Shape Of Conidia Research Articles

A taxonomic and phylogenetic revision of Penicillium section Aspergilloides

Species belonging to Penicillium section Aspergilloides have a world-wide distribution with P. glabrum, P. spinulosum and P. thomii the most well-known species of this section. These species occur commonly and can be isolated from many substrates including soil, food, bark and indoor environments. The taxonomy of these species has been investigated several times using various techniques, but species delimitation remains difficult. In the present study, 349 strains belonging to section Aspergilloides were subjected to multilocus molecular phylogenetic analyses using partial β-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) sequences. Section Aspergilloides is subdivided into 12 clades and 51 species. Twenty-five species are described here as new and P. yezoense, a species originally described without a Latin diagnosis, is validated. Species belonging to section Aspergilloides are phenotypically similar and most have monoverticillate conidiophores and grow moderately or quickly on agar media. The most important characters to distinguish these species were colony sizes on agar media, growth at 30 °C, ornamentation and shape of conidia, sclerotium production and stipe roughness.

Morphological characteristics of isolates of Colletotrichum spp.: Causal agents of anthracnose

In the morphological studies were included isolates of Colletotrichum spp. originating from pear, apple and sour cherry fruits, as well as reference strains of C. acutatum (CBS 294.67) and C. gloeosporioides (CBS 516.97). The colony characteristics, appearance, shape and size of conidioma, appressoria, and conidia of isolates of Colletotrichum spp. were studied. The four morphological groups of colonies on PDA were observed, confirming the great phenotypic variability of isolates of Colletotrichum spp. Most isolates from apple and pear fruits (KC-6, KC-9, KC-12, JC-5, JC-7, JC-9), formed the first morphological group. The isolates from sour cherry (VC-3, VC-5, VC-7, VC-9) are separated in the fourth morphological group. The size and shape of conidia from these isolates fit the description of C. gloe­osporioides. The chromogenic isolates from pear (KC-21, KC-23, KC-82) formed the second morphological group, and in the third morphological group is isolate (JC-4) from apple fruit. The morphology of conidia from these isolates fit the description of C. acutatum. During this research were evident that all isolates formed conidioma - acervuli. The tested cultures of Colletotrichum spp. did not form teleomorpf. Because of outstanding variability, most of the studied characteristics cannot be independently applied as taxonomic criteria. Obtai­ned results showed that, for Colletotrichum species classification, at least two taxonomic criteria should be used: morphological features combined with molecular identification.

Phenotypic, Molecular, and Pathological Characterization of Colletotrichum acutatum Associated with Andean Lupine and Tamarillo in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Anthracnose is a serious problem of both Andean lupine and tamarillo in Ecuador. Morphological features, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, and host specificity were used to characterize Colletotrichum isolates from lupine and tamarillo. Based on phenotypic and molecular characterization, the causal agent of anthracnose on both hosts was Colletotrichum acutatum. All isolates were identified in a C. acutatum-specific polymerase chain reaction assay. Colony diameter, conidia shape, and insensitivity to benomyl also placed isolates from both hosts in the C. acutatum group. However, a detailed analysis of the ITS sequences placed the lupine and tamarillo isolates from the Ecuadorian Andean zone in two clades, with both lupine and tamarillo isolates in each clade. C. acutatum isolates from Andean lupine were distinct from other C. acutatum isolates on lupine around the world. In cross-infection studies, the diameter of lesions produced by isolates from each host was compared on the main stem of two tamarillo and three lupine cultivars. Some isolates produced larger lesions on the host from which they were isolated but others showed similar aggressiveness on their alternate host. Isolates from both hosts were biotrophic on lupine stems, producing little necrosis and abundant sporulation whereas, on tamarillo stems, they produced dark lesions with few conidia. The collection of C. acutatum isolates from lupine and tamarillo provides interesting material for the study quantitative host adaptation.

Two new Talaromyces species from soil in Thailand

Two new Talaromyces species, T. thailandensis and T. tratensis, isolated from forest soil in Trat in Thailand are described. ITS barcodes were used to show the relationships between the newly described species and other Talaromyces taxa. β-tubulin and RPB1 sequences were used for the detailed analysis and the phylogenetic data showed that Talaromyces tratensis resolved in a clade closely related to T. rotundus, T. phialosporus and T. tardifaciens, which contain species that typically display restricted growth. Talaromyces thailandensis was resolved in different clades for each gene in a position closely related to T. macrosporus and T. flavus where they can be distinguished by length of stipe and shape of conidia.

