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Diversity
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The Hidden Fungal Diversity in Asia 2.0
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The Hidden Fungal Diversity in Asia 2.0

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 13344

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Samantha C. Karunarathna

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing 655011, China
2. National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS), Kandy, Sri Lanka
Interests: fungal taxonomy; fungal phylogeny; Basidiomycota; Ascomycota; fungal pathogens
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Nakarin Suwannarach

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Interests: fungal pathogens; fungal endophytes; fungal taxonomy; fungal phylogeny; diversity of fungal activities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The kingdom of fungi is one of the most diverse groups of eukaryotic organisms on Earth. Fungi play fundamental ecological roles as decomposers, mutualists, or pathogens. The global fungal diversity is estimated at 0.8 million to 5.1 million species; however, only about 120,000 species have been described. In the last decade, new fungal species have been described using morphological and molecular approaches, but the presence of cryptic species or species complexes has frequently led to overestimations or underestimations of certain taxa. The introduction rate of new fungal species has now reached 2000 species per year. In 2017, the majority of new fungal species were recorded from Asia, accounting for 35%, followed by Europe, Oceania, South America, North America, and Africa. Most Asian regions feature diverse habitats (e.g., coral reefs, islands, mangroves, hot springs, limestones, rain forests, oceans, and caves) with subtropical and tropical climates, where fungi thrive due to the favorable temperatures and humidity. Therefore, Asia is a potential repository of numerous unknown species. Additionally, studies on Asian fungi are important for answering questions regarding global fungal estimates. However, fungi in Asia remain poorly understood due to various reasons, viz. lack of study, funding limitations, and inaccessibility.

Due to the increased interest in and importance of Asian fungi, the Asian Mycological Association was established in 1977 to promote Asian mycology. Over the past 50 years, fungal species diversity and systematics in Asia have been studied, generating new opportunities to research and investigate biological control, host–fungal interactions, medical mycology, natural products, and genetic engineering of fungal strains for industrial purposes. This Special Issue aims to bring together a collection of papers focusing on fungal diversity in Asia covering areas, including but not limited to fungal diversity assessments (traditional methods and metabarcoding), fungal systematics and evolution, fungal interactions with environments and other organisms, and other areas of applications (agricultural, biotechnological, medical, and pharmaceutical).

Prof. Dr. Samantha C. Karunarathna
Dr. Nakarin Suwannarach
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • diversity and taxonomy
  • fungal activities
  • multigene phylogeny
  • next-generation sequencing (NGS)
  • fungal secondary metabolites
  • fungal pathogens

