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The article considers the distribution and mechanisms of the meiotic drive as a phenomenon manifested in unequal transmission of gene alleles and/or homologous chromosomes into gametes during meiosis. The meiotic drive has been studied in the most detail in Drosophila, mice, corn, and ascomycete fungi of the genera Neurospora and Podospora. The consequence of the meiotic drive is a shift in the frequencies of alleles in the gene pool and the maintenance of nonadaptive traits in the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathogens are reduced by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated by yeasts play an important role in controlling postharvest diseases. The yeast HXMG-1, which works effectively against the grey mould pathogen of grapes (Botrytis cinerea), was evaluated for its potential to generate volatile organic compounds as one of its modes of action. A double Petri dish assay was used to evaluate the effect of VOCs produced by HXGM-1 on mycelial and spore development of the target pathogens. Compared to the control, the VOCs produced by yeast HXMG-1 significantly reduced the growth of mycelium and spore germination of Botrytis cinerea. Specifically, the mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea was completely restricted and the rate of spore germination of Botrytis cinerea was only 20.11% at a concentration of 1 × 109 CFU/mL. It was also found that the VOCs could significantly inhibit mycelial growth with an inhibition of 82.46% at a concentration of 1 × 108 CFU/mL. The VOCs caused the mycelium to grow curved, resulting in larger mycelial tips, fewer nuclei, and shorter mycelial septum spacing. In vivo tests, noninjure or injure grapes were artificially inoculated with the pathogen hyphal disc followed by biofumigation with VOCs produced by yeast HXMG-1, and the treatments (Wp2 and Wp3) significantly controlled pathogenic infection, confirming the results of in vitro tests. By molecular biological identification based on comparative sequence analysis of the 18S rDNA gene, the HXMG-1 strain was identified as Hanseniaspora uvarum. Through the creation of a phylogenetic tree, HXMG-1 was recognised as a member of the Ascomycota, Hemiascomycota, Yeasts, and Hanseniaspora sp. families. In conclusion, the yeast strain HXMG-1 created VOCs that significantly inhibited the development of Botrytis cinerea on grapes and is expected to be further developed and utilised. This study lays the foundation for the use of Hanseniaspora sp. for biological control of postharvest disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the first-ever report of lichens from Sholayar 10 ha permanent plot, with a total of 38 species under 23 genera and 14 families. Of these, one species, Allographa cinerea (Fée) Lücking and Kalb reported as new to India, and nine species namely Coenogonium dilucidum (Kremp.) Kalb and Lücking, Crypthonia albida (Fée) Frisch, Enterographa divergens (Müll. Arg.) Redinger, Graphis indica J. Kalb and Kalb, Malmidea fuscella (Müll. Arg.) Kalb and Lücking, Malmidea piae (Kalb) Kalb, Malmidea subgranifera (Kalb and Elix) Kalb and Elix, and Porina subinterstes (Nyl.) Müll. Arg. as new distributional records to Kerala. The genus Crypthonia is reported for the first time in Kerala. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the culturable fungal community recovered from deep marine sediments in the maritime Antarctic, and assessed their capabilities to produce exoenzymes, emulsifiers and metabolites with phytotoxic activity. Sixty-eight Ascomycota fungal isolates were recovered and identified. The most abundant taxon recovered was the yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii, followed by the filamentous fungi Penicillium chrysogenum, P. cf. palitans, Pseudeurotium cf. bakeri, Thelebolus balaustiformis, Antarctomyces psychrotrophicus and Cladosporium sp. Diversity indices displayed low values overall, with the highest values obtained at shallow depth, decreasing to the deepest location sampled. Only M. guilliermondii and P. cf. palitans were detected in the sediments at all depths sampled, and were the most abundant taxa at all sample sites. The most abundant enzymes detected were proteases, followed by invertases, cellulases, lipases, carrageenases, agarases, pectinases and esterases. Four isolates showed good biosurfactant activity, particularly the endemic species A. psychrotrophicus. Twenty-four isolates of P. cf. palitans displayed strong phytotoxic activities against the models Lactuca sativa and Allium schoenoprasum. The cultivable fungi recovered demonstrated good biosynthetic activity in the production of hydrolytic exoenzymes, biosurfactant molecules and metabolites with phytotoxic activity, reinforcing the importance of documenting the taxonomic, ecological and biotechnological properties of fungi present in deep oceanic sediments of the Southern Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two species of lichenicolous fungi viz. Didymocyrtis cladoniicola (Diederich, Kocourk. and Etayo) Ertz and Diederich, and Epicladonia simplex D. Hawksw., inhabiting Cladonia species are discovered as new records for India, besides four species known earlier from India. Cladonia, a dimorphic genus is one of the most suitable hosts for the fungal spores to colonize easily for the growth of lichenicolous fungi. The brief taxonomic descriptions of species, distribution and illustrations are provided to facilitate their identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi contribute to different important ecological processes, including decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling, but in the marine environment the main factors influencing their diversity and dynamics at the spatial and temporal levels are still largely unclear. In this study, we performed DNA metabarcoding on seawater sampled monthly over a year and a half in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea), targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the 18S rRNA gene regions. The fungal communities were diverse, very dynamic, and belonged predominantly to marine taxa. Samples could be clustered in two groups, mainly based on the high (> 30%) or low relative proportion of the ascomycetes Parengyodontium album, which emerged as a key taxon in this area. Dissolved and particulate organic C:N ratio played important roles in shaping the mycoplankton assemblages, suggesting that differently bioavailable organic matter pools may be utilized by different consortia. The proportion of fungal over total reads was 31% for ITS and 0.7% for 18S. ITS had the highest taxonomic resolution but low power to detect early divergent fungal lineages. Our results on composition, distribution, and environmental drivers extended our knowledge of the structure and function of the mycobiome of coastal waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The screening of new strains of high-efficiency ammonia–nitrogen degrading bacteria and the research on the treatment of high-concentration ammonia–nitrogen livestock and poultry wastewater by immobilized complex flora is still lacking, especially the research on different ratios between complex flora and operating factors. In this experiment, a new strain of ammonia–nitrogen degrading bacteria was screened from activated sludge. The species was determined by ITS sequencing, and the optimal operating conditions were explored by the simulated wastewater experiment. Build a complex flora with flocculant-producing bacteria preserved in the laboratory. Explore the effects of water temperature, pH, and initial ammonia–nitrogen concentration on the treatment of livestock wastewater with high ammonia–nitrogen by immobilized complex flora. The most similar of this strain is Phialemoniopsis