Australian Fungi Research Articles

Australian fungi in the genus Cortinarius as a source for new photosensitizers

Australian fungi in the genus Cortinarius as a source for new photosensitizers

Enhancing repository fungal data for biogeographic analyses

Open-access occurrence data are useful for studying spatial patterns of fungi, but often have quality issues. These include errors in taxonomy and geo-coordinates, and incomplete coverage across areas and taxonomic groups. We identify 15 quality issues that can lead to incorrect biogeographic inference, and develop a reproducible pipeline that flags and removes problematic entries. This pipeline tests accuracy of geographic records and names. Then, if information on non-native status is unavailable or unreliable, it detects non-native species via a predictive model. Finally, it identifies spatial and environmental outliers and removes them when biologically improbable. We test the pipeline by cleaning data for Australian fungi, with 251,642 records retained after cleaning the initial 1,034,601 records. Exploratory analysis showed that the cleaned data is useful for analyses such as biogeographic regionalisation, but recording gaps and lack of saturation in collection effort also caution that more surveys are needed to improve collection completeness. • Open-access fungal biodiversity data have geographic and taxonomic quality issues. • We develop a reproducible pipeline to flag and remove problematic data. • The pipeline also detects non-native species using a predictive model. • We use the pipeline to produce a cleaned dataset for Australian fungi. • The cleaned data reveal bioregional patterns, but gaps in sampling exist.

Continental-scale metagenomics, BLAST searches, and herbarium specimens: The Australian Microbiome Initiative and the National Herbarium of Victoria.

PremiseMotivated to make sensible interpretations of the massive volume of data from the Australian Microbiome Initiative (AusMic), we characterize the soil mycota of Australia. We establish operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from the data and compare these to GenBank and a data set from the National Herbarium of Victoria (MEL), Melbourne, Australia. We also provide visualizations of Agaricomycete diversity, drawn from our analyses of the AusMic sequences and taxonomy.MethodsThe AusMic internal transcribed spacer (ITS) data were filtered to create OTUs, which were searched against the National Center for Biotechnology Information Nucleotide database and the MEL database. We further characterized a portion of our OTUs by graphing the counts of the families and orders of Agaricomycetes. We also graphed AusMic species determinations for Australian Agaricomycetes against latitude.ResultsOur filtering process generated 192,325 OTUs; for Agaricomycetes, there were 27,730 OTUs. Based on the existing AusMic taxonomy at species level, we inferred the diversity of Australian Agaricomycetes against latitude to be lowest between −20 and −25 decimal degrees.DiscussionBLAST comparisons provided reciprocal insights between the three data sets, including the detection of unusual root‐associated species in the AusMic data, insights into mushroom morphology from the MEL data, and points of comparison for the taxonomic determinations between AusMic, GenBank, and MEL. This study provides a tabulation of Australian fungi, different visual snapshots of a subset of those taxa, and a springboard for future studies.

The significance of mycological contributions by Lothar Becker

Warning Readers of this article are warned that it may contain terms, descriptions and opinions that are culturally sensitive and/or offensive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Silesian-born Lothar Becker spent two periods in Australia, during which he made observations on a range of natural history topics, including fungi—a group of organisms rarely noticed by contemporary naturalists. Becker compiled notes, sketches and collections of Australian fungi that he sent to Elias Fries in Sweden for identification. Unfortunately, this material has not survived, but Becker’s accounts of his time in Australia, especially that published in Das Ausland in 1873, contain remarkable first-hand observations, including some on exotic fungi. Becker’s article is one of the earliest stand-alone analyses of the affinities of the Australian mycota. Remarks on the use of fungi by Aboriginal peoples of south-eastern Australia are particularly significant, due to inclusion of a word presumed to be from Aboriginal language and the suggestion of gendered roles in the collection of edible fungi.

Antibacterial and antifungal screening of natural products sourced from Australian fungi and characterisation of pestalactams D–F

Eighteen natural products sourced from Australian micro- or macro-fungi were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activity. This focused library was comprised of caprolactams, polyamines, quinones, and polyketides, with additional large-scale isolation studies undertaken in order to resupply previously identified compounds. Chemical investigations of the re-fermented culture from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. yielded three caprolactam analogues, pestalactams D–F, along with larger quantities of the known metabolite pestalactam A, which was methylated using diazomethane to yield 4-O-methylpestalactam A. The chemical structures of the previously undescribed fungal metabolites were determined by analysis of 1D/2D NMR and MS data. The structure of 4-O-methylpestalactam A was confirmed following single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of all compounds was assessed, which identified three compounds, (1S,3R)-austrocortirubin, (1S,3S)-austrocortirubin, and 1-deoxyaustrocortirubin with mild activity (100μM) against Gram-positive isolates and one compound, 2-hydroxy-6-methyl-8-methoxy-9-oxo-9H-xanthene-1-carboxylic acid, with activity against Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii at 50μM.

