Thysanophora Penicillioides Research Articles

Microbes affected the TYLCCNV transmission rate by the Q biotype whitefly under high O3

Ozone (O3) is a major air pollutant that has a profound effect on whole ecosystems. In this study we studied how hO3 affected the transmission of the Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV), a begomovirus, by the Q biotype Bemisia tabaci in a persistent, circulative manner. We found hO3 affected the transmission of TYLCCNV via the effect of it on the microbial community of the transmitting insect, such as Candidatus Hamiltonella, Ralstonia, Diaphorobacter, Caldilineaceae, Deinococcus, Rickettsia, Thysanophora penicillioides and Wallemia ichthyophaga. We concluded that hO3 decreased the resistance of acquiring virus tomatoes, and decreased the immune response and increased the endurance to extreme environments of viruliferous whiteflies by altering the composition and abundance of the microbial environments inside the body and on the surface of whitefly, as a result, it enhanced the TYLCV transmission rate by the Q biotype whitefly.

High Ozone (O3) Affects the Fitness Associated with the Microbial Composition and Abundance of Q Biotype Bemisia tabaci.

Ozone (O3) affects the fitness of an insect, such as its development, reproduction and protection against fungal pathogens, but the mechanism by which it does so remains unclear. Here, we compared the fitness (i.e., the growth and development time, reproduction and protection against Beauveria bassiana (B. bassiana) of Q biotype whiteflies fumigated under hO3 (280 ± 20 ppb) and control O3 (50 ± 10 ppb) concentrations. Moreover, we determined that gene expression was related to development, reproduction and immunity to B. bassiana and examined the abundance and composition of bacteria and fungi inside of the body and on the surface of the Q biotype whitefly. We observed a significantly enhanced number of eggs that were laid by a female, shortened developmental time, prolonged adult lifespan, decreased weight of one eclosion, and reduced immunity to B. bassiana in whiteflies under hO3, but hO3 did not significantly affect the expression of genes related to development, reproduction and immunity. However, hO3 obviously changed the composition of the bacterial communities inside of the body and on the surface of the whiteflies, significantly reducing Rickettsia and enhancing Candidatus_Cardinium. Similarly, hO3 significantly enhanced Thysanophora penicillioides from the Trichocomaceae family and reduced Dothideomycetes (at the class level) inside of the body. Furthermore, positive correlations were found between the abundance of Candidatus_Cardinium and the female whitefly ratio and the fecundity of a single female, and positive correlations were found between the abundance of Rickettsia and the weight of adult whiteflies just after eclosion and immunity to B. bassiana. We conclude that hO3 enhances whitefly development and reproduction but impairs immunity to B. bassiana, and our results also suggest that the changes to the microbial environments inside of the body and on the surface could be crucial factors that alter whitefly fitness under hO3.

Mycobiota in needles ofAbies albawith and without symptoms of Herpotrichia needle browning

SummaryThe ascomyceteNematostoma parasiticum(syn.:Herpotrichia parasitica) is commonly perceived as the causal agent of the so‐called Herpotrichia needle browning in silver fir (Abies alba). However, its fruitbodies are rarely present on symptomatic needles, which are also colonized by many presumably saprotrophic fungi. We compared the internal colonization of healthy and symptomatic needles on two sites in Poland. In addition, the endophytic mycobiota in needles of various age was recorded on two other sites without disease symptoms. Fungi were isolated from 95.6% of the dead needles and from 62.9% of the living needles on symptomatic trees, whereas on healthy trees, only 45.0% of the needles were colonized internally. Colonization frequency increased with needle age. From a total of 2017 isolates, 116 fungal taxa were identified. Frequency of many species was influenced by needle type.Anthostomella formosa,Gloeosporidiellasp.,Hypoxylon fragiforme,Xylaria hypoxylonandX. polymorphawere the most common fungi isolated from living needles. In symptomless living needles, fungi occurred significantly more often in the basal than in the apical parts. In dead needles, the most common fungi wereAlternaria alternata,Paraconiothyrium sporulosum,Fusariumsp.,Mollisia cinerea,Rhizoctoniasp.,Rhizosphaera oudemansii,Thysanophora penicillioides,Xylaria hypoxylonandX. polymorpha.Rhizoctoniasp. was the most frequently isolated fungus in dead needles (23.4%) but occurred rarely also in living needles (0.3–1.1%). The supposed pathogenN. parasiticumwas detected only sporadically (at most in 0.6% of the needles). Our findings demonstrate the need for understanding the role ofRhizoctoniasp. in Herpotrichia needle browning disease aetiology.

