Archaeorhizomyces borealis sp. nov. and a sequence-based classification of related soil fungal species

The class Archaeorhizomycetes (Taphrinomycotina, Ascomycota) was introduced to accommodate an ancient lineage of soil-inhabiting fungi found in association with plant roots. Based on environmental sequencing data Archaeorhizomycetes may comprise a significant proportion of the total fungal community in soils. Yet the only species described and cultivated in this class is Archaeorhizomyces finlayi. In this paper, we describe a second species from a pure culture, Archaeorhizomyces borealis NS99-600^T (=CBS138755^ExT) based on morphological, physiological, and multi-locus molecular characterization. Archaeorhizomyces borealis was isolated from a root tip of a Pinus sylvestris seedling grown in a forest nursery in Lithuania. Analysis of Archaeorhizomycete species from environmental samples shows that it has a Eurasian distribution and is the most commonly observed species. Archaeorhizomyces borealis shows slow growth in culture and forms yellowish creamy colonies, characteristics that distinguish A. borealis from its closest relative A. finlayi. Here we also propose a sequence-based taxonomic classification of Archaeorhizomycetes and predict that approximately 500 species in this class remain to be isolated and described.     

Strategies for rapid assessment of fungal diversity

The problems of estimating fungal diversity are considerable, due especially to the large numbers of species even in small study sites, only a small proportion of which are adequately characterized, and the lack of trained staff and appropriate identification manuals. These difficulties are multiplied in the tropics. Strategies for providing preliminary assessments of fungal diversity which can be carried out within short time-frames are discussed, which will allow initial site valuations to be made for conservation purposes. The necessity of identifying all species discovered is considered, and the need emphasized for strictly defined sampling protocols which allow proper comparison between sites. The advantages and disadvantages of preliminary diversity analyses involving different taxonomic and ecological groups, fungus/plant associations, spatial sampling, soil and litter analysis, molecular methods and indirect assessment are considered.     

Genotype-dependence in the interaction betweenGlomus fistulosum,Phytophthora fragariae and the wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

Root colonisation byGlomus fistulosum BEG 31 of a plant population from the outbreeding wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) ranged from 42 to 80%; this was correlated with a significant increase in fruit trusses, berries and leaves. The mycorrhizal plants produced significantly more primary and secondary runners but less lateral runners. One hundred randomly selected seeds were multiplied in vitro and 4 clonal populations were selected. Root colonisation in the clones varied from 16 to 75%, with significant difference in the % colonisation between some of the clones. Percentage mycorrhizal colonisation was positively correlated with effects on host growth.The positive correlation between mycorrhizal root colonisation and growth effects in the clones was not reflected in their respective susceptibility, in the non-mycorrhizal state, toPhytophthora fragariae infection. Clones showing the highest and lowest mycorrhizal root colonisation showed high disease susceptibility whereas a clone with intermediate colonisation was resistant. When the clones were colonised with mycorrhizal fungi, the two susceptible clones became resistant toP. fragariae whereas the resistant and partially-resistant clones were less affected. Only one clone showed variation in vesicle formation when challenged withP. fragariae.     

Succession of mycorrhizal fungi in stands of Pinus sylvestris in the Netherlands

The mycorrhizal mycoflora was investigated in 35 stands of Pinus sylvestris in three types of young (4-13 yr) and three of old (50-80 yr) stands in the Netherlands, differing in number of rotations and soil type. A plot of 1050 m² (30 m x 35 m) within each stand was searched for carpophores during the autumns of 1986 and 1987. 10 soil samples per plot were taken in October 1987 in order to assess the mycorrhizal status of the tree roots. The composition of mycorrhizal mycoflora in the different plots was subjected to TWINSPAN cluster analysis and Detrended Correspondence Analysis. Plot groupings generated by these analyses largely parallelled the stand types, indicating that each stand type has its own mycoflora. Differences in myco-floristic composition between stand types were parallelled by differences in the composition of green vegetation. The young stand types had 3.5–27 x more carpophores and 1.4–6.8 x more species than two of the old stand types One old stand type was intermediate. Considerable differences in species composition between the young stand types were observed. It is concluded that the succession of mycorrhizal fungi is not primarily influenced by ageing of the trees, but rather by changes in the soil. The results were compared with data on changes in the occurrence of fruiting species of mycorrhizal fungi in the Netherlands during this century. It appeared that species which have declined according to these data were more frequent in the young plots than in the old plots. However, these species are reported to be frequent in old stands of P. sylvestris in Estonia and Finland. It is argued that this difference is related to the high nitrogen deposition in the Netherlands.     

Fungal Extracellular Vesicles with a Focus on Proteomic Analysis

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) perform crucial functions in cell–cell communication. The packaging of biomolecules into membrane‐enveloped vesicles prior to release into the extracellular environment provides a mechanism for coordinated delivery of multiple signals at high concentrations that is not achievable by classical secretion alone. Most of the understanding of the biosynthesis, composition, and function of EVs comes from mammalian systems. Investigation of fungal EVs, particularly those released by pathogenic yeast species, has revealed diverse cargo including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and small molecules. Fungal EVs are proposed to function in a variety of biological processes including virulence and cell wall homeostasis with a focus on host–pathogen interactions. EVs also carry signals between fungal cells allowing for a coordinated attack on a host during infection. Research on fungal EVs in still in its infancy. Here a review of the literature thus far with a focus on proteomic analysis is provided with respect to techniques, results, and prospects.     

菌根真菌对白及种子萌发和幼苗生根的作用

自然条件下,兰科植物需要依赖菌根真菌获得营养才能萌发。本研究对白及根和原球茎中分离的4株菌根真菌（WQ17-33、WQ17-43、JST-3和SL15-7）进行分子鉴定,并评价光照和黑暗条件下不同菌株促白及种子萌发和幼苗生根的效果。结果表明,4个菌株分别隶属于鬼伞属Coprinus、胶膜菌属Tulasnella、腊壳菌属Sebacina和Serendipita。在种子萌发前期（未形成叶子）进行暗培养较光照对菌株JST-13和SL15-7处理组原球茎阶段萌发具有显著的促进作用。不同菌株共生萌发效果不同,菌株SL15-7较其他处理原球茎和幼苗发育阶段的萌发率高。菌株JST-13和SL15-7处理组形成的幼苗较其他处理组强壮,定殖的菌丝团也较多,其幼苗生根效果也较对照组好。该研究表明白及可与多种不同类群的菌根真菌菌株形成共生关系,这些真菌在促进白及种子萌发和生根能力方面存在差异。