Invasion potential and host shifts of Australian and African ectomycorrhizal fungi in mixed eucalypt plantations

• Transportation of forestry materials results in unintended co-introduction of nonnative species that may cause enormous ecological or economic damage. While the invasion ecology of plants and animals is relatively well-known, that of microorganisms, except aboveground pathogens, remains poorly understood. • This work addresses host shifts and invasion potential of root symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungi that were co-introduced with Australian eucalypts and planted in clear-cut miombo woodlands in Zambia, south-central Africa. • By use of rDNA and plastid intron sequence analysis for identification and phylogenetic techniques for inferring fungal origin, we demonstrated that host shifts were uncommon in the Australian fungi, but frequent in the African fungi, especially in mixed plantations where roots of different trees intermingle. • There was evidence for naturalization, but not for invasion by Australian ectomycorrhizal fungi. Nevertheless, the fungi introduced may pose an invasion risk along with further adaptation to local soil environment and host trees. Inoculation of eucalypts with native edible fungi may ameliorate the potential invasion risks of introduced fungi and provide an alternative source of nutrition.

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts derived from Australian fungi inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro

Fifteen Australian macrofungi were investigated for cytotoxic activity. Ethanol, cold and hot water extracts of each species were screened for cytotoxic activity against normal mouse fibroblast cells (NIH/3T3), healthy human epithelial kidney cells (HEK-293), four cancer cell lines, gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS), two mammary gland adenocarcinoma cells (MDA-MB-231, MCF7) and colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29) with a validated MTT assay. Most extracts derived from Omphalotus nidiformis, Cordyceps cranstounii and Cordyceps gunnii demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity toward a variety of cancer cell lines. In contrast only some extracts from Coprinus comatus, Cordyceps hawkesii, Hypholoma fasciculare, Lepista nuda, Leratiomyces ceres and Ophiocordyceps robertsii displayed significant cytotoxic activity, which was usually selective for only one or two cancer cell lines tested. The least cytotoxic species evaluated in this study were Agaricus bitorquis, Coprinopsis atrametaria, Psathyrella asperospora, Russula clelandii, Tricholoma sp. AU2 and Xerula mundroola.

Lessons from the tropics – plant diversity, unusual and changeable plant pathology, horizontal resistance, and the plight of farmers

It is a great honour to be asked to pay tribute to DanielMcAlpine, the first government plant pathologist inVictoria and the father of the science of plant pathology inAustralia. From 1889 to 1911 he published six beautifully illustrated and comprehensive books – ‘Fungus diseases of citrus trees in Australia’ (McAlpine 1889), ‘Systematic arrangement of Australian fungi’ (McAlpine 1895), ‘Fungus diseases of stone-fruit trees in Australia’ (McAlpine 1902), ‘The rusts of Australia’ (McAlpine 1906), ‘The smuts of Australia’ (McAlpine 1910), and ‘Handbook of fungus diseases of the potato in Australia’ (McAlpine 1911) – that are still useful today. Employed by the government in a permanent job and trusted to get on and do the work unencumbered by bureaucracy, hewas incredibly productive.One of the great impediments to the conduct of science in Australia today is the lack of permanent positions for scientists, evident in our own profession of crop protection. With the privatisation of government functions under economic ‘rationalism’, science was one of the areas in which governments reduced their support.Henceforth, sciencewas to be supported by grants from the industries that were expected to benefit from it. This has meant that our best and brightest young scientists, following about 8 years of dedicated education in science (a 4-year first degree followed by about 4 years for a PhD), are forced to subsist on an endless round of short-term contracts of uncertain future. They do not have the security of a continuing job in, for example, aDepartment ofAgriculture or the CSIRO, as the graduates of my generation in the 1970s had. This is an insult to these highly educated and dedicated young people, whocan spendyears going fromone3-year post-doctoral position to another before finally getting a permanent position; often they have to move from research into administration to finally gain some security. This discourages bright young people from taking up science, and it ensures that research is concentrated on shortterm problems of dubious worth, rather than fostering the longterm research that is really needed in most fields. This is holding back scientific research in Australia. It is nonsense. Governments must get back into the business of providing careers in science, as they did so well from Daniel McAlpine’s appointment in 1890 until the 1990s.

