Latest Articles from MycoKeys Latest 22 Articles from MycoKeys https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 22:47:43 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from MycoKeys https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/ Chaenothecopsis (Mycocaliciales, Ascomycota) from exudates of endemic New Zealand Podocarpaceae https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/97601/ MycoKeys 95: 101-129

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.95.97601

Authors: Christina Beimforde, Alexander R. Schmidt, Hanna Tuovila, Uwe Kaulfuss, Juliane Germer, William G. Lee, Jouko Rikkinen

Abstract: The order Mycocaliciales (Ascomycota) comprises fungal species with diverse, often highly specialized substrate ecologies. Particularly within the genus Chaenothecopsis, many species exclusively occur on fresh and solidified resins or other exudates of vascular plants. In New Zealand, the only previously known species growing on plant exudate is Chaenothecopsis schefflerae, found on several endemic angiosperms in the family Araliaceae. Here we describe three new species; Chaenothecopsis matai Rikkinen, Beimforde, Tuovila & A.R. Schmidt, C. nodosa Beimforde, Tuovila, Rikkinen & A.R. Schmidt, and C. novae-zelandiae Rikkinen, Beimforde, Tuovila & A.R. Schmidt, all growing on exudates of endemic New Zealand conifers of the Podocarpaceae family, particularly on Prumnopitys taxifolia. Phylogenetic analyses based on ribosomal DNA regions (ITS and LSU) grouped them into a distinct, monophyletic clade. This, as well as the restricted host range, suggests that all three taxa are endemic to New Zealand. Copious insect frass between the ascomata contain ascospores or show an early stage of ascomata development, indicating that the fungi are spread by insects. The three new species represent the first evidence of Chaenothecopsis from any Podocarpaceae species and the first from any gymnosperm exudates in New Zealand.

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Research Article Thu, 16 Feb 2023 17:36:21 +0200
New species of Sticta (lichenised Ascomycota, lobarioid Peltigeraceae) from Bolivia suggest a high level of endemism in the Central Andes https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/89960/ MycoKeys 92: 131-160

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.92.89960

Authors: Emilia Anna Ossowska, Bibiana Moncada, Martin Kukwa, Adam Flakus, Pamela Rodriguez-Flakus, Sandra Olszewska, Robert Lücking

Abstract: Six species of Sticta are described as new to science on the basis of material from Bolivia and supported by phylogenetic analysis of the fungal ITS barcoding marker. The species were resolved in all three of the clades (I, II, III) widespread and common in the Neotropics, as defined in an earlier study on the genus. Comparison with material from neighbouring countries (i.e. Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) suggests that these new species may be potentially endemic to the Bolivian Yungas ecoregion. For each species, a detailed morphological and anatomical description is given. Sticta amboroensis Ossowska, Kukwa, B. Moncada & Lücking is a medium-sized green-algal species with laminal to submarginal apothecia with hirsute margins and with light to dark brown lower tomentum. Sticta aymara Ossowska, Kukwa, B. Moncada, Flakus, Rodriguez-Flakus & Lücking is a comparatively small cyanobacterial taxon with Nostoc as photobiont, laminal, richly branched, aggregate isidia and a golden to chocolate-brown lower tomentum. The medium-sized, cyanobacterial S. bicellulata Ossowska, Kukwa, B. Moncada & Lücking has cyanobacterial photobiont, bicellular ascospores, apothecia with white to golden-brown hairs on the margins, K+ violet apothecial margin (ring around disc) and epihymenium and a white to dark brown lower tomentum. In contrast, the green-algal species, S. carrascoensis Ossowska, Kukwa, B. Moncada & Lücking is characterised by its large size, apothecia with dark brown hairs on the margins and a yellow medulla. The cyanobacterial S. catharinae Ossowska, B. Moncada, Kukwa, Flakus, Rodriguez-Flakus & Lücking forms stipitate thalli with Nostoc as photobiont, abundant, laminal to submarginal apothecia and a golden-brown lower tomentum. Finally, the cyanobacterial S. pseudoimpressula Ossowska, Kukwa, B. Moncada & Lücking produces laminal apothecia with an orange-yellow line of pruina along the margins which reacts K+ carmine-red. In addition to the six new Bolivian taxa, the cyanobacterial S. narinioana B. Moncada, Ossowska & Lücking is described as new from Colombia and it represents the closely-related sister species of the Bolivian S. aymara; it differs from the latter largely in the marginal instead of laminal isidia.

