Comparative characteristics of the bacterial complex in the hyphosphere of basidial macromycetes

A comparison of bacterial complexes from the hyphosphere of 33 basidial macromycetes species (typical representatives of forest biogeocenosis) has been studied. In addition, their similarity to the control soil bacterial complex has been investigated. The changes in the total number of bacteria, the proportion of the potentially viable cell number of saprotrophic bacteria, the structure of the bacterial saprotrophic complex, and the ratio of different phylogenetic groups of prokaryotes in the hyphosphere of basidial macromycetes were determined. A marked species-specific nature of the influence of basidial macromycetes on soil bacterial complexes was specified. Similarities in the saprotrophic bacterial complexes of aphyllophoroid and gasteroid in the hyphosphere of Basidiomycota were revealed.     

Biota of agaricoid and gasteriod basidiomycetes of dryad tundras of the Altai-Sayan mountain area (Southern Siberia)

As a result of a study of biotas of agaricoid and gasteriod fungi of dryad tundras of the Altai-Sayan mountain area, 80 species of macromycetes were found, 19 of which were found in Southern Siberia for the first time. Species of arctalpine (37.5% of species) and multizonal (22.5% of species) elements; Russullaceae, Cortinariaceae, and Strophariacea families; and Cortinarius, Inocybe, and Russula genera comprise the basis of micobiota. In the trophic specter, mycorrhiza-forming (56% of species) and humic saprotrophs (17.5% of species) dominate.     

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.     

West Siberian Latitudinal Xylomycological Scale and Its Use for Indicating Forest Conditions

A quantitative analysis of the aphyllophoroid macromycetes of Betula complex on 207 sites of the territory of the West Siberian Plain in the range from forest tundra to forest steppe allows us to determine the width of the zone and its patterns for the biota of xylotrophic fungi. It is shown that the width and structure of the zonal xylomycocomplexes is determined, first and foremost, by climatic factors, which are characterized by an expressed hydrothermal gradient. They influence fungi directly also by the formation of the forest stand corresponding to climate. The sequence of width and zone xylomycocomplex of the region is a scale for the indication of forest vegetation conditions and parameters of the forest stand of a particular timber stand. Possibilities of indication are expanded with the differentiation of the xylomycocomplex and, respectively, its width and zone scale on functional fractions of fungi (stem, peripheral, and wound types). The scale is used for assessing the condition of woods in the Numto Natural Park (northern taiga). For the characteristic of each site, coefficients of correlation of numerical structure of this mycocenos and the zone xylomycocomplex in the range from the forest tundra to the forest steppe were obtained and calculated for functional groups. The configuration of the growth spectral curves obtained in this way and their mutual position indicates the peculiarities of the hydrothermal regime of a plot; the influence of mechanical damages on tree stands; and their physiological conditions, completeness, quality, and age. It is shown that, according to the results of mycological indication, forest conditions of the Numto National Park forest plots damaged by fires and clearcuttings correspond to forest conditions of the zones to the south of the park. Regularities of the West Siberian latitude and zone xylomycological scale are characterized by a certain universality for the forest biome of Siberia, which is confirmed by similar regularities obtained during a study of elevation and zone distribution of the xylomycocomplex of Transbaikalia.     

Characterization of fungi associated with the nasal hairs of Molossid bats

Fungal pathogens have become a serious threat to wildlife, threatening populations of even once common, abundant species. We describe the mycobiota associated with the nasal hairs of three Molossid bat species, Cynomops planirostris, Molossus molossus, and Molossus rufus, in southwest Brazil. Bats were captured in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes. We cultured 22 fungal isolates from twelve individual bats. Sixteen sequences of the ITS region were obtained, yielding 11 unique sequence types from the genera Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Paecilomyces, and Penicillium. No obvious detrimental effects on the bats from the fungi were observed, although some species or genera that we identified are known pathogens in other species. This is the first report of such fungi associated with the nasal hairs of Molossid bats. Our results indicate the need for further research on the biodiversity, ecological role, and potential effects of this mycobiota on Molossid bats.     

