Fungal Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology: A Themed Issue Dedicated to Academician Wen-Ying Zhuang

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungal Evolution, Biodiversity and Systematics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 54421

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Special Issue Editors

State Key Lab of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Interests: fungal ecology; mycorrhiza; mycobiome; omics
State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
Interests: fungal diversity; molecular ecology; fungal taxonomy; microbiome
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to Professor Wen-Ying Zhuang in recognition of her remarkable contributions to the field of mycology.

Professor Zhuang is an outstanding mycologist in China and worldwide. Over the past 46 years, she has investigated fungal diversity from 26 provinces and districts of China and left her footprints to forests, deserts, islands, plateaus and other various environments. Prof. Zhuang collected and preserved numerous fungal specimens and cultures precious for scientific research and economic utilization. On the basis of these resources, she has introduced and described one new family, 13 new genera and 360 new species of fungi, and resolved many taxonomic and nomenclature problems. Her collaboration with international colleagues contributed greatly to the phylogenetic reconstructions and selections of DNA barcodes for Leotiomycetes, Helotiales, Hypocreales and other important fungal groups. She or with co-authors has published over 290 articles including monographic treatments of three fungal genera, editor or chapter author of 18 monographs including as one of the contributors to Dictionary of the Fungi (edition 9) and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Florarum Cryptogamarum  Sinicarum. Prof. Zhuang has been elected as Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Member of International Eurasian Academy of Sciences (IEAS), Honorary Member of Mycological Society of America (MSA), and the executive committee member of International Mycological Association (IMA). In honor of her outstanding contribution, one fungal genus Wenyingia and one bacterial genus Wenyingzhuangia have been named after her. More recently, her research on Trichoderma significantly renews our understanding on its species diversity, distribution and potential application capacities.

In honor and recognition of Professor Wen-Ying Zhuang’s outstanding contributions to this field, this Special Issue welcomes the submission of original research manuscripts or reviews in the area of Mycology. Manuscripts will be published online on an ongoing basis after being processed.

Dr. Cheng Gao
Prof. Dr. Lei Cai
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • fungal phylogeny
  • taxonomy
  • biodiversity
  • ecological function
  • mycobiome

Published Papers (24 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 204 KiB  
Editorial
Fungal Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology: A Themed Issue Dedicated to Academician Wen-Ying Zhuang
by Cheng Gao and Lei Cai
J. Fungi 2022, 8(12), 1294; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8121294 - 11 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1378
Abstract
We are honored and privileged to edit this Special Issue, “Fungal Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Ecology: A Themed Issue Dedicated to Academician Wen-Ying Zhuang” [...] Full article

Research

Jump to: Editorial

18 pages, 13095 KiB  
Article
Four New Species and New Records of Orbilia from China Based on Molecular and Morphological Data
by Xiao-Yun Ou, Yuan-Yuan Shao, Hai-Fu Zheng and Bin Liu
J. Fungi 2022, 8(11), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8111188 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1730
Abstract
This study reports four new species and three new record species of Orbiliaceous fungi from China. Orbilia baisensis, O. hanzhongensis, O. nanningensis and O. pinea are described as new species and O. crenatomarginata, O. vinosa and O. vitalbae are described [...] Read more.
This study reports four new species and three new record species of Orbiliaceous fungi from China. Orbilia baisensis, O. hanzhongensis, O. nanningensis and O. pinea are described as new species and O. crenatomarginata, O. vinosa and O. vitalbae are described as new record species. All the studied species were identified by morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) sequences. Four new species are described based on their sexual and asexual states, and their differences with the close relatives were compared and discussed. Full article
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16 pages, 2869 KiB  
Article
Three New Trichoderma Species in Harzianum Clade Associated with the Contaminated Substrates of Edible Fungi
by Zi-Jian Cao, Wen-Tao Qin, Juan Zhao, Yu Liu, Shou-Xian Wang and Su-Yue Zheng
J. Fungi 2022, 8(11), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8111154 - 31 Oct 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2649
Abstract
Trichoderma is known worldwide as biocontrol agents of plant diseases, producers of enzymes and antibiotics, and competitive contaminants of edible fungi. In this investigation of contaminated substrates of edible fungi from North China, 39 strains belonging to 10 Trichoderma species isolated from four [...] Read more.
Trichoderma is known worldwide as biocontrol agents of plant diseases, producers of enzymes and antibiotics, and competitive contaminants of edible fungi. In this investigation of contaminated substrates of edible fungi from North China, 39 strains belonging to 10 Trichoderma species isolated from four kinds of edible fungi were obtained, and three novel species belonging to the Harzianum clade were isolated from the contaminated substrates of Auricularia heimuer and Pholiota adipose. They were recognized based on integrated studies of phenotypic features, culture characteristics, and molecular analyses of RNA polymerase II subunit B and translation elongation factor 1-α genes. Trichoderma auriculariae was strongly supported as a separate lineage and differed from T. vermifimicola due to its larger conidia. Trichoderma miyunense was closely related to T. ganodermatigerum but differed due to its smaller conidia and higher optimum mycelial growth temperature. As a separate lineage, T. pholiotae was distinct from T. guizhouense and T. pseudoasiaticum due to its higher optimum mycelial growth temperature and larger conidia. This study extends the understanding of Trichoderma spp. contaminating substrates of edible fungi and updates knowledge of species diversity in the group. Full article
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11 pages, 2385 KiB  
Article
New Insights into Lichenization in Agaricomycetes Based on an Unusual New Basidiolichen Species of Omphalina s. str.