Decomposition of spruce litter needles of different quality by Setulipes androsaceus and Thysanophora penicillioides

Various biotic and abiotic factors may change the quality of cast spruce needles or induce premature casting, subsequently altering the composition of needle litter. We tested the decomposition efficiency of Setulipes androsaceus, a key litter decomposer in spruce forests, on needles of the Norway spruce (Picea abies) that fell into three different categories of quality. We designed a cultivation experiment to test the decomposition rate of the following needle categories: (1) naturally senesced brown needles, (2) intact, prematurely fallen green needles, and (3) frass pellets produced by caterpillars of the spruce web-spinning sawfly (Cephalcia spp.). Needles from each category were cultivated both independently and in combination. After a 4-month incubation, dry weight loss and the decrease of p-hydroxyacetophenone (p-HAP) and catechin were measured as markers of decomposition. Colonization of green needles by mycelia of S. androsaceus was initially inhibited. However, within the experimental period, those green needles successfully colonized by S. androsaceus lost more mass (22% of dry weight) than the brown needles (18% of dry weight). S. androsaceus also decreased the p-HAP and catechin contents of the green needles. Another fungal decomposer, Thysanophora penicillioides, was introduced only to the treatment that contained all three needle categories, and it induced less weight loss than S. androsaceus, but degraded the two phenolics to a similar extent. Neither the green nor the brown needles exhibited a more rapid rate of decomposition when cultivated in combination with another category of needles. We conclude that the increased proportions of green needles and frass pellets in the litter will be connected with temporarily increased decomposition activity of S. androsaceus.

Microfungi associated with Abies needles and Betula leaf litter in a subalpine coniferous forest

We investigated microfungal assemblages on leaf litter within a subalpine forest in central Japan and their variation with season, litter depth, and litter species. Microfungal assemblages were compared for Abies needles and Betula leaf litter collected from litter and fermentation layers of the forest floor during the growing season in spring, summer, and autumn. A total of 35 and 42 species were isolated from Abies needles and Betula leaf litter, respectively. The observed variation in microfungal assemblages was primarily attributable to seasonal differences. The frequencies of Trichoderma viride, Volutella ciliata, Mucor sp., and Umbelopsis ramanniana increased in summer, leading to a high degree of similarity of microfungal assemblages in different litter depths and litter species. Microfungal assemblages on Abies needles in spring and autumn and those on Betula leaves in spring were characterized by Trichoderma viride, V. ciliata, Thysanophora penicillioides, Trichoderma polysporum, and (or) Mortierella alpina. Microfungal assemblages on Betula leaves in autumn were characterized by the absence of these species and the occurrence of Cladosporium cladosporioides. The results were discussed with an emphasis on the role of microfungi in decomposition processes and the impact on fungi of predicted future increases in global temperature.

Thysanophora penicillioides includes multiple genetically diverged groups that coexist respectively in Abies mariesii forests in Japan

We investigated intraspecific diversity and genetic structures of a saprotrophic fungus--Thysanophora penicillioides--based on sequences of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) in 15 discontinuous Abies mariesii forests of Japan. In such a well-defined morphological species, numerous unexpected ITS variations were revealed: 12 ITS sequence types detected in 254 isolates collected from 15 local populations were classified into five ITS sequence groups. Maximally, four ITS groups consisted of seven ITS types coexisting in one population. However, group 1 was dominant with approximately 65%; in particular, one haplotype, 1a, was most dominant with approximately 60% in respective populations. Therefore, few differences were recognized in genetic structure among local populations, implying that the gene flow of each lineage of the fungus occurs among local populations without geographic limitations. However, minor haplotypes in some ITS groups were found only in restricted areas, suggesting that they might expand steadily from their places of origin to neighboring A. mariesii forests. Aggregating sequence data of seven European strains and four North American strains from various substrates to those of Japanese strains, 18 ITS sequence types and 28 variable sites were recognized. They were clustered into nine lineages by phylogenetic analyses of the beta-tubulin and combined ITS and beta-tubulin datasets. According to phylogenetic species recognition by the concordance of genealogies, respective lineages correspond to phylogenetic species. Plural phylogenetic species coexist in a local population in an A. mariesii forest in Japan.

