Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses reveal eight novel species of Distoseptispora from southern China.

IMPORTANCE: Distoseptispora as a single genus in Distoseptisporaceae was introduced by morphological and phylogenetic analyses. Members of this genus occur mainly as asexual morphs, forming effuse, hairy colonies on decaying wood, plant stems, bamboo culms, and fallen leaves and shafts in terrestrial and freshwater habitats. In the present study, saprobic hyphomycetes from plant debris were investigated, and eight new Distoseptispora species were introduced based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses of LSU, ITS, TEF1, and RPB2 sequence data. This study provides important data on the species diversity, ecological environment, and geographical area of Distoseptispora, greatly updates the classification of Distoseptispora, and improves our understanding of the taxonomy of Distoseptispora.

Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Three New Species of Distoseptispora (Distoseptisporaceae, Distoseptisporales) from Yunnan, China.

Three new species of Distoseptispora, viz. D. mengsongensis, D. nabanheensis, and D. sinensis, are described and illustrated from specimens collected on dead branches of unidentified plants in Yunnan Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses of LSU, ITS, and TEF1 sequence data, using maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI), reveal the taxonomic placement of D. mengsongensis, D. nabanheensis, and D. sinensis within Distoseptispora. Both morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analyses supported D. mengsongensis, D. nabanheensis, and D. sinensis as three new taxa. To extend our knowledge of the diversity of Distoseptispora-like taxa, a list of recognized species of Distoseptispora with major morphological features, habitat, host, and locality is also provided.

Morphology and Multigene Phylogeny Revealed Three New Species of Helminthosporium (Massarinaceae, Pleosporales) from China.

Saprobic hyphomycetes are highly diverse on plant debris. Over the course of our mycological surveys in southern China, three new Helminthosporium species, H. guanshanense sp. nov., H. jiulianshanense sp. nov. and H. meilingense sp. nov., collected on dead branches of unidentified plants, were introduced by morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Multi-loci (ITS, LSU, SSU, RPB2 and TEF1) phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference to infer their taxonomic positions within Massarinaceae. Both molecular analyses and morphological data supported H. guanshanense, H. jiulianshanense and H. meilingense as three independent taxa within Helminthosporium. A list of accepted Helminthosporium species with major morphological features, host information, locality and sequence data was provided. This work expands our understanding of the diversity of Helminthosporium-like taxa in Jiangxi Province, China.

Molecular Phylogeny and Morphology Reveal Four Novel Species of Corynespora and Kirschsteiniothelia (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) from China: A Checklist for Corynespora Reported Worldwide.

Plant debris are habitats favoring survival and multiplication of various microbial species. During continuing mycological surveys of saprobic microfungi from plant debris in Yunnan Province, China, several Corynespora-like and Dendryphiopsis-like isolates were collected from dead branches of unidentified perennial dicotyledonous plants. Four barcodes, i.e., ITS, LSU, SSU and tef1-α, were amplified and sequenced. Morphological studies and multigene phylogenetic analyses by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference revealed three new Corynespora species (C. mengsongensis sp. nov., C. nabanheensis sp. nov. and C. yunnanensis sp. nov.) and a new Kirschsteiniothelia species (K. nabanheensis sp. nov.) within Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota. A list of identified and accepted species of Corynespora with major morphological features, host information and locality was compiled. This work improves the knowledge of species diversity of Corynespora and Kirschsteiniothelia in Yunnan Province, China.

Keqinzhangia aquatica gen. et sp. nov. and Pseudocoronospora hainanense gen. et sp. nov., isolated from freshwater in southern China.

During an investigation of the diversity of aquatic hyphomycetes from southern China, two interesting isolates were collected. These two isolates were cultured and sequenced, and a BLAST search of their LSU sequences against data in GenBank revealed that the closest related taxa were in the genus Microthyrium. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the combined sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large nuclear subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU), revealed that our isolates belong to the Microthyriaceae. Combined morphological characters allowed us to describe our isolates as two new genera and species in Microthyriaceae, named as: Keqinzhangia aquatica and Pseudocoronospora hainanense. The full descriptions, illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree showing the position of the two new genera were provided in this paper.

