Fungi Of Australia Research Articles

Absidia healeyae: a new species of Absidia (Mucorales) isolated from Victoria, Australia.

Absidia healeyae is a new species described in the Mucorales genus Absidia after screening 16 strains of Absidia isolated from seven locations in the state of Victoria in Australia. After initial analysis of the large ribosomal subunit sequence, the genomes of representative strains from two clades were sequenced using short paired-reads. Additional taxonomic markers extracted from the genome sequencing data support the novelty of A. healeyae. The identification of a new species in the genus Absidia, from a relatively small collection of isolates, hints at an unexplored diversity in the early diverging lineages of fungi in Australia.

Discovery of Aspergillus frankstonensis sp. nov. during environmental sampling for animal and human fungal pathogens.

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) due to species in Aspergillus section Fumigati (ASF), including the Aspergillus viridinutans species complex (AVSC), are increasingly reported in humans and cats. The risk of exposure to these medically important fungi in Australia is unknown. Air and soil was sampled from the domiciles of pet cats diagnosed with these IFI and from a nature reserve in Frankston, Victoria, where Aspergillus viridinutans sensu stricto was discovered in 1954. Of 104 ASF species isolated, 61% were A. fumigatus sensu stricto, 9% were AVSC (A. felis-clade and A. frankstonensis sp. nov.) and 30% were other species (30%). Seven pathogenic ASF species known to cause disease in humans and animals (A. felis-clade, A. fischeri, A. thermomutatus, A. lentulus, A. laciniosus A. fumisynnematus, A. hiratsukae) comprised 25% of isolates overall. AVSC species were only isolated from Frankston soil where they were abundant, suggesting a particular ecological niche. Phylogenetic, morphological and metabolomic analyses of these isolates identified a new species, A. frankstonensis that is phylogenetically distinct from other AVSC species, heterothallic and produces a unique array of extrolites, including the UV spectrum characterized compounds DOLD, RAIMO and CALBO. Shared morphological and physiological characteristics with other AVSC species include slow sporulation, optimal growth at 37°C, no growth at 50°C, and viriditoxin production. Overall, the risk of environmental exposure to pathogenic species in ASF in Australia appears to be high, but there was no evidence of direct environmental exposure to AVSC species in areas where humans and cats cohabitate.

Dating the emergence of truffle-like fungi in Australia, by using an augmented meta-analysis

Australia supports a high diversity of sequestrate (truffle-like) macrofungi. This has long been thought to be related to the predominantly or seasonally dry climate. The present study posits that if aridity were a key factor in the evolution of sequestrate fruit-bodies, most sequestrate species would have emerged in Australia only after it began to aridify, which occurred post-separation with Antarctica (c. 32 million years ago). Focusing on the high phylogenetic diversity of sequestrate taxa in the Agaricomycetes in Australia, dates of sequestrate nodes were compiled directly from published phylogenies (four lineages) or created using sequences available on GenBank that were processed in BEAST using a secondary calibration method (nine lineages). Although the morphologically diverse Hysterangiales was found to be the first group to become sequestrate, c. 83 million years ago, overall sequestration in Australia occurred more recently. Models were created and compared and support was found for an increased rate of sequestration in Australia at some point between 34 and 13 million years ago (during the Oligocene and Miocene). Although the rate of sequestration is shown to have increased in Australia after separation from Antarctica, the timing also overlaps with the radiation of potential mycorrhizal plant associates, and the emergence of specialised mycophagous marsupials. Although aridification is evidently not the sole driver of sequestration, it is still likely to have had a major influence on the diversity of sequestrate fungi in Australia. Comparisons with other regions of high sequestrate diversity will be informative.

Efficacy of fungicides on mycelial growth of diatrypaceous fungi associated with grapevine trunk disease

Several species of Diatrypaceae have been recently isolated from the wood of cankered grapevines in several regions of the world and shown to be pathogenic with varying degrees of virulence when inoculated in stems of potted vines. Existing management strategies have focussed on the development of procedures and products to prevent or reduce Eutypa lata infection. The best method to prevent infection is by applying fungicides to wounds, but there are few registered chemicals for any of the diatrypaceous fungi in Australia. Six selected fungicides were evaluated in vitro for their efficacy in reducing mycelial growth of Eutypa lata, Cryptovalsa ampelina, Diatrypella vulgaris, Eutypa leptoplaca, Eutypella citricola and Eutypella microtheca. Carbendazim, fluazinam, tebuconazole, and prothioconazole + tebuconazole were effective at inhibiting mycelial growth of all Diatrypaceae spp. tested. Pyraclostrobin reduced colony diameter of most of the fungal species by 50% or more. Pyrimethanil was ineffective at reducing mycelial growth of these pathogens. Five of the six fungicides evaluated in this study have shown efficacy in vitro against Diatrypaceae spp. and require further evaluation in the field. This study represents the first approach for fungicide evaluation against mycelial growth of diatrypaceous fungi, other than Ea. lata. It contributes to the development of integrated management strategies for grapevine trunk diseases.