Thysanophora penicillioides includes multiple genetically diverged groups that coexist respectively in Abies mariesii forests in Japan

We investigated intraspecific diversity and genetic structures of a saprotrophic fungus—Thysanophora penicillioides—based on sequences of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) in 15 discontinuous Abies mariesii forests of Japan. In such a well-defined morphological species, numerous unexpected ITS variations were revealed: 12 ITS sequence types detected in 254 isolates collected from 15 local populations were classified into five ITS sequence groups. Maximally, four ITS groups consisted of seven ITS types coexisting in one population. However, group 1 was dominant with approximately 65%; in particular, one haplotype, 1a, was most dominant with approximately 60% in respective populations. Therefore, few differences were recognized in genetic structure among local populations, implying that the gene flow of each lineage of the fungus occurs among local populations without geographic limitations. However, minor haplotypes in some ITS groups were found only in restricted areas, suggesting that they might expand steadily from their places of origin to neighboring A. mariesii forests. Aggregating sequence data of seven European strains and four North American strains from various substrates to those of Japanese strains, 18 ITS sequence types and 28 variable sites were recognized. They were clustered into nine lineages by phylogenetic analyses of the β-tubulin and combined ITS and β-tubulin datasets. According to phylogenetic species recognition by the concordance of genealogies, respective lineages correspond to phylogenetic species. Plural phylogenetic species coexist in a local population in an A. mariesii forest in Japan.

Proportion of needles colonized by one fungal species in coniferous litter: the dispersal hypothesis

We try to explain the large differences observed in the proportion of needles colonized by fungal species in coniferous litter by spore dispersal properties. We constructed a population dynamics model, assuming that litter is a resource that is fragmented into ephemeral units, periodically produced. Spore dispersion on needles on a small spatial scale was assumed to follow a Poisson distribution. The model was compared with an experimental system using Thysanophora penicillioides on Abies alba needles and its relevance to field conditions is discussed.

Host and geographical distribution of Verticicladium trifidum, Thysanophora penicillioides, and similar fungi on decaying coniferous needles

Dematious hyphomycetes such as Verticicladium trifidum and Thysanophora penicillioides are examples of equivalent species occupying the same ecological niche in different fungal successions. These two species fructify through the stomata of coniferous needles a few months after litter fall. Litter samples of 23 coniferous species from different European sites were examined to explain the fungal distribution. Thysanophora penicillioides colonized Abies, Picea, Pseudotsuga, and Tsuga needles, whereas V. trifidum was restricted to Pinus and Cedrus. Sometimes other fungal species occupied the stomata: on Pinus pinea needles, the niche was occupied by Cladosporium spp. and Alternaria alternata; Chaetopsina fulva have been found only on Pseudotsuga needles and Thysanophora canadensis on Picea. Verticicladium trifidum was apparently absent on Pinus litters from cold climates (high altitude or latitude) and probably from warm mediterranean regions, suggesting a climatic determinism. However, coexistence of Verticicladium and Thysanophora in some samples or colonization of some Pinus litter by Thysanophora suggests that these distributions result from competition rather than strict host specificity. Key words: ecological niche, equivalent species, conifers, needles, Verticicladium trifidum, Thysanophora penicillioides.

Successional patterns of fungal communities in needles of European silver fir (Abies alba Mill.).

