Bt和Bar基因转化对水稻不同组织生态位微生物群落组成及潜在功能影响

【目的】转Bt基因和Bar基因植物的微生态效应是环境安全评价的重要因素,但关于Bt基因和Bar基因转化引起的水稻基因型改变对水稻不同组织生态位微生物群落组成和潜在功能的影响还无系统研究。【方法】以转Bt基因和Bar基因水稻T1C-1及其亲本对照Minghui63为研究对象,基于细菌16S rRNA基因和真菌ITS高通量测序技术,分析抽穗期T1C-1和Minghui63根际土壤微生物以及根、茎、叶内生菌的群落结构和潜在功能。【结果】细菌和真菌群落多样性在水稻不同组织生态位之间发生显著变化,地下部分组织生态位(根际土壤和根系)微生物多样性显著高于地上部分(叶和茎)。T1C-1显著影响叶片内生真菌的香农指数和辛普森指数,而对茎和根的内生菌以及根际土壤微生物多样性无显著影响。叶片内生真菌曲霉菌属(Aspergillus)和篮状菌属(Talaromyces)相对丰度在T1C-1显著增加,推测其参与碳素代谢、能量代谢和转录作用酶合成等过程。T1C-1和Minghui63微生物群落关联网络分析表明,T1C-1的平均聚类系数和平均度显著高于Minghui63,因而T1C-1提高了相关微生物群落网络复杂程度。通过重建未观测状态对群落进行系统发育研究(phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states, PICRUSt2),对叶片内生真菌功能酶基因进行功能预测,相对于Minghui63,T1C-1显著改变了碳素代谢、脂类代谢和能量代谢等途径。【结论】相较于根际土壤,叶片内生真菌的群落组成和潜在功能对T1C-1更敏感。尽管如此,T1C-1并未导致叶片内生真菌的多样性指数降低。为了更准确地评估转基因植物的微生态效应,我们需要加强对不同组织生态位内生菌多样性的关注。     

兰科菌根真菌对铁皮石斛光合性能及pepc基因表达的影响

为了阐明兰科菌根真菌对铁皮石斛光合作用的影响及机制,采用盆栽方式研究了兰科菌根真菌对铁皮石斛幼苗生长的影响,并分析了叶片中叶绿素含量、光合参数、叶绿素荧光参数以及pepc基因表达的变化。结果表明：（1）兰科菌根真菌促进了铁皮石斛幼苗生长,接种兰科菌根真菌的铁皮石斛的株高、根重、茎叶重和总生物量分别是未接种对照组的1.21、1.54、1.71和1.68倍;而且可显著提高叶片中叶绿素含量、叶片净光合速率（P_n）、蒸腾速率（G_s）和气孔导度（T_r）。（2）接种兰科菌根真菌的铁皮石斛叶片潜在光化学效率（F_v/F₀）、最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）、光化学猝灭系数（q_P）、非光化学猝灭系数（q_N）、实际光化学反应量子效率（Yield）和表观光合电子传递速率（ETR）均高于未接种对照组。（3）菌根真菌能促进pepc基因的表达,增强PEPC活性,提高铁皮石斛叶片的光合碳同化能力。研究表明,菌根的形成可以提高铁皮石斛叶片光合性能和pepc基因的表达水平,促进铁皮石斛幼苗的生长。     

卡伍尔氏链霉菌NA4突变株〖WTHX〗ΔbafAI的次级代谢产物研究

链霉菌产生的次级代谢产物是农用和医药抗生素的重要来源。为了更深入挖掘卡伍尔氏链霉菌NA4潜在多样的次级代谢产物,对阻断NA4主产物bafilomycins的突变株ΔbafAI随机激活的代谢产物进行分离和鉴定。采用HP20固相萃取、硅胶柱色谱、凝胶柱色谱以及半制备HPLC等方法对ΔbafAI代谢产物进行分离纯化;使用NMR和MS确定化合物结构,并对单体化合物进行了生物活性测定。共分离鉴定6个化合物：环（L-异亮氨酸-L-脯氨酸）（1）、环（L-缬氨酸-L-脯氨酸）（2）、环（L-脯氨酸-L-亮氨酸）（3）、环（L-脯氨酸-L-苯丙氨酸）（4）、（2E, 4E）-5-（3-羟苯基）-戊-2, 4-二烯酰胺（5）和5′-脱氧-5′-甲硫肌苷（6）。6个化合物均是阻断NA4主产物后非特异激活的或产量显著提高的化合物,均为该菌中首次分离;化合物5和6是第二次从天然提取物中分离得到;化合物1和2显示出抗白色念珠菌活性,并首次报道了化合物5的抗氧化活性。进一步丰富了卡伍尔氏链霉菌NA4次级代谢产物研究,为激活沉默或低表达次级代谢产物合成基因簇提供了有益借鉴。     

