Presence Of Clamp Connections Research Articles

First report of the genus Xerophorus from Asia with the description of Xerophorus pakistanicus (Callistosporiaceae), a new species from Southern Punjab, Pakistan

A novel species, Xerophorus pakistanicus, has been identified from Southern Punjab, Pakistan, based on morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Xerophorus pakistanicus is characterized by a brown to dull orange, parabolic to campanulate pileus, a stipe turning light yellowish brown on handling, an absence of an annulus, amygdaliform to oblong basidiospores, utriform to pyriform caulocystidia, and the presence of clamp connections only in the stipitipellis. A phylogram, based on the combined nrITS-28S dataset, was constructed to assess the phylogenetic position of our strain, resulted Xerophorus pakistanicus sp. nov. within the genus Xerophorus. We present the new species with an illustrated morphological description and comparison with similar morphological or phylogenetically related species. This is the first record of the genus Xerophorus from Asia. A key to the known species of Xerophorus is also provided.

A new species of Boletinellus (Boletinellaceae, Boletales) from India

A new species of Boletinellus, namely B. viridianus, is described from India based on morphological and molecular data. B. viridianus is characterized by basidiomata with a deeply decurrent poroid-lamellate hymenophore turning blue-green on bruising, an eccentric to lateral stipe covered with the hymenophoral structure extending lengthwise, oblong to ellipsoid, thin- to thick-walled, inamyloid basidiospores, two- to four-spored basidia, a pileipellis that is primarily a cutis interrupted by trichodermal clusters, and the presence of clamp connections. DNA sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 28S rDNA (28S) gene loci were used for phylogenetic analysis. Detailed description, color photo plates, a species comparison table, and a taxonomic key to Boletinellus species known worldwide are provided.

Morphological and molecular data reveal a new species of Amanita section Vaginatae (Amanitaceae) from India

Amanita sharmae, a new species of A. sect. vaginatae is described from India based on 2-gene phylogenetic analyses and morphological data. It is characterized by a small to medium-sized basidiomata, dark grey to olive grey pileus, broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores (10‒14 × 7‒10 μm), the presence of clamp connections, and its occurrence under Abies pindrow and Picea smithiana in coniferous forest.

Candolleomyces asiaticus sp. nov. (Psathyrellaceae, Agaricales), a novel species from Punjab, Pakistan

During mycological surveys of different areas of Punjab, Pakistan, we collected a new species from the genus Candolleomyces. This is the first report of any species of this genus from Pakistan. Candolleomyces asiaticus M.Asif, A.Izhar, Niazi & Khalid sp. nov. is characterized by ellipsoid to oblong-ellipsoid (8.2 × 5 µm) basidiospores with indistinct germ pores, lageniform to utriform cheilocystidia without adhering deposits at the apices, absence of pleuro-, pileo- and caulocystidia, pileipellis with spherical, subglobose to columnar cells, and presence of clamp connections. The morpho-anatomical and molecular phylogenetic analysis of nrITS revealed its distinct phylogenetic position, further supporting the recognition of a new species.

A Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Study on Phellodon (Bankeraceae, Thelephorales) from China

In this study, phylogenetic analyses of Phellodon from China were carried out based on sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the small subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nSSU), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), combined with morphological characters of the collected specimens in China. The fruiting bodies of the specimens were used to observe their characteristics, and three new species of Phellodon are discovered. Phellodon crassipileatus is characterized by its pale brown to dark brown pileal surface, tomentose pileal margin, white spines, and the presence of clamp connections in generative hyphae of pileal surface, context, and stipe. Phellodon griseofuscus is characterized by its dark brown to black pileal surface, white to pale brown pileal margin, the presence of both simple septa and clamp connections in generative hyphae of spines, and moderately long basidia. Phellodon perchocolatus is characterized by its woody and broad pileus, brown to greyish brown pileal surface when fresh, tomentose pileal margin when young, which becomes glabrous with age, and the presence of both simple septa and clamp connections in the generative hyphae of the spines. This is the first time both single and multi-genes analysis is used in such a phylogenetic and taxonomic study on Phellodon, which can provide the basis for the phylogenetic study of the genus.

