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Special Issue "Fungal Biodiversity and Ecology, 3rd Edition"

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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: 1 September 2023 | Viewed by 6504

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Prof. Dr. Lei Cai

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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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Dear Colleagues,

Public awareness on biodiversity has been mainly focused on animals and plants. Fungi, by contrast, as one of the eukaryotic kingdoms, have been largely neglected. In fact, there are about 2.2 to 3.8 million fungal species on earth, and only about 120,000 species of these have been described, which represents no more than 8% of the total number. Recently, a number of studies based on high-throughput sequencing have shown that the diversity of fungi inhabiting Earth may even largely exceed our previous estimations. Considering the essential ecological roles of fungi in various ecosystems, it is extremely important to investigate fungal diversity and their roles in various ecosystems. This Special Issue aims to bring together a collection of papers focusing on Fungal Biodiversity and Ecology, with areas including, but not limited to fungal diversity assessments (traditional methods and metabarcoding), diversity conservation, fungal systematics and evolution, fungal interactions with environments and other organisms, and ecological roles of fungi in various ecosystems.

Prof. Dr. Lei Cai
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

fungal systematics
fungal diversity
fungal ecology
fungal interactions
metabarcoding

Related Special Issues

Fungal Biodiversity and Ecology 2.0 in Journal of Fungi (15 articles)
Fungal Biodiversity and Ecology in Journal of Fungi (22 articles)

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Open AccessArticle

Appendage-Bearing Sordariomycetes from Dipterocarpus alatus Leaf Litter in Thailand

Nethmini P. Samaradiwakara

Antonio Roberto Gomes de Farias

Danushka S. Tennakoon

Janith V. S. Aluthmuhandiram

Chitrabhanu S. Bhunjun

K. W. Thilini Chethana

Jaturong Kumla

and

Saisamorn Lumyong

J. Fungi 2023, 9(6), 625; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9060625 - 29 May 2023

Viewed by 292

Abstract

Leaf litter is an essential functional aspect of forest ecosystems, acting as a source of organic matter, a protective layer in forest soils, and a nurturing habitat for micro- and macro-organisms. Through their successional occurrence, litter-inhabiting microfungi play a key role in litter decomposition and nutrient recycling. Despite their importance in terrestrial ecosystems and their abundance and diversity, information on the taxonomy, diversity, and host preference of these decomposer taxa is scarce. This study aims to clarify the taxonomy and phylogeny of four saprobic fungal taxa inhabiting Dipterocarpus alatus leaf litter. Leaf litter samples were collected from Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Fungal isolates were characterized based on morphology and molecular phylogeny of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS, LSU) and protein-coding genes (tub2, tef1-α, rpb2). One novel saprobic species, Ciliochorella dipterocarpi, and two new host records, Pestalotiopsis dracontomelon and Robillarda australiana, are introduced. The newly described taxa are compared with similar species, and comprehensive descriptions, micrographs, and phylogenetic trees are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Biodiversity and Ecology, 3rd Edition)

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Open AccessArticle

Macrofungal Diversity and Distribution Patterns in the Primary Forests of the Shaluli Mountains

and

J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040491 - 19 Apr 2023

Viewed by 768

Abstract

The Shaluli Mountains are located in the southeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau at an elevation of 2500–5000 m. They are characterized by a typical vertical distribution of climate and vegetation and are considered a global biodiversity hotspot. We selected ten vegetation types at different elevation gradients representing distinct forests in the Shaluli Mountains to assess the macrofungal diversity, including subalpine shrub, Pinus spp., Populus spp., Pinus spp. and Quercus spp., Quercus spp., Abies spp., Picea spp. and Abies spp., Picea spp., Juniperus spp., and alpine meadow. In total, 1654 macrofungal specimens were collected. All specimens were distinguished by morphology and DNA barcoding, resulting in the identification of 766 species belonging to 177 genera in two phyla, eight classes, 22 orders, and 72 families. Macrofungal species composition varied widely among vegetation types, but ectomycorrhizal fungi were predominant. In this study, the analysis of observed species richness, the Chao1 diversity index, the invsimpson diversity index, and the Shannon diversity index revealed that the vegetation types with higher macrofungal alpha diversity in the Shaluli Mountains were composed of Abies, Picea, and Quercus. The vegetation types with lower macrofungal alpha diversity were subalpine shrub, Pinus spp., Juniperus spp., and alpine meadow. The results of curve-fitting regression analysis showed that macrofungal diversity in the Shaluli Mountains was closely related to elevation, with a trend of increasing and then decreasing with rising elevation. This distribution of diversity is consistent with the hump-shaped pattern. Constrained principal coordinate analysis based on Bray–Curtis distances indicated that macrofungal community composition was similar among vegetation types at similar elevations, while vegetation types with large differences in elevation differed significantly in macrofungal community composition. This suggests that large changes in elevation increase macrofungal community turnover. This study is the first investigation of the distribution pattern of macrofungal diversity under different vegetation types in high-altitude areas, providing a scientific basis for the conservation of macrofungal resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Biodiversity and Ecology, 3rd Edition)

