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Scientific communication is facilitated by a data-driven, scientifically sound taxonomy that considers the end-user's needs and established successful practice. In 2013, the Fusarium community voiced near unanimous support for a concept of Fusarium that represented a clade comprising all agriculturally and clinically important Fusarium species, including the F. solani species complex (FSSC). Subsequently, this concept was challenged in 2015 by one research group who proposed dividing the genus Fusarium into seven genera, including the FSSC described as members of the genus Neocosmospora, with subsequent justification in 2018 based on claims that the 2013 concept of Fusarium is polyphyletic. Here, we test this claim and provide a phylogeny based on exonic nucleotide sequences of 19 orthologous protein-coding genes that strongly support the monophyly of Fusarium including the FSSC. We reassert the practical and scientific argument in support of a genus Fusarium that includes the FSSC and several other basal lineages, consistent with the longstanding use of this name among plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, students, and researchers with a stake in its taxonomy. In recognition of this monophyly, 40 species described as genus Neocosmospora were recombined in genus Fusarium, and nine others were renamed Fusarium. Here the global Fusarium community voices strong support for the inclusion of the FSSC in Fusarium, as it remains the best scientific, nomenclatural, and practical taxonomic option available.

Scientific communication is facilitated by a data-driven, scientifically sound taxonomy that considers the end-user's needs and established successful practice. In 2013, the Fusarium community voiced near unanimous support for a concept of Fusarium that represented a clade comprising all agriculturally and clinically important Fusarium species, including the F. solani species complex (FSSC). Subsequently, this concept was challenged in 2015 by one research group who proposed dividing the genus Fusarium into seven genera, including the FSSC described as members of the genus Neocosmospora, with subsequent justification in 2018 based on claims that the 2013 concept of Fusarium is polyphyletic. Here, we test this claim and provide a phylogeny based on exonic nucleotide sequences of 19 orthologous protein-coding genes that strongly support the monophyly of Fusarium including the FSSC. We reassert the practical and scientific argument in support of a genus Fusarium that includes the FSSC and several other basal lineages, consistent with the longstanding use of this name among plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, students, and researchers with a stake in its taxonomy. In recognition of this monophyly, 40 species described as genus Neocosmospora were recombined in genus Fusarium, and nine others were renamed Fusarium. Here the global Fusarium community voices strong support for the inclusion of the FSSC in Fusarium, as it remains the best scientific, nomenclatural, and practical taxonomic option available.

Scientific communication is facilitated by a data-driven, scientifically sound taxonomy that considers the end-user's needs and established successful practice. In 2013, the Fusarium community voiced near unanimous support for a concept of Fusarium that represented a clade comprising all agriculturally and clinically important Fusarium species, including the F. solani species complex (FSSC). Subsequently, this concept was challenged in 2015 by one research group who proposed dividing the genus Fusarium into seven genera, including the FSSC described as members of the genus Neocosmospora, with subsequent justification in 2018 based on claims that the 2013 concept of Fusarium is polyphyletic. Here, we test this claim and provide a phylogeny based on exonic nucleotide sequences of 19 orthologous protein-coding genes that strongly support the monophyly of Fusarium including the FSSC. We reassert the practical and scientific argument in support of a genus Fusarium that includes the FSSC and several other basal lineages, consistent with the longstanding use of this name among plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, students, and researchers with a stake in its taxonomy. In recognition of this monophyly, 40 species described as genus Neocosmospora were recombined in genus Fusarium, and nine others were renamed Fusarium. Here the global Fusarium community voices strong support for the inclusion of the FSSC in Fusarium, as it remains the best scientific, nomenclatural, and practical taxonomic option available.