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4934 KiB  
Article
Three New Periconia Species Isolated from Wurfbainia villosa in Guangdong, China: A Discussion on the Doubtful Taxa Clustering in this Genus
by Chunfang Liao, Kevin D. Hyde, Kandawatte Wedaralalage Thilini Chethana, Wei Dong, Yunhui Yang and Mingkwan Doilom
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16030141 - 23 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1654
Abstract
During a survey of fungi on Wurfbainia villosa in Guangdong Province, China, three novel species, Periconia endophytica, P. yangjiangensis, and P. wurfbainiae, belonging to Periconiaceae in Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes are proposed based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Periconia endophytica was [...] Read more.
During a survey of fungi on Wurfbainia villosa in Guangdong Province, China, three novel species, Periconia endophytica, P. yangjiangensis, and P. wurfbainiae, belonging to Periconiaceae in Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes are proposed based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Periconia endophytica was isolated from the healthy leaves of W. villosa, while P. yangjiangensis and P. wurfbainiae were obtained from the dead stems of the same host. Notably, holomorphs were observed in P. wurfbainiae. The morphological characteristics of the novel taxa are compared with closely related species within Periconia. Illustrations, morphological descriptions, and phylogenetic analyses are provided for the novel taxa. Multilocus phylogeny of the combined internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit nuclear rDNA (LSU), small subunit nuclear ribosomal rDNA (SSU), and partial translation elongation factor 1–α (tef1-α) regions supported the establishment of three new species. Furthermore, the taxa clustering in Periconia, Flavomyces fulophazii, and Sporidesmium tengii, are discussed for further investigation of their taxonomic placements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hidden Fungal Diversity in Asia 2.0)
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17 pages, 9895 KiB  
Article
Occurrence of Aspergillus chevalieri and A. niger on Herbal Tea and Their Potential to Produce Ochratoxin A (OTA)
by Maryam T. Noorabadi, Antonio Roberto Gomes de Farias, Ausana Mapook, Kevin D. Hyde and Saranyaphat Boonmee
Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1183; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121183 - 29 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1769
Abstract
Herbal teas, including Camellia sinensis (black and green teas), are popular beverages with health benefits for consumers worldwide. These products are prepared from natural materials of different plant parts containing antioxidant properties and vitamins. The aim of this study was to investigate fungal [...] Read more.
Herbal teas, including Camellia sinensis (black and green teas), are popular beverages with health benefits for consumers worldwide. These products are prepared from natural materials of different plant parts containing antioxidant properties and vitamins. The aim of this study was to investigate fungal contaminants and their ability to produce ochratoxin A (OTA) in herbal tea samples. Seven herbal teas were obtained from local markets in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand. Samples were incubated on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and the growing mycelia were isolated into a pure culture. The cultures were identified via both morphology and molecular analysis to confirm species identification. The identified species were subjected to OTA analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detector. Ochratoxin A was produced by Aspergillus chevalieri and A. niger, isolated from seven herbal tea samples (black tea, green tea, bael fruit, goji berry, jasmine, lavender, and rose). This finding raises concerns about the safety of herbal tea and should be investigated further for potential health implications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hidden Fungal Diversity in Asia 2.0)
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13 pages, 3353 KiB  
Article
Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Endophytic Fungi (Chaetomiaceae) Associated with Healthy Leaves of Mangifera indica in Yunnan, China
by Er-Fu Yang, Samantha C. Karunarathna, Dong-Qin Dai, Alviti Kankanamalage Hasith Priyashantha, Itthayakorn Promputtha, Abdallah Elgorban and Saowaluck Tibpromma
Diversity 2023, 15(10), 1094; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101094 - 20 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1683
Abstract
Mangoes belong to Mangifera (Anacardiaceae), which contains 69 species, but only Mangifera indica is popularly cultivated and commercialized. Mango is one of the most important crops grown in China’s Yunnan Province and significantly contributes to the economic security of these locals. Endophytic fungi [...] Read more.
Mangoes belong to Mangifera (Anacardiaceae), which contains 69 species, but only Mangifera indica is popularly cultivated and commercialized. Mango is one of the most important crops grown in China’s Yunnan Province and significantly contributes to the economic security of these locals. Endophytic fungi have been recognized as beneficial microbes that improve plant growth, productivity, and survivability under environmental stress. Nevertheless, many host plant-related endophytic fungi are yet to be identified, including the mango-related species. During this study, we recognized three different fungal species in the family Chaetomiaceae derived from healthy mango (Mangifera indica) leaves based on morphological examinations coupled with multi-gene phylogenetic analysis (ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tub2). These species are Dichotomopilus funicola (KUNCC23-13347) and Humicola wallefii (KUNCC22-10759, 23-13348), derived from new hosts, and a new species of Arcopilus hongheensis (KUNCC22-10767, 23-13346). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hidden Fungal Diversity in Asia 2.0)
