Showing papers in "Fungal Diversity in 2008"

Morphological and molecular data reveal cryptic speciation in Lasiodiplodia theobromae.

Abstract: Lasiodiplodia theobromae is a common pathogen that Occurs on a large number of hosts in the tropics and subtropics. A collection of isolates identified as L. theobromae was studied on the basis of sequence data from the ITS regions and EF1-alpha gene. Phylogenetic analyses identified three well-supported clades within this group of isolates, one corresponding to L. theobromae and two others corresponding to potential cryptic species. The distinct phylogenetic position of the two clades is supported by differences in conidial morphology and these are, therefore, described as Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae sp. nov. and Lasiodiplodia parka sp. nov.

Ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity: seperating the wheat from the chaff

Abstract: Thousands of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal species exist, but estimates of global species richness of ECM fungi differ widely. Many genera have been proposed as being ECM, but ill a number of studies evidence for the hypothesized ECM habit is lacking. Progress in estimating ECM species richness is therefore slow. Ill this paper we have retrieved studies providing evidence for the ECM habit of fungal species and For the identification of the mycobiont(s) ill specific ECM associations, using published and web-based mycorrhiza literature. The identification methods considered are morpho-anatomical, characterization or naturally occurring ECMs, pure Culture synthesis, molecular identification, and isotopic evidence. In addition, phylogenetic information is also considered as a relevant criterion to assess ECM habit. OF 343 fungal genera for which all ECM status has been alleged, about two thirds have Supportive published evidence or ECM Status can be at least hypothesized. For the remaining taxa, Currently no indication exists as for their I-CM nutritional habit, besides field observations or associations with putative hosts. Our survey clearly indicates that current knowledge of ECM fungal diversity, as Supported by experimental evidence, is only partly complete, and that inclusion of many Funga genera in this trophic and ecological category is not verified at this stage. Care must thus be used when compiling lists of ECM and saprotrophic full studies oil the basis of published information only. On the basis of our literature search we conservatively estimate ECM species richness around 7750 species. However, oil the basis of estimates of knowns and unknowns in macromycete diversity, a final estimate or ECM species richness Would likely be between 20000 and 25000.

Biology and recent developments in the systematics of Phoma, a complex genus of major quarantine significance

Abstract: Species of the coelomycetous genus Phoma are ubiquitously present in the environment, and occupy numerous ecological niches. More than 220 species are currently recognised, but the actual number of taxa within this genus is probably much higher, as only a fraction of the thousands of species described in literature have been verified in vitro. For as long as the genus exists, identification has posed problems to taxonomists due to the asexual nature of most species, the high morphological variability in vivo, and the vague generic circumscription according to the Saccardoan system. In recent years the genus was revised in a series of papers by Gerhard Boerema and co-workers, using culturing techniques and morphological data. This resulted in an extensive handbook, the ?Phoma Identification Manual? which was published in 2004. The present review discusses the taxonomic revision of Phoma and its teleomorphs, with a special focus on its molecular biology and papers published in the post-Boerema era.

Diversity and structure of the fungal endophytic assemblages from two sympatric coastal grasses.

Abstract: Ammophila arenaria and Elymus farctus are two grasses which grow in sympatry in sand dunes of the Atlantic coasts of Europe Culturable fungal endophytes were isolated from leaf and rhizome tissues of eigthy four plants of each species, sampled in 12 different locations in beaches of the northern coast of Galicia (Spain) Morphological and molecular techniques were used for the identification of fungi One hundred and three different endophytic species were identified in both grasses, 75 in Ammophila and 54 in Elymus The mean number of species identified did not significantly differ between leaves or rhizomes for any of the grasses The endophytic assemblages of both grasses were dominated by species capable of infecting both hosts Endophytes found in both grasses comprised 25% of all species recorded, but produced 61% of all isolates obtained A statistically significant inverse relationship existed between the similarity of endophytic assemblages and their distance This spatial effect and species accumulation curves suggested that increasing the number of plants or locations examined would reveal new endophytic species, mostly singletons represented by single isolates, on both grasses

Walking the thin line between Russula and Lactarius: the dilemma of Russula subsect. Ochricompactae.