curvata TWCC 58054 s, and the degradation rate of ammonia–nitrogen is 96.90% under the conditions of ammonia–nitrogen concentration of 50.00 mg/L, the water temperature of 30 ℃, pH = 7.2–7.4, and shaking culture for 7 days. At 400.00 mg/L, the water temperature of 30 ℃, pH = 8, shaking culture for 36 h, the degradation rate of ammonia–nitrogen was 57.39%. The optimal ratio of ammonia–nitrogen degrading bacteria to flocculant-producing bacteria is 1:3, and the ammonia–nitrogen degradation rate of immobilized complex bacteria is 85.43–89.84% after shaking culture for 36 h at the influent ammonia–nitrogen concentration of 400.00–500.00 mg/L, the water temperature of 30 ℃ and pH value of 8. The experimental results provided a new type of high-efficiency ammonia–nitrogen degrading bacteria, and described in detail the effects of the ratio of complex bacteria, pH, water temperature, influent concentration, on its treatment of livestock wastewater. It fills the gap of the new strain in ammonia–nitrogen degradation ability and immobilized complex flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial diversity of caves is largely understudied and its possible applications are still unknown. Autochthonous fungi, in particular, may have the potential to biomineralize metals and may be used as promising agents for bioremediation of polluted sites; thus, unearthing the fungal diversity in hypogean ecosystems is nowadays of utmost importance. To start addressing this knowledge gap, the cultivable mycobiota of two neighbouring caves—one natural and one exploited for touristic purposes—were characterised and compared by studying fungi isolated from sediments collected at increasing distances from the entrance. Overall, 250 fungal isolates ascribable to 69 taxa (mainly Ascomycota) were found, a high percentage of which was reported in caves for the first time. The sediments of the touristic cave displayed a richer and more diversified community in comparison with the natural one, possibly due to visitors carrying propagules or organic material. Considering that these environments are still poorly explored, chances to detect new fungal lineages are not negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circinaria russus sp. nov. is described based on morpho–anatomical and phylogenetic analysis. The novel species is characterized by its reddish brown thallus, absence of marginal lobes, taller hymenium 175–190 µm, and larger ascospores 22–32 × 15–20 than the similar taxon Circinaria tortuosa. A phylogenetic analysis, based on ITS nrDNA sequencing and ML analysis, supported the separation of the novel species. Complete description and a comparative analysis with related Circinaria species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of the soil-inhabiting ascomycetes Lecanicillium aphanocladii, Talaromyces sayulitensis, Trichoderma harzianum and Fusarium oxysporum to use polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a sole carbon and energy source has been shown. Utilization of PET by the studied fungi, except for L. aphanocladii, was accompanied by the production of emulsifying compounds. All fungi exhibited the activity of cutinase, the key PET depolymerization enzyme, and a number of oxidoreductases, which apparently catalyze the oxidation of the resulting products: peroxidases in F. oxysporum and T. harzianum, as well as peroxidases and oxidases in L. aphanocladii and Tal. sayulitensis. The data we obtained can be used to develop environmental biotechnologies and contribute to understanding of the processes of degradation/conversion of plastics in natural ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study reports ten lichenicolous fungi as new distributional record for India: Arthonia pepei Etayo and Pérez-Ortega, Cladophialophora parmeliae (Etayo and Diederich) Diederich and Unter., Didymocyrtis melanelixiae (Brackel) Diederich, R.C. Harris and Etayo, Nesolechia thallicola (A. Massal.) Rehm, Ovicuculispora parmeliae (Berk. and M.A. Curtis) Etayo, Pyrenidium aggregatum Knudsen and Kocoruk., Sclerococcum pseudosipmanii Zhurb. and Diederich, Spirographa parmotrematis Flakus, Etayo and Miądl., Steinia geophana (Nyl.) Stein and Zwackhiomyces macrosporus Alstrup and Olech. Further, Arthonia pepei, Nesolechia thallicola, Pyrenidium aggregatum, Spirographa parmotrematis, Steiniageophana and Zwackhiomyces macrosporus have also extended their host range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrenodesmia albopustulata and P. microstepposa in family Teloschistaceae are reported as new records for South Asia. Previously the former has been reported from Western Asia and Europe and the latter has been reported from Central Asia and Europe. The specimens were collected from different sites in district Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and characterized using morpho-anatomical and molecular techniques. Complete morpho-anatomical descriptions along with ecology, distribution, and ITS-based molecular analysis are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toninia pakistanica sp. nov. is described from Darel Valley, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Its place within the genus Toninia A. Massal. was validated by a comparative morpho-anatomical investigation and ITS based molecular studies. The taxon is characterized by dark brown lobate squamules, epruinose to weakly pruinose with dark olive to black thallus, densely pruinose upper surface, more thicker epinecral layer 60 µm, 25–45 µm thick grey to blackish grey lower cortex and with the absence of apothecia and secondary metabolites. Its positioning in a separate branch in the phylogenetic tree also makes it distinct from the other known species. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS-nrDNA sequencing placed our species relative to Toninia cinereovirens (Schaer.) A. Massal. Kiliasia nordlandica (Th. Fr.) Kistenich, Timdal, Bendiksby & S. Ekman is included and reported as new record to Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, phytopathogenic fungi of the genus Coleophoma were detected in the lichen genus Stereocaulon paschale (L.) Hoffm. On agarised nutrient medium, strain NM10F28209 formed compact, dense colonies with black ingrowing mycelium and ashy-grey aerial mycelium. Morphological characteristics and analysis of the ITS region of the gene cluster encoding ribosomal RNAs allowed us to assign the new strain to the genus Coleophoma; the closest relative was Coleophoma cylindrospora (Desm.) Höhn. (1919) with 98.28% of similarity. On prolonged incubation for 20 days, the culture formed a brown pigment that diffused into the agar. Extraction using a chloroform:acetone (1 : 1) mixture resulted in a multi-component preparation exhibiting fungicidal activity against yeasts from the Yarrowia and Candida genera. A compound belonging to the group of echinocandins, for which fungicidal activity has previously been demonstrated, was detected in the complex preparation by thin layer chromatography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi are integral to well-functioning ecosystems, and their broader impact on Earth systems is widely acknowledged. Fossil evidence from the Rhynie Chert (Scotland, UK) shows that Fungi were already diverse in terrestrial ecosystems over 407-million-years-ago, yet evidence for the occurrence of Dikarya (the subkingdom of Fungi that includes the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) in this site is scant. Here we describe a particularly well-preserved asexual fungus from the Rhynie Chert which we examined using brightfield and confocal microscopy. We document Potteromyces asteroxylicola gen. et sp. nov. that we attribute to Ascomycota incertae sedis (Dikarya). The fungus forms a stroma-like structure with conidiophores arising in tufts