by Tingting Zhang, Xinyu Zhu, Alfredo Vizzini, Biting Li, Zhenghua Cao, Wenqing Guo, Sha Qi, Xinli Wei and Ruilin Zhao
J. Fungi 2022, 8(10), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8101033 - 29 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1705
Abstract
The genus Omphalina is an ideal genus for studying the evolutionary mechanism of lichenization. Based on molecular phylogeny using ITS and nuLSU sequences by means of Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses and morphological examination, combining the existence of green algae in basidiomata stipe [...] Read more.
The genus Omphalina is an ideal genus for studying the evolutionary mechanism of lichenization. Based on molecular phylogeny using ITS and nuLSU sequences by means of Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses and morphological examination, combining the existence of green algae in basidiomata stipe and a Botrydina-type vegetative thallus, we described a bryophilous new basidiolichen species, Omphalina licheniformis, from a residential area of Jiangxi Province, China. This finding of unusual new basidiolichen species updated our understanding of the delimitation of Omphalina, indicating that both non-lichen-forming and lichen-forming fungal species are included simultaneously. The presence of algal cells in the basidiomata should receive more attention, as this would be helpful to distinguish more potential basidiolichens and explore the cryptic species diversity. This work provides new insights and evidence for understanding the significance of lichenization during the evolution of Agaricomycetes. Full article
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11 pages, 2751 KiB  
Article
Three New Species of Clonostachys (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) from China
by Zhao-Qing Zeng and Wen-Ying Zhuang
J. Fungi 2022, 8(10), 1027; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8101027 - 28 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2049
Abstract
Three new species of Clonostachys are introduced based on specimens collected from China. Clonostachys chongqingensis sp. nov. is distinguished by pale yellow to pale orange-yellow perithecia with a very low papilla, clavate to subcylindrical asci possessing ellipsoidal to elongate-ellipsoidal spinulose ascospores 13–16 × [...] Read more.
Three new species of Clonostachys are introduced based on specimens collected from China. Clonostachys chongqingensis sp. nov. is distinguished by pale yellow to pale orange-yellow perithecia with a very low papilla, clavate to subcylindrical asci possessing ellipsoidal to elongate-ellipsoidal spinulose ascospores 13–16 × 4.5–5.5 μm; it has acremonium- to verticillium-like conidiophores and ellipsoidal to rod-shaped conidia. Clonostachys leptoderma sp. nov. has pinkish-white subglobose to globose perithecia on a well-developed stroma and with a thin perithecial wall, clavate to subcylindrical asci with ellipsoidal to elongate-ellipsoidal spinulose ascospores 7.5–11 × 2.5–3.5 μm; it produces verticillium-like conidiophores and ellipsoidal to subellipsoidal conidia. Clonostachys oligospora sp. nov. features solitary to gregarious perithecia with a papilla, clavate asci containing 6–8 smooth-walled ascospores 9–17 × 3–5.5 μm; it forms verticillium-like conidiophores and sparse, subfusiform conidia. The morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of combined nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and beta-tubulin sequences support their placement in Clonostachys and their classification as new to science. Distinctions between the novel taxa and their close relatives are compared herein. Full article
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16 pages, 2211 KiB  
Article
Forest Type and Site Conditions Influence the Diversity and Biomass of Edible Macrofungal Species in Ethiopia
by Gonfa Kewessa, Tatek Dejene, Demelash Alem, Motuma Tolera and Pablo Martín-Pinto
J. Fungi 2022, 8(10), 1023; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8101023 - 28 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1933
Abstract
Ethiopian forests are rich in valuable types of non-wood forest products, including mushrooms. However, despite their nutritional, economic, and ecological importance, wild edible mushrooms have been given little attention and are rarely documented in Ethiopia. In this study, we assessed mushroom production levels [...] Read more.
