An ecological view of the formation of VA mycorrhizas

In spite of the major advances in understanding the functioning of symbioses between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, details of the ecology of mycorrhizal fungi are not well documented. The benefits of the association are related to the timing and extent of colonization of roots, and fungi differ in their contribution to plant growth and presumably to soil aggregation. Knowledge of the processes that lead to successful colonization of roots by beneficial fungi at appropriate times for the host plants will form the basis of guidelines for soil management to maximize the benefits from the symbiosis. Fungi differ in the manner and extent to which they colonize roots. They also differ in their capacity to form propagules. The importance of hyphae, spores and propagules within living or dead mycorrhizal roots also differs among species and for the same species in different habitats. The relationships between colonization of roots and propagule formation, and between propagule distribution and abundance and subsequent mycorrhiza formation, for different fungi in field environments, are not well understood. Methods for quantifying mycorrhizal fungi are not especially suitable for distinguishing among different fungi within roots. Consequenctly, the dynamics of colonization of roots by different fungi, within and between seasons, have been little studied. Research is required that focuses on the dynamics of fungi within roots as well as on changes in the abundance of propagules of different fungi within soil. Interactions between fungi during the colonization of roots, the colonization of soil by hyphae and sporulation are all poorly understood. Without knowledge of these processes, it will by difficult to predict the likely success of inoculation with introduced fungi. Such knowledge is also required for selecting soil management procedures to enhance growth and survival of key species within the population. The relative tolerance of various fungi to perturbations in their surroundings will provide a basis for identifying those fungi that are likely to persist in specific environments. The processes that influence mycorrhizal fungi in field soils can be identified in controlled studies. However, greater emphasis is required on studying these processes with mixed populations of fungi. The role played by diversity within populations of mycorrhizal fungi is virtually unexplored.     

Interactions between wood-inhabiting fungi and termites: a meta-analytical review

The foraging behavior and survivorship of termites are modified by the presence of wood-inhabiting fungi. Nonetheless, it is not clear if these interactions are beneficial, negative, or neutral for termites. We conducted a meta-analytical review to determine if the presence of wood-inhabiting fungi affects the foraging behavior and survivorship of termites. Overall, the presence of wood-inhabiting fungi in a resource used by termites was positive, increasing resource consumption by 120%, and aggregation behavior by 81%. The presence of fungi also increased termite trail-following by approximately 200% and increased survival by 136%. The results varied, however, according to the type of fungi evaluated. Decay fungi and sap-stain fungi elicited positive responses in termites, whereas molds did not affect the consumption of cellulose by termites. Amongst the decay fungi group, white-rot fungi caused the strongest and most positive response in all termite behaviors evaluated, although brown-rot fungi is known to be preferred by termites. The results of our study, therefore, suggest that wood-inhabiting fungi are potential facilitators of the foraging behavior and survivorship of termites. These results have great implications for termite biocontrol, as well as for knowledge of the ecological aspects of termite–fungi interactions.     

651株深部真菌感染菌种分布及耐药性分析

目的了解真菌耐药性变化趋势,探讨预防措施。方法对疑为深部真菌感染患者采样,用沙保罗培养基进行真菌分离,用ATB鉴定卡作菌种鉴定,用ATBFUNGUS板进行药敏试验。结果真菌感染中以白色假丝酵母菌感染为主,占57.6%。真菌对两性霉素-B、5-氟胞嘧啶保持较高的体外抗真菌活性,敏感率分别为94.99%和98.99%。结论深部真菌感染主要由白色假丝酵母菌、热带假丝酵母菌引起,对两性霉素-B、5-氟胞嘧啶保持较高的体外活性,两者仍是治疗真菌的有效药物。     

The screening and selection of inoculant arbuscular-mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi

The initiation of a programme of screening and selection of arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi (AM fungi) and ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM fungi) for use as inoculant fungi in agriculture, horticulture of forestry will depend on whether inoculation is more appropriate as a management option than manipulation of the indigenous mycorrhizal populations. The greatest immediate potential for the successful use of mycorrhizal inoculants will be in soils and growth media where phosphorus (P) limits plant growth and where the indigenous mycorrhizal fungi are either ineffective at increasing P uptake by the plant or their numbers have been drastically reduced by human influence or natural disturbance. In recent investigations, however, additional benefits to the plant following colonization of roots by effective AM or ECM fungi have been demonstrated. These additional benefits of an effective mycorrhizal association have necessitated a re-evaluation of the optimum screening procedures for isolates of AM and ECM fungi. Both current methodologies and suggestions for alternative approaches to the screening of AM and ECM fungi are discussed in this paper. The problems inherent in choosing suitable experimental conditions to compare different isolates at the screening stage are also addressed. The review also stresses the importance of continued monitoring of introduced mycorrhizal fungi to learn more about their longer-term ecological role, particularly within reforestation or revegetation studies.     

