Four new species in Magnaporthaceae from grass roots in New Jersey Pine Barrens

New potentiators of amphotericin B activity, shodoamides A to C produced by Pseudophialophora sp. BF-0158

During our screening program for new potentiators of amphotericin B activity against Candida albicans, shodoamides A to C (1-3) were isolated from a culture broth of the fungus Pseudophialophora sp. BF-0158 fermented under shaking conditions. A known congener named shodoamide D (4) in this paper was obtained from a culture broth of the BF-0158 strain fermented under static conditions. The structures of 1-4 were assigned based on spectroscopic analyses, including NMR and MS, and were found to have a common N-(2´,3´,4´-trihydroxybutyl)-6-methyl-2,4-tetradecadienamide structure. Compounds 1-3 exhibited no antifungal activity, but they induced up to 32-fold increases in amphotericin B activity against C. albicans by a microdilution method.

Larger presence of ectomycorrhizae detected from pygmy pine ecotype in the fire-frequent pine barrens ecosystem

Pine barrens ecosystem has acidic, sandy, and nutrient-poor soil and is prone to drought and fire. In the New Jersey Pine Barrens, the predominant pitch pine (Pinus rigida) consists of two ecotypes: the regular pitch pines with heights of 4.6-12 m, and the pygmy pines of low stature (1.2-1.8 m) in the New Jersey Pine Plains. Previous ecological studies suggested that the dwarf pines in the Pine Plains that are embedded within the Pine Barrens were an evolutionary adaptation to frequent fire. Pines are obligate ectomycorrhizal (EcM) mutualists, and their root mycobiota may contribute to stress protection and plant health. However, information on the mycobiota associated with plants in the pine barrens ecosystem is lacking. To have a holistic understanding of the evolution and adaptation in this stressed environment, we used both culture-independent metabarcoding and culture-based method to characterize the mycobiota from soil and root of the two ecotypes and to identify core mycobiota. We found that Agaricomycetes, Leotiomycetes, and Mucoromycotina are predominant fungi in the New Jersey Pine Barrens ecosystem, which is rich in root mutualistic fungi. We observed that the pygmy pine roots had significantly higher density of EcM tips than the regular pine roots. This was corroborated by our metabarcoding analysis, which showed that the pygmy pine trees had higher ratio of ectomycorrhiza-forming fungi than the regular-statured pines. We hypothesize that symbiotrophic EcM fungi associated with pygmy pines are capable of mitigating high fire stress in the Pine Plains.

Morpho-Molecular Characterization of Microfungi Associated with Phyllostachys (Poaceae) in Sichuan, China

In the present study, we surveyed the ascomycetes from bamboo of Phyllostachys across Sichuan Province, China. A biphasic approach based on morphological characteristics and multigene phylogeny confirmed seven species, including one new genus, two new species, and five new host record species. A novel genus Paralloneottiosporina is introduced to accommodate Pa. sichuanensis that was collected from leaves of Phyllostachys violascens. Moreover, the newly introduced species Bifusisporella sichuanensis was isolated from leaves of P. edulis, and five species were newly recorded on bamboos, four species belonging to Apiospora, viz. Ap. yunnana, Ap. neosubglobosa, Ap. jiangxiensis, and Ap. hydei, and the last species, Seriascoma yunnanense, isolated from dead culms of P. heterocycla. Morphologically similar and phylogenetically related taxa were compared. Comprehensive descriptions, color photo plates of micromorphology are provided.

A New Species in Pseudophialophora From Wild Rice and Beneficial Potential

Wild rice (Oryza granulata) is a natural resource pool containing abundant unknown endophytic fungi species. There are few reports on the endophytic fungi in wild rice. Here, one isolate recovered from wild rice roots was identified as a new species Pseudophialophora oryzae sp. nov based on the molecular phylogeny and morphological characteristics. Fluorescent protein-expressing P. oryzae was used to monitor the fungal colonization pattern. Hyphae invaded the epidermis to the inner cortex but not into the root stele. The inoculation of P. oryzae promoted the rice growth, with the growth parameters of chlorophyll content, shoot height, root length, fresh shoot weight, fresh root weight and dry weight increasing by 24.10, 35.32, 19.35, 90.00, 33.3, and 79.17%, respectively. P. oryzae induced up-regulation of nitrate transporter OsPTR9 and potassium transporter OsHAK16 by 7.28 ± 0.84 and 2.57 ± 0.80 folds, promoting nitrogen and potassium elements absorption. In addition, P. oryzae also conferred a systemic resistance against rice blast, showing a 72.65 and 75.63% control rate in sterile plates and potting conditions. This systemic resistance was mediated by the strongly up-regulated expression of resistance-related genes NAC, OsSAUR2, OsWRKY71, EL5, and PR1α. Since P. oryzae can promote rice growth, biomass and induce systemic disease resistance, it can be further developed as a new biogenic agent for agricultural production, providing a new approach for biocontrol of rice blast.

