Sunken Riches: Ascomycete Diversity in the Western Mediterranean Coast through Direct Plating and Flocculation, and Description of Four New Taxa

The Mediterranean Sea stands out as a hotspot of biodiversity, whose fungal composition remains underexplored. Marine sediments represent the most diverse substrate; however, the challenge of recovering fungi in culture hinders the precise identification of this diversity. Concentration techniques like skimmed milk flocculation (SMF) could represent a suitable solution. Here, we compare the effectiveness in recovering filamentous ascomycetes of direct plating and SMF in combination with three culture media and two incubation temperatures, and we describe the fungal diversity detected in marine sediments. Sediments were collected at different depths on two beaches (Miracle and Arrabassada) on the Spanish western Mediterranean coast between 2021 and 2022. We recovered 362 strains, and after a morphological selection, 188 were identified primarily with the LSU and ITS barcodes, representing 54 genera and 94 species. Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Scedosporium were the most common genera, with different percentages of abundance between both beaches. Arrabassada Beach was more heterogeneous, with 42 genera representing 60 species (Miracle Beach, 28 genera and 54 species). Although most species were recovered with direct plating (70 species), 20 species were exclusively obtained using SMF as a sample pre-treatment, improving our ability to detect fungi in culture. In addition, we propose three new species in the genera Exophiala, Nigrocephalum, and Queenslandipenidiella, and a fourth representing the novel genus Schizochlamydosporiella. We concluded that SMF is a useful technique that, in combination with direct plating, including different culture media and incubation temperatures, improves the chance of recovering marine fungal communities in culture-dependent studies.

A new endophytic species of Microthecium (Melanosporales, Sordariomycetes, Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota) from Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain)

BACKGROUND

The genus Microthecium contains 31 species worldwide distributed. Most of them are saprobic on soil and plant debris, but a few have been reported as mycoparasites on hypocrealean fungi. By contrast, this genus has never been reported as phytopathogenic, nor endophytic.

AIMS

To isolate and identify endophytic fungi from Mediterranean herbaceous plants and trees in order to contribute to the knowledge of the hosts and their geographical location. The present work has been focused on the study of endophytic fungi of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna).

METHODS

The following steps were taken: i, isolation of the fungal strain from living stems of C. monogyna; ii, cultural and micro-morphological study, and iii, sequence comparison of different genetic markers by BLAST search with sequences deposited in GenBank.

RESULTS

At the present work we describe a new species of the genus, Microthecium pleomorphosporum, isolated from living stems of C. monogyna in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). This fungus is characterized by the production of non-ostiolate perithecia and two sorts of ascospores (some smooth-walled, others delicately reticulated) bearing a germ pore at each end which are frequently ornamented by a surrounding donut-like structures, and a phialidic asexual morph and bulbils. The morphologically closest related species is Microthecium tenuissimum, which has bigger ascospores and lacks asexual reproduction. Phylogenetically, M pleomorphosporum is close-related to other species of the genus, although no genetic marker that discriminates this new species from other phylogenetically closer ones could be elucidated as a gold standard.

CONCLUSIONS

M. pleomorphosporum, order Melanosporales, is reported here as the first endophytic species of C. monogyna.

Two Novel Genera, Neostemphylium and Scleromyces (Pleosporaceae) from Freshwater Sediments and Their Global Biogeography

Although the Pleosporaceae is one of the species-richest families in the Pleosporales, research into less-explored substrates can contribute to widening the knowledge of its diversity. In our ongoing survey on culturable Ascomycota from freshwater sediments in Spain, several pleosporacean specimens of taxonomic interest were isolated. Phylogenetic analyses based on five gene markers (ITS, LSU, gapdh, rbp2, and tef1) revealed that these fungi represent so far undescribed lineages, which are proposed as two novel genera in the family, i.e., Neostemphylium typified by Neostemphylium polymorphum sp. nov., and Scleromyces to accommodate Scleromyces submersus sp. nov. Neostemphylium is characterized by the production of phaeodictyospores from apically swollen and darkened conidiogenous cells, the presence of a synanamorph that consists of cylindrical and brown phragmoconidia growing terminally or laterally on hyphae, and by the ability to produce secondary conidia by a microconidiation cycle. Scleromyces is placed phylogenetically distant to any genera in the family and only produces sclerotium-like structures in vitro. The geographic distribution and ecology of N. polymorphum and Sc. submersus were inferred from metabarcoding data using the GlobalFungi database. The results suggest that N. polymorphum is a globally distributed fungus represented by environmental sequences originating primarily from soil samples collected in Australia, Europe, and the USA, whereas Sc. submersus is a less common species that has only been found associated with one environmental sequence from an Australian soil sample. The phylogenetic analyses of the environmental ITS1 and ITS2 sequences revealed at least four dark taxa that might be related to Neostemphylium and Scleromyces. The phylogeny presented here allows us to resolve the taxonomy of the genus Asteromyces as a member of the Pleosporaceae.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1284-1382