Ethiopian forests are rich in valuable types of non-wood forest products, including mushrooms. However, despite their nutritional, economic, and ecological importance, wild edible mushrooms have been given little attention and are rarely documented in Ethiopia. In this study, we assessed mushroom production levels in natural and plantation forests and the influence of climate and environmental variables on mushroom production. Sporocarps were sampled weekly from July to August 2019 at a set of permanent plots (100 m2) in both forest systems. We analyzed 63 plots to quantify sporocarp species’ richness and fresh weight as well as to elucidate the degree of influence of forest types and site conditions, including soil and climate. Morphological analyses were used to identify fungi. In total, we recorded 64 wild edible fungal species belonging to 31 genera and 21 families from the plots established in the natural and plantation forests. A significantly greater total number of edible fungi were collected from natural forests (n = 40 species) than from plantations. Saprotrophs (92.19%) were the dominant guild whereas ectomycorrhizal fungi represented only 6.25% of species. Ecologically and economically important fungal species such as Agaricus campestroides, Tylopilus niger, Suillus luteus, Tricholoma portentosum, and Morchella americana were collected. The sporocarp yield obtained from plantation forests (2097.57 kg ha−1 yr–1) was significantly greater than that obtained from natural forests (731.18 kg ha−1 yr–1). The fungal community composition based on sporocarp production was mainly correlated with the organic matter, available phosphorus, and total nitrogen content of the soil, and with the daily minimum temperature during collection. Accordingly, improving edible species’ richness and sporocarp production by maintaining ecosystem integrity represents a way of adding economic value to forests and maintaining biological diversity, while providing wood and non-wood forest products; we propose that this approach is imperative for managing Ethiopian forests. Full article
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15 pages, 40163 KiB  
Article
A Molecular Systematics and Taxonomy Research on Trechispora (Hydnodontaceae, Trechisporales): Concentrating on Three New Trechispora Species from East Asia
by Kaiyue Luo and Changlin Zhao
J. Fungi 2022, 8(10), 1020; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8101020 - 27 Sep 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1560
Abstract
Trechispora are an important genus of wood-inhabiting fungi that have the ability to decompose rotten wood in the forest ecosystem. In this study, we reported three new species of Trechispora: T. murina, T. odontioidea, T. olivacea from a subtropical region [...] Read more.
Trechispora are an important genus of wood-inhabiting fungi that have the ability to decompose rotten wood in the forest ecosystem. In this study, we reported three new species of Trechispora: T. murina, T. odontioidea, T. olivacea from a subtropical region of Yunnan Province, China. Species descriptions were based on a combination of morphological features and phylogenetic analyses of the ITS and LSU region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Trechispora murina is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata, grandinioid hymenial surface with a greyish tint, monomitic hyphal system and ellipsoid, thick-walled, ornamented basidiospores; T. odontioidea has an odontioid hymenial surface with cylindrical to conical, blunt aculei and subglobose to globose, colorless, slightly thick-walled, ornamented basidiospores; T. olivacea has a farinaceous hymenial surface with olivaceous tint, basidia clavate and thick-walled, ornamented, broadly ellipsoid to globose basidiospores. Sequences of the ITS and nLSU rDNA markers of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. After a series of phylogenetic analyses, the 5.8S+nLSU dataset was constructed to test the phylogenetic relationship of Trechispora with other genera of Hydnodontaceae. The ITS dataset was used to evaluate the phylogenetic relationship of the three new species with other species of Trechispora. Using ITS phylogeny, the new species T. murina was retrieved as a sister to T. bambusicola with moderate supports; T. odontioidea formed a single lineage and then grouped with T. fimbriata and T. nivea; while T. olivacea formed a monophyletic lineage with T. farinacea, T. hondurensis, and T. mollis. Full article
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15 pages, 5470 KiB  
Article
Morphological and Phylogenetic Characterizations Reveal Five New Species of Astrothelium (Trypetheliales, Ascomycota) from China
by Shu-Hua Jiang, Chao Zhang, Xian-Dong Xue, André Aptroot, Jiang-Chun Wei and Xin-Li Wei
J. Fungi 2022, 8(10), 994; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8100994 - 22 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1535
Abstract
The lichenized fungal genus Astrothelium is an important element of crustose lichen communities in tropical to subtropical forests. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic approaches to investigate species diversity of Astrothelium (Trypetheliaceae) from Southern China were carried out in this study. Bayesian and [...] Read more.
The lichenized fungal genus Astrothelium is an important element of crustose lichen communities in tropical to subtropical forests. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic approaches to investigate species diversity of Astrothelium (Trypetheliaceae) from Southern China were carried out in this study. Bayesian and maximum-likelihood (ML) analyses were generated based on the combined data set of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial regions of the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU), and the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II gene sequences (RPB1). The morphological comparison with the known Astrothelium taxa and molecular phylogeny support five new species: Astrothelium jiangxiense sp. nov., A. luminothallinum sp. nov., A. pseudocrassum sp. nov., A. subeustominspersum sp. nov., and A. subrufescens sp. nov. All these species are described and illustrated in detail. Full article
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14 pages, 11586 KiB  
Article
Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Four New Species of Acrodictys (Acrodictyaceae) in China
by Shi Wang, Rongyu Liu, Shubin Liu, Zhaoxue Zhang, Jiwen Xia, Duhua Li, Xiaoyong Liu and Xiuguo Zhang
J. Fungi 2022, 8(8), 853; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8080853 - 15 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1321
Abstract
During our ongoing survey of dematiaceous hyphomycetes associated with dead branches in tropical forests, eight Acrodictys isolates were collected from Hainan, China. Morphology from the cultures and phylogeny based on partial small subunit (SSU), entire internal transcribed spacer regions with intervening 5.8S (ITS), [...] Read more.