AM真菌对盐胁迫下番茄幼苗生理特征及AVP1表达的影响

采用温室盆栽试验研究不同NaCl浓度（0、50 和85 mmol/L）持续胁迫接种摩西球囊霉和地表球囊霉 2种AM真菌对加工番茄耐盐性的影响。结果显示:（1）在0 mmol/L NaCl处理条件下,2种菌的番茄菌根化苗的根系活力、叶片中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、根系脯氨酸含量以及超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性均高于非菌根植株,且丙二醛含量低于非菌根植株,但差异不显著。（2）在50、85 mmol/L NaCl浓度胁迫下,接种2种菌根真菌可显著提高番茄植株根系活力,促进叶片中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白及根系脯氨酸含量的积累,显著提高叶片中与抗逆相关的超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶的活性,减少丙二醛在根系中的积累;随着NaCl浓度的增加,效果更为明显。（3）RT-PCR分析显示,AM真菌和盐胁迫共同调控H⁺转运无机焦磷酸酶H⁺- PPase的表达,随NaCl浓度的增加,AVP1基因表达量下降,但菌根化番茄植株的AVP1基因表达量显著高于非菌根植株。研究表明,接种AM真菌后,菌根化植株可通过显著促进幼苗体内渗透调节物质积累和抗氧化酶活性的提高,有效降低体内膜脂过氧化水平,同时过量表达AVP1基因增加了番茄植株中离子向液泡膜的转运,从而缓解盐胁迫对植株的伤害,增强番茄幼苗对盐胁迫的耐性。     

野生建兰根系共生真菌群落结构及生物学功能

[目的] 为探究建兰Cymbidium ensifolium根系共生真菌群落结构及生物学功能。[方法] 利用高通量测序技术和FunGulid数据库,对来自湖南省（HN）、福建省（FJ）、贵州省（GZ）和云南省（YN）的4个样品的野生建兰根围土壤、根表和根内3个生态位的共生真菌种群结构与功能进行鉴定和预测。[结果] 建兰根系共生真菌分布在12门44纲103目241科432属中,优势门类为担子菌门Basidiomycota（49.51%）、子囊菌门Ascomycota（27.39%）和被孢霉门Mortierellomycota（20.22%）,在属水平上,被孢霉属（Mortierella）（11.75%）、Saitozyma（11.45%）和Papiliotrema （7.93%）为优势属。不同建兰样品的真菌营养类型相差较大,但每个样品在根围土壤和根表间的真菌营养类型相似度高,根内菌均以腐生型为绝对优势类型（50.11%–85.98%）,其中FJ样品较为特殊,3个生态位均以腐生营养型占绝对优势（85.98%–94.76%）。根围土壤和根表都以病理-腐生-共生混合型真菌为主,除此之外GZ样品的共生营养型,YN样品的腐生型、共生型,HN样品的腐生型也均为各自的优势营养类型。[结论] 建兰根系共生真菌种类多样性丰富,各样品和各生态位点间的共生真菌群落结构均存在极显著差异。建兰根系共生真菌存在的潜在有益真菌包括被孢霉属、红菇属（Russula）、Saitozyma、Papiliotrema、Cladophialophora等。该研究为揭示建兰根部与真菌的共生关系,以及为建兰共生真菌的开发利用提供了理论基础。     

