Helicosporous Hyphomycete Research Articles

Antimicrobial Metabolites from the Freshwater Fungus Tubeufia longihelicospora Strain GZCC 23-0405

In this study, five metabolites were successfully isolated from the culture medium of Tubeufia longihelicospora strain GZCC 23-0405, comprising two dimeric naphtha-γ-pyrones (1–2), two dimeric coumarins (3–4), and one alkaloid (5). The elucidation of their chemical structures relied on a combination of NMR, MS, and optical rotation methods. Interestingly, these compounds represent the first instances of such metabolites being isolated from helicosporous hyphomycetes. Additionally, compounds (1) and (2) exhibited significant antimicrobial potential, with MIC and MBC values of 62.0 μg mL-1 and 248 μg mL-1, respectively, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study provides a comprehensive account of the extraction, isolation, structural characterization, and antimicrobial properties of these compounds, shedding light on their potential significance in the field of natural product research.

Three new species of Neohelicomyces (Tubeufiales, Tubeufiaceae) from freshwater and terrestrial habitats in China.

Neohelicomyces species are a group of helicosporous hyphomycetes with the potential to produce secondary metabolites. During our investigation of helicosporous fungi, six collections were isolated from both terrestrial and freshwater habitats in Guizhou Province, China. Based on multigene phylogenetic analysis (ITS, LSU, tef1α and rpb2), coupled with morphological data, three new Neohelicomyces species, viz. N.guizhouensis, N.helicosporus and N.hydei were established. A list of accepted Neohelicomyces species with molecular data was provided. The strain of Neohelicomycespallidus (UAMH 10535) was synonymised under N.denticulatus based on molecular data.

Novel Helicoma and Neohelicosporium (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales) species and two new host records of Helicoma on tropical palms (Arecaceae) from China.

Asexual species of Tubeufiaceae are characterised as helicosporous hyphomycetes and are abundantly discovered in tropical and subtropical regions. The present study collected helicosporous fungal samples from rotting tissues of Caryotamitis, Elaeisguineensis and E.oleifera in Xishuangbanna, Yunan Province, China. Fungal isolates were identified, based on the morphological characteristics and multi-gene phylogeny with DNA sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), part of the large subunit nuclear rRNA gene (LSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (tef 1-α) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene (rpb2). Herein, we introduce three new species viz. Helicomaoleifera, Neohelicosporiumguineensis and N.xishuangbannaensis. In addition, we introduce two new host records of Helicomaguttulatum and H.rufum on Caryotamitis. The illustrations of all identified species, detailed descriptions and in-depth phylogenetic analyses are provided. Our results add new knowledge of fungal species associated with palm hosts in southern China. Moreover, our data will contribute to the biodiversity of fungi in tropical China.

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.

Morphological and Multi-Gene Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Pseudotubeufia gen. nov. and Two New Species in Tubeufiaceae from China.

Three helicosporous hyphomycete collections representing two species were obtained from rotting wood found in freshwater and terrestrial habitats in the Guizhou and Guangxi Provinces, China. A new genus Pseudotubeufia (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales), comprising Ps. hyalospora sp. nov. and Ps. laxispora sp. nov., was introduced with morphological characteristic and molecular data. In addition, the molecular evidence showed that Helicomyces sp. (G.M. 2020-09-19.1), H. roseus (CBS: 102.76), and the new genus Pseudotubeufia clustered together with high support based on a multi-gene (LSU, ITS, tef1α, and rpb2) phylogenetic analysis. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and notes of the three new collections are provided.

A New Record of Neohelicosporium guangxiense and Its Secondary Metabolites

In a diversity study of helicosporous hyphomycetes, a new record viz. Neohelicosporium guangxiense was collected, isolated and identified based on multi-gene phylogenetic analyses and morphological evidence. In this study, secondary metabolites of N. guangxiense were also investigated, from which four compounds were isolated and identified, including three α-tetralon derivatives (1-3) and one isocoumarin derivative (4). This is the first time that these compounds were isolated from the fungal genus Neohelicosporium, and compound 1 was firstly isolated from natural resources. Their structures were assigned based on the extensive 1D/2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, ESI-MS, and HR-ESI-MS measurements, especially the 2D NMR spectra of compound 1 were described in detail, and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was also elucidated for the first time. Furthermore, the bioactivities of all compounds were inactive in our bioassays.

Four new species and three new records of helicosporous hyphomycetes from China and their multi-gene phylogenies.