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antartica, Cladosporium austrolitorale from coastal sea sand. Australia, Austroboletus yourkae on soil, Crepidotus innuopurpureus on dead wood, Curvularia stenotaphri from roots and leaves of Stenotaphrum secundatum and Thecaphora stajsicii from capsules of Oxalis radicosa. Belgium, Paraxerochrysium coryli (incl. Paraxerochrysium gen. nov.) from Corylus avellana. Brazil, Calvatia nordestina on soil, Didymella tabebuiicola from leaf spots on Tabebuia aurea, Fusarium subflagellisporum from hypertrophied floral and vegetative branches of Mangifera indica and Microdochium maculosum from living leaves of Digitaria insularis. Canada, Cuphophyllus bondii from a grassland. Croatia, Mollisia inferiseptata from a rotten Laurus nobilis trunk. Cyprus, Amanita exilis on calcareous soil. Czech Republic, Cytospora hippophaicola from wood of symptomatic Vaccinium corymbosum. Denmark, Lasiosphaeria deviata on pieces of wood and herbaceous debris. Dominican Republic, Calocybella goethei among grass on a lawn. France (Corsica), Inocybe corsica on wet ground. France (French Guiana), Trechispora patawaensis on decayed branch of unknown angiosperm tree and Trechispora subregularis on decayed log of unknown angiosperm tree. Germany, Paramicrothecium sambuci (incl. Paramicrothecium gen. nov.) on dead stems of Sambucus nigra. India, Aureobasidium microtermitis from the gut of a Microtermes sp. termite, Laccaria diospyricola on soil and Phylloporia tamilnadensis on branches of Catunaregam spinosa. Iran, Pythium serotinoosporum from soil under Prunus dulcis. Italy, Pluteus brunneovenosus on twigs of broadleaved trees on the ground. Japan, Heterophoma rehmanniae on leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa f. hueichingensis. Kazakhstan, Murispora kazachstanica from healthy roots of Triticum aestivum. Namibia, Caespitomonium euphorbiae (incl. Caespitomonium gen. nov.) from stems of an Euphorbia sp. Netherlands, Alfaria junci, Myrmecridium junci, Myrmecridium juncicola, Myrmecridium juncigenum, Ophioceras junci, Paradinemasporium junci (incl. Paradinemasporium gen. nov.), Phialoseptomonium junci, Sporidesmiella juncicola, Xenopyricularia junci and Zaanenomyces quadripartis (incl. Zaanenomyces gen. nov.), from dead culms of Juncus effusus, Cylindromonium everniae and Rhodoveronaea everniae from Evernia prunastri, Cyphellophora sambuci and Myrmecridium sambuci from Sambucus nigra, Kiflimonium junci, Sarocladium junci, Zaanenomyces moderatricis-academiae and Zaanenomyces versatilis from dead culms of Juncus inflexus, Microcera physciae from Physcia tenella, Myrmecridium dactylidis from dead culms of Dactylis glomerata, Neochalara spiraeae and Sporidesmium spiraeae from leaves of Spiraea japonica, Neofabraea salicina from Salix sp., Paradissoconium narthecii (incl. Paradissoconium gen. nov.) from dead leaves of Narthecium ossifragum, Polyscytalum vaccinii from Vaccinium myrtillus, Pseudosoloacrosporiella cryptomeriae (incl. Pseudosoloacrosporiella gen. nov.) from leaves of Cryptomeria japonica, Ramularia pararhabdospora from Plantago lanceolata, Sporidesmiella pini from needles of Pinus sylvestris and Xenoacrodontium juglandis (incl. Xenoacrodontium gen. nov. and Xenoacrodontiaceae fam. nov.) from Juglans regia. New Zealand, Cryptometrion metrosideri from twigs of Metrosideros sp., Coccomyces pycnophyllocladi from dead leaves of Phyllocladus alpinus, Hypoderma aliforme from fallen leaves Fuscopora solandri and Hypoderma subiculatum from dead leaves Phormium tenax. Norway, Neodevriesia kalakoutskii from permafrost and Variabilispora viridis from driftwood of Picea abies. Portugal, Entomortierella hereditatis from a biofilm covering a deteriorated limestone wall. Russia, Colpoma junipericola from needles of Juniperus sabina, Entoloma cinnamomeum on soil in grasslands, Entoloma verae on soil in grasslands, Hyphodermella pallidostraminea on a dry dead branch of Actinidia sp., Lepiota sayanensis on litter in a mixed forest, Papiliotrema horticola from Malus communis, Paramacroventuria ribis (incl. Paramacroventuria gen. nov.) from leaves of Ribes aureum and Paramyrothecium lathyri from leaves of Lathyrus tuberosus. South Africa, Harzia combreti from leaf litter of Combretum collinum ssp. sulvense, Penicillium xyleborini from Xyleborinus saxesenii, Phaeoisaria dalbergiae from bark of Dalbergia armata, Protocreopsis euphorbiae from leaf litter of Euphorbia ingens and Roigiella syzygii from twigs of Syzygium chordatum. Spain, Genea zamorana on sandy soil, Gymnopus nigrescens on Scleropodium touretii, Hesperomyces parexochomi on Parexochomus quadriplagiatus, Paraphoma variabilis from dung, Phaeococcomyces kinklidomatophilus from a blackened metal railing of an industrial warehouse and Tuber suaveolens in soil under Quercus faginea. Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Inocybe nivea associated with Salix polaris. Thailand, Biscogniauxia whalleyi on corticated wood. UK, Parasitella quercicola from Quercus robur. USA, Aspergillus arizonicus from indoor air in a hospital, Caeliomyces tampanus (incl. Caeliomyces gen. nov.) from office dust, Cippumomyces mortalis (incl. Cippumomyces gen. nov.) from a tombstone, Cylindrium desperesense from air in a store, Tetracoccosporium pseudoaerium from air sample in house, Toxicocladosporium glendoranum from air in a brick room, Toxicocladosporium losalamitosense from air in a classroom, Valsonectria portsmouthensis from air in men's locker room and Varicosporellopsis americana from sludge in a water reservoir. Vietnam, Entoloma kovalenkoi on rotten wood, Fusarium chuoi inside seed of Musa itinerans, Micropsalliota albofelina on soil in tropical evergreen mixed forests and Phytophthora docyniae from soil and roots of Docynia indica. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes. Citation: Crous PW, Osieck ER, Jurjević Ž, et al. 2021. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1284-1382. Persoonia 47: 178-374. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.06.

