Polyphasic Identification of Fungi 2.0

Dear Colleagues,

Fungi are the second most species-rich group after insects. Thus, it is more challenging to estimate the total number of extant fungi species than it is with plants and animals. Fungi play key roles in ecosystems as decomposers, endophytes, mutualists, and pathogens. However, in most cases, the roles of individual fungi in nature are still unknown. Describing and understanding the natural roles of fungal species can help humankind to overcome fungal diseases and better utilize fungal resources. Identification can be a long and seemingly never-ending process, with frequent revisions of the taxonomic schemes, and it is gradually becoming clearer that fungal identification and authentication require a multiple-step approach in order to generate accurate and useful data. This means that it is necessary to combine more traditional phenotypic and physiological approaches with modern molecular biology. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFPLs), random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPDs), amplified fragment length polymorphism-PCR (AFLPs-PCR), Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), DNA barcoding, and Whole Genome Sequencing have all been used to distinguish fungal taxa that are difficult to identify by traditional morphological methods. It is assumed that the genotype of a fungal species is only an indirect indication of its phenotype and ecological adaptations. In other words, a fungal species can be defined as the smallest aggregation of populations with a common lineage that share unique diagnosable phenotypic features.

Recently, the so-called polyphasic approach has been developed for consistent identification and characterization of fungi. The polyphasic approach consists of the use of different techniques based on the systematization of scientific knowledge. Different methodologies used in this approach include micro- and macro-morphology, biochemical analyses, and molecular biology. These methods assist taxonomists in establishing a consolidated species concept.

This Special Issue will focus on the polyphasic identification of fungi. Studies covering the taxonomy, ecology, physiology, and phylogeny of fungi and fungal biodiversity estimates are welcome.

Dr. Samantha C. Karunarathna
Dr. Saowaluck Tibpromma
Guest Editors

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• epitypification
• fungal diversity
• fungal taxonomy
• fungal phylogeny
• fungal ecology
• fungal physiology