Coelomycetous Fungus Research Articles

A new species of <I>Leptostroma</I> on <I>Pinus henryi</I> from China

A coelomycetous fungus found on dead fallen secondary needles of Pinus henryi from Shennongjia forestry region of Hubei Province, China, is described, illustrated, and discussed. Habitat, morphology, and conidial development place it in the Rhytismataceae. It differs from other members of this family on the same substratum by having conidiomata with upper walls more than one cell thick, and is formally named as Leptostroma magnum sp. nov. Its conservation status is evaluated as Data Deficient. The type specimen is deposited in the Reference Collection of Forest Fungi of Anhui Agricultural University, China (AAUF).

Notes on Pyrenomycetes and Coelomycetes from North Lithuania

The paper presents ihe localities of pyrenomycelous and coelomycetous fungi. Forty three are reported as new to the mycoflora of Lithuania, among them are <i>Discosia faginea, D. strobilina, Eutypa astroidea, Gibbera cassandrae, Gloeosporium saponariae, Hypoxylon atropurpureum, H. mammafum, Myxoeyclus polycistis, Mycosphaerella pontederiae, Phyllosticta coryli, P. lantanae, P. pirina</i>. Microfungi have been collected on 62 species of host plants.

The Phylogenetic Placement ofEriosporella bambusicolasp. nov. inCapnodiales

A new species of Eriosporella, E. bambusicola, is described from bamboo in Northern Thailand. Eriosporella is monotypic genus of coelomycetous fungi known from palms and bamboo and characterized by hyaline conidia which have a short basal cell and three slender divergent apical arms. Maximum-likelihood and maximum parsimony analyses of combined LSU and SSU rDNA sequence data set show E. bambusicola to belong to the Capnodiales where it forms a cluster with Pseudoramichloridium. Its relationships with other genera are unresolved and therefore considered as Capnodiales incertae sedis. The tree needs to be better populated with sequence data from more related species to clarify the familial placement of this genus.

Truncatella angustata associated with grapevine trunk disease in northern Iran

In recent years, grapevine trunk diseases have gained growing attentions due to worldwide incidence of the disease. In a survey on fungal agents associated with grapevine trunk diseases in northern Iran, wood samples were collected from grapevines having the symptoms of declination. Isolation was made using routine plant pathology methods. A coelomycetous fungus with appendage-bearing conidia was recovered from symptomatic tissues. Based on morphological and cultural characteristics, the causal agent of the disease was identified as Truncatella angustata. The identity of the species was further confirmed by sequence data of internal transcribed spacer-rDNA region. A phylogeny inferred using sequence data obtained in this study, together with the sequences from GenBank, clustered our isolates together with T. angustata known from other host plant species. Pathogenicity tests performed on detached shoots of grapevines led to the same symptoms as observed in field conditions. This is first study on the pathogenicity of T. angustata on grapevine in Iran and first report on the occurrence of T. angustata on grapevine in Iran.

Coelomycete Fungi in the Clinical Lab

Most human mycoses are incited by fungi that replicate by the production of asexual propagules (usually called conidia), which are readily dispersed throughout nature and also in vitro. Fungi that are acquired in this manner include a diversity of yeasts and dermatophytes, as well as those whose acquisition is primarily pulmonary, such as the thermally dimorphic primary pathogens, and several opportunistic genera such as Aspergillus, Fusarium and others. Recent reports, however, indicate an increasing number of infections, ranging from superficial to systemic, that are due to coelomycetous fungi. In these fungi, the asexual spores are produced within fruiting bodies referred to as a conidiomata. As these conidia are less frequently airborne, the method of acquisition is commonly by traumatic implantation of plant material or by a diversity of contaminated fomites, rather than by inhalation. These infections are also more commonly seen in immunocompromised individuals. In this work, we have attempted to provide a historial overview as well as the current taxonomy for this group of fungi, an up-to-date assessment of the scope of infections caused by various coelomycetous genera, their clinical entities, useful tools for isolation and identification, and general guidelines for the appropriate management and treatment of these mycoses.