Gaeumannomyces nanograminis, sp. nov., a hyphopodiate fungus identified from diseased roots of ultradwarf bermudagrass in the United States

The genus Gaeumannomyces (Magnaporthaceae, Magnaporthales, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) includes root-infecting pathogens, saprobes, and endophytes. Morphological, biological, and phylogenetic analyses were employed to identify fungal isolates derived from turfgrass roots colonized with ectotrophic, dark runner hyphae. Phylogenetic trees for partial sequences of the 18S nuc rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer, and 28S nuc rDNA regions and of the minichromosome maintenance complex 7 (MCM7), largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) genes were obtained via maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. Our isolates consistently formed a distinct and highly supported clade within Gaeumannomyces. Common and distinctive biological and morphological characters reinforced these findings. Additionally, we conducted pathogenicity evaluations and demonstrated the ability of this fungus to colonize roots of ultradwarf bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davey), its native host, via ectotrophic, dark runner hyphae, causing disease symptoms including root discoloration and reduced root and shoot mass. Altogether, our discoveries enabled recognition and description of a new species, Gaeumannomyces nanograminis, associated with rotted roots of ultradwarf bermudagrass.

Biogeography and Ecology of Magnaporthales: A Case Study

The order Magnaporthales belongs to Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota. Magnaporthales includes five families, namely Ceratosphaeriaceae, Pseudohalonectriaceae, Ophioceraceae, Pyriculariaceae, and Magnaporthaceae. Most Magnaporthales members are found in Poaceae plants and other monocotyledonous herbaceous plants ubiquitously as plant pathogens or endophytic fungi, and some members are found in decaying wood or dead grass as saprophytic fungi. Therefore, studying the biogeography and ecology of Magnaporthales is of great significance. Here, we described the biodiversity of endophytic Magnaporthales fungi from Poaceae at three latitudes in China and conducted a meta-analysis of the geography and ecology of Magnaporthales worldwide. We found that Magnaporthales is a dominant order in the endophytic fungi of Poaceae. More than half of the endophytic Magnaporthales fungi have a taxonomically uncertain placement. Notably, few endophytic fungi are grouped in the clusters with known saprophytic or pathogenic Magnaporthales fungi, indicating that they may have saprophytic and parasitic differentiation in nutritional modes and lifestyles. The meta-analysis revealed that most species of Magnaporthales have characteristic geographical, host, and tissue specificity. The geographical distribution of the three most studied genera, namely Gaeumannomyces, Magnaporthiopsis, and Pyricularia, in Magnaporthales may depend on the distribution of their hosts. Therefore, studies on the endophytic fungal Magnaporthales from monocotyledonous plants, including Poaceae, in middle and low latitudes will deepen our understanding of the biogeography and ecology of Magnaporthales.

Magnaporthiopsis cynodontis, a novel turfgrass pathogen with widespread distribution in the United States

The genus Magnaporthiopsis of Magnaporthaceae (Magnaporthales, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) contains species that are predominantly necrotrophic pathogens, often producing simple hyphopodia and dark, ectotrophic runner hyphae on plant roots and stems during colonization. Fungal isolates from turfgrass roots with dark and ectotrophic runner hyphae were examined and identified based on morphological, biological, and phylogenetic analyses. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods were implemented to obtain phylogenetic trees for partial sequences of the 18S nuc rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer, and 28S nuc rDNA regions, and of the minichromosome maintenance complex 7 (MCM7), largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) genes. Our isolates consistently formed a distinct and highly supported clade within Magnaporthiopsis. These findings were reinforced by common and distinctive biological and morphological characters. Additionally, we conducted pathogenicity evaluations and demonstrated the ability of this fungus to colonize roots of ultradwarf bermudagrass, one of its native hosts, via ectotrophic, dark runner hyphae, causing disease symptoms including root discoloration and reduced root and shoot mass. Altogether, our discoveries enabled recognition and description of a new species, Magnaporthiopsis cynodontis, which has widespread distribution in the United States.

