Showing papers in "Fungal Diversity in 2015"

The Faces of Fungi database: fungal names linked with morphology, phylogeny and human impacts

Abstract: Taxonomic names are key links between various databases that store information on different organisms. Several global fungal nomenclural and taxonomic databases (notably Index Fungorum, Species Fungorum and MycoBank) can be sourced to find taxonomic details about fungi, while DNA sequence data can be sourced from NCBI, EBI and UNITE databases. Although the sequence data may be linked to a name, the quality of the metadata is variable and generally there is no corresponding link to images, descriptions or herbarium material. There is generally no way to establish the accuracy of the names in these genomic databases, other than whether the submission is from a reputable source. To tackle this problem, a new database (FacesofFungi), accessible at www.facesoffungi.org (FoF) has been established. This fungal database allows deposition of taxonomic data, phenotypic details and other useful data, which will enhance our current taxonomic understanding and ultimately enable mycologists to gain better and updated insights into the current fungal classification system. In addition, the database will also allow access to comprehensive metadata including descriptions of voucher and type specimens. This database is user-friendly, providing links and easy access between taxonomic ranks, with the classification system based primarily on molecular data (from the literature and via updated web-based phylogenetic trees), and to a lesser extent on morphological data when molecular data are unavailable. In FoF species are not only linked to the closest phylogenetic representatives, but also relevant data is provided, wherever available, on various applied aspects, such as ecological, industrial, quarantine and chemical uses. The data include the three main fungal groups (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Basal fungi) and fungus-like organisms. The FoF webpage is an output funded by the Mushroom Research Foundation which is an NGO with seven directors with mycological expertise. The webpage has 76 curators, and with the help of these specialists, FoF will provide an updated natural classification of the fungi, with illustrated accounts of species linked to molecular data. The present paper introduces the FoF database to the scientific community and briefly reviews some of the problems associated with classification and identification of the main fungal groups. The structure and use of the database is then explained. We would like to invite all mycologists to contribute to these web pages.

Fungal diversity notes 1–110: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal species

Abstract: This paper is a compilation of notes on 110 fungal taxa, including one new family, 10 new genera, and 76 new species, representing a wide taxonomic and geographic range. The new family, Paradictyoarthriniaceae is introduced based on its distinct lineage in Dothideomycetes and its unique morphology. The family is sister to Biatriosporaceae and Roussoellaceae. The new genera are Allophaeosphaeria (Phaeosphaeriaceae), Amphibambusa (Amphisphaeriaceae), Brunneomycosphaerella (Capnodiales genera incertae cedis), Chaetocapnodium (Capnodiaceae), Flammeascoma (Anteagloniaceae), Multiseptospora (Pleosporales genera incertae cedis), Neogaeumannomyces (Magnaporthaceae), Palmiascoma (Bambusicolaceae), Paralecia (Squamarinaceae) and Sarimanas (Melanommataceae). The newly described species are the Ascomycota Aliquandostipite manochii, Allophaeosphaeria dactylidis, A. muriformia, Alternaria cesenica, Amphibambusa bambusicola, Amphisphaeria sorbi, Annulohypoxylon thailandicum, Atrotorquata spartii, Brunneomycosphaerella laburni, Byssosphaeria musae, Camarosporium aborescentis, C. aureum, C. frutexensis, Chaetocapnodium siamensis, Chaetothyrium agathis, Colletotrichum sedi, Conicomyces pseudotransvaalensis, Cytospora berberidis, C. sibiraeae, Diaporthe thunbergiicola, Diatrype palmicola, Dictyosporium aquaticum, D. meiosporum, D. thailandicum, Didymella cirsii, Dinemasporium nelloi, Flammeascoma bambusae, Kalmusia italica, K. spartii, Keissleriella sparticola, Lauriomyces synnematicus, Leptosphaeria ebuli, Lophiostoma pseudodictyosporium, L. ravennicum, Lophiotrema eburnoides, Montagnula graminicola, Multiseptospora thailandica, Myrothecium macrosporum, Natantispora unipolaris, Neogaeumannomyces bambusicola, Neosetophoma clematidis, N. italica, Oxydothis atypica, Palmiascoma gregariascomum, Paraconiothyrium nelloi, P. thysanolaenae, Paradictyoarthrinium tectonicola, Paralecia pratorum, Paraphaeosphaeria spartii, Pestalotiopsis digitalis, P. dracontomelon, P. italiana, Phaeoisaria pseudoclematidis, Phragmocapnias philippinensis, Pseudocamarosporium cotinae, Pseudocercospora tamarindi, Pseudotrichia rubriostiolata, P. thailandica, Psiloglonium multiseptatum, Saagaromyces mangrovei, Sarimanas pseudofluviatile, S. shirakamiense, Tothia spartii, Trichomerium siamensis, Wojnowicia dactylidicola, W. dactylidis and W. lonicerae. The Basidiomycota Agaricus flavicentrus, A. hanthanaensis, A. parvibicolor, A. sodalis, Cantharellus luteostipitatus, Lactarius atrobrunneus, L. politus, Phylloporia dependens and Russula cortinarioides are also introduced. Epitypifications or reference specimens are designated for Hapalocystis berkeleyi, Meliola tamarindi, Pallidocercospora acaciigena, Phaeosphaeria musae, Plenodomus agnitus, Psiloglonium colihuae, P. sasicola and Zasmidium musae while notes and/or new sequence data are provided for Annulohypoxylon leptascum, A. nitens, A. stygium, Biscogniauxia marginata, Fasciatispora nypae, Hypoxylon fendleri, H. monticulosum, Leptosphaeria doliolum, Microsphaeropsis olivacea, Neomicrothyrium, Paraleptosphaeria nitschkei, Phoma medicaginis and Saccotheciaceae. A full description of each species is provided with light micrographs (or drawings). Molecular data is provided for 90 taxa and used to generate phylogenetic trees to establish a natural classification for species.