A revision of malbranchea-like fungi from clinical specimens in the United States of America reveals unexpected novelty

The fungi of the order Onygenales can cause important human infections; however, their taxonomy and worldwide occurrence is still little known. We have studied and identified a representative number of clinical fungi belonging to that order from a reference laboratory in the USA. A total of 22 strains isolated from respiratory tract (40%) and human skin and nails (27.2%) showed a malbranchea-like morphology. Six genera were phenotypically and molecularly identified, i.e. Auxarthron/Malbranchea (68.2%), Arachnomyces (9.1%), Spiromastigoides (9.1%), and Currahmyces (4.5%), and two newly proposed genera (4.5% each). Based on the results of the phylogenetic study, we synonymized Auxarthron with Malbranchea, and erected two new genera: Pseudoarthropsis and Pseudomalbranchea. New species proposed are: Arachnomyces bostrychodes, A. graciliformis, Currahmyces sparsispora, Malbranchea gymnoascoides, M. multiseptata, M. stricta, Pseudoarthropsis crassispora, Pseudomalbranchea gemmata, and Spiromastigoides geomycoides, along with a new combination for Malbranchea gypsea. The echinocandins showed the highest in vitro antifungal activity against the studied isolates, followed by terbinafine and posaconazole; in contrast, amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole and 5-fluorocytosine were less active or lacked in vitro activity against these fungi.

A new pleosporalean fungus isolated from superficial to deep human clinical specimens

Human infections by pleosporalean fungi (class Dothideomycetes, phylum Ascomycota) are rarely reported. Because their identification is challenging using morphological characterization, several phylogenetic markers must be sequenced for an accurate identification and taxonomical placement of the isolates. Three isolates of clinical origin were phenotypically characterized, but due to the absence of relevant morphological traits, D1-D2 domains of the 28S nrRNA gene (LSU), the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of the nrRNA, and fragments of the RNA polymerase II subunit 2 (rpb2) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) genes were sequenced to allow a phylogenetic analysis that would solve their phylogenetic placement. That analysis revealed that these isolates did not match any previously known pleosporalean genera, and they are proposed here as the new fungal genus, Gambiomyces. Unfortunately, the isolates remained sterile, which, consequently, made the morphological description of the reproductive structures impossible. Future studies should try to understand the behaviour of this fungus in nature as well as its characteristics as an opportunistic fungal pathogen. Molecular identification is becoming an essential tool for proper identification of Dothideomycetes of clinical origin.

