Fungi In China Research Articles

Catalogue of fungi in China 2. Ramaria from northern China

ABSTRACT The species of Ramaria are coralloid-fungi with intricately branched and vividly coloured basidiomata. There are many studies on the genus Ramaria in China, but molecular phylogenetic analysis is rarely employed. In this study, we performed a multigene phylogenetic analysis to identify Ramaria species in Shanxi Province of northern China. Phylogenetic analyses based on four loci, the internal transcribed spacer region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS), the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (nrLSU), ATPase subunit 6 (atp6), and mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA (mtSSU), revealed 13 Ramaria species from our collections. Combined with morphological examinations, 12 of them were identified as new species, plus a new report to China. The thirteen species were described and illustrated in this paper.

Unveiling species diversity within early-diverging fungi from China I: three new species of Backusella (Backusellaceae, Mucoromycota).

The species diversity of early-diverging fungi has long lagged behind that of higher fungi, posing a significant obstacle to our comprehensive understanding of the fungal kingdom. Our ongoing research endeavors aim to address this gap by exploring the species diversity of early-diverging fungi in China. In this study, we describe three novel species within the Backusella, namely B.elliptica sp. nov., B.fujianensis sp. nov., and B.variispora sp. nov., based on phylogenetic and morphological analyses. In the phylogenetic analysis of the ITS (internal transcribed spacer), LSU (large subunit of ribosomal RNA gene), and RPB1 (RNA polymerase II largest subunit gene) regions, the B.elliptica and B.fujianensis cluster closely with B.gigacellularis, B.ovalispora, and B.solicola, and the B.variispora is closely related to B.locustae and B.pernambucensis. Morphologically, B.elliptica is distinguished by elliptical sporangiospores, as well as cylindrical and hemispherical columellae. The B.fujianensis is characterized by elliptical sporangiospores, and various types of columellae such as hemispherical, subglobose, depressed globose and conical. The B.variispora is characterized by subglobose to globose sporangiospores, as well as hemispherical, subglobose to globose columellae. Additionally, the sporangiophores are long and monopodially branched in B.elliptica and B.fujianensis, while short and simple or sympodially branched in B.variispora. Physiologically, the maximum growth temperatures of B.elliptica (32 °C), B.fujianensis (35 °C), and B.variispora were (35 °C) were determined. With the inclusion of these newly described taxa, the total number of Backusella species known from China now stands at 12. Finally, we provide a key to facilitate the morphological identification of Backusella species from Asia.

First report of basal stem rot on sugarcane (var. Badila) caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in China.

Badila (Saccharum officinarum) is one of the important chewing cane in south China. During the year 2019-2020, as much as 60.2%-87.5% of sugarcane plants stem showed red rot developments were observed in the fields of Yongning District, Nanning city, Guangxi province. Symptomatic plants showed red rot at basal stem nodes and sheath, when the disease serious, the epidermis and aerial roots decomposed and exfoliated, then formed sclerotiums, the upper stem also occurred the symptom. Infected plant tissues were dissected into small pieces with 0.1 × 0.1cm in size and surface sterilized in 0.1% HCl2 for 2 min, followed by 75% ethanol for 30 s, rinsed three times with sterile distilled water. Then the tissues were placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates and incubated at 25 °C for 3 days. Numerous white globoid sclerotia were formed on PDA after 5 days of growth. The sclerotia (2 to 3 mm in diameter) were white at first and then gradually turned dark brown. Aerial mycelia usually formed many narrow hyphal strands 4 to 9 μm wide. Five uniform isolates were obtained from diseased sugarcane plants. Pathogenicity of representative strain W1 was confirmed by inoculating 120-day-old Badila plants grown in field. Five plants were inoculated with colonized agar discs (6mm in diameter) by applying toothpick tips to the lower part of the stem. Five non-inoculated plants served as control. The inoculated and non-inoculated plants were sprayed sterile water then incubated with plastic film for maintained high moisture. All the plants were placed inside of a growth chamber at 26 ± 2°C with a 14-h photoperiod and 80% relative humidity. All inoculated plants showed red rot at stem and sheath after 2 weeks, whereas the control plants were symptomless. By the third week, mycelium and sclerotia developed on the crown on the inoculated plants. The fungus was re-isolated from the artificially inoculated plants. To confirm the species-level identification, partial of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), mitocondrial small subunit (SSU), and nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU) regions of representative strain W1 were amplified and sequenced using the primers pairs ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), ITS-Fu-F /ITS-Fu-R and SRLSU1//SRLSU2 (Kumar et al., 2016), respectively. The resulting ITS, SSU and LSU sequences were deposited in GenBank (GenBank accession no. MW620994, MW617878, and MW617872) and shared 99.42%, 100% and 100% sequence identity with Athelia rolfsii isolate (JN017199, OM319631, and MT225781). Phylogenetic analysis conducted with neighbor-joining (NJ) method using MEGA6.0 revealed that the isolate share a common clade with reference sequence of A. rolfsii in GenBank Data Library. Based on morphological and molecular characteristics, the fungus was identified as A. rolfsii (anamorph: Sclerotium rolfsii) (Paul et al. 2017; Paparu et al. 2020). Although S. rolfsii has been reported causing sugarcane sett rot in Australia (Bhuiyan et al., 2019) and seedlings of sugarcane in Indian (Gopi et al., 2023), as we know, this is the first report of sugarcane basal stem rot disease caused by this fungus in China. This study will be helpful for the prevention and control sugarcane basal stem rot in the future.