Biodeterioration of treated Pinus radiata timber by Australian decay fungi and the termite Coptotermes acinaciformis in laboratory bioassays and field conditions

Abstract The resistance of Pinus radiata sapwood blocks treated with a boron-based preservative to biodeterioration by five Australian wood destroying fungi [Fomitopsis lilacino-gilva, Coniophora olivacea, Gloeophyllum abietinum (boron resistant), Serpula lacrymans and Perenniporia tephropora] was investigated. A phenyl pyrazole termiticide (fipronil) was also incorporated into the formulation to determine whether its presence affects biological efficacy. A linseed oil, liquid wax, terebene and trimethyl borate formulation inhibited decay by the trial fungi. Incorporation of fipronil did not affect the fungicidal properties. Fipronil alone exhibited no fungicidal activity. The termiticidal activity of fipronil was assessed (termite field test) in a formulation incorporating a fungicide, water repellent and drying agent in an alternative solvent carrier to that previously reported. The biological activity of the test compound was not diminished in this system. The 1-year progress performance of an ongoing in ground graveyard trial of similarly treated stakes, exposed to numerous termite species and decay fungi in tropical field conditions, is also presented. The predominant biological agent at the field site is the Australian subterranean termite Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt). Treated stake samples of the Australian softwood Pinus radiata were exposed.

Conservation of New Zealand and Australian fungi

Until recently, fungi have been omitted from conservation initiatives in New Zealand and Australia, despite their importance to biodiversity, to ecosystem functioning, and to humanity. Whole ecosystem conservation has been assumed to encompass fungi along with other biota. In a renewed assessment of threat status by the New Zealand Department of Conservation, 49 species of fungi have been accorded the highest threat category and are considered to be “nationally critical” several of these are discussed as case studies. In Australia, ten species and one community of fungi are listed under various legislation at the Federal and State level; case studies of six Australian species are presented. A majority of Australasian fungal species are known from very few collections, often restricting conclusions about their conservation status. Proposals towards effective conservation of Australasian fungi are outlined, and priorities presented for allocation of additional resources.

Preface to 'Biodiversity and biogeography of Australian fungi'

The ascomycetes of Australia are generally poorly known. Some major contributions to their study last century are those of G. Beaton and G. Weste, C. G. Hansford, K. D. Hyde and co-workers, J. Kohlmeyer and H. J. Swart. A preliminary list of more than 1657 Australian ascomycete species was located in an extensive search of the literature. The Australian Meliolaceae, Mycosphaerellaceae and Xylariaceae are relatively well known. Most ascomycete records are in the genera Meliola, Hypoxylonand Xylaria. Comprehensive treatments of Australian ascomycetes can be found in the monographs of the genera Anthostomella, Didymosphaeria, Hypoxylonand Massarina and Orders Heliotales and Pezizales. Freshwater and marine ascomycetes and ascomycetes associated with plant diseases have been relatively well studied. There is also a relatively large amount of literature on the ascomycetes occurring on palms. Ascomyceteous pathogens may be host specific (e.g. Mycosphaerella, Phyllachoraspp.) or probable generalists (e.g. Diaporthe, Glomerellaspp.). Saprobes are less likely to be host-specific, but examples from palms indicate that several species may exhibit a host genus preference. Biogeographical distributions of ascomycetes on Archontophoenix alexandrae indicate that when a plant is removed from its native surroundings (e.g. a rainforest) and planted elsewhere (e.g. in botanical gardens) it looses its endemic fungal population and ubiquituous fungi move in and fill the niche of these lost fungi. Most ascomycetes are inconspicuous and poorly collected. Studies on most of the larger families are already in progress. Therefore, a habitat approach is recommended for future Australian ascomycete studies. This can provide data on biodiversity, ecology and the roles of the fungi and specimens can be lodged in herbaria for future taxonomic studies.

Common Australian fungi: a bushwalker's guide

This edition incorporates changes to taxonomy and species descriptions that have occurred since the previous edition was published in 1994. For ease of use, the book is divided into section: fungi in the bushland, fungi and people, poisonous and edible fungi, the study of fungi, and species descriptions.

Australasian truffle-like fungi. IX. History and current trends in the study of the taxonomy of sequestrate macrofungi from Australia and New Zealand

Australian sequestrate macrofungi have not been studied extensively until recently, even though their presence in Australia was recognised over 120 years ago by Baron Ferdinand von Mueller in connection with mycophagy by marsupials. The early mycological history in Australia is linked to the first expeditions and collections of plant material by naturalists from 1790 to 1830. These collections were sent to, and described by, foreign mycologists such as the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, the Rev. C. Kalchbrenner and E. M. Fries. M. C. Cooke's (1892) Handbook of Australian Fungi was the first attempt at compiling an Australian mycoflora. D. McAlpine and L. Rodway were the first resident collectors to expand on the information collated by Cooke. Later, G. H. Cunningham (1944) wrote The Gasteromycetes of New Zealand and Australia, bringing together the taxonomy of all known sequestrate macrofungi in the region. By 1895 approximately 2000 species of fungi had been recorded from Australia, 32 of them sequestrate. Recent intensive efforts in limited habitats have expanded our knowledge considerably, with more than 600 new species of sequestrate fungi recorded over the past 7 years. Many more remain to be discovered in Australia and New Zealand and knowledge of their biology and ecology needs to be developed.