基于Illumina MiSeq测序技术对冰川棘豆(Oxytropis glacialis)不同组织内生菌多样性的研究

植物内生菌（Endophyte）在宿主植物组织中的分布规律是内生菌对外界适应的重要机制。基于Illumina MiSeq测序技术,对适应青藏高原极端环境的主要疯草植物-冰川棘豆叶和根组织中的内生菌16S rRNA、ITS rDNA进行高通量测序和生物信息学分析,通过明晰内生菌在冰川棘豆组织中的菌群结构、功能以及环境之间的关系,探讨了组织间内生菌的分布特征对冰川棘豆适应极端环境的可能影响。分析结果表明,冰川棘豆组织间共有菌属丰度占菌属总丰度90%以上,不同组织间形成了保守性内生细菌和特异性内生真菌共存的群落结构特点,植物组织结构和环境的影响可能为推动内生菌选择合适的组织生态位定植提供动力,其中土壤含水量显著影响内生细菌（R²=0.241,P=0.024）和内生真菌（R²=0.223,P=0.031）的组间Beta多样性,土壤pH值显著影响内生真菌（R²=0.571,P < 0.001）Alpha多样性丰富度指数,而环境因素对组织间存在显著差异的内生菌功能和营养型解释并不显著。综合认为,保守性与差异性的内生菌菌群结构和功能为植物不同组织适应极端环境提供帮助,这有利于冰川棘豆的生存与扩散。     

Septoria的新种和国内新记录种

作者在1987-1991年间从东北地区收集和采集Septoria真菌标本221份,鉴定出Septoria 84种,其中2个新种:Septoria dioscorical Lu Guo-zhong et Bai Jin-kai和Septoria saposhinikoviae Lu Guo-zhong et Bai Jin-kai,以及13个国内新记录种. Septoria属真菌的产孢方式为全壁芽生合轴式(holoblastic sympodial)。     

穆棱林区野生东北马鹿种群冬季食物组成模式与植物代谢产物的关系

高纬度地带,在冬季食物资源有限的环境中,野生大型有蹄类动物满足营养需求的同时,需要对植物中次生代谢产物进行平衡,回避有害物质并选择对机体有益的成分,从而形成特定的食物组成模式。以东北马鹿（Cervus elaphus xanthopygus）为研究对象,于2020年11月,在黑龙江穆棱东北红豆杉国家级自然保护区境内,采集东北马鹿粪便和植物样本。通过粪便显微分析法确定保护区内马鹿冬季食物组成,采用k-means聚类分析揭示马鹿冬季食物组成模式。应用广泛靶向代谢组技术对部分植物中次生代谢产物的含量进行全覆盖定性和相对定量检测,将食物组成与次生代谢产物数据整合,进行曼特尔检验（Mantel test）分析,以探究植物次生代谢产物对马鹿种群内食物组成模式的影响。结果表明,林区内马鹿种群冬季共采食30种植物,其中木本植物占92.48%;且种群内分别呈现出以东北红豆杉（Taxus cuspidata）,簇毛槭（Acer barbinerve）,毛榛子（Corylus mandshurica）为主要食物的不同食物组成模式。广泛靶向代谢组技术共检测出638种次生代谢产物,有25种代谢物与马鹿采食频率显著相关,其中多数萜类物质抑制马鹿采食,而鞣质类物质对马鹿的采食选择有一定的正向作用;Mantel test结果显示,上述25种物质中黄酮、鞣质、萜类化合物相对含量与不同马鹿个体食物组成显著相关,说明这些代谢物相对含量和性质的差异会造成种群内不同个体食物组成的差异,是种群内形成不同食物组成模式的原因之一。从植物次生代谢产物角度揭示了该地区东北马鹿种群冬季食物组成模式呈现差异的可能因素,为进一步研究大型有蹄类营养策略和植物化学防御关系提供基础依据。     

马尾松PmPGK1和PmGPIC基因的克隆和表达分析

为了解马尾松（Pinus massoniana）磷酸甘油酸激酶1（PGK1）与胞质溶胶葡萄糖磷酸异构酶（GPIC）的功能，采用RACE技术克隆了PmPGK1和PmGPIC基因，并进行了生物信息学分析与亚细胞定位，采用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析PmPGK1和PmGPIC的表达特性。结果表明，PmPGK1和PmGPIC全长为2 106和1 848 bp，分别编码507和566个氨基酸。PmPGK1和PmGPIC分别定位于叶绿体和胞质溶胶。PmPGK1表达量为新叶 > 老叶 > 新茎 > 根 > 花；而PmGPIC为老叶 > 花 > 新叶 > 新茎 > 根。低温胁迫24 h，PmPGK1和PmGPIC的表达量均随时间延长先降低后升高，且PmGPIC的表达量在处理2 h后即降至较低水平；高浓度CO₂胁迫24 h，PmPGK1的表达量随时间延长呈降低-升高-再降低的变化趋势，PmGPIC的表达下调但变化较不显著。因此，推测PmPGK1主要参与卡尔文循环及叶绿体/质体糖酵解，PmGPIC主要参与细胞质基质糖酵解；PmPGK1、PmGPIC活性在低温胁迫下均受抑制；PmPGK1活性在CO₂胁迫下受到显著抑制，而PmGPIC活性的影响不大。     

