Geoglossaceous fungi in Slovakia: rare and new taxa for the territory

Field research on grassland fungi in Slovakia resulted in collection of several rare fungi, including also geoglossaceous taxa, such as Microglossum viride (5 sites), Trichoglossum hirsutum (13 sites), Trichoglossum walteri (5 sites), Trichoglossum variabile (1 site), Microglossum olivaceum (2 sites), Thuemenidium atropurpureum (1 site). Last three species are new for Slovakia.     

First record of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysosporium europae,Ch. fluviale</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ch. minutisporosum</Emphasis> in Slovakia

During a survey of keratinophilic fungi from soil and children’s sandpit samples in city park of Nitra and Nová Baňa (Slovakia) three noteworthy Chrysosporium species, namely Ch. europae, Ch. fluviale and Ch. minutisporosum were encountered. The species are briefly characterized here with respect to their identification, ecology and distribution. They represent newly recorded fungal taxa from Slovakia.     

Observations on the Occurrence of Entomophthorales Infecting Aphids (Aphidoidea) in Slovakia

The species spectrum of entomophthoralean fungi parasiting aphids was investigated in Slovakia. The surveys focused on aphid fauna occupying both agricultural crops and vegetation at non-crop sites. During the surveys, 15 different entomophthoralean species were identified from 66 aphid species. Of these 15 fungal species, eight had not previously been recorded in Slovakia and one species, Erynia erinacea (Ben-Ze’ev et Kenneth) Remaudière et Hennebert, had not been recorded previously in Central Europe. New hosts for some parasitic fungi were also recorded. The occurrence of fungal infection and the fungal species spectrum varied with sampling period and sampling area. In general, the fungi were observed parasiting aphid populations from April until November. Pandora neoaphidis (Remaudière et Hennebert) Humber was the predominant fungal pathogen and could effectively reduce aphid populations. Entomophthora planchoniana Cornu and Conidiobolus obscurus (Hall et Dunn) Remaudière et Keller were also common pathogens of aphids, but without an epizootic potential. On the other hand, Neozygites fresenii (Nowakowski) Remaudière et Keller had a strong tendency to establish epizootics in dense aphid colonies, especially in those of the black bean aphid. Other entomophthoralean species observed in the country were considered to be minor aphid pathogens on account of their low occurrence, lower specificity to aphids, or high specificity to a single aphid species. This is the first detailed report to date on the occurrence of Entomophthorales in Slovakia.     

Parasitic microfungi of the Tatra Mountains: 5. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plasmopara</Emphasis> representatives on the species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Geranium</Emphasis>

A list of species and the distribution of the members of Plasmopara (Chromista, Peronosporales) on Geranium spp. in the Tatra National Park (Western Carpathians) biospheric reserve are given. Three fungal species parasitizing 3 plant species were recorded in the area. Plasmopara praetermissa is a species new to Poland and Slovakia.     

Low congruence between the diversity of Waxcap (Hygrocybe spp.) fungi and vascular plants in semi-natural grasslands

The diversity of fungi in semi-natural grasslands is poorly known, partly due to difficulties in species identification in the field but also because there are few specialists available. Diversity assessments of grassland fungi would be facilitated if a potential surrogate group for fungal diversity could be identified. The aim of this study was to assess whether plant diversity patterns in semi-natural grasslands are congruent with diversity patterns of Waxcap (Hygrocybe spp.) fungi. Waxcaps, together with several other groups of fungi (e.g. the genera Entoloma, Dermoloma, Camarophyllopsis, and the families Clavariaceae and Geoglossaceae) have habitat requirements similar to many plants typical for semi-natural grasslands and they are all threatened by ceased management and nutrient enrichment. Diversity data from 31 semi-natural grasslands in southern Sweden were used to examine if there is congruence in species richness, nestedness, β-diversity and species composition between plants and Hygrocybe fungi. Species richness of Hygrocybe was significantly positively correlated with plant richness, although the relationship was not strong (r²=0.14). Both plant and Hygrocybe species composition was significantly nested, i.e. species-poor sites contain a subset of species from species-rich sites, which suggests that rare species mostly occur in the species-rich sites. A species similarity analysis between the grassland sites showed that there is low overlap between species composition of plants and Hygrocybe, indicating that conservation decisions based solely on plants may not fulfil the requirements of the Hygrocybe species. The conclusion is that there is low congruence between plant and Hygrocybe species diversity, making plants a poor surrogate group for Hygrocybe fungi, and probably also for other grassland fungi.     

