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Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) form symbiotic relationship with the roots of host plants. EMF communities are composed of highly diverse species; however, how they are assembled has been a long-standing question. In this study, we investigated from a phylogenetic perspective how EMF communities assemble on Pinus densiflora seedlings at different spatial scales (i.e., seedling scale and root tip scale). P. densiflora seedlings were collected from different habitats (i.e., disturbed areas and mature forests), and their EMF communities were investigated by morphotype sequencing and next-generation sequencing (NGS). To infer assembly mechanisms, phylogenetic relatedness within the community (i.e., phylogenetic structure) was estimated and spatial distribution of EMF root tips was analyzed. The EMF communities on pine seedlings were largely different between the two habitats. Phylogenetically restricted lineages (Amphinema, /suillus-rhizopogon) were abundant in the disturbed areas, whereas species from diverse lineages were abundant in the mature forests (Russula, Sebacina, /tomentella-thelephora, etc.). In the disturbed areas, phylogenetically similar EMF species were aggregated at the seedling scale, suggesting that disturbance acts as a powerful abiotic filter. However, phylogenetically similar species were spatially segregated from each other at the root tip scale, indicating limiting similarity. In the mature forest seedlings, no distinct phylogenetic signals were detected at both seedling and root tip scale. Collectively, our results suggest that limiting similarity may be an important assembly mechanism at the root tip scale and that assembly mechanisms can vary across habitats and spatial scales.

This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-021-00493-7. Fungi are highly important biotic components of terrestrial ecosystems, but we still have a very limited understanding about their diversity and distribution. This data article releases a global soil fungal dataset of the Global Soil Mycobiome consortium (GSMc) to boost further research in fungal diversity, biogeography and macroecology. The dataset comprises 722,682 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) derived from PacBio sequencing of full-length ITS and 18S-V9 variable regions from 3200 plots in 108 countries on all continents. The plots are supplied with geographical and edaphic metadata. The OTUs are taxonomically and functionally assigned to guilds and other functional groups. The entire dataset has been corrected by excluding chimeras, index-switch artefacts and potential contamination. The dataset is more inclusive in terms of geographical breadth and phylogenetic diversity of fungi than previously published data. The GSMc dataset is available over the PlutoF repository.

Species of Ceriporia (Irpicaceae, Basidiomycota) are saprotrophs or endophytes in forest ecosystems. To evaluate the taxonomy and generic relationships of Ceriporia and other related taxa, we used ...

Collybiopsis is a genus of the gymnopoid/marasmioid complex of the family Omphalotaceae. The classification system of Collybiopsis has recently undergone large changes through molecular approaches. The new classification system has not been applied for Collybiopsis in the Republic of Korea, and general research on this genus was also lacking. In this study, we analyzed the Collybiopsis species in the Republic of Korea by assessing all gymnopoid/marasmioid specimens collected nationwide for ten years by combining morphological approaches and multilocus (ITS + nrLSU) phylogenetic analysis. We thus confirmed that 16 species of Collybiopsis are present in the Republic of Korea, including two previously unreported species (Co. nonnulla and Co. dichroa) and seven new species (Co. albicantipessp. nov., Co. clavicystidiatasp. nov., Co. fulvasp. nov., Co. orientisubnudasp. nov., Co. subumbilicatasp. nov., Co. undulatasp. nov., and Co. vellereasp. nov.). A thorough examination of the Collybiopsis suggested that it is difficult to distinguish or identify the species based on morphological characteristics only; a combined molecular approach is needed for accurate identification. The Collybiopsis database of the Republic of Korea is updated, and information on the new species is provided. Five new combinations from Marasmiellus to Collybiopsis are also proposed (Co. istanbulensiscomb. nov., Co. koreanacomb. nov., Co. omphalodescomb. nov., Co. pseudomphalodescomb. nov., and Co. ramuliciolacomb. nov.).

Species of Arthrinium are well-known plant pathogens, endophytes, or saprobes found in various terrestrial habitats. Although several species have been isolated from marine environments and their remarkable biological activities have been reported, marine Arthrinium species remain poorly understood. In this study, the diversity of this group was evaluated based on material from Korea, using morphological characterization and molecular analyses with the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, β-tubulin (TUB), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF). A total of 41 Arthrinium strains were isolated from eight coastal sites which represented 14 species. Eight of these are described as new to science with detailed descriptions.

The Basidiomycota constitutes a major phylum of the kingdom Fungi and is second in species numbers to the Ascomycota. The present work provides an overview of all validly published, currently used basidiomycete genera to date in a single document. An outline of all genera of Basidiomycota is provided, which includes 1928 currently used genera names, with 1263 synonyms, which are distributed in 241 families, 68 orders, 18 classes and four subphyla. We provide brief notes for each accepted genus including information on classification, number of accepted species, type species, life mode, habitat, distribution, and sequence information. Furthermore, three phylogenetic analyses with combined LSU, SSU, 5.8s, rpb1, rpb2, and ef1 datasets for the subphyla Agaricomycotina, Pucciniomycotina and Ustilaginomycotina are conducted, respectively. Divergence time estimates are provided to the family level with 632 species from 62 orders, 168 families and 605 genera. Our study indicates that the divergence times of the subphyla in Basidiomycota are 406–430 Mya, classes are 211–383 Mya, and orders are 99–323 Mya, which are largely consistent with previous studies. In this study, all phylogenetically supported families were dated, with the families of Agaricomycotina diverging from 27–178 Mya, Pucciniomycotina from 85–222 Mya, and Ustilaginomycotina from 79–177 Mya. Divergence times as additional criterion in ranking provide additional evidence to resolve taxonomic problems in the Basidiomycota taxonomic system, and also provide a better understanding of their phylogeny and evolution.

Since 2007, the quality of Russula descriptions has improved and the use of molecular support for species delimitation and the number of published new species has increased. However, the description style is not consistent and has regional or author-specific patterns. Most recent publications still favour descriptions of spores compared to hymenium and pileipellis elements, and usually only the spore size is provided with statistical support. This study proposes standards for descriptions of the microscopic structure of Russula species (Russulaceae, Agaricomycetes). We present the description template, the template measurements table, the specific terminology and the essential chemical reagents. The proposed standards were tested by mycologists from 11 countries who met at the Russula Microscopy Workshop in Slovakia. Descriptions of 26 species from 9 countries and four continents were prepared, among them R. amarissima, R. castanopsidis, R. seperina and R. subtilis are re-described and 15 species are introduced as new: R. abietiphila, R. amerorecondita, R. aurantioflava, R. echidna, R. flavobrunnescens, R. fluvialis, R. fortunae, R. garyensis, R. gemmata, R. laevis, R. madrensis, R. olivaceohimalayensis, R. purpureogracilis, R. sancti-pauli and R. wielangtae. Seven descriptions for candidate new species are provided without a formal name assignment. Pairwise comparison of species described in this study with available similar descriptions of related species suggests that microscopic characters from all parts of the basidiomata can be equally important for species recognition and they deserve the same treatment including number of measurements and statistics. The majority of recent studies does not recognise differences between the pileus margin and centre, but more than one-third of the species described in this study show distinct differences between the pileus areas, emphasizing the importance to specify the origin of pileipellis observations. This study proved that there is frequently insufficient difference in the ITS barcode between closely related species and that it is necessary to use more genetic markers combined with ecological and geographical data. © 2019, School of Science.