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Open AccessArticle

Lecanora s.lat. (Ascomycota, Lecanoraceae) in Brazil: DNA Barcoding Coupled with Phenotype Characters Reveals Numerous Novel Species

Lidiane Alves dos Santos

André Aptroot

Robert Lücking

and

Marcela Eugenia da Silva Cáceres

J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040415 - 28 Mar 2023

Viewed by 799

Abstract

We sequenced over 200 recent specimens of Lecanora s.lat. from Brazil, delimiting 28 species in our material. Many seem to represent undescribed species, some of which being morphologically and chemically similar to each other or to already described species. Here, we present a phylogenetic analysis based on ITS, including our specimens and GenBank data. We describe nine new species. The purpose of the paper is to illustrate the diversity of the genus in Brazil, not to focus on segregate genera. However, we found that all Vainionora species cluster together and these will be treated separately. Other Lecanora species with dark hypothecium clustered in several different clades. Species with the morphology of Lecanora caesiorubella, in which currently several subspecies with different chemistry and distribution are recognized, fall apart in different, distantly related clades, so they cannot be regarded as subspecies but should be recognized at species level. A key is given for the Lecanora species from Brazil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Biodiversity and Ecology, 3rd Edition)

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Open AccessArticle

Diversity and Distribution of Calonectria Species in Soils from Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis, Pinus massoniana, and Cunninghamia lanceolata Plantations in Four Provinces in Southern China

Ying Liu

and

Shuaifei Chen

J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020198 - 03 Feb 2023

Viewed by 941

Abstract

The species of Calonectria include many notorious plant pathogens and are widely distributed around the world. Leaf blight caused by Calonectria species is considered one of the most prominent diseases in Eucalyptus plantations in China. Some Calonectria species isolated from soils in Eucalyptus plantations are highly pathogenic to inoculated Eucalyptus genotypes. In southern China, the plantation trees Cunninghamia lanceolata, Eucalyptus spp., and Pinus massoniana are always adjacently planted, especially in FuJian, GuangDong, GuangXi, and YunNan Provinces. The aim of this study was to understand the diversity and distribution of Calonectria in soils from plantations of different tree species in different geographic regions. Soil samples were collected from 12 sampling sites in Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis, P. massoniana, and C. lanceolata plantations in FuJian, GuangDong, GuangXi, and YunNan Provinces. Approximately 250 soil samples were collected from each sampling site, and a total of 2991 soil samples were obtained. A total of 1270 Calonectria isolates were obtained from 1270 soil samples. The 1270 isolates were identified based on DNA sequence comparisons of the partial gene regions of act, cmdA, his3, rpb2, tef1, and tub2. These isolates were identified as 11 Calonectria species: Calonectria aconidialis (69.50%), C. kyotensis (13.10%), C. hongkongensis (10.80%), C. ilicicola (2.50%), C. asiatica (2.36%), C. curvispora (0.31%), C. chinensis (0.24%), C. pacifica (0.24%), C. yunnanensis (0.16%), and C. canadiana (0.08%) in the C. kyotensis species complex and C. eucalypti (0.71%) in the C. colhounii species complex. The three dominant species, C. aconidialis, C. kyotensis, and C. hongkongensis, were widely distributed. The richness of Calonectria (percentage of soil samples that yielded Calonectria) in soils in the eastern regions (relatively humid regions) was higher than that in the western regions. The Calonectria richness of E. urophylla × E. grandis, P. massoniana, and C. lanceolata plantations decreased gradually. For each of the three dominant species, its richness in the eastern regions was generally higher than that in the western regions; the species richness was highest in E. urophylla × E. grandis plantations for C. aconidialis, while for each of C. kyotensis and C. hongkongensis, its species richness was highest in P. massoniana plantations. The genetic variation in C. aconidialis, C. kyotensis, and C. hongkongensis was more greatly affected by geographic region than by plantation tree species. This study expanded our understanding of the richness, species diversity, and distribution characteristics of Calonectria in soils from the plantations of different tree species in different geographic regions in southern China. Results in this study enhanced our understanding of the influencing characteristics of geographic region and tree species on the species and genetic diversity of soilborne fungi. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Biodiversity and Ecology, 3rd Edition)

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Open AccessArticle

The Analysis of the Mycobiota in Plastic Polluted Soil Reveals a Reduction in Metabolic Ability

Marta Elisabetta Eleonora Temporiti

Lidia Nicola

Carolina Elena Girometta

Anna Roversi

Chiara Daccò

and

Solveig Tosi

J. Fungi 2022, 8(12), 1247; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8121247 - 25 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 875

