Search Results (9)

In the present study, a new Ganoderma sp. (ZHM1939) was collected from Lincang, Yunnan, China, and described on the basis of morphological characters and multigene phylogenetic analysis of rDNA-ITS, TEF1α and RPB2 sequences. This fungus is characterized by the exceptionally large basidiomata, oval shape, a pileus measuring 63.86 cm long, 52.35 cm wide, and 21.63 cm thick, and a fresh weight of 80.51 kg. The skeleton hyphae from the basidiocarp are grayish to grayish-red in color, septate, and 1.41–2.75 μm in diameter, with frequently dichotomous branched and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores. The basidiospores are monocellular, ellipsoid, with round ends or one slightly pointed end, brown–gray in color, and measured 6.52–10.26 μm × 4.68–7.17 μm (n = 30). When cultured for 9 days at 25 ± 2 °C on PDA, the colony was white, ellipsoid or oval, with slightly ragged edges, measured Φ58.26 ± 3.05 mm (n = 5), and the growth rate = 6.47 mm/day; prosperous blast-spores formed after culturing for 21 days, making the colony surface powdery-white. The mycelia were septate, hyaline, branching at near-right angles, measured Φ1.28–3.32 μm (n = 30), and had some connections. The blast-spores were one-celled, elliptic or barley-seed shaped, and measured 6.52–10.26 μm × 4.68–7.17 μm (n = 30). Its rDNA-ITS, TEF1α and RPB2 sequences amplified through PCR were 602 bp, 550 bp and 729 bp, respectively. Blast-n comparison with these sequences showed that ZHM1939 was 99.67–100% identical to related strains of Ganoderma mutabile. A maximum likelihood phylogenic tree using the concatenated sequence of rDNA-ITS, TEF1α and RPB2 was constructed and it showed that ZHM1939 clustered on the same terminal branch of the phylogenic tree with the strains Cui1718 and YUAN 2289 of G. mutabile (Bootstrap support = 100%). ZHM1939 could grow on all the 15 original inoculum substrates tested, among which the best growth was shown on substrate 2 (cornmeal 40 g, sucrose 10 g, agar 20 g), with the fastest colony growth rate (6.79 mm/day). Of the five propagation substrates tested, substrate 1 (wheat grains 500 g, gypsum powder 6.5 g and calcium carbonate 2 g) resulted in the highest mycelium growth rate (7.78 mm/day). Among the six cultivation substrates tested, ZHM1939 grew best in substrate 2 (cottonseed hulls 75 g, rice bran 12 g, tree leaves 5 g, cornmeal 5 g, lime powder 1 g, sucrose 1 g and red soil 1 g) with a mycelium growth rate of 7.64 mm/day. In conclusion, ZHM1939 was identified as Ganoderma mutabile, which is a huge mushroom and rare medicinal macrofungus resource. The original inoculum substrate 9, propagation substrate 1 and cultivation substrate 2 were the most optimal substrates for producing the original propagation and cultivation inocula of this macrofungus. This is the first report on successful growing conditions for mycelial production, but basidiocarp production could not be achieved. The results of the present work establish a scientific foundation for further studies, resource protection and application development of G. mutabile. Full article

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are root symbionts that play an important role in the growth of vascular plants. Four AM fungi, including three new species, Acaulospora citrusnsis, A. guangxiensis, A. jiangxiensis, and a new country record from China, Acaulospora herrerae, are reported based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis. They were isolated and propagated from spores extracted from the rhizosphere soils of citrus. A. citrusnsis is characterized by forming hyaline to pale yellow globose to subglobose spores of (70.0–)85.0(−100.0) μm in diameter. Spores of A. guangxiensis are pale yellow to pale yellowish brown, with spherical to sub-spherical appearance and (103.1–)122.1(–147.1) μm in diameter. Young spores of A. jiangxiensis are hyaline, gradually turning pale yellow as they mature, with spherical to sub-spherical appearance and (78.7–)85.6(–90.0) μm in diameter. Spores of A. herrerae are hyaline and 86.3–127.2 μm in diameter. Four species have three spore wall layers, and spores form individually in the soil. The phylogenetic tree was constructed and inferred from sequences of 18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S datasets by Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analysis. Voucher specimens are deposited in the Center for Subtropical Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Culture Collection (CSMC). Full article