Re-evaluation of Mycoleptodiscus species and morphologically similar fungi

Mycoleptodiscus includes plant pathogens, animal opportunists, saprobic and endophytic fungi. The present study presents the first molecular phylogeny and revision of the genus based on four loci, including ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tef1. An extensive collection of Mycoleptodiscus cultures, including ex-type strains from the CBS, IMI, MUCL, BRIP, clinical isolates from the USA, and fresh isolates from Brazil and Spain, was studied morphologically and phylogenetically to resolve their taxonomy. The study showed that Mycoleptodiscus sensu lato is polyphyletic. Phylogenetic analysis places Mycoleptodiscus in Muyocopronales (Dothideomycetes), together with Arxiella, Leptodiscella, Muyocopron, Neocochlearomyces, and Paramycoleptodiscus. Mycoleptodiscus terrestris, the type species, and M. sphaericus are reduced to synonyms, and one new species is introduced, M. suttonii. Mycoleptodiscus atromaculans, M. coloratus, M. freycinetiae, M. geniculatus, M. indicus, M. lateralis (including M. unilateralis and M. variabilis as its synonyms) and M. taiwanensis belong to Muyocopron (Muyocopronales, Dothideomycetes), and M. affinis, and M. lunatus to Omnidemptus (Magnaporthales, Sordariomycetes). Based on phylogenetic analyses we propose Muyocopron alcornii sp. nov., a fungus associated with leaf spots on Epidendrum sp. (Orchidaceae) in Australia, Muyocopron zamiae sp. nov. associated with leaf spots on Zamia (Zamiaceae) in the USA, and Omnidemptus graminis sp. nov. isolated from a grass (Poaceae) in Spain. Furthermore, Neomycoleptodiscus venezuelense gen. & sp. nov. is introduced for a genus similar to Mycoleptodiscus in Muyocopronaceae.

Genera of phytopathogenic fungi: GOPHY 2

This paper represents the second contribution in the Genera of Phytopathogenic Fungi (GOPHY) series. The series provides morphological descriptions and information regarding the pathology, distribution, hosts and disease symptoms for the treated genera. In addition, primary and secondary DNA barcodes for the currently accepted species are included. This second paper in the GOPHY series treats 20 genera of phytopathogenic fungi and their relatives including: Allantophomopsiella, Apoharknessia, Cylindrocladiella, Diaporthe, Dichotomophthora, Gaeumannomyces, Harknessia, Huntiella, Macgarvieomyces, Metulocladosporiella, Microdochium, Oculimacula, Paraphoma, Phaeoacremonium, Phyllosticta, Proxypiricularia, Pyricularia, Stenocarpella, Utrechtiana and Wojnowiciella. This study includes the new genus Pyriculariomyces, 20 new species, five new combinations, and six typifications for older names.

Magnaporthiopsis meyeri-festucae, sp. nov., associated with a summer patch-like disease of fine fescue turfgrasses

Summer patch is a common and destructive root disease of turfgrasses. In this study, a new Magnaporthiopsis species, M. meyeri-festucae, was identified from the roots of fine fescue (Festuca spp.) turfgrasses with summer patch-like symptoms. It is described and illustrated on the basis of phenotypic characteristics and partial sequences of rDNA 18S, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and 28S regions, and of MCM7, RPB1, and TEF1 genes. A key for all seven described species in the genus Magnaporthiopsis is provided. Distinctions between the new species and related species are discussed. Fulfillment of Koch's postulates confirmed Magnaporthiopsis meyeri-festucae as a pathogen causing summer patch-like symptoms of fine fescue turfgrasses. This work is the basis for future studies on biogeography, host range, and impact of summer patch pathogens on a broader scale.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 625-715