Characteristics and Control of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Isolates in Behera Governorate, Egypt

Eight isolates of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were recovered from guava and banana fruits showed anthracnose symptoms collected from different orchards in Behera Governorate. Isolates were characterized according to types of colony colour, colony diameter, conidium shape and size, appressorium shape and size and the effect of different temperature degrees on isolates radial growth. The isolates showed mostly gray colony phenotype while the olive-gray and the dark-gray phenotypes were also existed in four out of the investigated eight isolates. Diameter of the developed colonies ranged between 80 and 85 mm. Conidia of the developed eight isolates were mostly monomorphic and exhibited cylindrical, hyaline conidia with size ranged between 14.5 and 19.1 μm for length and 4.4 and 6.5 μm for width. Clavate appressoria were recorded in all isolates. Irregular appressoria were also recorded accompanied with the clavate ones in five of the eight investigated isolates. The optimal temperature for radial growth was 25°C with rate of 8.0 - 8.37 cm, five days after inoculation. All isolates were pathogenic on different host species Guava cv. Balady, Apple cv. Golden Delicious, Banana cvs. Balady and Grantidin, Mango cv. Ewasy and Pepper cv. Balady. Apple fruits were the most susceptible for the infection by C. gloeosporioides isolates while pepper was the most tolerant for the infection. Moreover RAPD-PCR analysis using five random oligonucleotide primers revealed DNA fingerprints and considerable variations were revealed with primers tested. However, the RAPD-PCR phylogenetic analysis did not reveal known genetic entities for isolates from each guava and banana, since it did revealed two clusters for the highly virulent isolates and the moderately virulent isolates in the dendrogram of the tested C. gloeosporioides isolates. Anthracnose control of fruits by chitosan as a natural product was tested. The in vitro 2.5 % chitosan application significantly inhibited the growth of C. gloeosporioides isolates tested by 96.6 % on agar plates. The in vivo tests on fruits of different species, i.e. banana, mango, apple and guava confirmed the in vitro results. The chitosan treatment to artificially infected fruits reduced the development of symptoms, at the different chitosan concentrations, i.e. 1.5%, 2% and 2.5%. The 2.5% chitosan was the most affective concentration for anthracnose control in the different fruit species. The study supported the view that chitosan offers a safe alternative to synthetic fungicides in postharvest anthracnose diseases control and could be considered as a potential agrochemical of low environment impact.

ITS rDNA data confirm a delimitation ofBacidina arnoldianaandB. sulphurellaand support a description of a new species within the genusBacidina

AbstractBacidina flavoleprosais described as a new species from the Czech Republic. Its position within the genus is supported by phylogenetic inferences of ITS rDNA sequences from its holotype and many other representatives ofBacidias. lat., including newly sequencedBacidina sulphurella,B. adastraandB. neosquamulosa,as well as additional sequences ofB. arnoldiana. ITS data also support the recent delimitation ofB. arnoldianaandB. sulphurellabased on the shape of conidia and ecological preferences.

Sympodioplanus yunnanensis, a new aquatic species from submerged decaying leaves

Sympodioplanus yunnanensis sp. nov. from submerged leaves collected from Gengma county, Lincang city, was found when researching aquatic hyphomycetes in Yunnan. The new species is well defined as a Sympodioplanus by its sympodial proliferation with multiple and crowded conidiogenous loci in the upper conidiophores and elongated conidia. It differs in conidial shape and septation from the type species, S. capensis.

Penicillium mallochii and P. guanacastense, two new species isolated from Costa Rican caterpillars

Twenty-five strains of monoverticillate Penicillium species were isolated from dissected guts and fecal pellets of leaf-eating caterpillars reared in the Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica, or from washed leaves of their food plants. Phylogenetic analyses of β-tubulin, nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, translation elongation factor 1-α and calmodulin gene sequences revealed two phylogenetically distinct, undescribed species closely related to P. sclerotiorum. Penicillium mallochii was isolated from Rothschildia lebeau and Citheronia lobesis (Saturniidae) and their food plant Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae) and P. guanacastense from Eutelia sp. (Noctuidae). Both fungi produce greenish conidial masses and orange pigments in agar culture, have smooth-walled, monoverticillate conidiophores with moderately vesiculate apices, and globose to subglobose conidia. The species morphologically resemble P. sclerotiorum but differ subtly in vesicle width and conidial shape.

