Thin-walled Basidiospores Research Articles

Piptoporellus taiwanensis sp. nov. (Polyporales, Fomitopsidaceae) from Taiwan and its phytochemistry

Piptoporellus is a recently proposed genus placed under Fomitopsis-like taxa in the Antrodia clade. Four species of Piptoporellus are known, of which three are distributed in China, and one in Africa. A specimen collected around Sun Moon Lake, Nantou County, Taiwan proved to be the first documentation of Piptoporellus in Taiwan. Based on morpho-molecular data, a new species, Piptoporellus taiwanensis, is introduced. In a multi-gene. phylogeny of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) region, large subunit RNA gene (nrLSU), small subunit RNA gene (nrSSU), and translation elongation factor 1-α gene (tef1-α), the novel taxon formed a distinct clade sister to P. hainanensis and P. triqueter. Phenotypically our strain differs from other Piptoporellus species in having yellow to orange pileus, buff to yellow pore surface, thin-walled basidiospores, and a dimitic hyphal system. Chemical analysis showed that this novel species contained about 3.878 g of total polysaccharides, 112.9 mg of total phenols, 182.9 mg of total flavonoids, 34.33 mg of total triterpenoids, and trace amounts of alkaloids per 100 g of dried fruiting bodies. This study has shed light on the diversity of Piptoporellus taxa in Taiwan and has also shown that this novel species contains significant amounts of polysaccharides, polyphenols, and triterpenoids.

Two new species of Hymenochaetaceae from tropical Asia and America.

Two new species in Hymenochaetaceae, Fulvifomes acaciae and Pyrrhoderma nigra, are illustrated and described from tropical Asia and America based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses. F. acaciae is characterized by perennial, pileate, and woody hard basidiomata when fresh; ash gray to dark gray, encrusted, concentrically sulcate, and irregularly cracked pileal surface; circular pores of 7-8 per mm with entire dissepiments; a dimitic hyphal system in trama and context; absence of setal element and presence of cystidioles; and broadly ellipsoid, yellowish brown, thick-walled, and smooth basidiospores measuring 5-6 μm × 4-5 μm. P. nigra is characterized by perennial and resupinate basidiomata with dark gray to almost black pore surface when fresh; small and circular pores of 7-9 per mm, a monomitic hyphal system with generative hyphae simple septate, hyphoid setae dominant in subiculum but not in tube trama, and absence of cystidia; and ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled basidiospores measuring 4-5 μm × 3-3.6 μm. The differences between the new species and morphologically similar and phylogenetically related species are discussed. Keys to Fulvifomes and Pyrrhoderma have also been provided.

Xylodon bambusinus and X. xinpingensis spp. nov. (Hymenochaetales) from southern China

Two new species, Xylodon bambusinus and X. xinpingensis, are proposed based on morphological and molecular evidences. Both species share the annual growth habit, resupinate basidiomata and monomitic hyphal system with clamped, colorless generative hyphae, smooth, thin-walled basidiospores, but X. bambusinus is characterized by the smooth to tuberculate hymenial surface, presence of capitate and fusiform cystidia, broad ellipsoid basidiospores, while X. xinpingensis by the reticulate hymenophore with cream hymenial surface, and subglobose basidiospores (4.5–6 × 3.5–5 µm). Sequences of ITS and LSU nrRNA gene regions of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analyses based on molecular data of ITS and ITS+nLSU sequences showed that X. bambusinus was sister to X. subclavatus, while X. xinpingensis grouped with X. astrocystidiatus and X. paradoxus. The nLSU dataset revealed that X. bambusinus grouped with X. asperus and X. brevisetus with lower supports, and that X. xinpingensis grouped with X. astrocystidiatus and X. paradoxus and then with X. rimosissimus without supports. Both morphological and molecular evidences confirmed the placement of two new species in Xylodon. Description and figures from the new species and a key to the known species of Xylodon from China are presented.

Revision of Cerinomyces (Dacrymycetes, Basidiomycota) with notes on morphologically and historically related taxa.