Structural Characterization, and Antioxidant, Hypoglycemic and Immunomodulatory Activity of Exopolysaccharide from Sanghuangporus sanghuang JM-1

Sanghuang as a medicinal fungus in China has a history of more than 2000 years, and is known as the “forest gold”. Most notably, the polysaccharides of Sanghuangporus sp. have attracted widespread attention due to their significant bioactivity in recent years. At present, extensive studies are being carried out on the extraction methods, structural characterization, and activity evaluation of polysaccharides. Here, we aimed to evaluate the structure and bioactivity of LEPS-1, an exopolysaccharide derived from the S. sanghuang JM-1 strain. The structure was elucidated by chromatography/spectral methods and hydrolyzation, and the solubility, the antioxidant activity, hypoglycemic activity and immunomodulatory activity were investigated. Results showed that LEPS-1 contained a →2)-α-Manp(1→6)-α-Galp(1→[2)-α-Manp(1→]n→2,6)-α-Manp(1→6,2)-α-Manp(1→3)-α-Manp(1→ backbone substituted at the O-6 and O-2 positions with side chains. These two branching fragments were β-Manp(1→. The molecular weight of LEPS-1 is 36.131 kDa. The results of biological activity analysis suggested that LEPS-1 was easily soluble in water, with reducing capability and DPPH radical scavenging capability. Furthermore, the IC50 values of LEPS-1 against α-amylase and α-glucosidase were 0.96 mg/mL and 1.92 mg/mL. LEPS-1 stimulated RAW264.7 cells to release NO, TNF-α and IL-6 with no cytotoxicity, showing potent potential for immunomodulatory activity. These findings describe a potential natural exopolysaccharide with medicinal value and a basis for the development of S. sanghuang exopolysaccharides.

Catalogue of fungi in China 3. New taxa of macrofungi from southern Xizang, China

ABSTRACT This is the third paper in the series Catalogue of fungi in China that aims to systematically and promptly publish Chinese fungal species. In this paper of the series, we focus on macrofungi from the southern border area of Xizang, a previously less concerned region. A total of 15 new species in six orders, 11 families, and 12 genera from Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota are described. Both morphological and phylogenetic analyses support the identity of these new species and their taxonomic placements. In addition, one new combination Trechispora cryptomerioides is proposed. We hope that the third paper in the series Catalogue of fungi in China will draw more attention to reporting Chinese fungal diversity in the border areas of Xizang and other special geographic regions besides the aim of this series itself.

Telomere-to-Telomere Haplotype-Resolved Genomes of Agrocybe chaxingu Reveals Unique Genetic Features and Developmental Insights.