LAY ABSTRACT

We describe a new pleosporalen pathogenic fungus, Gambiomyces profunda, found in superficial to deep samples from a human patient. Because all strains remained sterile, the fungus was finally identified following a phylogenetic analysis by using four different molecular markers.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1284-1382

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antartica, Cladosporium austrolitorale from coastal sea sand. Australia, Austroboletus yourkae on soil, Crepidotus innuopurpureus on dead wood, Curvularia stenotaphri from roots and leaves of Stenotaphrum secundatum and Thecaphora stajsicii from capsules of Oxalis radicosa. Belgium, Paraxerochrysium coryli (incl. Paraxerochrysium gen. nov.) from Corylus avellana. Brazil, Calvatia nordestina on soil, Didymella tabebuiicola from leaf spots on Tabebuia aurea, Fusarium subflagellisporum from hypertrophied floral and vegetative branches of Mangifera indica and Microdochium maculosum from living leaves of Digitaria insularis. Canada, Cuphophyllus bondii from a grassland. Croatia, Mollisia inferiseptata from a rotten Laurus nobilis trunk. Cyprus, Amanita exilis on calcareous soil. Czech Republic, Cytospora hippophaicola from wood of symptomatic Vaccinium corymbosum. Denmark, Lasiosphaeria deviata on pieces of wood and herbaceous debris. Dominican Republic, Calocybella goethei among grass on a lawn. France (Corsica), Inocybe corsica on wet ground. France (French Guiana), Trechispora patawaensis on decayed branch of unknown angiosperm tree and Trechispora subregularis on decayed log of unknown angiosperm tree. Germany, Paramicrothecium sambuci (incl. Paramicrothecium gen. nov.) on dead stems of Sambucus nigra. India, Aureobasidium microtermitis from the gut of a Microtermes sp. termite, Laccaria diospyricola on soil and Phylloporia tamilnadensis on branches of Catunaregam spinosa. Iran, Pythium serotinoosporum from soil under Prunus dulcis. Italy, Pluteus brunneovenosus on twigs of broadleaved trees on the ground. Japan, Heterophoma rehmanniae on leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa f. hueichingensis. Kazakhstan, Murispora kazachstanica from healthy roots of Triticum aestivum. Namibia, Caespitomonium euphorbiae (incl. Caespitomonium gen. nov.) from stems of an Euphorbia sp. Netherlands, Alfaria junci, Myrmecridium junci, Myrmecridium juncicola, Myrmecridium juncigenum, Ophioceras junci, Paradinemasporium junci (incl. Paradinemasporium gen. nov.), Phialoseptomonium junci, Sporidesmiella juncicola, Xenopyricularia junci and Zaanenomyces quadripartis (incl. Zaanenomyces gen. nov.), from dead culms of Juncus effusus, Cylindromonium everniae and Rhodoveronaea everniae from Evernia prunastri, Cyphellophora sambuci and Myrmecridium sambuci from Sambucus nigra, Kiflimonium junci, Sarocladium junci, Zaanenomyces moderatricis-academiae and Zaanenomyces versatilis from dead culms of Juncus inflexus, Microcera physciae from Physcia tenella, Myrmecridium dactylidis from dead culms of Dactylis glomerata, Neochalara spiraeae and Sporidesmium spiraeae from leaves of Spiraea japonica, Neofabraea salicina from Salix sp., Paradissoconium narthecii (incl. Paradissoconium gen. nov.) from dead leaves of Narthecium ossifragum, Polyscytalum vaccinii from Vaccinium myrtillus, Pseudosoloacrosporiella cryptomeriae (incl. Pseudosoloacrosporiella gen. nov.) from leaves of Cryptomeria japonica, Ramularia pararhabdospora from Plantago lanceolata, Sporidesmiella pini from needles of Pinus sylvestris and Xenoacrodontium juglandis (incl. Xenoacrodontium gen. nov. and Xenoacrodontiaceae fam. nov.) from Juglans regia. New Zealand, Cryptometrion metrosideri from twigs of Metrosideros sp., Coccomyces pycnophyllocladi from dead leaves of Phyllocladus alpinus, Hypoderma aliforme from fallen leaves Fuscopora solandri and Hypoderma subiculatum from dead leaves Phormium tenax. Norway, Neodevriesia kalakoutskii from permafrost and Variabilispora viridis from driftwood of Picea abies. Portugal, Entomortierella hereditatis from a biofilm covering a deteriorated limestone wall. Russia, Colpoma junipericola from needles of Juniperus sabina, Entoloma cinnamomeum on soil in grasslands, Entoloma verae on soil in grasslands, Hyphodermella pallidostraminea on a dry dead branch of Actinidia sp., Lepiota sayanensis on litter in a mixed forest, Papiliotrema horticola from Malus communis, Paramacroventuria ribis (incl. Paramacroventuria gen. nov.) from leaves of Ribes aureum and Paramyrothecium lathyri from leaves of Lathyrus tuberosus. South Africa, Harzia combreti from leaf litter of Combretum collinum ssp. sulvense, Penicillium xyleborini from Xyleborinus saxesenii, Phaeoisaria dalbergiae from bark of Dalbergia armata, Protocreopsis euphorbiae from leaf litter of Euphorbia ingens and Roigiella syzygii from twigs of Syzygium chordatum. Spain, Genea zamorana on sandy soil, Gymnopus nigrescens on Scleropodium touretii, Hesperomyces parexochomi on Parexochomus quadriplagiatus, Paraphoma variabilis from dung, Phaeococcomyces kinklidomatophilus from a blackened metal railing of an industrial warehouse and Tuber suaveolens in soil under Quercus faginea. Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Inocybe nivea associated with Salix polaris. Thailand, Biscogniauxia whalleyi on corticated wood. UK, Parasitella quercicola from Quercus robur. USA, Aspergillus arizonicus from indoor air in a hospital, Caeliomyces tampanus (incl. Caeliomyces gen. nov.) from office dust, Cippumomyces mortalis (incl. Cippumomyces gen. nov.) from a tombstone, Cylindrium desperesense from air in a store, Tetracoccosporium pseudoaerium from air sample in house, Toxicocladosporium glendoranum from air in a brick room, Toxicocladosporium losalamitosense from air in a classroom, Valsonectria portsmouthensis from air in men's locker room and Varicosporellopsis americana from sludge in a water reservoir. Vietnam, Entoloma kovalenkoi on rotten wood, Fusarium chuoi inside seed of Musa itinerans, Micropsalliota albofelina on soil in tropical evergreen mixed forests and Phytophthora docyniae from soil and roots of Docynia indica. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes. Citation: Crous PW, Osieck ER, Jurjević Ž, et al. 2021. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1284-1382. Persoonia 47: 178-374. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.06.