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Research Article Tue, 13 Sep 2022 10:30:48 +0300
Lack of knowledge on ecological determinants and cryptic lifestyles hinder our understanding of Terfezia diversity https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/71372/ MycoKeys 84: 1-14

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.84.71372

Authors: Celeste Santos-Silva, Rogério Louro, Bruno Natário, Tânia Nobre

Abstract: Developing below the soil surface desert, truffles are hard to find. Within Terfezia genus, at least 18 species are described and many are endemic to the Mediterranean basin. Ecological and geographic information are key factors for species diagnosis, and so far Terfezia species are believed to be linked to either acidic or basic soils or to specific plant hosts. Thus, we have looked at Terfezia diversity within a relatively homogeneous geographical area in Portugal that is suitable for these species and that covered different soils and different dominant host species. We analyzed the observed intraspecific variability within the context of species ecological preferences (e. g. edaphic and putative host). One of our major findings was the discovery of T. grisea in acid soils in association with Tuberaria guttata, a puzzling information since, until now, this species was only found in alkaline soils. We also report on the linkage of different Terfezia lineages within species and ecologic parameters such as soil texture, soil pH and plant host. Additionally, by placing the collected specimens on the most recent genus phylogeny based on the ITS region, we also updated the number of known Terfezia species occurring in Portugal from three to ten. Terfezia dunensis is here reported for the first time for Portugal. Overall, our results show that the exploration of undersampled sites reveals itself as a good strategy to disclose unknown aspects of desert truffle diversity and ecology. These aspects are of prime importance when considering the economic value of the desert truffles for rural populations in the Mediterranean basin.

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Research Article Mon, 18 Oct 2021 11:44:56 +0300
A survey of Hebeloma (Hymenogastraceae) in Greenland https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/63363/ MycoKeys 79: 17-118

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.79.63363

Authors: Ursula Eberhardt, Henry J. Beker, Torbjørn Borgen, Henning Knudsen, Nicole Schütz, Steen A. Elborne

Abstract: This is the first study exclusively dedicated to the study of Hebeloma in Greenland. It is based on almost 400 collections, the great majority of which were collected by three of the co-authors over a period of 40 years and were lodged in the fungarium of the Natural History Museum in Copenhagen. The material was identified using molecular and morphological methods. In total, 28 species were recognized, 27 belonging to three sections, H. sects Hebeloma, Denudata and Velutipes. One species sampled was new to science and is here described as H. arcticum. For all species, a description, a distribution map within Greenland and macro and microphotographs are presented. A key is provided for the 28 species. The distribution of species within Greenland is discussed. The findings are placed in the context of studies of arctic and alpine Hebeloma from other parts of the world where comparable data exist. Notably, H. grandisporum, H. louiseae and H. islandicum, previously only known from Romania, Svalbard, Iceland or Norway, respectively, have been found in Greenland. The latter is also the only species encountered that does not belong to any of the above sections. Hebeloma excedens and H. colvinii – for the latter we here publish the first modern description – are to date only known from continental North America and now Greenland.

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Monograph Mon, 19 Apr 2021 12:00:18 +0300
Phialolunulospora vermispora (Chaetosphaeriaceae, Sordariomycetes), a novel asexual genus and species from freshwater in southern China https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/57410/ MycoKeys 76: 17-30

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.76.57410

Authors: Hua Zheng, Yake Wan, Jie Li, Rafael F. Castañeda-Ruiz, Zefen Yu

Abstract: 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.

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Research Article Tue, 22 Dec 2020 13:56:18 +0200
Four new species of Trichoderma in the Harzianum clade from northern China https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/51424/ MycoKeys 73: 109-132

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.73.51424

Authors: Xin Gu, Rui Wang, Quan Sun, Bing Wu, Jing-Zu Sun

Abstract: The Harzianum clade of Trichoderma comprises many species, which are associated with a wide variety of substrates. In this study, four new species of Trichoderma, namely T. lentinulae, T. vermifimicola, T. xixiacum, and T. zelobreve, were encountered from a fruiting body and compost of Lentinula, soil, and vermicompost. Their colony and mycelial morphology, including features of asexual states, were described. For each species, their DNA sequences were obtained from three loci, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the ribosomal DNA, the gene encoding the second largest nuclear RNA polymerase subunit (RPB2), the translation elongation factor 1-α encoding gene (TEF1-α). The analysis combining sequences of the three gene regions distinguished four new species in the Harzianum clade of Trichoderma. Among them, T. lentinulae and T. xixiacum clustered with T. lixii, from which these new species differ in having shorter phialides and smaller conidia. Additionally, T. lentinulae differs from T. xixiacum in forming phialides with inequilateral to a strongly-curved apex, cultural characteristics, and slow growth on PDA. Trichoderma vermifimicola is closely related to T. simmonsii, but it differs from the latter by producing phialides in verticillate whorls and smaller conidia. Trichoderma zelobreve is the sister species of T. breve but is distinguished from T. breve by producing shorter and narrower phialides, smaller conidia, and by forming concentric zones on agar plates. This study updates our knowledge of species diversity of Trichoderma.