Agrocybe chaxingu is a widely cultivated edible fungus in China, which is rich in nutrients and medicinal compounds. However, the lack of a high-quality genome hinders further research. In this study, we assembled the telomere-to-telomere genomes of two sexually compatible monokaryons (CchA and CchB) derived from a primarily cultivated strain AS-5. The genomes of CchA and CchB were 50.60 Mb and 51.66 Mb with contig N50 values of 3.95 Mb and 3.97 Mb, respectively. Each contained 13 complete chromosomes with telomeres at both ends. The high mapping rate, uniform genome coverage, high LAI score, all BUSCOs with 98.5%, and all base accuracy exceeding 99.999% indicated the high level of integrity and quality of these two assembled genomes. Comparison of the two genomes revealed that approximately 30% of the nucleotide sequences between homologous chromosomes were non-syntenic, including 19 translocations, 36 inversions, and 15 duplications. An additional gene CchA_000467 was identified at the Mat A locus of CchA, which was observed exclusively in the Cyclocybe cylindracea species complex. A total of 613 (4.26%) and 483 (3.4%) unique genes were identified in CchA and CchB, respectively, with over 80% of these being hypothetical proteins. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the expression levels of unique genes in CchB were significantly higher than those in CchA, and both CchA and CchB had unique genes specifically expressed at stages of mycelium and fruiting body. It was indicated that the growth and development of the A. chaxingu strain AS-5 required the coordinated action of two different nuclei, with CchB potentially playing a more significant role. These findings contributed to a more profound comprehension of the growth and developmental processes of basidiomycetes.

Anti-Aflatoxigenic Burkholderia contaminans BC11-1 Exhibits Mycotoxin Detoxification, Phosphate Solubilization, and Cytokinin Production.

The productivity and quality of agricultural crops worldwide are adversely affected by disease outbreaks and inadequate nutrient availability. Of particular concern is the potential increase in mycotoxin prevalence due to crop diseases, which poses a threat to food security. Microorganisms with multiple functions have been favored in sustainable agriculture to address such challenges. Aspergillus flavus is a prevalent aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-producing fungus in China. Therefore, we wanted to obtain an anti-aflatoxigenic bacterium with potent mycotoxin detoxification ability and other beneficial properties. In the present study, we have isolated an anti-aflatoxigenic strain, BC11-1, of Burkholderia contaminans, from a forest rhizosphere soil sample obtained in Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China. We found that it possesses several beneficial properties, as follows: (1) a broad spectrum of antifungal activity but compatibility with Trichoderma species, which are themselves used as biocontrol agents, making it possible to use in a biocontrol mixture or individually with other biocontrol agents in an integrated management approach; (2) an exhibited mycotoxin detoxification capacity with a degradation ratio of 90% for aflatoxin B1 and 78% for zearalenone, suggesting its potential for remedial application; and (3) a high ability to solubilize phosphorus and produce cytokinin production, highlighting its potential as a biofertilizer. Overall, the diverse properties of BC11-1 render it a beneficial bacterium with excellent potential for use in plant disease protection and mycotoxin prevention and as a biofertilizer. Lastly, a pan-genomic analysis suggests that BC11-1 may possess other undiscovered biological properties, prompting further exploration of the properties of this unique strain of B. contaminans. These findings highlight the potential of using the anti-aflatoxigenic strain BC11-1 to enhance disease protection and improve soil fertility, thus contributing to food security. Given its multiple beneficial properties, BC11-1 represents a valuable microbial resource as a biocontrol agent and biofertilizer.

Catalogue of fungi in China 1. New taxa of plant-inhabiting fungi

ABSTRACT China has a huge area of diverse landscapes and is believed to conceive incredibly high fungal diversity. To systematically and promptly report Chinese fungal species, we initiate the series of Catalogue of fungi in China here. In the first paper of this series, we focus on plant-inhabiting fungi. A total of 33 new taxa are described all over China. These taxa include two new genera, viz. Cremeoefibula and Nothopucciniastrum, 18 new species, viz. Annulohypoxylon lancangensis, Ascotaiwania coffeae, Clitocella neofallax, Coleopuccinia yunnanensis, Cremeoefibula hengduanensis, Crepidotus furcaticystidiosus, C. tomentellus, Diachea macroverrucosa, Helicogloea hangzhouensis, Hyalopsora caprearum, Nemania polymorpha, Phanerochaetella austrosinensis, Physalacria tianzhongshanensis, Setophaeosphaeria panlongensis, Subulicystidium boreale, Trechispora subaraneosa, Vikalpa dujuanhuensis, and Xylaria pteridicola, and 13 new combinations, viz. Nothopucciniastrum actinidiae, N. boehmeriae, N. coriariae, N. corni, N. coryli, N. fagi, N. kusanoi, N. hikosanense, N. hydrangeae-petiolaris, N. miyabeanum, N. styracinum, N. tiliae, and N. yoshinagae. The morphological characteristics and phylogenetic evidence are used to support the establishment of these new taxa and the accuracy of their taxonomic placements. We hope that the series of Catalogue of fungi in China will contribute to Chinese fungal diversity and promote the significance of recording new fungal taxa from China.