Abstract: Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Dépt. Systématique et évolution, USM602, F-75005 Paris, France Department of plant protection, Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil Research Station ACW, Rte De Duiller, CH-1260 Nyon, Switzerland Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, P. O. Box 85167, NL-3508 AD Utrecht, Netherlands Ghent University, Department of Biology, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Gent, Belgium Fachbereich Biologie, Abt. Molekulare Phylogenetik, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Postfach 3049, 67653 Kaiserslautern, Germany

Ecological determinants of fungal diversity on dead wood in European forests

Abstract: Reference ECOS-ARTICLE-2008-111View record in Web of Science Record created on 2008-03-05, modified on 2016-08-08

Molecular phylogenetic studies within the Xylariaceae based on ribosomal DNA sequences

Abstract: The Xylariaceae (Xylariales, Ascomycota) are considered one of the largest families of filamentous Ascomycetes. To infer the evolutionary relationships of some genera considered within the Xylariaceae, the 5.8S rRNA gene and ITS2 sequences of 100 isolates covering 15 genera and 62 taxa, were analysed phylogenetically. To obtain an accurate view on the evolutionary relationships of genera within Xylariaceae, four different sequence analysis methods (i.e. Parsimony, Neighbor-joining, Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses) were employed, and a consensus phylogram was obtained to integrate data from all these mentioned approaches. Rates of congruence between topologies of the trees generated were also estimated by different methods. The phylogenetic reconstructions showed a reasonable degree of correlation between the sequence data and the proposed morphological classification schemes only for some genera within the family. The Hypoxylon-related genera included in the study (i.e. Hypoxylon, Annulohypoxylon, Biscogniauxia, Camillea, Creosphaeria, Whalleya and Daldinia) appeared closely related within a large clade in all the trees. Nemania always clusters apart from this clade of Hypoxylon-related genera, often found at the base of the tree. Phylogenetic reconstruction supported a polyphyletic origin for the genera Xylaria and Rosellinia, suggesting that these must be considered as large and complex genera, made up of a mixture of weakly related species. Kretzschmaria and Stilbohypoxylon appeared to be highly related to some Xylaria species. Finally, Entoleuca seems to be closely related to Rosellinia. In summary, this study suggests the need for further revision of the generic concepts and diagnostic characters within the Xylariaceae.

Epitypification and phylogeny of Colletotrichum acutatum J.H. Simmonds

Abstract: Simmonds introduced Colletotrichum acutatum in 1965, validated in 1968, with a broad concept, as demonstrated by the selection of several type specimens from a range of hosts. This has created some confusion in the species concept and identification of C. acutatum. There are no viable ex-type cultures of C. acutatum and furthermore there are no existing cultures of C. acutatum on Carica papaya from the type locality in south-east Queensland. The application of molecular phylogenetic studies to isolates of C. acutatum is only meaningful if the taxonomy is stable and species are properly named. In order to clarify the species concept of C. acutatum, an isolate of Colletotrichum acutatum from Carica papaya from Yandina in Southeast Queensland (Australia) is designated as an epitype. A detailed morphological description is provided. Phylogenies based on a combined ITS and beta-tubulin gene analysis indicate that C. acutatum bears close phylogenetic affinities to C. gloeosporioides and C. capsici. Results also indicate that C. acutatum is monophyletic and there is a close relationship between the epitype and other Australian C. acutatum isolates from Carica papaya. Molecular data, however did not provide further evidence to properly elucidate the taxonomie affinities of C. acutatum especially the holotype and epitype. Our studies indicate that given the complexity of the genus Colletotrichum, there is a need to check previously described type specimens and redesign neotypes where necessary in order to clarify taxonomie uncertainties.

Status of the Botrytis cinerea species complex and microsatellite analysis of transposon types in South Asia and Australia

Abstract: Botrytis cinerea has been reported as a species complex containing two cryptic species, Groups I and II. The potential existence of these cryptic species was tested in newly sampled populations from South Asia and Australia using molecular markers. With 169 unique microsatellite haplotypes from both regions, cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) profiles of the Bc-hch locus were consistent only with Group II. The absence of Group I suggests there is restricted global migration of B. cinerea isolates from Europe to South Asia and Australia. Based on the presence and absence of two transposons, Boty and Flipper, four transposon types were detected. In Bangladesh the most prevalent transposon types were flipper-only and transposa but most haplotypes from India and Nepal being boty-only. In contrast, the most prevalent transposon types in the Australian populations were transposa and boty-only, and no flipper-only isolates were detected. Matrix correlation tests (MCT) based on genetic distance were used to evaluate the extent of genetic differentiation among transposon types and geographic origins. MCT showed a stronger correlation with geographic origin than with transposon type assignment. This was supported by Bayesian inference cluster analysis which, assigned haplotypes into clusters corresponding to geographic origin rather than transposon type. Although, frequencies of transposon types indicated qualitative differences between geographic regions, microsatellite markers did not show genetic differentiation that was concordant with transposon types, rather it was consistent with the revised phylogenetic classification of B. cinerea into two cryptic groups.

