Three new species of Neohelicomyces (Tubeufiales, Tubeufiaceae) from freshwater and terrestrial habitats in China.

Neohelicomyces species are a group of helicosporous hyphomycetes with the potential to produce secondary metabolites. During our investigation of helicosporous fungi, six collections were isolated from both terrestrial and freshwater habitats in Guizhou Province, China. Based on multigene phylogenetic analysis (ITS, LSU, tef1α and rpb2), coupled with morphological data, three new Neohelicomyces species, viz. N.guizhouensis, N.helicosporus and N.hydei were established. A list of accepted Neohelicomyces species with molecular data was provided. The strain of Neohelicomycespallidus (UAMH 10535) was synonymised under N.denticulatus based on molecular data.

Global Spore Sampling Project: A global, standardized dataset of airborne fungal DNA.

Novel methods for sampling and characterizing biodiversity hold great promise for re-evaluating patterns of life across the planet. The sampling of airborne spores with a cyclone sampler, and the sequencing of their DNA, have been suggested as an efficient and well-calibrated tool for surveying fungal diversity across various environments. Here we present data originating from the Global Spore Sampling Project, comprising 2,768 samples collected during two years at 47 outdoor locations across the world. Each sample represents fungal DNA extracted from 24 m3 of air. We applied a conservative bioinformatics pipeline that filtered out sequences that did not show strong evidence of representing a fungal species. The pipeline yielded 27,954 species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Each OTU is accompanied by a probabilistic taxonomic classification, validated through comparison with expert evaluations. To examine the potential of the data for ecological analyses, we partitioned the variation in species distributions into spatial and seasonal components, showing a strong effect of the annual mean temperature on community composition.

New Insights into Tetraplosphaeriaceae Based on Taxonomic Investigations of Bambusicolous Fungi and Freshwater Fungi.

Species within Tetraplosphaeriaceae have been frequently documented in recent years with the extensive investigations of microfungi along a latitudinal gradient from north to south in the Asian/Australian region. Both bamboo substrates and freshwater habitats serve as extensive reservoirs, hosting a rich diversity of fungi that exhibit broad geographical distributions. The most common fungi in these two environments are generally distributed in distinct families. However, our statistics have revealed an intriguingly distinct preference of Tetraplosphaeriaceae species for inhabiting both bamboo substrates and freshwater habitats. The genera Pseudotetraploa (100%) and Triplosphaeria (100%) exhibit a strong preference, followed by Shrungabeeja (71%) and Quadricrura (67%). Our taxonomic and phylogenetic study of microfungi in southern China have identified four additional novel species, viz., Aquatisphaeria bambusae sp. nov., Pseudotetraploa phyllostachydis sp. nov., Pseudotetraploa yangjiangensis sp. nov., and Tetraploa submersa sp. nov. from bamboo substrates and freshwater habitats. In addition, Aquatisphaeria thailandica has previously been documented from freshwater habitats in Thailand; however, we have once again isolated this species from decaying bamboo substrates in Guangdong, China. The new findings substantiate our hypothesis that the preference of Tetraplosphaeriaceae species for colonizing bamboo substrates and freshwater habitats will be more evident through more extensive investigations conducted in such environments.

Lachnuoic Acids A-F: Ambuic Acid Congeners from a Saprotrophic Lachnum Species.

Chemical prospection of an extract derived from a saprotrophic fungus Lachnum sp. IW157 resulted in the isolation and characterization of six unprecedentedly reported ambuic acid analogues named lachnuoic acids A-F (1-6). Chemical structures of 1-6 were determined based on comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses together with HR-ESI-MS spectrometry. The relative configurations of 1-3 were defined by ROESY spectroscopic analyses while their absolute configurations were unambiguously determined by Mosher's esters method. All isolated compounds were subjected to cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antibiofilm and nematicidal activity assays where only lachnuoic acid A (1) revealed potent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis at MIC values of 16.6 and 8.3 µg/mL, respectively.

Cytotoxic Polyhydroxy-Isoprenoids from Neodidymelliopsis negundinis.