Spatial Distribution of Species Diversity of Clavarioid Mycobiota in West Siberia

The results of a 20-year study of the spatial distribution of clavarioid mycobiota in the West Siberian Plain (WSP) are discussed. The species structure has been studied on two scales: regional (an area of 100000 km²) and local (100 km²). In the studied area, 121 species of clavarioid fungi are found. The patterns of spatial variability of species diversity on the plain are revealed. On the regional scale, the maximum species richness of fungi is observed in hemiboreal forests (104 species); on the local scale it ranges from the middle boreal to hemiboreal (54.3–54.5 species). With the increasing pessimality of the hydrothermal regime, the number of species decreases sharply on both scales in the direction of the tundra and steppes. The study of the distribution of diversity among the localities reveals changes not only along the latitudinal gradient, but also in the longitude sectors: in the forest zone, the richest localities are located on the western and eastern edges of the plain, while in the extensive marshy areas in the center the number of species is lower (p < 0.05). A map of the spatial distribution of species diversity for the local scale is constructed. The correspondence of the spatial distribution of the studied fungi group to a global latitudinal gradient is discussed. The main abiotic factors forming a variety of the studied group of fungi in the region are revealed.     

Prospects for the Management of Invasive Alien Weeds Using Co-Evolved Fungal Pathogens: A Latin American Perspective

Invasive alien weeds pose a serious threat to the biodiversity of natural ecosystems and a significant constraint to agricultural production worldwide. The use of co-evolved natural enemies, a strategy referred to as classical biological control (CBC), has proven to be a potentially efficacious, cost-effective, and safe option for the management of alien weeds. An analysis of CBC of invasive weeds in Latin America is presented, which shows that only 5% of the worldwide releases of agents, overwhelmingly arthropod, have been in this region. Fungal pathogens are increasingly being considered in CBC programmes, and there are now 11 examples of Latin American fungi having been released as biocontrol agents in other regions of the world. In contrast, only three weed pathogens have been deliberately released in the region. Possible reasons for the paucity of CBC programmes in Latin America are presented, despite the presence of a significant number of alien weed species (60 are listed). An analysis of these weeds reveals that many of them could be amenable to control using natural enemies, including nine weed species for which CBC programmes have been successfully implemented elsewhere in the world. In addition, for many of these 60 species, a co-evolved and damaging mycobiota has already been recorded. The prospects for management of invasive alien weeds in Latin America, using co-evolved fungal pathogens, are assessed with particular reference to selected species from the genera Ambrosia, Broussonetia, Calotropis, Commelina, Cyperus, Dichrostachys, Echinochloa, Pittosporum, Rottboellia, Rubus, Sonchus and Ulex. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Substrate specialization of wood-decay aphyllophoroid fungi in the pine forests of the right riverside of the Ob headwaters

Substrate specialization of 196 species of wood-decay aphyllophoroid fungi has been studied in the pine forests of the right riverside of the Ob headwaters. Distribution of fungi species on deciduous and coniferous trees is bearing on the types of rot caused by them and on the character of substrate. The largest number of the species of wood-deacay fungi develop on forest-forming tree species. The majority of fungi, chiefly causing white rot develop on deciduous tress.     

Spatial heterogeneity of the species composition of a clavarioid fungi’s compex in the Eurasian Arctic

Using the example of a model group of macromycete (clavarioid fungi), a large-scale investigation into the mycological complex of the Eurasian Arctic is conducted. The species composition of clavarioid fungi’s complex is revealed in all longitudinal sectors and latitudinal subzones, and a comparative analysis is carried out. It has been determined that, among groups of aphyllophoroid fungi, the clavarioid life form is the most adapted to the extremally psychrophilic conditions of the Arctic. It is shown that the near-oceanic sectors are the richest, whereas the continental sectors are much poorer. The distribution of the species composition of fungi conforms to the similar distribution of flowering plants, especially hemicryptophytes. The average annual quantity of atmospheric precipitation is the leading climatic factor. The differences make it possible to subdivide the Eurasian Arctic into four mycogeographical regions: Atlantic (European), Siberian, Chukotian (Beringian), and High Arctic.     