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Research Article Thu, 8 Oct 2020 13:38:03 +0300
Phylogeny- and morphology-based recognition of new species in the spider-parasitic genus Gibellula (Hypocreales, Cordycipitaceae) from Thailand https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/55088/ MycoKeys 72: 17-42

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.72.55088

Authors: Wilawan Kuephadungphan, Kanoksri Tasanathai, Booppa Petcharad, Artit Khonsanit, Marc Stadler, J. Jennifer Luangsa-ard

Abstract: Thailand is known to be a part of what is called the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, hosting a vast array of organisms across its diverse ecosystems. This is reflected by the increasing number of new species described over time, especially fungi. However, a very few fungal species from the specialized spider-parasitic genus Gibellula have ever been reported from this region. A survey of invertebrate-pathogenic fungi in Thailand over several decades has led to the discovery of a number of fungal specimens with affinities to this genus. Integration of morphological traits into multi-locus phylogenetic analysis uncovered four new species: G. cebrennini, G. fusiformispora, G. pigmentosinum, and G. scorpioides. All these appear to be exclusively linked with torrubiella-like sexual morphs with the presence of granulomanus-like asexual morph in G. pigmentosinum and G. cebrennini. A remarkably high host specificity of these new species towards their spider hosts was revealed, and for the first time, evidence is presented for manipulation of host behavior in G. scorpioides.

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Research Article Wed, 2 Sep 2020 08:23:13 +0300
Two new species of Ophiostomatales (Sordariomycetes) associated with the bark beetle Dryocoetes alni from Poland https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/50035/ MycoKeys 68: 23-48

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.68.50035

Authors: Beata Strzałka, Robert Jankowiak, Piotr Bilański, Nikita Patel, Georg Hausner, Riikka Linnakoski, Halvor Solheim

Abstract: Bark beetles belonging to the genus Dryocoetes (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) are known vectors of fungi, such as the pathogenic species Grosmannia dryocoetidis involved in alpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) mortality. Associations between hardwood-infesting Dryocoetes species and fungi in Europe have received very little research attention. Ectosymbiotic fungi residing in Ceratocystiopsis and Leptographium (Ophiostomatales, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) were commonly detected in previous surveys of the Dryocoetes alni-associated mycobiome in Poland. The aim of this study was to accurately identify these isolates and to provide descriptions of the new species. The identification was conducted based on morphology and DNA sequence data for six loci (ITS1-5.8S, ITS2-28S, ACT, CAL, TUB2, and TEF1-α). This revealed two new species, described here as Ceratocystiopsis synnemata sp. nov. and Leptographium alneum sp. nov. The host trees for the new species included Alnus incana and Populus tremula. Ceratocystiopsis synnemata can be distinguished from its closely related species, C. pallidobrunnea, based on conidia morphology and conidiophores that aggregate in loosely arranged synnemata. Leptographium alneum is closely related to Grosmannia crassivaginata and differs from this species in having a larger ascomatal neck, and the presence of larger club-shaped cells.

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Research Article Wed, 17 Jun 2020 15:55:59 +0300
Longistriata flava (Boletaceae, Basidiomycota) – a new monotypic sequestrate genus and species from Brazilian Atlantic Forest https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/39699/ MycoKeys 62: 53-73

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.62.39699

Authors: Marcelo A. Sulzbacher, Takamichi Orihara, Tine Grebenc, Felipe Wartchow, Matthew E. Smith, María P. Martín, Admir J. Giachini, Iuri G. Baseia

Abstract: A new monotypic sequestrate genus, Longistriata is described based on collections from the Neotropical forest of Atlantic forest in Paraíba, Northeast Brazil – an area known for its high degree of endemism. The striking features of this new fungus are the hypogeous habit, the vivid yellow peridium in mature basidiomes, broadly ellipsoid basidiospores with a distinct wall that is ornamented with longitudinal striations and lageniform cystidia with rounded apices. Phylogenetic analysis, based on LSU and tef-1α regions, showed that the type species, Longistriata flava, is phylogenetically sister to the monotypic sequestrate African genus Mackintoshia in Boletaceae. Together these two species formed the earliest diverging lineage in the subfamily Zangioideae. Longistriata flava is found in nutrient-poor white sand habitats where plants in the genera Coccoloba (Polygonaceae) and Guapira (Nyctaginaceae) are the only potential ectomycorrhizal host symbionts.

