Effect of Oil on the Population,Biomass, and Viability of Fungi in Highmoor Peats

Some microbiological parameters, such as the fungal mycelium length, the number of fungal spores, the distribution profiles of micromycetes, the viability of fungal propagules, the length distribution of micromycete hyphae, and the ratio between fungal spores and yeastlike cells, can be used to determine the degree of soil contamination with oil and the concentration that is inhibitory to micromycete complexes of highmoor peats.     

The structure of the micromycete complexes of oligotrophic peat deposits in the southern taiga subzone of West Siberia

The analysis of the micromycete complexes of oligotrophic peat deposits in the Vasyugan Marsh by direct count and culture methods showed that the micromycete carbon comprises no more than 3% of the total peat carbon and that the microscopic fungal biomass varies from 2 to 13 tons/hectare, depending on the season and the peat deposit thickness. Fungal spores were found in all layers of the peat deposits, whereas the mycelium was found only in the active peat layer. The high abundance of eukaryotic cells in the peats was due to the presence of yeastlike cells rather than fungal spores. Analyses by culture methods showed that micromycetes were present in all peat layers and that their abundance tended to decrease with depth, except for yeasts, which were uniformly distributed in a vertical direction. The micromycete complexes of the peat deposits were similar in the diversity and abundance of dominant species but differed in the composition of minor species. Peat yeasts were dominated by ascomycetes.     

The Structure of the Micromycete Complexes of Oligotrophic Peat Deposits in the Southern Taiga Subzone of West Siberia

The analysis of the micromycete complexes of oligotrophic peat deposits in the Vasyugan Marsh by direct count and culture methods showed that micromycete carbon comprises no more than 3% of the total peat carbon and that the microscopic fungal biomass varies from 2 to 13 tons/hectare, depending on the season and the peat deposit thickness. Fungal spores were found in all layers of the peat deposits, whereas the mycelium was found only in the active peat layer. The high abundance of eukaryotic cells in the peats was due to the presence of yeastlike cells rather than fungal spores. Analyses by culture methods showed that micromycetes were present in all peat layers and that their abundance tended to decrease with depth, except for yeasts, which were uniformly distributed in a vertical direction. The micromycete complexes of the peat deposits were similar in their diversity and abundance of dominant species but differed in the composition of minor species. Peat yeasts were dominated by ascomycetes.     

The survival of micromycetes and yeasts under the low-temperature plasma generated in electrical discharge

The fungicidal effect of low-temperature plasma generated by positive direct current discharge and its influence on the growth dynamics was evaluated on three micromycete species and yeast in water suspensions. The fungicidal effect was lower than analogous bactericidal effect and differs substantially among various fungal species. Together with the cidal effects, the slower growth of exposed fungal spores was observed.     

Study of chitin-glucan complexes from the soil micromycete Cephaliophora tropica D3

We studied chitin-glucan complexes from the soil micromycete Cephaliophora tropica D3. The yield and purity of chitin-glucan complexes depended on the medium used for micromycete culturing and the method of mycelium disintegration. Disintegration with liquid nitrogen allowed us to obtain preparations of chitin-glucan complexes with a low content of proteins and a high yield of chitosan (per dry fungal biomass unit weight).     

Complexes of soil micromycetes in the area of the influence of the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station]

Complexes of soil micromycetes in the Chernobyl 30-km zone of the Ukrainian Polesye were studied for 1986-1989 with regard for such ecological parameters as the level of radiation contamination, a particular observation site, depth of soil horizon and season. As a result of the study correlation pleiads of soil micromycete complexes have been revealed with their structure and fungal genera characteristic of such complexes determined. The overwhelming majority of correlation pleiads of fungal complexes are attributed to complex-organized ones and this indicated high radioresistance of mycobiota in the studied, soils. Melanine-containing genera of fungi rank among the first in formation of correlation pleiads of soil micromycete complexes.     

Study of chitin-glucan complexes from the soil micromycete <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cephaliophora tropica</Emphasis> D3

We studied chitin-glucan complexes from the soil micromycete Cephaliophora tropica D3. The yield and purity of chitin-glucan complexes depended on the medium used for micromycete culturing and the method of mycelium disintegration. Disintegration with liquid nitrogen allowed us to obtain preparations of chitin-glucan complexes with a low content of proteins and a high yield of chitosan (per dry fungal biomass unit weight).     

Comparison of fungicidal properties of non-thermal plasma produced by corona discharge and dielectric barrier discharge

The inactivation of four micromycete species by action of non-thermal plasma was followed. Two sources of plasma were compared, namely, positive corona discharge and dielectric barrier discharge. The corona discharge appeared as suitable for fungal spore inactivation in water suspension, whereas the barrier discharge inactivated spores on the surface of cultivation agar. Cladosporium sphaerospermum was the most sensitive, being inactivated within 10 min of exposure to plasma, whereas Aspergillus oryzae displayed decrease in viable cell count only, the complete inactivation was not achieved even after 40 min of exposure. Intermediate sensitivity was found for Alternaria sp. and Byssochlamys nivea. The significant delay of growth was observed for all fungi after exposure to sublethal dose of plasma, but we failed to express this effect quantitatively.     