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato causing deep soft tissue mycosis following a penetrating injury

Colletotrichum species have been rarely implicated in human disease. We describe a case of deep soft tissue mycosis following a penetrating injury with a lemon tree thorn. Direct Blankophor BA (Bayer) stain from intraoperative tissue showed fungal elements. Pure growth fungus was apparent at 2–4 days. Morphological features provisionally identified the isolate as a coelomycetous fungus, likely Colletotrichum species. This was confirmed with molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) region.

Exosporodiella gen. nov. – a new coelomycetous fungus on leaves of Phoenix from India

A new coelomycetous fungus Exosporodiella phoenixesa gen. et spec, nov., has been described and illustrated from the leaves of Phoenix from India.

How important are conidial appendages?

The genus The genus Dinemasporium is used as a case study to evaluate the importance of conidial appendages for generic level classification of coelomycetous fungi. Based on morphology and sequence data of the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (LSU, 28S) and the internal transcribed spacers and 5.8S rRNA gene of the nrDNA operon, the genus Dinemasporium is circumscribed, and an epitype designated for D. strigosum, the type of the genus. A further five species are introduced in Dinemasporium, namely D. pseudostrigosum (isolated from Triticum aestivum, Germany and Stigmaphyllon sagraeanum, Cuba), D. americana (soil, USA), D. polygonum (Polygonum sachalinense, Netherlands), D. pseudoindicum (soil, USA), and D. morbidum (human sputum, Netherlands and hare dung, New Zealand). Brunneodinemasporium, based on B. brasiliense, is introduced to accommodate Dinemasporium-like species with tightly aggregated brown conidiogenous cells, and pale brown conidia. Dendrophoma (= Amphitiarospora) is reinstated as distinct from Dinemasporium, and an epitype designated for D. cytisporoides, characterised by its superficial, stipitate to cupulate conidiomata, and small conidia with two polar, tubular, exogenous appendages. The genus Stauronema is reduced to synonymy under Dinemasporium. Pseudolachnea (1-septate conidia) is supported as distinct from Dinemasporium (aseptate conidia), and P. fraxini introduced as a novel species. Taxa in this generic complex differ by combination of morphological characters of conidiomata, setae, conidia and appendages. Appendage morphology alone is rejected as informative at the generic level.

Genera of diaporthalean coelomycetes associated with leaf spots of tree hosts.

Four different genera of diaporthalean coelomycetous fungi associated with leaf spots of tree hosts are morphologically treated and phylogenetically compared based on the DNA sequence data of the large subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA gene (LSU) and the internal transcribed spacers and 5.8S rRNA gene of the nrDNA operon. These include two new Australian genera, namely Auratiopycnidiella, proposed for a leaf spotting fungus occurring on Tristaniopsis laurina in New South Wales, and Disculoides, proposed for two species occurring on leaf spots of Eucalyptus leaves in Victoria. Two new species are described in Aurantiosacculus, a hitherto monotypic genus associated with leaf spots of Eucalyptus in Australia, namely A. acutatus on E. viminalis, and A. eucalyptorum on E. globulus, both occurring in Tasmania. Lastly, an epitype specimen is designated for Erythrogloeum hymenaeae, the type species of the genus Erythrogloeum, and causal agent of a prominent leaf spot disease on Hymenaea courbaril in South America. All four genera are shown to be allied to Diaporthales, although only Aurantiosacculus (Cryphonectriaceae) could be resolved to family level, the rest being incertae sedis.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Chaetopyrena penicillata from Iran with description of a hyphomycete synanomorph

During a survey of fungi associated with Russian olive fruit rot in Northern Iran, a coelomycete fungus with setose pycnidia was isolated from symptomatic fruits. The fungus was identified as Chaetopyrena penicillata based on morphological characteristics and sequence data of ITS and LSU rDNA. A hyphomycete synanamorph, which was observed in pure cultures of this species for the first time, is described. The morphology and phylogeny of Chaetopyrena penicillata is discussed.