Infundibulicybe trachyspora, a New Species from Northeastern China Based on Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny.

Infundibulicybe trachyspora is described as a new species from northeastern China. The species is characterized by clitocyboid to omphalioid habit, carneous, greyish-yellow to brownish pileus, brown to dark reddish-brown, longitudinally fibrillose-striate stipe, non-amyloid, non-smooth spores, the absence of cystidia and the presence of clamp connections. A comprehensive description of the species is provided together with photo-illustrations and comparisons with phenotypically similar and phylogenetically related species. The nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the nuclear, large subunit rDNA (nrLSU) region of the new species was sequenced and analyzed. The phylogenetic analysis supported the novelty of the species and its placement within the genus. Furthermore, a discussion on the proposal to establish a new section is made, and a key is provided for the Infundibulicybe species reported from China.

Taxonomy and Molecular Phylogeny of Phellodon (Thelephorales) with Descriptions of Four New Species from Southwest China

Phellodon is a genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi belonging to the group known as the stipitate hydnoids. It is associated with coniferous trees in forest ecosystems and is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere. Phellodon, together with Hydnellum, and Sarcodon, is classified in the Bankeraceae, members of which are generally considered as symbiotic fungi. Ectomycorrhizal fungi can help plant roots fix nitrogen and improve the absorption capacity of soil nutrients by trees, so they play an important role in ecosystem protection. Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Chinese Phellodon collections were carried out. Four new Phellodon species were discovered from southwestern China based on a combination of morphological characters and molecular data. Phellodon atroardesiacus is characterized by the blackish blue to dark grey pileus, dark grey to ash grey spines, and presence of clamp connections in spines. Phellodon cinereofuscus is distinguished by a cottony tomentose pileal margin, long spines which become clay-buff when dry, and echinulate basidiospores. Phellodon stramineus is characterized by a depressed and tomentose pileus, straw buff-colored pileal surface, and dark grey to ash grey spines. Phellodon yunnanensis is distinguished by a clay-pink to brown pileus, pale brown to white spines, and the presence of clamp connections in the outer layer of stipe. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and ecological traits for the new taxa are provided. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions confirmed that the four new species are distinct within Phellodon.

<strong><em>Cantharellus macrocarpus</em> (Cantharellaceae, Cantharellales), a new species from tropical China</strong>

Cantharellus macrocarpus, a member of Cantharellus subgenus Cantharellus, is described as a new species from Hainan Province, China. It is characterized by large basidioma with a bright yellow-orange pileus and a well-developed, rugulose hymenophore, cream to pale yellowish stipe, noticeably thickened hyphal walls in the pileipellis, presence of clamp connections in all parts of the basidiomata, and a distribution in tropical Asia. A phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from part of the 28S gene and the translation elongation factor 1-a gene (TEF1) confirmed that it forms an independent lineage within subgenus Cantharellus. A detailed description, color photos of fresh basidiomata and line drawings of micromorphological features are presented.