Cerinomyces (Dacrymycetes, Basidiomycota) is a genus traditionally defined by corticioid basidiocarps, in contrast to the rest of the class, which is characterized by gelatinous ones. In the traditional circumscription the genus is polyphyletic, and the monotypic family Cerinomycetaceae is paraphyletic. Aiming for a more concise delimitation, we revise Cerinomyces s.l. with a novel phylogeny based on sequences of nrDNA (SSU, ITS, LSU) and protein-coding genes (RPB1, RPB2, TEF1-α). We establish that monophyletic Cerinomyces s.s. is best characterized not by the corticioid morphology, but by a combination of traits: hyphal clamps, predominantly aseptate thin-walled basidiospores, and low content of carotenoid pigments. In our updated definition, Cerinomyces s.s. encompasses five well-supported phylogenetic clades divided into two morphological groups: (i-iii) taxa with arid corticioid basidiocarps, including the generic type C. pallidus; and (iv-v) newly introduced members with gelatinous basidiocarps, like Dacrymyces enatus and D. tortus. The remaining corticioid species of Cerinomyces s.l. are morphologically distinct and belong to the Dacrymycetaceae: our analysis places the carotenoid-rich Cerinomyces canadensis close to Femsjonia, and we transfer the clamps-lacking C. grandinioides group to Dacrymyces. In addition, we address genera related to Cerinomyces s.l. historically and morphologically, such as Ceracea, Dacryonaema and Unilacryma. Overall, we describe twenty-four new species and propose nine new combinations in both Cerinomycetaceae and Dacrymycetaceae.

Hydnaceous fungi of China 8. Morphological and molecular identification of three new species of Sarcodon and a new record from southwest China.

Three new stipitate hydnoid fungi, Sarcodon coactus, S. grosselepidotus and S. lidongensis, are described and illustrated, based on morphological characteristics and nuc ITS rDNA + nuc LSU rDNA sequence analyses and a new record, S. leucopus, from China is reported. S. coactus is characterised by ellipsoid to round basidiocarps, reddish-brown to dark brown, felted pileal surface with white and incurved margins, simple-septate and partly short-celled generative hyphae and irregular subglobose, thin-walled, brown basidiospores with tuberculate ornamentation (tuberculi up to 1 μm long). S. grosselepidotus is characterised by infundibuliform to round, occasionally deeply fissured pileus, pale orange to dark ruby pileal surface with ascending and coarse scales, simple-septate generative hyphae and irregular ellipsoid to globose, thin-walled, brown basidiospores with tuberculate ornamentation (tuberculi up to 0.7 μm long). S. lidongensis is characterised by plano-convex to somewhat depressed and regular orbicular pileus, light brown to dark brown pileal surface with adhering squamose and purplish-brown, incurved and occasionally incised margin, cylindrical or broadened below stipe, simple-septate generative hyphae and irregular ellipsoid to subglobose, thin-walled basidiospores with tuberculate ornamentation (tuberculi up to 1 μm long). The absence of the clamp connection is the common morphological characteristic of these three new species; however, S. leucopus, a new record from China, has frequently clamped generative hyphae. Molecular analyses confirm the phylogenetic positions of three new and the new record species. The discriminating characters of these three new species and closely related species are discussed and a key to the species of Sarcodon from China is provided.

Morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses reveal two new species of Peniophorella from southern China

Two new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Peniophorella fissurata and P. yunnanensis, are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Peniophorella fissurata is characterized by resupinate basidiomata with smooth to tuberculate hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, fusiform cystidia, and allantoid, colorless, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores measuring 9–11 × 3–3.9 μm. Peniophorella yunnanensis is characterized by an annual basidiomata with grandinioid hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, presence of three types cystidia, and ellipsoid, colorless, smooth, thin-walled basidiospores (8–9 × 4.7–5.5 μm). Sequences of ITS gene region of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. These phylogenetic analyses showed that P. fissurata was sister to P. pubera. Peniophorella yunnanensis formed a monomitic lineage and then grouped with P. odontiiformis and P. rude.

<p><strong>Hydnaceous fungi of China 7. Morphological and molecular characterization of <em>Phellodon</em> <em>subconfluens sp</em>. <em>nov</em>. from temperate, deciduous forests</strong></p>

A new hydnaceous fungus, Phellodon subconfluens, from northeast China, is described and illustrated based on morphological characteristics and rDNA ITS sequences. The new species is characterized by circular to flabelliform basidiocarps, a greyish buff, brownish orange to reddish brown and obscurely zonate pileal surface with white, incurved margins, a monomitic hyphal system with simple-septate, generative hyphae, and broadly ellipsoid to subglobose, thin-walled basidiospores with echinulate ornamentation. Molecular analysis confirms the phylogenetic position of the new species in Phellodon. The discriminating characters of the new species and closely related species are discussed.