Molecular and morphological differentiation of Colletotrichum truncatum from scentless chamomile and selected crop species

The fungal pathogen Colletotrichum truncatum is a potential bioherbicide agent for management of the noxious weed scentless chamomile (Metricaria perforate) in western Canada. Isolates of the potential biocontrol agent from scentless chamomile cannot be separated morphologically from the pathogen that causes anthracnose on lentil and field pea, raising questions about crop safety for its use as a bioherbicide agent in the region. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of C. truncatum from scentless chamomile and several crop species were examined for genetic differences. ITS-rDNA fragments of 63 isolates were amplified using the universal primers Its4 and Its5 and sequenced. The rDNA fragment was 571 bp in size for isolates from scentless chamomile, 566 bp from lentil, 558 or 559 bp from field pea isolates and 555 bp from soybean. Phylogenetic analysis using parsimony and neighbour-joining methods separated these putative C. truncatum isolates into four groups that coincided with host origin. All of the isolates of scentless chamomile fell within a single cluster regardless of their geographic origins, and were most closely related to C. truncatum isolates from lentil. Morphologically, the isolates from scentless chamomile, lentil and field pea were similar in conidial shape and dimension, whereas soybean isolates had substantially longer and more falcate conidia and slightly bigger appressoria. Based on the sequence information, strain-specific PCR primers were designed for isolates of C. truncatum from each host and used to amplify specific rDNA fragments (markers). This molecular technique was sensitive and strain-specific for detection and differentiation of Colletotrichum isolates from scentless chamomile, lentil, field pea and soybean, and may be used as a tracking and monitoring tool in environmental risk assessment for the bioherbicide agent.

A taxonomic and phylogenetic revision of the Penicillium sclerotiorum complex

The morphological concept of Penicillium sclerotiorum (subgenus Aspergilloides) includes strains with monoverticillate, vesiculate conidiophores, and vivid orange to red colony colours, with colourful sclerotia sometimes produced. Multigene phylogenetic analyses with the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), β-tubulin (benA), translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α), and calmodulin (cmd), reveal that the P. sclerotiorum morphospecies is a complex of seven phylogenetically distinct species, three of which were recently described, namely P. guanacastense, P. mallochii, and P. viticola. Three previously unidentified species are described here as P. cainii, P. jacksonii, and P. johnkrugii. The phylogenetic species are morphologically similar, but differ in combinations of colony characters, sclerotium production, conidiophore stipe roughening and branching, and conidial shape. Ecological characters and differences in geographical distribution further characterise some of the species, but increased sampling is necessary to confirm these differences. The fungal DNA barcode, the ITS, and the animal DNA barcode, cox1, have lower species resolving ability in our phylogenetic analyses, but still allow identification of all the species. Tef1-α and cmd were superior in providing fully resolved, statistically well-supported phylogenetic trees for this species complex, whereas benA resolved all species but had some issues with paraphyly. Penicillium adametzioides and P. multicolor, considered synonyms of P. sclerotiorum by some previous authors, do not belong to the P. sclerotiorum complex.Taxonomic novelties:New species: Penicillium cainii K.G. Rivera, Malloch & Seifert, P. jacksonii K.G. Rivera, Houbraken & Seifert, P. johnkrugii K.G. Rivera, Houbraken & Seifert.