Agarics, clavarioid and some heterobasidiomycetous fungi from Northern Thailand

51 species of agaricoid, clavarioid, and heterobasidiomycetous fungi are recorded from Thailand. 40 species are new to the area. Hohenbuehelia panelloides Hoiland sp. nov. is described and Leccinum intusrubens (Corner) Hoiland comb. nov. is proposed. Comments are given on vernacular names.     

The secotioid form of Lentinus tigrinus: genetics and development of a fungal morphological innovation

Secotioid fungi resemble gasteromycetes, but are presumably closely related to agaricoid fungi. Lentinus tigrinus is a wood-decaying mushroom that has both a secotioid and an agaricoid form. We examined ontogeny and heritability of the secotioid phenotype in L. tigrinus with a combination of formal genetic crosses, scanning electron microscopy, and macroscopic observation of cultured sporocarps. For F1 analysis, we crossed single-spore isolates (SSIs) representing four mating types derived from a secotioid dikaryon and four mating types from an agaricoid dikaryon. All F1 sporocarps had typical agaricoid morphology. For F2 analysis, 200 SSIs from one F1 sporocarp and 100 SSIs from another F1 sporocarp were backcrossed to tester SSIs from sporocarps produced by the parental secotioid dikaryon. Ratios of secotioid to agaricoid dikaryons thus produced were 47:49 and 84:109, which confirms previous reports that the secotioid phenotype is conferred by a recessive allele at a single locus (χ² = 0.0417, P > 0.05, χ² = 3.2383, P > 0.05, respectively). Early ontogeny of the secotioid form is indistinguishable from that of the agaricoid form. Later, the hymenophore is obscured by a weft of hyphae that proliferates from the margins of the developing lamellae. Longevity of the sporocarps and rate and duration of sporocarp growth are approximately equal in the secotioid and agaricoid forms. Developmental evolution of the secotioid form is interpreted as an example of von Baerian differentiation, rather than paedomorphosis, which has been implicated in evolution of other secotioid taxa.     

Spatial-typological differentiation of clavarioid mycobiota in Northern Eurasia

The spatial heterogeneity of mycobiota species composition has been studied. Clavarioid fungi are used as a model group for mycobiota zonation of Northern Eurasia. The differences in the classification of mycobiota of these fungi resulting from the used coefficients of similarity, aggregation algorithms, and opinions of different interpreters are shown. A method of combining different classifications is proposed. A further study on a larger number of fungal groups would be more representative and would contribute to the creation of a unified biogeographic zonation of Northern Eurasia.     

First inventory of aphyllophoroid basidiomycetes of Zagros forests,W Iran

Zagros is a mountainous region in Western Asia, extending roughly along the western borders of Iran. Knowledge on aphyllophoroid fungi in the region is very scanty, and no survey has been made in the area. As part of an inventory of aphyllophoroids in selected protected areas in Zagros region, 32 species belonging to 6 orders, 11 families, and 25 genera are reported for the first time from Zagros. Botryobasidium robustius, Corticium endoxylon, C. erikssonii, C. lombardiae, C. meridioroseum, Eichleriella leucophaea, Phellinus rimosus, Phlebia bresadolae, and Sanghuangporus lonicerinus are newly reported from Iran. The nuclear ribosomal ITS barcode sequences are provided for 14 species (including five species sequenced for the first time), and 28S rDNA LSU sequences are given for three species. Most of the identified species belong to the orders Polyporales and Hymenochaetales.     

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.     

Influence of Forest Management on the Species Richness and Composition of Wood-inhabiting Basidiomycetes in Swiss Forests