Laurobasidiaceae fam. nov. (Exobasidiales, Basidiomycota), a new family for fungi causing galls with aerial root-like outgrowths, with a new record from Thailand of Laurobasidium hachijoense on a new host, Cinnamomum subavenium

A fungal disease with aerial-root-liked gall symptoms on Cinnamomum subavenium in Khao Yai National Park, Northeastern Thailand is reported, and the causative agent identified as Laurobasidium hachijoense. Cultures from the Thai specimens, as well as the type culture from Japan, were sequenced for LSU and ITS genes. Analysis of these gene sequences showed that the Thai isolates clustered with the type strain of Laurobasidium hachijoense. This is the first report of this fungus on a new host and in Thailand. Morphology of this fungus from the Thai specimens as well as the seasonal symptom in the natural forest are described and illustrated. Laurobasidiaceae is proposed as a new family for Laurobasidium. It was nested in a highly supported clade with the Cryptobasidiaceae and a sister clade to the Branchybasidiaceae, Graphoilaceae and Exobasidiaceae clades within the order Exobasidiales. Laurobasidiaceae morphologically possesses basidial sterigmata, thin-walled basidiospores with an abaxial hilum, and sporulating on the surface of the host tissues. It is unique from other families in the Exobasidiales in causing aerial-root-like galls on the host plant. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that strains of Acaromyces ingoldii grouped together with Laurobasidium hachijoense indicating they are conspecific. Morphological examination also confirmed that these two taxa are the same fungus. Laurobasidium hachijoense is proposed as the valid name based on its occupation of the initial type material of this organism, and the monotypic genus Acaromyces becomes a synonym of Laurobasidium. Exobasidium cinnamomi is also considered a Laurobasidium species based on its morphology and the stag-horn-like galls on a lauraceous host. The taxonomy of the Laurobasidiaceae is discussed.

A new species of Postia (Basidiomycota) based on morphological and molecular characteristics

A new wood-decaying polypore from southern China, Postia cylindrica, is described and illustrated using morphological characteristics and rDNA ITS sequences. The new species is characterized by resupinate to effused reflexed basidiocarps, cream to buff and azonate pileal surface, reddish-brown and incurved margin, gloeoplerous hyphal cells in cuticular layer, absence of cystidia, and cylindrical, thin-walled basidiospores. Molecular analyses confirm the phylogenetic position of the new species Postia. The discriminating characters of the new species and the closely related species are discussed.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of Phellinidium (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota): A redefinition and the segregation of Coniferiporia gen. nov. for forest pathogens

Phellinidium, including 13 accepted polypore species mostly with resupinate basidiocarps, is one of the most aggressive forest pathogenic genera. This genus is characterized by the combination of a monomitic hyphal structure, abundant hyphoid setae in the context and trama, and hyaline and thin-walled basidiospores. To explore the relationships among the species of Phellinidium, especially those between forest pathogens and saprophytes, we examined 29 specimens representing all 13 previously known species from Asia, Europe and America from morphological and phylogenetic perspectives. A new genus, Coniferiporia, was found to segregate from Phellinidium for three aggressive forest pathogens, and three new combinations, viz. Coniferiporia qilianensis (the generic type), Coniferiporia weirii and Coniferiporia sulphurascens, were proposed. Phellinidium cryptocystidiatum was treated as a synonym of C. sulphurascens. The circumscription of Phellinidium was delimited to accommodate Phellinidium asiaticum, Phellinidium ferrugineofuscum (the generic type), Phellinidium fragrans and Phellinidium pouzarii. Accordingly, the concept of Phellinidium was emended to accommodate resupinate species bearing cylindrical to oblong-ellipsoid or allantoid basidiospores. No species of Phellinidium under the new circumscription has been reported to be a forest pathogen. Phellinidium noxium and Phellinidium rufitinctum were excluded from Phellinidium, while the taxonomical positions of Phellinidium aciferum, Phellinidium lamaënse, and Phellinidium orientale are still uncertain.

Grammothele hainanensis sp. nov. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) and related species from Hainan, southern China

Grammothele and Theleporus have a shallow pore surface, which makes them morphologically close to corticioid fungi. However, from a phylogenetic perspective, they are polyphyletic genera within the core polyporoid clade of the Polyporales. Eight specimens with a shallow pore surface from Hainan, southern China, were morphologically and phylogenetically studied. Among them, one was determined as Grammothele denticulata, four were identified as Theleporus membranaceus, and three are described as Grammothele hainanensis. G. hainanensis is characterized by the annual and resupinate basidiocarps with poroid to irpicoid hymenophore, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and weakly dextrinoid skeletal hyphae, the presence of cystidioles, hyphal pegs and dendrohyphidia, and cylindrical, hyaline and thin-walled basidiospores. It is closely related to G. quercina in phylogeny. Morphologically, G. quercina differs in producing perennial basidiocarps with cream to pale greyish and larger pores. The morphological differences among the new species and other species were analyzed.

