Additions to the lichen family Pannariaceae in Ecuador

Collections from high altitudes (3840–5100 m a.s.l.) have added several species to the Pannariaceae of Ecuador: Fuscopannaria praetermissa, Pannaria hookeri, Psoroma paleaceum and Psoroma tenue are new to the Andes, and phytogeographic consequences of these are discussed. The following new taxa are described: Parmeliella corallina P. M. Jørg. & Palice, Parmeliella psoromoides P. M. Jørg. & Palice, Psoroma cinnamomeum ssp. andinum P. M. Jørg. & Palice and Santessoniella macrospora P. M. Jørg. & Palice. They are part of a high‐andean element which is not well known and is indicative of a migration route between the polar regions. In addition, two species with associated cyanobacteria, as the primary or secondary symbiont, are reported for the first time from South America: Thelignya lignyota (Wahlenb.) P. M. Jørg. & Henssen and Pilophorus cereolus (Ach.) Th. Fr, both originating from the Northern Hemisphere.     

SSU rDNA phylogeny of cladoniiform lichens

To examine phylogenetic relationships among the "cladoniiform" lichenized fungi, i.e., the families Cladoniaceae, Baeomycetaceae, Icmadophilaceae, Stereocaulaceae, and Siphulaceae, and to provide evidence for the anticipated independent origins of podetia and pseudopodetia, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of SSU (small subunit) rDNA sequences from 39 lichen-forming fungi. These fungi represent all of the major growth forms of lichen associations, fruticose (including "cladoniiform"), foliose, and crustose. Our analysis suggests that lichen-forming fungi with a "cladoniiform" morphology arose multiple times within the ascomycetes. Additionally, each of the other thallus growth forms, crustose, foliose, and fruticose, have originated multiple times. It also seems to be clear that neither all podetiate nor all pseudopodetiate taxa form a monophyletic group. Therefore the term "podetium" should be restricted to homologous structures that are most probably limited to the genera Cladonia, Cladina, Pycnothelia, and allies. The "pseudopodetia" of Stereocaulon (Stereocaulaceae) and Cladia (Cladiaceae) may represent different states of the same homologous character. Our phylogenetic hypothesis supports the monophyletic origin of the order Lecanorales sensu stricto, including representatives of five suborders Cladoniineae, Lecanorineae, Teloschistineae, Agyriineae and Peltigerineae, but excluding representatives of the suborders Acarosporineae (Acarospora schleicheri and Megaspora verrucosa), Pertusariineae (Pertusaria trachythallina), and Umbilicarineae. The suborder Cladoniineae and the family Cladoniaceae both appear to be polyphyletic assemblages.     

中国大陆多毛类猫耳衣属一新记录种(英文)

报道了猫耳衣属多毛类地衣一中国大陆新记录种——小黑猫耳衣(Leptogium trichophoroides),与其他国家和地区相比,该种在中国大陆具有更宽的海拔分布范围和稍大的子囊孢子。     

中国鳞叶衣属（鳞叶衣科）地衣

报道了中国鳞叶衣属Pannaria的11个种,其中包括6个中国新记录种：安第斯鳞叶衣P. andina、粒芽鳞叶衣P. elatior、多育鳞叶衣P. prolificans、多枝鳞叶衣P. ramulosa、灰棕鳞叶衣P. subfusca和密芽鳞叶衣P. tavaresii。本文对11个种的形态特征进行了描述和讨论,并提供了中国新记录种图片和中国鳞叶衣属物种检索表。     

猫耳衣属的2个亚洲新记录种(英文)

报道了猫耳衣属的2个亚洲新记录种——好望角猫耳衣(Leptogium capense)和拟糠猫耳衣(L.pseudofurfuraceum)。与其他国家和地区的文献报道相比,好望角猫耳衣在中国具有更高的海拔分布,拟糠猫耳衣具有较薄的地衣体。     

Three common bryophilous fungi with meristematic anamorphs and phylogenetic alliance to Teratosphaeriaceae,Capnodiales