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Research Article Mon, 3 Feb 2020 16:39:34 +0200
Diversity and community of culturable endophytic fungi from stems and roots of desert halophytes in northwest China https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/38923/ MycoKeys 62: 75-95

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.62.38923

Authors: Jia-Long Li, Xiang Sun, Yong Zheng, Peng-Peng Lü, Yong-Long Wang, Liang-Dong Guo

Abstract: Halophytes have high species diversity and play important roles in ecosystems. However, endophytic fungi of halophytes in desert ecosystems have been less investigated. In this study, we examined endophytic fungi associated with the stem and root of ten halophytic species colonizing the Gurbantonggut desert. A total of 36 endophytic fungal taxa were obtained, dominated by Alternaria eichhorniae, Monosporascus ibericus, and Pezizomycotina sp.1. The colonization rate and species richness of endophytic fungi varied in the ten plant species, with higher rates in roots than in stems. The endophytic fungal community composition was significantly affected by plant identity and tissue type. Some endophytic fungi showed significant host and tissue preferences. This finding suggests that host identity and tissue type structure endophytic fungal community in a desert ecosystem.

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Research Article Mon, 3 Feb 2020 14:14:09 +0200
Placement of Triblidiaceae in Rhytismatales and comments on unique ascospore morphologies in Leotiomycetes (Fungi, Ascomycota) https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/35697/ MycoKeys 54: 99-133

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.54.35697

Authors: Jason M. Karakehian, Luis Quijada, Gernot Friebes, Joey B. Tanney, Donald H. Pfister

Abstract: Triblidiaceae is a family of uncommonly encountered, non-lichenized discomycetes. A recent classification circumscribed the family to include Triblidium (4 spp. and 1 subsp.), Huangshania (2 spp.) and Pseudographis (2 spp. and 1 var.). The apothecia of these fungi are persistent and drought-tolerant; they possess stromatic, highly melanized covering layers that open and close with fluctuations of humidity. Triblidialean fungi occur primarily on the bark of Quercus, Pinaceae and Ericaceae, presumably as saprobes. Though the type species of Huangshania is from China, these fungi are mostly known from collections originating from Western Hemisphere temperate and boreal forests. The higher-rank classification of triblidialean fungi has been in flux due in part to an overemphasis on ascospore morphology. Muriform ascospores are observed in species of Triblidium and in Pseudographis elatina. An intense, dark blue/purple ascospore wall reaction in iodine-based reagents is observed in species of Pseudographis. These morphologies have led, in part, to these genera being shuffled among unrelated taxa in Hysteriaceae (Dothideomycetes, Hysteriales) and Graphidaceae (Lecanoromycetes, Ostropales). Triblidiaceae has been placed within the monofamilial order Triblidiales (affinity Lecanoromycetes). Here, we demonstrate with a three-gene phylogenetic approach that triblidialean fungi are related to taxa in Rhytismatales (Leotiomycetes). We synonymize Triblidiales under Rhytismatales and emend Triblidiaceae to include Triblidium and Huangshania, with Pseudographis placed within Rhytismataceae. A history of Triblidiaceae is provided along with a description of the emended family. We discuss how the inclusion of triblidialean fungi in Rhytismatales brings some rarely observed or even unique ascospore morphologies to the order and to Leotiomycetes.

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Research Article Tue, 18 Jun 2019 09:24:07 +0300
Striatiguttulaceae, a new pleosporalean family to accommodate Longicorpus and Striatiguttula gen. nov. from palms https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/30886/ MycoKeys 49: 99-129

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.49.30886

Authors: Sheng-Nan Zhang, Kevin D. Hyde, E.B. Gareth Jones, Rajesh Jeewon, Ratchadawan Cheewangkoon, Jian-Kui Liu