Fungi and fire in Australian ecosystems: a review of current knowledge, management implications and future directions

Fungi are essential components of all ecosystems in roles including symbiotic partners, decomposers and nutrient cyclers and as a source of food for vertebrates and invertebrates. Fire changes the environment in which fungi live by affecting soil structure, nutrient availability, organic and inorganic substrates and other biotic components with which fungi interact, particularly mycophagous animals. We review the literature on fire and fungi in Australia, collating studies that include sites with different time since fire or different fire regimes. The studies used a variety of methods for survey and identification of fungi and focussed on different groups of fungi, with an emphasis on fruit-bodies of epigeal macrofungi and a lack of studies on microfungi in soil or plant tissues. There was a lack of replication of fire treatment effects in some studies. Nevertheless, most studies reported some consequence of fire on the fungal community. Studies on fire and fungi were concentrated in eucalypt forest in south-west and south-eastern Australia, and were lacking for ecosystems such as grasslands and tropical savannahs. The effects of fire on fungi are highly variable and depend on factors such as soil and vegetation type and variation in fire intensity and history, including the length of time between fires. There is a post-fire flush of fruit-bodies of pyrophilous macrofungi, but there are also fungi that prefer long unburnt vegetation. The few studies that tested the effect of fire regimes in relation to the intervals between burns did not yield consistent results. The functional roles of fungi in ecosystems and the interactions of fire with these functions are explained and discussed. Responses of fungi to fire are reviewed for each fungal trophic group, and also in relation to interactions between fungi and vertebrates and invertebrates. Recommendations are made to include monitoring of fungi in large-scale fire management research programs and to integrate the use of morphological and molecular methods of identification. Preliminary results suggest that fire mosaics promote heterogeneity in the fungal community. Management of substrates could assist in preserving fungal diversity in the absence of specific information on fungi.

Antibacterial metabolites from Australian macrofungi from the genus Cortinarius

Mushrooms have demonstrated significant pharmacological activity including antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, immunomodulatory and hallucinogenic properties [1]. The fungi of Australia are diverse, largely endemic and, in contrast to their floral counterparts, have not undergone intensive taxonomic, chemical or pharmacological evaluation [2]. Furthermore, some Australian indigenous macrofungi are currently considered to be conspecific with Northern Hemisphere species, might be described as separate species once taxonomic revisions are carried out [3]. Consequently Australian mushrooms represent an under-explored resource of potentially novel metabolites. In this study, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions from 117 collections of Australian macrofungi belonging to the genusCortinarius were screened for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Overall, the lipophilic fractions were more active than the aqueous fractions. The ethyl acetate fractions of most or all collections of 13 described Cortinarius species and 47 collections of un-described Cortinarius species exhibited IC50 values of ≤0.09mg/mL against S. aureus. In contrast, most or all collections of only 4 described Cortinarius species and only 11 un-described Cortinarius collections exhibited similar effects against P. aeruginosa (IC50 ≤0.09mg/mL). The fungal octaketides austrocortilutein, austrocortirubin, torosachrysone, isolated from C. basirubescens, together with physcion and emodin were found to strongly inhibit the growth of S. aureus (IC50 0.7–12µg/mL) whereas only physcion and emodin exhibited potency against P. aeruginosa (IC50 1.5 and 2.0µg/mL, respectively) [4]. Australian mushrooms from the genus Cortinarius are promising sources of natural products for further drug development research, due to the high biological diversity and unique evolutionary lineages found only in the region. This is coupled with the large proportion of bioactive species and high diversity of chemical constituents.