MycoKey, an EU-funded Horizon 2020 project, includes a series of “Roundtable Discussions” to gather information on trending research areas in the field of mycotoxicology. This paper includes summaries of the Roundtable Discussions on Chemical Detection and Monitoring of mycotoxins and on the role of genetics and biodiversity in mycotoxin production. Discussions were managed by using the nominal group discussion technique, which generates numerous ideas and provides a ranking for those identified as the most important. Four questions were posed for each research area, as well as two questions that were common to both discussions. Test kits, usually antibody based, were one major focus of the discussions at the Chemical Detection and Monitoring roundtable because of their many favorable features, e.g., cost, speed and ease of use. The second area of focus for this roundtable was multi-mycotoxin detection protocols and the challenges still to be met to enable these protocols to become methods of choice for regulated mycotoxins. For the genetic and biodiversity group, both the depth and the breadth of trending research areas were notable. For some areas, e.g., microbiome studies, the suggested research questions were primarily of a descriptive nature. In other areas, multiple experimental approaches, e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics, RNAi and gene deletions, are needed to understand the regulation of toxin production and mechanisms underlying successful biological controls. Answers to the research questions will provide starting points for developing acceptable prevention and remediation processes. Forging a partnership between scientists and appropriately-placed communications experts was recognized by both groups as an essential step to communicating risks, while retaining overall confidence in the safety of the food supply and the integrity of the food production chain.

Currently, there is very little information available regarding the microbiome associated with the wine production chain. Here, we used an amplicon sequencing approach based on high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to obtain a comprehensive assessment of the bacterial community associated with the production of three Apulian red wines, from grape to final product. The relationships among grape variety, the microbial community, and fermentation was investigated. Moreover, the winery microbiota was evaluated compared to the autochthonous species in vineyards that persist until the end of the winemaking process. The analysis highlighted the remarkable dynamics within the microbial communities during fermentation. A common microbial core shared among the examined wine varieties was observed, and the unique taxonomic signature of each wine appellation was revealed. New species belonging to the genus Halomonas were also reported. This study demonstrates the potential of this metagenomic approach, supported by optimized protocols, for identifying the biodiversity of the wine supply chain. The developed experimental pipeline offers new prospects for other research fields in which a comprehensive view of microbial community complexity and dynamics is desirable., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

The fungus Fusarium verticillioides is a pathogen of maize and can produce the mycotoxins fumonisins. The present work examined the effect of abiotic factors on the expression of two fumonisin biosynthetic genes (FUM2 and FUM21) and fumonisin production in the fungus. Specifically, the effects of water activity (0.901-0.990), temperature (20-30°C) and incubation time (7-21 days) were analysed in cultures of F. verticillioides strains ITEM 10027 and ITEM 1744. Fumonisin B were measured through liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and gene expression was quantified with relative real-time PCR, using the Livak method. Fumonisin production increased with incubation time up to 21 days and the transcription of both genes was highest at 14 days; however intraspecific variability was observed. FUM2 and FUM21 expression was positively correlated to fumonisin synthesis (p≤0.01 and 0.05) at different water activity and temperature regimes. . A sensibly higher transcription of FUM2 in comparison with FUM21 was observed for all the conditions considered. Incubation time played a significant role on fumonisin production and gene expression, with the highest contamination and the highest gene expression respectively after 21 and 14 days of incubation. Temperature significantly affected only FUM21 expression, with optimum at 25°C; while water activity did not have a significant effect.

A 2-year study on the pathosystem F. verticillioides-maize has been developed speculating on both in vitro and in planta perspectives. The former studied the effects of temperature (T) and water activity (aw) on fumonisin B (FBs) production and expression of FUM2 and FUM21 genes in ITEM 10027 and 1744 F. verticillioides strains grown up to 21 days (d). The latter monitored which genes were differentially expressed in resistant and susceptible maize lines after 2-3 d- infection by ITEM 1744. The in vitro study showed that ITEM 10027 was the highest producer of FBs, with predominance of FB1. The maximum level of FB was registered after 21 d in both strains. FUM2 and FUM21 were expressed in all studied conditions, with a 10x difference between the former and the latter. The peak of transcription level was reached after 14 d of incubation for both FUM genes. No data were collected on cultures grown at fixed aw=0.900 because the fungus did not grow at all temperatures tested till 21 d of incubation. The in planta study showed that resistant lines tested were poorly infected by ITEM 1744. Genes differentially expressed were divided into 11 functional categories and nearly 10 % was assigned to the class “cell rescue, defence and virulence”. Most of the pathogenesis-related genes were differentially activated after fungal infection in relation to the resistance level of maize genotypes. In the resistant kernels, defence-related genes provided basal protection against the fungus, while in the susceptible ones, the same genes were induced specifically after pathogen attack.