Abstract: Palms represent the most morphological diverse monocotyledonous plants and support a vast array of fungi. Recent examinations of palmicolous fungi in Thailand led to the discovery of a group of morphologically similar and interesting taxa. A polyphasic approach based on morphology, multi-gene phylogenetic analyses and divergence time estimates supports the establishment of a novel pleosporalean family Striatiguttulaceae, which diversified approximately 39 (20–63) MYA (crown age) and 60 (35–91) MYA (stem age). Striatiguttulaceae is characterized by stromata or ascomata with a short to long neck, trabeculate pseudoparaphyses and fusiform to ellipsoidal, 1–3-septate ascospores, with longitudinal striations and paler end cells, surrounded by a mucilaginous sheath. Multi-gene phylogenetic analysis showed that taxa of Striatiguttulaceae form a well-supported and distinct monophyletic clade in Pleosporales, and related to Ligninsphaeriaceae and Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae. However, these families can be morphologically demarcated by the slit-like ascomata and extremely large ascospores in Ligninsphaeriaceae and the rather narrow fusiform ascospores in Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae. Eight strains of Striatiguttulaceae formed two monophyletic sub-clades, which can be recognized as Longicorpus gen. nov. and Striatiguttula gen. nov. Morphologically, the genus Longicorpus can be differentiated from Striatiguttula by its elongated immersed ascomata and fusiform ascospores with relatively larger middle cells and paler end cells. Two new species Striatiguttula nypae and S. phoenicis, and one new combination, Longicorpus striataspora are introduced with morphological details, and phylogenetic relationships are discussed based on DNA sequence data.

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Research Article Mon, 1 Apr 2019 10:50:54 +0300
Entomopathogenic fungi in Portuguese vineyards soils: suggesting a ‘Galleria-Tenebrio-bait method’ as bait-insects Galleria and Tenebrio significantly underestimate the respective recoveries of Metarhizium (robertsii) and Beauveria (bassiana) https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/26970/ MycoKeys 38: 1-23

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.38.26970

Authors: Lav Sharma, Irene Oliveira, Laura Torres, Guilhermina Marques

Abstract: Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are the natural enemies of insect-pests. However, EPF recoveries can be influenced by the soil habitat-type(s) incorporated and/or the bait-insect(s) used. Galleria mellonella (GM) as bait-insect, i.e. ‘Galleria-bait’, is arguably the most common methodology, which is sometimes used solely, to isolate EPF from soils. Insect baiting using Tenebrio molitor (TM) has also been employed occasionally. Here 183 soils were used to estimate the functional diversity of EPF in Portuguese Douro vineyards (cultivated habitat) and adjacent hedgerows (semi-natural habitat), using the TM bait method. Moreover, to study the effect of insect baiting on EPF recovery, 81 of these 183 soil samples were also tested for EPF occurrences using the GM bait method. Twelve species were found in 44.26% ± 3.67% of the total of 183 soils. Clonostachys rosea f. rosea was found in maximum soils (30.05% ± 3.38%), followed by Beauveria bassiana (12.57% ± 2.37%), Purpureocillium lilacinum (9.29% ± 2.14%) and Metarhizium robertsii (6.01% ± 1.75%). Beauveria pseudobassiana (P < 0.001), C. rosea f. rosea (P = 0.006) and Cordyceps cicadae (P=0.023) were isolated significantly more from hedgerows, highlighting their sensitivities towards agricultural disturbances. Beauveria bassiana (P = 0.038) and M. robertsii (P = 0.003) were isolated significantly more using GM and TM, respectively. Principal component analysis revealed that M. robertsii was associated both with TM baiting and cultivated habitats, however, B. bassiana was slightly linked with GM baiting only. Ecological profiles of B. bassiana and P. lilacinum were quite similar while M. robertsii and C. rosea f. rosea were relatively distant and distinct. To us, this is the first report on (a) C. cicadae isolation from Mediterranean soils, (b) Purpureocillium lavendulum as an EPF worldwide; and (c) significant recoveries of M. robertsii using TM over GM. Overall, a ‘Galleria-Tenebrio-bait method’ is advocated to study the functional diversity of EPF in agroecosystems.

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Research Article Mon, 6 Aug 2018 09:34:52 +0300
Different diversification histories in tropical and temperate lineages in the ascomycete subfamily Protoparmelioideae (Parmeliaceae) https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/22548/ MycoKeys 36: 1-19

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.36.22548

Authors: Garima Singh, Francesco Dal Grande, Jan Schnitzler, Markus Pfenninger, Imke Schmitt