outside the cuticle on aerial axes and leaf-like appendages of the lycopsid plant Asteroxylon mackiei. It causes a reaction in the plant that gives rise to dome-shaped surface projections. This suite of features in the fungus together with the plant reaction tissues provides evidence of it being a plant pathogenic fungus. The fungus evidently belongs to an extinct lineage of ascomycetes that could serve as a minimum node age calibration point for the Ascomycota as a whole, or even the Dikarya crown group, along with some other Ascomycota previously documented in the Rhynie Chert. Here, the authors describe a pathogenic fungus from a 400-million-year-old fossil plant from the Devonian Rhynie Chert in Scotland. They use advanced imaging methods to determine that the fungus belongs to the sac fungi, the most diverse group of Fungi today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maydis leaf blight (MLB) incited by ascomycetes fungus Bipolaris maydis is a serious foliar disease of maize under warm and humid conditions. The fungus has a wide host range and may cause significant yield losses by producing symptoms that appear as young, small and diamond-shaped lesions under favourable conditions. MLB can be managed by various means, but host resistance is most effective, environment friendly and practical approach to manage this disease. In order to find out new sources of genetic resistance, the present investigations were carried out at CCS HAU, Regional Research Station, Karnal, Haryana, India, to evaluate 104 inbreds and 35 hybrids during kharif 2019 and 2020 under artificial epiphytotic conditions. Data on disease severity were recorded using 1–9 disease rating scale, and screened genotypes were grouped into four categories, viz., resistant, moderately resistant, moderately susceptible and susceptible based on disease reaction. A significant difference was observed in disease severity of the genotypes screened where 13 inbred lines, viz., HKI 193–2, HKI-323, HKI-295, HKI-488 T, HKI-1128, MBR-139, HKI-161, HKI-193–1, HKI-193–2, HKI-488-1RG, HKI-1025, HKI-1128, HKI-1344, were found resistant, 32 inbred lines exhibited moderately resistant reaction, 46 were found moderately susceptible, while 13 inbreds exhibited susceptible reaction against MLB. Amongst 35 hybrids screened eight hybrids, viz., HQPM-1, HQPM-4, HKI1651 × HKI193-2, HKI 193–2 × L-287, HKI-1105 × IMR 307, HKI-295 × L-287, HKI 488 T × L-287, HKI 659–3 × L-287, were found to be resistant, 23 were observed moderately resistant, 3 were observed moderately susceptible, and one hybrid exhibited susceptible reaction against the disease. Two inbreds, viz., HKI-1128 and HKI-193–2, and one hybrid HQPM-1 were found resistant during both years of screening. The resistant genotypes may be further utilized in order to determine the nature of resistance or in breeding programmes to develop promising MLB-resistant hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a number of specimens of the genus Diploschistes were collected from different areas of Pakistan and characterized using morpho-anatomical and molecular techniques. The present work revealed that collected specimens belong to two species of genus Diploschistes i.e. Diploschistes gypsaceus and D. neutrophilus which are additions to the lichen biota of Pakistan. Complete morpho-anatomical descriptions, ecology and distribution, along with ITS-based molecular analysis are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study adds new records of the lichen genus, Aspicilia to the lichen flora of Pakistan. All the previously reported species of Aspicilia from country have been found in cold temperate areas where as the present taxon occurred in dry tropical land of the region. We represent first East Asian record of this species in this study. The phylogenetic analysis, taxonomic description and altitudinal distribution of species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the taxonomic structure of the fungal community during the processing of cow manure with straw using Eisenia fetida worms have been studied using fundamentally different methods—cultural and metabarcoding (by amplification and high-performance sequencing of ITS2 rDNA). Significantly more fungal taxa have been identified in substrates and vermicompost using metabarcoding than by the plating method (66 and 33 species, respectively). Single species have been identified simultaneously by both methods. The method of metabarcoding has revealed the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mortierellomycota, Chytridiomycota, Glomeromycota, Basidiobolomycota, Rozellomycota, and Aphelidiomycota; fungi from Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mucoromycota were isolated by the culture method. The species richness of the community decreased during the first 10–20 days of substrate processing, then grew and reached maximum values in the vermicompost (60 days). Both methods showed the dominance of ascomycetes at all stages of transformation of substrates by E. fetida. Metabarcoding showed the dominance of Sordariomycetes of the order Sordariales (48–53%), mainly Zopfiella spp., and the fungi of the orders Pezizales, Microascales, Hypocreales, Pleosporales, Chaetothyriales, Onygenales, and Eurotiales had the representation at the level of several percents. The increase in the portion of Chytridiomycota in the community (from 1.1 to 3.2%) was observed during vermicomposting. At the same time, the representation of fungi of Mortierellomycota (5.7 to 1.5%) of genus Mortierella and Basidiomycota (from 8 and 21 to 3%) decreased with an increase in their diversity. Among basidiomycetes, Coprinellus marculentus, Coprinellus subdisseminatus, Coprinus annuloporus, and Occultifur sp. prevailed. According to the plating method, ascomycetes also prevailed during waste processing and in the vermicompost, but it was other species: Diplodascus geotrichum; genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, Talaromyces, Trichoderma, and Fusarium; mucoromycetes of the genus Mucor; and basidiomycetes (Filobasidium wieringae). Fungi capable of the decomposition of various polymer compounds in waste, active destructors of lignocellulose, have been identified. Coprophiles, keratinophiles, and thermophilic and thermotolerant species, representatives of the genera Trichoderma and Penicillium, capable of determining the suppressive properties of vermicompost to phytopathogens and human pathogens, have been found. The differences in mycobiota during the composting and vermicomposting of various wastes are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of alkali-resistant fungi has been carried out for the first time on the coast of saline lakes in the south of the Trans-Baikal region on the territory of the Daursky Biosphere Reserve (lakes Zun-Torey and Khangei). The changes in the structure of the community of alkali-resistant ascomycetes depend on local conditions. The coast of Khangei is devoid of halophites, but has a high content of Artemia eggs and is characterized by the absolute dominance of the alkaliphilic ascomycete Sodiomyces alkalinus (100% occurrence) and Emericellopsis alkalina (80%), with a minimum diversity of other fungi. S. alkalinus predominates (100%) on the coast of Lake Zun-Torey in damp places without plants. Dark-colored fungi from Dothideomycetes (Alternaria, Neocamarosporium, etc.) predominate in the alkaline soil samples of this lake not far from the halophites; the occurrence of E. alkalina is 60% and S. alkalinus is not found here, but high occurrence is shown for the other species of Plectosphaerellaceae (Chordomyces and Gibellulopsis). The distribution, substrate preferences, and functional roles of alkaliphilic and alkalitolerant fungi in extreme natural habitats with soda salinity