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12 pages, 3091 KiB  
Article
Two New Edible Lyophyllum Species from Tibetan Areas, China
by Shuhong Li, Songming Tang, Jun He and Dequn Zhou
Diversity 2023, 15(9), 1027; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15091027 - 21 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1709
Abstract
Two new species, Lyophyllum yiqunyang and L. heimogu, that belong to the section Difformia of the genus Lyophyllum, are described based on collections from Tibetan areas, China. The two species are delicious edible low-temperature mushrooms and are widely collected and [...] Read more.
Two new species, Lyophyllum yiqunyang and L. heimogu, that belong to the section Difformia of the genus Lyophyllum, are described based on collections from Tibetan areas, China. The two species are delicious edible low-temperature mushrooms and are widely collected and eaten by local people. Lyophyllum yiqunyang sp. nov. is saprotrophic and has medium-sized basidiomata, olive-grey pileus, cheilocystidia, absent pleurocystidia, globose to subglobose basidiospores (6.12–6.31 × 6.02–6.23 μm) and clamp connections at the pileus context, hymenophoral trama and stipe. Lyophyllum heimogu sp. nov. is saprotrophic and has a dark grey to olive pileus, medium-sized basidiomata and globose to subglobose basidiospores (5.31–5.63 × 5.22–5.41 μm). In the phylogenetic analyses, our two new species formed distinct clades that are well supported by posterior probabilities and bootstrap proportions. Detailed descriptions, colour photos, illustrations and a phylogenetic tree to show the positions of the two new species are presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hidden Fungal Diversity in Asia 2.0)
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29 pages, 6110 KiB  
Article
Exploring More on Dictyosporiaceae: The Species Geographical Distribution and Intriguing Novel Additions from Plant Litter
by Danushka S. Tennakoon, Nimali I. de Silva, Sajeewa S. N. Maharachchikumbura, Darbhe J. Bhat, Jaturong Kumla, Nakarin Suwannarach and Saisamorn Lumyong
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030410 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2742
Abstract
Five fungal taxa collected from plant litter in Chiang Mai province, Thailand, are described with illustrations. The maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian analyses of combined loci of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA (LSU), and translation extension factor [...] Read more.
Five fungal taxa collected from plant litter in Chiang Mai province, Thailand, are described with illustrations. The maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian analyses of combined loci of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA (LSU), and translation extension factor 1-α (tef1-α) region were used for phylogeny analyses. Dictyocheirospora acaciae is introduced as a new species from Acacia dealbata. Based on size differences in conidiomata, conidia, and DNA sequence data, it is separated from the other species in the genus. Four new host records, Dictyocheirospora garethjonesii, Di. taiwanense, Dictyosporium digitatum, and Pseudocoleophoma zingiberacearum are also reported from Bismarkia nobilis, Ficus benjamina, Cyperus aggregatus, and Hedychium spicatum, respectively. Detailed descriptions, microphotographs, and phylogenetic information were provided, and all the species were compared to similar taxa. It is noted that there is still a necessity for a collective worldwide account of the distribution of Dictyosporiaceae species. Therefore, we compiled the geographical distributions and host species associations of all the so far known Dictyosporiaceae species and discussed them here. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hidden Fungal Diversity in Asia 2.0)
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22 pages, 7178 KiB  
Article
Insight into the Taxonomic Resolution of Apiospora: Introducing Novel Species and Records from Bamboo in China and Thailand
by Jutamart Monkai, Rungtiwa Phookamsak, Danushka S. Tennakoon, Darbhe Jayarama Bhat, Sheng Xu, Qinxian Li, Jianchu Xu, Peter E. Mortimer, Jaturong Kumla and Saisamorn Lumyong
Diversity 2022, 14(11), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14110918 - 27 Oct 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2702
Abstract
Taxonomic studies of bambusicolous fungi in China and Thailand have resulted in the collection of three fascinating saprobic coelomycetes strains. Morphology coupled with combined gene analysis of ITS, LSU, TUB2, and TEF1-α DNA sequence data showed that they belong to the genus [...] Read more.
Taxonomic studies of bambusicolous fungi in China and Thailand have resulted in the collection of three fascinating saprobic coelomycetes strains. Morphology coupled with combined gene analysis of ITS, LSU, TUB2, and TEF1-α DNA sequence data showed that they belong to the genus Apiospora, family Apiosporaceae. A new species from Thailand, Apiospora mukdahanensis, and new records of A. locuta-pollinis from China are herein described. In addition, based on both morphological data coupled with phylogenetics and nomenclatural analyses, A. mori is proposed as a new combination. Maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses were performed to clarify the phylogenetic affinities of the species obtained in this study. Newly obtained strains are compared with morphologically- and phylogenetically-related taxa. The comprehensive descriptions, illustrations, and updated phylogeny are provided and discussed for intra-and intergeneric relationships within Apiospora species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hidden Fungal Diversity in Asia 2.0)
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