Journal of Fungi

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25 pages, 7300 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agaricus macrochlamys, a New Species from the (Sub)tropical Cloud Forests of North America and the Caribbean, and Agaricus fiardii, a New Synonym of Agaricus subrufescens

by Rosario Medel-Ortiz, Roberto Garibay-Orijel, Andrés Argüelles-Moyao, Gerardo Mata, Richard W. Kerrigan, Alan E. Bessette, József Geml, Claudio Angelini, Luis A. Parra and Jie Chen

J. Fungi 2022, 8(7), 664; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8070664 - 24 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4040

Abstract

Agaricus is a genus of fungi in the family Agaricaceae, with several highly priced edible and medicinal species. Here we describe Agaricus macrochlamys, a new species, in A. sect. Arvenses, sympatric and morphologically cryptic with the edible and medicinally cultivated [...] Read more.

Agaricus is a genus of fungi in the family Agaricaceae, with several highly priced edible and medicinal species. Here we describe Agaricus macrochlamys, a new species, in A. sect. Arvenses, sympatric and morphologically cryptic with the edible and medicinally cultivated mushroom, A. subrufescens. Phylogenetic analyses showed that A. macrochlamys is closely related to A. subrufescens, and that A. fiardii is a new synonym of A. subrufescens. Despite being morphologically cryptic, A. macrochlamys can be distinguished from A. subrufescens by several ITS and tef1α species-specific markers and a 4-bp insertion in the tef1α sequence. Furthermore, A. subrufescens is a cosmopolitan species, while A. macrochlamys distribution is so far restricted to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and the United States. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dimensions of Tropical Fungal Diversity)

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18 pages, 39410 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Four New Species of Harringtonia: Unravelling the Laurel Wilt Fungal Genus

by João P. M. Araújo, You Li, Tuan A. Duong, Matthew E. Smith, Sawyer Adams and Jiri Hulcr

J. Fungi 2022, 8(6), 613; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8060613 - 8 Jun 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4025

Abstract

Symbiosis between beetles and fungi arose multiple times during the evolution of both organisms. Some of the most biologically diverse and economically important are mutualisms in which the beetles cultivate and feed on fungi. Among these are bark beetles and Harringtonia, a [...] Read more.

Symbiosis between beetles and fungi arose multiple times during the evolution of both organisms. Some of the most biologically diverse and economically important are mutualisms in which the beetles cultivate and feed on fungi. Among these are bark beetles and Harringtonia, a fungal genus that produces Raffaelea-like asexual morph and hosts the causal agent of laurel wilt, H. lauricola (formerly Raffaelea lauricola). In this study, we propose four new species of Harringtonia associated with beetles from Belize and Florida (USA). We hope to contribute towards a more robust and inclusive phylogenetic framework for future studies on these beetle-fungi relationships and their potential impact in crops and forests worldwide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dimensions of Tropical Fungal Diversity)

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20 pages, 4133 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Integrative View of the Phyllosphere Mycobiome of Native Rubber Trees in the Brazilian Amazon

by Paula Luize Camargos Fonseca, Demetra Skaltsas, Felipe Ferreira da Silva, Rodrigo Bentes Kato, Giovanni Marques de Castro, Glen Jasper Yupanqui García, Gabriel Quintanilha-Peixoto, Thairine Mendes-Pereira, Anderson Oliveira do Carmo, Eric Roberto Guimarães Rocha Aguiar, Daniel Santana de Carvalho, Diogo Henrique Costa-Rezende, Elisandro Ricardo Drechsler-Santos, Fernanda Badotti, Alice Ferreira-Silva, Guilherme Oliveira, Priscila Chaverri, Aline Bruna Martins Vaz and Aristóteles Góes-Neto

J. Fungi 2022, 8(4), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8040373 - 6 Apr 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3513

Abstract

The rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, is a neotropical Amazonian species. Despite its high economic value and fungi associated with native individuals, in its original area in Brazil, it has been scarcely investigated and only using culture-dependent methods. Herein, we integrated in silico [...] Read more.

The rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, is a neotropical Amazonian species. Despite its high economic value and fungi associated with native individuals, in its original area in Brazil, it has been scarcely investigated and only using culture-dependent methods. Herein, we integrated in silico approaches with novel field/experimental approaches and a case study of shotgun metagenomics and small RNA metatranscriptomics of an adult individual. Scientific literature, host fungus, and DNA databases are biased to fungal taxa, and are mainly related to rubber tree diseases and in non-native ecosystems. Metabarcoding retrieved specific phyllospheric core fungal communities of all individuals, adults, plantlets, and leaves of the same plant, unravelling hierarchical structured core mycobiomes. Basidiomycotan yeast-like fungi that display the potential to produce antifungal compounds and a complex of non-invasive ectophytic parasites (Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck fungi) co-occurred in all samples, encompassing the strictest core mycobiome. The case study of the same adult tree (previously studied using culture-dependent approach) analyzed by amplicon, shotgun metagenomics, and small RNA transcriptomics revealed a high relative abundance of insect parasite-pathogens, anaerobic fungi and a high expression of Trichoderma (a fungal genus long reported as dominant in healthy wild rubber trees), respectively. Altogether, our study unravels new and intriguing information/hypotheses of the foliar mycobiome of native H. brasiliensis, which may also occur in other native Amazonian trees. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dimensions of Tropical Fungal Diversity)