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica: Cadophora antarctica from soil. Australia: Alfaria dandenongensis on Cyperaceae, Amphosoma persooniae on Persoonia sp., Anungitea nullicana on Eucalyptus sp., Bagadiella eucalypti on Eucalyptus globulus, Castanediella eucalyptigena on Eucalyptus sp., Cercospora dianellicola on Dianella sp., Cladoriella kinglakensis on Eucalyptus regnans, Cladoriella xanthorrhoeae (incl. Cladoriellaceae fam. nov. and Cladoriellales ord. nov.) on Xanthorrhoea sp., Cochlearomyces eucalypti (incl. Cochlearomyces gen. nov. and Cochlearomycetaceae fam. nov.) on Eucalyptus obliqua, Codinaea lambertiae on Lambertia formosa, Diaporthe obtusifoliae on Acacia obtusifolia, Didymella acaciae on Acacia melanoxylon, Dothidea eucalypti on Eucalyptus dalrympleana, Fitzroyomyces cyperi (incl. Fitzroyomyces gen. nov.) on Cyperaceae, Murramarangomyces corymbiae (incl. Murramarangomyces gen. nov., Murramarangomycetaceae fam. nov. and Murramarangomycetales ord. nov.) on Corymbia maculata, Neoanungitea eucalypti (incl. Neoanungitea gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus obliqua, Neoconiothyrium persooniae (incl. Neoconiothyrium gen. nov.) on Persoonia laurina subsp. laurina, Neocrinula lambertiae (incl. Neocrinulaceae fam. nov.) on Lambertia sp., Ochroconis podocarpi on Podocarpus grayae, Paraphysalospora eucalypti (incl. Paraphysalospora gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus sieberi, Pararamichloridium livistonae (incl. Pararamichloridium gen. nov., Pararamichloridiaceae fam. nov. and Pararamichloridiales ord. nov.) on Livistona sp., Pestalotiopsis dianellae on Dianella sp., Phaeosphaeria gahniae on Gahnia aspera, Phlogicylindrium tereticornis on Eucalyptus tereticornis, Pleopassalora acaciae on Acacia obliquinervia, Pseudodactylaria xanthorrhoeae (incl. Pseudodactylaria gen. nov., Pseudodactylariaceae fam. nov. and Pseudodactylariales ord. nov.) on Xanthorrhoea sp., Pseudosporidesmium lambertiae (incl. Pseudosporidesmiaceae fam. nov.) on Lambertia formosa, Saccharata acaciae on Acacia sp., Saccharata epacridis on Epacris sp., Saccharata hakeigena on Hakea sericea, Seiridium persooniae on Persoonia sp., Semifissispora tooloomensis on Eucalyptus dunnii, Stagonospora lomandrae on Lomandra longifolia, Stagonospora victoriana on Poaceae, Subramaniomyces podocarpi on Podocarpus elatus, Sympoventuria melaleucae on Melaleuca sp., Sympoventuria regnans on Eucalyptus regnans, Trichomerium eucalypti on Eucalyptus tereticornis, Vermiculariopsiella eucalypticola on Eucalyptus dalrympleana, Verrucoconiothyrium acaciae on Acacia falciformis, Xenopassalora petrophiles (incl. Xenopassalora gen. nov.) on Petrophile sp., Zasmidium dasypogonis on Dasypogon sp., Zasmidium gahniicola on Gahnia sieberiana.Brazil: Achaetomium lippiae on Lippia gracilis, Cyathus isometricus on decaying wood, Geastrum caririense on soil, Lycoperdon demoulinii (incl. Lycoperdon subg. Arenicola) on soil, Megatomentella cristata (incl. Megatomentella gen. nov.) on unidentified plant, Mutinus verrucosus on soil, Paraopeba schefflerae (incl. Paraopeba gen. nov.) on Schefflera morototoni, Phyllosticta catimbauensis on Mandevilla catimbauensis, Pseudocercospora angularis on Prunus persica, Pseudophialophora sorghi on Sorghum bicolor, Spumula piptadeniae on Piptadenia paniculata.Bulgaria: Yarrowia parophonii from gut of Parophonus hirsutulus. Croatia: Pyrenopeziza velebitica on Lonicera borbasiana.Cyprus: Peziza halophila on coastal dunes. Czech Republic: Aspergillus contaminans from human fingernail. Ecuador: Cuphophyllus yacurensis on forest soil, Ganoderma podocarpense on fallen tree trunk. England: Pilidium anglicum (incl. Chaetomellales ord. nov.) on Eucalyptus sp. France: Planamyces parisiensis (incl. Planamyces gen. nov.) on wood inside a house. French Guiana: Lactifluus ceraceus on soil. Germany: Talaromyces musae on Musa sp. India: Hyalocladosporiella cannae on Canna indica, Nothophoma raii from soil. Italy: Setophaeosphaeria citri on Citrus reticulata, Yuccamyces citri on Citrus limon.Japan: Glutinomyces brunneus (incl. Glutinomyces gen. nov.) from roots of Quercus sp. Netherlands (all from soil): Collariella hilkhuijsenii, Fusarium petersiae, Gamsia kooimaniorum, Paracremonium binnewijzendii, Phaeoisaria annesophieae, Plectosphaerella niemeijerarum, Striaticonidium deklijnearum, Talaromyces annesophieae, Umbelopsis wiegerinckiae, Vandijckella johannae (incl. Vandijckella gen. nov. and Vandijckellaceae fam. nov.), Verhulstia trisororum (incl. Verhulstia gen. nov.). New Zealand: Lasiosphaeria similisorbina on decorticated wood. Papua New Guinea: Pseudosubramaniomyces gen. nov. (based on Pseudosubramaniomyces fusisaprophyticus comb. nov.). Slovakia: Hemileucoglossum pusillum on soil. South Africa: Tygervalleyomyces podocarpi (incl. Tygervalleyomyces gen. nov.) on Podocarpus falcatus.Spain: Coniella heterospora from herbivorous dung, Hymenochaete macrochloae on Macrochloa tenacissima, Ramaria cistophila on shrubland of Cistus ladanifer.Thailand: Polycephalomyces phaothaiensis on Coleoptera larvae, buried in soil. Uruguay: Penicillium uruguayense from soil. Vietnam: Entoloma nigrovelutinum on forest soil, Volvariella morozovae on wood of unknown tree. Morphological and culture characteristics along with DNA barcodes are provided.