Phylogenomic Analysis of a 55.1-kb 19-Gene Dataset Resolves a Monophyletic Fusarium that Includes the Fusarium solani Species Complex

Scientific communication is facilitated by a data-driven, scientifically sound taxonomy that considers the end-user's needs and established successful practice. In 2013, the Fusarium community voiced near unanimous support for a concept of Fusarium that represented a clade comprising all agriculturally and clinically important Fusarium species, including the F. solani species complex (FSSC). Subsequently, this concept was challenged in 2015 by one research group who proposed dividing the genus Fusarium into seven genera, including the FSSC described as members of the genus Neocosmospora, with subsequent justification in 2018 based on claims that the 2013 concept of Fusarium is polyphyletic. Here, we test this claim and provide a phylogeny based on exonic nucleotide sequences of 19 orthologous protein-coding genes that strongly support the monophyly of Fusarium including the FSSC. We reassert the practical and scientific argument in support of a genus Fusarium that includes the FSSC and several other basal lineages, consistent with the longstanding use of this name among plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, students, and researchers with a stake in its taxonomy. In recognition of this monophyly, 40 species described as genus Neocosmospora were recombined in genus Fusarium, and nine others were renamed Fusarium. Here the global Fusarium community voices strong support for the inclusion of the FSSC in Fusarium, as it remains the best scientific, nomenclatural, and practical taxonomic option available.