Bryophilous ascomycetes are an overlooked and poorly known fungal group. In this study, the extreme and small-sized niche of Polytrichum piliferum hyaline leaf tips was screened for the presence of these fungi in Finland. Three closely related species were found. Bryochiton perpusillus and Bryochiton monascus were identified from several samples, and DNA isolations revealed a third closely related species, Bryochiton sp. In addition, melanised hyphae, typical to the Bryochiton species, were present in all the samples. According to phylogenetic analyses consisting of combined small subunit (SSU), large subunit (LSU), and 5.8S rDNA sequences, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences, the species showed affinity with Teratosphaeriaceae within Capnodiales, and especially with black, meristematic species often inhabiting rock substrate in extreme environments. The connection was supported by meristematic growth of the Bryochiton species in culture. Bryochiton is the second sexual genus associated within the family Teratosphaeriaceae, and B. perpusillus, and B. monascus constitute examples of teleomorphs within a group of meristematic anamorphs. These findings emphasize the multiform diversity underlying poorly researched fungal groups, such as the bryophilous fungi.     

A lectin from the lichenized Basidiomycete Dictyonema glabratum

A lectin with hemagglutinating activity has been isolated from an aqueous extract of the symbiotic phenotype of Dictyonema glabratum and its cyanobacterial photobiont Scytonema sp. The purified lectin had a pI of 6.8 and its molecular mass was investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, gel filtration and SDS-PAGE, which indicated its native conformation as a dimer formed by two identical subunits of 16540 Da. The lectin is a glycoprotein with a low degree of glycosylation, containing galactose, xylose, glucose and mannose as neutral monosaccharides, in addition to glucosamine, which could indicate both N - and O -linkages. Amino acid analysis showed the predominance of nonpolar residues such as phenylalanine. Agglutination of human erythrocytes required divalent cations, which is affected by addition of EDTA. The lectin was more stable at 30 °C or less for at least 1 h and between pH 5.0 and 7.0. Among the various compounds tested for hemagglutination inhibition, N -acetylgalactosamine was the most active. The potential role of this lectin in recognition of the compatible cyanobacterial photobiont is discussed.     

Eriodermin,a dichlorodepsidone from the lichen erioderma physcioides—crystal structure analysis

The structure of eriodermin, a depsidone from the lichen Erioderma physcioides, has been established as 4-formyl-2,7-dichloro-3-hydroxy-8-methoxy- 1,6-dimethyldi-benzo[b,e][1,4]dioxepin-11-one by X-ray analysis.     

PCR amplification and polymorphism analysis of the intergenic spacer region of ribosomal DNA in Tuber borchii

PCR amplification of the complete intergenic spacer region (IGS) of the Tuber borchii nuclear ribosomal repeat was obtained using universal primers CNL 12 and NS1rev. In order to improve amplification yield a specific primer, T1, was selected from a partial sequence of the IGS product. IGS diversity was characterized both at the intraindividual and intraspecific level. The results obtained at the intraindividual level showed 10% varying repeats on ten screened colonies, while at the intraspecific level the IGS polymorphism was evident as difference in length amplification between mycelial strains and fruit bodies: 3.5 kb and 2 kb respectively.     

Kroswia,a new genus in the Pannariaceae (lichenized ascomycetes)

Abstract:A characteristic, sterile lichen genus with homoiomerous thallus containing terpenoids is described, with one subtropical species, Kroswia crystalliferum sp. nov., occurring scattered in Africa from Kenya south to the Cape, southern India (with Sri Lanka) and Taiwan. Another temperate species, Kroswia gemmascens (Nyl.) comb. nov., is restricted to Eastern Asia. In spite of its gelatinous, homoiomerous thallus, the genus appears to belong to thePannariaceae .     

Plate tectonics and the distribution of cool temperate Southern Hemisphere macrolichens

GALLOWAY, D. J., 1988. Plate tectonics and the distribution of cool temperate Southern Hemisphere macrolichens. Several macrolichen genera in the families Lobariaceae and Pannariaceae speciate richly in cool temperate areas of the Southern Hemisphere between latitudes 35 and 55°S, being common in Nothofagus forests, subalpine shrubland, bog and grassland habitats. Affinities of southern cool temperate lichens are discussed in terms of plate tectonics and tectono-stratigraphic terranes.     

中国甲衣属地衣分类研究

报道了中国甲衣属Parmeliella 6种,其中小裂片甲衣P. appalachensis、喜马拉雅甲衣P. himalayana、刻边甲衣P. pannosa和甲衣P. thriptophylla 4个种为中国新记录。给出了这6个种的分类学特征、分布和检索表,以及4个中国新记录种的图片。     

Cobra venom contains a protein belongs to the CRISP family]

Amino acid sequences of several fragments of the 25 k protein (molecular mass 24,953 Da) previously isolated from cobra Naja kaouthia (Kukhtina et al. Bioorg. Khim., 2000, vol. 26, pp. 803-807) were determined. Their comparison with the primary structures of known proteins showed that the 25 k protein belongs to the CRISP family and is the first protein of this type identified in cobra venoms.     

