Spatial-typological organization of animal assemblages (results and conclusions)

The results of studies in factor zoogeography performed by the Laboratory of Zoological Monitoring (Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals SB RAS) over 50 years are briefly reported. The review deals with the distribution and abundance of terrestrial animals, changes in the shape of their assemblages in the West Siberian Plain, Altai, and adjacent areas, and faunal zonation of Northern Eurasia.     

Unusual fungal niches

Fungi are found in all aerobic ecosystems, colonizing a diversity of substrates and performing a wide diversity of functions, some of which are not well understood. Many spices of fungi are cosmopolitan and generalists or habitats. Unusual fungal niches are habitats where extreme conditions would be expected to prevent the development of a mycobiota. In this review we describe five unusual fungal habitats in which fungi occupy poorly understood niches: Antarctic dry valleys, high Arctic glaciers, salt flats and salterns, hypersaline microbial mats and plant trichomes. Yeasts, black yeast-like fungi, melanized filamentous species as well as representatives of Aspergillus and Penicillium seem to be dominant among the mycobiota adapted to cold and saline niches. Plant trichomes appear to be a taxa. The advent of new sequencing technologies is helping to elucidate the microbial diversity in many ecosystems, but more studies are needed to document the functional role of fungi in the microbial communities thriving in these unusual environments.     

Taxonomic and Ecological Structure of Basidial Macromycetes Biota in Polar Deserts of the Northern Hemisphere

The results of a study of the more than century-long history of taxonomic and ecological structures of basidial macromycete biota in polar deserts of the Northern Hemisphere are discussed. Nowadays, 77 species of macromycetes are known from this region, 40 species of which are agaricoid fungi, 30 are aphyllophoroid, and 7 are gasteromycetes. The highest number of species is known for the Franz Josef Land archipelago and Severanya Zemlya. All the identified species of agaricoid and 86% of gasteroid fungi are native representatives from extremely high latitudes collected under natural conditions, whereas 80% of the aphyllophoroid fungi are alien elements. All alien species are able to exist in the region exclusively in human-modified habitats, colonizing anthropogenic woody and grass substrates, and they disappear with the depletion of these resources. Despite the existence of mycobiota at the limit of the global thermal gradient, a specific species complex of macromycetes that does not occur anywhere in the world is formed here. Symbiotrophic species (basidial lichens and mycorrhiza-formers) are the most adaptable to such extreme conditions. General features of the organization with Antarctic mycobiota are established. The possibility that new species will appear in the region is discussed in connection with the intensification of human economic activity and global climate change.     

Pine nuts: the mycobiota and potential mycotoxins

The mycobiota of pine nuts was investigated. In total, 1832 fungi belonging to 31 species and 15 genera (Ascomycota, 2; Zygomycota, 3; mitosporic fungi, 10) could be isolated. Cladosporium spp. dominated the mycobiota with 685 isolations followed by Phoma macrostoma with 351 isolations. Overall, 16 potentially mycotoxigenic species were present on pine nuts.     

Foliar mycobiota of Coussapoa floccosa, a highly threatened tree of the Brazilian Atlantic forest

We studied the foliicolous mycobiota associated with Coussapoa floccosa. This is a tree belonging to the Cecropiaceae, endemic to the Brazilian tropical seasonal semideciduous montane forest. It is listed as an endangered species because of habitat destruction. Until now no fungus has been recorded in association with this plant species. This paper describes six foliicolous fungi associated with this plant that were collected during a survey of the mycobiota occurring in a locality where a small population of C. floccosa was discovered. All fungi described here are new to science, namely Dennisiella coussapoae, Mycosphaerella coussapoae, Pseudoallosoma nervisequens (which also represents a newly proposed genus), Pseudocercospora coussapoae, Pseudocercospora atrofuliginosa and Tripospermum acrobaticum. The high proportion of taxonomic novelties revealed in this study reflects the general lack of mycological information for forest ecosystems in Brazil and also indicates that vulnerable plant species such as C. floccosa may harbor unique mycobiota. Such mycobiota may depend on their nearly extinct hosts and consequently can be equally endangered with extinction and therefore also deserve consideration for in situ and ex situ conservation.     