林火对植物根围丛枝菌根真菌多样性的影响

林火是森林生态系统的一种主要干扰因子,以青岛市三标山林火迹地为研究对象,采集荆条(Vitex negundo)、胡枝子(Lespedeza bicolor)、花木蓝(Indigofera kirilowii)、青花椒(Zanthoxylum schinifolium)和野青茅(Deyeuxia arundinacea)5种优势植物根围土壤,研究不同林火强度对丛枝菌根(AM)真菌多样性的影响。结果表明,AM真菌侵染率和孢子密度随火灾强度的加强而降低;非过火区植物根围土壤中,分离鉴定出AM真菌3属11种,轻度过火区分离鉴定出AM真菌3属10种,中度过火区分离鉴定出AM真菌3属9种,重度过火区分离鉴定出AM真菌3属8种。过火区AM真菌种丰度低于非过火区。过火区和非过火区AM真菌的重要值和优势种不同,非过火区植物根围的优势种是地球囊霉(Glomus geosporum)、台湾球囊霉(G.taiwanensis)、分支巨孢囊霉(Gigaspora ramisporophora)、极大巨孢囊霉(Gi.gigantean)、福摩萨球囊霉(G.formosanum)、悬钩子球囊霉(G.rubiforme)、柯氏无梗囊霉(Acaulospora koskei)和松蜜无梗囊霉(A.thomii);轻度过火区植物根围的优势种是地球囊霉和台湾球囊霉;中度过火区的是台湾球囊霉和地球囊霉(野青茅除外);重度过火区植物根围的优势种是地球囊霉。不同强度的过火区对AM真菌群落组成有不同程度的影响。认为林火降低植物根围土壤中AM真菌多样性。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysosporium speluncarum</Emphasis>, a new species resembling <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ajellomyces capsulatus,</Emphasis> obtained from bat guano in caves of temperate Europe

A new species, Chrysosporium speluncarum, obtained from bat guano in caves in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Romania, is described, based on phenotype and rDNA sequences. It possesses tuberculate conidia similar to the Histoplasma anamorph of Ajellomyces capsulatus, but it is not dimorphic, does not grow at 37°C, lacks microconidia, and is nonpathogenic and nonkeratinolytic. All studied characteristics suggest a close relationship with Renispora flavissima. The morphologically similar C. chiropterorum, another species known from the bat environment, is a relative of C. lobatum and Polytolypa hystricis, but is distinct from A. capsulatus and C. speluncarum. The affinity for bats and the presence of conidia with prominent tuberculations has originated convergently in several groups of onygenalean fungi. In addition, the occurrence of fungi mimicking A. capsulatus in caves of temperate Europe is reviewed.     

Successional changes in ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with the polar willow Salix polaris in a deglaciated area in the High Arctic, Svalbard

Polar willow (Salix polaris Wahlenb.), a mycorrhizal dwarf shrub, colonizes recently deglaciated areas in the High Arctic, Svalbard. To clarify successional changes in ECM fungi associated with S. polaris after glacier retreat, we examined the diversity and density of ECM fungi in culture and field conditions. Plant and soil samples were collected from three sites of different successional stages in the deglaciated area of Austre Br?ggerbreen, near Ny-?lesund, Svalbard. The successional stages were early stage with newly exposed bare ground (site I), transient stage with scattered colonization of Salix (sites IIa and IIb), and late stage with well-developed vegetation (site III). No ECM colonization on Salix was observed in soils collected from bare ground in early and transient stages (sites I and IIa). However, most Salix individuals showed ECM colonization in soils collected from sites close to Salix colonies in transient and late stages (sites IIb and III). Based on molecular analyses and operational taxonomic unit (OTU: >95% ITS sequence similarity) delimitations, we identified 15 OTUs/species in eight genera. The dominant OTU/species of ECM fungi identified in the transient and late stages was Geopora sp.1 and Cenococcum sp.1, respectively. In the culture experiment, ECM diversity was greater in late stage (eight OTUs/species) than in transient stage (three OTUs/species). This pattern was consistent with field observations, i.e., late-stage sites contained more OTUs/species of ECM fungi. These results indicate that species diversity of ECM fungi increases and the dominant species changes with the progress of succession after glacier retreat in the High Arctic.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhabdias lacertae</Emphasis> n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae), the first rhabdiasid species parasitising lizards in Europe