Book Review:'Fungi of Australia:Septoria' by M. J. Priest

<i>Book Review:</i>'Fungi of Australia:<i>Septoria</i>' by M. J. Priest

The listing of an Australian Hygrocybeae community: and its holotype species under State and Commonwealth legislations

Lane Cove Bushland Park (LCBP) in Sydney, New South Wales is a site in the middle of a high-density residential area. Centred about a tributary of Gore Creek that runs into the nearby Sydney Harbour, the warm temperate gallery forest is the location of at least 27 species in the tribe Hygrocybeae. The Hygrocybeae Community of LCBP has been legislated under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 as endangered. A Final Determination has listed nine holotype taxa as either endangered or vulnerable under the appropriate section of the Act. In addition, the LCBP has been listed on the Register of the National Estate by the Commonwealth Heritage Commission as a site of national significance based principally on its mycological assemblage. These successful prototype initiatives have depended upon collaborative efforts involving amateur enthusiasts and a professional taxonomic mycologist as well as the local Lane Cove Council that is very proactive in conservation. This synergy of initiative, originality of ideas and keenness of observation has achieved landmark decisions for mycology and conservation of fungi in Australia.

Documenting the fungal biodiversity of Australasia: from 1800 to 2000 and beyond

In the 200 years since Labillardi&amp;egrave;re named Asero&amp;euml; rubra from Tasmania, a rich and diverse mycota has been documented from Australasia. In the 19th century, the systematic study of Australasian fungi was mostly carried out by Northern Hemisphere mycologists, who were sent material by numerous local collectors. Documentation of the mycota in the 20th century was concentrated on fungi of importance in plant and forest pathology, but workers in these fields also contributed to knowledge of native fungi. In the last few decades there has been a greater emphasis on biodiversity inventory of native fungi, which was the focus in the 19th century. Most contributions have been by relatively isolated individuals and by visitors and there remains a paucity of systematic mycologists in the region. In recent times stronger links have developed among the mycologists of Australasia and there has been increased community involvement. Species from the region tend to be based on few specimens and type and other collections are scattered across many herbaria, including many outside of the region. There are few up-to-date monographs, but a flora series (Fungi of Australia) has recently been initiated. Knowledge of distribution, substrates and habitats is poor for most species, with the exception of common plant pathogens. The task of documenting the mycota of Australasia is enormous, but its achievement in a reasonable time frame (a century rather than a millennium) needs to be considered. Better estimates of the magnitude of biodiversity are required to guide the task. The region is well-served by checklists, censuses, catalogues and databases of fungal names and specimens. Some integration of these various data sets would be beneficial, as would availability of nomenclatural and specimen data through on-line databases. Measures are suggested for making existing information accessible, such as through interim and virtual floras.

Sequestrate (truffle-like) fungi of Australia and New Zealand

Sequestrate fungi are a polyphyletic, diverse group of macrofungi with truffle-like, underground (hypogeous) or emergent fruit bodies, which are well represented in Australia and New Zealand. The first species in the region were described in 1844, but sequestrate fungi have been poorly documented until recent times. Regional diversity of sequestrate fungi is high in comparison to other parts of the world: for ascomycetes and basidiomycetes 83 genera and 294 species are currently known in Australia and 32 genera and 58 species in New Zealand. Only an estimated 12–23% of species are known for Australia and 25–30% for New Zealand. On that basis, between 1278–2450 species may occur in Australia and 193–232 in New Zealand. Centres of diversity for some groups of sequestrate fungi occur in the region, e.g. Russulaceae (five known genera, 68 species) and Cortinariaceae (eight genera, 33 species). Some other groups are less diverse than in the northern hemisphere, e.g. sequestrate Boletaceae (seven genera, 25 species). More than 35% of Australian sequestrate genera and 95% of species are endemic; for New Zealand about 45% of sequestrate genera and 80% of species are endemic. Australia and New Zealand share similarities in sequestrate fungi at generic level (11% of total) but do not share many of the same species (4% of total). Knowledge of biogeographical distributions is limited by incomplete taxonomic knowledge and insufficient collections. Some Gondwanan, Australasian and widespread/cosmopolitan patterns are evident. Some exotic sequestrate fungi have been recently introduced and some fungi indigenous to the region occur world-wide as exotics with eucalypt plantings. Within Australia and New Zealand, there is evidence that characteristic suites of fungi co-occur in different climatic and vegetation types. Mycorrhizas of Australian and New Zealand taxa have a range of morphological and physiological attributes relating to their effect on plants and broader roles in ecosystem nutrient cycling and health. Spores of sequestrate fungi are dispersed by a range of fauna. There are tripartite inter-dependent interactions between mycorrhizal plants, sequestrate fungi and native mammals and birds that use the fungi as food. Major environmental influences affecting the distribution, diversity and abundance of sequestrate fungi include climate, topography, soil, vegetation and animals. Imposed upon such influences are a range of natural and human-induced disturbance factors which alter habitat heterogeneity, e.g. fire, fragmentation and replacement of native vegetation and exotic organisms. Rare and endangered sequestrate fungi are likely to occur in Australia and New Zealand, but for most taxa there is insufficient data to determine rarity or commonality. In the face of poor knowledge, assemblage-based and habitat-based approaches are the most appropriate for conservation and management of sequestrate fungi. Habitat heterogeneity may be important for the fungi at scales ranging from different climatic and vegetation types to local topographic-related variations.