How does metal soil pollution change the plant mycobiome?

Microorganisms play a key role in plant adaptation to the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of toxic metals present in the soil on the biodiversity of plant-related, endophytic mycobiota. The mycobiome of plants and soil from a Zn–Pb heap and a metal-free ruderal area were compared via Illumina sequencing of the ITS1 rDNA. The biodiversity of plants and fungi inhabiting mine dump substrate was lower than that of the metal free site. In the endosphere of Arabidopsis arenosa from the mine dump the number of endophytic fungal taxa was comparable to that in the reference population, but the community structure significantly differed. Agaricomycetes was the most notably limited class of fungi. The results of plant mycobiota evaluation from the field study were verified in terms of the role of toxic metals in plant endophytic fungi community assembly in a reconstruction experiment. The results presented in this study indicate that metal toxicity affects the structure of the plant mycobiota not by changing the pool of microorganisms available in the soil from which the fungal symbionts are recruited but most likely by altering plant and fungi behaviour and the organisms' preferences towards associating in symbiotic relationships.     

Colonization of Japanese beech leaves by phyllosphere fungi

To examine the colonization of living leaves from buds and twigs by phyllosphere fungi of Japanese beech, the mycobiota were investigated on buds and twigs and on leaves covered with well-ventilated bags before budbreak. Ten phyllosphere fungi were isolated from rolled-up leaves within buds, bud scales, and twigs. However, frequencies of phyllosphere fungi on expanded leaves were reduced markedly when the buds were covered with well-ventilated bags before budbreak compared to the leaves that were not covered. This observation suggests that invasion of the fungi to the leaves from buds and twigs may be possible but is not the main route. Horizontal transmission may be common in endophytes and epiphytes of beech leaves. Phyllosphere mycobiota were then compared between sun and shade leaves. Of 13 species recorded as phyllosphere fungi, the frequencies of 2 species were lower and those of 3 species were higher in sun leaves than in shade leaves. Frequencies of the other 8 phyllosphere species were not different between sun and shade leaves. This result indicates that the colonization of leaves by some phyllosphere fungi was affected by the microenvironmental conditions on leaf surfaces.     

Fungi at a Small Scale: Spatial Zonation of Fungal Assemblages around Single Trees

Biological communities are often structured by environmental factors even at small spatial scales. Fungi are no exception, though the patterns and mechanisms underlying their community structure are usually unknown. Previous work documented zonation in fungi under tree canopies primarily through their fruiting patterns. Here we investigate the existence of zonation patterns in fungal communities around isolated Pinus muricata trees of different ages in northern coastal California. Using a combination of ingrowth bags and pyrosequencing to target underground mycelium we found highly diverse soil fungal communities associated with single trees. Both ectomycorrhizal and non-ectomycorrhizal fungi were present in all samples, but the latter were more species rich, dominated the samples by sequence read abundance, and showed partitioning by canopy-defined zones and tree age. Soil chemistry was correlated with fungal zonation, but host root density was not. Our results indicate different guilds of fungi partition space differently and are driven by distinct environmental parameters.     

Fungal flora associated with Tomicus piniperda L. in an area close to a timber yard in southern Poland

Abstract:  The association between Tomicus piniperda L. (Col., Scolytinae) and fungi was studied in a Pinus sylvestris L. forest in Mielec-Mościska. Fungi were isolated from overwintered adult beetles taken from two stands situated in different distance from timber yard. Two media were used for isolation. The results showed great diversity of fungi associated with T. piniperda : 1895 cultures, representing 64 species, were isolated. Penicillia and Hormonema dematioides were the dominant species, found in 20.2% and 17.8% of all beetles, respectively. A frequently isolated ophiostomatoid fungi was Ophiostoma minus . Qualitative and quantitative differences in the mycobiota composition of this insect between two stands were detected. The highest richness and diversity of fungal species appeared in the samples taken from the location where the trees were heavily damaged by shoot-feeding of T. piniperda . Differences were most clear for the pathogenic O. minus , which was a common fungal associate of the insects in this stand.     