First Report of Leaf Blight Caused by Limonomyces roseipellis on Maize (Zea mays L) in China.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the major crops in China. In July 2020, leaf blight was observed on approximately 18% of maize plants at the 852 Farm, Heilongjiang province. Symptoms appeared as yellow necrotic lesions on leaf tips and margins, which later expanded to the entire. The disease was first observed on the lower leaves of the plants and then progressed up the plant. Thirty symptomatic leaves were collected in 2020, and tissue samples between healthy and necrotic area (4 × 2 mm) were surface disinfected with 1% NaOCl for 3 min, 70% ethanol for 10 s, and washed three times with sterile water. Disinfected tissues were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with streptomycin sulfate (50 mg/liter) and incubated at 25°C for 1 week. Cultures were purified using the hyphal-tip technique for morphological and molecular analyses. Morphological characteristics were observed on 1-week-old PDA cultures grown at 25°C. Mycelium changed from cream colored to pale pink or reddish, and the back of plate turned pink with time. Hyphae were hyaline, 2 to 7 μm wide, with clamps at primary septa. Hyaline basidiospores were sphere to ellipsoid, and ranged from 8 to 10 × 6 to 9 μm. Based on the presence of clamp connections and morphological features, the fungus was preliminarily identified as Limonomyces roseipellis (Stalpers et al. 1982). To confirm the identity of L. roseipellis, primers ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), MS1/MS2 (White et al. 1990), and LR0R/LR5 (Vilgalys and Hester 1990) were used to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the partial mitochondrial small subunit rDNA (mtSSU) and nuclear large subunit rDNA (nuLSU), respectively. These sequences were deposited in GenBank (GenBank accession no.s MW067756, MW322806 and MW386178). The ITS sequence had 99.55% nucleotide identity (660 bp/668 bp) with L. roseipellis isolate EF82 (GenBank accession no. MK918632). The mtSSU sequence was 99.69% identical (634 bp/636 bp) to that of L. roseipellis strain SY-LQG101 (Genbank accession no. KF824718). The nuLSU sequence was 99.14% identical (924 bp/932 bp) to that of L. roseipellis (GenBank accession no. EU622844). A single basidiospore was isolated and cultured on PDA for pathogenicity testing. To fulfill Koch's postulates, ten healthy, surface-disinfected maize plants grown in pots (four to five leaves stage) were sprayed with basidiospore suspension (1×106 spores/ml); another ten healthy surface-disinfected maize plants sprayed with distilled water to serve as controls. Plants were sealed in plastic bags immediately after inoculation and maintained at 90% relative humidity in a mist chamber for 24 h at 25°C with a 12-h light cycle (Nicoli et al. 2016). Plants were moved and maintained in the greenhouse and observed for disease development. The experiment was conducted twice. Leaf blight symptoms appeared on all inoculated plants 3 to 5 days postinoculation and were consistent with symptoms observed in the field. No disease symptoms were observed on control plants. The pathogen was reisolated from diseased plants, and species identification was confirmed by the morphological and molecular method described. L. roseipellis has been reported to infect Cynodon dactylon, Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the identification of L. roseipellis as a pathogen of maize in China, and this report will assist with monitoring distribution of the disease to assist with developing management recommendations.

Crystallicutis gen. nov. (Irpicaceae, Basidiomycota), including C. damiettensis sp. nov., found on Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) trunks in the Nile Delta of Egypt

The taxonomy of Polyporales is complicated by the variability in key morphological characters across families and genera, now being gradually resolved through molecular phylogenetic analyses. Here a new resupinate species, Crystallicutis damiettensis sp. nov. found on the decayed trunks of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) trees in the fruit orchards of the Nile Delta region of Egypt is reported. Multigene phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, EF1α, RPB1 and RPB2 loci place this species in Irpicaceae, and forming a distinct clade with Ceraceomyces serpens and several other hitherto unnamed taxa, which we also incorporate into a new genus Crystallicutis. We name two of these species, Crystallicutis huangshanensis sp. nov. and Crystallicutis rajchenbergii sp. nov. The distinctive feature of Crystallicutis gen. nov. is the presence of crystal-encrusted hyphae in the hymenium and subiculum. Basidiomes are usually honey-yellow with white margins but there is variability in the presence of clamp connections and cystidia, as noted for other genera within Irpicacae. C. damiettensis is hitherto consistently associated with date palms killed by the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, a highly damaging and invasive pest, recently spread to the Mediterranean region. C. damiettensis causes rapid wood decay by a potentially unusual white-rot mechanism and may play a role in the damage caused by R. ferrugineus.

Crittendenia gen. nov., a new lichenicolous lineage in the Agaricostilbomycetes (Pucciniomycotina), and a review of the biology, phylogeny and classification of lichenicolous heterobasidiomycetes