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34 pages, 9054 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neotropical Studies on Hymenochaetaceae: Unveiling the Diversity and Endemicity of Phellinotus

by Carlos A. Salvador-Montoya, Samuel G. Elias, Orlando F. Popoff, Gerardo L. Robledo, Carlos Urcelay, Aristóteles Góes-Neto, Sebastián Martínez and Elisandro R. Drechsler-Santos

J. Fungi 2022, 8(3), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8030216 - 22 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2640

Abstract

Phellinotus, a neotropical genus of wood-decay fungi commonly found on living members of the Fabaceae family, was initially described as containing two species, P. neoaridus and P. piptadeniae. The members of this genus, along with six other well-established genera [...] Read more.

Phellinotus, a neotropical genus of wood-decay fungi commonly found on living members of the Fabaceae family, was initially described as containing two species, P. neoaridus and P. piptadeniae. The members of this genus, along with six other well-established genera and some unresolved lineages, are the current representatives of the ‘phellinotus clade’. On the other hand, based on a two-loci phylogenetic analysis, some entities/lineages of the ‘phellinotus clade’ have been found in Fomitiporella s.l. In this work, we performed four-loci phylogenetic analyses and based on our results the genera of the ‘phellinotus clade’ are shown to be monophyletic groups. In addition to the natural groups confirmed as different genera, morphological revisions, phylogenetic relationships, and host distribution of different specimens resembling P. neoaridus and P. piptadeniae revealed three new species in the Phellinotus genus, referred to here as P. magnoporatus, P. teixeirae and P. xerophyticus. Furthermore, for P. piptadeniae a narrower species concept was adopted with redefined morphological characters and a more limited distribution range. Both P. neoaridus and P. teixeirae have a distribution range restricted to seasonally dry tropical forests in South America. Additionally, based on detailed morphological revisions Phellinus badius, Phellinus resinaceus, and Phellinus scaber are transferred to the Phellinotus genus. The geographic distribution and host range of the genus are then discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dimensions of Tropical Fungal Diversity)

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25 pages, 93643 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Findings on the Biology and Ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon Fungus Polyporus leprieurii var. yasuniensis

by Cristina E. Toapanta-Alban, María E. Ordoñez and Robert A. Blanchette

J. Fungi 2022, 8(2), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8020203 - 20 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3446

Abstract

Polyporus leprieurii var. yasuniensis is a prolific wood-decay fungus inhabiting the forest floor of one of the most biodiverse places on earth, the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador. Basidiocarps and aerial rhizomorphs are commonly found growing on woody debris distributed along the [...] Read more.

Polyporus leprieurii var. yasuniensis is a prolific wood-decay fungus inhabiting the forest floor of one of the most biodiverse places on earth, the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador. Basidiocarps and aerial rhizomorphs are commonly found growing on woody debris distributed along the floor of this forest ecosystem. Because of the extraordinary abundance of this fungus in the tropical rainforest, we carried out investigations to better understand the biological and ecological aspects contributing to its prolific distribution. Data on growth inhibition in paired competition studies with sixteen fungal isolates exemplifies defense mechanisms used to defend its territory, including pseudosclerotial plates and the development of a melanized rhizomorphic mat. Results of biomass loss on eleven types of tropical wood in microcosm experiments demonstrated the broad decay capacity of the fungus. In and ex situ observations provided information on how long rhizomorphs can prevail in highly competitive ecosystems as well as stressful conditions in the laboratory. Finally, high concentrations of metal ions occur on rhizomorphs as compared to colonized wood. Sequestration of metal ions from the environment by the melanized rhizomorphs may offer protection against competitors. The development of melanized rhizomorphs is key to find and colonize new substrates and resist changing environmental conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dimensions of Tropical Fungal Diversity)

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21 pages, 15982 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Asproinocybaceae fam. nov. (Agaricales, Agaricomycetes) for Accommodating the Genera Asproinocybe and Tricholosporum, and Description of Asproinocybe sinensis and Tricholosporum guangxiense sp. nov.

by Guang-Fu Mou and Tolgor Bau

J. Fungi 2021, 7(12), 1086; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7121086 - 17 Dec 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4055

Abstract

Asproinocybe and Tricholosporum are not well known, and their placement at the family level remains undetermined. In this study, we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and nuc 28S rDNA (nrLSU), and a dataset with six [...] Read more.