are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased nitrogen deposition (N factor) and changes in precipitation patterns (W factor) can greatly impact soil microbial communities in tropical/subtropical forests. Although knowledge about the effects of a single factor on soil microbial communities is growing rapidly, little is understood about the interactive effects of these two environmental change factors. In this study, we investigated the responses of soil bacterial and fungal communities to the short-term simulated environmental changes (nitrogen addition, precipitation seasonality change, and their combination) in a subtropical forest in South China. The interaction between N and W factors was detected significant for affecting some soil physicochemical properties (such as pH, soil water, and NO3- contents). Fungi were more susceptible to treatment than bacteria in a variety of community traits (alpha, beta diversity, and network topological features). The N and W factors act antagonistically to affect fungal alpha diversity, and the interaction effect was detected significant for the dry season. The topological features of the meta-community (containing both bacteria and fungi) network overrode the alpha and beta diversity of bacterial or fungal communities in explaining the variation of soil enzyme activities. The associations between Ascomycota fungi and Gammaproteobacteria or Alphaproteobacteria might be important in mediating the inter-kingdom interactions. In summary, our results suggested that fungal communities were more sensitive to N and W factors (and their interaction) than bacterial communities, and the treatments' effects were more prominent in the dry season, which may have great consequences in soil processes and ecosystem functions in subtropical forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavoplaca flavocitrina and Pachypeltis phoenicopta are reported as new to Pakistan. The genus Pachypeltis is the first report for Pakistan. The descriptions for both species based on the taxonomic examinations of the Pakistan's specimens are provided along with ITS-based phylogenetic analysis and notes on ecology and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbes contribute to the organic matter decomposition (OMD) in river ecosystems. This study considers two aspects of OMD in river ecosystems which have not been examined in scientific studies previously, and these are the microbial interactions in OMD and the influence of environmental factors on microbial interactions. Cotton strip (CS), as a substitute for organic matter, was introduced to Luanhe River Basin in China. The results of CS assay, microbial sequencing, and redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that CS selectively enriched bacterial and fungal groups related to cellulose decomposition, achieving cotton strip decomposition (CSD). Bacterial phylum Proteobacteria and fungal phyla Rozellomycota and Ascomycota were the dominant groups associated with CSD. Network analysis and Mantel test results indicated that bacteria and fungi on CS cooperatively formed an interaction network to achieve the CSD. In the network, modules 2 and 4 were significantly positively associated with CSD, which were considered as the key modules in this study. The key modules were mainly composed of phyla Proteobacteria and Ascomycota, indicating that microbes in key modules were the effective decomposers of CS. Although keystone taxa were not directly associated with CSD, they may regulate the genera in key modules to achieve the CSD, since some keystone taxa were linked with the microbial genera associated with CSD in the key modules. Total nitrogen (TN) and temperature in water were the dominant environmental factors positively influenced CSD. The key modules 2 and 4 were positively influenced by water temperature and TN in water, respectively, and two keystone taxa were positively associated with TN. This profoundly revealed that water temperature and TN influenced the OMD through acting on the keystone taxa and key modules in microbial interactions. The research findings help us to understand the microbial interactions influenced by environmental factors in OMD in river ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of antibiotic and chitinolytic activity in actinomycetes isolated from soddy-podzolic soil (Albic Retisol (Loamic)) was carried out in Moscow region (56°07′15″ N, 37°30′54″ E). Isolated strains were classified as Streptomyces avidinii INA 01467 and Micromonospora aurantiaca INA 01468 on the basis of cultural and morphological features and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. Evaluation of the antibiotic activity of isolated actinomycete cultures showed that the strains exhibit both antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria and antifungal activity against the collection strains of fungi Sac. cerevisiae INA 01042, C. albicans ATCC 14053, and F. oxysporum VKPM F-148. The ability to synthesize antifungal compounds increased when growing on a medium with chitin by the Streptomyces avidinii INA 01467 strain, including the phytopathogenic Fusarium oxysporum VKPM F-148 strain. Using the Real-Time PCR (Real-Time-PCR) method, the presence of functional genes shitA, responsible for the synthesis of group A chitinase enzymes, was found in the studied bacterial strains of Streptomyces and Micromonospora. The largest amount of the gene was found in the strain Streptomyces avidinii INA 01467, when growing on chitin, and reaches about 15 × 103 copies per mL. The results demonstrated the presence of chitinase and antibiotic activity in the studied strains, including the activity against phytopathogenic fungi, and this allows using these strains in plant protection technologies and soil bioremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuber wenchuanense ascomata (Ascomycota, Pezizales), a species originally described from Sichuan (China), were found in the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland. The purpose of this work was to (i) report and assess the first case of the holarctic natural distribution of a Tuber species, (ii) amend the original description of the species, (iii) summarize data on its host plants and (iv) describe its ectomycorrhiza. Specimens of Tuber wenchuanense from the Tatra Mountains were studied morphologically and molecularly. The ectomycorrhiza of this truffle with Picea abies was described for the first time. The distribution of T. wenchuanense, which is reconstructed based on sequences deposited in the publicly available nucleotide sequence databases, makes it the first holarctic Tuber species and the one with the northernmost habitat. In fact, its habitat is confined mainly to mountain coniferous forests and alpine and arctic tundra; although, according to known observations, the fruiting bodies of T. wenchuanense can be produced only under conifers. Based on the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer, this species appears to have low genetic variability over the entire distribution range. The phylogenetic tree showed that some of the unidentified phylotypes from the Rufum clade found by other researchers belong to T. wenchuanense. The ecological implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dark septate endophytes (DSE) are pigmented fungi that colonize plant roots. They represent a morpho-functional status composed of many species belonging to the phylum Ascomycota, distributed in different orders. The order Chaetothyriales has representatives with diverse lifestyles, among which the rock-inhabiting one has been proposed to be the ancestral ecological character state. However, all taxa have the phenotypic characteristic of being highly melanized. This trait has been considered relevant in most Chaetothyriales because it allows them to tolerate extreme or toxic environmental conditions. In the present study, aiming to reconstruct the evolutionary history of this order, we analyzed the contribution of the DSE habit to the diversification of the Chaetothyriales. We also report the distribution of the DSE habit among the main families and/or clades within the order. Our results suggest that DSE had a key position in the evolution of the order Chaetothyriales, both as an ancestral ecological character and as a character from which other specialized forms such as Domatium probably derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser-assisted bioprinting of microbial cells by hydrogel microdroplets is a rapidly developing and promising field that can contribute to solving a number of issues in microbiology and biotechnology. To date, most research on the use of laser bioprinting for microorganism manipulation and sorting has focused on prokaryotes; the bioprinting of eukaryotic microorganisms is much less understood. The use of hydrogel allows solving two fundamental problems: creating comfortable environments for living microorganisms and imparting the necessary rheological properties of the gel for the stable transfer of microdroplets of a preset size. Two main problems were solved in this article. First, the parameters of the hydrogel based on hyaluronic acid and laser fluence to ensure stable transfer of single drops are selected. Second, possible differences in the bioprinting by hyaluronic acid hydrogel microdroplets with yeasts of various taxonomy (Ascomycota vs Basidiomycota), which form and do not form polysaccharide capsules and evaluated. We have performed laser induced forward transfer of 8 yeast species (Goffeauzyma gilvescens, Lipomyces lipofer, Lipomyces starkey, Pichia manshurica, Saitozyma podzolica, Schwanniomyces occidentalis var. occidentalis, Sterigmatosporidium polymorphum, Vanrija humicola) and assessed its viability based on colony formation on the nutrient medium. It is shown that after laser-induced transfer in hydrogel microdroplets the mean viability rate was 77% with some strains showing relatively high viability rates exceeding 90%. Effect of capsules presence on colony formation after laser bioprinting was not revealed. Differences in laser transfer of the yeast of various phyla were found—basidiomycetes formed a greater number of colonies than ascomycetes. The causes and mechanisms of these effects require detailed studies. The data obtained contributes to the knowledge about the bioprinting of eukaryotic microorganisms and can be useful in the studies of single microbial cells and inter-organism interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest vegetation is key for buffering microclimatic factors and regulating atmospheric deposition. Epiphytic lichens are sensitive to these factors and can indicate the overall health status of the ecosystem. Specifically, the analysis of morpho-anatomical variations allows us to understand the degree of tolerance or sensitivity of these organisms exposed to agricultural crops and how vegetation might buffer this response. We analyzed variations in vegetative and reproductive characters and injuries in thalli of Parmotrema pilosum as a response to distance to crops and forest cover. The study was conducted in forest patches of the Espinal in central Argentina, an ecosystem threatened by agricultural activity. We selected 10 sites with different forest cover areas and two collection points differing in distance to crops: sites adjacent to (0 m) and far from (150 m) crops. We collected five thalli from each collection point and analyzed variations in morpho-anatomical characters at macro- and microscopic levels. We found a lower number of algae and a higher proportion of simple cilia in individuals at points adjacent to crops. At points with low forest cover, a thinner upper cortex was observed, whereas at points with greater forest cover, an increase of necrosis and greater presence of apothecia were detected. Bleaching was the most frequent injury at sites adjacent to crops, decreasing with increasing forest cover. Conservation and reforestation of Espinal forest patches would promote the propagation of lichens affected by agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoviruses are widely distributed across the kingdom Fungi, including ascomycetous yeast strains of the class Saccharomycetes. Geotrichum candidum is an important fungal pathogen belonging to Saccharomycetes and has a diverse host range. Here, we report the characterization of four new classical totiviruses from two distinct Geotrichum candidum strains from Pakistan. The four identified viruses were tentatively named "Geotrichum candidum totivirus 1, 2, 3a, and 3b" (GcTV1-3b). The complete dsRNA genomes of the identified totiviruses are 4621, 4592, 4576, and 4576 bp in length, respectively. All totivirus genomes have two open reading frames, encoding a capsid protein (CP) and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), respectively. The downstream RdRP domain is assumed to be expressed as a CP-RdRP fusion product via -1 frameshifting mediated by a heptameric slippery site. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis showed that each of the discovered viruses belongs to a new species of the genus Totivirus in the family Totiviridae, with GcTV1 and GcTV3 (a and b strains) clustering in one subgroup and GcTV2 in another subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diploschistes viridis sp. nov. is described from the Himalayan moist temperate forest, Pakistan. ITS sequences confirm its position within the genus Diploschistes and, together with its morphology and chemistry, suggest that it is distinct from other species of this genus. The taxon is characterized by the light green to greenish gray epruinose thallus, small apothecia 0.2‒0.5 mm wide, small areoles 0.4‒0.7 mm, hymenium 140‒165 µm high, 3‒4 transverse and 1‒3 longitudinal septa in large ascospores 28‒40 × 18‒26 µm; it also differs from related species in the ITS region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myriodontium keratinophilum Samson & Polon. (Ascomycota: Myriodontium) is a fungus reported on penis of a bull, soil, hair of cats and shrewmouse but has not yet been documented as being entomopathogenic against other common pests. Chemical pesticides are still used today with many pest management that spreads rapidly in large areas in the forest and agriculture. During April to June of nymphs of G. gryllotalpha were collected with digging the tobacco seedlings at a town east of Trabzon, Turkey. As a result of first morphological and then molecular studies, it was determined that the isolated fungal strain from cadaver was M. keratinophilum. Bioassay studies of the obtained fungal isolate were carried out against eight different pests including Agriotes lineatus L. (Coleoptera: Elateridae), Corythucha arcuata Say. (Hemipterera: Tingidae), Corythucha ciliata Say. (Hemipterera: Tingidae), Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. (Coleoptera: Crysomelidae), Agelastica alni L. (Coleoptera: Crysomelidae), Lobesia botrana Denis. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Tanymecus dilaticollis Gyll., (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Hyphantria cunea Drury. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). Bioassay results for 1 × 107 conidia mL–1 concentration of M. keratinophilum strain against selected pests were determined between 100 and 53% rate within 15 days post inoculation under laboratory conditions. These results revealed that M. keratinophilum was classified as an entomopathogenic fungus, as well as its potential to be used as a biological control agent with its high mortality rates against various pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species in the genus Acarospora (Acarosporaceae, lichenized ascomycetes), from Darel Valley, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, is described and illustrated here under the name Acarospora pakistanica. It is characterized by thicker epihymenium 30–60 µm, taller hymenium 100–150 µm, and larger ascospores 5–7 × 1–3 μm. A detailed description of this taxon is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species in the genus Acarospora (Acarosporaceae, lichenized ascomycetes), from Darel Valley, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, is described and illustrated here under the name Acarospora sultanii. It is characterized by brown to blackish white thallus, thicker epihymenium 40–60 µm, taller hymenium 120–160 µm, and larger ascospores 15–25 × 5–9 µm. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS-nrDNA sequencing placed our species relative to A. nodulosa. Descriptions and images of the new species are provided, as well as a key for Pakistani species of Acarospora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a number of specimens of the genus Gyalolechia were collected from different areas of Pakistan and characterized using morpho-anatomical and molecular techniques. The present work revealed that collected specimens belong to two species of genus Gyalolechia i.e. G. fulgens and G. fulgida which are additions to the lichens of Pakistan. Complete morpho-anatomical descriptions, ecology and distribution, along with ITS-based molecular analysis are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut mycobiota has never been studied either during pregnancy or in patients with gestational diabetes (GDM). This study aimed to analyze the fecal mycobiota of GDM patients during the second (T2) and third (T3) trimester of pregnancy and to compare it with the mycobiota of pregnant normoglycemic women (controls). Forty-one GDM patients and 121 normoglycemic women were studied. GDM mycobiota was composed almost exclusively by the Ascomycota phylum; Basidiomicota accounted for 43% of the relative frequency of the controls. Kluyveromyces (p < 0.001), Metschnikowia (p < 0.001), and Pichia (p < 0.001) showed a significantly higher frequency in GDM patients, while Saccharomyces (p = 0.019), were more prevalent in controls. From T2 to T3, a reduction in fungal alpha diversity was found in GDM patients, with an increase of the relative frequency of Candida, and the reduction of some pro-inflammatory taxa. Many associations between fungi and foods and nutrients were detected. Finally, several fungi and bacteria showed competition or co-occurrence. Patients with GDM showed a predominance of fungal taxa with potential inflammatory effects when compared to normoglycemic pregnant women, with a marked shift in their mycobiota during pregnancy, and complex bacteria-fungi interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance to penicillin by Staphylococcus aureus gave rise to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and the emergence of vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) that was reported later. Finding an alternative antimicrobial in the treatment of Staphylococcal infections is the need of the hour. In this context, secondary metabolites of both the fruiting body and mycelia of wood-rotting fungi Xylaria longipes were evaluated for anti-MRSA activity. Thin layer chromatographic (TLC) separation and bioautography of the acetone extract revealed a strong anti-MRSA activity at Rf = 0.69 ± 0.28. The bioactive anti-MRSA compound was partially characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The analysis suggested anti-MRSA activity could be due to integric acid, eremoxylarin C, or a related compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) is an important vector of arboviruses in the tropics and subtropics. New control strategies based on natural enemies such as entomopathogenic fungi are of utmost importance, and the present study reports the first isolation of Clonostachys spp. (Hypocreales: Bionectriaceae) from mosquitoes and their activity against A. aegypti. Entomopathogenic fungi were surveyed in central Brazil using A. aegypti larvae as sentinels and, also, a CDC light trap. Clonostachys eriocamporesii R.H. Perera & K.D. Hyde, 2020 (IP 440) and Clonostachys byssicola Schroers, 2001 (IP 461) were identified by sequence analysis of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer gene, and tested against eggs, larvae, and adults. Both strains were highly active against A. aegypti third instar larvae, with mortalities ≥ 80% at 107 conidia/mL after 5 days but distinctly less active against eggs and adults. This is the first report of both C. eriocamporesii and C. byssicola as naturally occurring pathogens affecting mosquitoes, and IP 440 appears to be a promising control agent against aquatic stages of A. aegypti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a devastating pest of maize, difficult to manage using a single pest management tactic. The entomopathogenic fungus (EPF), Metarhizium anisopliae being an eco-friendly component, could be an effective tool for managing this notorious pest owing to its preferred habitat, principally the whorl region. Results: Metarhizium anisopliae (TNAU-MA-GDU) isolated from FAW was evaluated against 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda reared under laboratory conditions. The pathogenicity and infection process were also studied through scanning electron microscope (SEM). The LC50 value for M. anisopliae isolate TNAU-MA-GDU was recorded as 5.8 × 104 spores ml−1 against the second instar larvae of S. frugiperda. SEM observations on the infection process revealed the adherence of the conidia on the head, cuticular ornamentations of the thorax, sensory seta, and legs at 24 h post-infection (hpi). Formation of germ tube and appressoria was observed from 48 hpi with subsequent hyphal development at 72 hpi. Complete networking of mycelium and conidiogenesis observed after 168 hpi. Conclusion: An understanding of fungal–host interactions at the ultramicroscopic levels could reform present tactics for developing hyper-virulent EPF strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Truffle cultivation has drawn more and more attention for its high economic and ecological values in the world. To select symbionts suitable for cultivation purposes, we conducted greenhouse-based mycorrhization trials of two Tuber species (T. formosanum and T. pseudohimalayense) with five broad-leaved tree species (Corylus yunnanensis, Quercus aliena var. acutiserrata, Q. acutissima, Q. robur, Q. variabilis) and one conifer species (Pinus armandii). Axenically germinated seedlings of all tree species were either inoculated, or not, with spore suspensions of these two truffles in the greenhouse. Eight months after inoculation, T. formosanum or T. pseudohimalayense ectomycorrhizae were successfully formed on these six tree species, as evidenced by both morphological and molecular analyses. All selected trees showed good receptivity to mycorrhization by both fungi, with average colonization rates visually estimated at 40–50%. Plant growth, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake were assessed 2 years after inoculation and were mainly affected by host species. Mycorrhization by both fungi significantly improved P uptake of the hosts, and the interaction between truffle species and host plant species had significant effects on leaf water and leaf K concentrations. In addition, a significantly negative correlation between leaf Ca and leaf C concentration was found across all the seedlings. In addition, mycorrhization had slightly increased plant stem and canopy, but had no significant effects on plant photosynthesis. Overall, these results suggest that the effects of these two Tuber ECMF on plant growth and nutrient acquisition depend on the identity of the host species. Moreover, all selected plant species could be symbiotic partners with either T. pseudohimalayense or T. formosanum for field cultivation purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three different fungi were tested for their ability to degrade 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid and for the role of laccases and cytochromes P450-type in this process. We studied a white-rot fungus Rigidoporus sp. FMD21, which has a high laccase activity, for its efficiency to degrade these herbicides. A positive correlation was found between its laccase activity and the corresponding herbicide degradation rate. Even more, the doubling of the enzyme activity in this phase corresponded with a doubling of the herbicide degradation rate. It is, therefore, tempting to speculate that laccase is the most dominant enzyme in the degradation of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T under these conditions. In addition, it was shown that Rigidoporus sp. FMD21 partly relies on cytochromes P450-type for the breakdown of the herbicides as well. Two filamentous fungi were isolated from soil contaminated with herbicides and dioxins located at Bien Hoa airbase. They belong to genera Fusarium and Verticillium of the phylum Ascomycota as judged by their 18S rRNA gene sequences. Both isolated fungi were able to degrade the herbicides but with different rates. Their laccase activity, however, was very low and did not correlate with the rate of breakdown of the herbicides. These data indicate that the white-rot fungus most likely synthesizes laccase and cytochromes P450-type for the breakdown of the herbicides, while the types of enzyme used for the breakdown of the herbicides by the two Ascomycota remain unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungal communities provide the nutrients and drive the cycles of elements in nature, and the rare fungal taxa are proved to be crucial for these communities in many environments. However, the ecological functions of rare taxa for the fungal communities in mangrove ecosystems are poorly assessed until now. This work aims to reveal the importance of rare taxa for the assembly of fungal communities in mangrove sediments by using the amplicon sequencing analysis of different spatiotemporal samples collected from Sanya mangroves, China. The results showed that Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant phyla in the conditionally rare taxa (CRT). The fungal communities possessed outstanding stability against the spatiotemporal variation and most collected environmental factors. The CRT possessed narrower niches and were more affected by the environmental variables than the abundant taxa. The current work demonstrated that the CRT had significantly higher relative abundances, degrees (the number of adjacent edges), clustering coefficients, and closeness centralities in the top 8 modules of the co-occurrence network (p < 0.05), indicating the important role of the CRT for the interaction of fungal communities in mangrove sediments. These findings indicate the importance of the CRT for the fungal community structures in mangrove sediments, and would deepen our understanding of dynamic functions of mangrove fungi, thereby facilitating the management, utilization, and protection of mangrove ecosystems. Key points: • Fungal communities in mangrove sediments are stable against environment variations. • The conditionally rare taxa (CRT) possessed narrower niches than the abundant fungal taxa. • The CRT are central for the co-occurrence network and interaction of fungal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collected solonchaks samples of 5 subtypes and 13 genera from Gansu Province in China and analyzed the diversity of fungal communities with the methods of ITS sequencing. We found that ACE, Chao 1, Simpson and Shannon indices of the fungal community varied significantly in soil samples and were generally inversely correlated with pH. The dominant fungal groups were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota among the different solonchaks. Redundancy analysis revealed that soil organic matters was the most important driving force for fungal composition (29.9%), and the second most influencing factor was sulfate ion (9.1%). Our results suggest that Ascomycota was the main indicator phylum reflecting changes of the microbial groups and soil organic matter as a key factor drove the composition of fungal community in 5 subtypes and 13 genera of solonchaks in Gansu Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytes that live with plants in a mutualistic symbiosis can be promising biological agents to improve biotic resistance. In this study, 157 endophytic fungi isolates were obtained from from root, stem, and leaf segments of E. japonicus, and they were grouped into 2 phyla, 4 classes, 9 orders, and 26 genera based on characterization of morphological features and variances of ITS1, ITS2, and 5.8 s nrDNA sequences, the Genbank accession numbers of 79 representative endophytic fungi were from MT919117 to MT919195. Of 157 islotates, Ascomycota (99.4%), Sordariomycete (64.3%), Hypocreales (26.8%), and Colletotrichum (14.7%) were the most abundant phylum, class, order, and genus, respectively. The isolation frequency, Species richness(S), Shannon index of diversity (H') was significantly higher in root than in stem and leaf. Among them, 15 strains exhibited various levels of antagonicstic abilities against two major pathogens, Colletotrichum gloeosporoides and Neopestalotiopsis foedans of E. japonicus, and three others of Botrytis cinerea, Phomopsis sp. and Botryosphaeria dothidea. The isolate ER15, which was classified as Trichoderma sp., exhibited the strongest level of antifungal effect with up to 70% of growth inhibition against these six pathogens in a dual culture assay. These results suggest that ER15 could have potential applications in Anthracnose and branch blight control of E. japonicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of comprehensive study of lichen diversity of northern areas of Pakistan using molecular and morphological approaches, we found four species of the family Graphidaceae. The phylogenetic analysis revealed two new records in the lichen biota of Pakistan namely, Diploschistes candidissimus and Xalocoaocellata while D. scruposus and D. muscorum are new records for state Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Brief descriptions and phylogenetic analyses of the taxa are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teloschistaceae is one of the largest lichen-forming fungal lineages, with more than one thousand species worldwide distributed, including areas with extreme environmental conditions, such as Antarctica. Two species of this family, Austroplaca hookeri and Rusavskia elegans were investigated with molecular, morphological, and anatomical data to understand their diversity patterns in maritime Antarctica. These species can be confounded in a superficial identification due to their apparent similarities in color, shape, size, and dispersal mode (spores). Sampling area included the King George Island (South Shetland Islands), James Ross Island, and the Antarctica Peninsula. New nuITS sequences revealed low divergence in A. hookeri (haplotypes with a maximum divergence of 0.8%) and high phylogenetic diversity in R. elegans (haplotypes with up to 5.5% of divergence distributed in three different lineages). The same pattern was found examining the morphological and anatomical features, with phenotypic uniformity in A. hookeri and several variations among the R. elegans specimens (such as the presence and location of the isidioid structures, the margin of the hymenial disc, and the parahimenial tissue thickness). The