Comparison of methods for estimating the biomass of three food-borne fungi with different growth patterns.

To evaluate the effectiveness of steps taken to reduce the growth of molds in food and feed, methods that can accurately quantify the degree of fungal contamination of solid substrates are needed. In this study, the ergosterol assay has been evaluated by comparing the results of this assay with spore counts and hyphal length measurements made with a microscope and with CFU counts. Three fungi with different growth patterns during cultivation on a synthetic agar substrate were used in these experiments. For the nonsporulating Fusarium culmorum, there was good agreement between changes in hyphal length, CFU, and ergosterol content. Penicillium rugulosum and Rhizopus stolonifer produced many spores, and the production of spores coincided with large increases in CFU but not with increases in hyphal length or ergosterol content. Spores constituted between 3 and 5% of the total fungal mass. Changes in ergosterol level were closely related to changes in hyphal length. It was concluded that ergosterol level is a suitable marker for use in quantitatively monitoring fungal growth in solid substrates.     

Fungal assemblages of submarine soils of the eastern Sakhalin shelf

This study reports on the biodiversity of facultative marine fungi in submarine soils of the eastern Sakhalin shelf for the first time. A total of 69 species that belong to 29 genera were isolated and identified. Fungal species associations of a freshened area and an oilfield adjacent to Piltun Bay were identified. The change in fungal species diversity along an environmental gradient was studied. This study showed that the adaptation of marine fungal assemblages to the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons in the environment was similar to that of micromycete communities of terrestrial soils.     

Biosynthesis of hydrolytic enzymes during cocultivation of macro- and micromycetes

Effects of co-cultivation of higher Basidiomycetes and Phycomycetes on the biosynthesis of cellulases, amylases, and proteases was studied. Four optimal pairs of fungal cultures were selected. Of these, three pairs belonged to higher fungi, and one pair was constituted by fungi of distinct ecological groups, a macromycete and a micromycete. The activities of amylase and protease were 1.5 to 2 times higher, and the activity of cellulase was lower during the growth of higher fungi associations. The mixed association of the macromycete Schizophyllum commune and the micromycete Mucor sp. was the most active producer of hydrolytic enzymes. During the growth of this mixed association, a fourfold and 1.5-fold increases were observed in the activity of endoglucanase and protease, respectively, paralleled by stimulation of amylase formation.     

Mycophagy by invasive wild boar (Sus scrofa) facilitates dispersal of native and introduced mycorrhizal fungi in Patagonia,Argentina

Fleshy hypogeous fungi produce scents that enable mycophagous mammals and invertebrates to locate them and disperse their spores. The European wild boar (Sus scrofa) was introduced in central Argentina in 1900s and later expanded into Patagonia. Here, we determined the diversity and abundance of fungal taxa, and the frequency of hypogeous fungal spores in wild boar feces in Patagonia. We collected fecal samples on Isla Victoria, Nahuel Huapi National Park, and identified fungi using microscope and DNA metabarcoding of ITS2 rDNA. Hypogeous fungal spores occurred in almost all fecal samples. The most abundant species belonged to the genera Hysterangium, Melanogaster, Radiigera and Gautieria. In addition to the symbiotrophic hypogeous taxa, we also identified numerous pathotrophic and saprotrophic taxa. Not only diverse native hypogeous fungi, but also introduced ones are part of the diet of the wild boar in forests of Patagonia. If viable, introduced fungi are being dispersed as far as 2.5 km from the nearest plantation, highlighting how the introduced wild boar might alter the local distribution and composition of fungal communities.     

Some components of the air spora in Jamaica and their possible medical application

A knowledge of the pollen and fungal spores which comprise the air spora is useful as a preliminary approach to the problem of respiratory allergy. Therefore, this study of the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the air spora was done. Fungal spores were found to be numerically dominant, comprising 97.73% whilst pollen comprised 0.40% of the total material observed. A small number of types made up the majority of the fungal air spora, namely, Cladosporium, the Sporobolomycetaceae group, Diatrype, Glomerella, hyaline and coloured basidiospores, and septate fusiform spores. Seasonal periodicity studies on twenty-five fungal types showed that a high number of spores were trapped for sixteen during wet months, four during cooler months, and that five showed no seasonal trends. Mean diurnal periodicity studies for the year on the same twenty-five spore types showed that all had a maximum number of spores trapped at some time during the day. Investigation of the effect of rainfall on the numbers of spores released showed that the amount and duration of rainfall, the time of day rain occurs, and the length of the dry period preceding rain were of varying importance to particular spore types.     