Fusarium verticillioides is recognized as the main maize pathogen in the world, causing ear rot. Colonized kernels are commonly contaminated by fumonisins B (FBs), secondary metabolites toxic and carcinogenic to animals and humans. In this work we studied how changing temperature (T=20,25,30 C) and water activity (aw=0.90, 0.95, 0.99) affects both FBs production and the expression of FUM2 and FUM21 genes in two F. o verticillioides strains (ITEM10027 and ITEM1744) grown 21 d in FB-inducing (Malt Extract Agar) and FB-inhibiting (Czapeck Yeast Agar) liquid media. Gene expression analysis, carried through RealTime (RT)-PCR, and FBs quantification with HPLC, were conducted. Fumonisins were produced by both strains, and ITEM10027 was proved the highest producer (10450 vs 2438 ppb). FUM2 and FUM21 were expressed in all studied conditions, with the former around 10 times more expressed than the latter. The peak of expression was observed after 14 and 21 days of incubation respectively for FUM2 and FUM 21. The expression of both FUM genes analyzed was more influenced by temperature than by aw in the studied range. Changes in temperature produced limited variation for FUM2 expression, while the highest expression for FUM21 was observed at 25oC. Moreover it was proven that incubation time of fungal pure cultures significantly influenced the two FUM genes expression and FBs production level, which resulted straight correlated. Work supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, PRIN 2007.

Fusarium verticillioides is recognized as the main maize pathogen in the world, causing ear rot. Colonized kernels are commonly contaminated by fumonisins B (FBs), secondary metabolites toxic and carcinogenic to animals and humans. In this work we studied how changing temperature (T=20,25,30 C) and water activity (aw=0.90, 0.95, 0.99) affects both FBs production and the expression of FUM2 and FUM21 genes in two F. o verticillioides strains (ITEM10027 and ITEM1744) grown 21 d in FB-inducing (Malt Extract Agar) and FB-inhibiting (Czapeck Yeast Agar) liquid media. Gene expression analysis, carried through RealTime (RT)-PCR, and FBs quantification with HPLC, were conducted. Fumonisins were produced by both strains, and ITEM10027 was proved the highest producer (10450 vs 2438 ppb). FUM2 and FUM21 were expressed in all studied conditions, with the former around 10 times more expressed than the latter. The peak of expression was observed after 14 and 21 days of incubation respectively for FUM2 and FUM 21. The expression of both FUM genes analyzed was more influenced by temperature than by aw in the studied range. Changes in temperature produced limited variation for FUM2 expression, while the highest expression for FUM21 was observed at 25oC. Moreover it was proven that incubation time of fungal pure cultures significantly influenced the two FUM genes expression and FBs production level, which resulted straight correlated. Work supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, PRIN 2007.

A 2-year study on the pathosystem F. verticillioides-maize has been developed speculating on both in vitro and in planta perspectives. The former studied the effects of temperature (T) and water activity (aw) on fumonisin B (FBs) production and expression of FUM2 and FUM21 genes in ITEM 10027 and 1744 F. verticillioides strains grown up to 21 days (d). The latter monitored which genes were differentially expressed in resistant and susceptible maize lines after 2-3 d- infection by ITEM 1744. The in vitro study showed that ITEM 10027 was the highest producer of FBs, with predominance of FB1. The maximum level of FB was registered after 21 d in both strains. FUM2 and FUM21 were expressed in all studied conditions, with a 10x difference between the former and the latter. The peak of transcription level was reached after 14 d of incubation for both FUM genes. No data were collected on cultures grown at fixed aw=0.900 because the fungus did not grow at all temperatures tested till 21 d of incubation. The in planta study showed that resistant lines tested were poorly infected by ITEM 1744. Genes differentially expressed were divided into 11 functional categories and nearly 10 % was assigned to the class “cell rescue, defence and virulence”. Most of the pathogenesis-related genes were differentially activated after fungal infection in relation to the resistance level of maize genotypes. In the resistant kernels, defence-related genes provided basal protection against the fungus, while in the susceptible ones, the same genes were induced specifically after pathogen attack.