Abstract: Background: Environment and geographic processes affect species’ distributions as well as evolutionary processes, such as clade diversification. Estimating the time of origin and diversification of organisms helps us understand how climate fluctuations in the past might have influenced the diversification and present distribution of species. Complementing divergence dating with character evolution could indicate how key innovations have facilitated the diversification of species. Methods: We estimated the divergence times within the newly recognised subfamily Protoparmelioideae (Ascomycota) using a multilocus dataset to assess the temporal context of diversification events. We reconstructed ancestral habitats and substrate using a species tree generated in *Beast. Results: We found that the diversification in Protoparmelioideae occurred during the Miocene and that the diversification events in the tropical clade Maronina predate those of the extratropical Protoparmelia. Character reconstructions suggest that the ancestor of Protoparmelioideae was most probably a rock-dwelling lichen inhabiting temperate environments. Conclusions: Major diversification within the subtropical/tropical genus Maronina occurred between the Paleocene and Miocene whereas the diversifications within the montane, arctic/temperate genus Protoparmelia occurred much more recently, i.e. in the Miocene.

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Research Article Mon, 2 Jul 2018 11:59:58 +0300
The genus Podaxis in arid regions of Mexico: preliminary ITS phylogeny and ethnomycological use https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/11570/ MycoKeys 20: 17-36

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.20.11570

Authors: Abraham J. Medina-Ortiz, Teófilo Herrera, Marco A. Vásquez-Dávila, Huzefa A. Raja, Mario Figueroa

Abstract: Identification of Podaxis species to species-level based on morphology alone is problematic. Thus, species of the genus Podaxis are in dire need of taxonomic and phylogenetic evaluations using molecular data to develop a consensus between morphological taxonomy and more robust molecular analyses. In Mexico, most of the collected specimens of Podaxis have been morphologically identified as Podaxis pistillarissensu lato and are locally used for its culinary value. In this study, the internal transcribed spacer region of Podaxis specimens from the MEXU fungarium collected between 1948 and 2014 from arid regions of Mexico were sequenced and these collections placed into a molecular phylogenetic framework using Maximum Likelihood analysis. In addition, the ethnomycological use of Podaxis in Mexico (utility, traditional handling, economic importance, etc.) is described by observations, interviews, and sampling of Podaxis species with local people from three areas of the region of the Cañada of Oaxaca, which belongs to the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve. These results indicate that the Mexican Podaxis were divided into two clades. Specimens collected in the northern region showed phylogenetic affinities to clade D, while specimens from the south of Mexico clustered within clade E. Morphological data, such as spore length and width, showed significant differences between the two phylogenetic clades, implying that these clades represent different species. None of the Mexican specimens were found in association with termite mounds, which might indicate an adaptation to desert-like regions. This study provides the first ethnomycological use of Podaxis from Mexico.

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Research Article Mon, 6 Mar 2017 10:39:33 +0200
What do we learn from cultures in the omics age? High-throughput sequencing and cultivation of leaf-inhabiting endophytes from beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) revealed complementary community composition but similar correlations with local habitat conditions https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/11265/ MycoKeys 20: 1-16

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.20.11265

Authors: Abu Bakar Siddique, Anis Mahmud Khokon, Martin Unterseher

Abstract: Comparative simultaneous studies of environmental high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and cultivation of plant-associated fungi have rarely been conducted in the past years. For the present contribution, HTS and extinction culturing were applied for the same leaf samples of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) in order to trace both “real” environmental drivers as well as method-dependent signals of the observed mycobiomes. Both approaches resulted in non-overlapping community composition and pronounced differences in taxonomic classification and trophic stages. However, both methods revealed similar correlations of the fungal communities with local environmental conditions. Our results indicate undeniable advantages of HTS over cultivation in terms of revealing a good representation of the major functional guilds, rare taxa and biodiversity signals of leaf-inhabiting fungi. On the other hand our results demonstrate that the immense body of literature about cultivable endophytic fungi can and should be used for the interpretation of community signals and environmental correlations obtained from HTS studies and that cultivation studies should be continued at the highest standards, e.g. when sequencing facilities are not available or if such surveys are expanded into functional aspects with experiments on living isolates.

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Research Article Tue, 21 Feb 2017 09:28:39 +0200
High habitat-specificity in fungal communities in oligo-mesotrophic, temperate Lake Stechlin (North-East Germany) https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/9646/ MycoKeys 16: 17-44

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.16.9646

Authors: Christian Wurzbacher, Norman Warthmann, Elizabeth Bourne, Katrin Attermeyer, Martin Allgaier, Jeff R. Powell, Harald Detering, Susan Mbedi, Hans-Peter Grossart, Michael T. Monaghan