During our ongoing survey of dematiaceous hyphomycetes associated with dead branches in tropical forests, eight Acrodictys isolates were collected from Hainan, China. Morphology from the cultures and phylogeny based on partial small subunit (SSU), entire internal transcribed spacer regions with intervening 5.8S (ITS), partial large subunit (LSU) of rRNA gene, partial beta-tubulin (tub2), and partial RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) genes were employed to identify these isolates. As a result, four new species, namely Acrodictys bawanglingensis sp. nov., A. diaoluoshanensis sp. nov., A. ellisii sp. nov., and A. pigmentosa sp. nov., are introduced. Illustrations and descriptions of the four taxa are provided, along with comparisons with closely related taxa in the genus. For facilitating relative studies, an updated key to all accepted species of this genus is also compiled. Full article
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80 pages, 16689 KiB  
Article
Diversity and Distribution of Calonectria Species from Plantation and Forest Soils in Fujian Province, China
by Qianli Liu, Michael J. Wingfield, Tuan A. Duong, Brenda D. Wingfield and Shuaifei Chen
J. Fungi 2022, 8(8), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8080811 - 31 Jul 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1771
Abstract
To meet the growing demand for wood and pulp products, Eucalyptus plantations have expanded rapidly during the past two decades, becoming an integral part of the southern China landscape. Leaf blight caused by various Calonectria spp., is a serious threat to these plantations. [...] Read more.
To meet the growing demand for wood and pulp products, Eucalyptus plantations have expanded rapidly during the past two decades, becoming an integral part of the southern China landscape. Leaf blight caused by various Calonectria spp., is a serious threat to these plantations. In order to explore the diversity and distribution of Calonectria spp. in Fujian Province soils, samples were collected in Eucalyptus plantations and adjacent plantings of Cunninghamia lanceolata, Phyllostachys heterocycle and Pinus massoniana as well as in natural forests. Three hundred and fifty-three Calonectria isolates were recovered from soil samples and they were identified based on a comparison of multilocus DNA sequence data for the act (actin), cmdA (calmodulin), his3 (histone H3), rpb2 (the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase), tef1 (translation elongation factor 1-alpha) and tub2 (β-tubulin) gene regions, as well as morphological characteristics. Six known taxa including Calonectria aconidialis, Ca. hongkongensis, Ca. ilicicola, Ca. kyotensis, Ca. pacifica, Ca. pseudoreteaudii and one novel species described here as Ca. minensis sp. nov. were identified. Of these, Ca. aconidialis and Ca. kyotensis were the most prevalent species, and found in eight and seven sites, and four and five forest types, respectively. Calonectria spp. were most abundant in soils from Eucalyptus stands, followed by P. heterocycle and natural forests. Relatively few species were found in the soils associated with Cunninghamia lanceolata and Pinus massoniana. The abundance of known Calonectria spp. suggests that these fungi have been relatively well sampled in Fujian. The results are also consistent with the fact that most Calonectria diseases are found on Angiosperm as opposed to Gymnosperm plants. Full article
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28 pages, 7629 KiB  
Article
Colletotrichum Species Associated with Anthracnose Disease of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in China
by Zhen Guo, Chao-Xi Luo, Hui-Jie Wu, Bin Peng, Bao-Shan Kang, Li-Ming Liu, Meng Zhang and Qin-Sheng Gu
J. Fungi 2022, 8(8), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8080790 - 28 Jul 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4578
Abstract
Colletotrichum species are important plant pathogens, causing anthracnose in virtually every crop grown throughout the world. However, little is known about the species that infect watermelon. A total of 526 strains were isolated from diseased watermelon samples of eight major watermelon growing provinces [...] Read more.
Colletotrichum species are important plant pathogens, causing anthracnose in virtually every crop grown throughout the world. However, little is known about the species that infect watermelon. A total of 526 strains were isolated from diseased watermelon samples of eight major watermelon growing provinces in China. Phylogenetic analyses using seven loci (ITS, gadph, chs-1, his3, act, tub2, and gs) coupled with morphology of 146 representative isolates showed that they belonged to 12 known species of Colletotrichum, including C. aenigma, C. chlorophyti, C. fructicola, C. jiangxiense, C. karstii, C. magnum, C. nymphaeae, C. nigrum, C. orbiculare, C. plurivorum, C. sojae, and C. truncatum and three new species, here described as C. citrulli, C. kaifengense, and C. qilinense. Colletotrichum orbiculare was the dominant species. Pathogenicity tests revealed that all isolates of the species described above were pathogenic, with C. magnum and C. kaifengense being the most aggressive to leaves and fruits, respectively. This is the first report of C. aenigma, C. chlorophyti, C. fructicola, C. jiangxiense, C. nymphaeae, C. nigrum, C. plurivorum, and C. sojae on watermelon. These findings shed light on the Colletotrichum spp. involved in watermelon anthracnose and provide useful information for implementing effective control of watermelon anthracnose in China. Full article
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12 pages, 2035 KiB  
Article
The Early Terrestrial Fungal Lineage of Conidiobolus—Transition from Saprotroph to Parasitic Lifestyle
by Andrii P. Gryganskyi, Yong Nie, Ann E. Hajek, Kathie T. Hodge, Xiao-Yong Liu, Kelsey Aadland, Kerstin Voigt, Iryna M. Anishchenko, Vira B. Kutovenko, Liudmyla Kava, Antonina Vuek, Rytas Vilgalys, Bo Huang and Jason E. Stajich
J. Fungi 2022, 8(8), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8080789 - 28 Jul 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2419
Abstract
Fungi of the Conidiobolus group belong to the family Ancylistaceae (Entomophthorales, Entomophthoromycotina, Zoopagomycota) and include over 70 predominantly saprotrophic species in four similar and closely related genera, that were separated phylogenetically recently. Entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Batkoa are very close morphologically to [...] Read more.