A new nematode species, Rhabdias lacertae n. sp. (Rhabdiasidae), is described from the body-cavity of the common lizard Lacerta vivipara Jacquin (Lacertidae) from the Ridge of Malá Fatra (Sokolie Hill), north-western Slovakia. The new species differs from its congeners mainly in possessing 3 min cuticular spikes at the tail tip and some other features. This is the first species of Rhabdias Stiles & Hassall, 1905 described from lizards in Europe and the first species of this genus parasitising hosts belonging to the Lacertidae.     

Responses of barley,pea, and maize to inoculation with different vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in irradiated soil

Summary The efficiency of different VAM fungi was investigated by inoculating barley, pea, and maize with different VAM fungi in irradiated soil in pots buried in the field. VAM frequency, growth and nutrient uptake were measured. In barleyGlomus epigaeus (CA) andG. macrocarpus (CA) were the most efficient out of 11 tested species and increased yield of grain by 24% and 21%, though they were not significant according to oneway analysis of variance. In pea, yield of grain was significantly increased from 46% to 104% (mean=68%) by 7 out of 10 tested species and by 105% by application of P fertilizer. The most efficient species wereG. epigaeus (CA),G. mosseae (GB), andG. etunicatus (CA). In maizeG. mosseae (GB) andG. caledonius (DK) increased total yield significantly by 59% and 47% in one experiment and in another experiment yield of cob was increased by 68% byG. mosseae (GB), 72% byG. caledonius (DK), and by 153% by application of P fertilizer. This experiment demonstrated that responsiveness to inoculation by VAM fungi differed among plant species, and that efficiency of different VAM fungi differed.     

Mycorrhizal status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> plantations in south China and implications for management

The aim of this study is to assess the mycorrhizal status of Eucalyptus plantations in south China and to determine the need for inoculation. In four provinces in south China, 155 plantations were sampled for sporocarps of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, and mycorrhizas over 2 years. This study revealed a low above-ground diversity of ECM fungi consisting of 15 taxa fruiting beneath Eucalyptus plantations. The most common ECM genera were Scleroderma and Pisolithus, but they were infrequent. A total of 21 AM fungi, mostly Glomus species, were recognized from spores collected from eucalypt plantations. Four Glomus species were frequently present in soils, but spore density and relative abundance of AM fungi were generally low. Eucalypt roots from all plantation sites were poorly colonized by either ECM fungi or AM fungi. A bioassay with E. urophylla as a bait host, using soils collected from 11 eucalypt plantations, confirmed low levels of inoculum of both ECM and AM fungi in field soil. This is the first integrated study on the mycorrhizal status of eucalypt plantations in China. Findings from this research can be used to encourage adoption of mycorrhizal technology by eucalypt nurseries in the region. The potential of using spores of compatible ECM fungi or collections for forest nurseries is discussed.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community structures differ between co-occurring tree species of dry Afromontane tropical forest, and their seedlings exhibit potential to trap isolates suited for reforestation

The diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and their broad or narrow association with distinct plant species in natural environments are crucial information in the understanding of the ecological role of AM fungi on plant co-existence. This knowledge is also needed for appropriate mycorrhization of nursery-grown seedlings for forestation efforts. Here, we report results from comparative studies on three co-occurring indigenous tree species of the dry Afromontane forests of Ethiopia and their seedlings grown under controlled conditions in soil collected from the sites. AM fungal SSU rDNA fragment was amplified and sequenced from mycorrhizas of adult plants and seedlings of Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata and Prunus africana, and from Podocarpus falcatus seedlings. AM fungal identity, diversity and community structure were analyzed based on sequence types defined by the NS31-AM1 SSU rDNA fragment similarity in order to compare with data from other habitats. A total of 409 sequences, grouped in 32 sequence types, belonging to Glomeraceae, Diversisporaceae and Gigasporaceae were found. Some sequence types are close to the widespread Glomus intraradices, G. hoi, G. etunicatum, G. cf. etunicatum and Gigaspora margarita. However, the majority (59%) of sequence types are so far specific for the sites including 11 new types when compared with previous data from the same area. The AM fungal community associated with adult plants, including data previously obtained from adult Podocarpus falcatus seedlings, and seedlings of a host species differed significantly, where seedlings trapping a surprising large number of native fungi. AM fungal community structure also differed significantly between host species and sites, respectively. The results confirm previous results from the same area indicating distinct fungal communities associated with the diverse tree species and suggests the potential of these indigenous tree seedlings to trap a wide range of AM fungi appropriate for successful afforestation.     

Morphology and colonization preference of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clethra barbinervis</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycopersicon esculentum</Emphasis>

Clethra barbinervis (Ericales), Cucumis sativus, and Lycopersicon esculentum were grown in soils collected from six different vegetation sites (cedar, cypress, larch, red pine, bamboo grass, and Italian ryegrass), and morphology and colonization preference of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were investigated by microscopic observation and PCR detection. C. barbinervis consistently formed Paris-type AM throughout the sites. C. sativus formed both Arum- and Paris-type AM with high occurrence of Arum-type AM. L. esculentum also formed both Arum- and Paris-type AM but with high occurrence of Paris-type AM. AM diversity within the same plant species was different among the sites. Detected AM diversity from AM spores in different site soils did not consistently reflect AM fungal diversity seen in test plants. Detected families were different, depending on test plants grown even in the same soil. AM fungi belonging to Glomaceae were consistently detected from roots of all test plants throughout the sites. Almost all the families were detected from roots of C. barbinervis and L. esculentum. On the other hand, only two or three families of AM fungi (Archaeosporaceae and/or Paraglomaceae and Glomaceae) but not two other families (Acaulosporaceae and Gigasporaceae) were detected from roots of C. sativus, indicating strong colonization preference of AM fungi to C. sativus among test plants. This study demonstrated that host plant species strongly influenced the colonization preference of AM fungi in the roots.     

On the pathogens of the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) in the Western Carpathians

Pathogens of spruce bark beetle Ips typographus were compared at eleven sites in Slovakia (the Western Carpathians). Seven different pathogen species were recorded: protozoan species Chytridiopsis typographi, Gregarina typographi, Malamoeba scolyti, nematodes of the genus Neoparasitylenchus and one unidentified nematode species. Presence of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana was also observed as well as parasitization by hymenopteran parasitoids. High infection rate of G. typographi and the nematode Neoparasitylenchus was detected in almost all sites and lethal impact of M. scolyti by massive infections was observed. The beetles from seven sites were screened for endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia, however, with no positive result.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on adjacent semi-natural grasslands with different vegetation in Japan

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on Japanese semi-natural grasslands were investigated at three adjacent sites with different vegetation. The predominant grasses at the three sites were 1)Pleioblastus chino, 2)Miscanthus sinensis andArundinella hirta (M. sinensis/A. hirta), and 3)Zoysia japonica, respectively. The degree of colonization was higher inM. sinensis/A. hirta than inP. chino andZ. japonica. AM fungi were recovered by spore extraction and by pot cultures started from soil inoculum or from transplanting of field plants. Total spore number obtained by the spore extraction method was highest in the rhizosphere ofM. sinensis/A. hirta and lowest in that ofP. chino. AGlomus sp. resemblingG. geosporum predominated in association withM. sinensis/A. hirta andP. chino. FromZ. japonica, three species,Acaulospora gerdemannii, Glomus leptotichum, and a species resemblingG. clarum, were isolated by pot culture from soil and two species,A. longula andScutellospora cerradensis, by pot culture from transplanting ofZ. japonica. FromM. sinensis/A. hirta, one species,A. longula, was found by pot culture from soil. FromP. chino, no AM fungus was detected by either method. Single-spore culture confirmed thatG. leptotichum andA. gerdemannii are conspecific.     