Towards a natural classification and backbone tree for Sordariomycetes

Abstract: Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota and is characterised by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci. The class includes many important plant pathogens, as well as endophytes, saprobes, epiphytes, and fungicolous, lichenized or lichenicolous taxa. The class includes freshwater, marine and terrestrial taxa and has a worldwide distribution. This paper provides an updated outline of the Sordariomycetes and a backbone tree incorporating asexual and sexual genera in the class. Based on phylogeny and morphology we introduced three subclasses; Diaporthomycetidae, Lulworthiomycetidae and Meliolomycetidae and five orders; Amplistromatales, Annulatascales, Falcocladiales, Jobellisiales and Togniniales. The outline is based on literature to the end of 2014 and the backbone tree published in this paper. Notes for 397 taxa with information, such as new family and genera novelties, novel molecular data published since the Outline of Ascomycota 2009, and new links between sexual and asexual genera and thus synonymies, are provided. The Sordariomycetes now comprises six subclasses, 28 orders, 90 families and 1344 genera. In addition a list of 829 genera with uncertain placement in Sordariomycetes is also provided.

Classification of marine Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Blastocladiomycota and Chytridiomycota

Abstract: This paper lists the accepted names and classification of marine fungi, updating the scheme presented in 2009. The classification includes 1,112 species (in 472 genera): Ascomycota 805 (in 352 genera), Basidiomycota 21 species (in 17 genera), Chytridiomycota and related phyla 26 species (in 13 genera), Zygomycota three (in two genera), Blastocladiomycota one species (one genus), asexual morphs of filamentous fungi 43 (in 26 genera); and marine yeasts: Ascomycota 138 species (in 35 genera), Basidiomycota 75 species (in 26 genera). These fungi belong to 129 families and 65 orders. The Halosphaeriaceae remains the largest family of marine fungi with 141 species in 59 genera, while the most specious genera are Aspergillus (47 species), Penicillium (39 species) and the yeast genus Candida (64 species). The review includes details of recent higher order nomenclature changes, and accounts of new families, genera and species described over the past 5 years.

Towards unraveling relationships in Xylariomycetidae (Sordariomycetes)

Abstract: The classification of subclass Xylariomycetidae is revisited with additional collections and phylogeny based on novel rDNA sequence data. Phylogenetic inferences are provided and are based on analysis of 115 sequence data, including new data for 27 strains. An updated outline to the subclass is presented based on the phylogenies and comprises two orders, 18 families and 222 genera. An account of each order, family and genus in the subclass is given. We accept the orders Amphisphaeriales and Xylariales based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Amphisphaeriales comprises Amphisphaeriaceae, Bartaliniaceae fam. nov., Clypeosphaeriaceae, Discosiaceae fam. nov., Pestalotiopsidaceae fam. nov. and Phlogicylindriaceae fam. nov. Xylariales comprises Apiosporaceae, Cainiaceae, Coniocessiaceae, Diatrypaceae, Graphostromataceae (doubtful), Hyponectriaceae, Iodosphaeriaceae, Lopadostomaceae fam. nov., Melogrammataceae, Pseudomassariaceae fam. nov., Vialaeaceae and Xylariaceae. The new genera and species introduced are Arthrinium hyphopodii, A. subglobosa, Cainia anthoxanthis, Ciferriascosea gen. nov., C. fluctamurum, C. rectamurum, Discosia neofraxinea, D. pseudopleurochaeta, Hyalotiella rubi, Seimatosporium cornii, S. ficeae, S. vitis and Truncatella spartii.

Plant-associated fungal communities in the light of meta’omics

Abstract: Approaches for the cultivation-independent analysis of microbial communities are summarized as meta’omics, which predominantly includes metagenomic, -transcriptomic, -proteomic and -metabolomic studies. These have shown that endophytic, root-associated and soil fungal communities are strongly shaped by associated plant species. The impact of plant identity on the composition of its litter-associated fungal community remains to be disentangled from the impact of litter chemistry. The composition of the plant community also shapes the fungal community. Most strikingly, adjacent plant species may share mycorrhizal symbionts even if the plants usually have different types of mycorrhizal fungi associated with them (ectomycorrhizal, ericoid and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi). Environmental parameters weakly explain fungal community composition globally, and their effect is inconsistent at local and regional scales. Decrease in similarity among communities with increasing distance (i.e. distance decay) has been reported from local to global scales. This pattern is only exceptionally caused by spatial dispersal limitation of fungal propagules, but mostly due to the inability of the fungi to establish at the particular locality (i.e. environmental filtering or competitive exclusion). Fungal communities usually undergo pronounced seasonal changes and also differ between consecutive years. This indicates that development of the communities is usually not solely cyclic. Meta’omic studies challenge the classical view of plant litter decomposition. They show that mycorrhizal and (previously) endophytic fungi may be involved in plant litter decomposition and only partly support the idea of a succession from an Ascomycota to a Basidiomycota-dominated community. Furthermore, vertical separation of saprotrophic and mycorrhizal species in soil and sequential degradation from easily accessible to ‘recalcitrant’ plant compounds, such as lignin, can probably not be generalized. The current models of litter decomposition may therefore have to be eventually refined for certain ecosystems and environmental conditions. To gain deeper insights into fungal ecology, a meta’omic study design is outlined which focuses on environmental processes, because fungal communities are usually taxonomically diverse, but functionally redundant. This approach would initially identify dynamics of chemical shifts in the host and/or substrate by metametabolomics. Detected shifts would be subsequently linked to microbial activity by correlation with metatranscriptomic and/or metaproteomic data. A holistic trait-based approach might finally identify factors shaping taxonomic composition in communities against the dynamics of the environmental process(es) they are involved in.