Helicosporous hyphomycetes have the potential to produce a variety of bioactive compounds. However, the strain resources of this fungal group are relatively scarce, which limits their further exploitation and utilization. In this study, based on phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1α sequence data and the morphology from 11 isolates, we introduce four new species of helicosporous hyphomycetes, viz. Helicoma wuzhishanense, Helicosporium hainanense, H. viridisporum, and Neohelicomyces hainanensis, as well as three new records, viz. Helicoma guttulatum, H. longisporum, and Helicosporium sexuale. Detailed morphological comparisons of the four new species that distinguish them are provided.

Three New Species, Two New Records and Four New Collections of Tubeufiaceae from Thailand and China.

Tubeufiaceae, a cosmopolitan family with a worldwide distribution, is mostly reported as saprobic on decaying woody materials from both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The family is commonly found as helicosporous hyphomycetes, while some are chlamydosporous and phragmosporous. In this study, thirteen helicosporous hyphomycetes were collected from Thailand and China. The phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, TEF1-α, and RPB2 sequence data placed them in Dematiohelicomyces, Helicoma, Helicotruncatum, Neohelicosporium, Parahelicomyces, and Tubeufia within Tubeufiaceae. Three new species, Tubeufia cocois, Parahelicomyces chiangmaiensis, and Neohelicosporium bambusicola, one new host record, Tubeufia laxispora, and one new geographic record, T. longihelicospora, are introduced based on both morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. In addition, Dematiohelicomyces helicosporus, Helicoma guttulatum, Helicotruncatum palmigenum, and Tubeufia cylindrothecia are described with detailed descriptions and color photo plates.

(2744) Proposal to conserve Pseudohelicomyces Y.Z. Lu & al. (Tubeufiaceae) against Pseudohelicomyces Garnica & E. Valenz. (Hymenogastraceae)

(2744) Pseudohelicomyces Y.Z. Lu & al. in Fungal Diversity 92: 248. Sep 2018, nom. cons. prop. Typus: P. talbotii (Goos) Y.Z. Lu & K.D. Hyde (Helicosporium talbotii Goos). (H) Pseudohelicomyces Garnica & E. Valenz. in Mycol. Res. 104: 739. Jun 2000, nom. rej. prop. Typus: P. albus Garnica & E. Valenz. Pseudohelicomyces Y.Z. Lu, Jian K. Liu & K.D. Hyde (in Fungal Diversity 92: 248. 2018) was established as a helicosporous fungal genus in Tubeufiaceae based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence to accommodate five species, viz. P. aquaticus, P. hyalosporus, P. indicus, P. paludosus and P. talbotii (Lu & al., l.c.: 131–344). Jayasiri & al. (in Mycosphere 10: 1–186. 2019) introduced a sixth species to this genus, Pseudohelicomyces quercus, as well as new host records for P. aquaticus and P. talbotii, based on molecular data with morphological characters. Subsequently, based on phylogenetic and morphological analyses, Li & al. (in Fungal Diversity 95: 87–94. 2019) described a new member, Pseudohelicomyces menglunicus, from an unidentified seed coat. However, following the publication of this generic name, it was discovered that there is an older homonym, Pseudohelicomyces Garnica & E. Valenz. (in Mycol. Res. 104: 739. 2000), and this renders Pseudohelicomyces Y.Z. Lu & al. illegitimate. Pseudohelicomyces Garnica & E. Valenz. is a monotypic genus whose only species, P. albus, is based on the asexual morph of Psilocybe merdaria, whose currently accepted name is Deconica merdaria (Valenzuela & Garnica in Mycol. Res. 104: 738–741. 2000; Redhead & al. in Taxon 56: 255–257. 2007; Noordeloos in Österr. Z. Pilzk., N.S., 18: 197–199. 2009; Norvell in Taxon 59: 292–293. 2010). Based on “One Fungus = One Name” (Hawksworth & al. in IMA Fungus 2: 105–112. 2011; Hawksworth in IMA Fungus 3: 15–24. 2012), Pseudohelicomyces albus is a junior synonym of the currently accepted name Deconica merdaria. Therefore, Pseudohelicomyces Garnica & E. Valenz. is a junior heterotypic synonym of Deconica under the current generic circumscriptions. Although, because of Art. F.8.1 of the ICN (Turland & al. in Regnum Veg. 159. 2018), it is not a nomenclaturally superfluous and illegitimate name (under Art. 52) and although under current classifications it is unnecessary, it would be available for use if the accepted type of Deconica, D. physaloides (Bull.) P. Karst., were to be considered as distinct generically from Deconica merdaria. However, this is unlikely to happen as Deconica is a non-hallucinogenic group, and the genus Psilocybe is universally associated with its hallucinogenic representatives, both of them are confirmed by molecular data and morphological comparison (Ramírez-Cruz & al. in Botany 91: 573–591. 2013). Deconica merdaria is a non-hallucinogenic species and it is grouped within Deconica based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence (Maruyama & al. in Forensic Sci. Int. 163: 51–58. 2006; Redhead & al., l.c.; Norvell, l.c.), justifying its classification status within the genus Deconica. Furthermore, Helicomyces Link (in Mag. Neuesten Entdeck. Gesammten Naturk. Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin 3: 21. 1809) is the oldest described and a well-known helicosporous hyphomycete genus. The members of Pseudohelicomyces Y.Z. Lu & al. are morphologically similar to Helicomyces in conidial characteristics (Lu & al., l.c.; Jayasiri & al., l.c.), but Pseudohelicomyces Garnica & E. Valenz. is not. In addition, Pseudohelicomyces Garnica & E. Valenz. has rarely been used since it was established, while Deconica merdaria, the synonym name of its type, is currently well cited by researchers (Noordeloos, l.c.; Ma & al. in Phytotaxa 156: 211–220. 2014; Coimbra in Mycosphere 6: 441–458. 2015; Uzun & al. in Turkish J. Bot. 41: 516–534. 2017; Wu & al. in Fungal Diversity 98: 1–76. 2019). On the contrary, Pseudohelicomyces Y.Z. Lu & al. is highly used compared to Pseudohelicomyces Garnica & E. Valenz., and seven species have been described within the genus Pseudohelicomyces Y.Z. Lu & al. (Lu & al., l.c.; Jayasiri & al., l.c.; Liu & al. in Mycol. Progr. 18: 671–682. 2019; Li & al., l.c.). To avoid disadvantageous nomenclatural changes in the future, we propose that Pseudohelicomyces Y.Z. Lu & al. be conserved against Pseudohelicomyces Garnica & E. Valenz. (Hymenogastraceae) in accordance with Art. 14 of the ICN. Y-ZL, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1033-5782 J-KL, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9232-228X