The objective of the present study was to revise the recently described order Entrophosporales of the Glomeromycetes. The single family Entrophosporaceae had been divided into three genera, Entrophospora, Claroideoglomus and Albahypha, due to molecular phylogenetic or morphological analyses, but recently these three genera were combined within the type genus of the family, Entrophospora. Our new studies now suggest once more three genera, but Entrophospora and Claroideoglomus were not separated again. In the present study, we resurrected Albahypha with A. drummondii and A. furrazolae comb. nov. and established Alborhynchus gen. nov. with A. walkeri comb. nov. Morphologically, all glomoid morphs of the three genera have hyaline to white subtending hyphae with one spore wall continuous with the subtending hyphal wall. However, the genera can easily be differentiated from each other and from other glomoid species of the Glomeromycetes by the combination of the characteristics of the subtending hyphae, the staining reaction of the spore wall layers in Melzer’s reagent and phylogeny. In conclusion, the three AMF genera, currently recognized in the Entrophosporales, can unequivocally be identified by molecular phylogeny or by morphological characteristics of their spores and their subtending hyphae. An identification key distinguishes all AMF species currently attributed to Entrophosporales. Full article

Bacillus anthracis is the bacterium responsible for causing the zoonotic disease called anthrax. The disease presents itself in different forms like gastrointestinal, inhalation, and cutaneous. Bacterial spores are tremendously adaptable, can persist for extended periods and occasionally endanger human health. The Anthrax Toxin Receptor-2 (ANTXR2) gene acts as membrane receptor and facilitates the entry of the anthrax toxin into host cells. Additionally, mutations in the ANTXR2 gene have been linked to various autoimmune diseases, including Hyaline Fibromatosis Syndrome (HFS), Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Juvenile Hyaline Fibromatosis (JHF), and Infantile Systemic Hyalinosis (ISH). This study delves into the genetic landscape of ANTXR2, aiming to comprehend its associations with diverse disorders, elucidate the impacts of its mutations, and pinpoint minimal non-pathogenic mutations capable of reducing the binding affinity of the ANTXR2 gene with the protective antigen. Recognizing the pivotal role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in shaping genetic diversity, we conducted computational analyses to discern highly deleterious and tolerated non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) in the ANTXR2 gene. The Mutpred2 server determined that the Arg465Trp alteration in the ANTXR2 gene leads to altered DNA binding (p = 0.22) with a probability of a deleterious mutation of 0.808; notably, among the identified deleterious SNPs, rs368288611 (Arg465Trp) stands out due to its significant impact on altering the DNA-binding ability of ANTXR2. We propose these SNPs as potential candidates for hypertension linked to the ANTXR2 gene, which is implicated in blood pressure regulation. Noteworthy among the tolerated substitutions is rs200536829 (Ala33Ser), recognized as less pathogenic; this highlights its potential as a valuable biomarker, potentially reducing side effects on the host while also reducing binding with the protective antigen protein. Investigating these SNPs holds the potential to correlate with several autoimmune disorders and mitigate the impact of anthrax disease in humans. Full article

Wilted hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) plants were observed in August 2019 in commercial fields around Osijek, Croatia. Plants and roots with disease symptoms were collected. The single-spored isolates produced septate cottony white to light pink aerial mycelium and purple undersurface on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Smooth and hyaline hyphae were branched and septate. Macroconidia were fusiform to sickle-shaped with foot-shaped basal cells, elongated apical cells and three to five septa. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer and the partial elongation factor 1-α gene identified the species as Fusarium oxysporum. Artificial infection fulfills Koch’s postulates, producing plants which show stunted growth and wilt symptoms similar to those observed in the commercial fields. Control seedlings remained symptomless and healthy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of hemp Fusarium wilt causing F. oxysporum in Croatia. Considering that F. oxysporum has been reported in main field crops in Croatia, the presence of this pathogen could cause economically significant hemp production decreases, especially in humid and cold springs and susceptible varieties. Full article