Root endophytic fungal communities associated with pitch pine, switchgrass, and rosette grass in the pine barrens ecosystem

Almost all plants in nature harbour fungi in their roots but the knowledge on distribution and the underlying principles of assemblage is still poorly developed for the root-associated fungi. In this study we analysed the root endophytic fungal communities associated with switchgrass, rosette grass, and pitch pine in the acidic, oligotrophic pine barrens ecosystem. A total of 434 fungal isolates were obtained from 600 root segments of 60 plant samples. DNA barcoding and morphological analyses identified 92 fungal species, which belong to 39 genera in six classes. Compared to other ecosystems, the pine barrens has a higher proportion of Leotiomycetes. The fungal community associated with pitch pine was significantly different from those associated with the grasses, while less difference was found between those associated with the two grasses. Our results suggest that edaphic factors and host specificity play a role in shaping root endophytic fungal community. This study also corroborates our previous finding that plant roots in the pine barrens are a rich reservoir of novel fungi.

Take-all or nothing

Take-all disease of Poaceae is caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis (Magnaporthaceae). Four varieties are recognised in G. graminis based on ascospore size, hyphopodial morphology and host preference. The aim of the present study was to clarify boundaries among species and varieties in Gaeumannomyces by combining morphology and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on partial gene sequences of ITS, LSU, tef1 and rpb1. Two new genera, Falciphoriella and Gaeumannomycella were subsequently introduced in Magnaporthaceae. The resulting phylogeny revealed several cryptic species previously overlooked within Gaeumannomyces. Isolates of Gaeumannomyces were distributed in four main clades, from which 19 species could be delimited, 12 of which were new to science. Our results show that the former varieties Gaeumannomyces graminis var. avenae and Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici represent species phylogenetically distinct from G. graminis, for which the new combinations G. avenae and G. tritici are introduced. Based on molecular data, morphology and host preferences, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. maydis is proposed as a synonym of G. radicicola. Furthermore, an epitype for Gaeumannomyces graminis var. avenae was designated to help stabilise the application of that name.

Generic names in Magnaporthales

The order Magnaporthales comprises about 200 species and includes the economically and scientifically important rice blast fungus and the take-all pathogen of cereals, as well as saprotrophs and endophytes. Recent advances in phylogenetic analyses of these fungi resulted in taxonomic revisions. In this paper we list the 28 currently accepted genera in Magnaporthales with their type species and available gene and genome resources. The polyphyletic Magnaporthe 1972 is proposed for suppression, and Pyricularia 1880 and Nakataea 1939 are recommended for protection as the generic names for the rice blast fungus and the rice stem rot fungus, respectively. The rationale for the recommended names is also provided. These recommendations are made by the Pyricularia/Magnaporthe Working Group established under the auspices of the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF).