First Report of Gliocephalotrichum bulbilium Causing Cranberry Fruit Rot in New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) fruit were collected as part of a fruit rot survey conducted in September 2010 on farms in New Jersey and Massachusetts. There are more than 20 fungal species reported as causing fruit rot (2) and symptoms are generally not diagnostic. The rotted fruit were surface sterilized in a 10% bleach solution for 5 min, sliced in half, and plated on V8 agar (nonclarified). A novel, fast-growing fungus that produced sporulating orange-brown colonies emerged from 5% of the fruit collected on three of the farms included in the survey. The fungus was notable as the only species present in the rotted fruit, suggesting it may be pathogenic. The conidia were produced as gloeoid masses on phialidic conidiogenous cells arranged in a polyverticillate penicillus. The conidiogenous cells were subtended at variable distances by zero to four sterile appendages that formed on the lightly pigmented conidiophore. On the basis of these characteristics, the fungus was identified as a species of Gliocephalotrichum (3). Further investigation of the growth medium revealed the presence of clustered, red-brown chlamydospores that were produced abundantly in all isolates. These structures, also known as bulbils, are restricted to two species in the genus, G. bulbilium and G. longibrachium (1). On average, the bulbils were 42.0 × 48.3 μm and conidia were 5.75 × 2.5 μm. On the basis of size and shape of conidia and presence of bulbils, the isolates were identified as G. bulbilium (1). To confirm the identity of the fungus, genomic DNA was extracted and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and the 5' end of the β-tubulin gene were amplified and sequenced (1). The sequences (GenBank Accession Nos. HQ828060 and HQ828061) were compared with published sequences of Gliocephalotrichum isolates (1) and results confirmed the cranberry isolates were G. bulbilium. The isolates were tested for pathogenicity on harvested cranberry fruit. Fifty ripe cranberry fruit (cv. Stevens) were inoculated by injecting approximately 20 μl (using a 26G 9.5-mm needle) of conidia (1 × 105 ml-1) into the side of each berry. As a comparison, isolates of two common cranberry fruit rot pathogens, Colletotrichum acutatum and C. gloeosporioides, were inoculated on to fruit using the same technique. A water-only inoculation was used as the control. Fruit rot developed on all inoculated fruit except the water control. In the case of G. bulbilium, all fruit rotted within 2 days, whereas the other two species developed symptoms within 4 to 7 days. G. bulbilium and both species of Colletotrichum were consistently reisolated from all of the respectively inoculated fruit. To our knowledge, this is the first report of G. bulbilium causing fruit rot on cranberry. The species has been reported as an important postharvest fruit rot (4) on rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) in Thailand, rambutan and guava (Psidium guajava) in Hawaii, and durian (Durio spp.) in Brunei Darussalam. This report of G. bulbilium extends the range within the United States to include Louisiana, Hawaii, Wisconsin, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts (2).

Phylogenetic and morphological identification of Colletotrichum boninense: a novel causal agent of anthracnose in avocado

In recent years, anthracnose has become a significant disease affecting avocado fruit in the state of Michoacan, Mexico, where it significantly reduces fruit quality and commercial yield. Anthracnose has been assumed to involve Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and C. acutatum as causal agents. However, because of the increasing incidence of anthracnose, a more precise identification of the Colletotrichum spp. involved in this disease has become desirable. During the years 2004–2007, avocado fruits of different sizes exhibiting brown‐black and reddish spots on the pericarp and soft rot in the mesocarp, were gathered from orchards in nine counties. Fungal isolates were cultured on potato dextrose agar, and among these, 31 were selected for molecular, morphological and pathogenicity analyses. The molecular approaches used sequence typing of the internal transcribed spacer region and the partial nuclear large ribosomal subunit, allowing the unequivocal identification of C. gloeosporioides (71%), C. acutatum (16%) and C. boninense (13%). This last species has not been previously reported as being associated with anthracnose symptoms in avocado fruits anywhere in the world. Various morphological characteristics such as the size and shape of conidia were determined, as well as the conidial mass colour. Pathogenicity tests performed with all three species were conducted by inoculating healthy fruits. In each case, identical symptoms developed within 3 days of inoculation. Knowledge of the Colletotrichum populations in the Michoacan state, including the newly encountered avocado pathogen C. boninense, will facilitate further studies addressing the relationships between these Colletotrichum spp. and their avocado host.

Variability in morphology of Microsphaera alphitoides Griffon et Maubl. in Poland

The aim of this study was to verify descriptions of the morphology of the fungus responsible for powdery mildew on oak leaves of nursery seedlings and of young trees in forest stands. Infected, fully developed leaves from apical parts of stems of <em>Quercus robur </em>or <em>Q. petraea </em>were collected in two national parks and in six forest districts in Poland. The taxonomic characteres of all specimens were generally consistent with those given in keys for <em>Microsphaera alphitoides</em>. However, the limoniform shape of conidia, characteristic of two sites (nurseries), has not been found in available synopses. Limoniform conidia were significantly longer and wider than others. Agreat variety of forms of mycelium on leaves were observed. The mycelium appeared in three forms: (1) floccose or felted oval patches (always with yellow or brown discoloration), (2) faveolate oval patches (often with yellow or brown discoloration), and (3) felted or mealy mycelium along veins (rarely with discoloration). Mycelium without limoniform conidia appeared in all forms, while mycelium with limoniform conidia appeared only in the form of patches, always causing leaf discoloration.