Materials for the fungus flora of Japan (55)

From recent isolates of microfungi on soil materials collected at several localities in Japan, three onygenalean species are described and photographed as new to Japan:Aphanoascus durus, Kuehniella racovitzae, andShanorella spirotricha. (54) Yokoyama, T. and Nasu, H., Mycoscience41: 91–93, 2000.     

Diplomitoporus rimosus is found in Asia and belongs to the Hymenochaetales

Diplomitoporus rimosus is a white rot polypore widely distributed in western N America, collected once in Africa, and is reported here from Iran. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of partial nuclear ribosomal LSU and ITS revealed that, unlike the generic type D. flavescens nested within the polyporoid clade, D. rimosus is positioned in the hymenochaetoid clade. A new genus is introduced to accommodate the species. Cyanotrama gen. nov. is recognized by its resupinate habit, narrow and strongly cyanophilous skeletal hyphae, barrel-shaped to short clavate basidia, variable presence of hyphal pegs and growth on conifers, especially Juniperus. Comparisons are made with representatives of polypores having similar morphological characteristics especially with cyanophilous skeletals. The biogeography of Cyanotrama rimosa with regard to its association with Juniperus woodlands is discussed briefly.     

山东海岸木生海洋真菌的研究Ⅶ

从山东省渤海、黄海海域检查到4种海壳目真菌,分别为Aniptodera chesapeakensis、Ligninco lalaevis、Nais inornata、Natantispora retorquens,子囊孢子均为椭圆形、双胞、无色。本文对这4个种的形态学进行了描述和讨论。研究标本和菌种保存于青岛农业大学真菌学标本室(MHQAU)。     

Neocarpenteles: a new ascomycete genus to accommodate Hemicarpenteles acanthosporus

A new genus, Neocarpenteles, the Trichocomaceae (Eurotiales), and a new combination, N. acanthosporum, are proposed to accommodate Hemicarpenteles acanthosporus Udagawa et Takada. The fungus is characterized by sclerotioid, nonostiolate, unilocular stromata in which asci gradually produce, outward from the center, lenticular ascospores with two equatorial crests and convex surfaces ornamented by triangular ridges and microtubercles, and an Aspergillus anamorph with uniseriate aspergilla. It has the Q-10 system as the major ubiquinone. Received: May 1, 2001 / Accepted: July 4, 2001     

Phylogenetic and structural studies in the thelebolaceae (Ascomycota)

Several minute dung-inhabiting discomycetes have been classified in the family Thelebolaceae, which has traditionally been included in the order Pezizales. The non-operculate type-genusThelebolus has recently been excluded from the Pezizales. The phylogenetic distribution of other genera associated with Thelebolaceae is still obscure. We have analysed ca. 580 bp from a variable part of the nuclear SSU rRNA gene fromAscozonus, Caccobius, Lasiobolus andThecotheus, and compared these with ca. 1700 bp sequences fromThelebolus, Pleospora, Pezizales, leotiales and Leotiales-related taxa. In the resulting tree,Ascozonus andCaccobius group withThelebolus and the inoperculate discomycetes;Lasiobolus groups withAscodesmis, andThecotheus withAscobolus within Pezizales. SEM pictures of fruit-bodies and ascus apices ofAscozonus, and ascospores fromThecotheus are presented to illustrate characteristic features of these taxa. Submitting author: FAX: +47-22 85 46 64, TEL: +47-22 85 46 61.     

Pig lens glutathione S-transferase belongs to class Pi enzyme

Class Pi glutathione S-transferase was purified to homogeneity from pig lens cytosol. This enzyme was composed of two identical 22 kDa subunits and had isoelectric point of 8.5 from the results of SDS gel electrophoresis, gel filtration, amino acid sequence analysis and isoelectric focusing. Amino acid sequence of N-terminal 15 residues was almost identical to class Pi enzymes from human, rat and mouse. Antibody against the pig enzyme crossreacted to human glutathione S-transferase-pi and anti-rat glutathione S-transferase-P antibody crossreacted to pig enzyme.