Successions of fungal communities in mature, senescing and decomposing needles of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) were studied at two sites in Switzerland. These were in naturally regenerated forest (Ruswil) on soils of pH 4.0 to 4.5 and in planted forest (Üetliberg) on soils of pH 6.5 to 7.0. Attached green symptomless needles of two age classes (1- to 2 and 4- to 7-yr-old), partly brown senescent needles, entirely brown needles and litter needles were collected, surface-sterilized and incubated on 2% MEA amended with 50 mgl-1 terramycin to isolate fungi from within the tissues. Litter needles were collected in nylon nets (litter collectors) placed on the ground to facilitate good litter-soil contact. One hundred and twenty species were isolated from green symptomless needles and more than 140 from litter needles. Species could be classified in three groups according to their habit: (1) endophytes of living needles, (2) colonizers and endophytic survivors in senescent tissues, newly dead attached, and litter tissues, and (3) those which colonized needle litter only. Among the frequently isolated species, only Exophiala sp. 1 and Grovesiella abieticola (Zeller & Goodding) Morelet & Gremmen belonged exclusively to the first group. Cryptocline abietina Petrak and Gloeosporidiella sp. also belonged to this group but could occasionally be isolated from fresh litter. Prominent representatives of the second group were Cytospora pinastri Fr., Hormonema dematioides Lagerb. & Melin, Rhizosphaera oudemansii Maublanc, R. macrospora Gourbière & Morelet, and Leptostroma sp, The frequency of colonization by members of this second group, for which the term 'transition-fungi' has been introduced, decreased quickly after needle fall. Transition-fungi were fully substituted within one year after needle fall by members of the third group, such as Thysanophora penicillioides (Roum.) Kendrick, Rhizoctonia sp. 1, Gliocladium penicillioides Corda, Pseudo-microdochium sp., Cylindrocladium sp. or Coleophoma cylindrospora (Desm.) v. Höhn. Successional patterns of discrete fungal populations were significantly affected by both edaphic conditions and forest management. At Ruswil, in decreasing order of frequency, Cryptocline abietina, Gloeosporidiella sp., Grovesiella abieticola and Leptostroma sp. were the dominant species in attached green needles, as were Hormonema dematioides, Cryptocline abietina, Leptostroma sp., Rhizosphaera macrospora and R. oudemansii in partly brown and entirely brown needles, and as were Thysanophora penicillioides, Rhizoctonia sp. 1 and Gliocladium penicillioides in needle litter. In contrast, fungal communities at Üetliberg were dominated by Exophiala sp. 1 and Grovesiella abieticola in attached green needles, by Cytospora pinastri and Exophiala sp. 1 in partly and entirely brown needles and by T. penicillioides, Coleophoma cylindrospora, G. penicillioides and Cytospora pinastri in litter needles. Differences in the frequency of fungal colonization of litter needles existed also between the litter collectors. However, differences were significant only for Pseudomicrodochium sp. and Cylindrocladium sp. at Ruswil. Attached green needles were collected and buried in the litter layer close to the litter collectors in an additional experiment. Species composition was the same in buried and in naturally fallen needles at Ruswil but not at Üetliberg, where Cytospora pinastri did not occur in buried needles, i.e. colonization by this most frequent transition-fungus was missed out. Conversely, Trichoderma viride was detected only in buried, not in naturally fallen needles, at Üetliberg, where it was among the most frequently isolated soil fungi. T. viride was also the only soil fungus with any potential to colonize fallen needles.

Structure spatio-temporelle de la mycoflore decomposant les aiguilles d' Abies alba: Place de Marasmius androsaceus

The spatio-temporal distribution of seven fungal species colonizing Abies alba Mill, needles during senescence [ Cytospora friesii Sacc., Rhizosphaera sp., Lophodermium piceae (Fuckel) Höhn.) and in the L ( Thysanophora penicillioides (Roum.) Kendrick, Nectria purtonii (Grev.) Berk., Ceuthospora pinastri (Fr.) Höhn.] and F1 litter layers [ Marasmius androsaceus (L.: Fr.) Fr.] has been described. Ecological niches of the seven fungi were separated in the spatio-temporal plane. Marasmius could colonize fir needles whatever the previous successions had been. At the end of Marasmius development, 16 elementary successions could be recognized. Only 4 complete successions were necessary to explain the occurrence of the 7 observed species ( Ceuthospora-Marasmius; Rhizosphaera-Thysanophora Marasmius; Cytospora-Nectria-Marasmius and Lophodermium Marasmius). Other successions could be derived from the complete ones by deletion of one or more species. In naturally fallen litter 24% of the needles showed no evidence of colonization by any of the 7 species studied. Microbial interactions did not explain the quantitative limitation of the colonization by Marasmius (27–74% of the needles in these experiments).

Structure spatio-temporelle de la mycoflore des premiers stades de decomposition des aiguilles d' Abies alba

Mycofloras associated with the decomposition of coniferous needles have been frequently described. Their temporal structure (succession) is well-known, but the study of their spatial structure has been neglected. Spatial diversity of mycofloras can be important for the understanding of litter dynamics if it leads to a diversity of decomposition processes. In this study we show that three fungi [ Cytospora friesii Sacc., Rhizosphaera spp and Lophodermium piceae (Fuckl.) Höhn.] colonized silver fir needles ( Abies alba Mill.) during senescence with mutual exclusion. These species occupied different needles or segments of needles. After needle fall, Thysanophora penicillioides (Roum.) Kendrick developed on green needles that had not been colonized before. This fungus could also succeed on Rhizosphaera spp. Colonization by Cytospora prevented subsequent development of Thysanophora but allowed that of Nectria purtonii (Grev.) Berk. Persistent activity of Lophodermium in litter prevented colonization by Thysanophora. Ceuthospora pinastri (Fr.) Höhn. occurred only in litter, on green, uncolonized needles. These results lead to a description of the progressive differentiation of the spatio-temporal structure of this mycoflora and of the several elementary successions possible in this litter.