AbstractThe lichenicolous ‘heterobasidiomycetes’ belong in the Tremellomycetes (Agaricomycotina) and in the Pucciniomycotina. In this paper, we provide an introduction and review of these lichenicolous taxa, focusing on recent studies and novelties of their classification, phylogeny and evolution. Lichen-inhabiting fungi in the Pucciniomycotina are represented by only a small number of species included in the genera Chionosphaera, Cyphobasidium and Lichenozyma. The phylogenetic position of the lichenicolous representatives of Chionosphaera has, however, never been investigated by molecular methods. Phylogenetic analyses using the nuclear SSU, ITS, and LSU ribosomal DNA markers reveal that the lichenicolous members of Chionosphaera form a monophyletic group in the Pucciniomycotina, distinct from Chionosphaera and outside the Chionosphaeraceae. The new genus Crittendenia is described to accommodate these lichen-inhabiting species. Crittendenia is characterized by minute synnemata-like basidiomata, the presence of clamp connections and aseptate tubular basidia from which 4–7 spores discharge passively, often in groups. Crittendenia, Cyphobasidium and Lichenozyma are the only lichenicolous lineages known so far in the Pucciniomycotina, whereas Chionosphaera does not include any lichenicolous taxa.

<p><strong><em>Scleroderma venenatum</em> <em>sp. nov.</em>, <em>S. venenatum</em> var. <em>macrosporum</em> <em>var. nov.</em> and <em>S. suthepense</em> new to China</strong></p>

Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on Scleroderma in China were carried out. One poisonous species was discovered at the scene of poisoning that could not match any known species, and is described morphologically and molecularly as a new species: Scleroderma venenatum. It is characterized by its two layered peridium, brown to greyish brown surface with scattered, small and thin scales, presence of moniliform hyphae in gleba and middle size echinulate basidiospores (9−13 μm, including ornamentation) with dense narrow pyramidal warts. At the same time, S. venenatum var. macrosporum was found which shares most characteristics with S. venenatum var. venenatum except its distinctly larger basidiospores (12−16 μm), and occasionally presence of clamp connections in the inner layer of the peridium. Scleroderma suthepense, originally described from Thailand was also discovered from tropical areas of Guangdong and Yunnan Provinces, which was characterized by its strongly reticulate basidiospores (8−11.5 μm). A key to the known species of Scleroderma in China is also provided.

Two new species of Crepidotus (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) from peninsular India

Two new species, Crepidotus volubilis and Crepidotus palodensis are described from Kerala State, India based on morphological and molecular (nrLSU) phylogenetic data. The new taxa were assigned to section Echinospori due to the verrucose basidiospores and presence of clamp connections in the hyphae. Comprehensive descriptions, photographs and comparisons with phenetically similar and phylogenetically related species are discussed. The nrLSU-based phylogenetic analysis performed using Maximum Likelihood (ML) method, supported the novelty of the species.

First report of Limacella from Bangladesh, with a new species description

Limacella bangladeshana, a new species of well-known fungal family Amanitaceae from Bangladesh is described and illustrated based on morphology and molecular evidence. The species is mainly recognized by its medium-sized basidiomata, cream-white to off-white or buff-white pileus, the slightly uplifted pileal margin, globose basidiospores measuring 3.5–4 × 3.5–4 µm, an ixo-trichodermal pileipellis, and the common presence of clamp connections. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using sequence of the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nrLSU) also supports the recognition of the new species in Limacella. This species represents the first generic record of Limacella for Bangladesh. Detailed description, color photos and illustration, and comparison with allied taxa are presented.

Delimitation of European Crepidotus stenocystis as different from the North American species C. brunnescens (Inocybaceae, Agaricales)

Crepidotus stenocystis and C. brunnescens are morphologically similar species defined by globose to subglobose spores, the presence of clamp connections in all tissues and bottle-like or flask-like cheilocystidia. They are also similar in the pileal aspect which is hygrophanous, glabrous or white-fibrillose, at first white but becoming brownish with age. Each are described from separate continents and have only been reported from their respective continents, C. stenocystis from Europe and C. brunnescens from North America. The phylogenetic analysis of ITS and LSU nrDNA regions from original type material confirms the existence of two distinct species, C. brunnescens that is more closely related to C. malachioides, and C. stenocystis that is more closely related to C. applanatus. Crepidotus stenocystis differs from C. brunnescens by its more prominent spore ornamentation and longer cheilocystidia that are frequently narrowly utriform. Based on the studied material and published data, it seems that C. stenocystis is distributed throughout all of Europe and does not occur in North America, whereas C. brunnescens is only known from Michigan in the USA.

