Fungal Systematics and Evolution: FUSE 3.

The present study introduces seven new species, one new combination, one new variety and several interesting taxonomical notes and/or geographical records. Most of the new taxa are Ascomycetes, but the study also includes a new variety of a Basidiomycete. Novel species include Gyromitra khanspurensis (Discinaceae, Pezizales, Pezizomycetes) from Pakistan growing near Cedrus deoadara and Paramyrothecium guiyangense and Paramyrothecium verruridum (Stachybotriaceae, Hypocreales, Sordariomycetes) both isolated from soil in China. New species from South Africa are Sclerostagonospora elegiae on culm litter of Elegia equisetacea, Sclerostagonospora fusiformis on culm litter of Thamnochortus spicigerus, Sclerostagonospora pinguis on culm litter of Cannomois virgata and Sclerostagonospora sulcata on culm litter of Ischyrolepis subverticellata (Phaeosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes). Hapalocystis berkeleyi var. kickxii with its basionym Hypoxylon kickxii is shown to be a taxon on species level and thus recombined as Hapalocystis kickxii (Sydowiellaceae, Diaporthales, Sordariomycetes), and it is lecto- and epitypified. The new variety Pluteus romellii var. luteoalbus (Pluteaceae, Agaricales, Agaricomycetes) growing on a mossy fallen stem of a deciduous tree is described from Czech Republic. Cortinarius scaurocaninus (Cortinariaceae, Agaricales, Agaricomycetes) is new for Austria, Humicola grisea (Chaetomiaceae, Sordariales, Sordariomycetes) is an interesting new record for Chile. Two taxa are reported as new for Turkey: the lichenicolous fungus Opegrapha parasitica (Opegraphaceae, Arthoniales, Arthoniomycetes) growing partly immersed in the thallus of Aspicilia and the lichen Rinodina zwackhiana (Physciaceae, Teloschistales, Lecanoromycetes) from calcareous rock. Finally, Xerula strigosa (Physalacriaceae, Agaricales, Agaricomycetes), described from China, is confirmed to be present also in Pakistan.

In Vitro Activities of Eight Antifungal Drugs against a Global Collection of Genotyped Exserohilum Isolates.

The in vitro susceptibilities of 24 worldwide Exserohilum isolates belonging to 10 species from human and environmental sources were determined for eight antifungal drugs. The strains were characterized by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting. Posaconazole had the lowest geometric mean MIC (0.16 µg/ml), followed by micafungin (0.21 µg/ml), amphotericin B (0.24 µg/ml), itraconazole (0.33 µg/ml), voriconazole (0.8 µg/ml), caspofungin (1.05 µg/ml), isavuconazole (1.38 µg/ml), and fluconazole (15.6 µg/ml).

Pithomyces species (Montagnulaceae) from clinical specimens: identification and antifungal susceptibility profiles.

The fungal genus Pithomyces comprises numerous dematiaceous saprobic species commonly found on dead leaves and stems of a great variety of plants. Occasionally, they have been recovered from clinical specimens. We morphologically and molecularly (rDNA sequences) investigated a set of 42 isolates tentatively identified as Pithomyces recovered from clinical specimens in the United States. The predominant species were P. chartarum and P. sacchari (33.3% each), followed by Pithomyces sp. I (28.6%) and P. maydicus (4.8%). Most of the isolates were obtained from samples of superficial tissue (50%), the respiratory tract (21.4%), and the nasal region (19%). In general, these fungi were highly susceptible in vitro to the eight antifungal agents tested.

Porocercospora seminalis gen. et comb. nov., the causal organism of buffalograss false smut.

False smut caused by Cercospora seminalis is an important disease of buffalograss (Buchloë dactyloides) affecting seed production. The pathogen prevents normal caryopsis development and causes considerable yield loss and reduced seed germination. The current taxonomic placement of the false-smut causal pathogen in the genus Cercospora is incorrect based on its morphological characteristics and DNA phylogeny. In the present study the phylogenetic position of C. seminalis is clarified based on DNA sequence analysis of three loci namely the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, partial nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU) and partial sequences of the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2). A collection of C. seminalis isolates was made from buffalograss sites near Lincoln, Nebraska. DNA sequence data indicated that Cercospora seminalis is phylogenetically close to but distinct from species of Bipolaris and Curvularia (Pleosporaceae, Pleosporales). Cercospora seminalis morphologically had unique characteristics, namely densely aggregated and repeatedly branched conidiophores arising from a brown stroma, monotretic conidiogenous cells with inconspicuous loci, and scolecosporous conidia with distosepta, and thickened, darkened hila. Porocercospora is introduced as a new genus to accommodate the buffalograss false-smut pathogen.