Species diversity and taxonomy of Vararia (Russulales, Basidiomycota) with descriptions of six species from Southwestern China.

Vararia is a species-rich genus in the family Peniophoraceae and has been shown to be polyphyletic. In this study, sequences of ITS and LSU rRNA markers of the studied samples were generated and phylogenetic analyses were performed with the maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. Seventeen lineages including six new species from China, i.e., V.fissurata, V.lincangensis, V.punctata, V.isabellina, V.sinensis, and V.yaoshanensis were recognized, in which V.fissurata is characterized by the brittle basidiomata with pruinose and cracking hymenophore having white to olivaceous buff hymenial surface, the clamped generative hyphae, presence of the two types gloeocystidia; V.lincangensis is characterized by the simple-septa generative hyphae, and thick-walled skeletal hyphae, and ellipsoid basidiospores; V.punctata is delimited by its thin to slightly thick-walled generative hyphae, and thick-walled skeletal hyphae, present thick-walled, clavate to cylindrical gloeocystidia; V.isabellina is characterized by having the cream to isabelline to slightly brown hymenial surface, thin to slightly thick-walled generative hyphae, and sub-fusiform to navicular basidiospores; V.sinensis is distinguishable by its white to slightly pink hymenial surface, thick-walled skeletal hyphae, and sub-fusiform to navicular basidiospores; V.yaoshanensis is characterized by cream to pinkish buff to cinnamon-buff hymenial surface, slightly thick-walled generative hyphae, the presence of two types gloeocystidia, and slightly thick-walled, ellipsoid basidiospores. Phylogram based on the ITS+nLSU rDNA gene regions included nine genera within the family Peniophoraceae as Amylostereum, Asterostroma, Baltazaria, Dichostereum, Michenera, Peniophora, Scytinostroma and Vararia, in which the six new wood-inhabiting fungi species were grouped into genus Vararia. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the combined ITS and LSU tree sequences highlighted that V.fissurata was found to be the sister to V.ellipsospora with strong supports. Additionally, V.lincangensis was clustered with V.fragilis. Furthermore, V.punctata was retrieved as a sister to V.ambigua. Moreover, V.sinensis was grouped with five taxa as V.breviphysa, V.pirispora, V.fusispora, V.abortiphysa and V.insolita. The new species V.isabellina formed a monophyletic lineage, in which it was then grouped closely with V.daweishanensis, and V.gracilispora. In addition, V.yaoshanensis was found to be the sister to V.gallica with strong supports. The present results increased the knowledge of Vararia species diversity and taxonomy of corticioid fungi in China. An identification key to 17 species of Vararia in China is provided.

Complete genome sequence of a novel gammapartitivirus from Penicillium oxalicum RCEF7482.

Penicillium oxalicum, an important biocontrol fungus in China, has been a subject of extensive study due to its role in combating various pathogenic fungi. Despite the prevalence of mycoviruses with double-stranded (ds) RNA genomes in filamentous fungi, there has been no screening of mycoviruses in P. oxalicum. In this report, we describe the identification and characterization of a novel dsRNA virus isolated from P. oxalicum, designated as "Penicillium oxalicum partitivirus 1" (PoPV1). The genome of PoPV1 consists of two dsRNA segments, dsRNA1 (1,770 bp) and dsRNA2 (1,584 bp), each containing a single open reading frame (ORF): ORF1 and ORF2. Comparative analysis revealed that the RdRp and CP amino acid sequences of PoPV1 share the highest identity (89.18% and 73.97%, respectively) with those of Penicillium aurantiogriseum partitivirus 1 (PaPV1). Motif analysis based on RdRp amino acid sequences places PoPV1 in the genus Gammapartitivirus within the family Partitiviridae, with a distinctive motif VI (R/KV/ILGDD). Phylogenetic analysis further established a close relationship of PoPV1 to PaPV1, forming a unique clade among the gammapartitiviruses. Consequently, we propose that Penicillium oxalicum partitivirus 1 represents a new species in the genus Gammapartitivirus. This is the first report of a dsRNA virus in P. oxalicum.