Two new species of helicosporous hyphomycetes from Taiwan

Helicoma chiayiense sp. nov. and Helicosporium taiwanense sp. nov. on decaying wood submerged in a freshwater stream of Alishan area, Chiayi County, Taiwan, are described and illustrated with light and scanning electron micrographs. Helicoma chiayiense is distinct in having hyaline conidiophores arising from repent mycelium, producing broad conidia that bear secondary conidia. Helicosporium taiwanense is distinct in having robust poly-denticulate conidiophores producing conidia with a wide conidial filament. The phylogenetic relationship of these species was sought among representative taxa of the helicosporous hyphomycetes by comparing their ITS of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA).

Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses reveals Neohelicosporium gen. nov. and five new species of helicosporous hyphomycetes from aquatic habitats

Helicosporous hyphomycetes are a morphologically allied group of Tubeufiales. We introduce a new helicosporous genus, Neohelicosporium, with five new species, Neohelicosporium aquaticum, N. guangxiense, N. hyalosporum, N. parvisporum, and N. thailandicum, based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The RPB2 protein gene data are provided to analyze their phylogeny in Tubeufiales. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1α sequence data from 13 new isolates of Neohelicosporium provided evidence to support the establishment of the new taxa. The morphological characters of Neohelicosporium that differentiate it from other helicosporous species are compared and discussed.

NovelNeoacanthostigmaSpecies from Aquatic Habitats

Helicosporous hyphomycetes are a morphologically fascinating group of Tubeufiales. Ten dematiaceous helicosporous asexual morphs and two sexual morphs collected from aquatic habitats are characterized in this study using morphological features and phylogenetic analyses. Four new species of Neoacanthostigma, viz. N. aquaticum, N. brunneisporum, N. guangxiense and N. latisporum, are described and illustrated. The phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU and TEF1α sequence data place all taxa in the genus Neoacanthostigma (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales) and provide evidence to support the establishment of the new taxa. The differentiating morphological characters of Neoacanthostigma with other helicosporous species are compared and discussed. A key to all Neoacanthostigma species is also provided.