Abstract: Freshwater fungi are a poorly studied ecological group that includes a high taxonomic diversity. Most studies on aquatic fungal diversity have focused on single habitats, thus the linkage between habitat heterogeneity and fungal diversity remains largely unexplored. We took 216 samples from 54 locations representing eight different habitats in the meso-oligotrophic, temperate Lake Stechlin in North-East Germany. These included the pelagic and littoral water column, sediments, and biotic substrates. We performed high throughput sequencing using the Roche 454 platform, employing a universal eukaryotic marker region within the large ribosomal subunit (LSU) to compare fungal diversity, community structure, and species turnover among habitats. Our analysis recovered 1027 fungal OTUs (97% sequence similarity). Richness estimates were highest in the sediment, biofilms, and benthic samples (189–231 OTUs), intermediate in water samples (42–85 OTUs), and lowest in plankton samples (8 OTUs). NMDS grouped the eight studied habitats into six clusters, indicating that community composition was strongly influenced by turnover among habitats. Fungal communities exhibited changes at the phylum and order levels along three different substrate categories from littoral to pelagic habitats. The large majority of OTUs (> 75%) could not be classified below the order level due to the lack of aquatic fungal entries in public sequence databases. Our study provides a first estimate of lake-wide fungal diversity and highlights the important contribution of habitat heterogeneity to overall diversity and community composition. Habitat diversity should be considered in any sampling strategy aiming to assess the fungal diversity of a water body.

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Research Article Fri, 21 Oct 2016 14:43:07 +0300
New reports, phylogenetic analysis, and a key to Lactarius Pers. in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem informed by molecular data https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/9587/ MycoKeys 15: 1-58

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.15.9587

Authors: Edward G. Barge, Cathy L. Cripps

Abstract: The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), located in the Central Rocky Mountains of western North America, is one of the largest nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems on Earth. Here, Lactarius is an important component of ectomycorrhizal communities in many habitat types, from low elevation riparian areas to high elevation conifer forests and alpine tundra. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS and RPB2 gene sequences along with detailed morphological examination confirm at least 20 Lactarius species, as well as three varieties, and one unresolved species group in the GYE. Eight taxa are reported from the GYE for the first time, and nearly every major ectomycorrhizal host plant in the GYE appears to have at least one Lactarius species associated with it. Broad intercontinental distributions are suggested for alpine Salix and Betula associates, and for certain subalpine Picea and aspen (Populus spp.) associates. Some species appear to be restricted to western North America with Pinus, Pseudotsuga or Abies. The distribution and/or host affinities of others is not clear due in part to ambiguous host assignment, taxonomic problems or the relative rarity with which they have been reported.

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Research Article Thu, 8 Sep 2016 11:45:00 +0300
Shotgun metagenomes and multiple primer pair-barcode combinations of amplicons reveal biases in metabarcoding analyses of fungi https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/4852/ MycoKeys 10: 1-43

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.10.4852

Authors: Leho Tedersoo, Sten Anslan, Mohammad Bahram, Sergei Põlme, Taavi Riit, Ingrid Liiv, Urmas Kõljalg, Veljo Kisand, Henrik Nilsson, Falk Hildebrand, Peer Bork, Kessy Abarenkov

Abstract: Rapid development of high-throughput (HTS) molecular identification methods has revolutionized our knowledge about taxonomic diversity and ecology of fungi. However, PCR-based methods exhibit multiple technical shortcomings that may bias our understanding of the fungal kingdom. This study was initiated to quantify potential biases in fungal community ecology by comparing the relative performance of amplicon-free shotgun metagenomics and amplicons of nine primer pairs over seven nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) regions often used in metabarcoding analyses. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) barcodes ITS1 and ITS2 provided greater taxonomic and functional resolution and richness of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the 97% similarity threshold compared to barcodes located within the ribosomal small subunit (SSU) and large subunit (LSU) genes. All barcode-primer pair combinations provided consistent results in ranking taxonomic richness and recovering the importance of floristic variables in driving fungal community composition in soils of Papua New Guinea. The choice of forward primer explained up to 2.0% of the variation in OTU-level analysis of the ITS1 and ITS2 barcode data sets. Across the whole data set, barcode-primer pair combination explained 37.6–38.1% of the variation, which surpassed any environmental signal. Overall, the metagenomics data set recovered a similar taxonomic overview, but resulted in much lower fungal rDNA sequencing depth, inability to infer OTUs, and high uncertainty in identification. We recommend the use of ITS2 or the whole ITS region for metabarcoding and we advocate careful choice of primer pairs in consideration of the relative proportion of fungal DNA and expected dominant groups.