Fungi of Australia

This first volume of the series, in two parts, provides an introduction to the series, and consists of a collection of review essays on many aspects of Australian mycology, placed in a world context. As well as discussing the classification of mushrooms, this text also introduces a new classification and provides keys devised by John Walker. It also includes chapters on the biology of fungi, the Australian aspects of the history of mycology, biogeography and fossil record, and a glossary of mycological terms.

Dispersal of Spores of Mycorrhizal Fungi in Scats of Native Mammals in Tropical Forests of Northeastern Australia

ABSTRACTOne hundred and thirty‐eight scat (faecal) samples from 17 mammal species native to forests of northeastern Queensland were examined for the presence of spores of both ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Spores of mycorrhizal fungi were found in 57 percent of scat samples representing 12 animal species (Aepyprymnus rufescens, Antechinus godmani, Bettongia tropica, Hypsiprymnodon moschatus, Isoodon macrourus, Melomys ceruinipes, Perameles nasuta, Rattus fuscipes, R. tunneyi, Thylogale stigmatica, Trichourur uulperula, Uromys caudimaculatus). Spores were absent in scats of Antechinus stuartii, Dasyurus hallucatus, Dendrolagus lumholtzi, Petaurus australis and Mesembriomys gouldii. Spores of ectomycorrhizal fungi occurred in 38 percent of scats, and all but one of these samples were from Eucalyptus‐dominated sclerophyll forests. Based on the frequency and abundance of spores in scats, five mammals were considered active consumers of hypogeous mycorrhizal sporocarps in sclerophyll forests (A. rufescens, B. tropica, I. macrourus, P. nasuta, and U. caudimaculatus). Individual scats of these animals generally contained a range of distinctive spore types. Spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were found in low abundance in almost 40 percent of scat samples collected, from both sclerophyll forest and rainforest habitats. We suggest that the majoriry of these spores were acquired incidentally through ingestion of soil during foraging activities on the forest floor. Glasshouse inoculation experiments in which seedlings of Eucalyptus grandis and Sorghum bicolor were inoculated with scat material from several species of mammal demonstrated that the spores of ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi retained some viability and colonized the roots of host‐plant seedlings. Insufficient information is known of the ecology of mycorrhizal fungi in Australia's tropical forests to speculate as to the implications of these findings for forest conservation and rehabilitation.

A Field Guide to the Common Genera of Gilled Fungi in Australia

A Field Guide to the Common Genera of Gilled Fungi in Australia

The hazard from toxic fungi in Australia.

Australian Veterinary JournalVolume 50, Issue 2 p. 69-78 THE HAZARD FORM TOXIC FUNGI IN AUSTRALIA C. C. J. Culvenor Ph.D., D.Phil., D.Sc., C. C. J. Culvenor Ph.D., D.Phil., D.Sc. CSIRO, Division of Animal Health, Animal Health Research Laboratory, Private Bag No. 1, P.O., Parkville, Melbourne, Vic., 3052Search for more papers by this author C. C. J. Culvenor Ph.D., D.Phil., D.Sc., C. C. J. Culvenor Ph.D., D.Phil., D.Sc. CSIRO, Division of Animal Health, Animal Health Research Laboratory, Private Bag No. 1, P.O., Parkville, Melbourne, Vic., 3052Search for more papers by this author First published: February 1974 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1974.tb05254.xCitations: 12AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume50, Issue2February 1974Pages 69-78 RelatedInformation

Phosphorescent fungi in Australia

Phosphorescent fungi in Australia