核桃JrsHSP17.3基因克隆及温度胁迫响应模式分析

通过分析核桃（Juglans regia）转录组,鉴定获得核桃热激蛋白家族sHSP17.3基因的全长cDNA序列,命名为JrsHSP17.3。JrsHSP17.3基因开放读码框474 bp,编码产物含157个氨基酸,分子量为17.64 kD,理论等电点为5.35。为了研究该基因表达的组织特异性及温度响应模式,采用实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）方法,对高温和低温胁迫下JrsHSP17.3基因在根、茎、叶中的转录水平进行分析。结果显示,JrsHSP17.3基因在不同组织中均有表达;经高温（36 ℃～52 ℃）和低温（16 ℃～6 ℃）处理后,JrsHSP17.3基因均可被显著诱导,其中12 ℃胁迫1 h表达最高,为对照（非处理情况）的142.02倍。研究表明核桃JrsHSP17.3基因能够响应冷热温度胁迫,为进一步研究JrsHSP17.3基因的抗寒耐高温特性奠定基础。     

Effects of MULTIFOLIATE-PINNA, AFILA, TENDRIL-LESS and UNIFOLIATA genes on leafblade architecture in Pisum sativum

In order to dissect the genetic regulation of leafblade morphogenesis, 16 genotypes of pea, constructed by combining the wild-type and mutant alleles of MFP, AF, TL and UNI genes, were quantitatively phenotyped. The morphological features of the three domains of leafblades of four genotypes, unknown earlier, were described. All the genotypes were found to differ in leafblade morphology. It was evident that MFP and TL functions acted as repressor of pinna ramification, in the distal domain. These functions, with and without interaction with UNI, also repressed the ramification of proximal pinnae in the absence of AF function. The expression of MFP and TL required UNI function. AF function was found to control leafblade architecture multifariously. The earlier identified role of AF as a repressor of UNI in the proximal domain was confirmed. Negative control of AF on the UNI-dependent pinna ramification in the distal domain was revealed. It was found that AF establishes a boundary between proximal and distal domains and activates formation of leaflet pinnae in the proximal domain.     

Presence of Rhizobium Etli bv . Phaseoli and Rhizobium Gallicum bv . Gallicum in Egyptian Soils

Seven bean rhizobial strains EBRI 2, 3, 21, 24, 26, 27 and 29 identified as Rhizobium etli, and EBRI 32 identified as Rhizobium gallicum, isolated from Egyptian soils and which nodulated Phaseolus vulgaris efficiently, were subjected to hybridization with a nifH probe in order to estimate the copy number of this gene. Seven strains (EBRI 2, 3, 21, 24, 26, 27 and 29) which were only able to nodulate Phaseolus vulgaris, contained three copies of the nifH gene, consistent with their identification as Rhizobium etli bv. phaseoli. Only one strain (EBRI 32) which nodulated both Phaseolus vulgaris and Leucaena leucocephala, had one copy of nifH gene. This confirmed the classification of this strain as Rhizobium gallicum bv. gallicum.     

Characterisation of cell wall polysaccharides, arabinogalactans-proteins (AGPs) and phenolics of Cola nitida, Cola acuminata and Garcinia kola seeds

Many Cola plant species are endemic to West and Central Africa. Cola acuminata and Cola nitida are used as masticatory when fresh, while the dried nuts are used for beverages and pharmaceutical purposes in Europe and North America. Garcinia kola seeds, that serve as a substitute for the true kola nuts, are used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases, including colic, headache and liver cirrhosis. Seeds extracts of G. kola are also known for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. To gain information on the chemical properties of the kolas, we have isolated and analyzed cell wall polysaccharides, arabinogalactan-proteins and phenolic substances from the seeds of the three kola species. The sugar composition of cell wall material of C. acuminata, C. nitida and G. kola revealed that Gal (up to 30%), Ara, GalA and Glc as the predominant monosaccharides, representing approximately 90% by mol of the total hydrolysable sugar present in this material. In Ammonium oxalate cell wall fraction, GalA was found to be the major sugar present in all kola species. In the alkali-soluble fraction, there were significant differences in the level of Glc and Gal. The level of Glc was high in C. acuminata and C. nitida while the level of Gal and Xyl were high in C. nitida and G. cola. Isolation and quantification of arabinogalactan-proteins demonstrate that G. kola seeds contained four to eight times more of these proteoglycans than the seeds of the other two species. Finally, analysis of soluble phenolic substances shows that caffeine and catechin were largely represented in C. acumina and C. nitida seeds, with caffeine accounting for 50% of all soluble phenolics. These findings indicate that the three Kola seeds are highly enriched in pectins and proteoglycans and that C. acuminata and C. nitida can be used as a possible source of caffeine and catechin.     