Taxonomy of Tricholoma in northern Europe based on ITS sequence data and morphological characters.

Based on molecular and morphological data we investigated the taxonomy and phylogeny of the ectomycorrhizal genus Tricholoma in northern Europe. Our phylogenetic tree confirmed the presence of at least 72 well circumscribed species within the region. Of these, three species, viz. T. boreosulphurescens, T. bryogenum and T. ilkkae are described as new to science, based on morphological, distributional, ecological and molecular data. Several other terminal branches represent putative cryptic taxa nested within classical species or species groups. Molecular type studies and/or designation of sequenced neotypes are needed in these groups, before the taxonomy can be settled. In general our phylogenetic analysis supported previous suprageneric classification systems, but with some substantial changes. Most notably, T. virgatum and allies were found to belong to sect. Tricholoma rather than sect. Atrosquamosa, while T. focale was found to be clearly nested in sect. Genuina rather than in sect. Caligata. In total, ten sections are accepted, with five species remaining unassigned. The combination of morphological and molecular data showed pileus colour, pileipellis structure, presence of clamp connections and spore size to be rather conservative characters within accepted sections, while the presence of a distinct ring, and especially host selection were highly variable within these.

Production of exopolysaccharide by Ganoderma lucidum in a repeated-batch fermentation

Exopolysaccharide (EPS) productivity of the slow-growing Ganoderma lucidum BCCM 31549 mushroom was enhanced in repeated batch fermentation (RBF) process by reducing the fermentation time. The results showed that by using 2.5-L STR unbaffled bioreactor, the fermentation time could be reduced from 10 days per batch to 5 days, due to lag-phase elimination by adopting a RBF strategy. RBF approach was also shown to achieve a semi-continuous mode of production by eliminating the inoculation time between each cycle. The fermentation period was shortened from 50 to 25 days in five consecutive cycles of RBF, with the productivity of EPS increased from 0.81 g/L day−1 to 1.32 g/L day−1 by using N-limiting medium. The presence of clamp connections in RBF ensures the reproducibility of this strategy. The proposed strategy proved to provide easy operation and thus can be adapted for EPS production.

Further notes on the morphology and distribution of Neopaxillus echinospermus (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) in Southern Brazil

Neopaxillus echinospermus is a common but poorly understood agaric species from South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay). In this paper, we discuss conflicting morphological features reported in the literature and expand the distribution of the species to Seasonal Deciduous and Semideciduous Forests from Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná states, respectively, in Southern Brazil. Hyphal structure of the pileipellis, presence of cheilocystidia and caulocystidia, presence of clamp connections and oleiferous (thrombopleurous) hyphae, and the basidiospore morphology under scanning electron microscopy are illustrated and discussed in detail.

Two new species of Pluteus (Agaricales, Pluteaceae) from China

Two new species of Pluteus section Pluteus, P. griseodiscus and P. purpureofuscus, are described from China. Pluteus griseodiscus is characterized by the pale basidiomata, non-pigmented lamellar edges, thick-walled cheilocystidia and the presence of caulocystidia. Pluteus purpureofuscus is characterized by a purple-brown pileus, presence of clamp-connections, and growth on coniferous wood. The phylogenetic position of both species is also discussed based on nrITS data.

Two New Cuboid-Spored Species ofEntolomas. l. (Agaricales, Entolomataceae) from Southern China

Abstract Two cuboid-spored species of Entoloma (E. laccarioides and E. parvifructum) are described from S-China. Entoloma laccaroides is recognized by the umbilicate and whitish pileus, cuboid basidiospores, numerous conspicuous broadly fusoid to utriform pleurocystidia, cutis-like pileipellis with intracellular pigment, and presence of clamp connections. Entoloma parvifructum is characterized by the small, conico-convex and pale brown to brown pileus, comparatively large cuboid basidiospores, and cutis-like pileipellis with intracellular and encrusting pigment. The phylogenetic position and taxonomic relationships of E. laccaroides are compared and discussed with nrLSU sequences reported for various other cuboid-spored species kept in GenBank.