Effect of germicidal UVC light on fungi isolated from grapes and raisins

AIMS: To examine how UVC affects the different genera of fungi commonly isolated from grapes, with the aim of understanding changes in mycobiota during grape ripening and possible applications for preventing grape decay during storage. METHODS AND RESULTS: Spores of Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium janthinellum and Alternaria alternata (between 100-250 spores/plate agar) were UVC irradiated for 0 (control), 10, 20, 30, 60, 300 and 600 s. Plates were incubated at 25 degrees C and colonies were counted daily up to 7 days. Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus carbonarius were the most resistant fungi. Conidial germination in these species was reduced by approx. 25% after 10 s of exposure, compared with greater than 70% reduction for the remaining species tested. Penicillium janthinellum spores were the most susceptible at this wavelength. UVC exposures of 300 s prevented growth of all isolates studied, except for Alternaria alternata. CONCLUSIONS: UVC irradiation plays a major role in selecting for particular fungi that dominate the mycobiota of drying grapes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The UVC irradiation of harvested grapes could prevent germination of contaminant fungi during storage or further dehydration.     

Marine fungi in sediments of the Sea of Japan (Russian territory) and their biologically active metabolites

The most abundant marine fungi encountered in various regions of the Sea of Japan belong to the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, Wardomyces, Trichoderma, Chrysosporium, and Chaetomium. Facultative marine fungi of the genera Scytalidium, Verticillium, and Oidiodendron and obligate marine fungi of the genus Dendryphiella are much less abundant. The composition of marine sediments and the anthropogenic load on them were found to influence the abundance and species diversity of fungi, as well as the occurrence of fungal strains producing hemolytically active substances. The biodiversity of mycobiota and the abundance of hemotoxin-producing fungi in marine sediments may be used to evaluate the anthropogenic load on marine biocenoses. Hemolytic compounds were produced by 57% of the fungi isolated from marine sediments. The hemolytic activity of Chaetomium spiculipilium was revealed in the fraction of the culture liquid containing extracellular fatty acids and pigments. The fatty acid composition of this marine fungus was determined.     

Influence of peptone,ammonia water and urea supplements on keratinolytic and associated non-keratinolytic fungi in sewage sludge

A hair-baiting method was used in laboratory study of the influence on the composition of the keratinolytic and non-keratinolytic mycobiota in sewage of adding the ammonium nitrogen sources, peptone, ammonia water and urea. It was demonstrated that, independent of the nitrogen source, the ammonium nitrogen concentration was the critical factor affecting the fungal composition. Ammonium prevented or markedly inhibited the growth of Trichophyton terrestre, with its teleomorph Arthroderma quadrifidum; other geophilic dermatophytes and non-keratinolytic fungi. It also favoured growth of Chrysosporium keratinophilum and some other species, mainly in the genus Chrysosporium. The composition of the keratinolytic mycobiota can be an indicator of sludge organic matter stabilization, and used in relation to sewage sludge at wastewater treatment plants and in reclamation practice.     

Xerotolerant mycobiota from high altitude Anapurna soil, Nepal

Xerophilic and xerotolerant microfungi were isolated from soil samples collected in Anapurna Mountains, Nepal, at altitudes from 3000 to 5400 m. The total numbers and proportions of xerotolerant and psychrophilic strains in comparison with mesophilic mycobiota were determined by using different enumeration, selective media and four isolation methods. The most extreme xerophilic fungi were taxonomically identified as belonging to the genera Eurotium and Aspergillus. The low water activity of the soil due to dry climate and frequent binding of water in ice crystals favors a high proportion of xerotolerant fungal species. The correlation between xerotolerant and psychrophilic fungi was observed.     