Risk Assessment of Metals in Black Fungus and Culture Substrates Based on Monte Carlo Simulation

Black fungus is the second-most consumed edible fungus in China. The establishment of a risk assessment mechanism for heavy metals in black fungus is particularly critical to the safety of edible fungi. To clarify a risk assessment mechanism of heavy metal pollution of edible fungi in northeast China, in this study, the contents of Pb, Cr, CD and As in 415 samples were determined, and a total of 1660 valid data were obtained. Then, based on Monte Carlo simulation, a non-parametric probability assessment system for heavy metals in black fungus was established and improved. The results showed that the residual amounts of As, Pb, Cd and Cr in black fungus were in the order of Cr > Pb > As > Cd. The background content of four heavy metals in the main raw materials was preliminarily clarified. Among them, the content of As is between 0.010–0.320 mg·kg−1, Pb is between 0.051–0.792 mg·kg−1, Cd is between 0.019–0.236 mg·kg−1, and Cr is between 0.06–3.41 mg·kg−1. These results indicate that the dietary exposure risk of heavy metals ingested by dried black fungus in Chinese minors and adults is basically safe, but at the high exposure levels of 97.5% sites and 99% sites, Cr is at the light pollution level, and the comprehensive pollution of four heavy metals is at the moderate pollution level. In addition, this study found that raw materials can cause heavy metal accumulation in black fungus, mainly from sawdust, followed by rice bran and wheat bran.

Identification a novel Ganoderma FIP gene from Ganoderma capense and its functional expression in Pichia pastoris.

Ganoderma capense is a precious medicinal fungus in China. In this study, a novel fungal immunomodulatory protein gene, named as FIP-gca, was cloned from G. capense by homologous cloning. Sequencing analysis indicated that FIP-gca was composed of 336bp, which encoded a polypeptide of 110 amino acids. Protein sequence blasting and phylogenetic analysis showed that FIP-gca shared homology with other Ganoderma FIPs. FIP-gca was effectively expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115 at an expression level of 166.8mg/L and purified using HisTrap™ fast-flow prepack columns. The immunomodulation capacity of rFIP-gca was demonstrated by that rFIP-gca could obviously stimulate cell proliferation and increase IL-2 secretion of murine spleen lymphocytes. Besides, antitumor activity of rFIP-gca towards human stomach cancer AGS cell line was evaluated in vitro. Cell wound scratch assay proved that rFIP-gca could inhibit migration of AGS cells. And flow cytometry assay revealed that rFIP-gca could significantly induce apoptosis of AGS cells. rFIP-gca was able to induce 18.12% and 22.29% cell apoptosis at 0.3μM and 0.6μM, respectively. Conclusively, the novel FIP-gca gene from G. capense has been functionally expressed in Pichia and rFIP-gca exhibited ideal immunomodulation and anti-tumour activities, which implies its potential application and study in future.

Species diversity and major host/substrate associations of the genus Akanthomyces (Hypocreales, Cordycipitaceae).

Akanthomyces, a group of fungi with rich morphological and ecological diversity in Cordycipitaceae (Ascomycota, Hypocreales), has a wide distribution amongst diverse habitats. By surveying arthropod-pathogenic fungi in China and Southeast Asia over the last six years, nine Akanthomyces spp. were found and identified. Five of these were shown to represent four known species and an undetermined species of Akanthomyces. Four of these were new species and they were named A.kunmingensis and A.subaraneicola from China, A.laosensis from Laos and A.pseudonoctuidarum from Thailand. The new species were described and illustrated according to the morphological characteristics and molecular data. Akanthomycesaraneogenus, which was isolated from spiders from different regions in China, Thailand and Vietnam, was described as a newly-recorded species from Thailand and Vietnam. The phylogenetic positions of the nine species were evaluated, based on phylogenetic inferences according to five loci, namely, ITS, nrLSU, TEF, RPB1 and RPB2. In this study, we reviewed the research progress achieved for Akanthomyces regarding its taxonomy, species diversity, geographic distribution and major host/substrate associations. The morphological characteristics of 35 species in Akanthomyces, including four novel species and 31 known taxa, were also compared.

Analysis of public health risks associated with pathogenic fungi in China

At present, the public health risks caused by pathogenic fungi are greater in China and have attracted great attention from disease control departments. Due to the difficulty in diagnosing fungal infections, the public health risk of pathogenic fungi is currently hidden in the unexplained pneumonia/encephalitis/fever syndrome and is not effectively appreciated. From the public health perspective, the mainly focused fungal pathogens include highly pathogenic fungi (including dimorphic fungi and dematiaceous fungi), pathogenic fungi that cause regional aggregation infections, and drug-resistant pathogenic fungi. However, due to the lack of systematic monitoring data, the disease burden related to pathogenic fungi cannot be accurately quantified and evaluated. Therefore, to effectively reduce the serious harm of fungal infections to the public, systematic monitoring of pathogenic fungi should be carried out nationally.

Dictyophora polysaccharides alleviate intestinal-hepatic injury exposed to low-arsenic by regulating the imbalance of gut microbiota and LPS/TLR4 pathway in rats

Intestinal and liver damage caused by low arsenic exposure exists in worldwide, but the pathogenic mechanism is not clear at present.Dictyophora is a characteristic edible and medicinal fungus in China, and research has shown that its polysaccharides have good prebiotic effects.Therefore,we explored whether volva polysaccharide from Dictyophora has a certain therapeutic effect and its mechanism on intestinal and hepatic injury caused by low arsenic exposure.Firstly,we constructed the SD rat model of enteritis caused by low arsenic-induced.Then, from the perspectives of inflammatory responses capacity,histological alterations and serum biochemical levels of rats by arsenic-exposed with DIP intervention are analyzes the possible mechanism of intestinal and liver injury.Besides, the caecal microbiomes patterns were analysed using 16 S rDNA amplicon sequencing.Results showed that dictyophora polysaccharide increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Turicibacter, Oscillospiraceae_UCG-005,and reduced the abundance of Desulfovibrionia and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group proinflammatory bacteria.After dictyophora polysaccharide intervention, the pathological changes of liver and colon were alleviated,and the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol,and lipopolysaccharide in hepatic portal vein, total arsenic contents in the liver and colon tissues were reduced. Finally,we also found after dictyophora polysaccharide intervention,the gene and protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4 was returned to normal level,and the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors in liver and colon were reduce. In summary, our study found that dictyophora polysaccharide alleviated intestinal and hepatic injury in rats exposed to low arsenic by regulated intestinal microbiota and reduced TLR4 activation, which inhibited downstream proteins MyD88 to reduce the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 genes and protein.

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal three new species and one new record of Tubeufia (Tubeufiales, Tubeufiaceae) from southern China.

During an investigation of helicosporous fungi in China, a total of seven helicosporous hyphomycetes were obtained from decaying wood in the southern region of the country. Based on phylogenetic analyses using a combined LSU, ITS, tef1α, and rpb2 sequence matrix, in conjunction with morphological comparisons, these taxa were classified within Tubeufia (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales) and were recognized as three new species, viz. Tubeufiaguttulata, T.hainanensis, and T.muriformis, as well as one new distribution record, viz. T.cocois. Evidence for these new taxa and the new record, descriptions, illustrations, notes, and phylogenetic evidence are provided for the newly collected helicosporous species.

Additions to the Genus Helicosporium (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales) from China with an Identification Key for Helicosporium Taxa.

Helicosporous hyphomycetes is a group of filamentous fungi that shows promising application prospects in metabolizing bioactive natural compounds. During a study of helicosporous fungi in China, six new helicosporous taxa were collected and isolated from decaying wood in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Morphological comparisons with multi-gene phylogenetic analyses revealed that these six taxa belong to Helicosporium (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales), and they were recognized as three novel species and were named Helicosporium liuzhouense, H. multidentatum, and H. nanningense. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the newly discovered taxa and comparisons with similar fungi are provided. In addition, a list and a key to accepted Helicosporium species are provided.