Diversity and infectivity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural soils of the Sichuan Province of mainland China

Knowledge about the presence and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in a specific area is an essential first step for utilizing these fungi in any application. The community composition of AMF in intensively managed agricultural soil in the Sichuan Province of southwest China currently is unknown. In one set of samples, AMF were trapped in pot cultures from 40 fields growing legumes in the Panxi region, southeast Sichuan. In a second set of samples, the MPN method with four-fold dilutions and maize as host was used to estimate infective propagules in soil from another 50 agricultural sites throughout the province. Soil types were heterogeneous and were classified as purple, yellow, paddy and red. Crops at each site were either maize, wheat or sweet orange. From this set of soil, AMF spores were also extracted and identified. Including all ninety soils, thirty glomeromycotan species in Glomus (20 species), Acaulospora (four species), Scutellospora (three species), Ambispora (one species), Archaeospora (one species) and Paraglomus (one species) were identified. Yellow, red and purple soils yielded similar numbers of AMF species, while AMF species diversity was clearly lower in paddy soil. In trap culture soils, the most frequent species were Glomus aggregatum or Glomus intraradices, Glomus claroideum and Glomus etunicatum. The species Acaulospora capsicula, Acaulospora delicata, G. aggregatum (or intraradices), G. claroideum, Glomus epigaeum, G. etunicatum, Glomus luteum, Glomus monosporum, Glomus mosseae and Glomus proliferum were successfully cultured as single-species pot cultures in Plantago lanceolata. The three most frequent species in field soils were G. mosseae, Glomus caledonium and Glomus constrictum. MPN values varied between 17 and 3334 propagules 100 g soil⁻¹ among the fifty field sites sampled. Regression analysis, including host&soil, log(P) and pH as explanatory variables explained 59% of the variation in log(MPN). The highest MPN estimates were found in purple soil cropped with maize and citrus, 324 and 278 propagules 100 g soil⁻¹, respectively. The lowest MPN value, 54 propagules 100 g soil⁻¹, was measured in wheat in purple and yellow soil. Despite intensive agricultural management that can include often repeated tillage, our examination of 90 agricultural sites revealed that soils of the Sichuan region have moderate to high numbers of infective AMF propagules as well as a high AMF species diversity. This opens possibilities for further studies and utilization of AMF in agriculture and horticulture in the Sichuan province, People’s Republic of China.     

Diversity of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> species associated with head and seedling blight on wheat in Slovakia

Species associated with Fusarium head blight are depending on the production and edaphic conditions. The differences are found in the representation of various Fusarium spp. in the diseases, which sporadically occur all over the territory of Slovakia, in all agricultural production types. We identified fifteen Fusarium species during ten years of investigation. Most of the mentioned species F. culmorum (W.G. Smith) Sacc., F. graminearum Schwabe, recently F. cerealis (Cooke) Sacc. (crookwellense Burgess, Nelson & Tousson) and F. sambucinum Fuckel in diseased caryopsis are seed transmitted. The significant differences among species and intra species in cultural and pathogenicity assays in vitro and in vivo were correlated. Some of them are able to produce toxic metabolites — deoxynivalenone, which probably play a role in the aggressiveness of the pathogen and promote disease development and pathogen colonization.     

Keratinophilic fungi of poultry farm and feather dumping soil in Tamil Nadu,India

Soils of 10 poultry farms from Namakkal and 12 feather dumping sites from Chennai were studied for the presence of keratinophilic fungi. A total of 34 species belonging to 19 genera and one non-sporulating fungus were recovered. Sixteen species of fungi and one non-sporulating fungi were common to both sites, eight species were specific to Namakkal and nine species were specific to Chennai. Dermatophytes and closely related fungi were represented by six species belonging to five genera. Fungal species commonly found in the soil samples included Chrysosporium keratinophilum (73%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (68.2%), Microsporum gypseum (64%), Myceliopthora vellerea (32%), Chrysosporium state of Arthroderma tuberculatum (27.3%) and Geomyces pannorum (23%). Non-dermatophyte fungi were represented by 28 species belonging to 14 genera and one non-sporulating fungus.