In order to provide data for lichenologists studying taxonomy, Chaenothecopsis xishuiensis is supported and proposed as a new species from China based on phenotypic, molecular, and metabolite data. It is characterised by leprose thallus, single, conical to hemispherical apothecia, nonbranching stipe, cylindrical, eight-spored asci, and nonseptate and brown spores, and this lichenised fungus contains atranorin and zeorin in the thallus. In addition, Lecanora pseudargentata is reported for the first time as a new record from China. This species is characterised by red-brown to dark brown apothecial discs, eight-spored asci, nonseptate, hyaline spores, and the presence of atranorin and gangaleoidin. The biological activity of its lichen substances is discussed. Full article

Sugarcane leaf blight (SLB), a major fungal leaf disease of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), has been attributed to Stagonospora tainanensis. In December 2020 and May 2021, signs of leaf blight were observed on sugarcane in the fields of Chongzuo City, in the Guangxi Province of China. Lesions on the leaves were characterized by yellow or dark red spots in the center. Fungal species were isolated, purified and subjected to pathogenicity evaluation on the sugarcane plants. An isolate that caused symptoms the same as those observed in the field was initially identified as S. tainanensis (Leptosphaeria taiwanensis, perfect state) based on its morphological characteristics both of asexual and sexual stages. Dark brown and nearly spherical pycnidia with conidia of long ellipsoidal, hyaline, one to four cells and 29.27 to 54.39 μm long and 9.03 to 16.12 μm wide were found on corn meal agar medium. Ascomata with asci of cylindrical to clavate, a short stipe and eight spores slightly constricted at the septum, with the size of the spore ranging from 36 to 44 μm long and 8.5 to 12 μm wide, were formed on the sugarcane-leaf-decoction saccharose agar medium. The identity of the species was further confirmed by rDNA ITS and TEF-1α sequencing. The optimal temperature for mycelial growth was 25 °C and the optimal pH was 6.0. The pathogen grew well in a medium with oats as the carbon source and yeast extract as the nitrogen source, but poorly in a medium with urea as the nitrogen source. This study is the first to identify the sugarcane leaf blight pathogen in Guangxi, and the first publication describing the biological characterization of S. tainanensis. The occurrence of sugarcane leaf blight should alert sugarcane breeders and plant pathologists to consider integrating control of this potentially important disease into the agenda of their breeding and disease control programs. Full article

The South China Botanical Garden (SCBG), one of the largest and oldest botanical gardens in China, conserves important plant germplasms of endangered species. Therefore, ensuring tree health and studying the associated mycobiome of the phyllosphere is essential to maintaining its visual aesthetics. During a survey of plant-associated microfungal species in SCBG, we collected several coelomycetous taxa. Phylogenetic relationships were evaluated based on the analyses of ITS, LSU, RPB2, and β-tubulin loci. The morphological features of the new collections were compared with those of existing species, emphasizing close phylogenetic affinities. Based on the morphological comparisons and multi-locus phylogeny, we introduce three new species. These are Ectophoma phoenicis sp. nov., Remotididymella fici-microcarpae sp. nov., and Stagonosporopsis pedicularis-striatae sp. nov. In addition, we describe a new host record for Allophoma tropica in the Didymellaceae. Detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided along with notes comparing allied species. Full article

Chaetosphaeriaceae is a genera-rich and highly diverse group of fungi with a worldwide distribution in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Eight fresh collections of Chaetosphaeriaceae were obtained during investigations of hyaline-spored hyphomycetes in China and Thailand. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of a combined LSU and ITS sequence dataset, Chaetosphaeria obovoidea, Codinaea aseptata, Codinaeella hyalina, Dictyochaeta guizhouensis and Paragaeumannomyces guttulatus were introduced as new species, Codinaea terminalis was reported as new host record, and Codinaea dwaya and Phialosporostilbe scutiformis were introduced as new collections. Phylogenetic analysis in this study revealed that Chaetosphaeria was polyphyletic. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of new taxa and identified species are provided, as well as an updated phylogenetic tree to confirm the placements of these eight new collections. Full article