Fungal Planet description sheets: 371-399

Novel species of fungi described in the present study include the following from Australia: Neoseptorioides eucalypti gen. & sp. nov. from Eucalyptus radiata leaves, Phytophthora gondwanensis from soil, Diaporthe tulliensis from rotted stem ends of Theobroma cacao fruit, Diaporthe vawdreyi from fruit rot of Psidium guajava, Magnaporthiopsis agrostidis from rotted roots of Agrostis stolonifera and Semifissispora natalis from Eucalyptus leaf litter. Furthermore, Neopestalotiopsis egyptiaca is described from Mangifera indica leaves (Egypt), Roussoella mexicana from Coffea arabica leaves (Mexico), Calonectria monticola from soil (Thailand), Hygrocybe jackmanii from littoral sand dunes (Canada), Lindgomyces madisonensis from submerged decorticated wood (USA), Neofabraea brasiliensis from Malus domestica (Brazil), Geastrum diosiae from litter (Argentina), Ganoderma wiiroense on angiosperms (Ghana), Arthrinium gutiae from the gut of a grasshopper (India), Pyrenochaeta telephoni from the screen of a mobile phone (India) and Xenoleptographium phialoconidium gen. & sp. nov. on exposed xylem tissues of Gmelina arborea (Indonesia). Several novelties are introduced from Spain, namely Psathyrella complutensis on loamy soil, Chlorophyllum lusitanicum on nitrified grasslands (incl. Chlorophyllum arizonicum comb. nov.), Aspergillus citocrescens from cave sediment and Lotinia verna gen. & sp. nov. from muddy soil. Novel foliicolous taxa from South Africa include Phyllosticta carissicola from Carissa macrocarpa, Pseudopyricularia hagahagae from Cyperaceae and Zeloasperisporium searsiae from Searsia chirindensis. Furthermore, Neophaeococcomyces is introduced as a novel genus, with two new combinations, N. aloes and N. catenatus. Several foliicolous novelties are recorded from La Réunion, France, namely Ochroconis pandanicola from Pandanus utilis, Neosulcatispora agaves gen. & sp. nov. from Agave vera-cruz, Pilidium eucalyptorum from Eucalyptus robusta, Strelitziana syzygii from Syzygium jambos (incl. Strelitzianaceae fam. nov.) and Pseudobeltrania ocoteae from Ocotea obtusata (Beltraniaceae emend.). Morphological and culture characteristics along with ITS DNA barcodes are provided for all taxa.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 320-370

Novel species of fungi described in the present study include the following from Malaysia: Castanediella eucalypti from Eucalyptus pellita, Codinaea acacia from Acacia mangium, Emarcea eucalyptigena from Eucalyptus brassiana, Myrtapenidiella eucalyptorum from Eucalyptus pellita, Pilidiella eucalyptigena from Eucalyptus brassiana and Strelitziana malaysiana from Acacia mangium. Furthermore, Stachybotrys sansevieriicola is described from Sansevieria ehrenbergii (Tanzania), Phacidium grevilleae from Grevillea robusta (Uganda), Graphium jumulu from Adansonia gregorii and Ophiostoma eucalyptigena from Eucalyptus marginata (Australia), Pleurophoma ossicola from bone and Plectosphaerella populi from Populus nigra (Germany), Colletotrichum neosansevieriae from Sansevieria trifasciata, Elsinoë othonnae from Othonna quinquedentata and Zeloasperisporium cliviae (Zeloasperisporiaceae fam. nov.) from Clivia sp. (South Africa), Neodevriesia pakbiae, Phaeophleospora hymenocallidis and Phaeophleospora hymenocallidicola on leaves of a fern (Thailand), Melanconium elaeidicola from Elaeis guineensis (Indonesia), Hormonema viticola from Vitis vinifera (Canary Islands), Chlorophyllum pseudoglobossum from a grassland (India), Triadelphia disseminata from an immunocompromised patient (Saudi Arabia), Colletotrichum abscissum from Citrus (Brazil), Polyschema sclerotigenum and Phialemonium limoniforme from human patients (USA), Cadophora vitícola from Vitis vinifera (Spain), Entoloma flavovelutinum and Bolbitius aurantiorugosus from soil (Vietnam), Rhizopogon granuloflavus from soil (Cape Verde Islands), Tulasnella eremophila from Euphorbia officinarum subsp. echinus (Morocco), Verrucostoma martinicensis from Danaea elliptica (French West Indies), Metschnikowia colchici from Colchicum autumnale (Bulgaria), Thelebolus microcarpus from soil (Argentina) and Ceratocystis adelpha from Theobroma cacao (Ecuador). Myrmecridium iridis (Myrmecridiales ord. nov., Myrmecridiaceae fam. nov.) is also described from Iris sp. (The Netherlands). Novel genera include (Ascomycetes): Budhanggurabania from Cynodon dactylon (Australia), Soloacrosporiella, Xenocamarosporium, Neostrelitziana and Castanediella from Acacia mangium and Sabahriopsis from Eucalyptus brassiana (Malaysia), Readerielliopsis from basidiomata of Fuscoporia wahlbergii (French Guyana), Neoplatysporoides from Aloe ferox (Tanzania), Wojnowiciella, Chrysofolia and Neoeriomycopsis from Eucalyptus (Colombia), Neophaeomoniella from Eucalyptus globulus (USA), Pseudophaeomoniella from Olea europaea (Italy), Paraphaeomoniella from Encephalartos altensteinii, Aequabiliella, Celerioriella and Minutiella from Prunus (South Africa). Tephrocybella (Basidiomycetes) represents a novel genus from wood (Italy). Morphological and culture characteristics along with ITS DNA barcodes are provided for all taxa.

