NAMC – Newsletter of the Asian Mycological Committee

NAMC – Newsletter of the Asian Mycological 

Editor in Chief: Kevin D Hyde, Jiang Na, others 

Committee 

Chairman and office bearers 

Chairman 

Xingzhong Liu 

State Key Laboratory of Mycology 

Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences 

No. 3 1st Beichen West Rd., Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, P. R.China 

liuxz@im.ac.cn 

Vice-Chairman 

Tae Soo Lee 

Division of Life Sciences 

University of Incheon 

Incheon 406-840, Korea 

younslee@kangwon.ac.kr 

Vice-Chairman 

Vikineswary Sabaratnam 

Institute of Biological Sciences 

Faculty of Science 

University of Malaya 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

viki@um.edu.my 

General Secretary 

Lei Cai 




mrcailei@gmail.com

� Australasian 

Peter Buchanan 

Private Bag 92170 

Auckland Mail Centre 

Auckland 1142 

New Zealand 

BuchananP@landcareresearch.co.nz 

Committee members 

� Bangladesh 

Amin Uddin Mridha 

Plant Production Department 

King Saud University 

P.O.Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 

mridha@abnetbd.com 

� Cambodia 

Hean Vanhan 

Deputy Director General 

General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA)/ MAFF, Cambodia 

No.54B/49F, Street 395-656, Toeuk Laak 3, Tuol Kok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

hean_vanhan@yahoo.com 

� China 

Xingzhong Liu 




liuxz@im.ac.cn 

� China 

Lei Cai 




mrcailei@gmail.com 

� HongKong 

Lilian LP Vrijmoed 

College of Science and Engineering 

Department of Biology and Chemistry 

City University Hong Kong

Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 

bhlilian@city.edu.hk 

� India 

Chandralata Raghukumar 

313, Vainguinim Valley 

Dona Paula, Goa, 403 004, India 

lata_raghukumar@rediffmail.com 

� Indonesia 

Kartini Kramadibrata 

Herbarium Bogoriense 

Bidang Botani, Pusat Penelitian Biologi-LIPI 

Cibinong Science Center (CSC)-LIPI 

Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor 

INDONESIAkkramadibrata@yahoo.co.uk 

� Iran 

Rasoul Zare 

Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Tehran, Iran 

simplicillium@yahoo.com 

� Israel 

Oded Yarden 

The Buck Family Chair Professor of Plant Pathology 

Head, Dept. of Plant Pathology and Microbiology 

The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment 

The Hebrew University of JerusalemRehovot 76100 

Israel 

oded.yarden@huji.ac.il 

� Japan 

Toru Okuda 

Mycology & Metabolic Diversity Research Center 

Tamagawa University Research Institute 

6-1-1 Tamagawa-Gakuen, Machida 

Tokyo 194-8610, Japan 

torula@lab.tamagawa.ac.jp 

� Korea 

Tae Soo Lee 

Division of Life Sciences 

University of Incheon 

Incheon 406-840, Korea

younslee@kangwon.ac.kr 

� Kuwait 

Azza A.AlMusallam 


PO Box 5969 

Safat 13060 

Kuwait 

azza.almusallam@ku.edu.kw 

� Laos 

Phengsintham Pheng 

Department of Biology 

National University of Laos 

P.O. Box T32, Xaysetha, Vientiane, Laos 

pheng_phengsintham@hotmail.com 

� Malaysia 

Vikineswary Sabaratnam 

Institute of Biological Sciences 


University of Malaya 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

viki@um.edu.my 

� Mongolia 

Tsetseg Baljinova 

Laboratory of Microbiology 

Institute of Biology 

Mongolian Academy of Sciences 

Ulaanbaatar-51 

Mongolia 

tsetseg110@yahoo.com 

� Myanmar 

Thida W. Ko Ko 

Mushroom Research Centre 

Chiang Mai 

Thailand 

thidawinkoko@gmail.com 

� Nepal 

Mahesh K. Adhikari 

Adhikari Niwas

KUKL 4/536 

Dakshin Tol 

BhaniMandal, 

Lalitpur, Nepal 

mkg_adh@wlink.com.np 

� Philippines 

Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz 

Department of Biological Sciences 

College of Science 

University of Santo Tomas 

España 1015 Manila 

Philippines 

thomasdelacruz@yahoo.com 

� Russia 

Larissa Vasilyeva 

Institute of Biology & Soil Science 

Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences 

Vladivostok 690022 

Russia 

vasilyeva@biosoil.ru 

� Saudi Arabia 

A.H. Bahkali 

Botany and Microbiology Department 

College of Science, King Saud University 

Riyadh 

Saudi Arabia 

abahkali@ksu.edu.sa 

� Singapore 

Teck Koon Tan 

Department of Biological Science 

National University of Singapore 

14 Science Drive 4 

Singapore 117543 

dbstantk@nus.edu.sg 

� Sri Lanka 

Nimal Adikaram 

Department of Botany 


University of Peradeniya

Peradeniya (20400) 

Sri Lanka 

nkba@pdn.ac.lk 

� Taiwan 

Sung-Yuan Hsieh 

Department of Botany 

National Museum of Natural Science 

Taichung, Taiwan 404 

sungyuan@gmail.com 

� Thailand 

Kasem Soytong 

Biocontrol Research Unit and Mycology Section 

Department of Plant Pest Management 

Faculty of Agricultural Technology 

King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) 

Bangkok 10520 

Thailand 

kskasem@yahoo.com 

� Vietnam 

Min Lam Duong 

Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology 

Hanoi National University of Education 

136 Xuanthuy, Caugiay 

Hanoi, Vietnam 

duong.minhlam@gmail.com 

� Thailand 

Kevin D. Hyde 

PO Box 58 

Bandoo Post Office 

Muang, Chiang Rai 57100 

Thailand 

kdhyde3@gmail.com 

� Japan 

Akira Suziki 

Faculty of Education/Graduate School of Horticulture 

Chiba University 

Japan 

asmush@faculty.chiba-u.jp

Asian Mycological Congress 2011 

12th International Marine and Freshwater Mycology Symposium 

7-11 August 2011 

The University of Incheon Convention Centre, Incheon, Korea, was the venue for the 2011 AMC 

and IMFMS meetings, an impressive new campus of the University. 269 participants attended 

from 22 countries, with host country fielding the highest number (163). The AMC programme 

included 72 oral presentations in 16 symposia, 263 posters and five plenary lectures by Robert 

Samson (Fungi and food: Friends or enemies), Gareth Jones (Marine fungal diversity: How many 

species are there?), Toru Okuda (Mycology for mycology?), Ching-Hua Su (Fluconaole induced 

drastic genetic change in Candida albicans), and Hyun-Sook Lee (Mycoviruses and mushrooms 

diseases and their detection systems). 

The conference was opened by Prof. Tae-Soo Lee, Chair of the organizing committee who 

welcomed all the participants. Besides the scientific presentation we were also treated to a 

culture show and some wonderful photographs of mushrooms. 

Two AMC awards were made at the meeting: Distinguished Mycologists 2011 award to 

Professor Kevin Hyde, Thailand and Young Mycologists award to Dr Lei Cai. There were a 

number of distinguished nominations considered by the search committee and set a very high 

standard for these new awards by AMC. 

IMFMS 12 attracted fewer participants than the very successful meeting in Taiwan in 2009. The 

programme was reduced to four sessions with 19 oral presentations and 20 posters. This 

prompted Gareth at the closing session to query whether the meeting had outlived its 

usefulness with the declining numbers of mycologists working on aquatic fungi. However many 

disagreed with this and the meeting in China will decide the future of the IMFMS. Prof. Yang 

Soo Lee (Korea) offered to set up a website to promote IMFMS in the hope of attracting a wider 

audience for future meetings. We wish this venture every success.

I am grateful to the following for supplying summaries and photographs: Natarajan Velmurugan, 

Satinee Suetrong, Yang Soo Lee, Lei Cai and Hyeon-Su Ro. 

Gareth Jones 

Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences 

University Malaysia 

Presentation of the AMC Young Mycologist award 2011 to Dr Cai Lei 

Opening address by Prof. Tae-Soo Lee

Banner for the 2011 meeting in Incheon 

Culture show after the official dinner of AMC

Closing speech by the new Chairperson AMC 

Plenary talk by Gareth Jones 

Gallery of muchroom fungi at AMC

Plenary talk by Rob Samson 

Group photograph of the 2011 Asian Mycology Congress

Asian Mycological Awards 

Distinguished Asian Mycologist Award 

Dr Kevin D. Hyde was given the award of Distinguished Asian Mycologist in August 2011 at the 

Asian Mycological Congress for his services in promoting Asian Mycology. Dr Hyde has been 

Head and Associate Professor of the Institute of Excellence in Fungal Research, School of 

Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai since January 2008 and is also the Managing 

Director of the Mushroom Research Foundation, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

Dr Hyde looking for freshwater fungi in southern France (photographed by Jacques Fornier) 

Dr Hyde was the Coordinator of EASIANET from 2004 until 2007. This was an elected 

position in the body designated by CBD with the role to remove taxonomic impediments from 

the East Asia region. Dr Hyde was also Chairman of the Mycological Association of Hong Kong 

between 2002-2007 which was inaugurated in 1997. As Chairman of the Asian Mycological 

Committee from 2007-2011 he promoted the study of mycology throughout the Asian region.

He was editor-in-chief of Fungal Diversity for 11 years, a journal that Dr Hyde introduced, and 

was also EIC of the Fungal Diversity Research Series, the International Journal of Agricultural 

Microbiology, and Mycology and is associate editor of eight other journals. Dr Hyde has 

published more than 800 refereed papers and of these 560 are in SCI journals. He has also 

published 17 books. Dr Hyde’s passion though is in training students and he supervised some 20 

postdoctoral fellows, more than 60 PhD students, and 15 MPhil students up to now. Currently 

he is supervising /co-supervising more than 25 postgraduate students at Mae Fah Luang 

University, Thailand and in China. 

Dr Hyde teaching his students in the Mushroom Research Centre classroom. Students from left 

to right: Marivic Cabenella, Nilam Wulanderi, Dr Iman Hidiyat, Dr Subbu and Mr Sophia. 

Dr Hyde’s academic career is a very unlikely success story as on three occasions it 

appeared he would opt for other career paths. When he was 15 and about to start his last year 

at high school his parents moved from Cheltenham to Poole, Dorset, UK. This had the 

unfortunate result that he had to restart his O-level studies because of a change in exam body

syllabus and take his exams within 10 months. With four sultry O-level grades he was offered a 

job in a chrome plating factory as a chemical apprentice and his father, John Hyde, 

recommended that he take this up. However, after discussions with the teachers at Poole 

Grammar School they persuaded his father to allow Kevin to pursue his A-levels which John 

fortunately accepted. Following his A-levels Dr Hyde carried out his B.Sc. in Zoology at Cardiff 

University at the University of Wales between 1976 and 1979, followed by a one year M.Sc. at 

Portsmouth University. At this stage he decided to leave academia and carried out a one year 

Post graduate diploma in teaching and in August 1980 took up his first job as a high school 

teacher at Hurst School near Basingstoke. His strong desire to travel soon saw him travel to 

Seychelles, landing a teaching position where he spent 24 months teaching in a high school. He 

had maintained constant contact with Prof. Gareth Jones his M.Sc. program supervisor and in 

September 1984 he returned to Portsmouth University in UK and commenced his Ph.D. in 

Marine Mycology under the guidance of Professor Jones at University of Portsmouth. Never 

happy to be back in the UK, Dr Hyde finished his Ph.D. in two and a half years and moved to 

Brunei and again opted out of academia to take up yet another high school teaching position in 

this oil-rich state. In Brunei, he was able to continue his marine mycology research with the 

help of two microscopes borrowed from Prof Jones (Portsmouth University) and in about three 

years had published 50 international research articles. By 1989, Dr Hyde tired of high school 

teaching, migrated to Australia where he was jobless for a while. After four months of seeking 

research or university positions in vain, disillusionment set in and he almost accepted that a 

career in research would never be possible for him. To make matters worse he walked through 

a glass door seriously injuring a knee cap which had to be removed, cleaned and replaced. 