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Research Article Wed, 13 May 2015 16:11:09 +0300
Transatlantic disjunction in fleshy fungi III: Gymnopus confluens https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/4700/ MycoKeys 9: 37-63

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.9.4700

Authors: Karen W. Hughes, Ronald H. Petersen

Abstract: Phylogeographic data indicate that DNA differences consistently exist between the North American and European allopatric populations of Gymnopus confluens. Conversely, pairing experiments show that collections from both populations were sexually compatible in vitro and detailed morphological examinations of numerous fresh and dried basidiomata do not produce qualitative differences. Percent ITS sequence divergence between Europe and North American collections of G. confluens was 3.25%. Species delineation metrics including Rosenberg’s PAB statistic, PID metrics, RRD (randomly distributed) and PTP (Poisson Tree Processes) gave mixed indications that North American and European populations were distinct at species rank. The North American populations are described as Gymnopus confluens subsp. campanulatus (Peck) R.H. Petersen.

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Research Article Fri, 3 Apr 2015 13:21:58 +0300
Carbon-Water-Nitrogen relationships between lichens and the atmosphere: Tools to understand metabolism and ecosystem change https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/1193/ MycoKeys 6: 95-106

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.6.4814

Authors: Cristina Máguas, Pedro Pinho, Cristina Branquinho, Britta Hartard, Michael Lakatos

Abstract: Due to the close linking between the biosphere and atmosphere, there are clear impacts of changes in climate, atmospheric deposition of nutrients/pollutants and land use (Global Changes) on the terrestrial biosphere. Lichens, with a direct dependence on atmospheric conditions, are much more affected by their immediate microclimate than by the ecosystem’s prevailing macroclimate. In contrast to higher plants, poikilohydric organisms have different mechanisms of water and CO2 exchange. The application of stable isotopes to the understanding of the mechanisms that are fundamental to lichen gas exchange and water uptake is a promising tool for the evaluation of lichen response to environmental changes. Indeed, lichens have been shown to be influenced by a large number of natural and anthropogenic environmental factors, serving as ecological indicators. Thus, we may use these organisms to model the impact of key global change drivers, such as nitrogen deposition and biodiversity changes, at local scale. Particularly useful is the application of the Lichen Diversity Value (LDV) in order to evaluate the impact of global drivers. Moreover, it has been shown that these indices, associated with main photobiont types, green-algae (LDVch) or cyanobacteria (LDVcyh), and/or nitrophilous versus oligotrophic species, were good candidates as ecological indicators. Besides mapping with high spatial resolution the effects of climate alterations, lichen functional groups could also be used as an early-warning system in order to detect the first effects of climate change in ecosystems before sudden shifts occur on other components that may be less sensitive. Clearly, lichens possess the adequate traits to be used as powerful indicators of complex interactions between atmosphere and biosphere, and thus can generate potentially interesting models for global change drivers.

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Review Article Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300
Biogeography and ecology of Cetraria aculeata, a widely distributed lichen with a bipolar distribution https://mycokeys.pensoft.net/article/1195/ MycoKeys 6: 33-53

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.6.3185

Authors: Christian Printzen, Stephanie Domaschke, Fernando Fernández-Mendoza, Sergiо Pérez-Ortega

Abstract: Ecological and historical biogeography of lichens have rarely been studied in a concerted effort, but both aspects have to be taken into consideration when explaining the distributional patterns of species. This review summarizes, partly preliminary, results from a series of studies on phylogeography, ecophysiology and symbiotic interactions of the lichen Cetraria aculeata. This species is not only widespread but also occupies a very wide ecological niche. Evidence suggests that Cetraria aculeata has evolved and diversified in the Northern Hemisphere and colonised the Southern Hemisphere from there. Genetic isolation of populations indicates the absence of ongoing long range dispersal and genetic exchange between geographically isolated populations. We observe a hitherto unrecognized genetic diversity that may indicate ecotypic differentiation and speciation processes. Mediterranean and Polar populations differ not only genetically, but also in ecophysiological properties. Ongoing common garden experiments will have to show whether genetically fixed adaptation or acclimation is responsible for these differences. The genetic structure of the photobiont is best explained by climatic differences between localities, but co-dispersal with the mycobiont plays an important role as well. Taken together, these results indicate that a photobiont switch in the past enabled C. aculeata to widen its ecological niche, with subsequent genetic isolation of populations. Photobiont switches may play a crucial role in speciation processes of lichens. A combination of ecophysiological and phylogeographic studies with experimental approaches is necessary to better understand the reaction of lichens to changing environmental conditions.

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Review Article Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0300