Diaporthaceae associated with root and crown rot of maize

Several isolates of coelomycetous fungi with pigmented conidia were consistently isolated from diseased roots of Zea mays in irrigated plots monitored in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Based on their morphology, these isolates could be identified as representative of Stenocarpella macrospora, S. maydis, and Phaeocytostroma ambiguum. Although species of Stenocarpella are well-known as causal agents of cob and stalk rot and leaf blight of maize in South Africa, the occurrence and importance of P. ambiguum is less well documented and understood. To determine the role of P. ambiguum as a root pathogen of maize, pathogenicity tests were conducted under glasshouse conditions at 18 °C night and 28 °C day temperatures using a pasteurised soil, river sand and perlite medium and a 0.5 % sand-bran inoculum. Based on these results, P. ambiguum was shown to be a primary pathogen of maize, but to be less virulent than the positive control, S. maydis. Furthermore, to clarify the higher-level phylogeny of these fungal genera, isolates were subjected to DNA sequencing of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS & LSU). Partial gene sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene were added to confirm the species monophyly. To resolve the generic placement of Phaeocytostroma, additional species such as P. sacchari, P. plurivorum and P. megalosporum were also added to the analysis. Based on these results, Stenocarpella and Phaeocytostroma were shown to be two well defined genera, belonging to Diaporthales, Diaporthaceae, being closely allied to Phomopsis (Diaporthe). All three genera were also observed to form alpha as well as beta conidia, and although this phenomenon is well documented for Phomopsis and Phaeocytostroma, it is a new observation for Stenocarpella. In spite of the differences in conidial pigmentation, no support could be obtained for polyphyly in Diaporthaceae, suggesting that as observed in Botryosphaeriaceae (Botryosphaeriales), conidial pigmentation is not informative at the family level in Diaporthales.

Bilateral thalamic necrosis following ingestion of ridge gourd infested with coelomycete fungi ( Diplodia)

Bilateral thalamic lesions detected on magnetic resonance imaging have a wide differential diagnosis. This report describes a previously healthy young man who developed bilateral thalamic necrosis with seizures, vomiting, hepatitis, neutrophilic leukocytosis and metabolic acidosis following consumption of raw dried fruits of the ridge gourd plant ( Luffa acutangula) prescribed by a traditional medicine practitioner . These fruits were subsequently shown to be infested with spores and conidiomata of Diplodia, a coelomycete fungus known to cause neurotoxicity in farm animals. The patient made a partial recovery with supportive care, and has persistent deficits consistent with bilateral medial thalamic damage. This is the first report of neurological toxicity attributable to Diplodia in humans, and this entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bilateral thalamic lesions in the appropriate clinical setting.

In vitro TAXOL production, by Pestalotiopsis breviseta — A first report

Coelomycetous fungi were screened for the production of TAXOL. TAXOL production of Pestalotiopsis breviseta fungi is confirmed by Ultra Violet (UV) spectroscopic analysis, Infra Red (IR) analysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and LC–MASS spectroscopy. TAXOL isolated from the P. breviseta fungus was identical with authentic TAXOL and produces 0.064mg/L (0.128% dry weight of fungal mat).

First report of Coniothyrium minitans, a mycoparasite of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, in Iran

To study possible biocontrol agents against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on potato plants in Hamadan, Iran, a sampling of sclerotia was conducted in potato fields, and after culturing one of these sclerotia on potato dextrose agar, a coelomycetous fungus was observed. After fulfilment of Koch’s postulates and assessment of morphological characteristics, this fungus was identified as Coniothyrium minitans. This is reported for the first time in Iran.