phenotypic variability found in R. elegans is not linked to the different nuITS lineages or to the geographic origin of the specimens analyzed. These patterns probably reflect the unique evolutionary history of each species and their different pathways in the colonization of Antarctica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penicillium section Charlesia was established based on a multigene phylogeny of P. charlesii, P. coffeae, P. fellutanum, P. georgiense, P. indicum and P. phoeniceum. Since then, three additional species were described in the section. Species can occur on a wide range of substrata including soil, corn, coffee, water, air, deteriorating cloth and clinical samples. The majority of species in section Charlesia grow restricted on Czapek yeast extract agar and produce smooth-walled, vesiculate, monoverticillate conidiophores. A limited number of studies have reviewed the taxonomy of this section. In the present study, available strains belonging to section Charlesia were evaluated in a multilocus phylogenetic analysis using the ITS rDNA region, partial β-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) sequences. This analysis revealed 12 distinct species, including three that are newly described here as Penicillium aspericonidium, P. fusiforme and P. longiconidiophorum. The macromorphology on different media, vesicle width, stipe length and ornamentation, and conidial shape and size are important morphological characters for distinguishing species of section Charlesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal biotechnology is set to play a keystone role in the emerging bioeconomy, notably to address pollution issues arising from human activities. Because they preserve biological diversity, Biological Resource Centres are considered as critical infrastructures to support the development of biotechnological solutions. Here, we report the first large-scale phenotyping of more than 1,000 fungal strains with evaluation of their growth and degradation potential towards five industrial, human-designed and recalcitrant compounds, including two synthetic dyes, two lignocellulose-derived compounds and a synthetic plastic polymer. We draw a functional map over the phylogenetic diversity of Basidiomycota and Ascomycota, to guide the selection of fungal taxa to be tested for dedicated biotechnological applications. We evidence a functional diversity at all taxonomic ranks, including between strains of a same species. Beyond demonstrating the tremendous potential of filamentous fungi, our results pave the avenue for further functional exploration to solve the ever-growing issue of ecosystems pollution. Navarro et al. present a culture-based approach to the degradation of industrial products and by-products by assessing >1,000 fungal strains. Using growth-assay-screening and a large sample of fungal phenotypes, they explore the functional differences across strains and species to demonstrate the potential of filamentous fungi in breaking down dyes and industrial by-products with lignocellulose and plastic bases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of lichen photobionts is not fully known. We studied here the diversity of the photobionts associated with Cladonia, a sub-cosmopolitan genus ecologically important, whose photobionts belong to the green algae genus Asterochloris. The genetic diversity of Asterochloris was screened by using the ITS rDNA and actin type I regions in 223 specimens and 135 species of Cladonia collected all over the world. These data, added to those available in GenBank, were compiled in a dataset of altogether 545 Asterochloris sequences occurring in 172 species of Cladonia. A high diversity of Asterochloris associated with Cladonia was found. The commonest photobiont lineages associated with this genus are A. glomerata, A. italiana, and A. mediterranea. Analyses of partitioned variation were carried out in order to elucidate the relative influence on the photobiont genetic variation of the following factors: mycobiont identity, geographic distribution, climate, and mycobiont phylogeny. The mycobiont identity and climate were found to be the main drivers for the genetic variation of Asterochloris. The geographical distribution of the different Asterochloris lineages was described. Some lineages showed a clear dominance in one or several climatic regions. In addition, the specificity and the selectivity were studied for 18 species of Cladonia. Potentially specialist and generalist species of Cladonia were identified. A correlation was found between the sexual reproduction frequency of the host and the frequency of certain Asterochloris OTUs. Some Asterochloris lineages co-occur with higher frequency than randomly expected in the Cladonia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earth tongue Leucoglossum leucosporum represents a small genus of the family Geoglossaceae (Ascomycota). The genus Leucoglossum includes only two species, which have been studied poorly due to its uncommon occurence and very scanty herbarium material. Both species have limited distribution, namely L. leucosporum in Europe and L. durandii in Asia. During research in geoglossoid fungi of Central Europe we recorded L. leucosporum in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia with reports from the Czech Republic and Slovakia representing the first record of this fungus from those countries. Most of the collections (four) were obtained from Slovakia, with only one occurence each in the Czech Republic and Germany. A map of species distribution includes the recent findings. Leucoglossum leucosporum is characterised by setae both in hymenium and on the stipe in combination with relatively short hyaline ascospores. Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of studied collections are described and compared with previous reports to analyze morphological variability of the species. Unusual occurrence of long brown ascospores mentioned in previous study is discussed and supposed as probably accidental. The cave as a new habitat type for L. leucosporum in addition to meadow, pasture and forest road border is revealed. Affinity to substrates evolved on basic bedrock is considered. A phylogenetic reconstruction based on a combined data set of nrITS1–5.8 S–ITS2 and nrLSU confirmed separate position of the genus. Despite the presence of setae, the genus Leucoglossum is more closely related to Geoglossum rather than Trichoglossum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonies of piscivorous birds nesting in forests bring in loads of allochthonous material in amounts significantly exceeding atmospheric depositions, eventually causing major ecosystem changes. We studied the effect of increasing ornithogenic impact on ectomycorrhizal (EMF) and other root-associated fungi in a Scots pine forest affected by a colony of great cormorants. We evaluated quantitative data of ectomycorrhiza (numbers of root tips and morphotypes) and identified fungal species from pine root tips and from sporocarps collected in three designated study zones: D (zone of active nesting), E (colony margin), and G (pristine forest). Species-bearing sporocarps were absent in zone D, and their number steadily decreased in zone E and was significantly lower than in zone G. Species communities and occurrence frequencies of individual species differed significantly between the zones. Environmental factors, both directly (nutrient addition) and indirectly (changes in vegetation cover), associated with bird activity have significantly influenced fungal communities. We hypothesize that the first signs of increased avian impact on root-associated fungi are the reduced diversity of sporocarps and the low presence and diversity of boletoid fungi in root tips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]