New species of Cordana and epitypification of the genus.

Two interesting fungi belonging to the genus Cordana have been isolated recently in Spain from plant debris. Both are proposed here as new species, described and illustrated. Cordana mercadiana sp. nov. produces 0-1-septate conidia, with a prominent basal scar. Cordana verruculosa sp. nov. differs from the other species of the genus by its unique combination of aseptate, verruculose and small conidia. Both species are compared morphologically with other species of Cordana and their identities supported by the analysis of rDNA sequences. LSU sequence analysis revealed the congeneric relationship of Cordana and Pseudobotrytis; the members of both genera are in a well supported monophyletic lineage that appears to be related to the Coniochaetales but remains incertae sedis within the Sordariomycetes. To establish nomenclatural stability of the genus Cordana, an isolate of C. pauciseptata is designed here as epitype and the two species of Pseudobotrytis are transferred to Cordana. A dichotomous key is provided to identify the currently accepted species of Cordana.

Naming and outline of Dothideomycetes-2014 including proposals for the protection or suppression of generic names.

Article 59.1, of the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (ICN; Melbourne Code), which addresses the nomenclature of pleomorphic fungi, became effective from 30 July 2011. Since that date, each fungal species can have one nomenclaturally correct name in a particular classification. All other previously used names for this species will be considered as synonyms. The older generic epithet takes priority over the younger name. Any widely used younger names proposed for use, must comply with Art. 57.2 and their usage should be approved by the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi (NCF). In this paper, we list all genera currently accepted by us in Dothideomycetes (belonging to 23 orders and 110 families), including pleomorphic and nonpleomorphic genera. In the case of pleomorphic genera, we follow the rulings of the current ICN and propose single generic names for future usage. The taxonomic placements of 1261 genera are listed as an outline. Protected names and suppressed names for 34 pleomorphic genera are listed separately. Notes and justifications are provided for possible proposed names after the list of genera. Notes are also provided on recent advances in our understanding of asexual and sexual morph linkages in Dothideomycetes. A phylogenetic tree based on four gene analyses supported 23 orders and 75 families, while 35 families still lack molecular data.

Invasive fungal infection due to Triadelphia pulvinata in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia.

Triadelphia pulvinata is a rare dematiaceous fungus found in soil. We report the first case of invasive disease in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia who had a bloodstream infection with possibly both lung and brain involvement. Identification was by combined phenotypic features and fungal ribosomal DNA sequence analysis.

Lipid Production from Native Oleaginous Yeasts Isolated from Southern Chilean Soil Cultivated in Industrial Vinasse Residues.

In this research, six strains of oleaginous yeasts native to southern Chile were analyzed for their biotechnological potential in lipid accumulation. For this purpose, the six strains, named PP1, PP4, PR4, PR10, PR27 and PR29, were cultivated in a nitrogen-deficient synthetic mineral medium (SMM). Then, two strains were selected and cultivated in an industrial residual "vinasse", under different conditions of temperature (°C), pH and carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio. Finally, under optimized conditions, the growth kinetics and determination of the lipid profile were evaluated. The results of growth in the SMM indicate that yeasts PP1 and PR27 presented biomass concentrations and lipid accumulation percentages of 2.73 and 4.3 g/L of biomass and 36.6% and 45.3% lipids, respectively. Subsequently, for both strains, when cultured in the residual vinasse under optimized environmental conditions, biomass concentrations of 14.8 ± 1.51 g/L (C/N 80) and 15.83 ± 0.57 g/L (C/N 50) and lipid accumulations of 28% and 30% were obtained for PP1 and PR27, respectively. The composition of the triglycerides (TGs), obtained in the culture of the yeasts in a 2 L reactor, presented 64.25% of saturated fatty acids for strain PR27 and 47.18% for strain PP1. The saturated fatty acid compositions in both strains are mainly constituted of fatty acids, myristic C 14:0, heptadecanoic C 17:0, palmitic C 16:0 and stearic C 18:0, and the monounsaturated fatty acids constituted of oleic acid C 18:1 (cis 9) (28-46%), and in smaller amounts, palmitoleic acid and heptadecenoic acid. This work demonstrates that the native yeast strains PP1 and PR27 are promising strains for the production of microbial oils similar to conventional vegetable oils. The potential applications in the energy or food industries, such as aquaculture, are conceivable.

Synhelminthosporium gen. et sp. nov. and Two New Species of Helminthosporium (Massarinaceae, Pleosporales) from Sichuan Province, China.