In order to investigate the diversity of wood-inhabiting aphyllophoroid basidiomycetes in Swiss forests, 86 plots of 50 m ² were established. They harboured a total of 3339 samples of woody debris, classified according to three categories (coarse, fine, and very fine woody debris), yielding 238 species of wood-inhabiting fungi. The selected sites cover the main forest types of Switzerland and various degrees of management intensity. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that substrate variation, i.e. differences in the quality of dead wood, including volume, age, degree of decomposition and host tree species, are the most important factors influencing diversity of wood-inhabiting fungi. In addition, a Principle Coordinate Analysis highlighted differences in the fungal communities in the different forest types. The greatest fungal species richness is found on thermophilic deciduous tree and woody shrub species. Fine and very fine woody debris, even present in intensively managed forests, often serve as important refuges for many species. Forests with a recent management intervention were found to be either species poor or species rich. Possible reasons for these differences may lay in forest size and landscape fragmentation, the distance to the nearest species pool or microclimatic factors. In Switzerland intensively managed forests harbour significantly less wood-inhabiting, aphyllophoroid fungi than non-managed or extensively managed forests. This is the case in both deciduous forests and in conifer forests. However, occasionally intensively managed forest will also harbour rare and endangered species.     

Interactions between alien plant species traits and habitat characteristics in agricultural landscapes in Finland

The survival and success of alien plant species is determined by species traits (i.e., invasiveness) and the characteristics of the habitats in the region of introduction (i.e., invasibility). However, little is known about species traits as related to habitat characteristics. We assessed the characteristics of successful invaders and the interaction of environmental factors and life-history traits for alien plant species. The vascular plants were recorded from 52 agricultural landscapes in Finland. We compared the traits of native and alien plant species with Fisher’s exact test and used a three table ordination analysis, RLQ analysis, to relate species traits to environmental conditions. Species were clustered according to their position on the RLQ axes, and the clusters were tested for phylogenetic independence. The successful alien plant species were associated with life form and preferences for moisture and nitrogen, but the trait composition varied according to the habitat type. Two RLQ axes explained 80.5% of the variation, and the species traits were significantly associated with environmental variables. The clustering showed that the occurrence of alien plant species in agricultural habitats was driven by invasion history, traits related to dispersal (dispersal type, seed mass) and habitat preferences, as well as environmental features, such as geographical location, temperature and the quality and disturbance regime of the habitats. All clusters were phylogenetically non-independent. Thus, the clusters of alien species comprised species of diverse taxonomic affinities, although, they shared the traits explaining their occurrence in particular habitats. This information is useful for understanding the link between species traits and the environmental conditions of the habitats, and complexity of the invasion process.     

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.     

西藏鹅膏菌属的分布特征

西藏地区已知鹅膏菌属(Amanita)真菌28种。西藏东南部的生态环境有利于该属种类的繁殖生长,约有90%以上的种集中分布在这里,同时反映了十分明显的垂直分布和对高山的适应特征。绝大多数种分布在海拔2500～3500m的森林带。另外该属全部种均属树木的外生菌根菌。本文还将鹅膏菌属的菌托初步划分为袋状型(Saccate type)、浅杯型(Vadosocupulatetype)、领口型(Collared type)、颗粒型(易碎型Granulate type)、小托型(Microvolvate type)、粉托型(Pulverulent type)等六种类型,并简要讨论了各种菌托类型与所处生态环境的适应性。     

The alien flora of Kashmir Himalaya

Compilation of alien flora from phytogeographically distinct regions is of immediate relevance not only for better understanding the patterns of plant invasion but also for explicating the processes promoting invasion at local, regional or global scales. Despite being at higher risk of invasion by plants because of its European colonial past, south Asia has received very little attention in respect of characterization of its alien flora. This paucity of baseline data necessitated compilation of the first catalogue of alien flora from the Kashmir Himalaya—a phytogeographically distinct south Asian region nestled in the northwestern folds of Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Total alien flora of the region is represented by 571 plant species, belonging to 352 genera and 104 families. It constitutes a relatively higher (29%) proportion of the total flora of the region. Families with largest number of alien representatives are Poaceae (60 species), Asteraceae (54 species), and Brassicaceae (30 species). However, families such as Amaranthaceae (83%) and Chenopodiacae (71%) show higher percentage of aliens relative to their total number of plant species in the region. Most of the alien plant species (38%) trace their origin to Europe, followed by Asia (27%) and Africa (15%). Present study also reports, for the first time, occurrence of seven plant species in this region. Each alien plant species is provided with information on the origin, habit, mode/purpose of introduction, current invasion status, altitudinal range and the primary published source.