Microscopie de la mycoflore des aiguilles de sapin (Abies alba). III. Marasmius androsaceus

Marasmius androsaceus (L.: Fr.) Fr. spreads in the litter by means of its rhizomorphs. It colonizes needles in autumn, soon after litter fall. Penetration of mycelium into needles occurs through stomata. Rhizomorphs and fruit bodies appear 1 year later, in summer and autumn, emerging from the needles by rupturing the epi- and hypo-dermis. In the first stage of colonization hyphae invade needle tissues in extracellular spaces and along vessels. During a second stage, parenchyma (cellulosic cell walls and residual cytoplasm) is bleached and destroyed. Lignified cell walls are degraded, in particular those of the epi- and hypo-dermis. Marasmius androsaceus activity is restricted to L and F1 litter, reaching a maximum after those of Thysanophora penicillioides (Roum.) Kendrick and Lophodermium piceae (Fuckl.) Höhn. Obvious differences are observed among needles colonized by these three different fungi.

Microscopie de la mycoflore des aiguilles de sapin (Abies alba). II. Lophodermium piceae

Colonization of Abies alba Mill, needles by Lophodermium piceae (Fckl.) Höhn. (Ascomycetes, Hypodermataceae) was studied by light and electron microscopy. Internal mycelium is at first extracellular and invades all the tissues of the needle; thereafter hyphae may penetrate all cells. Cytoplasm and walls of living cells (parenchyma, phloem, cellulosic transfusion tissues) are then lysed. Hyphae also invade thick-walled and lignified cells (epidermis, hypodermis, xylem, tracheids, and fibers of transfusion tissues) without major degradation of the cell wall. Ascomatal development is intraepidermic. Colonization of the needles is limited by black areas (the diaphragms), the structure of which is described. Lophodermium piceae is a primary saprophyte. Needles are colonized during senescence but ascomata appear only on fallen needles. There are about 230 ascomata per gram of needles. The ecology of this fungus is compared with that of Thysanophora penicillioides (Roum.) Kendrick on Abies needles and with that of Lophodermium pinastri (Schrad.) Chev. on Pinus needles.

Experimenteller Nachweis nadelbewohnender Pilze bei Koniferen

Abstract Experimental proof of needle inhabiting fungi in conifers. I. Spruce (Picea abies). Various methods are described, which can be used to establish the presence of fungi in needles of conifers and to classify them. Culture characteristics of Lophodermium piceae, L. filiforme, Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii, Thysanophora penicillioides and Tiarosporella parca arc given.

Microscopie de la mycoflore des aiguilles de sapin (Abies alba). I. Thysanophora penicillioides

Colonization of the needle litter of Abies alba Mill, by Thysanophora penicillioides (Roum.) Kendrick (Deuteromycete, Hyphomycete) has been studied by light and electron microscopy. Internal mycelium is mostly intercellular. The hyphae grow between collapsed cells of the parenchyma and form stromata in the epistomatal and substomatal cavities. Conidiophores arise from the stomates. Productivity is estimated to be 9 × 104 conidiophores per gram of needles. The development of the sclerotia is also described. Thysanophora penicillioides occupies the same ecological niche on Abies needles as Verticicladium trifidum Preuss on Pinus needles.

Spore germination and germ hyphal growth of microfungi from litter and soil in the presence of ferulic acid

Ferulic acid, a phenolic acid related to lignin, was incorporated into water agar for studies on its effect on the germination of spores of fungi representing several ecological groups from litter and soil. Ferulic acid could inhibit or stimulate germination and hyphal growth, the response of the fungus depending upon its ecological distribution and the concentration of the acid. Soilinhabiting species such as Penicillium spp. and conifer needle saprophytes such as Dothichiza pityophila (Corda) Petrak and Thysanophora penicillioides (Roum.) Kendrick showed stimulation of germination, the latter at high concentrations of ferulic acid, whereas Angiosperm leaf saprophytes were significantly depressed. These results suggest that some soil and conifer litter species show an important adaptation to the presence of this compound, and possibly other similar substances, in the environment.

HYPHOMYCETES OF CONIFER LEAF LITTER: THYSANOPHORA GEN. NOV.

A new genus, Thysanophora, based on Haplographium penicillioides Roum., is proposed. Two species are placed within the genus: Thysanophora penicillioides (Roum.) Kendrick comb. nov. is redescribed from 32 collections and isolations, and Thysanophora longispora Kendrick sp. nov. is described from four collections on decaying needles of Tsuga canadensis and an isolation derived from one of these collections.