An assessment of the taxonomy and chemotaxonomy of Ganoderma

Abstract: The taxonomic and nomenclatural history of the genus Ganoderma and related basidiomycetes is reviewed and compared to recent studies on its molecular phylogeny. A basidiomycete belonging to the genus Ganoderma can often rather easily be recognised in the field from the macro-morphological characters of the sporocarp. The most important species and lineages can also be discriminated well by molecular phylogeny. However, the application of incongruent species concepts and the frequent misapplication of European names by chemists and other non-taxonomists have created confusion in the scientific literature. The identity of the species reported in the course of mycochemical studies can often not be verified, since no voucher material was retained. In this review, an overview on the most important types of specific chemotaxonomic traits (i.e., secondary metabolites of the basidiomes and mycelia) reported from the genus is provided. Albeit certain triterpenoids such as ganoderic and lucidenic acids, steroids (e.g. ergosterol) and triterpenes (e.g. friedelin) appear to have some chemotaxonomic value at the generic rank, their relevance for species discrimination remains to be assessed. We propose that all important names in Ganoderma should be, as required, epitypified by fresh collections for which living cultures should be made available and that these should be examined by a combination of morphological, chemotaxonomic and molecular phylogenetic methods to attain a more stable taxonomy.

Towards a natural classification and backbone tree for Pleosporaceae

Abstract: The family Pleosporaceae includes numerous saprobic, opportunistic human, and plant pathogenic taxa. The classification of genera and species Pleosporaceae has been a major challenge due to the lack of a clear understanding of the importance of the morphological characters used to distinguish taxa as well as the lack of reference strains. Recent treatments concluded that Pleospora and some other genera in Pleosporaceae are likely polyphyletic. In order to establish the evolutionary relationships and to resolve the polyphyletic nature of Pleospora and allied genera, we sequenced the 18S nrDNA, 28S nrDNA, ITS, GAPDH, RPB2 and TEF1-alpha gene regions of Pleosporaceae species and phylogenetically analysed this data. Multigene phylogenies strongly support the monophyletic nature of Pleosporaceae among the other families in Pleosporales, and the acceptance of the genera Alternaria, Bipolaris, Clathrospora, Comoclathris, Curvularia, Dactuliophora, Decorospora, Diademosa, Exserohilum, Extrawettsteinina, Gibbago, Neocamarosporium, Paradendryphiella, Platysporoides, Pleospora, Porocercospora, Pseudoyuconia and Pyrenophora. Austropleospora, Dendryphion, Edenia and Macrospora are excluded from the family based on morphology coupled with molecular data. Two novel species, Alternaria murispora in this paper and Comoclathris sedi are introduced. The sexual morph of Alternaria alternata is re-described and illustrated using modern concepts from fresh collections. The paraphyletic nature of Pleospora is resolved based on the available morpho-molecular data, but further sampling with fresh collections, reference or ex-type strains and molecular data are needed to obtain a natural classification of genera and the family.

Towards a natural classification and backbone tree for Lophiostomataceae, Floricolaceae, and Amorosiaceae fam. nov.

Abstract: The genera Lophiostoma, Misturatosphaeria and several other allied taxa in Lophiostomataceae are revisited. Accounts of these taxa, including their history, morphology, and family placement, based on molecular phylogeny, are provided. Type or representative specimens of Lophiostoma and Misturatosphaeria were examined and fresh specimens were obtained from Germany, Italy, Japan and Thailand. A multi-gene phylogenetic analysis of the lophiostomataceous genera Floricola, Lophiostoma, Misturatosphaeria and related taxa is provided. Sixteen genera including Lophiostoma, Lophiohelichrysum, Dimorphiopsis, Platystomum and Vaginatispora, plus eleven newly introduced genera Biappendiculispora, Alpestrisphaeria, Capulatispora, Coelodictyosporium, Guttulispora, Lophiopoacea, Neotrematosphaeria, Paucispora, Pseudolophiostoma, Pseudoplatystomum and Sigarispora are accepted in Lophiostomataceae based on morphology and phylogeny. Lophiostoma caulium, Lophiostoma arundinis and Lophiostoma caudatum are accommodated in Sigarispora. Lophiostoma winteri and Lophiostoma fuckelii are placed in the genera Lophiopoacea and Vaginatispora respectively. Three Curreya species and Misturatosphaeria claviformis are transferred to a new genus, Neocurreya. All other Misturatosphaeria species except Misturatosphaeria aurantiinotata and M. uniseptata are separated in the new genera Asymmetrispora, Aurantiascoma, Magnibotryascoma, Pseudoaurantiascoma and Pseudomisturatosphaeria based on their morphological and phylogenetic affinities. Another new genus, Ramusculicola is introduced for a new collection from Thailand. These seven new genera are accommodated in a new family Floricolaceae, together with Floricola and Misturatosphaeria. Several massarina-like species clustered as a sister clade to Amorosia littoralis and are accommodated in a new genus Angustimassarina. A new family Amorosiaceae is proposed to accommodate the genera Amorosia and Angustimassarina. The putatively named species Decaisnella formosa and Thyridaria macrostomoides form a separate clade together with a new genus Lignosphaeria which is placed in Dothideomycetes, genera incertae sedis.

Diversity of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with grapevine and other woody hosts in Italy, Algeria and Tunisia, with descriptions of Lasiodiplodia exigua and Lasiodiplodia mediterranea sp. nov

Abstract: The diversity of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with “Botryosphaeria dieback” of grapevine was investigated in 18 vineyards in Sardinia, Italy. Lasiodiplodia isolates obtained from different woody hosts including holm oak, sweet orange and broom bush in Italy, Algeria and Tunisia were also characterized. Morphological and cultural characteristics as well as ITS and EF1-α sequence data were used to identify the fungal isolates. Forty-eight botryosphaeriaceous isolates were obtained from 113 symptomatic grapevine samples, from which ten species were identified. Diplodia seriata was the dominant species (25 % of isolates), followed by Neofusicoccum parvum (21.7 %). Two species, Diplodia olivarum and D. africana are reported for the first time on grapevine. In addition, two new species namely Lasiodiplodia mediterranea sp. nov. from grapevine, holm oak and sweet orange and Lasiodiplodia exigua sp. nov. from broom bush are described. In artificial inoculation experiments conducted on excised green grapevine shoots and lignified canes as well as holm oak seedlings, L. mediterranea was shown to be an aggressive pathogen.

Resolving the Colletotrichum siamense species complex using ApMat marker

Abstract: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato has been associated with anthracnose in diverse commercial crops. It is now established that C. gloeosporioides sensu lato comprises 33 phylogenetic species and C. gloeosporioides sensu stricto is not a common pathogen of tropical fruits. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic relationships of 85 Colletotrichum isolates associated with select tropical fruits and flowering plants from India. In the ApMat marker analysis, the 85 isolates clustered with 7 known Colletotrichum species (C. aotearoa, C. dianesei, C. endomangiferae, C. musae, C. siamense, C. theobromicola, Glomerella cingulata f. sp. camelliae) and six novel lineages. One of the novel lineages is described and illustrated in this paper as Colletotrichum communis sp. nov., while new-host pathogen associations for C. aotearoa, C. endomangiferae, C. dianesei and C. theobromicola are reported from India. Out of the 85 isolates analysed in this paper, 73 isolates clustered within the C. siamense species complex, indicating that C. siamense species complex, not C. gloeosporioides sensu stricto, is common on tropical fruits. In comparison with act, cal, gapdh, ITS and tub2 gene markers, we recommend the use of the ApMat marker for accurate identification of cryptic species within the C. siamense species complex. We believe that the ApMat marker, in combination with one or two similar ‘phylogenetically superior’ gene markers, is a better candidate for species-level classification of fungi that were traditionally identified as ‘Colletotrichum gloeosporioides’.

Anthostomella is polyphyletic comprising several genera in Xylariaceae

Abstract: Anthostomella has long been regarded as a large, but polyphyletic genus in the family Xylariaceae, but species in this group generally lack phylogenetic data. In this study, 14 anthostomella-like taxa collected from Italy, were studied using both morphology and molecular data. Single ascospore isolates were obtained and the asexual morphs of five taxa established. The phylogenetic relationships of the xylariaceous taxa were inferred using combined ITS, RPB2, β tubulin and LSU gene regions. We introduce new sequence data for 24 with included the 14 new anthostomella-like taxa. The subfamilies Hypoxyloideae and Xylarioideae within Xylariaceae were recognized as the two major clades with high bootstrap support. Within the two clades 21 subclades were resolved and the anthostomella-like taxa clustered in five of these subclades indicating that the genus is polyphyletic. Anthostomella sensu stricto comprised A. forlicesenica, A. formosa, A. helicofissa, A. rubicola and A. obesa. The A. formosa and A. rubicola collections morphologically closely resemble the type specimens and therefore we designate reference specimens. Three new species Anthostomella helicofissa, A. forlicesenica and A. obesa are also introduced. Four distinct lineages of anthostomella-like taxa correspondent to four new genera, Anthocanalis, Brunneiperidium, Lunatiannulus and Pyriformiascoma, which are also introduced, while one clustered in Astrocystis and is introduced as a new species. Keys to the new anthostomella-like genera and species examined in this study are provided.

Phylogeny, divergence time estimation, and biogeography of the genus Heterobasidion (Basidiomycota, Russulales)

Abstract: There have been several investigations into the genus Heterobasidion, however, differentiation of species in these studies have depended on the gene regions analyzed Reliable defining of species, establishing species divergence times and establishing species biogeographical distributions have been challenging Here, we used a multilocus phylogenetic approach and maximum parsimony, maximum likehood, and Bayesian analyses to infer the phylogenetic relationships of Heterobasidion species In addition, we focused on a fungus fossil-based approach and used the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II-the second subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1-RPB2) dataset to perform maximum likelihood-based estimation and Bayesian binary analyses, to assess the divergence and biogeographical distributions of Heterobasidion species The Heterobasidion annousum/H insulare species complex clusters in three groups in the phylogenetic analyses Molecular dating suggests that ancestral Heterobasidion species originated in Eurasia during the Early Miocene, followed by dispersal and speciation to other continents during the Middle Miocene and Early Pliocene Our data are compatible with the previous viewpoint that H irregulare and H occidentale colonized North America via different routes, which has been interpreted as Beringian and Thulean North Atlantic vicariance In addition, we propose that the occurrence of H araucariae in the southern Hemisphere was probably due to recent human-mediated introductions Plate tectonics and long-distance dispersal are the most likely factors that influenced Heterobasidion speciation and biogeography

Phylogenetic insights resolve Dacampiaceae ( Pleosporales ) as polyphyletic: Didymocyrtis ( Pleosporales, Phaeosphaeriaceae ) with Phoma -like anamorphs resurrected and segregated from Polycoccum ( Trypetheliales , Polycoccaceae fam. nov.)

Abstract: A phylogenetic analysis of nuLSU and ITS sequences representing genera previously included in Dacampiaceae indicates that the family is strongly polyphyletic and that the type species of Dacampia is placed in Pleosporales. The genus Munkovalsaria s. str. is placed in Didymosphaeriaceae (Pleosporales). Polycoccum s. str. and two species of Clypeococcum are shown to form a new lineage sister to the Trypetheliaceae in Trypetheliales and described here as Polycoccaceae. Other members of Polycoccum s. lat. are included in the Pleosporales and are closely related to lichenicolous Phoma-like species of the family Phaeosphaeriaceae. The genus Didymocyrtis is resurrected for these species and for lichenicolous species previously assigned to Diederichia, Diederichomyces, Leptosphaeria and Phoma. The genera Diederichia and Diederichomyces are synonymized with Didymocyrtis. The new combinations Didymocyrtis bryonthae, D. cladoniicola, D. foliaceiphila, D. infestans, D. kaernefeltii, D. melanelixiae, D. pseudeverniae, D. ramalinae, D. slaptoniensis and D. xanthomendozae are made, and the new name D. epiphyscia is introduced for Phoma physciicola. Some anamorph-teleomorph relationships are resolved, such as Didymocyrtis ramalinae–Phoma ficuzzae and Didymocyrtis consimilis–Phoma caloplacae, the phylogenetic results being supported by single ascospore cultures that lead to the asexual stage producing pycnidia and conidia in culture. Speciation by host switching is assumed to be important in the genus Didymocyrtis. An identification key to Didymocyrtis species is provided.

Stream-dwelling fungal decomposer communities along a gradient of eutrophication unraveled by 454 pyrosequencing

Abstract: Microbial decomposers, especially a fungal group called aquatic hyphomycetes, play a critical role in processing plant litter in freshwaters by increasing its palatability to invertebrate shredders. Traditionally, communities of aquatic hyphomycetes have been assessed through the identification of spores, which misses non-sporulating taxa. Among new technologies, 454 pyrosequencing stands out as most promising for large-scale species identification. However, very few attempts have been made to validate its effectiveness for assessing the diversity of stream-dwelling fungal communities. We attempted to gain greater insight into the diversity of aquatic fungal communities in streams exposed to various degrees of eutrophication by using the 454 pyrosequencing technology. A total of 173,889 ITS2 pyrosequencing reads with hits for fungi were obtained from the 5 investigated streams. The majority of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonged to Ascomycota and the identification to the genus level was achieved for 169 OTUs. Of the total, 135,257 reads (ca. 78 %) showed close affinities to aquatic hyphomycete species. Pyrosequencing showed declining fungal diversity in the most eutrophic streams, which was congruent with a reduced diversity found through spore identification. Dominance patterns revealed by connecting representative OTUs to ITS sequences from aquatic hyphomycetes were similar to those determined by traditional spore identification techniques. However, 454 pyrosequencing provided a more comprehensive view of fungal diversity; it captured almost twice as many taxa as spore counts. This study validates the effectiveness of 454 pyrosequencing for surveying the diversity of stream-dwelling fungal decomposer communities. Its application may accelerate the use of these communities for monitoring the integrity of freshwaters.

Towards a natural classification of Astrosphaeriella-like species; introducing Astrosphaeriellaceae and Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae fam. nov. and Astrosphaeriellopsis, gen. nov.

Abstract: Astrosphaeriella sensu lato is a common genus occurring on bamboo, palms and stout grasses. Species of Astrosphaeriella have been collected from various countries in tropical, subtropical or temperate regions. In Asia, species have been collected in Brunei, China, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines and Vietnam. There have been several morphological studies on Astrosphaeriella, but molecular work and phylogenetic analyses are generally lacking. Taxa included in Astrosphaeriella were characterized in three main groups 1) typical Astrosphaeriella species (sensu stricto) having carbonaceous, erumpent, conical ascostromata 2) atypical Astrosphaeriella species (sensu lato) having immersed, coriaceous ascostromata with short to long papilla and 3) lophiostoma-like species having immersed ascostromata with slit-like openings. Some of the latter Astrosphaeriella species, having slit-like openings, have been transferred to Fissuroma and Rimora in Aigialaceae. In this study five type specimens of Astrosphaeriella were loaned from herbaria worldwide and re-examined and are re-described and illustrated. Collections of Astrosphaeriella were also made in Thailand and morphologically examined. Pure cultures were obtained from single spores and used in molecular studies. The asexual morph was induced on sterile bamboo pieces placed on water agar. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU and TEF1 sequence data of astrosphaeriella-like species using Bayesian, Maximum parsimony (MP) and Randomized Accelerated Maximum Likelihood (RAxML) analyses were carried out. Phylogenetic analyses show that species of Astrosphaeriella can be distinguished in at least three families. Species of Astrosphaeriella sensu stricto with erumpent, carbonaceous ascostromata, form a strongly supported clade with Pteridiospora species and a new family, Astrosphaeriellaceae, is introduced to accommodate these taxa. The genera are revised and Astrosphaeriella bambusae, A. neofusispora, A. neostellata, A. thailandica, A. thysanolaenae and Pteridiospora chiangraiensis are introduced as new species. Astrosphaeriella exorrhiza is reported on a dead stem of Thysanolaena maxima and is the first record for Thailand. Reference specimens for A. fusispora and A. tornata are designated to stabilize the taxonomy of Astrosphaeriella. The coelomycetous asexual morph of A. bambusae is reported and forms hyaline, globose to subglobose, aseptate conidia. Species of Astrosphaeriella sensu lato with immersed, coriaceous ascostromata, with short to long papilla and striate ascospores, form a sister clade with Tetraplosphaeriaceae. The genus Pseudoastrosphaeriella is introduced to accommodate some of these taxa with three new species and three new combinations, viz. P. aequatoriensis, P. africana, P. bambusae, P. longicolla, P. papillata and P. thailandensis. A new family Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae is introduced to accommodate this presently monotypic lineage comprising Pseudoastrosphaeriella. The asexual morph of P. thailandensis is described. Astrosphaeriella bakeriana forms a distinct clade basal to Aigialaceae. Astrosphaeriella bakeriana is excluded from Astrosphaeriella and a new genus Astrosphaeriellopsis, placed in Dothideomycetes genera incertae sedis, is introduced to accommodate this taxon. Fissuroma aggregata (Aigialaceae) is re-visited and is shown to be a cryptic species. Three new species of Fissuroma and a new combination are introduced based on morphology and phylogeny viz. F. bambusae, F. fissuristoma, F. neoaggregata and F. thailandicum.

Diverse species of Colletotrichum associated with grapevine anthracnose in China

Abstract: Grapevine anthracnose is an important disease, responsible for mild to severe yield losses in grape production, and is also an important post harvest disease. The disease was studied in vineyards in six provinces in China, with 34 isolates obtained from diseased grapes. Multi-gene (ACT, ITS, GAPDH, TUB2 and CHS) analysis coupled with morphology showed that Colletotrichum aenigma, C. hebeiense sp. nov. and C. viniferum were associated with grapevine anthracnose in China. Colletotrichum aenigma is reported for the first time as associated with grapevine anthracnose. Colletotrichum hebeiense is a new species introduced here. Pathogenicity testing showed that all species can infect grapes, causing anthracnose however, virulence of species and isolates showed great variation. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. viniferum is a cryptic species and its taxonomy needs to be resolved in the future.