Abstract

Plastic pollution is a growing environmental issue that results in its accumulation and persistence in soil for many decades, with possible effects on soil quality and ecosystem services. Microorganisms, and especially fungi, are a keystone of soil biodiversity and soil metabolic capacity. The aim of this research was to study soil fungal biodiversity and soil microbial metabolic profiles in three different sites in northern Italy, where macro- and microplastic concentration in soil was measured. The metabolic analyses of soil microorganisms were performed by Biolog EcoPlates, while the ITS1 fragment of the 18S ribosomal cDNA was used as a target for the metabarcoding of fungal communities. The results showed an intense and significant decrease in soil microbial metabolic ability in the site with the highest concentration of microplastics. Moreover, the soil fungal community composition was significantly different in the most pristine site when compared with the other two sites. The metabarcoding of soil samples revealed a general dominance of Mortierellomycota followed by Ascomycota in all sampled soils. Moreover, a dominance of fungi involved in the degradation of plant residues was observed in all three sites. In conclusion, this study lays the foundation for further research into the effect of plastics on soil microbial communities and their activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Biodiversity and Ecology, 3rd Edition)

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Open AccessArticle

Screening of Insecticidal and Antifungal Activities of the Culturable Fungi Isolated from the Intertidal Zones of Qingdao, China

and

J. Fungi 2022, 8(12), 1240; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8121240 - 24 Nov 2022

Viewed by 829

Abstract

Numerous studies focused on drug discovery perspective have proved the great potential for exploration of marine-derived fungi to seek bioactive chemicals. Yet, marine-derived fungi are less explored compared to their terrestrial counterparts. Here, 181 fungal strains (134 species) isolated from marine algae and sediment in Chinese intertidal zones were screened to reveal bioactivities using brine shrimp, green peach aphid and plant pathogens as targets. Fermentation supernatants of 85 fungal strains exhibited a high lethality (>70%) of brine shrimp at 24 h, and 14 strains appeared to be acute-toxic as featured by more than 75% mortality at 4 h, indicating efficient insecticidal bioactivity. The crude extracts of 34 strains displayed high toxicity to green peach aphid with more than 70% of mortality at 48 h. For the plant pathogens tested, the inhibitory rates of eight fungal strains affiliated with Alternaria (AS3, AS4), Amphichorda (AS7), Aspergillus (AS14), Chaetomium (AS21), Penicillium (AS46), Purpureocillium (AS55) and Trichoderma (AS67) were equal or higher than that of the positive Prochloraz, and five of them (AS7, AS14, AS21, AS55, AS67) were also strongly toxic to brine shrimp or aphid. Our findings indicate broad potential for exploration of marine-derived fungi as candidate resources to pursue bioactive compounds in controlling agricultural pests and pathogens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Biodiversity and Ecology, 3rd Edition)

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Re-Evaluating Botryosphaeriales: Ancestral State Reconstructions of Selected Characters and Evolution of Nutritional Modes

Achala R. Rathnayaka

K. W. Thilini Chethana

Samantha C. Karunarathna

and

Chang-Lin Zhao

J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020184 - 29 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1269

Abstract

Botryosphaeriales (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) occur in a wide range of habitats as endophytes, saprobes, and pathogens. The order Botryosphaeriales has not been subjected to evaluation since 2019 by Phillips and co-authors using phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses. Subsequently, many studies introduced novel taxa into the order and revised several families separately. In addition, no ancestral character studies have been conducted for this order. Therefore, in this study, we re-evaluated the character evolution and taxonomic placements of Botryosphaeriales species based on ancestral character evolution, divergence time estimation, and phylogenetic relationships, including all the novel taxa that have been introduced so far. Maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference analyses were conducted on a combined LSU and ITS sequence alignment. Ancestral state reconstruction was carried out for conidial colour, septation, and nutritional mode. Divergence times estimates revealed that Botryosphaeriales originated around 109 Mya in the early epoch of the Cretaceous period. All six families in Botryosphaeriales evolved in the late epoch of the Cretaceous period (66–100 Mya), during which Angiosperms also appeared, rapidly diversified and became dominant on land. Families of Botryosphaeriales diversified during the Paleogene and Neogene periods in the Cenozoic era. The order comprises the families Aplosporellaceae, Botryosphaeriaceae, Melanopsaceae, Phyllostictaceae, Planistromellaceae and Saccharataceae. Furthermore, current study assessed two hypotheses; the first one being “All Botryosphaeriales species originated as endophytes and then switched into saprobes when their hosts died or into pathogens when their hosts were under stress”; the second hypothesis states that “There is a link between the conidial colour and nutritional mode in botryosphaerialean taxa”. Ancestral state reconstruction and nutritional mode analyses revealed a pathogenic/saprobic nutritional mode as the ancestral character. However, we could not provide strong evidence for the first hypothesis mainly due to the significantly low number of studies reporting the endophytic botryosphaerialean taxa. Results also showed that hyaline and aseptate conidia were ancestral characters in Botryosphaeriales and supported the relationship between conidial pigmentation and the pathogenicity of Botryosphaeriales species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Biodiversity and Ecology, 3rd Edition)

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