Fungal-derived natural products continue to play a pivotal role in the discovery of drug agents for human, veterinary, and general agricultural use. The fungus Neodidymelliopsis negundinis presents a significant saprobic ascomycete whose metabolites remained hitherto unstudied. Herein we report the isolation of eight unprecedented secondary metabolites named neodidymelliosides A and B (1 and 2), neodidymelliol A (3), and neodidymellioic acids A-E (4-8) produced by the submerged cultures of the fungus. Compound 1 proved to be the most active compound, with IC50 values ranging between 4.8 and 8.8 µM against KB3.1 (cervix), PC-3 (prostate), MCF-7 (breast), SKOV-3 (ovary), A431 (skin), and A549 (lung) cell lines. Compound 1 revealed significant inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans biofilms.

Morphology and multigene phylogeny reveal three new species of Distoseptispora (Distoseptisporales, Distoseptisporaceae) on palms (Arecaceae) from peatswamp areas in southern Thailand.

Peatswamp forest is a unique habitat that supports high biodiversity, particularly fungal diversity. The current study collected submerged and dead plant parts from Eleiodoxaconferta, Eugeissonatristis and Licualapaludosa from a peatswamp forest in Narathiwat Province, Thailand. Morphological features coupled with multigene phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tef1-α sequence data identified our isolates as new Distoseptispora species (viz. D.arecacearumsp. nov., D.eleiodoxaesp. nov. and D.narathiwatensissp. nov.). Morphological descriptions, illustrations and notes are provided.

Appressoria-Producing Sordariomycetes Taxa Associated with Jasminum Species.

Appressoria are specialized structures formed by certain phytopathogenic fungi during the early stages of the infection process. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in understanding the formation, types, and functions of appressoria. Besides being formed primarily by fungal pathogens, many studies have reported their occurrence in other life modes such as endophytes, epiphytes, and saprobes. In this study, we observed the formation of appressoria in fungal genera that have been found associated with leaf spots and, interestingly, by a saprobic species. We used morphological descriptions and illustrations, molecular phylogeny, coalescent-based Poisson tree processes (PTP) model, inter- and intra-species genetic distances based on their respective DNA markers, and Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Recognition Analysis (GCPSR) to establish a new species (Pseudoplagiostoma jasmini), a Ciliochorella sp., and a new host record (Coniella malaysiana). The Ciliochorella sp. is reported as a saprobe, while Pseudoplagiostoma jasmini and Coniella malaysiana were found to be associated with leaf spots of Jasminum species. All three taxa produce appressoria, and this is the first study that reports the formation of appressoria by a Ciliochorella sp. and a Pseudoplagiostoma sp.

First Report of Colletotrichum fructicola, C. rhizophorae sp. nov. and C. thailandica sp. nov. on Mangrove in Thailand.

Colletotrichum, a genus within the phylum Ascomycota (Fungi) and family Glomerellaceae are important plant pathogens globally. In this paper, we detail four Colletotrichum species found in mangrove ecosystems. Two new species, Colletotrichum rhizophorae and C. thailandica, and a new host record for Colletotrichum fructicola were identified in Thailand. Colletotrichum tropicale was collected from Taiwan's mangroves and is a new record for Rhizophora mucronata. These identifications were established through a combination of molecular analysis and morphological characteristics. This expanded dataset for Colletotrichum enhances our understanding of the genetic diversity within this genus and its associations with mangrove ecosystems. The findings outlined herein provide data on our exploration of mangrove pathogens in Asia.

Diaporphasines E and F: New Polyketides from the Saprotrophic Fungus Lachnum sp. IW157 Growing on the Reed Grass Phragmites communis.

Chemical investigation for the mycelial extract of a saprotrophic fungus Lachnum sp. IW157 growing on the common reed grass Phragmites communis afforded the identification of two polyketide metabolites diaporphasines E (1) and F (2). Chemical structures of isolated compounds were unambiguously elucidated based on extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectral analyses in addition to their high-resolution mass spectrometry. The isolated compounds were assessed for their cytotoxicity and antimicrobial and biofilm inhibitory activities. While compound 1 revealed potent cytotoxicity against the tested cell lines L929 and KB3.1 with IC50 values of 0.9 and 3.7 µM, respectively, compound 2 exhibited moderate effects on the formation of S. aureus biofilms at 31.25 µg/mL.

Lignicolous Freshwater Fungi from Plateau Lakes in China (I): Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Eight Species of Lentitheciaceae, Including New Genus, New Species and New Records.