Revision and phylogeny of Leptosphaeriaceae

Abstract: Leptosphaeriaceae is a family in the order Pleosporales comprising economically important plant pathogens. Species may also be endophytes or saprobes on various host plants. In recent classifications Alternariaster, Leptosphaeria, Neophaeosphaeria, Paraleptosphaeria, Heterospora, Subplenodomus and Plenodomus were included in the family. The taxonomy of genera and species in Leptosphaeriaceae has been problematic due to the lack of understanding of the importance of morphological characters used to distinguish taxa, as well as the lack of reference strains. In order to establish evolutionary relationships and to provide a backbone tree for Leptosphaeria and allied genera, we sequenced the 18S nrDNA, 28S nrDNA, ITS, RPB2, TEF and ACT gene regions of Leptosphaeriaceae species and analysed this data. Multi-locus phylogenies together with morphology robustly support the monophyletic nature of Leptosphaeriaceae among the other families in Pleosporales, and the inclusion of the genera Alternariaster, Heterospora, Leptosphaeria, Paraleptosphaeria, Sphaerellopsis, Subplenodomus, Plenodomus and three novel genera Alloleptosphaeria, Neoleptosphaeria and Pseudoleptosphaeria. Five new species, Alternariaster centaureae-diffusae, Leptosphaeria cichorium, Paraleptosphaeria rubi, Plenodomus guttulatus and P. salviae are introduced. An account of sexual morph of Alternariaster centaureae-diffusae is provided, and the sexual morph of Leptosphaeria doliolum is re-described and illustrated using modern concepts from fresh collections. A novel family Neophaeosphaeriaceae is established to accommodate the genus Neophaeosphaeria and its species.

Lenormandins A—G, new azaphilones from Hypoxylon lenormandii and Hypoxylon jaklitschii sp. nov., recognised by chemotaxonomic data

Abstract: Seven new azaphilone pigments named lenormandins A–G were isolated from stromata (fruiting bodies) of the xylariaceous fungus, Hypoxylon lenormandii using preparative High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and their structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy, high resolution mass spectrometry and other spectral methods. Their occurrence in herbarium specimens (including various type materials collected in the 19th and early 20th century) and several fresh collections was studied by analytical HPLC with diode array and mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-DAD/MS), revealing that this group of pigments is specific for Hypoxylon lenormandii from various geographic regions and otherwise only occurs in closely related taxa, i.e. H. sublenormandii and an undescribed fungus from Sri Lanka, for which we propose the name H. jaklitschii. The status of the new species was established by using molecular phylogenetic data based on ITS and partial beta-tubulin sequences, and by detailed morphological studies.

A large-scale phylogenetic revision of Roccellaceae (Arthoniales) reveals eight new genera

Abstract: A two-locus phylogenetic hypothesis of the family Roccellaceae is presented based on data from the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nucLSU) and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2). This analysis includes 341 sequences (166 newly generated) and 180 specimens representing about 114 species. The genera Lecanactis, Roccellina, Schismatomma and Sigridea were found to be paraphyletic/polyphyletic. In order to make these groups monophyletic, the new genera Crocellina, Diromma, Gyrographa, Gyronactis, Ocellomma, Pseudoschismatomma, Psoronactis and Vigneronia are described. The genus Sagenidium is placed in synonymy with Lecanactis. The new species Enterographa incognita, Gyronactis asiatica and Lecanactis submollis are described. Several species of Opegrapha are transferred to the Roccellaceae. Sorediate morphs are recorded for the first time in the genus Syncesia.

Diagnostics for a troubled backbone: testing topological hypotheses of trapelioid lichenized fungi in a large-scale phylogeny of Ostropomycetidae (Lecanoromycetes).

Abstract: Trapelioid fungi constitute a widespread group of mostly crust-forming lichen mycobionts that are key to understanding the early evolutionary splits in the Ostropomycetidae, the second-most species-rich subclass of lichenized Ascomycota. The uncertain phylogenetic resolution of the approximately 170 species referred to this group contributes to a poorly resolved backbone for the entire subclass. Based on a data set including 657 newly generated sequences from four ribosomal and four protein-coding gene loci, we tested a series of a priori and new evolutionary hypotheses regarding the relationships of trapelioid clades within Ostropomycetidae. We found strong support for a monophyletic group of nine core trapelioid genera but no statistical support to reject the long-standing hypothesis that trapelioid genera are sister to Baeomycetaceae or Hymeneliaceae. However, we can reject a sister group relationship to Ostropales with high confidence. Our data also shed light on several long-standing questions, recovering Anamylopsoraceae nested within Baeomycetaceae, elucidating two major monophyletic groups within trapelioids (recognized here as Trapeliaceae and Xylographaceae), and rejecting the monophyly of the genus Rimularia. We transfer eleven species of the latter genus to Lambiella and describe the genus Parainoa to accommodate a previously misunderstood species of Trapeliopsis. Past phylogenetic studies in Ostropomycetidae have invoked "divergence order" for drawing taxonomic conclusions on higher level taxa. Our data show that if backbone support is lacking, contrasting solutions may be recovered with different or added data. We accordingly urge caution in concluding evolutionary relationships from unresolved phylogenies.

Fragiliporiaceae, a new family of Polyporales (Basidiomycota)

Abstract: Fragiliporiaceae fam. nov., a new poroid wood-inhabiting family, is introduced based on the combination of molecular and morphological data, and is typified by Fragiliporia gen. nov. The phylogenetic analysis shows that Fragiliporia fragilis sp. nov. forms a monophyletic group within Polyporales and warrants the introduction of a new fragiliporia clade based on molecular data of ITS + nLSU rRNA gene regions. Combined ITS, nLSU, mtSSU, TEF1 and RPB2 sequence data also demonstrated that the new family Fragiliporiaceae also formed a monophyletic lineage (70 % BS, 57 % BP, 0.99 BPP), and grouped with the phlebioid clade, residual polyporoid clade and core polyporoid clade. Fragiliporiaceae has unique macromorphological characters in having resupinate basidiocarps with very soft tubes when fresh, which become brittle when dry (becoming almost powdery when bruised); a monomitic hyphal system with thick-walled generative hyphae, clamp connections, and frequently H-, W- or Y-shaped hyphae branching from the clamp connections.