Fungi of the Conidiobolus group belong to the family Ancylistaceae (Entomophthorales, Entomophthoromycotina, Zoopagomycota) and include over 70 predominantly saprotrophic species in four similar and closely related genera, that were separated phylogenetically recently. Entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Batkoa are very close morphologically to the Conidiobolus species. Their thalli share similar morphology, and they produce ballistic conidia like closely related entomopathogenic Entomophthoraceae. Ballistic conidia are traditionally considered as an efficient tool in the pathogenic process and an important adaptation to the parasitic lifestyle. Our study aims to reconstruct the phylogeny of this fungal group using molecular and genomic data, ancestral lifestyle and morphological features of the conidiobolus-like group and the direction of their evolution. Based on phylogenetic analysis, some species previously in the family Conidiobolaceae are placed in the new families Capillidiaceae and Neoconidiobolaceae, which each include one genus, and the Conidiobolaceae now includes three genera. Intermediate between the conidiobolus-like groups and Entomophthoraceae, species in the distinct Batkoa clade now belong in the family Batkoaceae. Parasitism evolved several times in the Conidiobolus group and Ancestral State Reconstruction suggests that the evolution of ballistic conidia preceded the evolution of the parasitic lifestyle. Full article
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17 pages, 6053 KiB  
Article
Hidden Species Diversity was Explored in Two Genera of Catapyrenioid Lichens (Verrucariaceae, Ascomycota) from the Deserts of China
by Tingting Zhang, Xin Zhang, Qiuxia Yang and Xinli Wei
J. Fungi 2022, 8(7), 729; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8070729 - 13 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1553
Abstract
Verrucariaceae is the third-largest lichen family with high species diversity. However, this diversity has not been well-explored in China. We carried out a wide-scale field investigation in the arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest China from 2017 to 2021. A large number of [...] Read more.
Verrucariaceae is the third-largest lichen family with high species diversity. However, this diversity has not been well-explored in China. We carried out a wide-scale field investigation in the arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest China from 2017 to 2021. A large number of lichen groups, especially those commonly distributed in deserts, were collected. Based on molecular phylogeny using ITS and nuLSU sequences by Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses, combining morphological characters, seven taxa of catapyrenioid lichens in Verricariaceae were found in this study, including one genus (Clavascidium) and one species (Clavascidium lacinulatum) new to China; one genus (Placidium) new to the mainland of China; and four species (Clavascidium sinense, Placidium nitidulum, Placidium nigrum, and Placidium varium) new to science. It enriched our understanding of the high species diversity in Verrucariaceae and the lichen flora of Chinese arid and semi-arid deserts. Full article
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21 pages, 17945 KiB  
Article
Identification and Characterization of Calonectria Species Associated with Plant Diseases in Southern China
by Yunxia Zhang, Cantian Chen, Chao Chen, Jingwen Chen, Meimei Xiang, Dhanushka N. Wanasinghe, Tom Hsiang, Kevin D. Hyde and Ishara S. Manawasinghe
J. Fungi 2022, 8(7), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8070719 - 09 Jul 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2733
Abstract
Calonectria species are important plant pathogens on a wide range of hosts, causing significant losses to plant production worldwide. During our survey on phytopathogenic fungi from 2019 to 2021, diseased samples were collected from various hosts in Guangdong Province, China. In total, 16 [...] Read more.
Calonectria species are important plant pathogens on a wide range of hosts, causing significant losses to plant production worldwide. During our survey on phytopathogenic fungi from 2019 to 2021, diseased samples were collected from various hosts in Guangdong Province, China. In total, 16 Calonectria isolates were obtained from leaf spots, stem blights and root rots of species of Arachis, Cassia, Callistemon, Eucalyptus, Heliconia, Melaleuca and Strelitzia plants. Isolates were identified morphologically, and a multigene phylogenetic analysis of combined partial sequences of calmodulin (cmdA), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α) and beta-tubulin (β-tubulin) was performed. These sixteen isolates were further identified as nine Calonectria species, with five new species: Ca. cassiae, Ca. guangdongensis, Ca. melaleucae, Ca. shaoguanensis and Ca. strelitziae, as well as four new records: Ca. aconidialis from Arachis hypogaea, Ca. auriculiformis from Eucalyptus sp., Ca. eucalypti from Callistemon rigidus, and Ca. hongkongensis from Eucalyptus gunnii. Moreover, we provide updated phylogenetic trees for four Calonectria species complexes viz. Ca. colhounii, Ca. cylindrospora, Ca. kyotensis and Ca. reteaudii. Our study is the first comprehensive study on Calonectria species associated with various hosts from subtropical regions in China. Results from the present study will be an addition to the biodiversity of microfungi in South China. Full article
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21 pages, 5221 KiB  
Article
Phylogenetic Analysis of Trichoderma Species Associated with Green Mold Disease on Mushrooms and Two New Pathogens on Ganoderma sichuanense
by Xiao-Ya An, Guo-Hui Cheng, Han-Xing Gao, Xue-Fei Li, Yang Yang, Dan Li and Yu Li
J. Fungi 2022, 8(7), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8070704 - 03 Jul 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2875
Abstract
Edible and medicinal mushrooms are extensively cultivated and commercially consumed around the world. However, green mold disease (causal agent, Trichoderma spp.) has resulted in severe crop losses on mushroom farms worldwide in recent years and has become an obstacle to the development of [...] Read more.