Hydroxylation of steroids by Fusarium oxysporum, Exophiala jeanselmei and Ceratocystis paradoxa

The potential of Fusarium oxysporum var. cubense UAMH 9013 to perform steroid biotransformations was reinvestigated using single phase and pulse feed conditions. The following natural steroids served as substrates: dehydroepiandrosterone (1), pregnenolone (2), testosterone (3), progesterone (4), cortisone (5), prednisone (6), estrone (7) and sarsasapogenin (8). The results showed the possible presence of C-7 and C-15 hydroxylase enzymes. This hypothesis was explored using three synthetic androstanes: androstane-3,17-dione (9), androsta-4,6-diene-3,17-dione (10) and 3α,5α-cycloandrost-6-en-17-one (11). These fermentations of non-natural steroids showed that C-7 hydroxylation was as a result of that position being allylic. The evidence also pointed towards the presence of a C-15 hydroxylase enzyme.The eleven steroids were also fed to Exophialajeanselmei var. lecanii-corni UAMH 8783. The results showed that the fungus appears to have very active 5α and 14α-hydroxylase enzymes, and is also capable of carrying out allylic oxidations.Ceratocystis paradoxa UAMH 8784 was grown in the presence of the above-mentioned steroids. The results showed that monooxygenases which effect allylic hydroxylation and Baeyer–Villiger rearrangement were active. However, redox reactions predominated.     

甘菊ClHSP70与ClHSP90基因的克隆及表达分析

该研究以甘菊(Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium)为实验材料,通过RT-PCR方法从甘菊转录组数据中分离出热激蛋白合成相关基因,命名为ClHSP70和ClHSP90。序列分析表明,ClHSP70基因ORF全长为2 559bp,编码852个氨基酸,蛋白功能区预测表明含有典型的HSP70蛋白NBD和SBD保守结构域;ClHSP90基因ORF全长为2 094bp,编码697个氨基酸,含有HATPase结构域和HSP90保守结构域。生物信息学分析表明,甘菊ClHSP70与大豆(Glycine max)和烟草(Nicotiana tomentosiformis)HSP70蛋白有较高的一致性,ClHSP90基因编码的氨基酸序列与紫茎泽兰(Ageratina adenophora)HSP90高度相似;实时荧光定量表达分析表明,在42℃处理不同时间,甘菊叶片中ClHSP70和ClHSP90基因表达均在0.5h时显著增加,1h达到最大值,2h后缓慢下降;不同组织表达分析表明,甘菊在42℃处理1h后,ClHSP70在成熟叶中的表达量显著高于嫩叶和根等其他组织;ClHSP90在成熟茎中的表达量最高。研究说明,ClHSP70和ClHSP90基因具有热激蛋白特征,参与了甘菊热胁迫应答过程,该研究结果为以后深入研究其基因功能奠定了基础。     

Evaluation of Beauveria bassiana and B. brongniartii strains and four wild-type fungal species against adults of Bactrocera oleae and Ceratitis capitata

The virulence of two isolates of the hyphomycete fungi, Beauveria bassianaand B. brongniartii, and additional fungal species isolated from diseased Bactrocera oleae pupae and Sesamia nonagrioideslarvae were assessed against adults of the olive fruit fly B. oleae and the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae). Contact and oral bioassays revealed that moderate to high mortality rates for the olive fruit fly occurred when the adults were exposed to conidia of Mucor hiemalis, Penicillium aurantiogriseum, P. chrysogenum and B. bassianaisolates. A strain of M. hiemalis isolated from S. nonagrioides larvae was the most toxic resulting in 85.2% mortality to the olive fruit fly adults. B. brongniartiiand B. bassiana were the most pathogenic to the C. capitataadults causing 97.4 and 85.6% mortality. Metabolites collected from the M. hiemalis and P. chrysogenum isolates were toxic to adults of both species.     