Phylogenomic analysis uncovers the evolutionary history of nutrition and infection mode in rice blast fungus and other Magnaporthales

The order Magnaporthales (Ascomycota, Fungi) includes devastating pathogens of cereals, such as the rice blast fungus Pyricularia (Magnaporthe) oryzae, which is a model in host-pathogen interaction studies. Magnaporthales also includes saprotrophic species associated with grass roots and submerged wood. Despite its scientific and economic importance, the phylogenetic position of Magnaporthales within Sordariomycetes and the interrelationships of its constituent taxa, remain controversial. In this study, we generated novel transcriptome data from 21 taxa that represent key Magnaporthales lineages of different infection and nutrition modes and phenotypes. Phylogenomic analysis of >200 conserved genes allowed the reconstruction of a robust Sordariomycetes tree of life that placed the monophyletic group of Magnaporthales sister to Ophiostomatales. Among Magnaporthales, three major clades were recognized: 1) an early diverging clade A comprised of saprotrophs associated with submerged woods; 2) clade B that includes the rice blast fungus and other pathogens that cause blast diseases of monocot plants. These species infect the above-ground tissues of host plants using the penetration structure, appressorium; and 3) clade C comprised primarily of root-associated species that penetrate the root tissue with hyphopodia. The well-supported phylogenies provide a robust framework for elucidating evolution of pathogenesis, nutrition modes, and phenotypic characters in Magnaporthales.

Temperate pine barrens and tropical rain forests are both rich in undescribed fungi

Most of fungal biodiversity on Earth remains unknown especially in the unexplored habitats. In this study, we compared fungi associated with grass (Poaceae) roots from two ecosystems: the temperate pine barrens in New Jersey, USA and tropical rain forests in Yunnan, China, using the same sampling, isolation and species identification methods. A total of 426 fungal isolates were obtained from 1600 root segments from 80 grass samples. Based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and morphological characteristics, a total of 85 fungal species (OTUs) belonging in 45 genera, 23 families, 16 orders, and 6 classes were identified, among which the pine barrens had 38 and Yunnan had 56 species, with only 9 species in common. The finding that grass roots in the tropical forests harbor higher fungal species diversity supports that tropical forests are fungal biodiversity hotspots. Sordariomycetes was dominant in both places but more Leotiomycetes were found in the pine barrens than Yunnan, which may play a role in the acidic and oligotrophic pine barrens ecosystem. Equal number of undescribed fungal species were discovered from the two sampled ecosystems, although the tropical Yunnan had more known fungal species. Pine barrens is a unique, unexplored ecosystem. Our finding suggests that sampling plants in such unexplored habitats will uncover novel fungi and that grass roots in pine barrens are one of the major reservoirs of novel fungi with about 47% being undescribed species.