New Xerophilic Species of Penicillium from Soil

Soil is one of the main reservoirs of fungi. The aim of this study was to study the richness of ascomycetes in a set of soil samples from Mexico and Spain. Fungi were isolated after 2% w/v phenol treatment of samples. In that way, several strains of the genus Penicillium were recovered. A phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS), beta-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM), and RNA polymerase II subunit 2 gene (rpb2) sequences showed that four of these strains had not been described before. Penicillium melanosporum produces monoverticillate conidiophores and brownish conidia covered by an ornate brown sheath. Penicillium michoacanense and Penicillium siccitolerans produce sclerotia, and their asexual morph is similar to species in the section Aspergilloides (despite all of them pertaining to section Lanata-Divaricata). P. michoacanense differs from P. siccitolerans in having thick-walled peridial cells (thin-walled in P. siccitolerans). Penicillium sexuale differs from Penicillium cryptum in the section Crypta because it does not produce an asexual morph. Its ascostromata have a peridium composed of thick-walled polygonal cells, and its ascospores are broadly lenticular with two equatorial ridges widely separated by a furrow. All four new species are xerophilic. Despite the genus Penicillium containing more than 480 known species, they are rarely reported as xerophilic.

Re-Evaluation of the Order Sordariales: Delimitation of Lasiosphaeriaceae s. str., and Introduction of the New Families Diplogelasinosporaceae, Naviculisporaceae, and Schizotheciaceae

The order Sordariales includes the polyphyletic family Lasiosphaeriaceae, which comprises approximately 30 genera characterized by its paraphysate ascomata, asci with apical apparati, and mostly two-celled ascospores, which have a dark apical cell and a hyaline lower cell, frequently ornamented with mucilaginous appendages. To produce a more natural classification of this family, we carried out a phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), the nuclear rDNA large subunit (LSU), and fragments of ribosomal polymerase II subunit 2 (rpb2) and β-tubulin (tub2) genes of several isolates from soil and of reference strains of the Sordariales. As a result, Lasiosphaeriaceae s. str. has been circumscribed for the clade including the type species of the genus Lasiosphaeria and, consequently, its description emended. In addition, the new families Diplogelasinosporaceae, Naviculisporaceae, and Schizotheciaceae are introduced to accommodate those taxa located far from the Lasiosphaeriaceae s. str. Moreover, we propose the erection of the new genera Areotheca, Lundqvistomyces, Naviculispora, Pseudoechria, Pseudoschizothecium, and Rhypophila based on morphological and sequence data. New combinations for several species of the genera Cladorrhinum, Jugulospora, Podospora, Schizothecium, and Triangularia are proposed, their descriptions are emended, and dichotomous keys are provided to discriminate among their species.

Neocucurbitaria keratinophila: An emerging opportunistic fungus causing superficial mycosis in Spain

Although there have been few reports of opportunistic infections (superficial and systemic) caused by coelomycetous fungi, they are becoming more frequent. Neocucurbitaria keratinophila (formerly Pyrenochaeta keratinophila), characterized by producing pycnidial conidiomata and small hyaline conidia, seems to be an emergent opportunistic pathogen in Spain. Since this fungus was first reported from human keratitis, eight strains have been isolates from clinical cases in Spain. This is a retrospective study of these fungal strains, including phenotypic and molecular characterizations, and in vitro antifungal susceptibility assays. These clinical strains were identified by sequencing four phylogenetic markers such as the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and fragments of the 28S nrRNA (LSU), beta-tubulin (tub2), and RNA polymerase II subunit 2 (rpb2) genes, and by morphological characterization. All the strains tested were susceptible to the majority of antifungals, being isavuconazole the only drug that showed a poor antifungal activity.

Diversity of xerotolerant and xerophilic fungi in honey

Fungi can colonize most of the substrata on Earth. Honey, a sugary food produced by bees (and other insects) has been studied little in terms of its fungal diversity. We have surveyed and evaluated the presence of xerotolerant and xerophilic fungi in a set of honey bee samples collected from across Spain. From 84 samples, a total of 104 fungal strains were isolated, and morphologically and phylogenetically characterized. We identified 32 species distributed across 16 genera, most of them belonging to the ascomycetous genera Aspergillus, Bettsia, Candida, Eremascus, Monascus, Oidiodendron, Penicillium, Skoua, Talaromyces and Zygosaccharomyces. As a result of this survey, eight new taxa are proposed: i.e. the new family Helicoarthrosporaceae, two new genera, Helicoarthrosporum and Strongyloarthrosporum in Onygenales; three new species of Eurotiales, Talaromyces affinitatimellis, T. basipetosporus, and T. brunneosporus; and two new species of Myxotrichaceae, Oidiodendron mellicola, and Skoua asexualis.

Two new species of Gloniopsis (Hysteriales, Ascomycota) from clinical specimens: Morphological and molecular characterisation

BACKGROUND

The coelomycetes comprise a wide range of fungal species distributed in at least three different classes of the phylum Ascomycota. These are morphologically characterised by producing their conidia inside of fruiting bodies called pycnidia or acervuli, and only a reduced number of species are able to cause human infections. However, their identification in the clinical laboratory is often difficult, due to their few morphological features or because they remain sterile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, three isolates of coelomycetes of clinical origin were phenotypically and molecularly studied, by sequencing the D1-D2 fragment of the 28S nuclear ribosomal RNA (nrRNA) (LSU), the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and a fragment of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) genes.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

As result of the molecular analysis, the isolates were identified as belonging to the genus Gloniopsis (order Hysteriales, Dothideomycetes) but without the characteristics of any of the species described so far. Therefore, we propose the new species Gloniopsis percutanea and Gloniopsis pneumoniae. Furthermore, this study revealed that some isolates from clinical specimens identified previously as Rhytidhysteron spp. were misidentified, and considering the few studies in the order Hysteriales and the scarce number of sequences of phylogenetic markers, future revisions of this order should be performed to clarify their taxonomy and obtain a better identification from isolates involved in human mycoses.

Species diversity in Penicillium and Talaromyces from herbivore dung, and the proposal of two new genera of penicillium-like fungi in Aspergillaceae

Coprophilous fungi are saprotrophic organisms that show great diversity, mainly on herbivore dung. The physico-chemical characteristics of this peculiar substrate combined with the high level of fungal adaptation to different environmental conditions offer the perfect setting for discovering new taxa. This study focused on the species diversity of penicillium-like fungi isolated mainly from herbivore dung collected at different Spanish locations. From 130 samples, a total of 104 isolates were obtained, and 48 species were identified. Preliminary identifications were based on morphology and partial β-tubulin (tub2) gene sequences. Putative new taxa were characterized by a multi-gene sequencing analysis testing the tub2, the internal transcribed spacer rDNA (ITS), calmodulin (cmdA), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) genes, and a detailed phenotypic study. Using this polyphasic approach and following the genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR) method, we propose the new genera Penicillago (for Penicillium nodositatum) and Pseudopenicillium (for Penicillium megasporum and P. giganteum) in the family Aspergillaceae, and 11 new species, including seven Penicillium, three Talaromyces and one Pseudopenicillium. A lectotype and epitype are designed for Penicillium nodositatum. Our results show that the species diversity of penicillium-like fungi on herbivore dung has not been widely studied and that this substrate seems to be a good reservoir of interesting Eurotialean fungi.

Four new species of Talaromyces from clinical sources

The genus Talaromyces constitutes an important group of molds with species that are mainly found in soil, indoor environments and food products. Traditionally, it has been considered, together with Eupenicillium, the teleomorphic state of Penicillium. However, the taxonomy of these fungi has changed considerably, and Talaromyces currently includes sexually and asexually reproducing species. In a previous study of the occurrence of penicillium-like fungi from clinical samples in the USA, we used the combined phylogeny of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA and β-tubulin (BenA) gene to identify 31 isolates of Talaromyces, 85 of Penicillium and two of Rasamsonia. However, seven isolates of Talaromyces were assigned to the corresponding sections but not to any particular species. In this study, we have resolved the taxonomy of these isolates through a multilocus sequence analysis of the ITS, fragments of the BenA, calmodulin (CaM), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes, and a detailed phenotypic study. As a result, four new species are described and illustrated, ie Talaromyces alveolaris, T. georgiensis, T. minnesotensis and T. rapidus.

Saksenaea erythrospora, an emerging mucoralean fungus causing severe necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections - a study from a tertiary care hospital in north India. Infect Dis (Lond) 2016;49:170-177. [PMID: 27701965 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2016.1239027]

BACKGROUND

Saksenaea erythrospora is an emerging and recently described pathogenic fungus mainly causing invasive cutaneous infections. Globally, very few human cases, caused by S. erythrospora, have been reported. In India, among the genus Saksenaea, S. vasiformis was the only reported pathogenic species, until recently when a case of fungal rhinosinusitis was reported to be caused by S. erythrospora. We observed five human cases of necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections caused by S. erythrospora following traumatic implantation over 1-year study period.

METHODS

The study was conducted for a year observing the causative role of Saksenaea species in primary cutaneous necrotizing infections. The clinical entities were diagnosed by both microbiological and histopathological examination of the skin biopsies. The final identification of fungal strains was done by comparing internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and D1-D2 domains of the LSU (larger subunit) of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences with those of type strains of the different species of Saksenaea.