Lichen-associated fungi of the Letharietum vulpinae

In the present study, a well-defined lichen community was screened for associated fungi for the first time. The photophilous lichen community Letharietum vulpinae was chosen because its character species, Letharia vulpina, was expected to host rather specialized fungi due to the presence of antimycotic secondary compounds. A considerable number of the associated fungi that were isolated were probably selective for lichens, because they appeared to be distantly related to fungi known from other substrates. The majority of these obligatory, lichen-associated fungi were only isolated in the course of the present study and represent hitherto unknown phylogenetic lineages. Parts of the lichen-associated fungi overlapped those colonizing rock surfaces or were closely related to endophytic fungi, but the lichen-associated and endophytic fungi still represented separate lineages.     

Ambrosia fungi in the insect-fungi symbiosis in relation to cork oak decline

Ambrosia fungi live associated with beetles (Scolytidae and Platypodidae) in host trees and act as a food source for the insects. The symbiotic relation is important to the colonizing strategies of host trees by beetles. Ambrosia fungi are dimorphic: they grow as ambrosial form and as mycelium. The fungi are highly specialized, adapted to a specific beetle and to the biotope where they both live. In addition other fungi have been found such as tree pathogenic fungi that may play a role in insects host colonization success. Saprophytic fungi are also present in insects galleries. These may decompose cellulose and/or be antagonistic to other less beneficial fungi. This paper summarizes the importance of ambrosia fungi and the interaction with insects and hosts. The possibility of the transport of pathogenic fungi by Platypus cylindrus to cork oak thus contributing for its decline is discussed.     

Specificity in host-fungus associations: Do mutualists differ from antagonists?

Summary Physically intimate interactions between organisms are assumed to be highly specific, yet intimate mutualisms exhibiting little specificity are common and important in many communities. We compare host records for ectomycorrhizal fungi (mutualists) to those for biotrophic shoot fungi and necrotrophic root fungi (both antagonists) in order to test two alternative predictions: (1) intimate physical associations (biotrophy) are more specific than less intimate ones (necrotrophy); (2) antagonisms are more specific than mutualisms. Specificity of fungi for hosts supports prediction (1): ectomycorrhizal fungi and shoot biotrophs are more host specific than root necrotrophs. Fungal symbiont ranges of hosts supports prediction (2): woody hosts are associated with a greater number of mutualistic fungi than antagonistic fungi. The numbers of fungi in the three groups infecting hosts are all significantly positively correlated. This result suggests that some hosts are resistant to fungal invasion and others are quite susceptible. Thus, plants may not be able to erect selective barriers to only antagonistic fungi. The marked asymmetry of specificity from the perspectives of hosts vs fungi suggests that evolutionary and ecological processes act differently on partners in symbioses.     

食（药）用真菌比较基因组分析揭示其生态特性

食（药）用真菌可以产生多种酶系家族来降解环境中的木质纤维素,从而获得营养或与植物共生或寄生。通过注释和比较不同营养模式的食（药）用真菌中降解木质纤维素的酶类,有利于我们更好地认识食（药）用真菌的生活模式,并进一步改善培养条件。本文系统地研究了46个食（药）用真菌和3个降解木质纤维素模式真菌的基因组,根据预测蛋白质组解析了糖苷水解酶（glycoside hydrolases,GHs）、糖基转移酶（glycosyltransferases,GTs）、多糖裂解酶（polysaccharide lyases,PLs）、碳水化合物酯酶（carbohydrate esterases,CEs）、碳水化合物结合模块（carbohydrate-binding modules,CBMs）以及附属活力酶（auxiliary activities,AAs）和细胞色素P450（cytochromes P450）的种类分布。比较基因组学结果显示,食（药）用真菌中降解木质纤维素相关酶系家族的数量和种类差别很大,同时酶系家族的多样性与食（药）用真菌的生态类型也有一定的相关性。一般情况下,腐生营养真菌比共生营养真菌中降解木质纤维素酶类更多,而腐生营养中的白腐真菌和草腐真菌的酶系比褐腐真菌多。     

Biodiversity and distribution of fungi associated with decomposing Nypa fruticans

Fungi associated with the decomposition of Nypa fruticans in Malaysia are under investigation. Forty-one fungi have been identified including 35 ascomycetes, four mitosporic fungi and two basidiomycetes. The distribution of intertidal fungi on palm structures including leaves, leaf veins, rachides, petiole bases, and inflorescences, and fungi on terrestrial parts have also been examined. No fungi were found on the leaf material, although several fungi were found on the leaf midribs, and possible reasons for this are given. Very few taxa developed on the inflorescences, but those that were present were abundant. The greatest density of fruiting structures occurred on the rachides, and the greatest diversity of fungal species occurred on the petiole bases. The terrestrial fungi differed from the intertidal fungi, although Linocarpon nipae occurred in both habitats. Reasons for the differences in fungal numbers and diversity on the various palm parts are discussed. The diversity of fungi at Morib mangrove was low when compared to previous studies on fungi on Nypa palm at Kampong Api Api in Brunei and in this study at Kuala Selangor mangrove in Malaysia.     

The role of macrofungi in environmental conservation

Abstract

The motives for the conservation of fungi are briefly outlined. The data and methods needed for successful use of fungi in environmental conservation are mentioned. A survey is given of the main habitats of threatened fungi in Western and Central Europe, including data on the significance of their mycoflora, the causes of decrease and possible measures to improve the situation. The value of macrofungi as bio-indicators for environmental quality is discussed and demonstrated with three examples: the indicator value of wood-inhabiting fungi for undisturbed forest sites; of ectomycorrhizal fungi for air pollution stress in forests and of saprotrophic fungi for the duration of undisturbed grassland use. Lists of indicator species with different indicator values for air pollution stress and grassland use are provided.     

The living strategy of nematophagous fungi

The infection structures, trophism, and ecological character of nematophagous fungi are reviewed in this article on the basis of data extracted from the literature and the most recent experiments conducted in this area. Traditionally, nematophagous fungi are classified into four groups according to their modes of attacking nematodes: nematode-trapping fungi using adhesive or mechanical hyphal traps, endoparasitic fungi using their spores, eggparasitic fungi invading nematode eggs or females with their hyphal tips, and toxin-producing fungi immobilizing nematodes before invasion. In the present review, we focus on the first two groups. The living strategies of these nematophagous fungi depend on the diversity of their infection structures, such as different traps and spore types, which determine the modes of infecting nematodes. The diversity of trophic modes of nematophagous fungi is an important prerequisite for fungal survival and activity in soil. The abundance and activity of Hirsutella rhossiliensis and H. minnesotensis, representatives of endoparasites and potential biocontrol agents against nematodes, are highly dependent on environmental factors. Comprehensive understanding of the survival and activity of nematophagous fungi in soil is fundamental for the exploitation of these fungi as successful biocontrol agents.     

丛枝菌根真菌培养方法研究进展

文章结合最新研究成果着重从十个不同的层面对丛枝菌根真菌(AM真菌)的培养方法研究做了较为系统的介绍与评述。认为活体宿主植物盆栽培养法是最简单、最容易、也是最可靠的AM真菌培养方法,玻璃珠分室培养可方便地将培养基质与AM真菌分开,能获得纯净的AM真菌菌体,具有其它方法不可替代的作用,AM真菌单孢无菌的分室Ri T-DNA转型胡萝卜根双重离体培养是获得AM真菌纯净菌体和研究AM真菌遗传、生理、生化等特性的理想方法,以此方法为基础,在根室中补充碳源、在菌丝生长室置换培养基、多次收获菌体的转型根改良双重培养法是提高某些AM真菌孢子产量的力荐方法。     

Biology of gut anaerobic fungi

The obligately anaerobic nature of the gut indigenous fungi distinguishes them from other fungi. They are distributed widely in large herbivores, both in the foregut of ruminant-like animals and in the hindgut of hindgut fermenters. Comparative studies indicate that a capacious organ of fermentative digestion is required for their development. These fungi have been assigned to the Neocallimasticaceae, within the chytridiomycete order Spizellomycetales. The anaerobic fungi of domestic ruminants have been studied most extensively. Plant material entering the rumen is rapidly colonized by zoospores that attach and develop into thalli. The anaerobic rumen fungi have been shown to produce active cellulases and xylanases and specifically colonise and grow on plant vascular tissues. Large populations of anaerobic fungi colonise plant fragment in the rumens of cattle and sheep on high-fibre diets. The fungi actively ferment cellulose which results in formation of a mixture of products including acetate, lactate, ethanol, formate, succinate, CO2 and H2. The properties of the anaerobic fungi together with the extent of their populations on plant fragments in animals on high-fibre diets indicates a significant role for the fungi in fibre digestion.     

培菌白蚁与鸡枞菌研究进展

培菌白蚁起源于非洲,蚁巢内具有复杂的社会分工.培菌白蚁依靠独特的蚁巢结构维持内部稳态和气体循环.菌圃是白蚁培育鸡枞菌的场所.鸡枞菌隶属于担子菌亚门,但其传播方式和生活史具有区别于其它担子菌的特点.鸡枞菌协助白蚁进行植物纤维的消化,白蚁则为鸡枞菌提供合适的生长环境,并控制鸡枞菌的遗传结构.培菌白蚁和鸡枞菌形成紧密的共生关...     