Chlorophyll index and photosynthetic carbon sequestration in Northern Eurasia

Based on physiological and biochemical evidence, the chlorophyll index of terrestrial vegetation cover of Northern Eurasia was proved a reliable tool for quantitative estimates of photosynthetic sequestration of atmospheric carbon. The photosynthetic carbon sequestration in the vegetation cover of Northern Eurasia, corrected for emissive carbon losses in the wood pool, was estimated at 4.7 Gt C/year. Accordingly, the refined estimate for net production in the vegetation ecosystem of Northern Eurasia approaches 1.3 Gt C/year.     

Monitoring of wood-rotting fungal communities in the natural park Kondinskie Ozera (Konda Lakes)

As a result of mycological investigations in the forest ecosystems of the natural park Kondinskie Ozera, the cenotic characteristics of xylotrophic fungi were determined: the species diversity, consortive, competitive and phytopathogenic activity. The state of tree waste destruction is studied in forest regions of different kinds: affected by anthropogenic load (recreation, oil production) and undisturbed natural tree stands. The features of the functional structure of mycocomplexes are revealed. The data thus obtained indicate the main trends of anthropogenic transformations of the forest mycobiota on the preserved territory.     

High diversity of the fungal community structure in naturally-occurring Ophiocordyceps sinensis

Background

Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis), which is a parasite of caterpillars and is endemic to alpine regions on the Tibetan Plateau, is one of the most valuable medicinal fungi in the world. “Natural O. sinensis specimens” harbor various other fungi. Several of these other fungi that have been isolated from natural O. sinensis specimens have similar chemical components and/or pharmaceutical effects as O. sinensis. Nevertheless, the mycobiota of natural O. sinensis specimens has not been investigated in detail.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Based on the technique of PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP), the mycobiota of three different sections (stromata, sclerotia, and mycelial cortices) from natural O. sinensis specimens were investigated using both culture-dependent and -independent methods. For the culture-dependent method, 572 fungal strains were isolated, and 92 putative operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified from 226 sequenced strains with the threshold of 97%. For the culture-independent method, 490 fungal clones were identified from about 3000 clones of ITS fragments from the whole-community DNA; based on PCR-SSCP analyses, 266 of these clones were selected to be sequenced, and 118 putative OTUs were detected. The overwhelming majority of isolates/clones and OTUs were detected from mycelial cortices; only a few were detected from stromata and sclerotia. The most common OTUs detected with both methods belonged to Ascomycota; however, only 13 OTUs were detected simultaneously by both methods. Potential novel lineages were detected by each of the two methods.

Conclusions/Significance

A great number of fungal species present in the mycobiota of naturally-occurring O. sinensis specimens were detected, and many of them may represent undescribed lineages. That only a few of the same OTUs were detected by both methods indicated that different methods should be used. This study increased our understanding about the fungal community structure of this valuable medicinal herb.     

Filamentous Fungi Isolated from Estuarine Sediments Contaminated with Industrial Discharges

Filamentous fungi were isolated from estuarine sediments collected from two contaminated sites. One site was contaminated mainly by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) with a concentration around 407?µg g^?1 of different PAHs, and the other by different sources of industrial pollutants; both were compared to a pristine site. All three sites were located in the Baixada Santista, São Paulo State, Brazil. The aim of the present investigation was the isolation of filamentous fungi from pristine and industrially polluted sediments in order to assess the mycobiota present in those sites and to evaluate their tolerance to phenanthrene and pyrene. Most of the isolated fungi were mitosporic ascomycetes, including Aspergillus sp., Chrysosporium sp., Cyclothyrium spp., Gliocladium sp., Penicillium spp., Phoma spp., and Trichoderma spp. There were also representatives of sexual Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, and Zygomycetes. The results showed that 59% of the evaluated fungi were tolerant to pyrene and 30% to phenanthrene. Representatives of Trichoderma were the most tolerant among the filamentous fungi investigated. A representative of Penicillium simplicissimum was the only isolate tested that had a better growth in the presence of pyrene than in its absence.     