Fortunately, Ian Moorhead who was the director of Department of Primary Industries, 

Queensland at this time, saw Dr Hyde’s mycological potential and invited Dr Hyde for an 

interview as a NAQS scientist. Dr Hyde attended the interview on crutches but was offered the 

position. The subsequent new job surveying plant pathogens throughout north Queensland and 

Papua New Guinea set the tone for future research on tropical fungi. Although the NAQS job 

was pretty routine involving looking for 20 or so target organisms, he spent as much time as 

possible looking at other fungi of interest and by 2002 had more than 100 SCI publications,

mostly unrelated to his work. Dr Hyde desperately wanted to get into a University so he could 

concentrate on research and teach research students. His dream came true in November 2002 

at the age of 37, when he was offered a tenured lectureship at the Department of Botany in the 

University of Hong Kong where he remained for 15 years before moving to Thailand. He was the 

director of the Centre for Research in Fungal Diversity, Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, The 

University of Hong Kong from 1998 to 2007. Throughout this time he was very much inspired by 

his Ph.D. supervisor, Professor Jones. During this time he gained a Doctor of Science degree in 

Biodiversity and Biology of Tropical Micro-fungi at the University of Wales. In 2008 Dr Hyde 

retired from his position in Hong Kong, as he wanted a life where he could live in a house with a 

garden and have a car and pets, much of which was not possible in the cramped Hong Kong 

lifestyle. It had also become seriously hard to get research funding in Hong Kong. His moved to 

Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand was purely by chance and mostly due to meeting the then 

Dean of Science, the late Prof Keith Syers. This move was a shear stroke of luck and since 

joining MFLU Dr Hyde has managed to develop a large hard working active research group.

April 2007, party at Dr Hyde’s small Hong Kong apartment, from left to right: Dr Rui-lin Zhao, Dr 

Rampai Kodsueb, Dr (Joy) Ratchadawan Cheewangkoon, Dr Damodar Shenoy, Dr Zhang Ying, Dr 

Hyde 

As stated early Dr Hyde’s passion is to train young mycologists. His counsel to young 

researchers is always to persevere in their research, publish as often as they can and let the 

world see what research they are capable of, and be patient when trying to get a research 

position. Eventually because of their expertise and perseverance, they will be offered the jobs 

matching their visions. However he states “remember jobs for mycologists are few and far 

between, but so is a molecular mycologist who also understands morphology and thus a 

position will eventually materialise”. He always guides his students as follows, “I really want to 

see you developing yourselves. “Be a general mycologist and do not specialize on one genus”. 

He has said many times, “a Ph.D. trains you to run your own research group - advance science 

and train yourself to be a scientist. If you cannot get things done and push yourself what hope 

do you have when you leave the nest? So try to learn to push yourselves and achieve. You are 

working for yourselves - not me and whatever you achieve will go towards your future - not 

mine. You are not doing a PhD just to get the title “Dr” in front of your name. If you are, then 

you should not continue, but quit now”. 

Dr Hyde’s students are represented by many nationalities from Asia, among them are 

Thais, Sri Lankans, Chinese, Laos, Myamarese, Vietnamese, Pilipino, Nepali and Indians. He also 

has one Kenyan MS student. Dr Hyde has provided a great deal of opportunities to young 

qualified students who were unable to find opportunities in their interest areas, and provide 

scholarships through the Mushroom Research Foundation for PhD’s in mycology. 

This article is not enough to express and explain the good work Dr Hyde has done to 

promote mycology in the Asian region as well as worldwide. He strives to mould each of his 

students into renowned mycologists in their own right. In the recent round of IMA Young 

Mycologists Awards, two out of the five young awardees (Australasia and Asia) were Dr Hyde’s 

previous students. 

In Dr Hyde’s laboratory, we are budding mycologists, who have been taught, trained and 

mentored by Dr Hyde and would like to wish Dr Hyde all the very best and good luck as his

endeavors to train and mould mycologists to salvage the world of mycology which is in dire 

need of many more mycologists. 

Samantha Chandranath Karunarathna 

PhD Candidate 

Mae Fah Luang University, 

Chiang Rai, Thailand

mycologist in the region. 

Dr. Lei Cai awarded the Young Mycologist Award in Asia 

Dr. Lei Cai is one of the leading young mycologists in China. 

He is a Professor at the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese 

Academy of Sciences and has been working on the systematic 

and biodiversity of plant pathogenic, aquatic, coprophilous 

and thermophilic fungi for many years. For his outstanding 

achievements in his carrier life he received the Asian 

Mycological Association (AMA) Young Mycologist Award 

during the Asian mycological congress held in South Korea 

August 2011. This is the first time that AMA awarded a young 

Dr. Lei Cai was graduated from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China in 1998 and joined to the 

Yunnan University, China as a research assistant. As the turning step in to the field of mycology 

he has completed his MSC in Mycology during 2000-2002 in Yunnan University, China. He 

started his PhD in 2002 under the supervision of Prof. Kevin D. Hyde in the University of Hong 

Kong. After the successful completion of his PhD, Dr. Cai joined R&D centre, Novozymes, Beijing 

as a research scientist (2006-2009), and senior research scientist (2009-2010). For his 

invaluable achievement in the mycological research, Dr. Cai was awarded the prestigious 

“Hundred-Talent Program” of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 2010. 

Dr Lei Cai has been a dedicated young mycologist in Asia and worldwide during the past decade. 

He has attained a notable number of publications including one monograph, 2 book chapters, 

54 publications on international journals and these publications attained 378 citations (H’ Index 

=12). He accomplished 13 research projects, based on which he described 5 new genera, 48 

new species and 7 new combinations. This exceptional contribution to the field of mycology is 

very appreciable considering the time in his career life as an active young scientist in the field. 

Dr. Lei Cai is not only a talented researcher but also an active teacher. He conducts the courses 

on systematic mycology and phytopathology for the postgraduate students in CAS, and Chinese 

Academy of Agricultural Science (CAAS). He also gave lectures in various international

workshops, seminars and conferences. Dr. Cai is currently supervising 5 MSC students, 3 PhD 

students and 2 post doctoral associates. He is popular among students as a talented and kind 

hearted teacher. As the executive associate editor, Dr. Cai played a significant role in 

establishing and managing the new international journal “Mycology”. He is also an associate 

editor of Fungal Diversity and reviews papers for journals such as Biodiversity and Conservation, 

Journal of Plant Pathology, Plant Pathology, Plant Disease, Microbial Ecology, Mycologia, 

Mycoscience and Nova Hedwigia.

� The Mycological Society of China 

2011 Mycology in China 

The Mycological Society of China (MSC), is an academic organization devoted to the research 

and extension of mycology in China. MSC, formerly a division of the Botanical Society of China 

(BSC) (1980-1992), became an independent society in May 1993. Currently there are 12 

professional committees, 6 working committees and nearly 3,000 Chinese and international 

members. MSC is a sustainable member of the International Mycological Association and Asian 

Mycological Association. 

PROFESSIONAL COMMITTEES 

1. Division of fungal diversity and systematic mycology 

2. Division of plant pathogenic fungus 

3. Division of entomogenous fungus 

4. Division of medical mycology 

5. Division of edible fungi 

6. Division of pharmaceutical fungi 

7. Division of industrial fungi 

8. Division of myxomycetes 

9. Division of lichenology 

10. Division of mycorrhiza and endophytic fungi 

11. Division of fungal chemistry 

12. Division of fungal genetics and molecular biology 

MSC focuses on the development of fungal science in China and international community and 

aims to provide a platform to meet the needs of a demanding and growing field, and to serve 

and engage dialogue between Chinese mycologists and the international community. To publish

journals and organize international conferences, national annual meetings, various symposia 

and workshops are the main tasks of the society. 

Highlights of 2011 

� The Tenth China-Korea Joint Symposium was held at Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an city 

on 22-25 April, 2011. Fifteen representatives from Korea and 60 representatives from China 

attended this symposium. Fourteen speeches covering fungal diversity, phylogeny and evolution, 

edible and medicinal fungi and other aspects were reported on the meeting. 

� The tenth mycological symposium of cross-strait sponsored by Mycological Society of China and 

Mycological Society of Taiwan, was held at Wuhan Agriculture University on 15-18 July, 2011. 

Sixteen members of Mycological Society of Taiwan attended this symposium. Fifty 

representatives presented their latest research outcomes. To enhance the exchange and co- 

operation between mycologists from Cross-Taiwan Straits and facilitate the development in 

mycology, the joint symposium has been run every two years since 1993 in mainland or Taiwan 

respectively. 

� The 2011 MSC annual meeting was held in Guangzhou on 15-17 August. More than 400 

members of MSC participated this annual meeting. There are 150 presentations in 11 sections. 

These reports exhibited the latest research results on the followed aspects: fungal diversity and 

systematics, plant pathology, medical mycology, edible mushroom, pharmaceutical fungi, 

industrial fungi, myxomycete, mycorrhiza and endophytic fungi, fungal chemistry, fungal genetics 

and molecular biology. Postgraduate student awards were given to six student presentations. 

� China’s Fungal Genome Initiative (CFGI) proposed by the MSC are now investing great efforts for 

fungal genomics. More than 60 species of plant, insect and nematode pathogens as well as the 

mushrooms and mycorrhizal fungi have been or are being sequenced. To incorporate the joint 

efforts, the first CFGI Symposium was successfully held in Shanghai on September 20-22, 2009. 

The studies on fungal genomics have been extensively advanced for the past two years. To 

continue promoting fungal genomics studies in China, the second CFGI symposium was 

organized by MSC and Yunnan University on October 23-25, 2011. Following the invited talks, a 

workshop was held for sharing the techniques/methods for genomic data analysis.

� “Mini Symposium on Advances in Fungal Genomics and Evolution - In Celebration of the 

Founding of the State Key Laboratory of Mycology” kicked off at the Institute of Microbiology, 

Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, on 22 October. Six prestigious international mycologists 

were invited to give presentations at this mini-symposium. The speakers shared their state-of-art 

research and ideas in fungal genomics and evolution with over 140 Chinese participants of this 

mini-symposium. 

Publications 

� An official journal of Mycological Society of China entitled “Mycology, an international 

journal on fungal biology” had been launched in January 2010 and published by Taylor & 

Francis. Mycology publishes papers on all aspects of mycology including lichens, with 

preference in systematics, ecology and biodiversity, genomics and proteomics, and 

molecular phylogeny and evolution. Other appreciate subjects for the journal include 

bioinformatics, physiology and biochemistry, pathology, morphology development, cell 

biology, genetics, molecular biology, fungal enzymology, fungal metabolites and new 

techniques. 

� Mycosystema is a merger of former Acta Mycologica Sinica (1982-1997) and Mycosystema 

(1987-1997) sponsored by the Mycological Society of China and the Institute of 

Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science and published bimonthly. The journal includes 

original papers and short communications based on research results, as well as literature 

and book reviews dealing with various aspects of mycology. Mycosystema publishes 

papers mainly in the fields of taxonomy, biodiversity, molecular systematics of fungi. The 

papers related to ecology, phytopathology, physiology, genetics, medical mycology, 

industrial mycology and veterinary mycology are also encouraged and acceptable. 

� Journal of Fungal Research is a quarterly journal sponsored by MSC and Jilin Agricultural 

University and was launched in December 2003. The journal publishes the papers 

concerning the scientific researches on the organisms studied by mycologists, which are 

accepted as fungi in the Kingdom (Mycota), pseudofungi and slime molds along with 

bacteria (Monera), plants (Plantae), animals (Animalia) and protists (Protista). The journal

of Fungal Research is a window for academic exchange of scientific research, technology 

and education of pan-fungi.

Indian Mycology (2010-2011) 

Fungal research is being carried out in several universities and research institutions in India, 

each group having established its own special niche. 

Damodar Shenoy at the Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, is interested in 

phylogeny and molecular diversity of plant pathogenic fungi and DNA barcoding of fungi. G.S. 

Prasad at the same institute works on the phylogeny and molecular diversity of yeasts. He has 

described several new species of yeasts from India. 

Shenoy BD, Jeewon R, Wang HK, Amandeep K, Ho WH, Bhat DJ, Crous PW, Hyde KD. 2010. 