Bambusicolous fungi in Japan (8): a new species of Pseudolachnella from Yakushima Island, southern Japan

A coelomycetous fungus occurring on culms of Pleioblastus sp. in Yakushima Island, southern Japan, is described and illustrated as a new species, Pseudolachnella yakushimensis. The species is characterized by cupulate, superficial black setose conidiomata, and cylindrical 3- septate conidia with two to five appendages at each end. Pseudolachnella yakushimensis is similar to P. indica and P. scolecospora by its 3-septate conidia, but is different from them by its smaller conidia with more than two appendages.

Taxonomical re-evaluation of Phoma-like soybean pathogenic fungi

Coelomycetous fungi classified in Ascochyta, Phoma, and Phyllosticta have been recorded from spots on leaves and pods of soybeans. Based on the Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Concept, the authors suggest the re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of Phoma sojicola (syn. = Ascochyta sojicola) and Phyllosticta sojicola. In spite of the former delimitation of Phoma sojicola based on small differences in morphological features, it has proved to be identical to Phoma pinodella. Similarly, it was also confirmed that Phyllosticta sojicola was identical to Phoma exigua var. exigua. The authors supply tools for identification of Phoma-like fungi by combined conventional and molecular methods. Protein-encoding genes ( tef1 and β-tubulin) were successfully applied within the Phoma genus to infer phylogenetic relationships.

Bambusicolous fungi in Japan (7): a new coelomycetous genus, Versicolorisporium

A new genus, Versicolorisporium, is established for the coelomycetous fungus collected in Japan on dead culms of the bamboos Pleioblastus chino and Sasamorpha borealis. The type species of the genus, V. triseptatum, is characterized by the production of holoblastic, 3-septate, obovoid, versicolored conidia. Versicolorisporium is similar to Toxosporiella, Neohendersonia, Toxosporiopsis, and Scolicosporium in having versicolored conidia, but differs from these genera by the uniloculate pycnidial conidiomata with a periphysate ostiole, lacking paraphyses, and the conidia without black-banded septa. A BLAST search using LSU nrDNA sequence indicates that the new genus is a member of Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes.

A second species of Neoheteroceras and additional characters of the genus

A coelomycetous fungus occurring on submerged wood in Japan is described and illustrated as a new species of Neoheteroceras. The species is characterized by the large falcate conidia with several tubular appendages, but differs from N. flageoletii, the only other known species of the genus, by its larger conidia and longer appendages. The description of the genus Neoheteroceras should be emended to allow for this second species, N. macrosporum, which differs from the original species by the nature of the disposition of the conidiomata, branched conidiophore, and absence of paraphyses.

A second species of <i>Neoheteroceras</i> and additional characters of the genus

A coelomycetous fungus occurring on submerged wood in Japan is described and illustrated as a new species of Neoheteroceras. The species is characterized by the large falcate conidia with several tubular appendages, but differs from N. flageoletii, the only other known species of the genus, by its larger conidia and longer appendages. The description of the genus Neoheteroceras should be emended to allow for this second species, N. macrosporum, which differs from the original species by the nature of the disposition of the conidiomata, branched conidiophore, and absence of paraphyses.

Bambusicolous fungi in Japan (7): a new coelomycetous genus, <i>Versicolorisporium</i>

A new genus, Versicolorisporium, is established for the coelomycetous fungus collected in Japan on dead culms of the bamboos Pleioblastus chino and Sasamorpha borealis. The type species of the genus, V. triseptatum, is characterized by the production of holoblastic, 3-septate, obovoid, versicolored conidia. Versicolorisporium is similar to Toxosporiella, Neohendersonia, Toxosporiopsis, and Scolicosporium in having versicolored conidia, but differs from these genera by the uniloculate pycnidial conidiomata with a periphysate ostiole, lacking paraphyses, and the conidia without black-banded septa. A BLAST search using LSU nrDNA sequence indicates that the new genus is a member of Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes.