Wood-inhabiting Fungal Species Research Articles

Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal two new wood-inhabiting fungal species (Basidiomycota) from China

Wood-inhabiting fungi are found in living trees, decorticated wood of dead tree branches and trunks as well as manufactured wood products, and play an important role in forest ecosystems as an important group of decomposers. In this present study, two new wood-inhabiting fungal taxa, Candelabrochaete yunnanensis and Hyphodermella sinensis are proposed based on a combination of the morphological features and molecular evidence. Candelabrochaete yunnanensis is characterized by the farinaceous basidiomata with the flesh-pinkish to brownish vinaceous hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with simple-septate generative hyphae, presence of the cylindrical septocystidia and ellipsoid basidiospores (4–5 × 2.5–3 µm). Hyphodermella sinensis is characterized by the membranaceous basidiomata having the white to slightly greyish hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamp generative hyphae, presence of the clavate cystidia and ellipsoid basidiospores (4–6 × 3–4 µm). The phylogenetic tree inferred from ITS+nLSU sequences revealed that Candelabrochaete yunnanensis was nested into the family Irpicaceae within the order Polyporales, in which it was closely related to the species C. africana; Hyphodermella sinensis grouped into the genus Hyphodermella and clustered into the family Phanerochaetaceae, in which it grouped with H. aurantiaca and H. zixishanensis.

Molecular systematics and taxonomy reveal three new wood-inhabiting fungal species (Basidiomycota) from Yunnan Province, southern China

Molecular systematics and taxonomy reveal three new wood-inhabiting fungal species (Basidiomycota) from Yunnan Province, southern China

Two new wood-inhabiting fungal species (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from Yunnan Province, China

Wood-inhabiting fungi are a cosmopolitan fungal group worldwide. Two new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Rhodoantrodia purpurascens and Steccherinum wumengshanense are proposed based on a combination of the morphological features and molecular evidence. Rhodoantrodia purpurascens is characterized by the corky basidiomata with a pale lilac to lavender pore surface, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores. Steccherinum wumengshanense is characterized by the corticoid basidiomata having a white to cream hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamp generative hyphae, and ellipsoid basidiospores. Full descriptions, photo plates and phylogenetic analysis results of the new species are provided.

Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Analyses Reveal Three New Wood-Inhabiting Fungi (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in China.

Three new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Cerioporus yunnanensis, Perenniporiopsis sinensis, and Sarcoporia yunnanensis, are proposed based on a combination of the morphological features and molecular evidence. Cerioporus yunnanensis is characterized by the pileate basidiomata having a fawn brown to black pileal surface, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the fusoid cystidioles and cylindrical basidiospores (9-12.5 × 3.5-5 µm). Perenniporiopsis sinensis is distinct from the osseous pileus with verrucose, an orange-yellow to dark reddish-brown pileal surface with a cream margin, a trimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the fusiform cystidioles and ellipsoid basidiospores (9-11 × 5.5-6.5 µm). Sarcoporia yunnanensis is typical of the pileate basidiomata with a salmon to reddish-brown pileal surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the ellipsoid basidiospores (4-5.5 × 2.5-4 µm). Sequences of ITS + nLSU + mt-SSU + TEF1 + RPB1 + RPB2 genes were used for the phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The multiple genes with six loci analysis showed that the three new species nested within the order Polyporales, in which C. yunnanensis and P. sinensis nested into the family Polyporaceae, and S. yunnanensis grouped into the family Sarcoporiaceae.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of Auriculariales (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) with descriptions of four new species from south-western China.

The wood-inhabiting fungi play an integral role in wood degradation and the cycle of matter in the ecological system. They are considered as the "key player" in wood decomposition, because of their ability to produce lignocellulosic enzymes that break down woody lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. In the present study, four new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Adustochaetealbomarginata, Ad.punctata, Alloexidiopsisgrandinea and Al.xantha collected from southern China, are proposed, based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Adustochaetealbomarginata is characterised by resupinate basidiomata with cream to buff, a smooth, cracked, hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and subcylindrical to allantoid basidiospores (12-17.5 × 6.5-9 µm). Adustochaetepunctata is characterised by resupinate basidiomata with cream, a smooth, punctate hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and subcylindrical to allantoid basidiospores (13.5-18 × 6-8.2 µm). Alloexidiopsisgrandinea is characterised by resupinate basidiomata with buff to slightly yellowish, a grandinioid hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and allantoid basidiospores (10-12.3 × 5-5.8 µm). Additionally, Alloexidiopsisxantha is characterised by resupinate basidiomata with cream to slightly buff, a smooth hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and subcylindrical to allantoid basidiospores measuring 20-24 × 5-6.2 µm. Sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the large subunit (nrLSU) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) markers of the studied samples were generated. Phylogenetic analyses were performed with the Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Inference methods. The phylogram, based on the ITS+nLSU rDNA gene regions, revealed that four new species were assigned to the genera Adustochaete and Alloexidiopsis within the order Auriculariales, individually. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the ITS sequences highlighted that Ad.albomarginata was retrieved as a sister to Ad.yunnanensis and the species Ad.punctata was sister to Ad.rava. The topology, based on the ITS sequences, showed that Al.grandinea was retrieved as a sister to Al.schistacea and the taxon Al.xantha formed a monophyletic lineage. Furthermore, two identification keys to Adustochaete and Alloexidiopsis worldwide are provided.

Morphological and molecular identification of a new species of Fulvoderma (Hymenochaetaceae, Basidiomycota) from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, China

A new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Fulvoderma yunnanense , is proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular data . Fulvoderma yunnanense is characterized by annual, laterally stipitate basidiomata with greyish brown pore surface , a monomitic hyphal system with simple septate generative hyphae , tubular cystidia and broad ellipsoid to subglobose , thin-walled, smooth basidiospores measuring as 4.0– 5.4 × 3.3– 4.8 µm . Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA gene regions of the specimens were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were carried out with methods of maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference. The phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS+nLSU indicated that F. yunnanense nested in Fulvoderma within Hymenochaetaceae. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS dataset revealed that the new species formed a well-supported monophyletic lineage with F. australe. Full description, photo plates and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of the new species are given.

Resinicium yunnanense sp. nov. (Resiniciaceae, Hymenochaetales), a new wood-inhabiting fungal species from southern China

Resinicium yunnanense sp. nov. (Resiniciaceae, Hymenochaetales), a new wood-inhabiting fungal species from southern China

Morphological and molecular identification of three new resupinate species of Hyphoderma (Hyphodermataceae, Agaricomycetes) from East Asia

The genus Hyphoderma is one of the most important corticioid fungi worldwide, which causes white rot in wood and plays an important role in forest ecosystems and carbon cycle. In this study, three new wood-inhabiting fungal species, H. marginatum, H. tropicum and H. yunnanense are proposed based on a combination of the morphological and molecular evidence. Hyphoderma marginatum is characterized by the cracking, hard fragile basidiomata having smooth hymenial surface with the upwarping margin, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and cylindrical basidiospores. Hyphoderma tropicum is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata with tuberculate hymenial surface, presence of the moniliform cystidia, and ellipsoid to cylindrical basidiospores (6.5–7.5 × 3–4 µm), Hyphoderma yunnanense is characterized by the corneus basidiomata, presence of clamped septate cystidia, and ellipsoid to cylindrical basidiospores. Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA genes were used for phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The three new species of Hyphoderma inferred from ITS sequences and form separate lineages within the genus.

Physisporinus yunnanensis sp. nov. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from Southern China

A wood-inhabiting fungal species, Physisporinus yunnanensis is proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Physisporinus yunnanensis is characterized by annual, resupinate, bone-hard basidiomata with an olivaceous to black pore surface, a monomitic hyphal system, presence of hyphoid cystidia at dissepiment edge and subglobose, smooth basidiospores measuring as 4–5.5 × 3.5–5 µm, and causing a white rot. The phylogenetic analyses based on molecular data of ITS+nLSU sequences showed that P. yunnanensis is sister to P. furcatus with high support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP). Both morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses confirmed the placement of the new species in Physisporinus.

A phylogenetic and taxonomic study on Steccherinum (Polyporales, Basidiomycota): Focusing on three new Steccherinum species from southern China

The wood-inhabiting fungi play an integral role in wood degradation and the cycle of matter in the ecological system. They are considered as the “key player” in wood decomposition, because of their ability to produce all kinds of enzymes that break down woody lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. In the present study, three new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Steccherinum fissurutum, S. punctatum and S. subtropicum spp. nov., collected from southern China, are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Steccherinum fissurutum is characterized by the resupinate, subceraceous basidiomata with cracked hymenophore, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and cylindrical basidiospores; S. punctatum is characterized by the annual, punctate basidiomata with leathery hymenophore, cylindrical, strongly encrusted cystidia and ellipsoid basidiospores (3.6–4.5 ×2.6–3.4 µm); S. subtropicum is characterized by its effuse-reflexed basidiomata, a odontioid hymenophore with pink to lilac hymenial surface and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring as (2.8–3.4 × 2.0–2.7 µm). Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA markers of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The ITS+nLSU analysis of the family Steccherinaceae indicated that the three new species clustered into the genus Steccherinum. Based on further analysis of ITS+nLSU dataset, the phylogenetic analysis confirmed that S. subtropicum was sister to S. enuispinum; S. fissurutum formed a monophyletic lineage; S. punctatum grouped with a clade comprised S. straminellum and S. ciliolatum.

A phylogenetic and taxonomic study on Steccherinum (Polyporales, Basidiomycota): Focusing on three new Steccherinum species from southern China.

The wood-inhabiting fungi play an integral role in wood degradation and the cycle of matter in the ecological system. They are considered as the "key player" in wood decomposition, because of their ability to produce all kinds of enzymes that break down woody lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. In the present study, three new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Steccherinum fissurutum, S. punctatum and S. subtropicum spp. nov., collected from southern China, are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Steccherinum fissurutum is characterized by the resupinate, subceraceous basidiomata with cracked hymenophore, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and cylindrical basidiospores; S. punctatum is characterized by the annual, punctate basidiomata with leathery hymenophore, cylindrical, strongly encrusted cystidia and ellipsoid basidiospores (3.6-4.5 ×2.6-3.4 µm); S. subtropicum is characterized by its effuse-reflexed basidiomata, a odontioid hymenophore with pink to lilac hymenial surface and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring as (2.8-3.4 × 2.0-2.7 µm). Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA markers of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The ITS+nLSU analysis of the family Steccherinaceae indicated that the three new species clustered into the genus Steccherinum. Based on further analysis of ITS+nLSU dataset, the phylogenetic analysis confirmed that S. subtropicum was sister to S. enuispinum; S. fissurutum formed a monophyletic lineage; S. punctatum grouped with a clade comprised S. straminellum and S. ciliolatum.

Ability of selected wood-inhabiting fungi to degrade in vitro sapwood and heartwood of Nothofagus pumilio

Fungi are the main decomposers of lignocellulose in temperate forests, and are classified as either white- or brown-rot, based on the ability to degrade lignin along with cellulose and hemicellulose. In this work, decomposition of Nothofagus pumilio wood by different wood-inhabiting fungal species was investigated through in vitro assays. Sapwood and heartwood blocks were individually exposed to 11 fungal species; mass loss was determined after 75, 135, and 195 days of exposure, comparatively analyzing the fungal ability to colonize and degrade this lignocellulosic substrate corresponding to both parts of the wood. Transverse section slices of the blocks were cut and separately stained with two types of dyes, Congo red and phloroglucinol, that are specifically associated with cellulose and lignin, respectively. Most of the species showed a different performance in sapwood and heartwood. Rhizochaete brunnea, Aurantiporus albidus and Phanerochaete velutina produced the greatest mass losses in sapwood. The latter two and Laetiporus portentosus produced the highest mass losses in heartwood, whereas Rh. brunnea was among the worst decomposers of this substrate. White rotters generally showed a higher ability to degrade the sapwood and brown rotters the heartwood. The fungal species that produced greater mass losses in heartwood than in sapwood grow on heartwood of living trees. Among white-rot fungi, two modes of action were identified: a) localized degradation, with zones of advanced decay in a less deteriorated matrix, and b) homogeneous degradation, with an even decay. Our results showed that many species have different performances in different substrates, reinforcing the importance of analyzing sapwood and heartwood decomposition separately, usually not done in this kind of studies.

Cinereomyces wuliangshanensis sp. nov. from China

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungal species, Cinereomyces wuliangshanensis, is proposed based on morphological and molecular characters. The species is characterized by resupinate brittle basidiomata with a white pore surface, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and subglobose to broadly ellipsoid hyaline thin-walled smooth basidiospores (4.2–5.1 × 2.9–3.8 μm). Sequences were generated from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene and phylogenetically analyzed using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogeny strongly (100% BS, 100% BT, 1.00 BPP) supports C. wuliangshanensis in a monophyletic lineage grouping with C. lindbladii and a clade comprising Obba rivulosa and O. valdiviana.

Two new species of Steccherinum (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from southern China based on morphology and DNA sequence data.

Two new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Steccherinum hirsutum and S. yunnanense spp. nov., are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Sequences of internal transcribed spacer and large subunit region of nuculear ribosomal RNA gene of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and bayesian inference methods. Steccherinum hirsutum is characterized by an annual growth habit, stipitate basidiocarps with scarlet to red, odontioid hymenial surface, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae negative in Melzer's reaction, and acyanophilous basidiospores measuring 2.5-3.5 × 1.5-2.5 µm. Steccherinum yunnanense is distinguished by resupinate basidiomata with odontioid hymenial surface, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, strongly encrusted cystidia and ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores (3.5-4.5 × 2-3.5 µm). The phylogenetic analyses comfirmed that two new species nest in Steccherinum, in the residual polyporoid clade.

Flavodontia rosea gen. & sp. nov. from southwestern China

A new white-rot corticioid wood-inhabiting fungal genus and species, Flavodontia rosea, collected from subtropical Yunnan, China, is proposed based on morphological and molecular evidence. Flavodontia is characterized by annual, resupinate basidiomes with a pink hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with generative hyphae bearing simple septa, and ellipsoid basidiospores with thin hyaline smooth walls. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS and ITS + LSU nuclear RNA gene regions showed that Flavodontia formed a distinct, monophyletic lineage within a subclade that includes Flavodon and Irpex.

The Morphological Characteristics and Phylogenetic Analyses Revealed an Additional Taxon in Heteroradulum (Auriculariales)

Auriculariales is diverse, embracing a number of corticioid, poroid, and hydnoid genera. The present study covers a new wood-inhabiting fungal species of Heteroradulum niveum sp. nov that is proposed on the basis of a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. The species is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata, a monomitic hyphal system with generative hyphae with clamp connections; tubular cystidia; two- to four-celled basidia; and allantoid, colorless, thin-walled, smooth, IKI–, CB–, basidiospores (6.5–13.5 × 2.7–5.5 µm). Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA gene regions of the specimens were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were carried out with methods of maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference. These phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS+nLSU indicated that H. niveum is nested in Heteroradulum within Auriculariales. Further study within Heteroradulum on the basis of ITS+nLSU dataset revealed that it formed a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP) and then grouped with H. yunnanensis.

A Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Study on Xylodon (Hymenochaetales): Focusing on Three New Xylodon Species from Southern China.

Three wood-inhabiting fungal species, Xylodon laceratus, X. montanus, and X. tropicus spp. nov., were collected from southern China, here proposed as new taxa based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Xylodon laceratus is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata with grandinioid hymenophore having cracked hymenial surface, and ellipsoid basidiospores; X. montanus is characterized by the annual basidiomata having the hard, brittle hymenophore with cream hymenial surface, and ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores (3.9–5.3 × 3.2–4.3 µm); and X. tropicus is characterized by its grandinioid hymenophore with buff to a pale brown hymenial surface and subglobose basidiospores measuring 2–4.8 × 1.6–4 µm. Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA markers of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The ITS+nLSU analysis of the order Hymenochaetales indicated that the three new species clustered into the family Schizoporaceae, located in genus Xylodon; based on further analysis of ITS dataset, X. laceratus was a sister to X. heterocystidiatus; X. montanus closely grouped with X. subclavatus and X. xinpingensis with high support; while X. tropicus was retrieved as a sister to X. hastifer.

Additions to the Knowledge of Corticioid Xylodon (Schizoporaceae, Hymenochaetales): Introducing Three New Xylodon Species from Southern China

Three wood-inhabiting fungal species, Xylodon gossypinus, X. macrosporus, and X. sinensis spp. nov. were collected from southern China, with the similar function to decompose rotten wood, which are here proposed as new taxa based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Xylodon gossypinus is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata with cotton hymenophore, and ellipsoid basidiospores; X.macrosporus is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata having the cracking hymenophore with pale yellowish hymenial surface, and larger basidiospores 8–10.5 × 7.5–9 µm; and X. sinensis differs by its grandinioid hymenial surface and subglobose basidiospores measuring as 3–5 × 2.5–4 µm. Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA markers of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The ITS+nLSU analysis in Hymenochaetales revealed that the three new species clustered into the Schizoporaceae family, located in genus Xylodon; based on the ITS dataset, X. gossypinus was a sister to X. ussuriensis; X. macrosporus closely grouped with X.follis with a high support; and X.sinensis was retrieved as two sisters to X. attenuatus and X. yarraensis with a lower support.

Fasciodontia yunnanensis (Schizoporaceae, Hymenochaetales), a New Species from Southern China

A new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Fasciodontia yunnanensis C.L. Zhao sp. nova (Schizoporaceae, Hymenochaetales) is proposed based on morphological and molecular evidence. Fasciodontia yunnanensis is characterised by resupinate basidiomata with minutely odontioid hymenial surface and presence of submoniliform cystidia, and ellipsoid thick-walled basidiospores (3.1–5.7 × 2.1–4.1 µm). Sequences of ITS and 28S rDNA gene regions were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods. In the phylogenetic reconstruction of Hyphodontia s. lato based on a concatenated ITS + 28S data set, the new species nested in Fasciodontia where it formed a monophyletic lineage and grouped with F. brasiliensis and F. bugellensis.

The Phylogenetic Relationship Revealed Three New Wood-Inhabiting Fungal Species From Genus Trechispora

Wood-inhabiting fungi play a significant role in wood degradation and the cycle of matter in the ecological system. In the present study, three new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Trechispora bambusicola, Trechispora fimbriata, and Trechispora fissurata spp. nov., are nested in Trechispora, which are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (nLSU) regions of the studied samples were generated, and the phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS showed that T. bambusicola was sister to Trechispora stevensonii, T. fimbriata grouped with Trechispora nivea, and T. fissurata grouped with Trechispora echinospora. The phylogenetic tree based on ITS + nLSU sequences demonstrated that T. bambusicola formed a single lineage and then grouped with Trechispora rigida and T. stevensonii. T. fimbriata was sister to T. nivea. T. fissurata grouped with Trechispora thelephora.