Three novel species of Helminthosporium (Massarinaceae, Pleosporales) from China.

Three new species of Helminthosporium, H.nabanhensis, H.sinensis and H.yunnanensis collected on dead branches of unidentified plants in Xishuangbanna, China, were proposed by morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of the combined data of ITS-SSU-LSU-TEF1-RPB2 sequences was performed using Maximum-Likelihood and Bayesian Inference, although H.nabanhensis and H.sinensis lack the RPB2 sequences. Both molecular analyses and morphological data supported H.nabanhensis, H.sinensis and H.yunnanensis as three independent taxa within the Massarinaceae.

Two new asexual genera and six new asexual species in the family Microthyriaceae (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) from China.

The family Microthyriaceae is represented by relatively few mycelial cultures and DNA sequences; as a result, the taxonomy and classification of this group of organisms remain poorly understood. During the investigation of the diversity of aquatic hyphomycetes from southern China, several isolates were collected. These isolates were cultured and sequenced and a BLAST search of its LSU sequences against data in GenBank revealed that the closest related taxa are in the genus Microthyrium. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the combined sequence data from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU), revealed that these isolates represent eight new taxa in Microthyriaceae, including two new genera, Antidactylaria gen. nov. and Isthmomyces gen. nov. and six new species, Antidactylariaminifimbriata sp. nov., Isthmomycesoxysporus sp. nov., I.dissimilis sp. nov., I.macrosporus sp. nov., Triscelophorusanisopterioideus sp. nov. and T.sinensis sp. nov. These new taxa are described, illustrated for their morphologies and compared with similar taxa. In addition, two new combinations are proposed in this family.

Striatibotrys neoeucylindrosporus sp. nov., a Stachybotrys-like fungus from North America.

Two isolates from Canada and the USA (UAMH 7122 and UAMH 7211, respectively) previously identified as Stachybotrys eucylindrosporus were studied by morphology and six-locus phylogeny (cmdA, ITS, LSU, rpb2, tef1α and tub2). UAMH 7122 and UAMH 7211 are morphologically related but phylogenetically distinct from Striatibotrys eucylindrosporus (≡Stachybotrys eucylindrosporus) and Str. rhabdosporus. Hence, UAMH 7122 and UAMH 7211 are described as a new species, Striatibotrys neoeucylindrosporus sp. nov. with UAMH 7211 as the holotype. The characters of this species include some phialides proliferating by holoblastic extension of phialides and conidia clavate, subcylindrical or cylindrical ellipsoid, or dumbbell-shaped, dark brown to olivaceous grey when mature, longitudinally striate, 10.3-12.3×3-3.8 µm. A key to the species of Striatibotrys is provided.

Ramichloridium endophyticum sp. nov., a novel species of endophytic fungus from Potamogeton pectinatus.

During a survey of endophytic fungi in aquatic plants collected from Tibet, PR China, a novel species, Ramichloridium endophyticum, was isolated from Potamogeton pectinatus. This novel species differs from other species of the genus Ramichloridium by its finely verrucose, obovoid, ellipsoidal-obovoid and occasionally subglobose conidia. Phylogenetic analysis of the combined sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (tef1-α) confirmed that the isolated strain represents a member of the genus Ramichloridium. A full description, illustrations and a phylogenetic tree showing the position of R. endophyticum are provided.

Phialolunulospora vermispora (Chaetosphaeriaceae, Sordariomycetes), a novel asexual genus and species from freshwater in southern China.

The asexual taxon Phialolunulospora vermispora gen. et sp. nov., collected from submerged dicotyledonous leaves in Hainan, China, is described and illustrated herein. Phialolunulospora gen. nov. is characterized by macronematous, semimacronematous, septate and pigmented conidiophores and acrogenous, long lunate, vermiform to sigmoid, hyaline conidia with an eccentric basal appendage. Complete sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial sequences of nuclear large subunits ribosomal DNA (LSU) genes are provided. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS and LSU sequences revealed its placement in the Chaetosphaeriaceae. The new fungus is compared with morphologically similar genera.