Cylindrosporus flavidus gen. et comb. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) segregated from Onnia

Onnia is one of the seven genera of Inonotus s.l., belonging to Hymenochaetaceae. According to the current concept, Onnia differs from the other six genera of Inonotus s.l. mainly by its either stipitate or sessile basidiocarps, duplex context, presence of hymenial setae and hyaline, thin-walled basidiospores. As the only species with sessile basidiocarps and cylindrical basidiospores in Onnia, O. flavida was transferred from Inonotus without molecular test. In this study, for the first time, Onnia flavida is included in nLSU- and ITS-based phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Onnia flavida belonged to Hymenochaetaceae and was clearly separated from Onnia and other six genera of Inonotus s.l. Moreover, there is no other current genus in Hymenochaetaceae fit to accommodate this species from both morphological and phylogenetic perspectives. Therefore, a monotypic genus Cylindrosporus is newly proposed to accommodate the new combination C. flavidus. The distinct characters of Cylindrosporus that distinguish it from other morphologically and phylogenetically related genera are discussed.

Phylogeny and taxonomy of Ceriporiopsis (Polyporales) with descriptions of two new species from southern China

Phylogenies of Ceriporiopsis and related genera were studied using DNA sequences from the ITS+28S nuclear ribosomal RNA gene regions. Two species, Ceriporiopsis alboaurantia and C. semisupina, are described as new to science. Ceriporiopsis alboaurantia is characterized by annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with white pore surface when fresh, turning to apricot-orange to dark orange upon drying, monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae encrusted with pale yellow crystals, ellipsoid and thin-walled basidiospores (4–5 ´ 3–3.3 µm), and plenty of pale-yellow to pale-orange oily substances in subiculum and trama. Ceriporiopsis semisupina is distinguished by annual, effused-reflexed basidiocarps with greyish brown to reddish brown pore surface, monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae bearing crystalline incrustation, long-clavate basidia, ellipsoid and thin-walled basidiospores (4–4.5 ´ 3–3.3 µm). Like previous study, the phylogenetic analysis presented here also showed that Ceriporiopsis is not monophyletic and the sampled species were grouped in four clades, including phlebia clade, residual polyporoid clade, tyromyces clade and gelatoporia clade.

The phylogenetic position of Postia s.l. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from Patagonia, Argentina

We investigated the phylogenetic relationships of Postia species from Patagonia with rDNA ITS and LSU sequences, together with morphological, cultural and biological features. All species in the genus were included in a “Postia clade” irrespective of whether their spores were thin- or thick-walled. This clade is characterized by tetrapolar mating, a normal nuclear behavior, metachromatic generative hyphae and absence of fiber hyphae in culture. One subclade merged the austral taxa P. pelliculosa and P. punctata, but otherwise no distinct relationships were found regarding spore shape, spore wall thickness and geographical distribution of taxa. The austral P. venata and the endemic P. carbophila, with thin-walled basidiospores, occupied variable positions in both analyses. Postia caesia from Patagonia grouped within the P. caesia species complex but on a separate branch. In contrast, P. rennyi and P. balsamea from Patagonia corresponded well with strains from other geographic areas. The two austral species in Ryvardenia, R. cretacea and R. campyla, characterized by non-metachromatic hyphae, bipolar mating and an astatocoenocytic nuclear behavior, formed an independent subclade among the dimitic genera of the “Antrodia clade”, far from other Postia taxa within which they had been placed previously, supporting their inclusion in a genus of their own. Postia carbophila grouped with other Postia species and not with Postia (Rhodonia) placenta as suggested previously on the basis of morphological comparisons. Instead, the latter species grouped with taxa in the dimitic genus Amyloporia with which it shares heterocytic nuclear behavior. A separation between specimens of Postia pelliculosa and Ryvardenia cretacea from either side of the Pacific (i.e. SE Australia/New Zealand and S Argentina/S Chile) suggests they could be considered different at the species level from a phylogenetic point of view.