During the investigation of lignicolous freshwater fungi in plateau lakes in Yunnan Province, China, eight Lentitheciaceae species were collected from five lakes viz. Luguhu, Qiluhu, Xingyunhu, Cibihu, and Xihu lake. Based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, LSU, SSU, and tef 1-α sequence data, a new genus Paralentithecium, two new species (Paralentithecium suae, and Setoseptoria suae), three new records (Halobyssothecium phragmitis, H. unicellulare, and Lentithecium yunnanensis) and three known species viz. Halobyssothecium aquifusiforme, Lentithecium pseudoclioninum, and Setoseptoria bambusae are reported.

Study of Optimal Conditions to Grow Thai Ganoderma, Fruiting Test, Proximate and Their Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity.

Ganoderma (Ganodermataceae) has a worldwide distribution and has been widely used in traditional medicines. In this study, we report wild strains of Ganoderma that include two G. sichuanense and one G. orbiforme from northern Thailand. Optimal conditions for mycelium growth were ensured. The most favourable medium was potato sucrose agar for G. sichuanense and oatmeal agar for G. orbiforme and at 25 °C and 30 °C and pH 4-8. All types of cereal grains can be used to promote the growth of the mycelia of Ganoderma species. Fruiting tests were performed. All strains of Ganoderma produce fruiting bodies successfully in bag culture at 28 ± 1 °C with 75-85% relative humidity. Only G. orbiforme produced fruiting bodies in field cultivation at the laboratory scale. In the first flush yields, the G. sichuanense strain MFLUCC 22-0064 gave better production (the B.E was 152.35 ± 6.98 g). This study is the first to document the bag and field cultivation of wild Thai G. orbiforme. Ganoderma species are revealed to contain high amounts of fiber (47.90-52.45% d.b.), protein (12.80-14.67% d.b.), fat (4.90-5.70% d.b.), and carbohydrates (3.16-4.02% d.b.). Additionally, G. sichuanense and G. orbiforme were preliminarily screened for biological activity for inhibition of alpha-glucosidase enzyme activity. The IC50 values of G. orbiforme (MFLUCC 22-0066) was 105.97 ± 1.36 µg/mL and G. sichuanense (MFLUCC 22-0064) was 126.94 ± 0.87 µg/mL. Both strains had better inhibition than acarbose (168.18 ± 0.89 µM). These results on wild strains of Ganoderma will be useful for further studies on the applications of Ganoderma. Later the species can be introduced to domestic markets for cultivation and medicinal use.

Pleomorphic Dematiomelanommayunnanense gen. et sp. nov. (Ascomycota, Melanommataceae) from grassland vegetation in Yunnan, China.

During a survey of microfungi associated with grasslands and related vegetation types from Yunnan Province in China, various ascomycetous and coelomycetous fungi were isolated. This study reports the discovery of four strains of ascomycetous and coelomycetous fungi from dead stalks of Hypericummonogynum L. (Hypericaceae) and Rubusparvifolius L. (Rosaceae) in the Zhaotong region of Yunnan Province, China. The isolates were characterized using multi-locus phylogenetic analyses and were found to represent a new monophyletic lineage in Melanommataceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes). This new clade was named as Dematiomelanommayunnanense gen. et sp. nov. which consists of both sexual and asexual morphs. The sexual morph is characterized by globose to subglobose ascomata with a central ostiole, cylindrical asci with a pedicel and ocular chamber, and muriform, ellipsoidal to fusiform ascospores. The asexual morph has synanamorphs including both brown, muriform macroconidia and hyaline, round to oblong or ellipsoidal microconidia. These findings contribute to the understanding of fungal diversity in grasslands and related vegetation types in Yunnan Province, China.

Introduction of two novel species of Hymenopellis (Agaricales, Physalacriaceae) from Thailand.

Hymenopellis is the most diverse genus in the group of oudemansielloid/xeruloid taxa (Physalacriaceae). This genus has a worldwide distribution with records mostly from Europe and America. Asian taxa are least represented. In this paper on Hymenopellis from Thailand, two novel species are introduced, and a Hymenopellis collection affine to H.orientalis is described. Macro and micromorphological characters are described. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were performed on combined ITS and nrLSU regions to confirm taxonomical placement and infer the phylogenetic affinities of the studied species. Hymenopellisstraminea sp. nov. is straw-yellow, with medium-sized basidiomata, abundant and diverse in form cheilocystidia, few, narrowly lageniform to fusiform pleurocystidia, and clamp connections at the lower part of the stipe. Hymenopellisutriformis sp. nov. has mostly utriform pleurocystidia and 2-spored basidia. In the inferred phylogenies, the new species from this study formed distinct clades well supported by bootstrap proportions and posterior probabilities. The studied specimen affine to H.orientalis produced 2-spored basidia whereas published descriptions of other specimens mention 4-spored basidia. Moreover, the genetic distance between ITS sequences of this specimen and that of a Hymenopellisorientalis specimen from GenBank was 1.30-2.57%. Therefore, the conspecificity of our specimen with H.orientalis is uncertain, and additional specimens are needed to fully confirm its identity.