Edible and medicinal mushrooms are extensively cultivated and commercially consumed around the world. However, green mold disease (causal agent, Trichoderma spp.) has resulted in severe crop losses on mushroom farms worldwide in recent years and has become an obstacle to the development of the Ganoderma industry in China. In this study, a new species and a new fungal pathogen on Ganoderma sichuanense fruitbodies were identified based on the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of two genes, the translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) and the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) genes. The new species, Trichoderma ganodermatigerum sp. nov., belongs to the Harzianum clade, and the new fungal pathogen was identified as Trichoderma koningiopsis. Furthermore, in order to better understand the interaction between Trichoderma and mushrooms, as well as the potential biocontrol value of pathogenic Trichoderma, we summarized the Trichoderma species and their mushroom hosts as best as possible, and the phylogenetic relationships within mushroom pathogenic Trichoderma species were discussed. Full article
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15 pages, 4464 KiB  
Article
New Species of Large-Spored Alternaria in Section Porri Associated with Compositae Plants in China
by Lin Zhao, Huan Luo, Hong Cheng, Ya-Nan Gou, Zhi-He Yu and Jian-Xin Deng
J. Fungi 2022, 8(6), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8060607 - 06 Jun 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2339
Abstract
Alternaria is a ubiquitous fungal genus including saprobic, endophytic, and pathogenic species associated with a wide variety of substrates. It has been separated into 29 sections and seven monotypic lineages based on molecular and morphological data. Alternaria sect. Porri is the largest section, [...] Read more.
Alternaria is a ubiquitous fungal genus including saprobic, endophytic, and pathogenic species associated with a wide variety of substrates. It has been separated into 29 sections and seven monotypic lineages based on molecular and morphological data. Alternaria sect. Porri is the largest section, containing the majority of large-spored Alternaria species, most of which are important plant pathogens. Since 2015, of the investigations for large-spored Alternaria species in China, 13 species were found associated with Compositae plants based on morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses. There were eight known species and five new species (A. anhuiensis sp. nov., A. coreopsidis sp. nov., A. nanningensis sp. nov., A. neimengguensis sp. nov., and A. sulphureus sp. nov.) distributed in the four sections of Helianthiinficientes, Porri, Sonchi, and Teretispora, and one monotypic lineage (A. argyranthemi). The multi-locus sequence analyses encompassing the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA (ITS), glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), Alternaria major allergen gene (Alt a 1), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1), and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2), revealed that the new species fell into sect. Porri. Morphologically, the new species were illustrated and compared with other relevant large-spored Alternaria species in the study. Furthermore, A. calendulae, A. leucanthemi, and A. tagetica were firstly detected in Brachyactis ciliate, Carthamus tinctorius, and Calendula officinalis in China, respectively. Full article
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17 pages, 5339 KiB  
Article
Four New Species of Dictyostelids from Soil Systems in Northern Thailand
by James C. Cavender, Eduardo M. Vadell, Allison L. Perrigo, John C. Landolt, Steven L. Stephenson and Pu Liu
J. Fungi 2022, 8(6), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8060593 - 31 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1609
Abstract
Dictyostelid cellular slime molds (dictyostelids) are ubiquitous microorganisms found in the uppermost layers of most soils. Reports on the species diversity of dictyostelids in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, are few in number. A survey for dictyostelids performed in northern Thailand in 2008 recovered [...] Read more.
Dictyostelid cellular slime molds (dictyostelids) are ubiquitous microorganisms found in the uppermost layers of most soils. Reports on the species diversity of dictyostelids in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, are few in number. A survey for dictyostelids performed in northern Thailand in 2008 recovered 15 distinctive forms, including several common species and a number of forms morphologically different from anything already described. Five of the latter were formally described as new to science in a previous paper. An additional five isolates appeared to be morphologically distinct, and this was supported by DNA sequence data and phylogenetic analysis. These isolates representing four species are described herein as species new to science. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of these new species are provided. Full article
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18 pages, 2480 KiB  
Article
Three New Species of Microdochium (Sordariomycetes, Amphisphaeriales) on Miscanthus sinensis and Phragmites australis from Hainan, China
by Shubin Liu, Xiaoyong Liu, Zhaoxue Zhang, Jiwen Xia, Xiuguo Zhang and Zhe Meng
J. Fungi 2022, 8(6), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8060577 - 27 May 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2110
Abstract
Species in Microdochium, potential agents of biocontrol, have often been reported as plant pathogens, occasionally as endophytes and fungicolous fungi. Combining multiple molecular markers (ITS rDNA, LSU rDNA, TUB2 and RPB2) with morphological characteristics, this study proposes three new species in the [...] Read more.