RESULTS

Out of total 23 cases of necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections, 5 were caused by S. erythrospora. Intramuscular injection into the gluteal region was the predisposing factor in four patients, while upper limb involvement, following medicated adhesive tape application, was seen in one patient. All patients were treated with liposomal amphotericin B (LAMB) along with extensive debridement of necrotic tissues. Four patients responded well however one died.

CONCLUSION

Saksenaea erythrospora is an emerging mucoralean fungus isolated in India among patients undergoing inadvertent I/M injections entailing necrotizing fasciitis at the local site.

Phylogeny and taxonomic revision of Microascaceae with emphasis on synnematous fungi

The taxonomy of the synnematous genera Cephalotrichum, Doratomyces and Trichurus, and other related genera Gamsia, Wardomyces and Wardomycopsis, has been controversial and relies mainly on morphological criteria. These are microascaceous saprobic fungi mostly found in air and soil and with a worldwide distribution. In order to clarify their taxonomy and to delineate generic boundaries within the Microascaceae, we studied 57 isolates that include clinical, environmental and all the available ex-type strains of a large set of species by means of morphological, physiological and molecular phylogenetic analyses using DNA sequence data of four loci (the ITS region, and fragments of rDNA LSU, translation elongation factor 1α and β-tubulin). The results demonstrate that Cephalotrichum, Doratomyces and Trichurus are congeneric and the genus Cephalotrichum is accepted here with Echinobotryum as a further synonym. The genera Acaulium and Fairmania, typified by A. albonigrescens and F. singularis, respectively, are distinct from Microascus and Scopulariopsis, Gamsia is distinct from Wardomyces, and Wardomycopsis is confirmed as a separate genus in the Microascaceae. Two new species of Cephalotrichum are described as C. brevistipitatum and C. hinnuleum. Nine new combinations are proposed, i.e. Acaulium acremonium, A. caviariforme, Cephalotrichum asperulum, C. columnare, C. cylindricum, C. dendrocephalum, C. gorgonifer, Gamsia columbina and Wardomyces giganteus. A neotype is designed for C. stemonitis. Lectotypes and epitypes are designated for A. acremonium, A. albonigrescens, C. gorgonifer, C. nanum and W. anomalus. Cephalotrichum cylindricum, C. microsporum, F. singularis and Gamsia columbina are also epitypified with new specimens. Descriptions of the phenotypic features and dichotomous keys for identification are provided for accepted species in the different genera.

Emmonsiellopsis, a new genus related to the thermally dimorphic fungi of the family Ajellomycetaceae

Two interesting fungi were isolated from fluvial sediments collected in the North of Spain. They were morphologically related to the thermally dimorphic fungi of the family Ajellomycetaceae, but the analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of the rDNA, and the domains D1 and D2 of the 28S rRNA gene sequences confirmed that they were different from all the species described in that family. They were accommodated in the new genus Emmonsiellopsis as E. coralliformis sp. nov. and E. terrestris sp. nov. The two species are distinguished mainly by the maximum temper-ature of growth (up to 33 °C for E. coralliformis and to 42 °C for E. terrestris), the dendritic mycelium of E. coralliformis and the conidial ornamentation (verrucose in E. coralliformis and spinulose in E. terrestris). In addition, the phylogenetic data demonstrated that Ajellomyces griseus also represents a new genus within the Ajellomycetaceae, namely Helicocarpus. This new genus is easily distinguished by the lack of asexual morph, the production of brownish gymnothecial ascomata and oblate to lenticular, sparingly pitted ascospores. The proposal of both new genera was confirmed by the analysis of actin gene sequences.

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Phialemoniopsis ocularis successfully treated by voriconazole

We report a case of subcutaneous infection in a 67 year-old Cambodian man who presented with a 5-month history of swelling of the right foot. Histopathology was compatible with phaeohyphomycosis and the hyphomycete Phialemoniopsis ocularis was identified by the means of morphological and molecular techniques. The patient responded well to a 6-month oral treatment with voriconazole alone.

Isolation and characterisation of the fungus Spiromastix asexualis sp. nov. from discospondylitis in a German Shepherd dog, and review of Spiromastix with the proposal of the new order Spiromastixales (Ascomycota)

The genus Spiromastix consists of several fungal species that have been isolated from soil and animal dung in various parts of the world. However, these species are considered to be of low pathogenic potential, as no cases of infections caused by these fungi have been reported. Here, we describe the clinical course of discospondylitis in a dog from which a fungus was cultured from a biopsy and identified as a Spiromastix species by morphologic characteristics and sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis determined this to be a new species, Spiromastix asexualis, which is described, and a new order, Spiromastixales, is proposed.