Two new fungal genera (Diaporthales) found on Dipterocarpaceae in Thailand.

Diaporthales is a species-rich order of fungi that includes endophytes, saprobes, and pathogens associated with forest plants and crops. They may also occur as parasites or secondary invaders of plant tissues injured or infected by other organisms or inhabit living animal and human tissues, as well as soil. Meanwhile, some severe pathogens wipe out large-scale cultivations of profitable crops, timber monocultures, and forests. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 sequence data, generated using maximum likelihood (ML), maximum parsimony (MP), and MrBayes (BI), we introduce two new genera of Diaporthales found in Dipterocarpaceae in Thailand, namely Pulvinaticonidioma and Subellipsoidispora. Pulvinaticonidioma is characterized by solitary, subglobose, pycnidial, unilocular conidiomata with the internal layers convex and pulvinate at the base; hyaline, unbranched, septate conidiophores; hyaline, phialidic, cylindrical to ampulliform, determinate conidiogenous cells and hyaline, cylindrical, straight, unicellular, and aseptate conidia with obtuse ends. Subellipsoidispora has clavate to broadly fusoid, short pedicellate asci with an indistinct J- apical ring; biturbinate to subellipsoidal, hyaline to pale brown, smooth, guttulate ascospores that are 1-septate and slightly constricted at the septa. Detailed morphological and phylogenetic comparisons of these two new genera are provided in this study.

Morphology and Phylogeny Reveal Three Montagnula Species from China and Thailand.

Four stains were isolated from two fresh twigs of Helwingia himalaica and two dead woods during investigations of micro-fungi in China and Thailand. Phylogenetic analyses of four gene regions LSU, ITS, SSU and tef1-α revealed the placement of these species in Montagnula. Based on the morphological examination and molecular data, two new species, M. aquatica and M. guiyangensis, and a known species M. donacina are described. Descriptions and illustrations of the new collections and a key to the Montagnula species are provided. Montagnula chromolaenicola, M. puerensis, M. saikhuensis, and M. thailandica are discussed and synonymized under M. donacina.

Taxonomic Advances from Fungal Flora Associated with Ferns and Fern-like Hosts in Northern Thailand.

Ferns are one of the most significant plant groupings that comprise a substantial proportion of the plant flora due to the fact of their great diversity, especially in tropical areas. The biodiversity of fungi associated with ferns and fern-like hosts has also received little attention in studies. Plant samples were collected from diseased and dead plants of ten fern or fern-like species from Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. Forty-one isolates were selected from the obtained isolates for molecular and morphological analysis, with a focus on pathogenic fungal genera and consideration of the diversity in host and geographical location. Twenty-six species belonging to seven genera (Colletotrichum, Curvularia, Diaporthe, Fusarium, Lasiodiplodia, Neopestalotiopsis, and Pestalotiopsis) in six families were identified. Thirty new hosts, eight new geographical hosts, and one new species, Colletotrichum polypodialium, are described. Nepestalotiopsis phangngaensis, N. pandancola, Diaporthe tectonendophytica, D. chiangraiensis, and D. delonicis were isolated for the first time from leaf spots. Additionally, new reservoirs and geographical locations for species previously isolated from leaf spots or whose pathogenicity was established were found. However, more studies are necessary to prove the pathogenicity of the fungi isolated from the leaf spots and to identify the fungi associated with other species of ferns.

Phylogeny and Morphology of Novel Species and New Collections Related to Sarcoscyphaceae (Pezizales, Ascomycota) from Southwestern China and Thailand.