F. verticillioides is a fungus associated to maize ears all over the world. It can cause Fusarium pink ear rot and produces fumonisins (FBs), mycotoxins found in both maize kernels and its derivatives. They are toxic to humans, in particular FB1 is classified as possibly carcinogenic. Fumonisins biosynthetic pathway is regulated by several genes belonging to FUM cluster whose behaviour in different ecological conditions was poorly studied. The aim of this work was to investigate the behaviour of 2 F. verticillioides strains grown in vitro both on a FB-inducing (Malt extract agar-MEA) and FB-inhibiting (Czapeck yeast agar-CYA) media. Fungal growth, FBs production and gene expression were studied in different temperature (T; 20-30) and water activity (aw; 0.90-0.99) regimes, in liquid cultures incubated for 7-21 days. The expression of two genes: FUM21 and FUM2 was considered; relative quantitation of gene expression was performed by RealTime (RT)-PCR. The results showed that, with aw fixed at 0.99, maximum FUM21 and FUM2 expression was observed at 30°C after 14 days of incubation, while FBs production increased from 7 to 21 days. At fixed T (25°C), fungal growth at 0.90 aw was not observed after 21 days of incubation. Gene expression increased with incubation time both at 0.95 and 0.99 aw, FB production increased till to 21 and 14 days respectively at 0.95 and 0.99 aw. In all the conditions studied the expression of the 2 genes considered followed a very similar trend, but FUM2 was much more expressed than FUM21 and more influenced by aw conditions.

F. verticillioides is a fungus associated to maize ears all over the world. It can cause Fusarium pink ear rot and produces fumonisins (FBs), mycotoxins found in both maize kernels and its derivatives. They are toxic to humans, in particular FB1 is classified as possibly carcinogenic. Fumonisins biosynthetic pathway is regulated by several genes belonging to FUM cluster whose behaviour in different ecological conditions was poorly studied. The aim of this work was to investigate the behaviour of 2 F. verticillioides strains grown in vitro both on a FB-inducing (Malt extract agar-MEA) and FB-inhibiting (Czapeck yeast agar-CYA) media. Fungal growth, FBs production and gene expression were studied in different temperature (T; 20-30) and water activity (aw; 0.90-0.99) regimes, in liquid cultures incubated for 7-21 days. The expression of two genes: FUM21 and FUM2 was considered; relative quantitation of gene expression was performed by RealTime (RT)-PCR. The results showed that, with aw fixed at 0.99, maximum FUM21 and FUM2 expression was observed at 30°C after 14 days of incubation, while FBs production increased from 7 to 21 days. At fixed T (25°C), fungal growth at 0.90 aw was not observed after 21 days of incubation. Gene expression increased with incubation time both at 0.95 and 0.99 aw, FB production increased till to 21 and 14 days respectively at 0.95 and 0.99 aw. In all the conditions studied the expression of the 2 genes considered followed a very similar trend, but FUM2 was much more expressed than FUM21 and more influenced by aw conditions.

Ochratoxin A is a potent nephrotoxin and a possible human carcinogen that can contaminate various agricultural products, including grapes and wine. The capabilities of species other than Aspergillus carbonarius within Aspergillus section Nigri to produce ochratoxin A from grapes are uncertain, since strain identification is based primarily on morphological traits. We used amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and genomic DNA sequences (rRNA, calmodulin, and beta -tubulin genes) to identify 77 black aspergilli isolated from grape berries collected in a 2-year survey in 16 vineyards throughout Italy. Four main clusters were distinguished, and they shared an AFLP similarity of <25%. Twenty-two of 23 strains of A. carbonarius produced ochratoxin A (6 to 7,500 micro g/liter), 5 of 20 strains of A. tubingensis produced ochratoxin A (4 to 130 micro g/liter), 3 of 15 strains of A. niger produced ochratoxin A (250 to 360 micro g/liter), and none of the 19 strains of Aspergillus "uniseriate" produced ochratoxin A above the level of detection (4 micro g/liter). These findings indicate that A. tubingensis is able to produce ochratoxin and that, together with A. carbonarius and A. niger, it may be responsible for the ochratoxin contamination of wine in Italy.