Helminthosporium is a polyphyletic genus in Massarinaceae (Pleosporales). Species of Helminthosporium are characterized by having septate and erect conidiophores, acro-pleurogenous and distoseptate conidia with a ring-shaped scar at the base. During a survey of fungal diversity in Sichuan Province, China, six Helminthosporium-like isolates were collected from dead branches of unknown trees. Five barcodes, including ITS (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2), SSU, LSU, TEF1, and RPB2 were amplified and sequenced. Morphological examination and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses revealed two new Helminthosporium species (H. chengduense sp. nov., and H. chinense sp. nov.), a new genus (Synhelminthosporium gen. nov.) with a type species Synhelminthosporium synnematoferum sp. nov., and two known species (Helminthosporium submersum and H. velutinum) within Massarinaceae. The new genus Synhelminthosporium differs from the phylogenetically closest genus Helminthosporium by producing synnematous conidiophores. This work expands our understanding of the diversity of Helminthosporium-like taxa in Sichuan Province, China.

Two new species of Cladorrhinum.

Two new species of Cladorrhinum, C. flexuosum and C. microsclerotigenum, are described and their sequences of the 5.8S and 28S ribosomal DNA and internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster analyzed. Cladorrhinum flexuosum, isolated from soil in Spain, forms fast-growing, dull yellow colonies, flexuous conidiophores and globose to dacryoid conidia. Cladorrhinum microsclerotigenum, isolated from Musa sp. in Turkey, strongly resembles Cladorrhinum phialophoroides in the production of abundant terminal phialides, ellipsoid conidia and microsclerotia in culture. It differs from C. phialophoroides in its ability to grow at 36 C and high number of intercalary phialides, which only infrequently occur in C. phialophoroides.

Development of murine models of disseminated infection by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum.

We have developed two murine models of disseminated infections by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, an emerging dematiaceous fungus. Immunosuppressed mice were challenged through the lateral tail vein with 1 x 10(5) or 1 x 10(6) CFU/ml and immunocompetent animals with 1 x 10(6) or 1 x 10(7) CFU/ml. N. dimidiatum var. dimidiatum was more virulent than the nonpigmented variety, N. dimidiatum var. hyalinum. All mice infected with N. dimidiatum var. dimidiatum died within 8 days while those infected with N. dimidiatum var. hyalinum survived to the end of the experiment. Fungal load in tissue was also higher in animals inoculated with N. dimidiatum var. dimidiatum. In general, of the five organs tested, spleens and kidneys were most affected.

Sporothrix globosa, a pathogenic fungus with widespread geographical distribution.

Sporothrix globosa, reported from the USA, Europe, and Asia, is a recently described pathogenic species morphologically similar to Sporothrix schenckii. In this study, the phylogenetic affinities of 32 clinical and environmental isolates morphologically identified as S. schenckii, from Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia, were assessed by cladistic analysis of partial sequences of the calmodulin gene using the maximum parsimony and neighbor-joining methods. The study revealed that one out of 25 isolates from Mexico (4%), one out of three isolates from Guatemala (33.3%), and two out of four isolates from Colombia (50%) belonged to S. globosa, while the other isolates belonged to S. schenckii sensu stricto. This is the first record of S. globosa from Mexico, and Central and South America.

Polyphasic characterization of Epicoccum sorghinum: A tenuazonic acid producer isolated from sorghum grain.

Epicoccum sorghinum isolates from sorghum grain grown in Brazil were characterized using a polyphasic approach based on morphological, genetic and physiologic features. A considerable intraspecific variability was observed. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the 53 isolates studied formed four distinct clades, and their morphological features revealed a high variability in culture. The four clades could not be distinguished clearly by morphology or enzyme production patterns. The tenuazonic acid (TeA) production capability of 11 isolates was also determined and revealed a good agreement with the phylogeny results. All of the 11 isolates were revealed as TeA producers, indicating a potential toxicological risk to sorghum crops. This is the first study to provide a detailed morphological description of E. sorghinum isolates from sorghum grains in Brazil and it clearly confirms the wide genetic and phenotypic variability previously reported for this species in other countries.

Description of a new species of Crassicutis Manter, 1936, parasite of Cichlasoma beani Jordan (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae) in Mexico, based on morphology and sequences of the ITS1 and 28S ribosomal RNA genes.

A new species of Crassicutis Manter, 1936 is described from the Sinaloan cichlid Cichlasoma beani (Jordan) (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae) in the upper Río Santiago basin. Crassicutis choudhuryi n. sp. differs from most of the other nominal species by having testes located in a symmetrical position. The only other species of the genus that includes some specimens exhibiting this trait is Crassicutis intermedius (Szidat 1954), a species found in 5 species of siluriforms and 1 species of characiform in South America. However, this species differs from Cr. choudhuryi n. sp. by having testes almost half of the size, and vitelline follicles extending anteriorly to the region between the acetabulum and the intestinal bifurcation. The new species is morphologically very similar to Crassicutis cichlasomae Manter, 1936, but clearly differs from this species because of the constantly symmetrical position of the testes. Additionally, Cr. choudhuryi n. sp. is found in the Santiago River basin on the Pacific slope of Mexico, parasitizing specifically the endemic Ci. beani that does not co-occur with any other cichlid. Cr. cichlasomae exhibits more hosts (about 25 species of cichlids only in Mexico) and a wider distribution range that extends from northeastern Mexico southward to Central America, Cuba, and Brazil. To corroborate that our specimens were not conspecific with Cr. cichlasomae, sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) and the 28S ribosomal RNA genes of individuals from several populations (recently collected in southeastern Mexico) were obtained and compared to the species described herein. Sequence divergence (1.3% for the 28S and 4.0% for the ITS1) gives further support to the erection of a new species.

Multilocus phylogeny and MALDI-TOF analysis of the plant pathogenic species Alternaria dauci and relatives.

The genus Alternaria includes numerous phytopathogenic species, many of which are economically relevant. Traditionally, identification has been based on morphology, but is often hampered by the tendency of some strains to become sterile in culture and by the existence of species-complexes of morphologically similar taxa. This study aimed to assess if strains of four closely-related plant pathogens, i.e., accurately Alternaria dauci (ten strains), Alternaria porri (six), Alternaria solani (ten), and Alternaria tomatophila (ten) could be identified using multilocus phylogenetic analysis and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) profiling of proteins. Phylogenetic analyses were performed on three loci, i.e., the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rRNA, and the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd) and Alternaria major antigen (Alt a 1) genes. Phylogenetic trees based on ITS sequences did not differentiate strains of A. solani, A. tomatophila, and A. porri, but these three species formed a clade separate from strains of A. dauci. The resolution improved in trees based on gpd and Alt a 1, which distinguished strains of the four species as separate clades. However, none provided significant bootstrap support for all four species, which could only be achieved when results for the three loci were combined. MALDI-TOF-based dendrograms showed three major clusters. The first comprised all A. dauci strains, the second included five strains of A. porri and one of A. solani, and the third included all strains of A. tomatophila, as well as all but one strain of A. solani, and one strain of A. porri. Thus, this study shows the usefulness of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as a promising tool for identification of these four species of Alternaria which are closely-related plant pathogens.

In vitro antifungal susceptibility and molecular identity of 99 clinical isolates of the opportunistic fungal genus Curvularia.

The in vitro antifungal susceptibility of a set of 99 clinical isolates of Curvularia was tested against 9 drugs using a reference microdilution method. The isolates had been identified previously to species level by comparing their ITS rDNA and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene sequences with those of reference strains. We were able to reliably identify 73.2% of the isolates, the most frequent species being Curvularia aeria, Curvularia geniculata/Curvularia senegalensis, Curvularia lunata, Curvularia inaequalis, Curvularia verruculosa, and Curvularia borreriae. Most of these isolates had been recovered from nasal sinus, which is generally considered one of the most frequent sites of infection by these fungi. In addition, at least 3 phylogenetic species that have not yet been formally described were detected. The most active drugs were the echinocandins, amphotericin B, and posaconazole, whereas voriconazole and itraconazole showed poor activity.

A new Pseudachorutes (Collembola, Neanuridae, Pseudachorutinae) from Nicaragua.

A new species of Pseudachorutes is described and illustrated from Nicaragua. Pseudachorutes nicasp. n. is very easy to distinguish from other members of this genus from Central America, because its chaetotaxy consists of macro and microsetae and a postantennal organ with multiple vesicles (close to 20).

A new cucullanid from the black grouper Mycteroperca bonaci (Osteichthyes: Serranidae) off the coast of Yucatán, México.

Cucullanus mycteropercae n. sp. is described from the intestine of the black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci Poey, from the northern coast of Yucatán, México. The new species is readily distinguishable from other Cucullanus species because it possesses an ellipsoidal papilla-like structure situated medially on the anterior cloacal lip of males. Other differentiating characters include the variable position of postcloacal pair 8 in males, the subventral position of phasmids, a slightly ventrally hooked posterior end of gubernaculum, and the presence of a large, cylindroconical sclerotized tail end in both sexes. This is the fourth record of a marine cucullanid off the Yucatán Peninsula in México belonging to Cucullanus Müller, 1777.