −0.5). In conclusion, this study provides the first assessment of the genetic diversity of P. teixeirae in a novel geography (SDTP) and host tree (P. dulce). However, increasing the number of isolates remains critical to understand further the genus’ distribution patterns and drivers of genetic diversity. Full article

Four new wood-inhabiting fungi were found in Southwestern China within the genera Phanerochaete, Phlebiopsis, Asterostroma, and Vararia of the families Phanerochaetaceae and Peniophoraceae, belonging to the orders Polyporales and Russulales individually. Combined with their morphological characteristics and molecular biological evidence, the present study describes them as new fungal taxa. Asterostroma yunnanense is characterized by the resupinate, membranaceous to pellicular basidiomata with a cream to salmon-buff hymenial surface, hyphal system dimitic bearing simple-septa, thin- to thick-walled, yellowish brown asterosetae with acute tips, and thin-walled, echinulate, amyloid, globose basidiospores. Phanerochaete tongbiguanensis is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata with a white to cream hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with simple-septa generative hyphae, the presence of subclavate cystidia covered with a lot of crystals, and oblong ellipsoid basidiospores (6–9 × 3–4.5 µm). Phlebiopsis fissurata is characterized by the membranaceous, tuberculate basidiomata with a buff to slightly brown hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with simple-septa, conical cystidia, and broadly ellipsoid. Vararia yingjiangensis is characterized by a corky basidiomata with a pinkish buff to cinnamon-buff hymenial surface, cracking, yellowish dichohyphae with slightly curved tips, subulate gloeocystidia, and thick-walled, ellipsoid basidiospores (6.5–11.5 × 5–7 µm). The phylogenetic analyses of ITS + nLSU revealed that the two new species were nested into the genera Phanerochaete and Phlebiopsis within the family Phanerochaetaceae (Polyporales), in which Phanerochaete tongbiguanensis was sister to P. daliensis; Phlebiopsis fissurata was grouped with P. lamprocystidiata. Two new species were clustered into the genera Asterostroma and Vararia within the family Peniophoraceae (Russulales), in which Asterostroma yunnanense was sister to A. cervicolor; Vararia yingjiangensis formed a single branch. Full article

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. Full article

Mature tropical urban trees are susceptible to root and trunk rot caused by pathogenic fungi. A metagenomic survey of such fungi was carried out on 210 soil and tissue samples collected from 134 trees of 14 common species in Singapore. Furthermore, 121 fruiting bodies were collected and barcoded. Out of the 22,067 OTUs (operational taxonomic units) identified, 10,646 OTUs had annotation information, and most were either ascomycetes (63.4%) or basidiomycetes (22.5%). Based on their detection in the diseased tissues and surrounding soils and/or the presence of fruiting bodies, fourteen basidiomycetes (nine Polyporales, four Hymenochaetales, one Boletales) and three ascomycetes (three species of Scytalidium) were strongly associated with the diseased trees. Fulvifomes siamensis affected the largest number of tree species surveyed. The association of three fungi was further supported by in vitro wood decay studies. Genetic heterogeneity was common in the diseased tissues and fruiting bodies (Ganoderma species especially). This survey identified the common pathogenic fungi of tropical urban trees and laid the foundation for early diagnosis and targeted mitigation efforts. It also illustrated the complexity of fungal ecology and pathogenicity. Full article

The widely cultivated Chinese Lingzhi is a famous fungus with significant medicinal and economic value, which has commonly been misidentified as Ganoderma lucidum for a long period of time. The scientific binomial of the fungus is always a hotly debated question that revolves around G. lingzhi and G. sichuanense. To interpret the species concept of the taxon, six specific primers for G. sichuanense and one universal primer were designed. Through directed and nested PCRs, we obtained nine ITS sequences from the holotype (HMAS 42798) of G. sichuanense. By genome sequencing, the ITS sequence of the first cultivated Lingzhi (HMAS 25103) was assembled. Based on a phylogenetic study of the genus Ganoderma, the correct name for widely cultivated Ganoderma species in China was confirmed as G. sichuanense, and G. lingzhi should be a later synonym. Full article

