A new species of Fomitiporia (Hymenochaetaceae, Basidiomycota) from China based on morphological and molecular characters

Fomitiporia punicata sp. nov., collected from Shaanxi Province, northern China, and so far exclusively on Punica granatum (Punicaceae), is described and illustrated, and its preliminary phylogenetic relationships are inferred based on sequence data from the ribosomal ITS-5.8S regions. Fomitiporia punicata belongs to the F. robusta–F. punctata complex, but is characterized by an effused–reflexed to pileate basidioma with triquetrous to ungulate pilei, pale yellowish brown to cinnamon brown pore surface, moderately thick-walled skeletal hyphae in the context, which are partly collapsed on drying, lack of setae, presence of fusoid to subulate cystidioles, and growth on Punica. It also forms a distinct clade within Fomitiporia, and is related to some species from the temperate or Mediterranean zone of the northern hemisphere. An identification key to the species of Fomitiporia recorded in China is provided. Fomitiporia tibetica is transferred to Pseudoinonotus.     

Two undescribed species of Phylloporia from Mexico based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence

Phylloporia rzedowskii and Phylloporia ulloai, both collected in tropical forests of the Sierra of the Huasteca Potosina, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, are described as new species. The main critical morphological features that characterize them are the pileus shape, the pore diameter, the basidiospores shape and size, and, possibly, their ecology, such as the host relationships (specificity/preference). Both species also form distinct clades in phylogenetic analysis based on partial DNA sequences data from the nuclear ribosomal LSU. An identification key for 10 species reported from the Americas is proposed.     

Ophiostoma arduennense sp. nov. (Ophiostomatales, Ascomycota) from Fagus sylvatica in southern Belgium

Ophiostoma arduennense sp. nov. is described from several cultures isolated from Fagus sylvatica in southern Belgium. The species is mainly characterized by globose perithecia with small button-like bases ornamented with brown hyphal hairs of variable length and, long cylindrical necks ending in ostiolate hyphae. It is homothallic with small reniform ascospores and no apparent anamorph. It is closely associated with the ambrosia beetles Xyloterus domesticus and X. signatus. Its phylogenetic relationships within Ophiostoma are discussed and the species is compared with other Ophiostoma species associated with European beech or other broad-leaved trees in Europe, especially species of the O. quercus–O. piceae complex. The species is responsible for a dark brown staining of the sapwood and its role in the decline of beech in Southern Belgium is also discussed.     

中国北京地区的多孔菌

本文报道产于中国北方北京地区的非褶菌目孔状真菌72种,并列出了每种的寄主。其中大部分种类为该地区首次报道。王氏薄孔菌为一新种,它的主要特征为子实体平伏反转,孔口表面奶油色至浅黄色,担孢子圆柱型并略弯曲,生长在李属树木上。该新种与垫状薄孔菌相似,但后者孢子较宽且是完全平伏的种类。     

Myrothecium-like (Ascomycota,Hypocreales) species from tropical areas: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Digitiseta</Emphasis> gen. nov. and additions to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Inaequalispora</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parvothecium</Emphasis>

Inaequalispora and Parvothecium are two myrothecium-like, closely related genera of Hypocreales. They are also morphologically similar, sharing sporodochial conidiomata, penicillate conidiophores, fusiform to ellipsoidal conidia accumulating in a green slimy drop, and hypha-like setoid extensions emerging through the conidial mass. During a revision of myrothecium-like isolates originating from rainforest areas of South America (Ecuador, Brazil) and Southeast Asia (Singapore), multilocus phylogenetic inferences (based on DNA sequence data of ITS, partial nuc 28S, and partial tef1a, rpb2 and tub2) and morphological studies concordantly revealed the occurrence of two undescribed species of Inaequalispora (I. longiseta sp. nov. and I. cylindrospora sp. nov.) and one undescribed species of Parvothecium (P. amazonensesp. nov.). Myrothecium setiramosum, M. dimorphum, and two undescribed taxa form the base of a new lineage, sister to the current Parvothecium lineage. This lineage is recognized as Digitiseta gen. nov., typified by D. setiramosa comb. nov. Digitiseta dimorpha comb. nov. is also proposed, and the new species D. parvodigitata sp. nov. and D. multidigitata sp. nov. are described.     