Mulching has negative impact on fungal and plant diversity in Slovak oligotrophic grasslands

Mulching (cutting of vegetation without removal of clippings) is used as a low-cost method for maintaining remote or abandoned grasslands in Slovakia. The likely consequence of mulching is seasonal nutrient enrichment resulting from decomposition of plant litter by saprotrophic organisms. The potential changes in biodiversity of the ecosystem caused by long-term application of mulching are to date only very poorly understood. In order to examine the impact of mulching on soil mycobiota, we compared six different grassland management regimes applied over nine years on a sub-montane oligotrophic Nardus pasture in the Central Slovakia. The diversity of soil fungi was assessed using DNA metabarcoding of the ITS2 regions of the nrRNA locus performed by Illumina MiSeq.We focused on a particular group of macrofungi which is characteristic of traditionally managed and undisturbed European grasslands, and which are often the dominant soil fungi in these habitats. These are collectively known as CHEGD fungi (the acronym of the constituent taxa: Clavariaceae, Hygrophoraceae, Entolomataceae, Geoglossaceae and Dermoloma). We compared the relative abundance and diversity of CHEGD fungi with the total fungal and plant diversity. CHEGD fungi were dominant across all management treatments. Although there were no statistical effects of treatments on total fungal richness and diversity, CHEGD fungi and vascular plants diversity and richness were lower on plots where mulching or no management were imposed, suggesting that such management regimes would have a negative impact on grassland fungi. However, no single treatment covered the total CHEGD diversity of the study, indicating that the localized use of mulching in addition to traditional managements can enhance overall diversity of grasslands in the area. Our results also suggest that the impact of mulching depends on the season when the grassland is mulched and it might be reduced by combination with other management treatments. The high relative abundance and sensitivity of CHEDG fungi in oligotrophic grasslands to management treatments makes them excellent indicators of grassland natural quality and is consistent with the ecological importance of this fungal group.     

Response of Antarctic soil fungal assemblages to experimental warming and reduction of UV radiation

This paper reports the effects of nutrient availability, UV radiation and temperature on the taxa composition and abundance of Antarctic soil mycobiota. Two sites at Edmonson Point were studied: the first was poor in nutrients, near the glacier, and the second was close to bird nesting sites. The highest abundance of soil fungi was recorded at the site adjacent to the bird nesting sites. Phoma herbarum was the most abundant taxon. Lecytophora lignicola and Ascotricha erinacea are new records for continental Antarctica. The fungal assemblage from the nutrient-deficient site was characterized by a dominance-diversity curve approaching the broken-stick model, the assemblage from the soil influenced by birds was characterized by a lognormal distribution. Plastic cloches were used in experiments designed to assess differences in fungal assemblages subjected to altered temperature and/or UV exposure. Dominance-diversity curves and diversity values of soil fungal mycobiota were compared in their natural condition as compared with manipulated conditions. Under the walled cloches, at both sites, artificial warming led to stress on Antarctic soil fungal assemblages. In contrast, UV protection led to a higher equilibrium in the assemblage structure. On the basis of the results obtained, it could be proposed that UV radiation is the most important limiting ecological factor for soil mycobiota in continental Antarctica.     

蜈蚣衣内生真菌研究

对北京东灵山地衣蜈蚣衣进行内生真菌分离,经过6种不同的方法消毒后,内生真菌的定殖率为55.4%~100%;从316个地衣组织块上共分离到28个真菌分类单元,其中包括1个子囊菌,22个丝孢菌,3个腔孢菌,1个毛霉和1个酵母菌。根据定殖率和分离到的内生真菌的种类两个指标综合考虑,消毒方法IV(75%乙醇1min,2%次氯酸钠3min,75%乙醇30s)为进行地衣内生真菌研究的最佳消毒方法。