Species diversity of pathogenic wood-rotting fungi (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) in China

ABSTRACT Wood-rotting basidiomycetes have been investigated in the Chinese forest ecosystem for the past 30 years. Two hundred and five pathogenic wood-decayers belonging to 9 orders, 30 families, and 74 genera have been found in Chinese native forests, plantations, and gardens. Seventy-two species (accounting for 35% of the total pathogenic species) are reported as pathogenic fungi in China for the first time. Among these pathogens, 184 species are polypores, nine are corticioid fungi, eight are agarics and five are hydnoid basidiomycetes. One hundred and seventy-seven species (accounting for 86%) cause white rot, while 28 species (accounting for 14%) result in brown rot; 157 species grow on angiosperm trees (accounting for 76.5%) and 44 species occur on gymnosperm trees (accounting for 21.5%), only four species inhabit both angiosperms and gymnosperms (accounting for 2%); 95 species are distributed in boreal to temperate forests and 110 in subtropical to tropical forests. In addition, 17 species, including Fomitopsis pinicola, Heterobasidion parviporum, and Phellinidium weirii etc. which were previously treated as pathogenic species in China, do not occur in China according to recent studies. In this paper, the host(s), type of forest, rot type, and distribution of each pathogenic species in China are given.

Species diversity and taxonomy of Scytinostroma sensu stricto (Russulales, Basidiomycota) with descriptions of four new species from China.

Scytinostroma is species-rich genus in Peniophoraceae, Russulales and has been shown to be polyphyletic. In this study, we performed phylogenetic analyses on the core clade of Scytinostroma based on concatenated ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-nrLSU sequence data. Fifteen lineages including four new species from China, Scytinostromabeijingensis, S.boidinii, S.subduriusculum, and S.subrenisporum, were recognized. The genus Michenera was nested within the Scytinostroma s.s. clade in the phylogenetic tree of Peniophoraceae. Sequences of S.portentosum (type species) and S.hemidichophyticum from Europe formed a strongly supported lineage sister to the S.portentosum sample from Canada. It is supposed that the European "S.portentosum" is S.hemidichophyticum, and the former species is restricted in distribution to North America. Scytinostromaduriusculum is supposed to be a species complex. Samples from Sri Lanka (the type locality) formed a lineage sister to those from China, Thailand and Vietnam (described herein as S.subduriusculum) and two samples from France that might represent an undescribed species. The four new species are described and illustrated, and an identification key to all the 14 Scytinostroma s.s. species worldwide is provided. Until now, seven species of Scytinostroma s.s. have been found in China. Our results increased the knowledge of species diversity and taxonomy of corticioid fungi in China.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of brown-rot corticioid fungi in China: Coniophora beijingensis and Veluticeps subfasciculata spp. nov.

Brown-rot fungi account for a small portion of the wood-decaying fungi. There are a few corticioid genera causing brown rot of wood, and their species diversity is still under investigated and studied, especially in subtropical and tropical areas. Two new brown-rot corticioid fungi, Coniophora beijingensis and Veluticeps subfasciculata were found during the investigation of corticioid fungi in China. Phylogenetic analyses of the two genera were carried out separately based on ITS-28S sequence data. Coniophora beijingensis was collected from Beijing, north China, from different kinds of angiosperm and gymnosperm trees, and is characterized by possessing a monomitic hyphal system with colorless hyphae and relatively small pale yellow basidiospores 7-8.6 μm× 4.5-6 μm. Veluticeps subfasciculata was collected from Guizhou and Sichuan Provinces, southwestern China, on Cupressus and is characterized by the resupinate to effused-reflexed basidiomes with a colliculose hymenophore, nodose-septate generative hyphae, fasciculate skeletocystidia and subcylindrical to subfusiform basidiospores 8-11 μm × 2.5-3.5 μm. Descriptions and illustrations are provided for the two new species, and identification keys to Coniophora and Veluticeps species in China are given. Coniophora fusispora is reported in China for the first time.