Sequence data reveals phylogenetic affinities of fungal anamorphs Bahusutrabeeja, 

Diplococcium, Natarajania, Paliphora, Polyschema, Rattania and Spadicoides. Fungal 

Diversity 44: 161–169. 

Daniel HM, Prasad GS. 2010. The role of culture collections as an interface between providers 

and users: the example of yeasts. Res Microbiol. 161(6):488-96. 

Extensive research on endophytic fungi of forest trees, algae and mangroves is being carried 

out by T.S. Suryanarayana and his team at the Vivekananda Institute of Tropical Mycology. He 

has recently described heat-resistant, ‘agni’ fungi from the forests of Western Ghats, whose 

spores survive exposure to 100-115 o C. D.J. Bhat and his students have carried out enormous 

work on diversity of fungi in various habitats in Goa and have described several new species 

and reported new records of fungi from India. 

Suryanarayanan TS, Govinda Rajulu MB, Thirumalai E, Reddy MS and Money NP. 2011. Agni’s 

fungi: heat-resistant spores from the Western Ghats, southern India. Fungal Biology 

Reviews 115: 833-838. 

Thirunavukkarasu N, Suryanarayanan TS, Murali TS. Ravishankar JP, Gummadi SN. 2011. L- 

asparaginase from marine derived fungal endophytes of seaweeds. Mycosphere 2:147– 

155.

Pratibha J, Bhat DJ and Raghukumar S. 2011. Four anamorphic fungi from forests of Western 

Ghats, India, with two new species. 117: 269–278. 

T. Satyanarayana and his team in Delhi University South Campus concentrate on fungal 

enzymes, especially phytase and its applications. M.S. Reddy at the Thapar Research Institute, 

Patiala works on molecular diversity of AM fungi and reclamation of polluted lands using plants 

inoculated with these fungi. Alok Adholeya at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TERI) 

has a large group devoted to research on the application of AM fungi as biofertilizers, to 

increase the productivity of crop plants and towards reclamation of land degraded by several 

industrial pollutants. He has developed a protocol for mass production of AM fungi and 

commercialized the technology. 

Kaur, P., Singh, B., Böer, E., Straube, N., Piontek, M., Satyanarayana, T. and Kunze, G. 2010. 

Pphy – a cell-bound phytase from the yeast Pichia anomala: molecular cloning of the 

gene PPHY and characterization of the recombinant enzyme. J. Biotechnol. 149: 8–15. 

Singh, B. and Satyanarayana, T. 2011. Microbial phytases in phosphorus aquisition and plant 

growth promotion. Physiol. Mol. Biol. Plants 17: 93-103. 

K.R. Sridhar and his research group at the Mangalore University concentrate on diversity 

of fresh water and marine fungi and their ecology. J. Muthumary and her team have screened 

several endophytic fungi for production of taxol and anticancer activity. Production of 

nanoparticles of various metals using metal-tolerant fungi or their enzymes is carried out by 

several research groups. Absar Ahmed at the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune has several 

publications and patents on production of nanoparticles of gold and silver by fungi. 

Sridhar KR, Karamchand KS and Sumathi P. 2010. Fungal colonization and breakdown of sedge 

(Cyperus malaccensis Lam.) in a southwest mangrove, India. Botanica Marina 53, 525- 

533. 

Baerlocher F, Charette N, Letourneau A, Nikolcheva LG and Sridhar KR. 2010. Sequencing DNA 

extracted from single conidia of aquatic hyphomycetes. Fungal Ecology 3, 115-121.

Visalakchi S and Muthumary J. 2010. Taxol (Anticancer Drug) producing endophytic fungi: An 

overview. International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences.1 (3): 1-9. 

Research on fungal technology is done in private firms also. Research on dermatophytic and 

keratinophilic fungi is being carried out by S.K. Deshmukh and his group at the Nicholas Piramal 

Research Centre, Mumbai. Raghukumar’s MykoTech Pvt Ltd., Goa, specializes on 

biotechnological application of fungi, their enzymes and metabolites. 

Deshmukh SK and Verekar SA 2011. Incidence of keratinophilic fungi from the soils of 

Vedanthangal water bird sanctuary (India). Mycoses. 54: 487-490. 

Deshmukh SK, Verekar SA. 2011. Prevalence of keratinophilic fungi in ‘Usar’ soils of Uttar 

Pradesh, India. Microbiology Research. 3:e15 doi:10.4081/mr.2011.e15 

Pratibha Jalmi, Pranali Bodke, Solimabi Wahidullah and Seshagiri Raghukumar. 2011. The 

fungus Gliocephalotrichum simplex as a source of abundant, extracellular melanin for 

biotechnological applications. Published online in World Journal of Microbiology and 

Biotechnology. 

Research on ecology, diversity and phylogeny of deep-sea fungi and fungi from oxygen- 

depleted coastal and oceanic zones of the Arabian Sea is being carried out at the National 

Institute of Oceanography. Culture-dependent as well as culture-independent approaches were 

used to describe abundance, distribution and diversity of fungi from these extreme 

environments. Besides, bioremediation of industrial pollutants by marine fungi is also pursued 

by this group. These studies have resulted in filing several national and international patents. 

Jebraj C, Raghukumar C, Behnke A, Stoeck T. 2010. Fungal diversity in oxygen-depleted regions 

of the Arabian Sea revealed by targeted environmental sequencing combined with 

cultivation. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 71 (3) 399-412. 

Singh P, Raghukumar C, Verma P, Shouche Y. 2010. Phylogenetic diversity of culturable fungi 

from the deep-sea sediments of the Central Indian Basin and their growth characteristics. 

Fungal Diversity 40: 89-102.

Verma AK, Raghukumar C, Naik CG. 2011. A novel hybrid technology for remediation of 

molasses-based raw effluents. Bioresource Technology 102: 2411-2418. 

Ravindran C and Naveenan T. 2011. Adaptation of marine derived fungus Chaetomium 

globosum (NIOCC 36) to alkaline stress using antioxdant properties. Process 

Biochemistry 46: 847-857 

Detailed studies on genetics of Neurospora crassa is being done by Kasbekar and his team of 

researchers at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad. Physiology, molecular 

studies and biochemistry of yeast is pursued in the department of biochemistry, Indian Institute 

of Science, Bangalore. 

Keshav Prasad et al. 2010. Comparative proteomic analysis of Candida albicans and C.globrata. 

Clinical Proteomics 6: 167-173. 

Kasbekar D. et al. 2011. Carrefour Mme. Gras: A wild-isolated Neurospora crassa strain that 

suppresses meiotic silencing by unpaied DNA and uncovers a novel ascospore stability 

defect. Fungal Genet.Biol. (in press) Doi:10.1016/j.fgb.2011.01.012 

Several books either authored or edited by these mycologists are listed below. 

Books 

Bhat DJ. 2010. Fascinating Microfungi (Hyphomycetes) of Western Ghats, India. Broadway 

Publishers, Panaji, Goa. 249 pp 

Misra JK, Tiwari JP, Deshmukh SK. (Eds) 2011. Systematics and Evolution of Fungi, Science 

Publishers, Inc Enfield USA. 

Sridhar KR. (Ed) 2011. Aquatic Plants and Plant Diseases: Types, Characteristics and 

Management. Nova Science Publishers Inc., New York, 

Patents granted 

A process for production of low temperature active alkaline protease from a deep-sea fungus. 

Chandralata Raghukumar, Samir Damare, Usha Devi Muraleedharan. 

2010. Patent No.4504311 JAPAN.

A process for decolorization of colored effluents uing a marine fungus, its enzymes and 

extracellular polymeric substance. Chandralata Raghukumar, Donna Trella D’souza Ticlo 

2010. Patent No.: GB2434364. UNITED KINGDOM 

Several other groups are engaged in mycological research whose work I could not 

accommodate here due to space constraint. I will write about it in the next issue of the Asian 

mycological newsletter. 

Awards 

Samir Damare from the National Institute of Oceanography received CSIR Young 

Scientist award in 2010 under the Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences. The award 

was for his studies on deep-sea fungi which he carried out for his PhD degree. The award 

carries cash prize, a citation and research grant for a period of 5 years. 

Meetings 

The annual national seminar of the Mycological Society of India was held in Chennai at the 

Centre for Advanced Study in Botany in February 2011. The seminar was attended by about 150 

delegates from all over India. 

Dr.Chandralata Raghukumar, 

313, Vainguinim Valley, 

Dona Paula, Goa, 403 004, 

India.

Some of the new fungi described from Goa. 

Anaselenosporella indica Pratibha, 

Bhat & Raghuk. 

Stauriella indica Pratibha, Bhat and Raghuk.

Dendryphiopsis goanensis Praibha, Raghuk. And Bhat 

Dr. Samir Damare, recipient of the CSIR Young scientist award for his work on deep-sea fungi.

Prof. D.J. Bhat, displaying his catch during one of his fungal –hunting trips. He retired from 

the Goa University on November 30, 2011. 

Dr. Lata Raghukumar completed her tenure as an emeritus scientist at the National Institute of 

Oceanography on July 31, 2011.

Djafar Ershad and Rasoul Zare 

Research Institute of Plant Protection 

Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection 

Mycology in Iran: A historical review 

Study of fungi in Iran was initiated by foreign mycologists. Most of these mycologists have not 

visited Iran but they received fungal material from botanists who came to Iran for plant 

collections. These botanists also collected fungi separately or their plant material was examined 

by mycologists for epiphytic/parasitic fungi. As the result the list of fungi separately or together 

with the list of plants was published in European literature. 

In order to summarize the history of mycology in Iran five periods are described here:

1. First period: until 1860 

In this early period of time there is no sign of Iranian fungi in the literature and in case there 

was anything published, it was never noticed by later mycologists. 

2. Second period: from 1860 to 1941 

In fact study on Iranian fungi was started in this period. In this period all publications on Iranian 

fungi belong to foreign researchers. These in chronological order are listed here. 

1. The first publication on Iranian fungi is published by two European botanists, E. Boissier 

and F. Buhse, where 33 fungal species, mostly cap fungi, are named. The fungi in this 

publication (Boissier & Buhse 1860) were collected by F. Buhse. 

2. Rabenhorst (1871) authored the second publication based on fungi collected by C. 

Haussknecht during two excursions in Iran. 

3. M.C. Cooke in a publication (Cooke 1880) together with the fungi of other parts of the 

world named eight Iranian species collected from Kurdistan and Loristan provinces. 

4. Another contributor to Iranian mycology was Wettstein (1885) who studied Iranian 

fungi collected by J.F. Polak and Th. Pitcher. 

5. Masse (1899) published a list of various fungi containing two Iranian species. 

6. Study of Iranian fungi was continued more seriously when J. Bornmüller, famous 

botanist, started his excursions in Asian countries. This scientist collected fungi together 

with plants. The material collected by Bornmüller were given to famous mycologists 

such as P. Magnus and H. Sydow. Bornmüller himself reported part of the fungi he 

collected together with plants in two publications (Bornmüller 1908, 1911). Another 

part of the fungi were reported by Sydow & Sydow (1908a, 1908b). The rest and the 

majority of the fungi were identified by P. Magnus and published in six papers (Magnus 

1896, 1899, 1899, 1903, 1912). 

7. Worth to mention that Chatin (1897) reported two species of Iranian truffles. 

8. Another mycologist who published three Iranian fungal species based on material 

collected by O. Paulsen from central Asia and Iran was Rostrup (1908).

9. R. G. Fragosu is another mycologist who, based on material collected by F.M. de la 

Escalera from Khuzestan and upstream of Karun river, published two papers. 

10. Iran is mentioned in the title of a publication authored by R. Picbauer (1932), but no 

locality of Iran is mentioned in the paper. The materials this scientist studied, were 

collected by F. Nabelek who traveled to Iran and Turkey for plant collection. 

11. One of the greatest foreign mycologists who contributed most to Iranian mycology was 

the famous Austrian mycologist F. Petrak. This mycologist published his first paper in 

1939. The materials he studied were collected by K.H. Rechinger. F. Petrak started his 

study on Iranian fungi in this period, however, published his major papers on Iranian 

fungi in the third period. He even published a paper in the fourth period. 

3. Third period: from 1941 to 1963 

This period is different from others in that Iranian mycologists started studying fungi of Iran. 

Researchers who contributed most to Iranian mycology are listed here in chronological order. 