Proteomic changes associated with deletion of the Magnaporthe oryzae conidial morphology-regulating gene COM1

BackgroundThe rice blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is a major constraint on world rice production. The conidia produced by this fungal pathogen are the main source of disease dissemination. The morphology of conidia may be a critical factor in the spore dispersal and virulence of M. oryzae in the field. Deletion of a conidial morphology regulating gene encoding putative transcriptional regulator COM1 in M. oryzae resulted in aberrant conidial shape, reduced conidiation and attenuated virulence.ResultsIn this study, a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis/matrix assisted laser desorption ionization- time of flight mass spectrometry (2-DE/MALDI-TOF MS) based proteomics approach was employed to identify the cellular and molecular components regulated by the COM1 protein (COM1p) that might contribute to the aberrant phenotypes in M. oryzae. By comparing the conidial proteomes of COM1 deletion mutant and its isogenic wild-type strain P131, we identified a potpourri of 31 proteins that exhibited statistically significant alterations in their abundance levels. Of these differentially regulated proteins, the abundance levels of nine proteins were elevated and twelve were reduced in the Δcom1 mutant. Three proteins were detected only in the Δcom1 conidial proteome, whereas seven proteins were apparently undetectable. The data obtained in the study suggest that the COM1p plays a key role in transcriptional reprogramming of genes implicated in melanin biosynthesis, carbon and energy metabolism, structural organization of cell, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, etc. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed the down-regulation of genes encoding enzymes involved in melanin biosynthesis in the COM1 mutant.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the COM1p may regulate the transcription of genes involved in various cellular processes indispensable for conidial development and appressorial penetration. These functions are likely to contribute to the effects of COM1p upon the aberrant phenotypes of M. oryzae.ReviewersThis article is reviewed by George V. Shpakovski, Karthikeyan Sivaraman (nominated by M. Madan Babu) and Lakshminarayan M. Iyer.

Appearance of a new leaf rot disease on common ice plant

An unknown disease abruptly appeared on hydroponic cultures of common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) in the greenhouse, causing catastrophic damage. Although the symptoms of the plant were unlike typical Botrytis lesions on leaves and stems of other plants, fungi isolated from the necrotic lesions on the plant were similar to genus Botrytis in terms of conidial shape, colony color and nature. A representative isolate, Ice-2, caused similar symptoms on the host plants after inoculation with conidia, and the same fungus was isolated from the lesions. The conidia and conidiophores of Ice-2 were morphologically similar to those of B. cinerea but not to those of B.allii, B. fabae or B. squamosa. The tested Botrytis fungi grew at temperatures between 5 and 30°C. Ice-2 grew faster than the others at the lower end of the temperature range. Ice-2 was also more virulent than B. cinerea (Bay-1) in artificial inoculations, especially on common ice plant leaves. The glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (G3PDH) sequence of Ice-2 was determined and compared with those from four Botrytis species. The gene sequence of Ice-2 appeared to be identical to that of B. cinerea. In leaf tests on common ice plant and kidney bean, the diseases caused by Ice-2 and Bay-1 were controlled equally well by the primary Botrytis fungicides. Based on the results of the present studies, Ice-2 is thought to be Botrytis cinerea Person: Fries.

Taxonomy and morphology of Colletotrichum truncatum isolates pathogenic to Soybean

The morphology of both conidia and setae of Colletotrichum truncatum (Schw.) Andrus and Moore isolates from soybean were compared and found to be distinct. Conidial shape was more useful than size in isolate determination. Average conidial length was maximum (26.46 µm) in isolate Ct-1 followed by Ct-2 (23.75 µm), Ct-4 (22.25 µm), Ct-3 (21.72 µm), Ct-5 (20.72µm) and Ct-6 (18.81 µm), whereas the width was maximum (4.63 µm) in isolate Ct-3 followed by Ct-2 (4.12 µm), Ct-4 (3.92 µm), Ct-5 (3.86 µm), Ct-1 (3.67 µm) and Ct-6 (3.56 µm). Average setal length was maximum (166.65 µm) in isolate Ct-1 followed by Ct-2 (122.16 µm), Ct-3 (61.73 µm), Ct-4 (52.58 µm), Ct-5 (47.83 µm) and Ct-6 (44.36 µm) whereas the width was maximum (5.50 µm) in isolate Ct-1 followed by Ct-6 (5.39 µm), Ct-4 (5.37 µm), Ct-5 (5.22 µm), Ct-2(5.07 µm) and Ct-3 (4.92 µm). Total number of setae per fascile was maximum in isolate Ct-1 (158) followed by Ct-3 (125), Ct-4 (115), Ct-5(105), Ct-2 (95) and Ct-6 (48). Key words: Colletotrichum truncatum, soybean, conidial, setal.