Sarcoscyphaceae (Pezizales) is distinguished by small to large, vividly-coloured sessile to stipitate apothecia, plurinucleate and pigmented paraphyses, operculate asci with thick walls, and plurinucleate, uniguttulate to multiguttulate ascospores with smooth walls or ornamentations. We collected more than 40 Sarcoscyphaceae specimens from dead twigs or wood. Based on morphology and phylogeny, these species belong to Cookeina, Nanoscypha, Phillipsia, Pithya, and Sarcoscypha. Among these, we introduce three new species-Nanoscypha aequispora, Pithya villosa, and Sarcoscypha longitudinalis. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb2, and tef-1α gene regions indicate the relationships of these species within Sarcoscyphaceae. Meanwhile, we propose Ph. gelatinosa as a synonym of Ph. domingensis. One new record of C. sinensis is reported from Thailand.

Integrative approach to species delimitation in Rhizophydiales: Novel species of Angulomyces, Gorgonomyces, and Terramyces from northern Thailand.

The Chytridiomycota is a phylum of zoosporic eufungi that inhabit terrestrial, freshwater, and oceanic habitats. Within the phylum, the Rhizophydiales contains several monotypic families theorized to hold a diverse assemblage of fungi yet to be discovered and properly described. Based on morphology alone, many species in this order are difficult or impossible to identify. In this study, we isolated three chytrids from northern Thailand. Phylogenetic analyses placed the isolates in three monotypic genera within Rhizophydiales. Intrageneric genetic distances in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ranged between 1.5 and 8.5%. Angulomyces solicola sp. nov. is characterized by larger sporangia, spores, and fewer discharge papilla than A.argentinensis; Gorgonomyces thailandicus sp. nov. has larger zoospores and fewer discharge papillae in culture compared to G. haynaldii; Terramyces chiangraiensis sp. nov. produces larger sporangia than T. subangulosum. We delimited species of Angulomyces, Gorgonomyces and Terramyces using a tripartite approach that employed phylogeny, ITS genetic distances and Poisson tree processes (PTP). Results of these approaches suggest more than one species in each genus. This study contributes to the knowledge of chytrids, an understudied group in Thailand and worldwide.

Identification and Characterization of Colletotrichum Species Associated with Cherry Leaf Spot Disease in China.

Leaf spot is a common and serious disease of sweet cherry worldwide and has become a major concern in China. From 2018 to 2020, disease investigations were carried out in Beijing City, Sichuan, Shandong, and Liaoning Provinces in China, and 105 Colletotrichum isolates were obtained from diseased samples. Isolates were identified by morphological characterization coupled with multigene phylogenetic analyses based on six loci (internal transcribed spacer region, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, calmodulin, actin, chitin synthase, and ß-tubulin). A total of 13 Colletotrichum species were identified, namely Colletotrichum aenigma, C. gloeosporioides, C. fructicola, C. siamense, C. temperatum, C. conoides, C. hebeiense, C. sojae, C. plurivorum, C. karsti, C. truncatum, C. incanum, and C. dematium. Among these, C. aenigma (25.7%) was the most prominent species isolated from diseased leaves, followed by C. gloeosporioides (19.0%) and C. fructicola (12.4%). Pathogenicity was tested on detached leaves of cv. 'Tieton' and 'Summit' and young seedlings of cv. 'Brooks' under greenhouse conditions. All 13 species were pathogenic to cherry leaves, and C. aenigma, C. conoides, and C. dematium showed high levels of virulence. Seedlings inoculated with the isolates developed similar symptoms to those seen in the orchards. This study provides the first reports for 11 of the 13 Colletotrichum species on sweet cherry in the world, excluding C. aenigma and C. fructicola. This is the first comprehensive study of Colletotrichum species associated with cherry leaf spot in China, and the results will provide basic knowledge to develop sustainable control measures for cherry leaf spot.

Candida nivariensis, an emerging fungus causing peritonitis in a patient receiving peritoneal dialysis.

Fungal peritonitis (FP) is usually associated with poor patient outcomes and is mostly caused by non-albicans Candida species. We present a Candida nivariensis-associated peritonitis in a 68-year-old woman with end-stage kidney disease on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Biochemical profiling of the cultured yeast of the effluent sample did not adequately identify the yeast. Hence, molecular phylogeny and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectroscopy were employed which correctly identified the causative species, C. nivariensis. PD catheter was removed and oral fluconazole was promptly started according to the 2022 International Society for PD (ISPD) Peritonitis Guidelines. However, the patient achieved only a partial clinical response and eventually died. The susceptibility test showed that the pathogen was susceptible to amphotericin B and voriconazole but resistant to other triazoles. This report underlines the importance of identifying the species, though rarely reported, and the drug susceptibility of the organism.