Consideration of the taxonomy and biodiversity of Australian ectomycorrhizal fungi

Mycorrhiza management in forestry must be predicated on an understanding of fungal biology and ecology. A fundamental building block of the biology and ecology of any organism is accurate identification and an understanding of its relationship to other organisms.

Furculomyces, a new homothallic genus of Harpellales (Trichomycetes) from Australian midge larvae

A new genus, Furculomyces, is established for two Australian species of trichomycete gut fungi that live in the hindguts of aquatic Chironomidae (Diptera) larvae. The new genus is based primarily on the sexual apparatus consisting of a swollen pair of homothallic conjugants that resemble a wishbone, from which develops a slightly bent biconical zygospore. The type species, Furculomyces boomerangus comb, no v. (basionym: Smittium boomerangum) has been found in Victorian and Tasmanian midges, whereas the new species, Furculomyces westraliensis, is from a midge species in southern Western Australia. These species support other evidence that native Australian gut fungi have a provincial distribution. Key words: Australian, Chironomidae, fungi, Furculomyces, Harpellales, Trichomycetes.

Austrocortilutein stereoisomers from Australian fungi of the genus Dermocybe

(1 R,3 R)-Austrocortilutein, (1 R,3 S)-austrocortilutein and ( S)-1-deoxyaustrocortilutein have been isolated from Australian toadstools belonging to the genus Dermocybe; all four stereoisomers of austrocortilutein (1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methyl-9,10-anthracenedione) and both enantiomers of 1-deoxyaustrocortilutein are now known as natural products.

Austrocortilutein stereoisomers from Australian fungi of the genus Dermocybe

Austrocortilutein stereoisomers from Australian fungi of the genus Dermocybe

Colony descriptions, conidium morphology, and the effect of temperature on colony growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from Stylosanthes spp. growing in several countries

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolates from anthracnose lesions on Stylosanthes spp. growing in Australia, South-east Asia, Africa and Latin America were examined in vitro for colony growth characteristics, conidium morphology, and growth rates at a range of temperatures. Colony growth and conidium morphology varied widely but two distinct groups were separated mainly by conidium uniformity. One group comprised isolates from anthracnose blight lesions on S. guianensis while the other was from more discrete anthracnose symptoms on a range of Stylosanthes spp. Conidia from the former group were more variable in both size and shape than the latter. The described conidium size range of C. gloeosporioides causing Stylosanthes anthracnose should be extended to between 5 and 35 μm long × 2·5 and 7·5 μm wide. Growth rates also varied between the two groups within global regions supporting the subdivision of this C. gloeosporioides complex. There was some evidence that the Australian and South-east Asian fungi could be grouped separately from the Latin American and African fungi. This reinforces the need for strict quarantine on the movement of Stylosanthes, particularly between these regions.

Effective use in livestock feeds of mouldy and weather-damaged grain containing mycotoxins—case histories and economic assessments pertaining to pig and poultry industries of Queensland

Mould growth in field crops or stored grain reduces starch and lipid content, with consequent increases in fibre, and an overall reduction in digestible energy; palatability is often adversely affected. If these factors are allowed for, and mycotoxin concentrations are low, there are sound economic reasons for using this cheaper grain. Mycotoxins are common in stock feed but their effects on animal productivity are usually slight because either the concentration is too low or the animal is tolerant to the toxin. In Australia, aflatoxins occur in peanut by-products and in maize and sorghum if the grain is moist when stored. Zearalenone is found in maize and in sorghum and wheat in wetter regions. Nivalenol and deoxynivalenol are found in maize and wheat but at concentrations that rarely affect pigs, with chickens and cattle being even more tolerant. Other mycotoxins including cyclopiazonic acid, T-2 toxin, cytochalasins and tenuazonic acid are produced by Australian fungi in culture but are not found to be significant grain contaminants. Extremely mouldy sorghum containing Alternaria and Fusarium mycotoxins decreased feed conversion in pigs and chickens by up to 14%. However, E moniliforme- and Diplodia maydis-infected maize produced only slight reductions in feed intake by pigs and Ustilago-infected barley produced no ill effects. Use of these grains would substantially increase profits if the grain can be purchased cheaply.

The Preiss collection of Western Australian fungi

The Preiss collection of Western Australian fungi