Multilocus sequencing reveals multiple geographically structured lineages of Coniophora arida and C. olivacea (Boletales) in North America

Coniophora arida and C. olivacea (Coniophoraceae, Boletales) are widespread wood-decay fungi in temperate and boreal regions, occurring both in buildings and natural environments. Genetic variation and geographic structure among isolates of C. arida and C. olivaceae were investigated in this study, with an emphasis on North America. Multilocus sequencing of three DNA regions revealed three main lineages in C. arida and six in C. olivacea, some of which might represent cryptic species. Most of the lineages are present in North America, mainly in allopatry, suggesting recent or ongoing geographic speciation. One of the C. arida isolates included a high number of heterozygous sites and might represent a hybrid between two cryptic C. arida lineages. The data indicate out-crossing reproductive modes in both C. arida and C. olivacea. Together with other recent investigations of Coniophora species our data suggest that the genus comprises a significant number of cryptic species and is much more diverse than previously deduced from morphological characteristics.     

Coltriciella sonorensis sp. nov. (Basidiomycota, Hymenochaetales) from Mexico: evidence from morphology and DNA sequence data.

Coltriciella sonorensis is described here as a new species from Mexico. It is characterized by pleuropodal, flabelliform basidiomes, rounded to elongated or daedaloid pores, a well-developed sub-hymenium, and oblong to cylindrical basidiospores, slightly attenuated towards the apex. The specimen was collected on soil in an open Quercus stand in mixed Quercus–tropical deciduous forest in the Sierra de álamos–Río Cuchujaqui Biosphere Reserve, Sonora, Mexico. From a phylogenetic perspective, the species appears to be related to C. oblectabilis, also occurring in Mexico.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruwenzoria</Emphasis>, a new genus of the Xylariaceae from Central Africa

During a foray to the mountain rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a peculiar species of Xylariaceae was found, which could not be accommodated in any of the existing genera. It is recognised as representative of a new genus, named Ruwenzoria, owing to the presence of a new combination of teleomorphic and anamorphic characters that are regarded as significant for generic segregation within the Xylariaceae. Studies on its secondary metabolites in stromata and cultures by high performance liquid chromatography, coupled with diode array and mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-DAD/MS), and on its phylogenetic affinities based on 5.8S/ITS rDNA sequence data, respectively, revealed a close relationship of the new taxon to the genera Daldinia and Entonaema, from which it differs by having neither a hollow, gelatinous nor a conspicuously zonate stromatal interior, and an anamorph featuring enteroblastic rather than holoblastic conidiogenesis. A specimen from the same geographic region, previously identified as Daldinia bakeri by R.W.G. Dennis was found to constitute a mixture of stromata of Ruwenzoria and an additional, undescribed Daldinia species. The latter fungus is not formally described due to the scantiness of the material, but its morphological characteristics are illustrated.     

Current advances in Phellinus sensu lato: medicinal species, functions, metabolites and mechanisms

Twenty-six species of Phellinus sensu lato, reported as medicinal mushrooms, are enumerated in this review. The species’ names were checked and revised according to contemporary taxonomy and the latest version of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (Vienna Code); two misapplied names of Phellinus baumii Pilát and Phellinus himalayensis Y.C. Dai in previous reports are also discussed. Of the 20 types of medicinal functions, the most shared functions are antitumor and improving immunity, both of which may be viewed as the basal functions of Phellinus s. l. In addition, alleviating septic shock, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidation are also a routine functions mentioned often. The main medicinal metabolites, including several kinds of polysaccharides and polyphenols, are introduced. Different methods and conditions could purify various polysaccharides with difference in activity level even from the same species, while all polyphenols are hispidin and its derivatives in general. Three aspects of mechanism contribute to antitumor activities of polysaccharides: (1) promoting an immune response, (2) inducing cell apoptosis, and (3) inhibiting metastasis. Other general mechanisms of the metabolites in antioxidant activity, and in treating diabetes, as well as complications are summarized. We also elaborate on potential scientific strategies for obtaining the medicinal metabolites from Phellinus s. l., such as artificial cultivation, the discoveries of more species with medicinal functions, the utilization of species growing quickly, and the optimization of culture conditions and media supplements in fermentation.     

Fomitiporia tenuis and Fomitiporia aethiopica (Basidiomycetes, Hymenochaetales), two undescribed species from the Ethiopian highlands: taxonomy and phylogeny

Fomitiporia tenuis sp. nov. and Fomitiporia aethiopica sp. nov. from the Ethiopian highlands are described. Both are characterized by a resupinate habit, globose, dextrinoid basidiospores, cystidioles, and respectively scarcity or absence of hymenial setae. Fomitiporia pseudopunctata and F. robusta are reported also in the same area. The preliminary phylogenetic relationships of F. tenuis, F. aethiopica and F. pseudopunctata are inferred from parsimony analysis based on partial nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nrLSU). A preliminary key to the poroid Hymenochaetales with dextrinoid basidiospores (Fomitiporia, Phellinus s.l., Pseudoinonotus) is proposed.