Species in Microdochium, potential agents of biocontrol, have often been reported as plant pathogens, occasionally as endophytes and fungicolous fungi. Combining multiple molecular markers (ITS rDNA, LSU rDNA, TUB2 and RPB2) with morphological characteristics, this study proposes three new species in the genus Microdochium represented by seven strains from the plant hosts Miscanthus sinensis and Phragmites australis in Hainan Island, China. These three species, Microdochium miscanthi sp. Nov., M. sinense sp. Nov. and M. hainanense sp. Nov., are described with MycoBank number, etymology, typification, morphological features and illustrations, as well as placement on molecular phylogenetic trees. Their affinity with morphologically allied and molecularly closely related species are also analyzed. For facilitating identification, an updated key to the species of Microdochium is provided herein. Full article
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22 pages, 6490 KiB  
Article
Is Hyperdermium Congeneric with Ascopolyporus? Phylogenetic Relationships of Ascopolyporus spp. (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) and a New Genus Neohyperdermium on Scale Insects in Thailand
by Donnaya Thanakitpipattana, Suchada Mongkolsamrit, Artit Khonsanit, Winanda Himaman, Janet Jennifer Luangsa-ard and Natapol Pornputtapong
J. Fungi 2022, 8(5), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8050516 - 17 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2471
Abstract
During surveys of insect pathogenic fungi (IPF) in Thailand, fungi associated with scale insects and plants were found to represent five new species of the genus Ascopolyporus in Cordycipitaceae. Their macroscopic features resembled both Hyperdermium and Ascopolyporus. Morphological comparisons with the [...] Read more.
During surveys of insect pathogenic fungi (IPF) in Thailand, fungi associated with scale insects and plants were found to represent five new species of the genus Ascopolyporus in Cordycipitaceae. Their macroscopic features resembled both Hyperdermium and Ascopolyporus. Morphological comparisons with the type and known Ascopolyporus and Hyperdermium species and phylogenetic evidence from a multigene dataset support the appointment of a new species of Ascopolyporus. Moreover, the data also revealed that the type species of Hyperdermium, H. caulium, is nested within Ascopolyporus, suggesting that Hyperdermium is congeneric with Ascopolyporus. The specimens investigated here differ from other Ascopolyporus species by phenotypic characters including size and color of stromata. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, TEF1, RPB1 and RPB2 sequences strongly support the notion that these strains are distinct from known species of Ascopolyporus, and are proposed as Ascopolyporus albus, A. galloides, A. griseoperitheciatus, A. khaoyaiensis and A. purpuratus. Neohyperdermium gen. nov. is introduced for other species originally assigned to Hyperdermium and Cordyceps occurring on scale insects and host plants as epiphytes, accommodating two new combinations of Hyperdermium pulvinatum and Cordyceps piperis. Full article
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29 pages, 19738 KiB  
Article
Diversity of Cantharellus (Cantharellales, Basidiomycota) in China with Description of Some New Species and New Records
by Ming Zhang, Chao-Qun Wang, Man-Shui Gan, Yi Li, Shi-Cheng Shao, Wei-Qiang Qin, Wang-Qiu Deng and Tai-Hui Li
J. Fungi 2022, 8(5), 483; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8050483 - 06 May 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2353
Abstract
Cantharellus is a well-known genus of edible mushrooms, belonging to the family Hydnaceae in the class Agaricomycetes. In this study, a phylogenetic overview of Cantharellus subg. Cinnabarinus and C. subg. Parvocantharellus in China is carried out with the description of four new species. [...] Read more.
Cantharellus is a well-known genus of edible mushrooms, belonging to the family Hydnaceae in the class Agaricomycetes. In this study, a phylogenetic overview of Cantharellus subg. Cinnabarinus and C. subg. Parvocantharellus in China is carried out with the description of four new species. Species description are based on morphological characters of basidiomata and phylogenetic analyses of multi-locus dataset of 28S + tef1 + rpb2. Among the new species, two species, C. chrysanthus and C. sinocinnabarinus, belong to C. subg. Cinnabarinus and two new species, C. convexus and C. neopersicinus, belong to C. subg. Parvocantharellus. Species delimitation characters of the new taxa are compared with closely related species. In addition, three new records of Cantharellus are reported for China: C. albovenosus and C. citrinus of subg. Cinnabarinus and C. koreanus of subg. Parvocantharellus. A key to the species of subg. Cinnabarinus in China was provided. Full article
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16 pages, 16527 KiB  
Article
A Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Study on Phellodon (Bankeraceae, Thelephorales) from China
by Chang-Ge Song, Yuan-Yuan Chen, Shun Liu, Tai-Min Xu, Xiao-Lan He, Di Wang and Bao-Kai Cui
J. Fungi 2022, 8(5), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8050429 - 22 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1686
Abstract
In this study, phylogenetic analyses of Phellodon from China were carried out based on sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the small subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nSSU), the largest subunit [...] Read more.