The genus Lactarius Pers. (Russulales) is a cosmopolitan group of Basidiomycota that forms ectomycorrhizal relationships primarily with both deciduous and coniferous trees. Although the genus has been well-studied in Europe and North America, only fragmentary researches have been carried out on Asian species. In particular, the distribution of Lactarius species in South Korea is poorly understood due to insufficient morphological descriptions and a lack of DNA sequence data. In addition, the misuse of European and North American names has added to confusion regarding the taxonomy of Asian Lactarius species. In this study, the diversity of Lactarius in South Korea was evaluated by employing both morphological and phylogenetic approaches. A multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of 729 Lactarius specimens collected between 1960 and 2017 was performed using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, partial nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nrLSU), partial second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2), and minichromosome maintenance complex component 7 (mcm7). 49 Lactarius species were identified in three Lactarius subgenera: L. subg. Russularia (17 spp.), L. subg. Lactarius (22 spp.), and L. subg. Plinthogalus (10 spp.). Among them, 28 Lactarius species were identified as new to science, while just 17 were previously described Lactarius species. Four of the taxa remain un-named due to paucity of materials. A key to Korean Lactarius species, molecular phylogenies, a summary of diversity, and detailed description are provided.

This article is the ninth in the series of Fungal Diversity Notes, where 107 taxa distributed in three phyla, nine classes, 31 orders and 57 families are described and illustrated. Taxa described in the present study include 12 new genera, 74 new species, three new combinations, two reference specimens, a re-circumscription of the epitype, and 15 records of sexual-asexual morph connections, new hosts and new geographical distributions. Twelve new genera comprise Brunneofusispora, Brunneomurispora, Liua, Lonicericola, Neoeutypella, Paratrimmatostroma, Parazalerion, Proliferophorum, Pseudoastrosphaeriellopsis, Septomelanconiella, Velebitea and Vicosamyces. Seventy-four new species are Agaricus memnonius, A. langensis, Aleurodiscus patagonicus, Amanita flavoalba, A. subtropicana, Amphisphaeria mangrovei, Baorangia major, Bartalinia kunmingensis, Brunneofusispora sinensis, Brunneomurispora lonicerae, Capronia camelliae-yunnanensis, Clavulina thindii, Coniochaeta simbalensis, Conlarium thailandense, Coprinus trigonosporus, Liua muriformis, Cyphellophora filicis, Cytospora ulmicola, Dacrymyces invisibilis, Dictyocheirospora metroxylonis, Distoseptispora thysanolaenae, Emericellopsis koreana, Galiicola baoshanensis, Hygrocybe lucida, Hypoxylon teeravasati, Hyweljonesia indica, Keissleriella caraganae, Lactarius olivaceopallidus, Lactifluus midnapurensis, Lembosia brigadeirensis, Leptosphaeria urticae, Lonicericola hyaloseptispora, Lophiotrema mucilaginosis, Marasmiellus bicoloripes, Marasmius indojasminodorus, Micropeltis phetchaburiensis, Mucor orantomantidis, Murilentithecium lonicerae, Neobambusicola brunnea, Neoeutypella baoshanensis, Neoroussoella heveae, Neosetophoma lonicerae, Ophiobolus malleolus, Parabambusicola thysanolaenae, Paratrimmatostroma kunmingensis, Parazalerion indica, Penicillium dokdoense, Peroneutypa mangrovei, Phaeosphaeria cycadis, Phanerochaete australosanguinea, Plectosphaerella kunmingensis, Plenodomus artemisiae, P. lijiangensis, Proliferophorum thailandicum, Pseudoastrosphaeriellopsis kaveriana, Pseudohelicomyces menglunicus, Pseudoplagiostoma mangiferae, Robillarda mangiferae, Roussoella elaeicola, Russula choptae, R. uttarakhandia, Septomelanconiella thailandica, Spencermartinsia acericola, Sphaerellopsis isthmospora, Thozetella lithocarpi, Trechispora echinospora, Tremellochaete atlantica, Trichoderma koreanum, T. pinicola, T. rugulosum, Velebitea chrysotexta, Vicosamyces venturisporus, Wojnowiciella kunmingensis and Zopfiella indica. Three new combinations are Baorangia rufomaculata, Lanmaoa pallidorosea and Wojnowiciella rosicola. The reference specimens of Canalisporium kenyense and Tamsiniella labiosa are designated. The epitype of Sarcopeziza sicula is re-circumscribed based on cyto- and histochemical analyses. The sexual-asexual morph connection of Plenodomus sinensis is reported from ferns and Cirsium for the first time. In addition, the new host records and country records are Amanita altipes, A. melleialba, Amarenomyces dactylidis, Chaetosphaeria panamensis, Coniella vitis, Coprinopsis kubickae, Dothiorella sarmentorum, Leptobacillium leptobactrum var. calidus, Muyocopron lithocarpi, Neoroussoella solani, Periconia cortaderiae, Phragmocamarosporium hederae, Sphaerellopsis paraphysata and Sphaeropsis eucalypticola., Rungtiwa Phookamsak thanks CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) for Young Staff 2019–2021 (grant number 2019FY0003), the Research Fund from China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. Y71B283261), the Yunnan Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security (Grant No. Y836181261), and National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) project code 31850410489 for financial research support. Kevin D. Hyde thanks the Foreign Experts Bureau of Yunnan Province, Foreign Talents Program (2018; Grant No. YNZ2018002), Thailand Research grants entitled Biodiversity, phylogeny and role of fungal endophytes on above parts of Rhizophora apiculata and Nypa fruticans (Grant No: RSA5980068), the future of specialist fungi in a changing climate: baseline data for generalist and specialist fungi associated with ants, Rhododendron species and Dracaena species (Grant No: DBG6080013), Impact of climate change on fungal diversity and biogeography in the Greater Mekong Subregion (Grant No: RDG6130001). Jianchu Xu thanks the Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. QYZDY-SSW-SMC014). Peter E Mortimer would like to thank the National Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences for financial support under the following grants: 41761144055, 41771063 and Y4ZK111B01. Olivier Raspé is grateful to the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique-FNRS (Belgium) for travel grants. Samantha C. Karunarathna thanks CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) for funding his postdoctoral research (Grant No. 2018PC0006) and the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC, project code 31750110478). Dhanushaka N. Wanasinghe would like to thank CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) for funding his postdoctoral research (Grant No. 2019PC0008). E.B. Gareth Jones is supported under the Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program (DSFP), King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia., Aniket Ghosh, Kanad Das, Priyanka Uniyal, Rajendra P. Bhatt, Tahir Mehmood, and Upendra Singh are grateful to the Head, Department of Botany & Microbiology & USIC Dept. HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal and thank to the Director, Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata for providing all kinds of facilities during the present study and UGC for providing fellowship to Aniket Ghosh, Priyanka Uniyal and Tahir Mehmood. K. P. Deepna Latha acknowledge the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) in the form of a PhD fellowship (Grant No. 001/FSHP/2011/CSTE) and the Principal Chief Conservator of forests, Kerala State, for granting permission (No. WL10- 4937/2012, dated 03-10-2013) to collect agarics from the forests of Kerala. K. N. Anil Raj thanks the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India, in the form of an award of CSIR Research Associateship (09/043(0178) 2K17 dated: 31/03/2017). Mao-Qiang He and Rui-Lin Zhao thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project ID: 31470152 and 31360014) and the Foundation of Innovative Group of Edible Mushrooms Industry of Beijing (Project ID:BAIC05-2017). Mingkwan Doilom would like to thank the 5th batch of Postdoctoral Orientation Training Personnel in Yunnan Province and the 64th batch of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation., Tatiana Baptista Gibertoni and Renato Lu´cio Mendes Alvarenga acknowledge Dr. Viacheslav Spirin for the taxonomic and morphological advises, CNPq for the Ph.D scholarship of RLMA (140283/ 2016-1), Po´s-Graduac¸a˜o em Biologia de Fungos (UFPE, Brazil), Capes (Capes-SIU 008/13), CNPq (PQ 307601/2015-3) and FACEPE (APQ 0375-2.03/15) for funding the research. Margarita Duen˜as, M. Teresa Telleria and Marı´a P. Martı´n acknowledge financial support from the Agreement ENDESA and San Ignacio de Huinay Foundations and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientı´ficas, CSIC (Projects No. 2011HUIN10, 2013CL0012, 2014CL0011), the AECID (Agencia Espan˜ola de Cooperacio´n Internacional para el Desarrollo) and Plan Nacional I ? D?i project no. CGL2015–67459–P; to Reinhard Fitzek (San Ignacio del Huinay Foundation, Chile) for his invaluable help during fieldwork, and M. Glenn (Seton Hall University, US) for revising the text and Miguel Jerez and Yolanda Ruiz Leo´n for SEM technical assistance. Sandra Nogal-Prata was supported by a Predoctoral Grant from the Ministerio de Economı´a y Competitividad (Spain) (BES-2016-077793). Armin Mesˇic´ and Zdenko Tkalcˇec thank Croatian Science Foundation for their partial support under the project HRZZ-IP-2018-01-1736 (ForFungiDNA) and are grateful to Milan Cˇ erkez for collecting specimens of coprinoid taxa for this study. Hyang Burm Lee was supported by the Graduate Program for the Undiscovered Taxa of Korea, and the Project on Survey and Discovery of Indigenous Fungal Species of Korea funded by NIBR and Project on Discovery of Fungi from Freshwater and Collection of Fungarium funded by NNIBR of the Ministry of Environment (MOE), and in part carried out with the support of Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development (PJ013744), Rural Development Administration, and BK21 PLUS program funded by Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea., Mubashar Raza would like to thank the CASTWAS for the PhD Fellowship. Sanjay K. Singh, Paras Nath Singh, Shiwali Rana and Frank Kwekucher Ackah thank Director, MACS, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India for providing facilities. Shiwali Rana and Frank Kwekucher Ackah thank UGC (Junior Research Fellowship) and DST, Govt. of India (CV Raman Fellowship for African Researchers), respectively. Gen-Nuo Wang, Huang Zhang, Wei Dong and Xian-Dong Yu thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project ID: NSF 31500017). Bandarupalli Devadatha and V. Venkateswara Sarma thank The Ministry of Earth sciences, Govt. of India (Sanction order: MOES/36/OO1S/ Extra/40/2014/PC-IV dt.14.1.2015) for a funding of the project, T, District Forest Office, Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu and PCCF (Head of Forest Force), Chennai, Tamil Nadu Forest Department for providing permission to collect samples from Muthupet mangroves, and Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry University is thanked for providing the facilities. Myung Soo Park, Seung-Yoon Oh and Young Woon Lim thank the Marine Bio Resource Bank Program of the Ministry of Ocean & Fisheries, Korea. Olinto Pereira thanks the CAPES, CNPq and FAPEMIG for financial support. Neven Matocˇec, Ivana Kusˇan and Margita Jadan express their gratitude to Livio Lorenzon, Enrico Bizio and Raffaella Trabucco (MCVE) for their kind help with loan of Sarcopeziza sicula type material; parts of their, research were financed by Public Institutions Sjeverni Velebit National Park and Paklenica National Park. Dong-Qin Dai and LiZhou Tang thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. NSFC 31760013, NSFC 31260087, NSFC 31460561), the Scientific Research Foundation of Yunnan Provincial Department of Education (2017ZZX186) and utilization of endophytes and the Thousand Talents Plan, Youth Project of Yunnan Provinces. Ting-Chi Wen, Chada Norphanphoun and Shi-Ke Huang are grateful to the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31760014) and the Science and Technology Foundation of Guizhou Province (No. [2017]5788). Monika C. Dayarathne thanks to Thailand Research Fund (TRF) Grant No MRG6080089 for financial research support. Napalai Chaiwan thanks The Royal Golden Jubilee Ph. D. Program (PHD60K0147) under Thailand Research Fund, for financial research supports on project entitle ‘‘Fungi on limestone outcrops from southern Thailand to lower himalyas’’. Saranyaphat Boonmee and Sirinapa Konta would like to thank the National Research Council of Thailand (Grant No. 61215320023, 61215320013) and the Thailand Research Fund (Grant No. TRG6180001) for research financial support. Saisamorn Lumyong would like to thank the Thailand Research Fund (RTA 5880006) and Chiang Mai University for partially support this research work. Itthyakorn Promputtha would like to thank Chiang Mai University for partially supported this research work. Lei Cai acknowledges China-Thailand Joint Lab on Microbial Biotechnology (Most KY201701011) for financial support. PhD students from Mae Fah Laung and Chiang Mai Universities thank the Mushroom Research Foundation for research financial support and PhD Fellowships.

Background Fungi are key components of belowground ecosystems with various ecological roles in forests. Although the changes in the richness and composition of belowground fungi across altitudinal gradients have been widely reported, only a few studies have focused on the microhabitat types along altitudinal gradients. Results Here, we analyzed the effect of altitudinal gradients on the fungal communities of belowground microhabitats (roots and soil) and their different ecological roles. Root and nearby soil samples were collected from 80 Pinus densiflora trees in 16 localities at various altitudes across the country, and their community composition was analyzed using DNA metabarcoding of the ITS2 region on the Illumina MiSeq platform. We found that ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi were more abundant in the soil, whereas the relative abundance of endophytic and saprotrophic fungi was higher in the roots. Altitude negatively affected the species richness of root-inhabiting and ECM fungi but did not influence that of non-ECM fungi. However, the composition of ECM fungi was less influenced by altitude than that of non-ECM fungi.Conclusion Our results demonstrate that microhabitat types and altitudinal gradients affect the diversity, composition, and function of fungal communities associated with a single plant host and contribute to a better understanding of plant-associated fungal communities.

Russula subsection Amoeninae is morphologically defined by a dry velvety pileus surface, a complete absence of cystidia with heteromorphous contents in all tissues, and spores without amyloid suprahilar spot. Thirty-four species within subsection Amoeninae have been published worldwide. Although most Russula species in South Korea have been assigned European or North American names, recent molecular studies have shown that Russula species from different continents are not conspecific. Therefore, the present study aims to: 1) define which species of Russula subsection Amoeninae occur on each continent using molecular phylogenetic analyses; 2) revise the taxonomy of Korean Amoeninae. The phylogenetic analyses using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and multilocus sequences showed that subsection Amoeninae is monophyletic within subgenus Heterophyllidiae section Heterophyllae. A total of 21 Russula subsection Amoeninae species were confirmed from Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and Central America, and species from different continents formed separate clades. Three species were recognized from South Korea and were clearly separated from the European and North American species. These species are R. bella, also reported from Japan, a new species described herein, Russula orientipurpurea, and a new species undescribed due to insufficient material.

Species of Laccaria (Hydnangiaceae, Basidiomycota) are important in forest ecosystems as ectomycorrhizal fungi. Nine of the 75 described Laccaria species worldwide been reported from Korea. Most of these have European and North American names, and their identities are based solely on morphological features. To evaluate the taxonomy of Korean Laccaria, we used 443 specimens collected between 1981 and 2016 in a phylogenetic analysis based on sequence data from nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA (ITS) region, nuc 28S rDNA (28S), RNA polymerase II subunit 2 (rpb2), and translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1). Ten Laccaria species were identified. Three of these were previously reported from Korea: L. bicolor, L. tortilis, and L. vinaceoavellanea. Laccaria alba, L. japonica, and L. murina are confirmed as new reports from Korea. Lastly, four new Laccaria species are described: L. araneosa, L. parva, L. torosa, and L. versiforma. This study supports the general contention that Asian species of ectomycorrhizal fungi may not be conspecific with morphologically similar species from Europe and North America. Furthermore, identification based on morphology alone is often unreliable in Laccaria due to considerable overlap of characters among species. Thus, use of molecular methods is necessary for effective identification. Illustrations of the four newly described species and a taxonomic key to species of Laccaria in Korea are provided.

The aggregation of decaying egg masses of sailfin sandfish along the mid-east coast of Korea is a major environmental problem with concurrent negative economic consequences. In an effort to ameliorate decaying egg masses, we investigated the diversity and community structure of fungi from egg masses and tested for their cellulase and protease activity. A total of 1108 strains were identified based on morphology and multigene analyses, and found to represent 184 fungal species. Paradendryphiella salina was the most dominant species, followed by Penicillium crustosum and Penicillium aurantioviolaceum. The fungal community displayed a significant degree of variation relative to both egg mass color and locality. Over 50% of species detected in this study exhibited both cellulase and protease activity. This study suggests that fungi play an important role in nutrient recycling at intertidal zones and thus may have potential industrial applications that can help resolve the environmental problems associated with egg mass aggregation.

Gloeoporus Mont. is characterized by an easily separated gelatinous hymenophore and a continuous hymenium over the pore mouth. Recent molecular taxonomic and phylogenetic research showed that morphological grouping of Gloeoporus is polyphyletic. The lack of comprehensive phylogenetic studies of Gloeoporus exacerbates confusion in determining the taxonomic position of the genus. To delimit the genus Gloeoporus, we performed multi-locus phylogenetic analysis using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU), and the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2). The phylogenetic analyses revealed that current delimitation of Gloeoporus is not monophyletic. Gloeoporus s.s. includes mostly clamped species lacking cystidia. Some species of Gloeoporus featuring simple septa and cystidia are proposed to be renamed to Meruliopsis. Two new species of Gloeoporus were also observed and they are named Gloeoporus africanus and Gloeoporus orientalis. Fil: Jung, Paul Eunil. Universidad Nacional de Seul; Corea del Sur Fil: Lee, Hyun. Universidad Nacional de Seul; Corea del Sur Fil: Wu, Sheng-Hua. National Museum Of Natural Science; China Fil: Hattori, Tsutomu. Forest Research And Management Organization; Japón Fil: Tomšovský, Michal. Mendel University; República Checa Fil: Rajchenberg, Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina Fil: Zhou, Meng. Beijing Forestry University; China Fil: Lim, Young Woon. Universidad Nacional de Seul; Corea del Sur

Tricholoma matsutake (pine mushroom) (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) is a valuable edible fungal species that cannot be cultivated artificially. As an ectomycorrhizal fungus, T. matsutake interacts with trees belonging to the Pinaceae and Fagaceae, and forms fairy rings around host trees that are arc-shaped areas with dense hyphae of T. matsutake in the soil. Because the fairy rings maintain their dense hyphae for several years and form fruiting bodies, the characteristics of the fairy ring may be important in understanding the ecology of T. matsutake. Recent studies have shown that diverse bacteria co-exist in the fairy ring, and suggest that the fairy ring bacteria may influence on the growth of T. matsutake. However, the effect of the fairy ring bacteria on the growth of T. matsutake is largely unknown. In this study, we isolated fairy ring bacteria and investigated their effect on the growth of T. matsutake in co-culture experiments. In addition, the relationship between bacterial effects and nutrient conditions was tested using different media with varying glucose concentrations. A total of 237 bacteria (28 species) were isolated from fairy rings of four different T. matsutake producing areas: Proteobacteria (17 species), Firmicutes (7 species), and Actinobacteria (4 species). Burkholderiaceae (Burkholderia and Paraburkholderia) was most abundant in the fairy ring bacteria communities. Most bacteria showed a negative effect on the growth of T. matsutake when it grew on glucose rich medium (20 g/L). In glucose deficient medium (2 g/L), however, some bacteria promoted the growth of T. matsutake. In addition, the mode of interaction between bacteria and T. matsutake is different, depending on the glucose concentration.

For the seasonal changes of fungi (Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) diversity, we performed a biweekly survey of macrofungi on defined plot in a Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) stand (Gwangneung Forest, Pochen-si, Korea) from April 2014 to December 2014. The plot was surveyed 18 times. We also investigated the diversity of the soil fungi community during four seasons using pyrosequencing method. The collected macrofungi (25 specimens) were classified into one phylum, one class, four orders, 10 families, 13 genera, and 17 species; the soil fungal communities were classified into two phyla, 15 classes, 43 orders, 91 families, and 124 genera (49,937 sequence reads), designated as 124 genus-level operational taxonomic units. Using macrofungal collection data, environmental factor data (n = 10), and pyrosequencing data, we evaluated changes in fungal diversity with seasons and soil layers. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination revealed distinct clusters of genus-level operational taxonomic units assemblage with season. Two environmental factors (exchangeable K and C/N ratio) were found to be significantly associated with soil fungi communities in the Korean red pine stand. This study will lead to a better understanding of relationships between Korean red pine stand stands and soil fungal communities. Keywords: diversity, environmental factors, macrofungi, pyrosequencing, soil layers

This is the sixth in a series of papers where we bring collaborating mycologists together to produce a set of notes of several taxa of fungi. In this study we introduce a new family Fuscostagonosporaceae in Dothideomycetes. We also introduce the new ascomycete genera Acericola, Castellaniomyces, Dictyosporina and Longitudinalis and new species Acericola italica, Alternariaster trigonosporus, Amarenomyces dactylidis, Angustimassarina coryli, Astrocystis bambusicola, Castellaniomyces rosae, Chaetothyrina artocarpi, Chlamydotubeufia krabiensis, Colletotrichum lauri, Collodiscula chiangraiensis, Curvularia palmicola, Cytospora mali-sylvestris, Dictyocheirospora cheirospora, Dictyosporina ferruginea, Dothiora coronillae, Dothiora spartii, Dyfrolomyces phetchaburiensis, Epicoccum cedri, Epicoccum pruni, Fasciatispora calami, Fuscostagonospora cytisi, Grandibotrys hyalinus, Hermatomyces nabanheensis, Hongkongmyces thailandica, Hysterium rhizophorae, Jahnula guttulaspora, Kirschsteiniothelia rostrata, Koorchalomella salmonispora, Longitudinalis nabanheensis, Lophium zalerioides, Magnibotryascoma mali, Meliola clerodendri-infortunati, Microthyrium chinense, Neodidymelliopsis moricola, Neophaeocryptopus spartii, Nigrograna thymi, Ophiocordyceps cossidarum, Ophiocordyceps issidarum, Ophiosimulans plantaginis, Otidea pruinosa, Otidea stipitata, Paucispora kunmingense, Phaeoisaria microspora, Pleurothecium floriforme, Poaceascoma halophila, Periconia aquatica, Periconia submersa, Phaeosphaeria acaciae, Phaeopoacea muriformis, Pseudopithomyces kunmingnensis, Ramgea ozimecii, Sardiniella celtidis, Seimatosporium italicum, Setoseptoria scirpi, Torula gaodangensis and Vamsapriya breviconidiophora. We also provide an amended account of Rhytidhysteron to include apothecial ascomata and a J+ hymenium. The type species of Ascotrichella hawksworthii (Xylariales genera incertae sedis), Biciliopsis leptogiicola (Sordariomycetes genera incertae sedis), Brooksia tropicalis (Micropeltidaceae), Bryochiton monascus (Teratosphaeriaceae), Bryomyces scapaniae (Pseudoperisporiaceae), Buelliella minimula (Dothideomycetes genera incertae sedis), Carinispora nypae (Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae), Cocciscia hammeri (Verrucariaceae), Endoxylina astroidea (Diatrypaceae), Exserohilum turcicum (Pleosporaceae), Immotthia hypoxylon (Roussoellaceae), Licopolia franciscana (Vizellaceae), Murispora rubicunda (Amniculicolaceae) and Doratospora guianensis (synonymized under Rizalia guianensis, Trichosphaeriaceae) were re-examined and descriptions, illustrations and discussion on their familial placement are given based on phylogeny and morphological data. New host records or new country reports are provided for Chlamydotubeufia huaikangplaensis, Colletotrichum fioriniae, Diaporthe subclavata, Diatrypella vulgaris, Immersidiscosia eucalypti, Leptoxyphium glochidion, Stemphylium vesicarium, Tetraploa yakushimensis and Xepicula leucotricha. Diaporthe baccae is synonymized under Diaporthe rhusicola. A reference specimen is provided for Periconia minutissima. Updated phylogenetic trees are provided for most families and genera. We introduce the new basidiomycete species Agaricus purpurlesquameus, Agaricus rufusfibrillosus, Lactifluus holophyllus, Lactifluus luteolamellatus, Lactifluus pseudohygrophoroides, Russula benwooii, Russula hypofragilis, Russula obscurozelleri, Russula parapallens, Russula phoenicea, Russula pseudopelargonia, Russula pseudotsugarum, Russula rhodocephala, Russula salishensis, Steccherinum amapaense, Tephrocybella constrictospora, Tyromyces amazonicus and Tyromyces angulatus and provide updated trees to the genera. We also introduce Mortierella formicae in Mortierellales, Mucoromycota and provide an updated phylogenetic tree. Fil: Hyde, Kevin D.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center Of Excellence In Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Norphanphoun, Chada. Mae Fah Luang University. Center Of Excellence In Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Abreu, Vanessa P.. Universidade Federal de Viçosa; Brasil Fil: Bazzicalupo, Anna. University of British Columbia; Canadá Fil: Thilini Chethana, K. W.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center Of Excellence In Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Liu, Jian-Kui. Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences; China Fil: Liu, Zuo-Yi. Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences; China Fil: Longoni Plautz Jr., Helio. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Brasil Fil: Lumyong, Saisamorn. Chiang Mai University; Tailandia Fil: Maharachchikumbura, Sajeewa S. N.. Sultan Qaboos University; Omán Fil: Matočec, Neven. Ruđer Bošković Institute; Croacia Fil: McKenzie, Eric H. C.. Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Mešić, Armin. Ruđer Bošković Institute; Croacia Fil: Miller, Daniel. Puget Sound Mycological Society; Estados Unidos Fil: Pawłowska, Julia. University of Warsaw; Polonia Fil: Pereira, Olinto L.. Universidade Federal de Viçosa; Brasil Fil: Promputtha, Itthayakorn. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Ryvarden, Leif. University of Oslo; Noruega Fil: Su, Hong-Yan. Dali University; China Fil: Suetrong, Satinee. National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; Tailandia Fil: Tkalčec, Zdenko. Ruđer Bošković Institute; Croacia Fil: Vizzini, Alfredo. Università di Torino; Italia Fil: Wen,Ting-Chi. Guizhou University; China Fil: Wisitrassameewong, Komsit. Seoul National University; Corea del Sur Fil: Wrzosek, Marta. University of Warsaw; Polonia Fil: Xu, Jian-Chu. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Zhao, Qi. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China Fil: Zhao, Rui-Lin. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China Fil: Mortimer, Peter E.. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China

Pathogenic fungi are a growing health concern worldwide, particularly in large, densely populated cities. The dramatic upsurge of pigeon populations in cities has been implicated in the increased incidence of invasive fungal infections. In this study, we used a culture-independent, high-throughput sequencing approach to describe the diversity of clinically relevant fungi (CRF) associated with pigeon faeces and map the relative abundance of CRF across Seoul, Korea. In addition, we tested whether certain geographical, sociological and meteorological factors were significantly associated with the diversity and relative abundance of CRF. Finally, we compared the CRF diversity of fresh and old pigeon faeces to identify the source of the fungi and the role of pigeons in dispersal. Our results demonstrated that both the composition and relative abundance of CRF are unevenly distributed across Seoul. The green area ratio and the number of multiplex houses were positively correlated with species diversity, whereas wind speed and number of households were negatively correlated. The number of workers and green area ratio were positively correlated with the relative abundance of CRF, whereas wind speed was negatively correlated. Because many CRF were absent in fresh faeces, we inferred that most species cannot survive the gastrointestinal tract of pigeons and instead are likely transmitted through soil or air and use pigeon faeces as a substrate for proliferation.

Ips sexdentatus (six-spined engraver beetle) from Austria and Poland were dissected and examined for the presence of pathogens. Specimens collected in Austria were found to contain the ascomycetous fungus Metschnikowia cf. typographi. Infection rates ranged from 3.6% to 26.8% at different collection sites. M. cf. typographi infected midguts were investigated by histological, ultrastructural and molecular techniques. Extraordinary ultrastructural details are shown, such as ascospores with bilateral flattened flanks resembling alar rims at both sides of their attenuating tube-like ends. These have not yet been described in other yeast species. Molecular investigations showed a close phylogenetic relationship to the fungi Metschnikowia agaves and Candida wancherniae. Presence of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana found in Austria was confirmed both morphologically and molecularly. The eugregarine Gregarina typographi was diagnosed most frequently. Infection rates of all I. sexdentatus specimens ranged from 21.4% to 71.9% in Austria and 54.1% to 68.8% in Poland. Other entomopathogenic protists, bacteria, or viruses were not detected.

In this study, three different methods (fruiting body collection, mycelial isolation, and 454 sequencing) were implemented to determine the diversity of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetes from dead Manchurian fir (Abies holophylla). The three methods recovered similar species richness (26 species from fruiting bodies, 32 species from mycelia, and 32 species from 454 sequencing), but Fisher’s alpha, Shannon-Wiener, Simpson’s diversity indices of fungal communities indicated fruiting body collection and mycelial isolation displayed higher diversity compared with 454 sequencing. In total, 75 wood-inhabiting basidiomycetes were detected. The most frequently observed species were Heterobasidion orientale (fruiting body collection), Bjerkandera adusta (mycelial isolation), and Trichaptum fusco-violaceum (454 sequencing). Only two species, Hymenochaete yasudae and Hypochnicium karstenii, were detected by all three methods. This result indicated that Manchurian fir harbors a diverse basidiomycetous fungal community and for complete estimation of fungal diversity, multiple methods should be used. Further studies are required to understand their ecology in the context of forest ecosystems.

This is a continuity of a series of taxonomic and phylogenetic papers on the fungi where materials were collected from many countries, examined and described. In addition to extensive morphological descriptions and appropriate asexual and sexual connections, DNA sequence data are also analysed from concatenated datasets to infer phylogenetic relationships and substantiate systematic positions of taxa within appropriate ranks. Wherever new species or combinations are proposed, we apply an integrative approach using morphological and molecular data as well as ecological features wherever applicable. Notes on 112 fungal taxa are compiled in this paper including Biatriosporaceae and Roussoellaceae, Didysimulans gen. nov., 81 new species, 18 new host records and new country records, five reference specimens, two new combinations, and three sexual and asexual morph reports. The new species are Amanita cornelii, A. emodotrygon, Angustimassarina alni, A. arezzoensis, A. italica, A. lonicerae, A. premilcurensis, Ascochyta italica, A. rosae, Austroboletus appendiculatus, Barriopsis thailandica, Berkleasmium ariense, Calophoma petasitis, Camarosporium laburnicola, C. moricola, C. grisea, C. ossea, C. paraincrustata, Colletotrichum sambucicola, Coprinopsis cerkezii, Cytospora gelida, Dacrymyces chiangraiensis, Didysimulans italica, D. mezzanensis, Entodesmium italica, Entoloma magnum, Evlachovaea indica, Exophiala italica, Favolus gracilisporus, Femsjonia monospora, Fomitopsis flabellata, F. roseoalba, Gongronella brasiliensis, Helvella crispoides, Hermatomyces chiangmaiensis, H. chromolaenae, Hysterium centramurum, Inflatispora caryotae, Inocybe brunneosquamulosa, I. luteobrunnea, I. rubrobrunnea, Keissleriella cirsii, Lepiota cylindrocystidia, L. flavocarpa, L. maerimensis, Lophiotrema guttulata, Marasmius luculentus, Morenoina calamicola, Moelleriella thanathonensis, Mucor stercorarius, Myrmecridium fluviae, Myrothecium septentrionale, Neosetophoma garethjonesii, Nigrograna cangshanensis, Nodulosphaeria guttulatum, N. multiseptata, N. sambuci, Panus subfasciatus, Paraleptosphaeria padi, Paraphaeosphaeria viciae, Parathyridaria robiniae, Penicillium punicae, Phaeosphaeria calamicola, Phaeosphaeriopsis yuccae, Pleurophoma italica, Polyporus brevibasidiosus, P. koreanus, P. orientivarius, P. parvovarius, P. subdictyopus, P. ulleungus, Pseudoasteromassaria spadicea, Rosellinia mearnsii, Rubroboletus demonensis, Russula yanheensis, Sigarispora muriformis, Sillia italica, Stagonosporopsis ailanthicola, Strobilomyces longistipitatus, Subplenodomus galicola and Wolfiporia pseudococos. The new combinations are Melanomma populina and Rubroboletus eastwoodiae. The reference specimens are Cookeina tricholoma, Gnomoniopsis sanguisorbae, Helvella costifera, Polythrincium trifolii and Russula virescens. The new host records and country records are Ascochyta medicaginicola, Boletellus emodensis, Cyptotrama asprata, Cytospora ceratosperma, Favolaschia auriscalpium, F. manipularis, Hysterobrevium mori, Lentinus sajor-caju, L. squarrosulus, L. velutinus, Leucocoprinus cretaceus, Lophiotrema vagabundum, Nothophoma quercina, Platystomum rosae, Pseudodidymosphaeria phlei, Tremella fuciformis, Truncatella spartii and Vaginatispora appendiculata and three sexual and asexual morphs are Aposphaeria corallinolutea, Dothiora buxi and Hypocrella calendulina.

In South Korea, three species of Heterobasidion, H. annosum, H. araucariae and H. insulare have been recorded. However, these species have not been found in the neighboring countries such as China and Japan. For resolving this matter, a total of 11 materials of Heterobasidion spp. from South Korea were gathered and morphologically examined. Species descriptions from the previous studies were referred if the materials were not available. Phylogenetic analyses using ITS and TEF gene sequences were also performed to infer the species relationships of the Korean Heterobasidion spp with their allied species. Through the morphological investigations and phylogenetic analyses we found that specimens recorded as H. annosum and H. araucariae are actually H. ecrustosum, and the ones recorded as H. insulare are actually H. orientale. The two recognized species are described and illustrated.

Ceratocystiopsis minuta (Siemaszko) H.P. UpadhyayW.B. Kendr., originally isolated in Poland, is the type species of genus Ceratocystiopsis H.P. UpadhyayW.B. Kendr. Species in this genus are characterized by dark perithecia with short conical beaks, usually with convergent ostiolar hyphae and dark ascocarps, and by falcate or lunate ascospores. Work within the genus is complicated by historical inconsistencies, errors in strain identification and the absence of a holotype specimen. We used sequence data from the beta-tubulin gene, internal transcribed spacer and large subunit regions of ribosomal DNA to phylogenetically characterize 23 putative strains of Cop. minuta from Europe, Japan and North America, as well as strains from other species in genus Ceratocystiopsis. Our results show that Cop. minuta strains from Europe and Japan are monophyletic, whereas those from North American are polyphyletic and likely misidentified. This suggests that prior research groups have used misidentified strains of Cop. minuta or fungal strains that were only distantly related to the Cop. minuta strain originally described from Poland. Further our multigene phylogenetic analysis also shows that Cop. minuta strains from Europe and Japan can be segregated into three clades. This suggests the presence of several phylogenetic species that are morphologically similar to Cop. minuta, and we anticipate that this species complex will challenge researchers until such relationships are resolved.

The entomopathogenic fungal genusLecanicilliumGams and Zare includes species that are highly pathogenic to many genera of insects. Three species,Lecanicillium longisporum(Petch) Zare and W. Gams,L. muscarium(Petch) Zare and W. Gams, andL. pissodisKope and Leal, were found to be entomopathogens of adult white pine weevils,Pissodes strobi(Peck), in coastal British Columbia. Morphological characteristics were used to identify these species, but variation in conidial shape and size made it difficult to classify some of the isolates into the correct species ofLecanicillium. To confirm the identity of theseLecanicilliumspecies, we used molecular tools such as polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing.

The taxonomic positions of the genera Ruegeria and Silicibacter were evaluated by a polyphasic investigation. It was evident from 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis that both genera are closely related as they formed a monophyletic clade with high sequence similarities (96.9–98.2 %). Several properties commonly found in these taxa strongly suggest that they should be classified in the same genus. Further, a comparative study based on DNA–DNA hybridization, phenotypic characterization and chemotaxonomic analysis indicated that the members of this clade, namely Ruegeria atlantica, Silicibacter lacuscaerulensis and Silicibacter pomeroyi, can be readily differentiated from each other. On the basis of the polyphasic data obtained in this study, all species of the genus Silicibacter should be transferred to the genus Ruegeria, since the latter has nomenclatural priority. It is therefore proposed that Silicibacter lacuscaerulensis and Silicibacter pomeroyi are transferred to the genus Ruegeria as Ruegeria lacuscaerulensis comb. nov. and Ruegeria pomeroyi comb. nov.

In this study, three different methods (fruiting body collection, mycelial isolation, and 454 sequencing) were implemented to determine the diversity of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetes from dead Manchurian fir (Abies holophylla). The three methods recovered similar species richness (26 species from fruiting bodies, 32 species from mycelia, and 32 species from 454 sequencing), but Fisher's alpha, Shannon-Wiener, Simpson's diversity indices of fungal communities indicated fruiting body collection and mycelial isolation displayed higher diversity compared with 454 sequencing. In total, 75 wood-inhabiting basidiomycetes were detected. The most frequently observed species were Heterobasidion orientale (fruiting body collection), Bjerkandera adusta (mycelial isolation), and Trichaptum fusco-violaceum (454 sequencing). Only two species, Hymenochaete yasudae and Hypochnicium karstenii, were detected by all three methods. This result indicated that Manchurian fir harbors a diverse basidiomycetous fungal community and for complete estimation of fungal diversity, multiple methods should be used. Further studies are required to understand their ecology in the context of forest ecosystems.

Three strains of an unidentified Penicillium species were isolated during a fungal diversity survey of marine environments in Korea. These strains are described here as a new species following a multigene phylogenetic analyses of nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer barcodes (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2), genes for β-tubulin, calmodulin and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit, and observation of macro- and micromorphological characters. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the three strains formed a strongly supported monophyletic group distinct from previously reported species of section Aspergilloides. Morphologically this species can be distinguished from its sister species, P. crocicola, by the reverse color on Czapek yeast autolysate agar, abundant production of sclerotia on malt extract agar and colony characters on yeast extract sucrose agar. We name this new species P. jejuense, after the locality where it was discovered. At 25 C for 7 d, P. jejuense colonies grew to 55-60 mm on CYA, 45-48 mm on MEA, 48-52 mm on YES and 23-26 mm on CREA. Conidia (2.2-3.4 × 2.0-2.6 μm) and sclerotia (160-340 × 125-210 μm) were globose to ellipsoidal.

Radiata pine ( Pinus radiata ) lumber from Australia, Chile, and New Zealand is imported into Korea where it represents one of the most important sources of timber. Blue stain of this timber is a serious problem for which an integrated control strategy is being developed. One of the fungi that has been isolated from stained radiata pine sapwood in Korea is a Leptographium sp. that has a distinct Sporothrix synanamorph. The aim of this study was to classify this fungus. Morphological comparisons showed that this fungus is distinct from all other species of Leptographium and especially L. elegans and L. francke-grosmanniae that also have Sporothrix synanamorphs. Comparisons of sequence data for the ITS2 and part of the 28S rDNA genes as well as the β-tubulin gene also confirmed that this fungus represents an undescribed taxon, described here as Leptographium bistatum sp. nov.

Two bacterial strains associated with the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete sordida were subjected to taxonomic investigation. The isolates, designated KCTC 12081(T) and KCTC 12082, were Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming and ovoid to rod-shaped. The strains contained major amounts of hexadecanoic acid, cyclo-heptadecanoic acid and omega-7-cis-octadecenoic acid in their cell envelopes. Strain KCTC 12081(T) contained ubiquinone-8 as the major isoprenoid quinone and the G+C content of its genomic DNA was 61.3 mol%. Morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of the strains were consistent with classification in the genus BURKHOLDERIA: In a comparison of 16S rDNA sequence, KCTC 12081(T) shared 100 % similarity with KCTC 12082 and both strains formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the genus BURKHOLDERIA: The two strains were also differentiated from other species of this genus by fatty acid composition and phenotypic properties. DNA-DNA relatedness data further supported the separation of the new isolates from closely related species. It is therefore proposed that strains KCTC 12081(T) (=JCM 11778(T)) and KCTC 12082 be recognized as a novel species, for which the name Burkholderia sordidicola sp. nov. is proposed.

The taxonomic status of Flavobacterium resinovorum Delaporte and Daste 1956 (Approved Lists 1980) was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of F. resinovorum NCIMB 8767(T) was almost identical to that of the type strain of Novosphingobium subarcticum (Nohynek et al. 1996) Takeuchi et al. 2001, with 99.85 % sequence similarity. The DNA-DNA relatedness value between the type strains of these species was 100 %. Phenotypic comparison based on API 20E, API NE and API ZYM kits demonstrated that the type strains of F. resinovorum and N. subarcticum were also indistinguishable based on their biochemical properties. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic evidence, it is therefore proposed to reclassify Flavobacterium resinovorum as Novosphingobium resinovorum comb. nov., with the type strain NCIMB 8767(T) =ATCC 33545(T) =DSM 7478(T) =LMG 8367(T), and that Novosphingobium subarcticum is a later heterotypic synonym of Novosphingobium resinovorum.

Irpex, one of the most common polypore genera, is easily identified by macro- and microscopic characters. During field trips to Korea's Kangwon Province, some Irpex specimens with conspicuous morphological differences from I. lacteus were collected. Cultural characters and molecular evidence differentiated this new strain from I. lacteus, and this taxon is proposed as I. hydnoides sp. nov.

A new species of polypore in genus Cerrena was discovered in Kangwon Province, Korea. The resupinate basidiocarp and light orange, poroid hymenophore were sufficiently different to be distinguished from previously recorded species of Cerrena, C. consors, C. cystidiata, C. sclerodepsis and C. unicolor. Based on the results of morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we propose this new polypore as Cerrena aurantiopora sp. nov.

Two yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative, aerobic bacterial strains, designated FR1087(T) and FR1093(T), were isolated from surface seawater off Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. Both strains required sea salts for growth. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two isolates belong to the genus Sphingopyxis, showing the highest level of sequence similarity with respect to Sphingopyxis flavimaris SW-151(T) (97.9 %). The two isolates shared 98.5 % sequence similarity. DNA-DNA hybridization between the isolates and the type strain of Sphingopyxis flavimaris clearly suggested that strains FR1087(T) and FR1093(T) represent two separate novel species in the genus Sphingopyxis. Several phenotypic characteristics served to differentiate these two isolates from recognized members of the genus Sphingopyxis. The data from the polyphasic study presented here indicated that strains FR1087(T) and FR1093(T) should be classified as representing novel species in the genus Sphingopyxis, for which the names Sphingopyxis marina sp. nov. and Sphingopyxis litoris sp. nov., respectively, are proposed. The type strain of Sphingopyxis marina sp. nov. is FR1087(T) (=IMSNU 14132(T)=KCTC 12763(T)=JCM 14161(T)) and the type strain of Sphingopyxis litoris sp. nov. is FR1093(T) (=IMSNU 14133(T)=KCTC 12764(T)=JCM 14162(T)).

The aim of this study was to characterise the genetic variation and molecular relationships of the brown rot polypore, Laetiporus sulphureus s. lat., from Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia, using ITS sequences of the nu-rDNA and by comparing the growth rate in vitro . In a NJ analysis of the sequences of 130 individuals of L. sulphureus s. lat., eight distinct clusters emerged, supported by BS values of 70–100 %. Within each cluster, the ITS rDNA sequence variation was below 3 %. The sequences were also analysed together with Laetiporus sequences available from GenBank. Results demonstrated the possible presence of L. huroniensis in Europe (invalidly named L. montanus ) and L. gilbertsonii in South America, and provided more information on the Pan-American and European distribution of one of the clades, currently known in North America as L. sulphureus. L. conifericola formed a separate distinct clade. Moreover, the analysis revealed two unknown Laetiporus taxa in Korea, one in South Africa, and one in Europe. As L. sulphureus is described from Europe (France), and we show that more than one taxon exist here, it is presently not possible to define L. sulphureus s. str . Certain biological differences between some of the clades ( in vitro growth rates, chemical composition, and pigmentation) were demonstrated and discussed.

16S rRNA gene sequences have been widely used for the identification of prokaryotes. However, the flood of sequences of non-type strains and the lack of a peer-reviewed database for 16S rRNA gene sequences of type strains have made routine identification of isolates difficult and labour-intensive. In the present study, we generated a database containing 16S rRNA gene sequences of all prokaryotic type strains. In addition, a web-based tool, named EzTaxon, for analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences was constructed to achieve identification of isolates based on pairwise nucleotide similarity values and phylogenetic inference methods. The system developed provides users with a similarity-based search, multiple sequence alignment and various phylogenetic analyses. All of these functions together with the 16S rRNA gene sequence database of type strains can be successfully used for automated and reliable identification of prokaryotic isolates. The EzTaxon server is freely accessible over the Internet at http://www.eztaxon.org/

A strictly anaerobic, Gram-positive, endospore-forming bacterium, strain HY-37-4T, was isolated from a forest-soil sample collected in Jeju, Republic of Korea. The cells were motile rods with peritrichous flagella. Strain HY-37-4T fermented various carbohydrates and the end products from glucose were formate, acetate and H2. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH and iso-C17 : 1 I/anteiso B. The G+C content of the DNA was 41 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequence data indicated that the forest isolate was most closely related to Clostridium herbivorans, Clostridium populeti, Clostridium polysaccharolyticum and Eubacterium xylanophilum, which belong to Clostridium cluster XIVa. However, the low levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (92.3–93.9 %) with respect to these taxa indicate that strain HY-37-4T represents a novel species. Several phenotypic characteristics readily allowed the isolate to be distinguished from other phylogenetically related taxa. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence, strain HY-37-4T represents a novel taxon, for which the name Anaerosporobacter mobilis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HY-37-4T (=IMSNU 40011T=KCTC 5027T=DSM 15930T).

A new species belonging to Lactarius subg. Plinthogalus was discovered during a long-term project on the diversity of Korean Lactarius . This species is proposed here as Lactarius cucurbitoides . The status of L. cucurbitoides as a new species is supported by molecular data and morphological features. Phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences shows that L. cucurbitoides is closely related to L. subplinthogalus , L. friabilis, and L. oomsisiensis , with pairwise distances of 2.8–4.3%. Morphological characters of L. cucurbito ides that distinguish it from these closely related species are a pale yellow to pale orange colored pileus and non-discoloration of white latex. The new species is described and illustrated in the present paper.

A phylogeny of the fungal phylum Basidiomycota is presented based on a survey of 160 taxa and five nuclear genes. Two genes, rpb2, and tef1, are presented in detail. The rpb2 gene is more variable than tef1 and recovers well-supported clades at shallow and deep taxonomic levels. The tef1 gene recovers some deep and ordinal-level relationships but with greater branch support from nucleotides compared to amino acids. Intron placement is dynamic in tef1, often lineage-specific, and diagnostic for many clades. Introns are fewer in rpb2 and tend to be highly conserved by position. When both protein-coding loci are combined with sequences of nuclear ribosomal RNA genes, 18 inclusive clades of Basidiomycota are strongly supported by Bayesian posterior probabilities and 16 by parsimony bootstrapping. These numbers are greater than produced by single genes and combined ribosomal RNA gene regions. Combination of nrDNA with amino acid sequences, or exons with third codon positions removed, produces strong measures of support, particularly for deep internodes of Basidiomycota, which have been difficult to resolve with confidence using nrDNA data alone. This study produces strong boostrap support and significant posterior probabilities for the first time for the following monophyletic groups: (1) Ustilaginomycetes plus Hymenomycetes, (2) an inclusive cluster of hymenochaetoid, corticioid, polyporoid, Thelephorales, russuloid, athelioid, Boletales, and euagarics clades, (3) Thelephorales plus the polyporoid clade, (4) the polyporoid clade, and (5) the cantharelloid clade. Strong support is also recovered for the basal position of the Dacrymycetales in the Hymenomycetidae and paraphyly of the Exobasidiomycetidae.

During the course of a survey of sapstaining fungi in Korea, a Leptographium was isolated from Pinus densiflora and P. koraiensis logs, infested with the bark beetle Tomicus piniperda. The fungus grew optimally at 25 C on 2% malt extract agar and showed a high level of tolerance to cycloheximide. The Leptographium has unusually short conidiophores and is morphologically similar to L. pini-densiflorae, L. lundbergii, L. yunnanense, and the Leptographiumn anamorph of Ophiostoma crassivaginatum. Comparisons of DNA sequence data for three gene regions, as well as morphological characteristics, confirmed that this fungus represents an undescribed taxon. We consequently provide the name Leptographium koreanum sp. nov. for it here.

Based on an overview of progress in molecular systematics of the true fungi (Fungi/Eumycota) since 1990, little overlap was found among single-locus data matrices, which explains why no large-scale multilocus phylogenetic analysis had been undertaken to reveal deep relationships among fungi. As part of the project ‘‘Assembling the Fungal Tree of Life’’ (AFTOL), results of four Bayesian analyses are reported with complementary bootstrap assessment of phylogenetic confidence based on (1) a combined two-locus data set (nucSSU and nucLSU rDNA) with 558 species representing all traditionally recognized fungal phyla (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota) and the Glomeromycota, (2) a combined three-locus data set (nucSSU, nucLSU, and mitSSU rDNA) with 236 species, (3) a combined three-locus data set (nucSSU, nucLSU rDNA, and RPB2) with 157 species, and (4) a combined four-locus data set (nucSSU, nucLSU, mitSSU rDNA, and RPB2) with 103 species. Because of the lack of complementarity among single-locus data sets, the last three analyses included only members of the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. The four-locus analysis resolved multiple deep relationships within the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota that were not revealed previously or that received only weak support in previous studies. The impact of this newly discovered phylogenetic structure on supraordinal classifications is discussed. Based on these results and reanalysis of subcellular data, current knowledge of the evolution of septal features of fungal hyphae is synthesized, and a preliminary reassessment of ascomal evolution is presented. Based on previously unpublished data and sequences from GenBank, this study provides a phylogenetic synthesis for the Fungi and a framework for future phylogenetic studies on fungi.