丝状真菌基因表达系统研究进展

本文是26篇关于丝状真菌基因表达系统的研究论文的综述,包括两部份内容。前一部分叙述1979年开始建立并迅速发展起来的丝状真菌转化系统,着重介绍丝状真菌中转化系统的构建及转化的一般特点。后一部分叙述在转化系统发展基础上产生的丝状真菌基因工程,文中列出了截至1991年9月为止报道的一些成功的实例,说明它在丝状真菌工业育种和作为外源基因产物的生产和分泌系统中的应用。     

水分胁迫下内生真菌感染对黑麦草叶内游离脯氨酸和脱落酸含量的影响

以黑麦草为实验对象,研究了干旱胁迫条件下内生真菌感染对植株叶片含水量和叶内游离脯氨酸含量的影响,同时对渗透胁迫条件下植株叶内ABA含量的变化进行了分析。结果表明：①内生真菌的感染有助于使叶片保持较高的含水量;②在两种形式的水分胁迫下,。前期至中期高感染种群的叶片游离脯氨酸含量低于感染种群,而在末期则有高出低感染种群的趋势;③内生真菌感染对黑麦草叶内ABA累积的正效应只发生在轻度渗透胁迫下的较短时间范围内。     

生物信息学在食用菌研究中的应用

食用菌因其富含多种氨基酸及微量元素等物质,具有较高的营养价值和药用价值,越来越受到人们的关注和喜爱。我国作为最重要的食用菌生产国,食用菌生产规模不断扩大,产量也在逐年提高。为了更好地发展食用菌产业,迫切需要在传统的食用菌产业链,如优良品种选育及栽培生产中融入新技术。生物信息学作为一门研究分析生物生命结构的技术门类,通过运用数学、计算机科学等工具揭示了数据所蕴含的生物学意义,极大地促进了生命科学研究的发展,也为食用菌更深入的研究与应用提供了技术保障。本文从食用菌育种及种质资源调查、病虫害防治、基因组学、食用菌安全等几方面阐述了生物信息学在食用菌领域的具体应用,对生物信息学在食用菌及农业领域的发展进行了展望,以期为促进食用菌研究和生产发展提供参考。     

与植物共生的难培养菌物及其培养特性研究进展

与植物共生难培养菌物的分类地位与生活史复杂多样,与植物共生程度各异。在其他一定种类生物(如植物、细菌等)存在的条件下,大多与植物共生难培养菌物能完成生活史,而且一些非专性非活体营养的共生菌物较专性活体营养的共生菌物更容易获得纯培养。在简要介绍与植物共生难培养菌物分类地位、生活史与共生类型的基础上,重点探讨了与植物共生难培养菌物的培养特性和培养方法,并讨论了该领域的研究动向与展望,旨在为当前和今后开展难培养菌物纯培养研究提供思路、依据和工作基础。     

Mutagens manufactured in fungal culture may affect DNA/RNA of producing fungi

Self-produced mutagens in culture by fungi may affect DNA analysis of the same fungi. This has not been considered previously. Many fungi produce numerous mutagenic secondary metabolites (SM) in culture. There is a paradox of growing fungi in media to produce representative DNA which also support mutagenic SM. This is a crucial issue in developing diagnostic and phylogenetic methods, especially for closely-related fungi. For example, idh gene analysis of the patulin metabolic pathway in fungi can be interpreted as producing some false negative and positive results in terms of possession, or nonpossession, of the gene from mutated strains. The most obvious mycotoxins and fungi to consider in this regard are aflatoxins and Aspergillus , as aflatoxins are the most mutagenic natural compounds. Many other fungi and SM are relevant. Conditions to grow fungi have not been selected to inhibit SM production although relevant data exist. In fact, fungi repair damaged nucleic acid (NA) and are capable of removing toxins by employing transporter proteins. These and NA repair mechanisms could be inhibited by secondary metabolites. Mutagenic effects may involve inhibition of DNA stabilizing enzymes. There may be an equivalent situation for bacteria. Researchers need to devise methods to reduce SM for valid protocols. More work on how mutagens affect the NA of producing fungus in vitro is required. The current review assesses the potential seriousness of the situation with selected papers.     

真空冷冻干燥技术在食用菌加工中的应用研究

简析了食用菌冻干制品产业发展形势,概述了真空冷冻干燥技术原理及产品特点,阐述了应用真空冷冻干燥技术加工食用菌制品所需的主要设备、生产工艺流程及操作要点。探讨真空冷冻干燥过程中,各项工艺参数对食用菌干燥特性的影响。介绍食用菌冷冻干燥技术的优越性、技术壁垒及发展前景,旨在为采用真空冷冻干燥技术对食用菌进行干燥加工提供参考。