Journal of Fungi

Research

Jump to: Review

29 pages, 5419 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Additions to Diatrypaceae (Xylariales): Novel Taxa and New Host Associations

by Naghmeh Afshari, Omid Karimi, Antonio R. Gomes de Farias, Nakarin Suwannarach, Chitrabhanu S. Bhunjun, Xiang-Yu Zeng and Saisamorn Lumyong

J. Fungi 2023, 9(12), 1151; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9121151 - 28 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1047

Abstract

Diatrypaceae members have a broad distribution and are commonly found on decaying wood. Despite taxonomic and morphological challenges within this group, there has been a growing interest in Diatrypaceae in recent years. The dead branches of several plant hosts with fungal fruiting bodies [...] Read more.

Diatrypaceae members have a broad distribution and are commonly found on decaying wood. Despite taxonomic and morphological challenges within this group, there has been a growing interest in Diatrypaceae in recent years. The dead branches of several plant hosts with fungal fruiting bodies were collected from Doi Tung National Park, Chiang Rai, and the Narathiwat Provinces in Thailand. Their morphological characteristics, coupled with a molecular phylogeny of combined ITS and tub2 sequence data, were used to introduce two novel Allodiatrype species (A. dalbergiae and A. eleiodoxae) and one new Melanostictus species (M. chiangraiensis). Moreover, four new host records, Diatrypella heveae, D. major, Melanostictus thailandicus, and Paraeutypella citricola on Microcos paniculata, Nayariophyton zizyphifolium, Dalbergia cultrata, and M. paniculata, respectively, as well as a new geographical record of D. major are reported. This research provides detailed descriptions of macro- and microcharacteristics, coupled with a phylogenetic tree for the newly introduced species and host records. The morphological features of Allodiatrype and Melanostictus are listed in the synoptic table. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 6671 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Updates on Apiospora: Introducing Four New Species from Wurfbainia villosa and Grasses in China

by Chunfang Liao, Indunil Chinthani Senanayake, Wei Dong, Kandawatte Wedaralalage Thilini Chethana, Khanobporn Tangtrakulwanich, Yunxia Zhang and Mingkwan Doilom

J. Fungi 2023, 9(11), 1087; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9111087 - 6 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1574

Abstract

Apiospora, an ascomycetous genus in Apiosporaceae, comprises saprobes, endophytes, and pathogens of humans and plants. They have a cosmopolitan distribution with a wide range of hosts reported from Asia. In the present study, we collected and isolated Apiospora species from Wurfbainia villosa [...] Read more.

Apiospora, an ascomycetous genus in Apiosporaceae, comprises saprobes, endophytes, and pathogens of humans and plants. They have a cosmopolitan distribution with a wide range of hosts reported from Asia. In the present study, we collected and isolated Apiospora species from Wurfbainia villosa and grasses in Guangdong and Yunnan provinces in China. Multi-locus phylogeny based on the internal transcribed spacer, the large subunit nuclear rDNA, the partial translation elongation factor 1-α, and β-tubulin was performed to clarify the phylogenetic affinities of the Apiospora species. Based on the distinctive morphological characteristics and molecular evidence, Ap. endophytica, Ap. guangdongensis, Ap. wurfbainiae, and Ap. yunnanensis are proposed. Descriptions, illustrations, and notes for the newly discovered species are provided and compared with closely related Apiospora species. An updated phylogeny of Apiospora is presented, along with a discussion on the phylogenetic affinities of ambiguous taxa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 23419 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morpho-Phylogenetic Evidence Reveals Novel Species and New Records of Botryosphaeriaceae in China and Thailand

by Na Wu, Asha J. Dissanayake, Hong-Zhi Du and Jian-Kui Liu

J. Fungi 2023, 9(11), 1051; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9111051 - 26 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1150

Abstract

Species in the Botryosphaeriaceae are common plant pathogens, endophytes, and saprobes found on a variety of mainly woody hosts. Botryosphaeriaceae is a high-profile fungal family whose genera have been subjected to continuous revisions in recent years. Surveys conducted during 2019 and 2020 on [...] Read more.

Species in the Botryosphaeriaceae are common plant pathogens, endophytes, and saprobes found on a variety of mainly woody hosts. Botryosphaeriaceae is a high-profile fungal family whose genera have been subjected to continuous revisions in recent years. Surveys conducted during 2019 and 2020 on several decaying woody hosts (from dead arial twigs, branches, stems, bark, and seed pods) in China and Thailand revealed a high diversity of Botryosphaeriaceae fungi. Identification of 16 Botryosphaeriaceae isolates was carried out based on both morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and tub2 sequence data. Four novel species (Dothiorella ovata, Do. rosacearum, Do. septata, and Lasiodiplodia delonicis) and seven previously known species (Botryosphaeria fujianensis, Diplodia mutila, Di. seriata, L. crassispora, L. mahajangana, Macrophomina euphorbiicola and Sphaeropsis eucalypticola) were identified while new hosts and geographical records were reported. This study indicates that the fungal family Botryosphaeriaceae seems to be common and widespread on a broad range of hosts in China and Thailand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 2245 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spectrometric Characterization of Clinical and Environmental Isolates of Aspergillus Series Versicolores

by Océane Jomat, Antoine Géry, Astrid Leudet, Agathe Capitaine, David Garon and Julie Bonhomme

J. Fungi 2023, 9(9), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9090868 - 23 Aug 2023

Viewed by 881

Abstract

Aspergillus series Versicolores are molds distributed among 17 species, commonly found in our environment, and responsible for infections. Since 2022, a new taxonomy has grouped them into 4 major lineages: A. versicolor, A. subversicolor, A. sydowii, and A. creber. [...] Read more.

Aspergillus series Versicolores are molds distributed among 17 species, commonly found in our environment, and responsible for infections. Since 2022, a new taxonomy has grouped them into 4 major lineages: A. versicolor, A. subversicolor, A. sydowii, and A. creber. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) could be a faster and more cost-effective alternative to molecular techniques for identifying them by developing a local database. To evaluate this technique, 30 isolates from Aspergillus series Versicolores were used. A total of 59 main spectra profiles (MSPs) were created in the local database. This protocol enabled accurate identification of 100% of the extracted isolates, of which 97% (29/30) were correctly identified with a log score ≥ 2.00. Some MSPs recorded as Aspergillus versicolor in the supplier’s database could lead to false identifications as they did not match with the correct lineages. Although the local database is still limited in the number and diversity of species of Aspergillus series Versicolores, it is sufficiently effective for correct lineage identification according to the latest taxonomic revision, and better than the MALDI-TOF MS supplier’s database. This technology could improve the speed and accuracy of routine fungal identification for these species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 3787 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrative Taxonomy of Novel Diaporthe Species Associated with Medicinal Plants in Thailand

by Jutamart Monkai, Sinang Hongsanan, Darbhe J. Bhat, Turki M. Dawoud and Saisamorn Lumyong

J. Fungi 2023, 9(6), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9060603 - 24 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1581

Abstract

During our investigations of the microfungi on medicinal plants in Thailand, five isolates of Diaporthe were obtained. These isolates were identified and described using a multiproxy approach, viz. morphology, cultural characteristics, host association, the multiloci phylogeny of ITS, tef1-α, tub2, cal [...] Read more.

During our investigations of the microfungi on medicinal plants in Thailand, five isolates of Diaporthe were obtained. These isolates were identified and described using a multiproxy approach, viz. morphology, cultural characteristics, host association, the multiloci phylogeny of ITS, tef1-α, tub2, cal, and his3, and DNA comparisons. Five new species, Diaporthe afzeliae, D. bombacis, D. careyae, D. globoostiolata, and D. samaneae, are introduced as saprobes from the plant hosts, viz. Afzelia xylocarpa, Bombax ceiba, Careya sphaerica, a member of Fagaceae, and Samanea saman. Interestingly, this is the first report of Diaporthe species on these plants, except on the Fagaceae member. The morphological comparison, updated molecular phylogeny, and pairwise homoplasy index (PHI) analysis strongly support the establishment of novel species. Our phylogeny also revealed the close relationship between D. zhaoqingensis and D. chiangmaiensis; however, the evidence from the PHI test and DNA comparison indicated that they are distinct species. These findings improve the existing knowledge of taxonomy and host diversity of Diaporthe species as well as highlight the untapped potential of these medicinal plants for searching for new fungi. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 15414 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Taxonomic Novelties and New Records of Amanita Subgenus Amanitina from Thailand

by Yuan S. Liu, Jian-Kui Liu, Jaturong Kumla, Nakarin Suwannarach and Saisamorn Lumyong

J. Fungi 2023, 9(6), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9060601 - 24 May 2023

Viewed by 1743

Abstract

The Amanita subgenus Amanitina contains six sections, and the species diversity of this subgenus has still not been explored in Thailand. Twenty samples collected in 2019 and 2020, which had the morphological characteristics of the Amanita subgen. Amanitina, were observed in this [...] Read more.

The Amanita subgenus Amanitina contains six sections, and the species diversity of this subgenus has still not been explored in Thailand. Twenty samples collected in 2019 and 2020, which had the morphological characteristics of the Amanita subgen. Amanitina, were observed in this study. Both the microscopical characteristics and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, nrLSU, RPB2, TEF1-α, and TUB gene regions revealed that the 20 samples represented nine species and dispersed into four sections. Remarkably, three taxa were different from any other currently known species. Here, we describe them as new to science, namely A. albifragilis, A. claristriata, and A. fulvisquamea. Moreover, we also recognized six interesting taxa, including four records that were new to Thailand, viz. A. cacaina, A. citrinoannulata, A. griseofarinosa, and A. neoovoidea, as well as two previously recorded species, A. caojizong and A. oberwinkleriana. Moreover, we provide the first RPB2 and TEF1-α gene sequences for A. cacaina. Detailed descriptions, illustrations as line drawings, and comparisons with related taxa are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 6265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Six Additions to the Genus Periconia (Dothideomycetes: Periconiaceae) from Graminaceous Plants in China

by Pengwei Su, Zhenghua Lu, Whenhui Tian, Yanpeng Chen and Sajeewa S. N. Maharachchikumbura