Asproinocybe and Tricholosporum are not well known, and their placement at the family level remains undetermined. In this study, we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and nuc 28S rDNA (nrLSU), and a dataset with six molecular markers (ITS, LSU, RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), 18S nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (nrSSU), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α)) using Bayesian (BA) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) methods, we found that the species of Asproinocybe and Tricholosporum formed an independent family-level clade (0.98/72). Asproinocybaceae fam. nov., a new family, is established here for accommodating this clade. Two new species, Asproinocybe sinensis and Tricholosporum guangxiense, from subtropical and tropical karst areas of China, are also described here. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dimensions of Tropical Fungal Diversity)

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26 pages, 5742 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity and Evolution of Entomocorticium (Russulales, Peniophoraceae), a Genus of Bark Beetle Mutualists Derived from Free-Living, Wood Rotting Peniophora

by João P. M. Araújo, You Li, Diana Six, Mario Rajchenberg, Matthew E. Smith, Andrew J. Johnson, Kier D. Klepzig, Pedro W. Crous, Caio A. Leal-Dutra, James Skelton, Sawyer N. Adams and Jiri Hulcr

J. Fungi 2021, 7(12), 1043; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7121043 - 6 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5214

Abstract

Symbiosis between insects and fungi arose multiple times during the evolution of both groups, and some of the most biologically diverse and economically important are mutualisms in which the insects cultivate and feed on fungi. Among these are bark beetles, whose ascomycetous cultivars [...] Read more.

Symbiosis between insects and fungi arose multiple times during the evolution of both groups, and some of the most biologically diverse and economically important are mutualisms in which the insects cultivate and feed on fungi. Among these are bark beetles, whose ascomycetous cultivars are better known and studied than their frequently-overlooked and poorly understood basidiomycetous partners. In this study, we propose five new species of Entomocorticium, fungal mutualists in the Russulales (Basidiomycota) that are mutualistic symbionts of scolytine beetles. We have isolated these fungi from the beetle mycangia, which are structures adapted for the selective storage and transportation of fungal mutualists. Herein, we present the most complete phylogeny of the closely related genera Entomocorticium and Peniophora and provide insights into how an insect-associated taxon (Entomocorticium) evolved from within a wood-decaying, wind-dispersed lineage (Peniophora). Our results indicate that following a transition from angiosperms to gymnosperms, fungal domestication by beetles facilitated the evolution and diversification of Entomocorticium. We additionally propose four new species: Entomocorticium fibulatum Araújo, Li & Hulcr, sp. nov.; E. belizense Araújo, Li & Hulcr, sp. nov.; E. perryae Araújo, Li & Hulcr, sp. nov.; and E. macrovesiculatum Araújo, Li, Six & Hulcr, sp. nov. Our findings highlight the fact that insect-fungi associations remain an understudied field and that these associations harbor a large reservoir of novel fungal species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dimensions of Tropical Fungal Diversity)

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10 pages, 2478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change Influences Basidiome Emergence of Leaf-Cutting Ant Cultivars

by Rodolfo Bizarria, Jr., Pepijn W. Kooij and Andre Rodrigues

J. Fungi 2021, 7(11), 912; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7110912 - 27 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2859

Abstract

Maintaining symbiosis homeostasis is essential for mutualistic partners. Leaf-cutting ants evolved a long-term symbiotic mutualism with fungal cultivars for nourishment while using vertical asexual transmission across generations. Despite the ants’ efforts to suppress fungal sexual reproduction, scattered occurrences of cultivar basidiomes have been [...] Read more.

Maintaining symbiosis homeostasis is essential for mutualistic partners. Leaf-cutting ants evolved a long-term symbiotic mutualism with fungal cultivars for nourishment while using vertical asexual transmission across generations. Despite the ants’ efforts to suppress fungal sexual reproduction, scattered occurrences of cultivar basidiomes have been reported. Here, we review the literature for basidiome occurrences and associated climate data. We hypothesized that more basidiome events could be expected in scenarios with an increase in temperature and precipitation. Our field observations and climate data analyses indeed suggest that Acromyrmex coronatus colonies are prone to basidiome occurrences in warmer and wetter seasons. Even though our study partly depended on historical records, occurrences have increased, correlating with climate change. A nest architecture with low (or even the lack of) insulation might be the cause of this phenomenon. The nature of basidiome occurrences in the A. coronatus–fungus mutualism can be useful to elucidate how resilient mutualistic symbioses are in light of climate change scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dimensions of Tropical Fungal Diversity)

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