Overview of Stachybotrys (Memnoniella) and current species status

Abstract: Stachybotrys (asexual Hypocreales) has a worldwide distribution. This genus inhabits substrates rich in cellulose and is closely related to Memnoniella. Classification of species has previously been based on morphology, with conidial characters being considered as important. This study re-evaluates Stachybotrys and Memnoniella, which is shown to include at least seven species-groups; while Memnoniella is a synonym of Stachybotrys. The sexual genera Ornatispora and Melanopsamma are also synonyms of Stachybotrys. With the exception of Stachybotrys subsimplex, species formed a well-supported monophyletic group in LSU data analysis belonging to Stachybotriaceae. Seventy-four accepted Stachybotrys species are discussed, while eight species are considered to belong to other genera or are doubtful in this paper and a key to these species provided. Twelve new combinations and 1 nomina nova is proposed. The status of Stachybotrys species on health, as human or animal pathogens, in indoor environments, and use as biocontrol agents and compound discovery are also discussed.

Coprophilous contributions to the phylogeny of Lasiosphaeriaceae and allied taxa within Sordariales (Ascomycota, Fungi)

Abstract: The phylogenetic relationships of Lasiosphaeriaceae are complicated in that the family is paraphyletic and includes Sordariaceae and Chaetomiaceae, as well as several polyphyletic genera. This study focuses on the phylogenetic relationships of the coprophilous genera, Anopodium, Apodospora, Arnium, Fimetariella and Zygospermella. They are traditionally circumscribed based on ascospore characters, which have proven homoplasious in other genera within the family. Our results based on LSU nrDNA and s–tubulin sequences distinguish four lineages of Lasiosphaeriaceae taxa. Anopodium joins the clade of morphologically similar, yellow-pigmented species of Cercophora and Lasiosphaeria. Apodospora is monophyletic and joins a larger group of taxa with unclear affinities to each other, while Arnium is polyphyletic being scattered throughout three of the four major clades of Lasiosphaeriaceae. Fimitariella is represented by a single collection and joins the clade containing Cercophora scortea and Podospora appendiculata. Zygospermella shows affinities to the Lasiosphaeris clade. Based on a combination of morphological and molecular data, Echria stat. nov. is recognized at the genus level for the former Arnium section and two new combinations are proposed: E. gigantospora and E. macrotheca.

Dismantling Melaspileaceae: a first phylogenetic study of Buelliella, Hemigrapha, Karschia, Labrocarpon and Melaspilea

Abstract: Melaspileaceae is a heterogeneous group of Ascomycota including lichenized, lichenicolous and saprobic fungi. A first phylogenetic study of Melaspileaceae is presented and is based on mtSSU and nuLSU sequence data. We obtained 49 new sequences for 28 specimens representing 15 species. The genera Buelliella, Hemigrapha, Karschia, Labrocarpon and Melaspilea s. str. are included in a molecular phylogeny for the first time. Melaspileaceae is recovered as polyphyletic, with members placed in two main lineages of Dothideomycetes. Melaspilea s. str. is included in Eremithallales. Eremithallaceae is placed in synonymy with Melaspileaceae. The genus Encephalographa is placed in Melaspileaceae. The genera Buelliella, Karschia, Labrocarpon and several members of Melaspilea are demonstrated to belong to Asterinales, while Hemigrapha is confirmed in this order. The genera Melaspileella, Melaspileopsis, Stictographa are reinstated for former Melaspilea species now placed in Asterinales. Karschia cezannei is described as new, and the new combinations Melaspilea costaricensis, M. enteroleuca, M. urceolata, Melaspileella proximella and Melaspileopsis diplasiospora are made. Melaspileaceae as newly defined includes lichenized and saprobic species. The lichenicolous and saprobic life styles form different intermixed lineages in Asterinales that do not include lichenized taxa. The phylogenetic data provide a first framework for dismantling further the genus Melaspilea for which most of the species are expected to belong to Asterinales.

Multiple locus genealogies and phenotypic characters reappraise the causal agents of apple ring rot in China

Abstract: Apple ringrot inflictssevereeconomiclosses inthe main apple producing areas of East Asia. The causal agent of the disease has been variously identified as Macrophoma kuwatsukai, Physalospora piricola and Botryosphaeria berengeriana f. sp. piricola ,a lthoughB. dothidea is currently the most widely accepted pathogen name. The taxonomic uncertainty has delayed research that is needed to manage effectively this destructive disease. In the present study, gene- alogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR) was applied to pathogenic fungal isolates from apple and pear from several locations in China, along with several reference isolates. Phylogenetic results based on se- quences of four nuclear loci (ITS, EF-1α, HIS and HSP) revealed the existence of two species within the examined isolates. One includes an ex-epitype isolate ofB. dothideaand the other includes an isolate that was previously designated as B. berengeriana f. sp. piricola. Morphologically, the latter taxon presented an appressed mycelial mat on PDA whereas B. dothidea displayed columns of aerial mycelia reaching the lids, and conidia of the latter species were longer than B. dothidea. Botryosphaeria dothidea had a faster growth rate than the latter taxon under relatively high temperatures. Path- ogenicity tests showed that on pear stems the latter taxon caused large-scale cankers along with blisters whereas B. dothidea was non-pathogenic, but on apple shoots the two fungi induced large and small wart-like prominences, respectively. Overall, this cryptic species demonstrated suffi- cient genetic variations and biological differences from B. dothidea. As a result of taxonomic study, we described here the latter taxon in a new combination, Botryosphaeria kuwatsukai and designate an epitype. Both B. kuwatsukai and B. dothidea are considered to be the main causal agents for apple ring rot in China and Japan.