1. E. Esfandiari is the first Iranian mycologist who published the result of his studies in 

collaboration with F. Petrak (Petrak & Esfandiari 1941). Esfandiari had a close 

collaboration with Petrak during the course of his studies and even published another 

paper with Petrak in 1950 in Sydowia. Esfandiari has also worked with A. Pilát, 

Czechoslovakian mycologist, on the identification of cap fungi of Iran. Esfandiari has 

published another 10 papers on fungi or plant pathogenic fungi of Iran. 

2. F. Petrak has contributed most to the Iranian mycology in this period. He studied on the 

fungi that were collected by E. Esfandiari and/or G. Scharif and were sent to Vienna. 

Petrak published another 18 papers in this period. 

3. J.A. von Arx in a paper published in 1949 on the genus Mycosphaerella mentions the 

names of a few Iranian specimens that were already reported by earlier mycologists. 

4. E. Khabiri is another Iranian mycologist who published his studies in a French journal in 

1952, 1956 and 1958. Besides, he published a book on mycology for Iranian students. 

5. R.L. Steyaert, Belgian mycologist, was in Iran in 1952 and 1953 who worked on plant 

diseases with Iranian scientists. During his stay in Iran he published a book in French on

Diseases of Forest Trees that was translated into Persian by A. Manuchehri and G. 

Scharif. 

6. D.M. Henderson in five papers published on Asian rust fungi in 1957, 1959, 1961, 1966 

and 1969 reported a few rust fungi of Iran too (Henderson 1969). 

7. Another Iranian mycologist who in this period considerably contributed to Iranian 

mycology was G. Scharif. He published his first paper on grape anthracnose in 1959. The 

title of his thesis was: Etude morphologique et biologique de quelques champignons 

folicole de agrumes en Iran. He also published a number of other papers mostly on 

fungal plant diseases in Iran. As mentioned earlier, Scharif had collected and 

preliminarily studied the fungi that were later studied and published by F. Petrak. 

8. R. Pakravan is another Iranian mycologist who did his PhD thesis on biology and 

classification of fungi attacking rose shrubs in Iran in 1958. 

9. G. Viennot-Bourgin, the French mycologist, was invited by the University of Tehran and 

some collection on the fungi of Iran that he published in 1958. 

10. I. Jørstad, Norwegian mycologist, in a few papers reported the result of his study on the 

fungi of Iran in 1960. The materials were collected from Iran by his compatriot botanist, 

P. Wendelbo. 

11. R. Heim, French mycologist, travelled to Iran in 1960 and published a paper on a 

mushroom species of Iran (Heim 1960). 

12. Among foreign mycologists we should also name of C. Golato, Italian mycologist, who 

himself did not work on Iranian fungi but published a paper in 1960 in which he names a 

few fungal species that were already published by earlier mycologists. 

13. A. Manuchehri and E. Mohammadi-Doustdar considerably contributed to Iranian 

mycology mostly in the field of mycology teaching.

E.Esfandiari F.Petrak G. Scharif 

4. Fourth period: from 1963 to 2000 

This period is distinct from other periods for the following reasons: 

i. Until this period, no artificial media were used in order to grow/identify the fungi. In 

this period after the foundation of the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection 

in Tehran equipments and materials for culture of fungi were prepared and 

developed. Therefore, it became possible to work on most fungal species. This type 

of research was initiated in Iranian universities at 1963. 

ii. In this period due to the growing number of Iranian mycologists and plant 

pathologists most of the work on Iranian fungi was done by Iranian mycologists. 

iii. In earlier periods most papers on the identification of fungi of Iran were generally 

covering all groups of fungi, but in this period papers on specific fungal groups in 

addition to identification monographs on the fungi of Iran were published. 

Due to the rather large number of Iranian mycologists in this period we refrain from 

writing their names. But we feel it is necessary to introduce foreign researchers who 

contributed to Iranian mycology in this period. 

1. E. Niemann was a German plant pathologist who for many years worked for the 

Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection as a colleague of Iranian

esearchers. His contribution to Iranian plant pathology and mycology was 

considerable enough to name him as one of the main founders of modern fungal 

plant pathology in Iran. He authored nine papers on plant diseases co-authored 

by his Iranian colleagues that were published in the Iranian journal Applied 

Entomology and Plant Pathology during 1963 to 1967. 

2. In 1963 A. Dubuis & L. Faurel reported eight fungal species in a list of plant 

species that were collected by R. Pasquier. 

3. In 1964 F. Petrak published another paper and reported two new fungal species 

from Iran. 

4. D. Boubls & A. Nazemille wrote a paper on grape diseases in Azarbaijan province 

(west of Iran) in 1966 and reported the fungi they isolated from grape in that 

region. 

5. W.J. Kaiser, American researcher, worked for many years at the College of 

Agriculture, Tehran University on disease of pulses and published his first paper 

in 1967. 

6. G. Viennot-Bourgin travelled to Iran in the same period and authored four 

papers alone or jointly with Iranian colleagues. 

7. Norwegian mycologist, Eckblad (1970) published his findings on Gasteromycetes 

of Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq based on material that were collected by P. 

Wendelbo from Iran. 

8. W. Gerlach, German mycologist, worked for three months in Iran in 1968 and 

published three papers on Iranian Fusarium and Cylindrocarpon species alone or 

jointly with Iranian colleagues (Gerlach & Ershad 1970). 

9. W. Frey & H.J. Mayeo (1971) listed papers published about plants and fungi of 

Iran. 

10. R.L. Steyaert was again in Iran in this period, in 1972 published a paper on 

Ganoderma and reported a few Iranian fungi too.

11. J. Altman, American researcher, who worked in Iran (Power & Water 

Organization, Dezful, Khuzistan) on plant diseases, published a few papers on 

fungal diseases of plants. 

12. H. Riedl travelled to Iran in spring 1974 in order to collect plants, fungi and 

lichens of Iran. He jointly published a paper with his Iranian collaborator (Riedl & 

Ershad 1977). 

13. N. Hallenberg, Swedish mycologist, who worked on wood inhabiting fungi as the 

subject of his thesis, travelled to the Caspian Sea region in a couple of occasions 

with his Iranian collaborators and the result of his worked was published in four 

papers (Hallenberg 1978). 

14. K. Vánky, smut specialist, travelled to Iran in spring 1990 and with his Iranian 

collaborator visited central, eastern and northern parts of Iran and published 

two papers on Iranian smut fungi (Vánky & Ershad 1993). 

15. H.B. Gjaerum, Norwegian rust specialist, collaborated with Iranian rust specialists 

5. Fifth period: from 2000 

and reported Iranian rust fungi in a few papers and also published a joint paper 

with Iranian mycologists (Ershad et al. 1997). 

This period is distinct from other periods because molecular techniques were used in the 

identification of fungi of Iran. In this period several Iranian mycologists were educated abroad 

or at Iranian universities who used molecular techniques in their works. 

A turning point in the history of mycology in Iran is the foundation of Iranian Mycological 

Society which took place on 15 September 2010 at the Iranian Research Institute of Plant 

Protection, Tehran, where five executive committee members were elected during the first 

general meeting of the society. 

The number of Iranian mycologists was increased and nearly most papers were dedicated to 

specific groups of fungi. Due to the large number of Iranian mycologists in this period we refrain 

from writing their names. It is important here to mention the names of two outstanding 

mycologists whose collaboration and support to young Iranian mycologists significantly

contributed to the advancement of mycology in Iran. These great mycologists are W. Gams 

(Swiss-Austrian mycologists who works in the Netherlands) and U. Braun (German mycologist). 

As was mentioned here, in the first paper published on Iranian fungi (Biossier & Buhse 1860) 33 

species were reported. In the third edition of the 'Fungi of Iran' Ershad (2009) listed 3229 fungal 

species/varieties together with their substrates and localities. Now after 151 years of 

mycological study in Iran the number of fungal species/varieties of Iran reaches some 3300. 

These taxa belong to 871 genera that are: 20 of Protozoa, 15 of Chromista, 261 of 

Deuteromycota, 225 of Ascomycota, 315 of Basidiomycota (including 289 of Agaricomycotina, 

21 of Pucciniomycotina and 15 of Ustilaginomycotina), 4 of Blastocladiomycota, 2 of 

Chytridiomycota, 9 of Glomeromycota and 20 of Zygomycota. 

The first general meeting of the Iranian Mycological Society on 15 September 2010

References 

Boissier E., Buhse F. (1860) Aufzählung der auf eine Reise durch Transkaukasien und Persien 

gesammelten Pflanzen Fungi. Nouveaux Mémoires de la Société Imperiale des Naturalistes de 

Moscou, Tom 12: 244-246. 

Bornmüller J (1908) Beiträge zur Flora der Elbusgebirge, Nord-Persiens. Fungi Bull. Herb. Boisser. 

2 ser. 8: 917-922. 

Bornmüller J (1911) Collectiones Straussianae novae. Weiter Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Flora 

West-Persiens, Fungi. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 28: Abt: II. Heft 3: 529-531. 

Chatin M (1897) Les terfas (truffles) de Pers. C. r. Séanc. Acad. Sci., Paris 125: 387-388. 

Cooke MC (1880) Exotic fungi, Persia. Grevillea 9: 13-14. 

Eckblad F-E (1970) Gasteromycetes from Iraq. Iran and Afghanestan. Nytt. Mag. Bot. 17: 129- 

138. 

Ershad D, Abbasi M and Gjaerum HB (1997) Report of several rust taxa from Iran. Iran. J. Plant 

Path. 19: 40-45. 

Fragoso RG (1918) Pugillus seundus mycetorum Persiae (Lecti. A Ferd Martinez de la Escalera) 

Boln R. Soc. Esp. Hist. nat. 18: 78-85. 

Hallenberg N (1978) Wood-fungi (Corticiaceae, Coniophoraceae, Lachnocladiaceae, 

Telephoraceae) in N. Iran. I. Iran. J. Plant Path. 14: 38-87. 

Heim R (1960) Le pleurote des ombellifères en Iran. Revue Mycol. 25: 242-247. 

Henderson DM (1969) Two new puccinias from south west Asia. Notes R. Bot. Gdn Edinb. 29: 

389-390. 

Jørstad I (1960) Iranian plants collected by Per Wendelbo in 1959. II. Uredinales and some other 

parasitic fungi. Arb. Univ. Bergen. Nat.-Natur. Serie 11: 1-33.

Khabiri E (1952) Contribution á la mycoflore de ľ Iran. Premiere liste. Revue Mycol. 17: 154-157. 

Magnus P (1896) J. Bornmüller. Iter Persico-turcicum 1892/93. Fungi Pars I. Ein Beitrag zur 

Kenntnis der Pilze des Orients. Verh. K. K. Zool.-Bot. Gesellsch. Wien 46: 426-438. 

Magnus P (1899) J. Bornmüller. Iter Persico-turcicum 1892/93. Fungi Pars II. Ein Beitrag zur 

Kenntnis der Pilze des Orients. Verh. K. K. Zool.-Bot. Gesellsch. Wien 49: 432-449. 

Massee GE (1899) Fungi exotici II Persia. Kew Bull. 146: 153-154. 

Petrak F (1939) Fungi in K.H. Rechinger: Ergebnisse einer botanichen Reise nach dem Iran, 1937. 

Ann. Naturh. Mus. Wien 50: 414-521. 

Petrak F und Esfandiari E (1941) Beiträge zur Kenntnis der iranischen Pilzflora. Ann. Mycol. 39: 

204-228. 

Rabenhorst L. (1871) Ü bersicht der von Herrn Prof. Dr. Hassknecht im Orient gesammelten 

Kryptogammen. Hedwigia 10: 17-27. 

Riedl H und Ershad D (1977) Mykologishe Ergebnisse einer Sammelreise in den Iran im Frühgahr 

1974. I. Sydowia 29: 155-169. 

Rostrup PE (1908) Lieutenant Olufsen's second Pamir-Expedition. Plant collected in Asia Media 

and Persia by Ova Paulsen. V. Fungi. Bot. Tidsskr. 28: 215-218. 

Sydow H und Sydow P (1908a) Einige neuve von Herrn J. Bornmüller in Persien gesammelte 

Pilze. Ann. Mycol. 6: 17-18. 