Erratum to: Helicocentralis hyalina gen. et sp. nov., an aero-aquatic helicosporous fungus (Leotiomycetes, Ascomycota) in Thailand

During a survey of aero-aquatic fungi in Thailand, an undescribed helicosporous fungus was discovered. It is characterized by the presence of branched and septate hyphae with hyaline conidiophores that are micronematous or semi-macronematous, acrogenous and holoblastic. Conidia are hyaline and centrifugally coiled (excentric), helicoid or circinate, coiled 2–3 times clockwise or counterclockwise. After comparison of morphological and molecular characters with other aero-aquatic, helicosporous fungi, introduction of a new genus and species is proposed, Helicocentralis hyalina gen. et sp. nov. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combined sequence data from the small and large nuclear subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU and LSU), as well as internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequence data, the fungus groups within the Leotiomycetes class with strong statistical support. The new genus is not related to other helicosporous hyphomycete genera (Helicoma, Helicomyces, Helicoon, and Helicosporium), which belong in the Tubeufiaceae, Dothideomycetes. Within the Leotiomycetes, our new fungus is distantly related to Helicodendron paradoxum (the type species). The new fungus is also compared morphologically to six similar helicosporous genera from Dothideomycetes and Leotiomycetes.

Helicosporous Hyphomycetes from Poland

Recent series of Goos's works (1985, 1986, 1987) on helicosporous <i>Hyphomycetes</i> have stimulied ihe studies of some material from the author's collection. The taxa presented in this paper, i.e <i>Cirrenalia lignicola</i> Kirk, <i>Helicoon fuscosporum</i> Linder. <i>H. richonis</i> (Boudier) Lmder. <i>H. sessile</i> Morgan, <i>Slimacomyces monospora</i> (Kendrick) Minter, and <i>Troposporella fumosa</i> Karsten, are recorded in Poland for the first time.

Materials for the fungus flora of Japan (57)

Two microfungi are described as new to Japan:Amaurascopsis reticulatus (Amauroascaceae, Ascomycetes), isolated from forest soil in Kamakura, has not been recorded since it was originally found and is characterized by yellow to orange-red ascomata with undifferentiated peridial hyphae and globose ascospores with contorted ridges appearing irregularly punctate-reticulate; andHobsonia mirabilis (helicosporous hyphomycete), isolated from the cut stem of a thistle in Hachijo-jima, is characterized by gelatinous sporodochia and hyaline, tortuously coiled conidia.

The aero-aquatic Helicodendron microsporum n. sp. from Mallorca, Spain

A new aero-aquatic helicosporous hyphomycete, Helicodendron microsporum, is described and illustrated from decaying leaves submerged in a small artificial pond surrounded by Quercus ilex and Pinus halepensis in Mallorca, Spain. It is characterized by branched conidiophores with chains of hyaline conidia eventually forming white clusters which do not break up even at maturity. It also has small conidia (8–10 μm diam.) consisting of a 2–2.5 μm thick filament which coils 1.5–2 times counter-clockwise. The main characters of the species are compared with 14 similar hyalosporous Helicodendron species.

A new species of Helicoon from Mallorca, Spain

A new aeroaquatic helicosporous hyphomycete, Helicoon maioricensis, from submerged decaying leaves in a small oligotrophic pond in an evergreen oak woodland in Mallorca, Spain is described and illustrated with scanning electron micrographs. The new species forms conspicuous colonies with much branched and minutely roughened anastomosing hyphae both in vivo and in vitro as well as dark fuscous to black subglobose conidia that are borne singly on short conidiophores. The new species is compared with H. pluriseptatum. A dichotomous and a synoptic key to the 16 species in the genus are provided.

A new helicosporous hyphomycete collected on Roystonea regia in Cuba

A unique hyphomycete, Rogergoosiella roystoneicola gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated from dead petioles of Roystonea regia collected in Cuba. Its relationship with other helicosporous hyphomycetes is discussed.

Helicoon gigantisporum sp. nov., and an amended key to the genus

A new aero-aquatic helicosporous hyphomycete, Helicoon gigantisporum, from submerged wood in Australia is described and illustrated with light and scanning electron micrographs. It differs from the nine previously described species of Helicoon in having larger broadly ellipsoid to doliiform conidia which are borne singly on very short conidiophores. An amended key to the genus is given.