Contrasting soil fungal communities in Mediterranean pine forests subjected to different wildfire frequencies

Abstract: Mediterranean forest ecosystems are characterized by various vascular plant groups with their associated mycorrhizae and free living soil fungi with various ecological functions Fire plays a major role in Mediterranean ecosystem dynamics and impacts both above- and below-ground community structure and functioning However, studies on the effects induced by altered disturbance regimes (associated with recent land use and climate extremes) on fire ecology and especially on its below-ground impacts are few The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of different wildfire regimes on soil fungal community structure using two different molecular methods We investigated the long-term effects of wildfire on soil fungal communities associated with Pinus pinaster forests in central Portugal, by comparing the results of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)-based profiling with those obtained with 454 pyrosequencing Four forest stands with differing fire history and fire return interval, and vegetation cover (mature forest, early successional stage of pine regeneration, and forest converted to scrubland) were sampled 6 years after the last fire event The pyrosequencing-based approach indicated ca eight-fold higher numbers of taxa than DGGE However, fungal community fingerprinting data obtained for the different study stands with DGGE were congruent with those obtained with pyrosequencing Both short (76 years) and long (24 years) fire return intervals (indicated by the presence of ericaceous shrubs in the understorey) induced a decrease in the abundance ratio between basidiomycetes and ascomycetes and appeared to reduce the frequency of ectomycorrhizal fungal species and saprophytes Wildfire significantly reduced the frequency of late stage successional taxa (eg Atheliaceae and Cantharellales) and known or putative saprophytes belonging to the Clavulinaceae and the Archaeorhizomycetaceae Conversely, early successional fungal species belonging to the Thelephoraceae were favoured by both fire return intervals, while the abundance of Cortinarius and Hebeloma, which include several Cistus-specific species, increased with short wildfire return intervals This last finding highlights the relationship between post-fire vegetation composition and cover (vegetation successional stage), and fungal symbionts We hypothesise that these changes could, in the long term, exhaust the resilience of Mediterranean pine forest vegetation and associated soil fungal communities by preventing pine regeneration

Phylogenetic relationships and morphological reappraisal of Melanommataceae ( Pleosporales )

Abstract: The family Melanommataceae is widespread in temperate and subtropical regions and species invariably occur on twigs or bark of various woody plants in terrestrial, marine or freshwater habitats. In this paper, the type species of 26 genera of the family are re-described and illustrated. A multi-gene phylogeny based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of LSU, SSU, RPB2 and EF-1 alpha sequence data of species of Melanommataceae is provided. The new genera, Muriformistrickeria, Pseudostrickeria and Thysanolaenae are introduced. Anomalemma is synonymized under Exosporiella. Acrocordiopsis, Astrosphaeriella, Beverwykella, Caryosporella, Sporidesmiella and Pseudotrichia are excluded from Melanommataceae based on molecular phylogenetic analyses. Presently, 20 genera are accepted in Melanommataceae. Based on the phylogenetic data, five new species, Byssosphaeria siamensis, Herpotrichia vaginatispora, Pseudostrickeria muriformis, Pseudostrickeria ononidis and Muriformistrickeria rubi, are introduced.

Phylogeny of the Acarosporaceae (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota, Fungi) and the evolution of carbonized ascomata

Abstract: The phylogeny of the Acarosporaceae (Lecanoromycetes, Acarosporomycetidae, Acarosporales) is investigated using data from three molecular markers; nuclear ITS-LSU rDNA, mitochondrial SSU and β-tubulin. Acarosporaceae is shown to be constituted by six main clades; Myriospora, Timdalia, Pleopsidium, a clade composed by “Acarospora” rhizobola and “A.” terricola, the poorly supported Sarcogyne clade (including several Polysporina and Acarospora species) and the Acarospora clade (including the type of Polysporina, P. simplex, and several other Polysporina species). The common ancestor of the Acarosporaceae did not produce strongly black pigmented (carbonized or melanized) ascomata, but this trait has arisen secondarily and independently numerous times in the evolution of the group. The number of changes in character states of both carbonized epihymenium and carbonized exciple are considerably more than the minimum number. The genera Sarcogyne and Polysporina—largely circumscribed based on the presence of black pigmented ascomata—are shown to be distinctly non-monophyletic. The presence of green algae in the ascoma margin (lecanorine or lecideine ascomata) may vary even within single species.

Multiple origin of the lichenicolous life habit in Helotiales, based on nuclear ribosomal sequences

Abstract: The Helotiales are an ecologically and morphologically highly diverse group of ascomycetes that also includes lichen-inhabiting (lichenicolous) species. We generated sequence data of three rDNA regions (nuSSU, nuLSU, 5.8S of ITS) from 28 lichenicolous specimens representing nine genera in order to determine their phylogenetic placement. Based on the most complete dataset of helotialean fungi to date, the analyses were performed using Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian approaches. Our results suggest that 1) the lichen-inhabiting life-style in Helotiales was subjected to gains or losses at least three times; 2) Thamnogalla, previously tentatively included in Ostropales, is shown to belong to Helotiales; 3) ascomata found intermixed with pycnidia of the asexual Diplolaeviopsis ranula and possessing the same pigments are tentatively considered as the sexual morph of this taxon, and are shown to belong to Helotiales; 4) the lichenicolous species of cf. Diplolaeviopsis, Llimoniella, Rhymbocarpus, Skyttea, Thamnogalla and Unguiculariopsis form a well-supported clade together with non-lichenicolous encoelioid fungi from the genera Ionomidotis, Cordierites and Encoelia; 5) Geltingia associata forms a highly supported clade with the fungicolous asexual fungus Eleutheromyces subulatus, whereas Pezizella epithallina clusters with an aquatic asexual fungus Tetracladium sp.; 6) Phaeopyxis punctum belongs to Ostropomycetidae (Lecanoromycetes), but its deep relationships to other groups remain unresolved based on rDNA sequences.