Sydow H und Sydow P (1908b) Micromycetes orientales acl. J. Bornmüller communicati. Ann. 

Mycol. 6: 526-530. 

Vánky K and Ershad D (1993) Smut fungi (Ustilaginales) new to Iran. Iran J. Plant Path. 29: 1-29. 

Viennot-Bourgin G (1958) Contribution á la connaissanse des champignons parasities de ľ Iran. 

Ann. Epiphyt. N. S. 9: 97-210.

Wettstein R (1885) Fungi in O. Stapf: Die botanischen Ergebnisse der polakschen Expedition 

nach Persien im Jahre 1882. Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien 50: 1-4. 

Studies of fungal diversity in northern Thailand 

Thailand is rich in tropical forests where fungi and fungi-like organisms are hyperdiverse. Many 

areas however, remain unexplored, thus, many organisms still await discovery and 

identification. The National Science Foundation provided funds that support a program that 

provides opportunities to aspiring mycologists to carry out studies on fungi and fungi-like 

organisms in northern Thailand. Selected undergraduate and graduate students from the 

United States and Thailand participated in the workshop on “Fungal Diversity in Northern 

Thailand” in June 2011. The students were able to interact with International mycologists from 

various universities in the United States and Thailand who gave them educational experiences 

related to biodiversity. Dr. Steve Stephenson, the program coordinator from the University of 

Arkansas and Dr. Steve Miller, one of the co-directors from the University of Wyoming 

facilitated the workshop. They shared their expertise in microfungi and macrofungi as well as 

fungi-like organisms such as myxomycetes. Dr. Kevin D. Hyde of Mae Fah Luang University and 

Dr. Saisamorn Lumyong of Chiang Mai University were also involved in the program. 

Dr. Stephenson, explaining to the students the does and don’t’s in collecting fungal specimens.

Dr. Miller, showing the students Lactarius sp. and Rhizophogun (truffles) collected from Doi Inthanon. 

Various study sites in northern Thailand were chosen based on the accessibility and diversity of 

the area. These include, Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep, Mae Sae, Mushroom Research Center and 

Pamathikaram temple. The laboratory activities, lectures, processing of samples and analyzing 

of data were all conducted at the Mushroom Research Centre. The students from different 

countries (America, China, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand) worked together 

in processing of samples and analyzing data that helped them develop camaraderie and 

understand the value of team work.

The Mushroom Research Centre. A bliss. An ideal place to learn Mycology. 

Personally, the fungal diversity workshop has helped me a lot to widen my knowledge in 

Mycology. I am very fortunate to be chosen as one of the participants of this workshop 

because I was able to work with international mycologists. I will never forget all the knowledge 

and skills they have shared us during classroom discussions, laboratory activities and field work. 

They provided us with a deeper understanding about biodiversity and made us realize that as 

aspiring mycologists we should know our responsibilities. 

Also, It was a great opportunity to work with foreign students from America, Sri Lanka, China, 

Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. I learned a lot from them. I hope one day, we can come up with 

a big project that will contribute to fungal diversity. More brains, more ideas. The interaction 

with them, joint activities and field work made me realized that there is so much research to be 

carried out. Each country needs to establish information based on their biodiversity and make

national collections of organisms found in these areas. Our journey does not stop here. There is 

a long way to go, thus, the search for the missing fungi continues. 

Overal, the workshop was a great success! I went back to my country carrying a collection 

basket not full of mushrooms but filled with knowledge about mycology. It has been my dream 

for the Philippines to follow the path of carrying out the field of research of mycology. 

Kudos to the organizers of the MRC WORKSHOP 2011. 

PAMELA P. ALVA (Pam) 

Philippines 

Ph.D. Student, Mae Fah Luang University 

Chiang Rai Thailand 

The Fungal Diversity Research Group 2011.

Mycology in Laos 

Phengsintham P 1,2 , E. Chukeatirote E 1 , Hyde KD 1 and Braun U 3 

1 School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100. Thailand 

2 Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, National University of Laos 

3 Martin-Luther-Universität, Institut für Biologie, Bereich Geobotanik und Botanischer Garten, Herbarium, Neuwerk 

21 D-06099 Halle/S. Germany 

Abstract: Lao PDR is considered to be globally important for biodiversity conservation due to its 

relatively high forest cover and high diversity of flora and fauna. A total of 12,116 species: 

8,000-11,000 species of flowering plants, fauna includes 166 species of reptiles and amphibians, 

at least 700 bird species, 90 known species of bats and at least 100 species of large mammals, 

and fungi 60 species. 

There have very few studies on Lao fungi. 1959-1974 was the war condition period and 

almost temporary stop study in Mycology, and for each institute the teaching curriculum only 

mentioned about the general mycology and focused on macrofungi such as edible and 

poisonous mushroom. From 1975 up to now the teaching curriculum has been 

developed and started studying specific subjects on fungi. A total of 201 fungi species have 

recorded from Laos: Ascomycota 24 species, Basidiomycota 44 species, Deuteromycota 133 

species. By integrating the morphological and molecular characters, nine new taxa were 

established, namely Passalora dipterocarpi, P. helicteris-viscidae, Pseudocercospora 

mannanorensis Bagyan., U. Braun & Jagad. var. paucifasciculata, Zasmidium aporosae, Z. 

jasminicola, Z. meynae-laxiflorae, Z. micromeli, Z. suregadae, Z. pavettae, while other 

cercosporoids species represent new record for Laos.These data are expected to shed light on 

the diversity of the fungal group in this region. 

Keywords: Mycology / Biodiversity / Curriculum / South East Asia.

Introduction 

Overview of Biodiversity in Laos 

Lao PDR is considered to be globally important for biodiversity conservation due to its 

relatively high forest cover and high diversity of flora and fauna. Approximately 41% of Lao PDR 

is covered with forest which contains an estimated 8,000-11,000 species of flowering plants. 

The country’s fauna includes 166 reported species of reptiles and amphibians, at least 700 bird 

species, 90 known species of bats and at least 100 species of large mammals (STEA, 2003), and 

fungi 60 species (Phengsintham & Hyde, 2003a). 

Mycological studies from 1959 to 1974 

1959-1974 it was the war condition period and temporary stop studying in Mycology, 

and for teaching curriculum only mentioned about general information about fungi. 

The fungi of Laos were little studied. Vidal (1959), a French botanist, published a 

checklist of plant species of Laos which included 33 species of Lao fungi. Almost all names of 

fungi are local names, but include some scientific names. 

Mycological studies from 1975 to 2011 

For this period can be divided into two phases: 

(1) In 1975, combined two institutes such as Viengxay Pedagogical Institute, in Hua 

Phanh province and Dongdok Pedagogical Institute into one institute called “Dongdok 

Pedagogical Institute of Vientiane, Lao PDR”. The study in Mycology is focused on general 

information about fungi. In that time, the Kingdom fungi still belong to plant. 

(2) In 1996, the National University of Laos was established on the Prime Minister’s 

Decree No. 50/PM, dated 09/06/1995 and began first academic year on 5 November 1996, by 

merging 10 higher learning institution previously operated under different governmental 

department and ministries to form a full-fledged university called “National University of Laos 

(NUOL)”. The one of the main objectives is to educate Lao students to become qualified

economic staff with good behaviour, generosity, and the advanced capability leading regional 

and international standards. So far, the National University has offered the following academic 

programs of 96 bachelor degree programs, 33 continuing bachelor programs, 37 master’s 

degree programs, and 3 doctoral degree programs (Saignaleut, 2011). 

More new buildings were constructed; one of those is laboratory of Biology Department, 

Faculty of Sciences, NUOL (Fig. 1). National University of Laos has taken the measures in 

providing students with more opportunity to gain access to university in the equitable manner 

through the annual entrance examination and quota system called a quota and non-quota 

programs. The number of students graduating from NUOL has been increasing every year as 

shown in the following Table 1. 

Table 1: Number of student summary 

Academic year Number of registered students Number of graduating students 

Total Female Total Female 

1996-1997 8,137 2,270 687 237 

1997-1998 9,890 2,976 1,521 384 

1998-1999 11,168 3,663 1,400 381 

1999-2000 11,746 4,345 1,655 428 

2000-2001 13,079 5,426 2,157 579 

2001-2002 16,613 5,982 2,959 882 

2002-2003 18,366 6,215 2,734 651 

2003-2004 20,550 7,457 3,090 905 

2004-2005 22,624 8,263 3,742 1,036 

2005-2006 26,673 9,415 3,981 1,299 

2006-2007 28,366 10,215 4,925 1,608 

2007-2008 32,332 11,069 5,595 1,813 

2008-2009 36,706 12,963 5,849 2,016 

2009-2010 40,731 14,537 6,639 2,492 

2010-2011 37,504 16,729 6,611 2,404 

Total 323,915 121,525 53,545 17,115 

Source: Reports on the activities of NUOL within 15 years (1996-2011).

The fungi study was started by updating teaching curriculum and focused study on 

macrofungi such as edible and poisonous mushroom, but almost data only in reports, no 

publications. 

Our overseas collaboration was carried with the “Mushroom Research Centre, Chiang 

Mai, Thailand”, School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), Chiang Rai, Thailand and 

other institutions, and attempted to document macro- and microfungi respectively: 

Phengsintham & Hyde (2003a) updated list of fungi from Laos, including 60 fungi species, and 

published “Twenty ascomycetes on palms from Laos” (Phengsintham & Hyde, 2003b). seven (7) 

genera (Alternaria, Cercospora, Cladosporium, Chlamydomyces, Curvularia, Passalora, 

Pseudocercospora) of dematiaceous hyphomycetes were recorded in the B.Sc. report of 

Vongphachanh et al. (2007), and ten (10) genera (Alternaria, Arthrinium, Cephaleros, 

Cladosporium, Dictyoerthirinium, Meliola, Scolecostigmina, Spirops, Pseudocercospora and 

Tripospermum) of Hyphomycetes and 2 genera (Pestalopsis & Collectotrichum) of Coelomycetes 

on leaf and fruit of Mango (Mangifera indica) were recorded in BSc thesis (Vanavong & 

Khamphonvixay, 2009). Phengsintham et al. (2009) published paper “Cercospora and allied 

genera from Laos 1: notes on five new species of Zasmidium”. Beside that, Phengsintham et al. 

(2010a, 2010b) also published papers “Cercospora and allied genera from Lao 2&3”. A total of 

201 fungi species have recorded from Laos: Ascomycota 24 species, Basidiomycota 44 species, 

Deuteromycota about 133 species (Table 2). 

By integrating the morphological and molecular characters, nie new taxa were 

established, namely Passalora dipterocarpi, P. helicteris-viscidae, Pseudocercospora 

mannanorensis Bagyan., U. Braun & Jagad. var. paucifasciculata, Zasmidium aporosae, Z. 

jasminicola, Z. meynae-laxiflorae, Z. micromeli, Z. suregadae, Z. pavettae, while other 

cercosporoids species represent new record for Laos.

Fig.1. Laboratory building and microscopes 

Lab. building of Biology Department, Faculty 

of Sciences, NUOL 

Table 2. Fungi species described from Laos 

Microscopes and stereoscopes are used in the 

lab. for research activities 

Taxa 

ASCOMYCOTA 

Local 

name 

Appendicospora 

Apiospora- Decaying on 

hongkongensis Yanna, 

ceae 

petiole of 

K.D. Hyde & Frohl. 

Livistona chinensis 

Arecophila motobilis K.D. Cainiaceae Decaying on stem 

Hyde 

of Calamus 

viminalis 

Astrocystis sp. Xylariaceae Decaying on stem 

of C. flagellum 

Astrosphaeriella 

Melanommat Decaying on stem 

fisurostroma J. Frohl. & 

K.D.Hyde 

aceae of C. flagellum 

Astrosphaeriella 

Melanom- Decaying on stem 

malayensis K.D. Hyde &J. 

mataceae of Calamus 

Frohl. 

viminalis 

Diaporthe palmarum J.E. 

Valsaceae Decaying on stem 

Taylor, K.K.Hyde & E,B,G. 

Jones 


Fasciatispora petrakii 

Xylariaceae Decaying on leaf 

(Mhaskar & V.G. Rao) 

of Borassus 

K.D. Hyde 

flabellifer 

Guignardia calami (Syd. 

Mycosphae- Decaying on leaf 

P. Syde) Arx & E. Moll. 

rellaceae of Cocos nucifera 

Family Host H LM Ref. 

T S Phengsintham & 

Hyde. 2003a&b 


Hyde. 2003a&b 


Hyde. 2003a&b 


Hyde. 2003a&b 


Hyde. 2003a&b 


Hyde. 2003a&b 


Hyde. 2003a&b 


Hyde. 2003a&b

Taxa Local 

name 


Hirsutella citriformis 

Baculoviri- On Ant T P Keokene (NOUL 022) 

Speare 

dae 

Lophiostoma graciale 

Lophiosto- Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham & 

(Fuckel) Holm 

mataceae of C. flagellum 

Hyde. 2003b 

Massarina corticola 

Lophiosto- Decaying on T S Phengsintham & 

(Fuckel) Holm 

mataceae petiole of Licuala 

grandis 

Hyde. 2003a&b 

Massarina palmicola 

Lophiosto- Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham & 

K.D.Hyde & Aptroot 

mataceae of C. flagellum 

Hyde. 2003a&b 

Myelosperma tumidum 

Myelosper- Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham & 

Syd. & P. Syd. 

maceae of C. flagellum 

Hyde. 2003b 

Mytilidion cf. acicola 

Mytilidaceae Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham & 

Winter. 


Hyde. 2003b 

Ophiocordycep s 

Ophiocordy- On Wasp T P Keokene (NOUL 005) 

shecocephala (Klotzsch) 

G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, 

Hywel-Jones & Spatafora 

cipitaceae 

Ophiocordyceps 

Ophiocordy- On Wasp T P Keokene (NOUL 023) 

myrmecophila (Cesati) 

G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, 

Hywel-Jones & Spatafora 

cipitaceae 

Oxydothis bruneiensis J. 

Hyponectri- Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham & 

Frohl. & K.D. Hyde 

aceae of Cocos nucifera 

Hyde. 2003a&b 

Oxydothis elaeicola Petr. 


Apud Petrak & deighton 


Hyde. 2003a&b 

Oxydothis rattanica J. 


Frohl. & K.D. Hyde 


Hyde. 2003a&b 

Pestalosphaeria elaeidis 

Amphisphae- Decaying on leaf T S Phengsintham & 

(Booth & Robertson) Ao 

riaceae of Cocos nucifera 

Hyde. 2003b 

Phaeodothis sp. Phaeosphae- Decaying on leaf T S Phengsintham & 

riaceae of Caryota mitis 

Hyde. 2003b 

Phomatospora sp. Xylidaceae Decaying on leaf T S Phengsintham & 

of Caryota mitis 

Hyde. 2003b 

Torrubiella iriomoteana 

Cordycipita- Insect 

T P Keokene 

Kobayasi & Shimizu 

ceae 

(Hemiptera) 

(MUO00001.1) 

Valsa chlorine Pat. Valsaceae Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham & 

BASIDIOMYCOTA 

of Cocos nucifera 

Hyde. 2003b 

Agaricus cinereus Het Agaricaceae On soil under T S Vidal, 1959 

Schaeff. 

Khi 

Khou 

ay 

grass 

Agaricus equestris Lour. Het 

Khi 

Mah 

Agaricaceae On host dug T S Vidal, 1959 

Agaricus sp. Het 

Poua 

Agaricaceae On soil T S Vidal,1959

Taxa Local 

name 

k 


Astraeus hygrometricus Het Astreaceae On soil in dry T S Vidal,1959 

(Pers) Morg. 

Phoh 

dipterocarp forest 

Amanita vaginata Fr. Het Amanitaceae On soil T S Thavatdy et al., 2008 

var. alba (Fr.) Gill. La 

Ngok 

Khao 

Amanita vaginata (Fr.) Het Amanitaceae On soil T S Thavatdy et al., 2008 

Quel. Var. fulva 

La 

Ngok 

Luang 

Auricularis auricular Het Auricula-ceae Decaying wood in T S Vidal, 1959, Khamta 

(Hook F.) Underw. Hou 

Nou 

forest 

et al, 2003 

Auricularia polytricha Het Auricula-ceae Decaying wood in T S Khamta et al., 2003 

(Mont.) Sacc. 

Hou 

Nou, 

Het 

Sa 

Noun 

, Het 

sa 

Tao 

forest 

Auricularia ternus (Lev.) Het Auricula-ceae Decaying wood in T S Khamta et al., 2003 

farlow 

Hou 

Nou 

forest 

Boletus sp. (1) Het 

Tup 

Tau 

Dam 

Boletaceae On soil T S Khamta et al., 2003 

Boletus sp. (2) Het 

Tup 

Tau 

Dam 

Boletaceae On soil T S Khamta et al., 2003 

Calvatia craniformis Het Lycoperda- On soil T S Khamta et al., 2003 

Coker et Couch 

Chao 

Mark 

ceae 

Cantharella minor Pek Het Canthrarel- On soil T S Phengsintham and 

Khi 

Minn 

oy 

laceae 

Hyde, 2003a 

Cantharella 

Het Canthrarel- On soil T S Phengsintham and 

subbrubarius Pek Mun 

Pau 

laceae 

Hyde, 2003a 

Clavaria sp. Clavaria-ceae On soil T S Vidal, 1959 

Coprinus disseminates 

Coprina-ceae Decaying wood T S Phengsintham and 

(Schaeff. Ex Fr.) S.F. Gray 

Hyde, 2003a

Taxa Local 

name 

Coprinus cinereus 

(Schaeff. Ex Fr.) S.F. Gray 

Coriolus caperatus Berk. Het 

hou 

Sua 

Coriolus biformis KI. Het 

Bok 

Dictyophora indusiata Het 

(vent.) Fisch. 

dang 

Hae 

Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Het 

Karst 

Lin 

Chu 

Lactarius flavidulus Imai Het 

Khah 

Lactarius sp. (1) Het 

Khah 

Lactarius sp. (2) Het 

Khah 

Lepiota sp. Het 

Khon 

Kong 

Lentinus flavidulus Imai. Het 

Kha 

Lentinus sajar-caju (Fr.) Het 

Fr. 

Pok 

Lentinus polychrous Lev. Het 

Khon, 

Het 

Both 

Lentinus squarrosulus 

Mont. 

Het 

Khon 

Khao 

Het 

Hom 

Het 

Seng 

Lentinus edodes (Berk.) 

Singer. 

Microporus xanthopus 

(fr.) Pat. 

Mycena sp. Het 

Khau 

Tok, 

Het 

Kai 

Noy 

Pleurotus ostreatus (Fr.) Het 

Guil. 

Nang 

Lom 


Coprina-ceae Decaying wood T S Khamta et al., 2003 

Polyporaceae 

Decaying wood T S Vidal, 1959 

Polyporaceae 


Phallaceae On soil T S Vidal, 1959 

Polyporaceae 

On soil T S Vidal, 1959 

Russualaceae 

On soil T S Khamta et al, 2003 

Russualaceae 


Russualaceae 


Agarica-ceae On soil T S Vidal, 1959 

PolypodiaceaePolypodiaceae 

Polypodiaceae 

Polypodiaceae 

Decaying wood T S Thavatdy et al, 2008 

Decaying wood of 

Terminalia, 

Cratoxylon sp., etc 

T S Khamta et al, 2003 

Decaying wood T S Khamta et al, 2003 


Polypodiaceae 


Polypodiaceae 


Agarica-ceae On soil T S Khamta et al, 2003 

Pleurota-ceae Decaying wood T S Thavatdy et al, 2008

Taxa Local 

name 

Russula cyanoxantha Het 

Schaeff. Ex fr. 

Naa 

Muan 

g 

Russula nigricans Fr. Het 

Thain 

Ngai 

Russula sanguine Fr. Het 

Nam 

mak 

Rusulla sp. (1) Het 

Than 

Noi 


Than 

Noi 


Than 

Noi 

Russula violeipis Quel. Het 

Naa 

Muan 

g 

Schizophyllum commune Het 

Fr. 

Bee, 

het 

Tupk 

ae 

Termitomyces sp. Het 

Puak 

Termitomyces 

microcarpus (Berk & Br.) 

Heim 

Volvariella volvacea 

(Bull. & fr.) 

Het 

tupka 

i 

noy 

Het 

Fuan 

g 


Russulaceae On soil in dry 

dipterocarp and 

oak forests 

Russula-ceae On soil in dry 


oak forests 

T S Phengsintham et al., 

1996; Khamta et al., 

2003 

T S Phengsintham et al., 

1996; Khamta et al., 

2003 

Russula-ceae On soil in forest T S Thavady et al., 2008 



oak forests 



oak forests 



oak forests 



oak forests 

Schizophyllaceae 

DEUTEROMYCOTA 

Acremonium sp. Dematiaceae Decaying on 

petiole of Borasus 

flabellifer 

Alternaria brassicae 

(Berk.) Sacc. 

Alternaria cucurbitae 

Letendre & Braun. 

T S Khamta et al., 2003 




Decaying wood T S Khamta et al., 2003 

Agarica-ceae On soil T S Vidal, 1959; 

Phengsintham et al, 

2003 

Agaricaceae On soil T S Vidal, 1959; 

Phengsintham et al, 

2003 

Pluteaceae On grasses T S Vidal, 1959; Thavady 

et al., 2008 

Dematiaceae Parasitic on living 

leaf on Brassica 

integrifolia 

Dematiaceae Parasitic on living 

leaf on Cucurbita 


Hyde, P2003a 

T P Vongphachanh et al. 

2007 


2007

Taxa Local 

name 

Alternaria solani (Ellis & 

Dematiacea 

hispida 

Parasitic on living 

G. martin) L.R. Jones & 

leaf on 

Grauz. 

Lycopersicon 

esculentum 

Cercospora achyranthis 

Dematiaceae On living leaf of 

Syd. & P. Sydow. 

Achyranthes 

aspera 

Cercospora alocasiae 


Goh & W.H. Hsieh 

Alocasia 

macrorrhiza 

Cercospora apii Fresen. Dematiaceae On living leaf of 

Byttneria 

andamanensis 

Cercospora artemisiae Y. 


L. Guo & Y. Jiang 

Artemisia caudata 

Cercospora asparangi 


Sacc. 

Asparagus 

officinalis 

Cercospora begoniae 


Nori 

Begonia inflate 

Cercospora bidentis 


Tharp. 

Bidens pilosa 

Cercospora brassicicola 


P. Hennings 

Brassica 

integrifolia 

Cercospora canescens 


Ellis & G. Martin 

Lablab purpureus 

subsp. 

Bengalensis 

Cercospora cannabis 


Hara & Fukui 

Cannabis sativa 

Cercospora coffeicola 


Berk. & Cooke 

Coffea Arabica 

Cercospora citrulina 


Cooke 

Luffa cylindrical 

Cercospora cocciniae 


Munjal, Hall & Chona 

Coccinia indica 

Cercospora copsigena 


Bhartiya, R, Dubey & S.K. 

Singh 

Capsicum annuum 

Cercospora crophulariae 


(Moesz) Chupp 

Scrophilaria sp 

Cercospora crotalaria 


Sacc. 

Crotalaria 

uncinella Lamk. 

Subsp. elliptica 



2007 

T P Phengsintham (P43) 


T P Phengsintham et al., 

2010a 



2010b 



2010b 


2010a 






2010b 



T P Phengsintham (P574)

Taxa Local 

name 

Cercospora diplaziicola 

A.K. Das 

Cercospora durantae 

Chupp. & Muller 

Cercospora erechtitis 

Atkison 

Cercospora erythrinicola 

Tharrp 

Cercospora gossypina 

Cooke. 

Cercospora hyptidicola 

R.K.Srivast., N. Srivast. & 

A.K.Srivast. 

Cercospora ipomoeae G. 

Winter 

Cercospora meliicola 

Speg. 

Cercospora nasturtii 

Passerini. 

Cercospora nicotianicola 

J. M. Yen 

Cercospora nilhirensis 

Govinda & Thirun 



Diplazium 

esculentum 


Duranta repens 


Erechtites 

valerianifolius 


Erythrina stricta 


Gossypium 

herbaceum 


Hyptis suaveolens 


Ipomoea 

involucrata 


Chukrasia 

tabularis 


Nasturtium 

officinale 


Nicotiana 

tabacum 


Conyza 

banariensis 


Oroxylum indicum 


Paederia scandens 


Carica papaya 


Smilax chinensis 


2010b 


2010b 


2010a 


T P Crous & Braun, 2003 



2010a 



2010b 



Cercospora oroxyli 

Fresen. 


Cercospora paederiicola 


Y.L. Guo 

2010a 

Cercospora papayae 

Hansf. 


Cercospora petersii 

(Berk. & M.A. Curtis) G.F. 

Atk. 


Cercospora physalidis 

Dematiaceae On living leaf of T P Phengsintham et al., 

Ellis 

Physalis angulata 

2010a 

Cercospra ricinella Sacc. 

Dematiaceae On living leaf of T P Phengsintham (P594) 

& Berl. 

Ricinus communis 

Cercospora sambuci Y.L. 


Guo & Jiang 

Sambucus 

Cercospora Dematiaceae On living leaf of T P Phengsintham (P567)

Taxa Local 

name 


senecionicola J.J. Davis Senecio walkeri 

Cercospora somchi 


Chupp. 

Taraxacum 

officinale 

Cercospora stahlianthi 


Z.D. Jiang & P.K. Chi 

Stahlianthus 

thorelii 

2010a 

Cercospora taccae (Syd. 


& P. Syd.) Chupp. 

Tacca intergrifoia 

2010b 

Cercospora trewiae A.K. 


Kar & M. Madal 

Trewia nudiflora 

Cercospora tridacis- 


procumbens Govindu & 

Tridax 

Thirum. 

procumbens 

Cercospora volkameriae 


Speg. 

Clerodendron 

schmidtii 

2010a 

Cercospora zinniae A. 


Pande 

Zinnia elegans 

Cladoporium maculans 


Schwein. 

Jasmium 

undulatum 

Cladosporium 


alternioloratum R.F. 

Cyperus 

Castañeda & W.B. 

Kendr. 

alternifolius 

Cladosporium citri G. 


Briosi, & R. Farneti 

Citrus grandis 

Cladosporium colocasiae 


Sawada 

Colocasia 

antiquorum 

Cladosporium fulvum 


Cooke 

Lycopersicon 

esculentum 

Cladosporium musae 


Mason. 

Musa sapientum 

Cladosporium 


oxycarpum Berk. & Curt. 

Anadendrum 

latifolium 

Cladosporium zeae Peck Dematiaceae On living leaf of 

Zea mays 


Corynespora sp. Dematiaceae Decaying on T S Phengsintham & 


Calamus flagellum 

Hyde, P2003a 

Gyrotrix sp. Dematiaceae Decaying on T S Phengsintham & 

petiole of Cocos 

nucifera 

Hyde, P2003a

Taxa Local 

name 

Passalora aenea (Cif.) U. 


Braun & Crous 

Cassia siamea 

Passalora benninghii 


(Allesch.) R. F. Castañeda 

Manihot 

& U. Braun 

utilissima 

Passalora bougainvilliae 


(Munt.-Cvetk.) R.F. 

Bougainvillea 

Castañeda & U. Braun 

spectabilis 

Passalora capsicicola 


(Vassiljevsky) U. Braun 

and F. Freire. 

Capsicum annuum 

Passalora dipterocarpii 


P. Phengsintham, K.D. 

Dipterocarpus 

Hyde. & U. Braun 

sp.nov. 

alatus 

Passalora erytrinae (Ellis 


& Everh.) U. Braun & 

Crous. 

Erythrina stricta 

Passalora haldinae C. 


Nakash. & Meeboon 

Haldina cordifolia 

Passalora helicteris- 


viscidae P. 

Phengsintham, E. 

Chukeatirote, K. 

Abdelsalam, K.D. Hyde. 

& U. Braun sp.nov 

Helicteres viscida 

Passalora perfoliati (Ellis 


&Everh) U. Braun & 

Crous. 

Chromolaena sp. 

Passalora tithoniae (R. E. 


D. Naker & W. T. Dale) 

Tithonia 

U. Braun & Crous. 

diversifolia 

Penicillium sp. Dematiaceae Decaying on 


Livistona chinensis 

Periconiela lygodii Arch. 


Singh, Bhalla & S.K. 

Lygodium 

Singh ex U. Braun 

flexuosum 

Pestalotiopsis smilasis 

Coelomyces Decaying on 

(Schusinithze) Sutton 

petiole of Cocos 

nucifera 

Pseudocercospora 


alacicola (Muthappa) 

Kamal, M.K. Khan & R.K. 

Verma 

Olax scandens 



alangii Y.L. Guo & X.L. 

Alangium kurzii 



2010b 


2010a 


2010a 


2010b 


2010a 



2010b 


2009 


2010b 


2010b 


Hyde, P2003a 



Hyde, P2003a 



Taxa Local 

name 

Liu 


baliospermi (S. Chowdry) 

Deighton 


buddleiae (W. Yammam) 



cassiae-occidentalis 

(J.M. Yen) J.M.Yen 


catappae (Henn.) X.J. 

Liiu &Y. L. Guo 


centromaticola (J.M. Yen 

& G. Lim) J.M. Yen 


combretigena U. Braun 


cotizensis (A.S. Mull. & 

Chupp) Deighton 


cruenta (Sacc.) Deighton 

Pseudocercospora cyclea 

(Chidd.) Deighton 


duabangae M.D. 

Mehrotra & R.K. Verma 


ecdysantherae (J.M. Yen) 

J. M. Yen 


eupatorii–formasani U. 

Braun & Bagyan. 


formasana (W. Yamam) 

Deighton 


fuligena (Roldan) 

Deighton 


giranensis Sawada ex 



gmelinae (J.M. Yen & 



Baliospermum 

montanum 


Buddleia asiatica 


Cassia 

occidentalis 


Terminalia 

tomentosa 


Centrosema 


Calycopteris 

floribunda 


Crotalaria 

uncinella subsp. 

elliptica 


Mucuna pruriens 


Cyclea peltata 


Duabanga 

grandiflora 


Ecdysanthera 

rosea 


Chromolaena 

odorata 


Lantana camara 


Lycopersicon 

esculentum 


Glochidion 

eriocarpum 


Gmelina arborea 




2010b 





2010a 




2010b 



2010a 





2010b

Taxa Local 

name 

Gilles) J.M. Yen 


holarrhenae (Thirun. & 

Chupp.) Deighton 

Pseudocercospora ixora 

(Solh.) Deighton 


jussiaeae (G. F. Atk.) 

Deighton 


lythracearum (Heald & 

F.A. Wolf) X.J. Liu & Y.L. 

Guo 


macarangae (Sud. & P. 

Syd.) Deaighton 


maesae (Hansf.) X.J. Liu 

& Y.L. Guo 


malloticola Goh & Hsieh. 


mannanorensis var. 

paucifasciculata P. 

Phengsintham, E. 

Chukeatirote, K. 

Abdelsalam, K.D. Hyde & 

U. Braun sp.nov 


melochiae (Henn.) 

Deighton 


musae (Zimm.) Deighton 


namae (Dearn. & House) 

U. Braun & Crous 


ocimicola (Petr. & Cif.) 

Deighton 


paraguayensis (Tak. 

Kobay.) Crous 


piperis (Pat.) Deighton 


polygonicola (A.K. Kar & 

M. Mandal) Deighton 



Holarrhena curtisii 


Ixora stricta 


Ludwigia 

prostrata 


Lagerstroemia 

macrocarpa 


Macarangae 

denticulata 


Maesa 

ramentacea 


Mallotus thorelii 


Microcos 

paniculata 


Melochia 

corchorifolia 


Musa sapientum 


Hydrolea 

zeylanica 


Ocimum 

tenuiflorum 


Eucalyptus sp. 


Piper lolot 


Polygonum 

pulchrum 


2010b 



2010a 






2009 


2010a 


2010b 


2010b 


2010b 



2010b 


Taxa Local 

name 


Pseudocercospora puderi 


Deighton 

Rosa chinensis 



puerariicola (W. 

Pueraria 

2010a 

Yamam.) Deighton 

phaseoloides 



punicae (Henn.) 

Deighton 

Punica granatum 

2011 



sarcocephalii (Venn- 

Sarcocephalus 

Bourg) Deighton 

cordatus 



scopariicola (J.M. Yen) 

Dieghton 

Scoparia dulcis 

Pseudocercospora sp. Dematiaceae On living leaf of 

Micromelum 

hirsutum 




sphaerellae-eugeniae 

(Sacc.) Crous, Alfenas & 

R. W. Barreto 

Sysygium cuminii 

2010b 

Pseudocercospora stahlii 


(F. Stevens) Deighton 

Passiflora foetida 

2010a 



tabernaemontanae (Syd. 

Tabernaemontana 

2010b 

& P. Syd.) Deighton 

coronaria 



testonicola Ten, Kas & 

Das. 

Tectona grandis 

2010b 



tetramilis A.N. Shukla & 

Tetrameles 

2010b 

Sarmah 

nudiflora 



tiliacora (A.K. Kar & M. 

Mandal) Deighton 

Tiliacora triandra 

2010a 



trematicola (J.M. Yen) 

Deighton 

Trema orientale 

2010b 



trichophila (F. Stevens) 

Deighton 

Solanum undatum 

2010a 



wendlandiae (U. Braun & 

Wendlandia 

Crous) B. Sutton 

thorelii 



writiae (Thirum. & 

Wrightia 

2010a 

Chupp) Deighton 

pubescens

Taxa Local 

name 


Pseudocercosporella 

Dematiaceae On living leaf of T P Frank et al, 2010 

bakeri (Syd. & P. Syd.) 

Deighton 

Ipomoea aquatica 

Scolecostigmina 


mangiferae (Koord) U. 

Braun & Mouch. 

Mangifera indica 

2010b 

Spegazzinia tessarthra 

Dematiaceae Decaying on T S Phengsintham & 

(Berk & Curt.) Sacc. 

petiole of Lcuala 

grandis 

Hyde, 2003a 

Spirops clavatus (Ellis & 


Martin) M. B. Ellis. 

Mangifera indica 

Zasmidium aporosae P. 


Phengsintham, K.D. 

Hyde & U. Braun sp.nov 

Aporosa villosa 

2009 

Zasmidium jasmicola P. 



Jasminum 

2009 


undulatum 

Zasmidium maynae- 


laxiflorae P. 



Meyna pubescens 

2009 

Zasmidium micromeli P. 



Micromelum 

2010b 


hirsutum 

Zasmidium pavetae P. 




Pavetta indica 

2009 

Zasmidium sp. (2) Dematiaceae On living leaf of 

Dalbergia cultrata 


Zasmidium sp.(1) Dematiaceae On living leaf of 

Spondias pinnata 


Zasmidium suregadae P. 



Suregada 

2009 


multiflora 

Note: C = Calamus, H = habitat, LM = life modes, S = saprobic. T= terrestrial. P = parasitic 

Discussions and Conclusions 

(1) Lao PDR is considered to be globally important for biodiversity conservation due to 

its relatively high forest cover and high diversity of flora and fauna. 

(2) A total of 12,116 species: 8,000-11,000 species of flowering plants, fauna includes 

166 reported species of reptiles and amphibians, at least 700 bird species, 90 known 

species of bats and at least 100 species of large mammals, and fungi 60 species.

The Future 

(3) There have very few studies on Lao fungi. 1959-1974, it was the war condition 

period and almost temporary stop study in Mycology, and for each institute teaching 

curriculum only mentioned about the general information of fungi, especially 

focused on marofungi. A total of 33 fungi species had recorded, and almost those 

fungi are belong to Basidiomycota. 

(4) From 1975 up to now the teaching curriculum has been developed and started study 

on fungi by cooperation with international organizations. A total of 168 fungi species 

have recorded from Laos: Ascomycota 24 species, Basidiomycota 11 species, 

Deuteromycota about 133 species. By integrating the morphological and molecular 

characters, nine new taxa were established, namely Passalora dipterocarpi, P. 

helicteris-viscidae, Pseudocercospora mannanorensis Bagyan., U. Braun & Jagad. var. 

paucifasciculata, Zasmidium aporosae, Z. jasminicola, Z. meynae-laxiflorae, Z. 

micromeli, Z. suregadae, Z. pavettae, while other cercosporoids species represent 

new record for Laos.These data are expected to shed light on the diversity of the 

fungal group in this region. 