Comparison of aquatic hyphomycetes communities between lotic and lentic environments in the Atlantic rain forest of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil.

Riparian forests are important to aquatic ecosystems and produce large quantities of organic matter that are recycled by the microbial community that includes microscopic fungi. The aim of this study was to unveil and compare the diversity of aquatic hyphomycetes associated to submerged leaf litter of tropical lotic and lentic environments in the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil. Six sampling events were carried out in six points of two study areas: Biological Reserve "Mata da Chuva" (MC) and Environmental Protection Area "Lagoa da Mata" (LM), in Pernambuco, Brazil. Twenty three taxa of hyphomycetes were identified resulting in 87 occurrences. In the lake LM, 13 taxa of hyphomycetes were identified with 34 occurrences and in the MC (stream), 20 taxa with 53 occurrences. Ten species were common to both areas. Diversity indices and fungal biomass (ergosterol) were mostly higher in the lotic system. The fungal community analysis did not show any structure regarding sampling periods or sampling points within an area, however the two areas are different. Although the turbulence of the water is considered important for the development of these aquatic fungi, it is possible to find a diverse community of hyphomycetes and considerable fungal biomass in the lentic environment.

Blastosporiumpersicolor gen. et sp. nov., a new helotialean fungus.

A new genus and species, Blastosporiumpersicolor, is described and illustrated from leaves of mildewed tobacco. It is characterised by branched, septate hyphae from which arise macronematous, unbranched or spaced branched conidiophores and mono- or polyblastic conidiogenous cells that produced solitary and blastocatenate, obovoid, oblong, ellipsoidal, allantoid, broad fusiform to irregular, unicellular, hyaline conidia. The phylogenetic analyses, based on the combined sequence data from the small and large nuclear subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU and LSU), placed B.persicolor in the Leotiomycetes class, Helotiales order.

Two new species of Verruconis from Hainan, China.

Two new species of the genus Verruconis, V.hainanensis and V.pseudotricladiata, were described using combined morphological and DNA sequence data. The DNA sequences of respective strains including nuclear ribosomal DNA genes (nuSSU, ITS, nuLSU) and fragments of three protein-coding genes (ACT1, BT2, TEF1) were sequenced and compared with those from closely-related species to genera Ochroconis and Verruconis (Family Sympoventuriaceae, Order Venturiales). Morphologically, both species showed typical ampulliform conidiophores and conidiogenous cells, features not seen in other species of Verruconis. The conidia of V.hainanensis are fusiform and those of V.pseudotricladiata are Y or T shaped, similar to old members of a closely-related genus Scolecobasidium. The addition of these two new species provides a new perspective on the heterogeneity of Scolecobasidium.

Neodendryphiella, a novel genus of the Dictyosporiaceae (Pleosporales).

In a survey of soil and herbivore dung microfungi in Mexico and Spain, several dendryphiella-like species were found. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and LSU sequences showed that these fungi belonged to the family Dictyosporiaceae (Pleosporales) and represent an undescribed monophyletic lineage distant from Dendryphiella. Therefore, the genus Neodendryphiella is proposed to accommodate three new species, N.mali, N.michoacanensis and N.tarraconensis. The novel genus shares morphological features with Dendryphiella such as differentiated conidiophores and polytretic integrated conidiogenous cells, that produce acropetal branched chains of conidia. Neodendryphiella differs in the absence of nodulose conidiophores bearing conidiogenous cells with pores surrounded by a thickened and darkened wall, typical features in the conidiogenous apparatus of Dendryphiella. In addition, the phylogenetic and morphological analysis of several reference strains of different Dendryphiella species, available for comparison, support the proposal of D.variabilissp. nov., which mainly differs from the other species of the genus by having conidia up to 7 septa and highlight that D.vinosa and D.infuscans are obscure species that require further taxonomic review.

Relación de la riqueza de hongos conidiales con factores ambientales y de la hojarasca, en la Reserva Ecológica Cayalá, Guatemala / Relationship of the richness of conidial fungi with environmental and leaf litter factors in the Cayalá Ecological Reserve, Guatemala

Los hongos conidiales se desarrollan en ambientes muy variados en los que influye la temperatura, la humedad y la profundidad de la hojarasca. En esta investigación se analizó la influencia que tiene la humedad del ambiente, microambiente y hojarasca; la temperatura del ambiente y microambiente y la profundidad de la hojarasca, en el desarrollo de 14 especies de hongos anamórficos encontrados en la Reserva Ecológica Cayalá, un bosque urbano ubicado en la Ciudad de Guatemala. Este análisis se realizó por medio de muestreos durante la época lluviosa de julio a noviembre de 2013 y por estadística multivariada para asociar las distintas variables con las especies fúngicas. Se encontró que la presencia de Bactrodesmium longisporum MB Ellis, Beltrania rhombica Penz, Michelia, Junewangia globulosa (Thoth) WA Baker & Morgan - Jones y Neopodocodis megasperma (Boedijin) Rifai fueron influenciadas por la profundidad de la hojarasca y la temperatura del microambiente mientras que el resto de especies lo fueron por la humedad del ambiente, microambiente y hojarasca. Es importante conocer la forma en que las variables evaluadas afectan la presencia de estos hongos, por su acción en la dinámica de remanentes boscosos urbanos, para contribuir a su conservación

Conidial fungi develop in distinct habitats with several environmental conditions in which influences the temperature, humidity and depth of litter. In this research the influence of the humidity, temperature, microenvironment and litter moisture and temperature and depth of litter, was analyzed in the development of 14 species of anamorphic fungi found in the Reserva Ecológica Cayalá, located in Guatemala City. This analysis was performed by sampling during the rainy season from July to November 2013 and using multivariate statistics for different variables associated with the species. It was found that the presence of Bactrodesmium longisporum MB Ellis, Beltrania rhombica Penz, Michelia, Junewangia globulosa (Thoth) WA Baker & Morgan - Jones, and Neopodocodis megasperma(Boedijin) Rifai, was influenced by the depth of litter and microenvironment temperature while the other species were for the environmental humidity, microenvironment moisture and litter moisture. It is important to know how the evaluated variables affect the presence of these fungi, by the roleits action on the dynamics of urban forest remmants, to contribute to their conservation.

Nuevos registros de hongos anamórficos para Guatemala / New records of anamorph fungi from Guatemala

Los hongos anamorfos constituyen un grupo muy diverso microscópicos cuya forma de reproducción es asexual a través de conidios. Actúan como agentes de degradación de la materia vegetal en el suelo, lo cual es un proceso clave en el reciclaje de nutrientes. Debido a la importancia y al vacío de información que existe sobre estos hongos en Guatemala, en este trabajo se identificaron 12 especies, por medio de características microscópicas; luego de la extracción de las estructuras fúngicas desarrolladas en hojas, ramas y semillas recolectadas en una parcela de la Reserva Ecológica Cayalá de la Ciudad de Guatemala. El material de referencia está depositado en la colección de hongos anamorfos de la Micoteca de Macrohongos de Guatemala "Lic. Rubén Mayorga Peralta" (MICG)

Anamorphic fungi are a diverse group of microscopic fungi that reproduce asexually through conidia. They degrade plant debris on the soil, which is a key process in nutrients recycling. Because of its importance and the lack of information regarding to these fungi in Guatemala, In this article, 12 species were identified through microscopic characteristics, after extraction of fungal structures developed in leaves, twigs and seeds collected at the Cayalá Ecological Reserve in Guatemala City. Reference materials are placed at the anamorphic fungi collection at Micoteca de Macro hongos de Guatemala, "Dr. Ruben Mayorga Peralta" (MICG).

Evaluación de la producción experimental de enzimas coagulantes de leche utilizando cepas de Rhizomucor spp / Evaluation of experimental production of milk-clotting enzymes using Rhizomucor spp strains

La producción experimental de enzimas coagulante de leche se llevó a cabo en un medio de cultivo de laboratorio durante 190 h de incubación, utilizando tres cepas certificadas de Rhizomucor pusillus, R.miehei y dos especies nativas de Rhizomucor spp. BIOMI-12 y 13. La evaluación se realizó midiendo la concentración de glucosa y proteína durante la incubación, estimación de la productividad, actividad específica, índice fuerza de cuajo/actividad proteolítica en los extractos enzimáticos crudos, determinación de los pesos moleculares y actividad proteolítica en los extractos enzimáticos parcialmente purificado. Todas las cepas mostraron un consumo de glucosa similar, el mismo comportamiento se observó en el contenido de proteína, excepto la cepa BIOMI-13. Los incrementos en el contenido de proteínas después del descenso, coincidieron con la máxima actividad coagulante registrada por cada cepa, siendo el extracto crudo de la cepa BIOMI-13 la de mayor actividad coagulante (148,15 FC), productividad (3,09 FC/h), índice fuerza de cuajo/actividad proteolítica (142,60 FC/U) y actividad específica (1.062,00 FC/mg). Los extractos enzimáticos parcialmente purificados de las cepas R miehei 37, Rhizomucor spp BIOMI-12 y 13, presentaron proteínas con pesos moleculares en aproximadamente 22,6 y 46,52 KDa, mientras el extracto R pusillus 39 presentó una banda adicional de 39,6 KDa. En el zimograma se observó para todas las cepas actividad proteolítica en las bandas comprendidas entre 40-50 KDa y 20-22 KDa, no así para el R pusillus 36, donde fue escasa. Finalmente se determinó que la cepa BIOMI-13, tiene la mayor capacidad para producir enzimas coagulantes de la leche.

Experimental production of milk clotting enzymes was conducted on a laboratory culture medium for 190 h incubation, using three certified strains of Rhizomucor pusillus, miehei and two native Rhizomucor spp. BIOMI-12 and 13. The evaluation was performed by measuring the concentration of glucose and protein during incubation, estimate productivity, specific activity, rennet strength/proteolytic activity index in the crude enzyme extracts, determining the molecular weights and proteolytic activity in the partially purified enzyme extracts. All strains showed consumption rates of glucose, the same behavior observed protein content, except strain BIOMI-13. The increase in protein content after descent coincided with the recorded maximum coagulant activity each strains, being the crude extract of strain BIOMI-13 higher coagulant activity (148,15 FC), productivity (3.09 HR / h), rennet strength/proteolytic activity index (142,60 FC/U) and specific activity (1,062 FC/mg). The partially purified enzyme extracts from strains R miehei 37, Rhizomucor spp BIOMI-12 and 13, presented proteins with molecular weights in approximately 22,6 kDa and 46.52, while the extract R pusillus 39 present an additional band of 39,6 KDa. In the zymogram was observed for all strains, proteolytic activity in the bands between 40-50 KDa and 20-22 KDa, but not for the R pusillus 36, where activity was very dim. Finally it was determined that the strain BIOMI-13, has the greatest capacity to produce milk clotting enzymes.

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.

Hyphomycetes from Nigerian rain forests.

Phaeobotrys gen. nov., based on Phaeodactylium acutisporum, characterized by branched and pigmented conidiophores, and the production of hyaline, appendiculate conidia from denticles on polyblastic conidiogenous cells which usually extend sympodially to form more conidiogenous loci, and Zanclospora stellata sp. nov., recognized by its stellate sterile branches in the distal part of the conidiophore and bacilliform conidia, are described and illustrated from decaying leaf litter from Nigeria. Keys to Phaeobotrys and related genera, and to species of Zanclospora are proposed. Furthermore, a list of hyphomycetes newly reported for Nigeria is provided.