Phlebia s.l. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) accommodates numerous species of wood-inhabiting fungi within the phylum Basidiomycota. The present study employs the morphological and phylogenetic approaches to revise the generic and species classification of Phlebia s.l. and surveys the species diversity. The phylogenetic analyses were performed using multiple gene regions viz. the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1), the small subunit of mitochondrial rRNA gene (mtSSU), the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), RNA polymerase II largest subunit (rpb1), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2). We overall recognize twenty genera of Phlebia s.l., including three new genera viz. Ceriporiopsoides, Phlebicolorata, and Pseudophlebia, seven new species viz. Crustodontia rhododendri, Hydnophlebia fissurata, Luteoporia straminea, Merulius sinensis, Mycoaciella brunneospina, Phlebia niveomarginata, and P. poroides and seventeen new combinations viz. Ceriporiopsoides guidella, C. lagerheimii, Hydnophlebia acanthocystis, H. capsica, H. fimbriata, Merulius fuscotuberculatus, M. nantahaliensis, M. tomentopileatus, Mycoacia tuberculata, Mycoaciella uda, Phlebicolorata alboaurantia, Ph. brevispora, Ph. pseudoplacenta, Ph. rosea, Pseudophlebia lindtneri, Ps. semisupina, and Ps. setulosa. Descriptions, illustrations, phylogenetic trees to show the placements, and notes of new taxa are provided. Full article

Perenniporia is an important genus of Polyporaceae. In its common acceptation, however, the genus is polyphyletic. In this study, phylogenetic analyses on a set of Perenniporia species and related genera were carried out using DNA sequences of multiple loci, including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the small subunit mitochondrial rRNA gene (mtSSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1) and the b-tubulin gene (TBB1). Based on morphology and phylogeny, 15 new genera, viz., Aurantioporia, Citrinoporia, Cystidioporia, Dendroporia, Luteoperenniporia, Macroporia, Macrosporia, Minoporus, Neoporia, Niveoporia, Rhizoperenniporia, Tropicoporia, Truncatoporia, Vanderbyliella, and Xanthoperenniporia, are proposed; 2 new species, Luteoperenniporia australiensis and Niveoporia subrusseimarginata, are described; and 37 new combinations are proposed. Illustrated descriptions of the new species are provided. Identification keys to Perenniporia and its related genera and keys to the species of these genera are provided. Full article

In the present work, research tasks were carried out in the search for fungi with potential biocontrol possibilities in relation to the ash dieback pathogen, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. In the years 2012–2021, dead petioles of F. excelsior and F. mandshurica were collected, on which morphological structures of H. fraxineus showed unusual symptoms of dying (apothecia) and signs of colonization by other fungi (pseudosclerotial plates). Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic data, 18 fungal taxa were identified. Thirteen of them belong to Ascomycota: Clonostachys rosea, Cl. solani, Cordyceps sp., Minimidochium sp., Nemania diffusa, Fusarium sp., Pestalotiopsis sp., Trichoderma atroviride, T. harzianum, T. polysporum, T. rodmanii, T. tomentosum, Trichoderma sp., and five other taxa are represented by Basidiomycota: Corticiales sp., Cyathus olla, Efibula sp., Gymnopus sp. and Polyporales sp. In 108 dual cultures in vitro, three different types of interactions were distinguished: (i) physical colony contact (5.6%), (ii) presence of an inhibition zone between the colonies (0.9%), and (iii) copartner overgrowth of H. fraxineus colonies and partial or complete replacement of the pathogen (93.5%). In the dual cultures, various morphological deformations of H. fraxineus hyphae were observed: the development of apical or intercalary cytoplasmic extrusions, development of internal hyphae of the test fungi in pathogens’ hyphae, the deformation and disruption of significant sections of H. fraxineus hyphae via lysis and mycoparasitism, complete desolation of H. fraxineus cells and breakdown of hyphae into short fragments, and disappearing of pigment in the affected hyphae of H. fraxineus. The inoculation tests performed in vivo or in glass Petrie dishes showed that all the identified taxa were able to lead to pathological changes in H. fraxineus apothecia, and the mycelium of some of them completely covered pseudosclerotial plates of H. fraxineus. It was emphasized in the discussion that such activity of these fungi in forest stands may contribute to the reduction in the H. fraxineus inoculum reservoir. Full article