(5) As we known the forest cover in Laos about 41 % of a total country, and there still 

have primary forest and limestone areas, so that unexpoitation forests, may be have 

more fungal diversity. 

Based on the strategic plan for the development of NUOL, and to achieve the goals, 

vision and functions of NUOL for the educational quality development, six development 

strategic plans have been determined as follows: 

(1) Improve teachers, staff, and students. 

(2) Improve administration and management systems. 

(3) Improve the quality of teaching and learning. 

(4) Improve the quality of research and academic services. 

(5) Improve the infrastructure and facilities. 

(6) Improve the national and international collaborations.

Based on the strategic plan above, the fungi research activities are need to improve in 

teaching curriculum and research on fungi. 

Acknowledgements 

The authors would like to thank the Mushroom Research Foundation (MRF) for financial 

support. Special thanks also go to the MRF organizers and members of Prof. K.D. Hyde’s 

laboratory, Mae Fah Luang University, and members of Biology department, Faculty of sciences, 

National University of Laos for their assistance. 

References 

Cous PW and Braun U 2003 – Mycosphaerella and its anamorphs: 1. Names published in 

Cercospora and Passalora. CBS Biodiversity Series 1: 1–569. 

Frank J, Crous PW, Groenewald JZ, Oertel B, Hyde KD, Phengsintham P and Schroers HJ 2010 – 

Microcyclospora and Microcyclosporella: novel genera accommodating epiphytic fungi causing 

sooty blotch on apple. Persoonia 24, 2010: 93–105. 

Khamta D, Payaming B, Pravongviengkham S and Phengsintham P 2003 – Studies on Wild edible 

mushroom in Xaythani District, Vientiane Municipality, BSc report. National University of Laos. 

NUOL 2011 – Strategic plan National University of Laos, Vientiane, Lao PDR. 

Phengsintham P and Hyde KD 2003a – Check list of Lao fungi. Building Capacity in Biodiversity 

Information Sharing 2003. Ksukuba Japan, 184–190. 

Phengsintham P and Hyde KD 2003b – Fungi of Laos I: Ascomycetes from Palms. Building 

Capacity in Biodiversity Information Sharing 2003. Ksukuba Japan, 174–183. 

Phengsintham P, Hyde KD and Braun U 2009 – Cercospora and allied genera from Laos 1. Notes 

on Zasmidium (Stenella s.lat.). Cryptologie, Mycologie, 30(2): 1–20. 

Phengsintham P, Chukeatirote E, Abdelsalam KA, Hyde KD & Braun U 2010 – Cercospora and 

allied genera from Laos 2. Cryptogamie, Mycologie 31(1): 1–21. 

Phengsintham P, Chukeatirote E, McKenzie EHC, Hyde KD, Braun U 2011 – Tropical 

phythopathogens 1: Pseudocercospora punicae. Plant Pathology & Quarantine 1(1), 1–6.

Saignaleut S 2011 – Report on the National University of Laos’ 15 years of Foundation (1996- 

2011). Vientiane Lao PDR. 

STEA 2003 – Biodiversity Country Report. Lao PDR. 

Thavatdy T, Sykham B and Saliyavong V 2008 – Report on Diversity of Mushrooms in 

Dongmakkhai Village, Xaythany District, Vientiane Municipality, and Mai village, Xay District, 

Oudomxay Province. BSc. Report, Faculty of Science, National University of Laos. 

Vidal J 1959 – Noms vernacularis de Plantes en usage au Laos. Ecole Francaise D’ Extreme- 

Orient. Paris. 

Vongphachanh P, Wolabout M, Phaviste M, Phengsintham P & Khounsouvanh F 2007 – 

Taxonomic Study on Family Demataceae in Xaithany District. BSc. Report, National University of 

Laos.

Studies of Fungal Biodiversity in Northern Thailand 

In 2009, the University of Arkansas in the United States was awarded a grant from the National 

Science Foundation (NSF) for a project entitled “Studies of Fungal Biodiversity in Northern 

Thailand.” The funding provided by NSF supports an international education program that 

provides the opportunity, during each of three summers, for four undergraduate and/or 

graduate students from the Unites States to spend a month carrying out biodiversity studies of 

fungi and fungus-like organisms associated with tropical forests in northern Thailand. Tropical 

forests are thought to be the terrestrial ecosystems characterized by the highest fungal 

biodiversity, but a major portion of this biodiversity has yet to be documented. While in 

Thailand, the four student participants from the United States interact with students from SE 

Asia who are enrolled at either Mae Fah Luang University or Chiang Mai University. The 

majority of the students are from Thailand, but participants also have included individuals from 

China, Laos, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. 

Dr. Steve Stephenson of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas is 

the program coordinator, with Dr. Dennis Desjardin of San Francisco State University and Dr. 

Steve Miller of the University of Wyoming serving as co-directors. Mycologists in Thailand 

involved in the program are Dr. Kevin Hyde at Mae Fah Luang University and Dr. Saisamorn 

Lumyong at Chiang Mai University. Other individuals who have been involved in the program 

are Dr. Adam Rollins of Lincoln Memorial University (United States), Dr. Carlos Rojas of the 

University of Costa Rica, and Dr. Thida Win Ko Ko of Mae Fah University. 

The first of the three summer programs was carried out during the period of mid-June to mid- 

July of 2010, with the second summer program taking place during the period of mid-June of 

2011. The third summer program is scheduled for a comparable period of time in 2012. 

Participants from the United States flew to Bangkok and then on to Chiang Mai, finally arriving 

at the Mushroom Research Centre (Fig. 1), which is serving as the base of operations for the 

summer programs. The Mushroom Research Centre, located 64 km north of Chiang Mai, is 

situated on in a forested area that offers excellent opportunities for collecting fungi. The Centre 

itself consists of a number of chalets (which provide “homes” for all participants in the month-

long summer program), a kitchen and meeting area and laboratory facilities. Meals (traditional 

Thai food) are prepared on site. 

Each summer program consists of an introductory session on fungi, workshops on particular 

groups of fungi and fungus-like organisms and trips to collecting sites in the Chiang Mai region 

of northern India. Workshops held as part of the 2011 summer program considered the family 

Russulaceae, pyrenomycetous fungi and myxomycetes. Collecting has been carried out in a 

variety of different forest types, including pine-dominated forests, dipterocarp forests and 

mixed forests (Fig. 2). Specimens collected in the field are brought back to the laboratory for 

detailed study. After they have been photographed, described and worked up, specimens are 

deposited in the herbarium of Mae Fah Luang University. 

In addition to spending time together on collecting trips and working in the laboratory, student 

participants share research interests and generally get to know one another. Participants form 

the United States get to know Thai culture in addition to learning about the customs and way of 

life in the other countries (e.g., China and Laos) represented by participants from SE Asia. This 

aspect of the program has been an extraordinary experience for all of the students involved and 

undoubtedly will lead to future research collaborations as these students embark upon their 

careers in mycology. 

Each of the two summer programs completed thus far has yielded several hundred collections 

of fungi (including slime molds). In 2011, some emphasis was on the “little fungi” (mostly 

ascomycetes) that are often overlooked by mycologists whose interests are directed towards 

macrofungi. Although most of the specimens have yet to be identified, Dr. Larissa Vasilyeva 

(Vladivostok, Russia), who spent about 10 days at the Mushroom Research Centre during the 

latter portion of June, discovered at least 15 species of pyrenomycetes that are new to science. 

It seems almost certain that additional new species in a number of groups of fungi are 

forthcoming. 

Images of the Mushroom Research Centre, student participants, fungi and northern Thailand in 

general are available on .

Mushroom Research Centre 

Participants in the 2011 summer program

Mycology in Israel 

Mycology in Israel encompasses all aspects of interests in the fungal kingdom. This includes 

research, cultivation, the biotechnological industry and clinical mycology. A growing number of 

Israelis are also interested in fungal forays and the culinary delights of fungi. 

The fungal research community of about 120 active members has representatives in all 7 Israeli 

universities as well as in additional institutes. Though not very large (given the size of the 

country, with a population of about 7 million), it is an active research community and prides 

itself with high quality research output, mainly in fungal cell biology, genetics, fungal host 

interactions (human, animal and plant), biological control, fungal ecology (terrestrial and 

marine) and systematics. Some of the main fungal genera studied in Israel include Cochliobolus, 

Colletotrichum, Botrytis, Fusarium, Aspergillus, Candida, Pleurotus, Trichoderma and 

Neurospora. 

Most fungal researchers are associated with one or both of two major societies in Israel – the 

Israeli Phytopathological Society and the Israel Society for Microbiology. Both of these active 

societies hold annual general meetings and workshops as well as field trips and special interest 

group meetings. In addition, non-formal meetings of a “molecular mycology club” convene 

twice yearly (each time hosted by a different university campus), where students present their 

progress in an “expanded group meeting” format. 

Fungal biology is also studied and applied in industry, ranging from production of biocontrol 

agents (e.g., Trichoderma, Ampelomyces) to the use of fungi for production of metabolites of 

interest. Services for diagnosis are present in the major hospitals, the ministry of agriculture as 

well as by some private companies. In addition, there is a constant expansion of the edible 

mushroom industry (mainly Agaricus and Pleurotus but efforts are invested in the expansion of 

the range of species grown). 

It is currently the beginning of the foray season in Israel (which can last as long as until April), in 

which mushrooms such as Agaricus, Pleurotus, Boletus, Lepiota, Tricholoma, and Volvarilla can

e found. In addition, one of the unique edible mushrooms collected during the spring time, 

mainly in dessert areas of the country, is the desert "false Truffles" Terfezia and Tirmania.

Which has more diverse assemblages of myxomycetes: tropical forests or 

temperate forests? 

Particular groups of plants and animals become increasingly more diverse as one nears the 

equator. Is this pattern also true for slime molds (or myxomycetes)? This is what Dr. Thomas 

Edison dela Cruz would like to answer. Dr dela Cruz, the Philippine representative to the Asia 

Mycology Committee and a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences, 

University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines, is currently working on a project with Dr. 

Steve Stephenson at the University of Arkansas in the United States. Dr. dela Cruz was awarded 

a post-doctoral fellowship by the prestigious Fulbright Commission. He and Stephenson, who is 

a former Fulbright scholar (at Himachal Pradesh University in India) himself, are comparing the 

myxomycete assemblages associated with three well-defined microhabitats in forests of the 

tropics and temperate zones. Samples of aerial litter, ground litter and dead twigs were 

collected from three lowland dipterocarp forests in the Philippines. These were Mt. Palay-Palay 

National Park in Ternate, Cavite; the Subic Forest Reserve in Subic, Zambales; and Bataan 

National Park in Morong, Bataan. Comparable samples also were collected from three types of 

temperate forests in Arkansas. The forests sampled were an oak-hickory forest in Devil’s Den 

State Park, a mixed oak forest in Pea Ridge National Historical Park, and a beech-dominated 

forest in the Lost Valley area of the Buffalo National River. With the assistance of Dr. Hanh Tran, 

a faculty member at Ho Chi Minh International University in Vietnam and also a Fulbright 

scholar at the University of Arkansas, sets of moist chamber cultures were prepared from the 

samples and are being monitored to assess myxomycete species diversity. Preliminary data 

appear to show higher diversity for tropical forests than temperate forests. At least 43 species 

of myxomycetes belonging to 17 genera have been recorded thus far for substrates collected in 

the Philippines, whereas only 29 species representing 18 genera have appeared in moist 

chamber cultures prepared from substrates collected in Arkansas. Several of the species from 

the Philippines are new records for the country. Twigs clearly have been the most productive 

substrate, regardless of where they were collected. However, as the project continues, it

emains to be seen whether the patterns noted thus far will continue to hold true. This project 

is the largest study yet carried out to compare the assemblages of myxomycetes associated 

with the same types of substrates in tropical and temperate forests. 

Dr. Stephenson, Dr. Tran and Dr. dela Cruz at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas.

NAMC – Newsletter of the Asian Mycological Committee

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