In this study, phylogenetic analyses of Phellodon from China were carried out based on sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the small subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nSSU), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), combined with morphological characters of the collected specimens in China. The fruiting bodies of the specimens were used to observe their characteristics, and three new species of Phellodon are discovered. Phellodon crassipileatus is characterized by its pale brown to dark brown pileal surface, tomentose pileal margin, white spines, and the presence of clamp connections in generative hyphae of pileal surface, context, and stipe. Phellodon griseofuscus is characterized by its dark brown to black pileal surface, white to pale brown pileal margin, the presence of both simple septa and clamp connections in generative hyphae of spines, and moderately long basidia. Phellodon perchocolatus is characterized by its woody and broad pileus, brown to greyish brown pileal surface when fresh, tomentose pileal margin when young, which becomes glabrous with age, and the presence of both simple septa and clamp connections in the generative hyphae of the spines. This is the first time both single and multi-genes analysis is used in such a phylogenetic and taxonomic study on Phellodon, which can provide the basis for the phylogenetic study of the genus. Full article
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27 pages, 31676 KiB  
Article
Morphological and Molecular Evidence Reveal Eight New Species of Gymnopus from Northeast China
by Jiajun Hu, Guiping Zhao, Yonglan Tuo, Gu Rao, Zhenhao Zhang, Zhengxiang Qi, Lei Yue, Yajie Liu, Tong Zhang, Yu Li and Bo Zhang
J. Fungi 2022, 8(4), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8040349 - 28 Mar 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2456
Abstract
Gymnopus is a widely distributed genus consisting of about 300 species thus far, including Gymnopus fusipes as a generic type. A total of nine species from China belong to the sect. Levipedes, including eight new species—Gymnopus longisterigmaticus, Gymnopus  [...] Read more.
Gymnopus is a widely distributed genus consisting of about 300 species thus far, including Gymnopus fusipes as a generic type. A total of nine species from China belong to the sect. Levipedes, including eight new species—Gymnopus longisterigmaticus, Gymnopus longus, Gymnopus macrosporus, Gymnopus striatus, Gymnopus changbaiensis, Gymnopus tomentosus, Gymnopus tiliicola, and Gymnopus globulosus—which were delimited and proposed based on morphological and molecular evidence; and one new record from Jilin Province, China—Gymnopus erythropus. Detailed descriptions and illustrations are presented, as well as comparisons to similar species. Overall, our results broaden the morphological characterization of the genus. The pileipellis of sect. Levipedes typically takes on the “Dryophila structure”, while, in our findings, pileipellis terminal hyphae inflated to spherical to prolate were observed, in addition to extremely long basidia sterigma. The phylogenies inferred from the ITS and nLSU dataset supported the Gymnopus, which was defined by Oliveira et al. as a monophyletic genus, and the novel species as separate lineages within. A key to all species described in this study is also provided. Full article
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24 pages, 12248 KiB  
Article
New Species and New Records of Otidea from China Based on Molecular and Morphological Data
by Yu-Yan Xu, Ning Mao, Jia-Jia Yang and Li Fan
J. Fungi 2022, 8(3), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8030272 - 08 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2002
Abstract
Species of genus Otidea previously reported in China are mainly distributed in the northeast, northwest and southwest regions of China, but the species diversity of Otidea in north China is not very clear. In this study, newly collected Otidea specimens from northern China [...] Read more.
Species of genus Otidea previously reported in China are mainly distributed in the northeast, northwest and southwest regions of China, but the species diversity of Otidea in north China is not very clear. In this study, newly collected Otidea specimens from northern China and some herbarium specimens deposited in three important Chinese fungus herbaria (HMAS, HKAS, HMJAU) were studied using morphological and phylogenetic methods. The internal transcribed spacers of the nrDNA (ITS), the nrRNA 28S subunit (nrLSU), the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α), and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2), were employed to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships between Otidea species. Results identified 16 species of Otidea, of which seven new species are described, namely O.aspera, O.cupulata, O. filiformis, O.khakicolorata, O. parvula, O.plicara and O.purpureobrunnea. Otidea bicolor and O. pruinosa are synonymized as O. subpurpurea. Two species, O. mirabilis and O. nannfeldtii, are being reported for the first time in China. The occurrence of O. bufonia, O. leporina and O. onotica are confirmed by molecular data in China. Full article
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17 pages, 63852 KiB  
Article
New Species of Mallocybe and Pseudosperma from North China
by Ning Mao, Yu-Yan Xu, Tao-Yu Zhao, Jing-Chong Lv and Li Fan
J. Fungi 2022, 8(3), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8030256 - 02 Mar 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2926
Abstract
Within the family Inocybaceae, many species of Mallocybe and Pseudosperma have been reported, but there are only a few reports on these two genera from north China. In this study, six collections of Mallocybe and 11 collections of Pseudosperma were studied by morphological [...] Read more.
Within the family Inocybaceae, many species of Mallocybe and Pseudosperma have been reported, but there are only a few reports on these two genera from north China. In this study, six collections of Mallocybe and 11 collections of Pseudosperma were studied by morphological and phylogenetic methods. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequence data from three or two different loci (ITS, LSU, and rpb2 for Mallocybe; ITS and LSU for Pseudosperma) are performed to infer species relationships within genera Mallocybe and Pseudosperma, respectively. Results indicate that eight species of Mallocybe and Pseudosperma are found in Shanxi province, north China; two new species of Mallocybe, M. depressa and M. picea, are described. Overall, six species belong to Pseudosperma, of which three are new: P. gilvum, P. laricis and P. pseudoniveivelatum. Full article
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