Lactarius subgenus Plinthogalus of Malaysia

Abstract: An overview and key of the Malaysian species of Lactarius subgenus Plinthogalus are given. Three species with strikingly blue colour changes were described before. Eight new species (not blueing) are proposed and fully described and illustrated: L. cinereobrunneus, L cretaceus, L. flavorosescens, L. ferrugineifolius, L. fulvus, L. pallidior, L. papillatus and L. verecundus. Loctarius ochrogalactus Hashiya is for the first time reported in Malaysia. A species, probably identical with L. sublignyotus Henn., is also included. The presence of phaeobasidia, never mentioned before in Lactarius, is illustrated here in Lactarius fulvus.

Species richness of coprophilous ascomycetes in relation to variable food intake by herbivores

Abstract: The aim of this study was to study species richness and species composition of coprophilous ascomycetes in borcal forest. Dung was sampled at three localities and of three herbivores, moose (Alces ...

A new species complex including Claviceps fusiformis and Claviceps hirtella

Abstract: Isolates of Claviceps species with lunate to fusiform macroconidia were collected from panicoid grasses in Texas and Zimbabwe and described as new species based on anamorphs since no teleomorphs were available. Characterization was based upon morphology and partial sequences of rDNA and β-tubulin. The isolates grouped into two stronglysupported clades. The first clade contained ancestral C. hirtella and C. fusiformis from pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in clade terminal position with Texas isolates from native cup grass (Eriochloa sericea) and pearl millet grouped between them. The second clade consisted of African isolates from Urochloa and Eragrostis. The isolates from Texas from pearl millet and buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and isolates from E. sericea were described as new species, Sphacelia texensis and Sphacelia eriochloae, respectively. Both species had morphology, DNA markers, and alkaloid production that was intermediate between those features exhibited in C. fusiformis and C. hirtella. The African isolates from Urochloa and Eragrostis were also described as a new species, Sphacelia lovelessii. In shaken cultures, C. hirtella readily produced a whole range of clavines with agroclavine and festuclavine predominating, but ergometrine was also detected. Claviceps fusiformis produced mainly agroclavine and elymoclavine, S. eriochloae produced mainly agroclavine, elymoclavin and festuclavine and the cultures of S. texensis contained small amounts of agroclavine and festuclavine. Only traces of clavines were found in cultures of S. lovelessii of the second clade. The alkaloid content of infected florets in the sphacelial (honeydew) developmental stage was also measured. Only C. fusiformis and S. eriochloae produced alkaloids in planta at this early stage.

First records of Hygrophoraceae from Panama including a new species of Camarophyllus and a new veiled species in Hygrocybe section Firmae

Abstract: Six species of Hygrophoraceae were collected on Barro Colorado Island, representing the first fully documented records for the family from Panama. A species with a pink pileus and stipe, a glutinous partial veil, and dimorphic spores and basidia, Hygrocybe roseopallida Lodge & Ovrebo sp. nov. is described in H. section Firmae from Panama, and a more strongly pigmented form is also reported from Costa Rica. Hyphae of the outer veil are connected to the appendiculate pileipellis margin while those of the inner veil emanate from the lamellar edge. Partial veils have not been previously reported in Hygrocybe s.s. (i.e., excluding Camarophyllus). Additionally, four other species of H. section Firmae are newly reported here from Panama: Hygrocybe batistae, H. hypohaemacta, H. chloochlora and H. cf. earlei. The latter species differs from the type of H. earlei by having a white stipe and larger spore Q. Finally, we describe a second new species, Camarophyllus panamensis Lodge & Ovrebo sp. nov., which resembles C. ferrugineoalbus (Singer) Singer, but differs in having an orange stipe and much larger spores.