J. Fungi 2023, 9(3), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9030300 - 25 Feb 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2368

Abstract

Periconia is a polyphyletic and asexual morphic genus within the family Periconiaceae (Pleosporales). The genus is characterized by a pale to dark brown stipe with an apical conidial head and ellipsoidal to oblong conidia. Species of Periconia are widely distributed throughout the world [...] Read more.

Periconia is a polyphyletic and asexual morphic genus within the family Periconiaceae (Pleosporales). The genus is characterized by a pale to dark brown stipe with an apical conidial head and ellipsoidal to oblong conidia. Species of Periconia are widely distributed throughout the world in various hosts, while most species are isolated from graminaceous plants. During our investigations of microfungal in Sichuan Province, China, 26 Periconia isolates were collected from a wide variety of graminaceous plants. These isolates corresponded to 11 species based on the examination of morphology and multi-locus phylogenetic analysis (SSU, ITS, LSU, TEF1, RPB2). This includes six new species (P. chengduensis, P. cynodontis, P. festucae, P. imperatae, P. penniseti, and P. spodiopogonis) and five new records (P. byssoides, P. chimonanthi, P. cookie, P. pseudobyssoides, and P. verrucosa). A comprehensive description and illustrations of the new species are provided and discussed with comparable taxa. These discoveries expand our knowledge of the species diversity of Periconia taxa in graminaceous plants in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 5019 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cladosporium Species Associated with Fruit Trees in Guizhou Province, China

by Yuanqiao Yang, Wenmei Luo, Wensong Zhang, Mohammed Amin Uddin Mridha, Subodini Nuwanthika Wijesinghe, Eric H. C. McKenzie and Yong Wang

J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020250 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3256

Abstract

During an investigation of fungal diversity on fruit trees in Guizhou Province, 23 Cladosporium strains were isolated from various locations in Guizhou Province. Culture characteristics, morphology and molecular phylogenetic analysis of three genetic markers, namely, the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) of the [...] Read more.

During an investigation of fungal diversity on fruit trees in Guizhou Province, 23 Cladosporium strains were isolated from various locations in Guizhou Province. Culture characteristics, morphology and molecular phylogenetic analysis of three genetic markers, namely, the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) of the rDNA, partial fragments of actin (act), and the translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-ɑ) loci were used to characterize these isolates. Seven new Cladosporium species and new host records for five other species were introduced, with detailed descriptions and illustrations. This study showed that there is a rich diversity of Cladosporium spp. in fruit trees in Guizhou Province. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

19 pages, 4347 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Comprehensive Account of the Rust Genus Skierka (Skierkaceae)

by Acharya Balkrishna, Ajay Kumar Gautam, Shubhi Avasthi, Mekala Niranjan, Rajnish Kumar Verma, Vedpriya Arya, Ashwani Kumar, Samantha C. Karunarathna and Nakarin Suwannarach

J. Fungi 2022, 8(12), 1243; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8121243 - 24 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1961

Abstract

The rust genus Skierka belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota was described in 1900 by Raciborski with Skierka canarii as the type species. The published literature on this rust genus reveals its ambiguity in taxonomic placement. It was challenging to taxonomically delineate and precisely identify [...] Read more.

The rust genus Skierka belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota was described in 1900 by Raciborski with Skierka canarii as the type species. The published literature on this rust genus reveals its ambiguity in taxonomic placement. It was challenging to taxonomically delineate and precisely identify each species within this genus due to the species sharing some common characteristics. The latest studies based on morphology taxonomy and molecular characteristics, however, have solved this puzzle now and placed this genus in its new family Skierkaceae. To understand all about the genus Skierka, this compilation was carried out to unveil the general characteristics, history, diversity, distribution, ecology, morphology and molecular taxonomy of different species of Skierka. After exploring 14 species of Skierka, it was observed that this genus is distributed in seven plant families in 19 countries all over the world. The genus appears to be well-represented in Asian and South American counties. This rust has not been reported from any European countries to date. The morpho-taxonomy of all species is well studied, but molecular analyses are still required. Only two species of the genus namely S. robusta and S. diploglottidis were identified based molecular analyses. Therefore, further studies should be focused on epitypifying the taxa that are too old and updating their taxonomy based on molecular, biochemical, and physiological aspects along with morphological characteristics. Multiple analytical methods should be considered when dealing with multi-locus datasets. This will increase our understanding of the diversity, distribution, and identification of these rust fungi. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi)

► Show Figures