巴西橡胶树HbSUT3和HbSUT5 mRNA在嫩茎和中脉中的原位杂交分析

为研究巴西橡胶树(Hevea brasiliensis)中HbSUT3和HbSUT5基因的功能,采用地高辛标记的RNA探针与橡胶树嫩茎和中脉两种组织切片分别进行RNA原位杂交,对这2种SUT基因在组织中的表达区域与表达特点进行了分析。结果表明,在橡胶树嫩茎中,两个SUT基因主要在树皮的韧皮部和皮层细胞中表达;在中脉中,两个SUT基因在除木质部导管系统外的其它部位均有表达;HbSUT3基因在嫩茎和中脉中的表达量相近,而HbSUT5基因在嫩茎中的表达量远高于中脉。这些揭示HbSUT3和HbSUT5基因可能广泛参与韧皮部装载、蔗糖运输与库细胞供给等活动,同时两个SUT基因也存在功能分化。     

基因CfATG6和CfATG14参与调控果生刺盘孢细胞自噬和致病力

【目的】炭疽病是油茶的主要病害,由刺盘孢属的多种真菌引起,其中果生刺盘孢分布范围最广、分离率最高,是油茶炭疽病的主要致病菌。研究自噬相关蛋白CfAtg6和CfAtg14的生物学功能,为进一步揭示果生刺盘孢通过细胞自噬调控致病的分子机制,并为油茶炭疽病的防治提供理论基础。【方法】根据同源重组原理,通过聚乙二醇(polyethylene glycol, PEG)介导的方法,在果生刺盘孢中敲除基因CfATG6和CfATG14,并进一步获得回补菌株ΔCfatg6-C和ΔCfatg14-C。【结果】酵母双杂交试验结果显示,果生刺盘孢蛋白CfAtg6和CfAtg14可能存在互作关系。生物学表型测定结果表明,相较于野生型和回补菌株,突变体ΔCfatg6和ΔCfatg14均表现出营养生长速率显著减慢,附着胞形成率分别只有野生型的5%和18%;突变体ΔCfatg6和ΔCfatg14致病力均极显著减弱,造成的油茶叶片病斑面积少于野生型和回补菌株的1/3;CfATG6和CfATG14基因缺失突变体均丧失转运和降解CfAtg8蛋白的能力,并对细胞壁胁迫更敏感。突变体ΔCfatg6的分生孢子产量显著降低,仅为野生型的20%左右;氧化胁迫试验结果表明,相较于野生型和回补菌株,过氧化氢对突变体的生长抑制率升高10%左右。内质网压力胁迫试验表明,ΔCfatg14对二硫苏糖醇抑制率升高5%以上。【结论】自噬相关基因CfATG6和CfATG14参与调控了果生刺盘孢生长发育、细胞自噬和致病力。     

Evolutionary relationships among aquatic anamorphs and teleomorphs: Lemonniera, Margaritispora, and Goniopila

The hypothesis that similar conidial morphologies in aquatic hyphomycetes are a result of convergent evolution was tested using molecular sequence data. Cladistic analyses were performed on partial sequences of 28S rDNA of seven species of Lemonniera, one species of Margaritispora and one species of Goniopila. Lemonniera has tetraradiate conidia with long arms, whereas Margaritispora and Goniopila have typically globose (isodiametric) conidia, with short conical protuberances in a stellate or quadrangular arrangement. Lemonniera and Margaritispora have phialidic conidiogenesis and both produce dark, minute sclerotia in culture whereas Goniopila has holoblastic conidiogenesis and does not produce sclerotia in culture. Goniopila produces a microconidial phialidic synanamorph in culture. All three genera have schizolytic conidial secession. Molecular analyses demonstrate that Lemonniera species are placed in two distinct clades: one within Leotiomycetes; the other within Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes. Margaritispora is placed with Lemonniera species within Leotiomycetes. Goniopila and Lemonniera pseudofloscula are placed within Dothideomycetes. No morphological character was entirely congruent with the molecular derived phylogeny. This suggests that for the group of species studied, conidial shape is not a reliable indicator of phylogeny but more likely the result of convergent evolution in response to the aquatic environment.