Spore dispersal of a resupinate ectomycorrhizal fungus, Tomentella sublilacina, via soil food webs

Patterns of fungal spore dispersal affect gene flow, population structure and fungal community structure. Many Basidiomycota produce resupinate (crust-like) basidiocarps buried in the soil. Although spores are actively discharged, they often do not appear to be well positioned for aerial dispersal. We investigated the potential spore dispersal mechanisms of one exemplar of this growth form, Tomentella sublilacina. It is a widespread ectomycorrhizal fungus that sporulates in the soil organic horizon, can establish from the spore bank shortly after disturbance, but also can be a dominant species in mature forest stands. We investigated whether its spores could be dispersed via spore-based food webs. We examined external surfaces, gut contents and feces from arthropod fungivores (mites, springtails, millipedes, beetles, fly larvae) and arthropod and vertebrate predators (centipedes, salamanders) from on and around T. sublilacina sporocarps. Spore densities were high in the guts of many individuals from all fungivore groups. Centipede gut contents, centipede feces and salamander feces contained undigested invertebrate exoskeletons and many apparently intact spores. DAPI staining of spores from feces of fungivores indicated that 7-73% of spores contained intact nuclei, whereas spores from predators had lower percentages of intact nuclei. The spiny spores often were lodged on invertebrate exoskeletons. To test the viability of spores that had passed through invertebrate guts we used fecal droppings of the millipede Harpaphe haydeniana to successfully inoculate seedlings of Pinus muricata (Bishop pine). These results indicate the potential for T. sublilacina spore dispersal via invertebrates and their predators in soil food webs and might help to explain the widespread distribution of this species. It is likely that this is a general mechanism of dispersal for fungi producing resupinate sporocarps, indicating a need to develop a fuller understanding of the linkages of soil food webs and spore dispersal.     

灵芝孢子粉在真菌性肠炎所致腹泻中的应用

目的了解真菌性肠炎所致腹泻的菌种分布特点,探索灵芝孢子粉对其的治疗效果。方法将110例腹泻患者的粪便直接涂片革兰染色镜检。查见较多真菌孢子和菌丝者进行分离鉴定,并采用灵芝孢子粉治疗。结果110例腹泻患者中查见真菌孢子及菌丝者62例;真菌分布白色假丝酵母菌占56．45％,克柔假丝酵母菌占16．13％,热带假丝酵母菌占14．52％,近平滑假丝酵母菌占6．45％,季也蒙假丝酵母菌占6．45％,用灵芝孢子粉治疗真菌性肠炎所致腹泻21d后有效率为96．77％。结论真菌性肠炎所致腹泻以白色假丝酵母菌感染为主,应用灵芝孢子粉治疗方法简单、安全、有效。     

Spatial variability of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores in two natural plant communities

Geostatistical techniques were used to assess the spatial patterns of spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in soils from two contrasting plant communities: a salt marsh containing only arbuscular mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants in a distinct clumped distribution pattern and a maquis with different types of mycorrhiza where most plants were relatively randomly distributed. Also evaluated was the relationship between the spatial distribution of spores and AM plant distribution and soil properties. A nested sampling scheme was applied in both sites with sample cores taken from nested grids. Spores of AMF and soil characteristics (organic matter and moisture) were quantified in each core, and core sample location was related to plant location. Semivariograms for spore density indicated strong spatial autocorrelation and a patchy distribution within both sites for all AM fungal genera found. However, the patch size differed between the two plant communities and AM fungal genera. In the salt marsh, AM fungal spore distribution was correlated with distance to AM plants and projected stand area of AM plants. In maquis, spatial AM fungal spore distribution was correlated with organic matter. These results suggest that spore distribution of AMF varied between the two plant communities according to plant distribution and soil properties.     

Survey of aerospora by Rotorod Sampler in Lucknow, India: qualitative and quantitative assessment

The monitoring of airborne pollen and fungal spores ofLucknow has been achieved using a Rotorod Sampler. 43types of pollen and 40 types of fungal spores havebeen recorded over a period of one year(January–December, 1997). Pollen and fungal sporecalendars have been constructed. Quantification of theaerospora will help in further understanding aeroallergens and the diagnosis and treatment ofvarious respiratory diseases.     

Gamma,Gaussian and logistic distribution models for airborne pollen grains and fungal spore season dynamics

The characteristics of a pollen season, such as timing and magnitude, depend on a number of factors such as the biology of the plant and environmental conditions. The main aim of this study was to develop mathematical models that explain dynamics in atmospheric concentrations of pollen and fungal spores recorded in Rzeszów (SE Poland) in 2000–2002. Plant taxa with different characteristics in the timing, duration and curve of their pollen seasons, as well as several fungal taxa were selected for this analysis. Gaussian, gamma and logistic distribution models were examined, and their effectiveness in describing the occurrence of airborne pollen and fungal spores was compared. The Gaussian and differential logistic models were very good at describing pollen seasons with just one peak. These are typically for pollen types with just one dominant species in the flora and when the weather, in particular temperature, is stable during the pollination period. Based on s parameter of the Gaussian function, the dates of the main pollen season can be defined. In spite of the fact that seasonal curves are often characterised by positive skewness, the model based on the gamma distribution proved not to be very effective.