Phylogeny of the cetrarioid core (Parmeliaceae) based on five genetic markers

AbstractFourteen genera belong to a monophyletic core of cetrarioid lichens,Ahtiana, Allocetraria, Arctocetraria, Cetraria, Cetrariella, Cetreliopsis, Flavocetraria, Kaernefeltia, Masonhalea, Nephromopsis, Tuckermanella, Tuckermannopsis, UsnocetrariaandVulpicida. A total of 71 samples representing 65 species (of 90 worldwide) and all type species of the genera are included in phylogentic analyses based on a complete ITS matrix and incomplete sets of group I intron, β-tubulin, GAPDH and mtSSU sequences. Eleven of the species included in the study are analysed phylogenetically for the first time, and of the 178 sequences, 67 are newly constructed. Two phylogenetic trees, one based solely on the complete ITS-matrix and a second based on total information, are similar, but not entirely identical. About half of the species are gathered in a strongly supported clade composed of the generaAllocetraria, Cetrarias. str.,CetrariellaandVulpicida.Arctocetraria,Cetreliopsis,KaernefeltiaandTuckermanellaare monophyletic genera, whereasCetraria, FlavocetrariaandTuckermannopsisare polyphyletic. The taxonomy in current use is compared with the phylogenetic results, and future, probable or potential adjustments to the phylogeny are discussed. The single non-DNA character with a strong correlation to phylogeny based on DNA-sequences is conidial shape. The secondary chemistry of the poorly known speciesCetraria annaeis analyzed for the first time; the cortex contains usnic acid and atranorin, whereas isonephrosterinic, nephrosterinic, lichesterinic, protolichesterinic and squamatic acids occur in the medulla. Notes on the anatomy ofCetraria annaeandFlavocetraria minusculaare also provided.

Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of Arthrobotrys mangrovispora, a new marine nematode-trapping fungal species

Abstract Arthrobotrys mangrovispora sp. nov. (fungi) isolated from decaying submerged wood in mangroves of Hong Kong is described and illustrated. The species closely resembles A. scaphoides and A. microscaphoides, but is distinguished by its conidial shape and size and septum number. Conidia vary in shape; they are broadly turbinate to elongate-fusoid, range from 25–(38.9)–50×12– (17.3)–24 μm, and possess 0–3 septa. The proportions of conidia with 0, 1, 2 or 3 septa are 6%, 23.5%, 50% and 20.5%, respectively. The new species forms adhesive network trapping devices. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear and protein-coding DNA sequences (28S, ITS and a combined ITS+β-tubulin dataset) indicate that the new taxon should be assigned to Arthrobotrys.

Caracterização morfológica de isolados de Cryptosporiopsis perennans em diferentes meios de cultura

The mycelial growth and conidial production of nine isolates of Cryptosporiopsis perennans were evaluated on the culture media of potato-dextrose-agar acidified (PDA-acid), malt extract agar (MEA) and V8-agar (V8) under 12 hours of photoperiod at 21°C. Five mm-diameter disks taken from colonies grown for 14 days on PDA medium under 12 hours of photoperiod at 21°C were transferred to Petri dishes with 20 mL of each medium. Colonial morphology, mycelial growth, sporulation and spore dimension were evaluated after 13 days of incubation. The effect of the culture media varied according to isolates. Mycelial growth and conidial production were observed in all tested media. The culture medium V8 was the best medium tested for mycelial growth and conidial production, followed by MEA for all C. perennans isolates. In all culture media the isolates presented a fusiform conidial shape.

Molecular characterization of the entomopathogenic fungiLecanicilliumspp. (Deuteromycota: Hyphomycetes) isolated from white pine weevil,Pissodes strobi(Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in British Columbia

AbstractThe entomopathogenic fungal genusLecanicilliumGams and Zare includes species that are highly pathogenic to many genera of insects. Three species,Lecanicillium longisporum(Petch) Zare and W. Gams,L. muscarium(Petch) Zare and W. Gams, andL. pissodisKope and Leal, were found to be entomopathogens of adult white pine weevils,Pissodes strobi(Peck), in coastal British Columbia. Morphological characteristics were used to identify these species, but variation in conidial shape and size made it difficult to classify some of the isolates into the correct species ofLecanicillium. To confirm the identity of theseLecanicilliumspecies, we used molecular tools such as polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing.