Simulation of denitrification in groundwater from Chaohu Lake Catchment,China

The eutrophication of Chaohu Lake in China is mainly attributed to nitrate inflow from non-point sources in the lake catchment. In this study,biological nitrate reduction from groundwater in the Chaohu Lake Catchment was investigated under laboratory conditions in a continuous upflow reactor. Sodium acetate served as the carbon source and electron donor. Results showed that a carbon-to-nitrogen(C/N) molar ratio of 3:1 and hydraulic retention time(HRT) of 8 d could achieve the most rapid nitrate nitrogen(NO_3^--N) depletion(from 100 mg/L to 1 mg/L within120 h). This rate was confirmed when field groundwater was tested in the reactor, in which a NO_3^--N removal rate of 97.71% was achieved(from60.35 mg/L to 1.38 mg/L within 120 h). Different levels of the initial NO_3^--N concentration(30, 50, 70, and 100 mg/L) showed observable influence on the denitrification rates, with an overall average NO_3^--N removal efficiency of 98.25% at 120 h. Nitrite nitrogen(NO_2^--N)accumulated in the initial 12 h, and then kept decreasing, until it reached 0.0254 mg/L at 120 h. Compared with the initial value, there was a slight accumulation of 0.04 mg/L for the ammonia nitrogen(NH4-N) concentration in the effluent, which is, however, less than the limit value.These results can provide a reference for evaluating performance of denitrification in situ.

Species of Botryosphaeriaceae involved in grapevine dieback in China

Botryosphaeria dieback is a serious disease problem for table and grape wine production worldwide.The disease however,has been less well-studied in China.In this study,we surveyed Botryosphaeria dieback in 72 vineyards of 20 grape-growing regions in China and found that Botryosphaeria dieback occurs in 18 out of 20 provinces.Morphological and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses confirmed that Botryosphaeria dothidea,Diplodia seriata,Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Neofusicoccum parvum are associated with different grapevine dieback symptoms.This study also revealed considerable differences in the geographical distribution of Botryosphaeriaceae species in China with Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Neofusicoccum parvum occurring only in subtropical monsoon climate regions,Diplodia seriata occurring only in temperate monsoon climate regions,and Botryosphaeria dothidea occurring in both temperate and subtropical monsoon climate regions.Analysis of 26 isolates showed that there is little genetic variation within species.Koch’s postulates were satisfied for all species,and pathogenicity testing showed that among the 25 major cultivars growing in China,none was resistant to the four taxa.The current paper represents the first detailed report on Botryosphaeria dieback of grapevines in China.

The amazing potential of fungi:50 ways we can exploit fungi industrially

Fungi are an understudied,biotechnologically valuable group of organisms.Due to the immense range of habitats that fungi inhabit,and the consequent need to compete against a diverse array of other fungi,bacteria,and animals,fungi have developed numerous survival mechanisms.The unique attributes of fungi thus herald great promise for their application in biotechnology and industry.Moreover,fungi can be grown with relative ease,making production at scale viable.The search for fungal biodiversity,and the construction of a living fungi collection,both have incredible economic potential in locating organisms with novel industrial uses that will lead to novel products.This manuscript reviews fifty ways in which fungi can potentially be utilized as biotechnology.We provide notes and examples for each potential exploitation and give examples from our own work and the work of other notable researchers.We also provide a flow chart that can be used to convince funding bodies of the importance of fungi for biotechnological research and as potential products.Fungi have provided the world with penicillin,lovastatin,and other globally significant medicines,and they remain an untapped resource with enormous industrial potential.

Ranking higher taxa using divergence times:a case study in Dothideomycetes

The current classification system for the recognition of taxonomic ranks among fungi,especially at highranking level,is subjective.With the development of molecular approaches and the availability of fossil calibration data,the use of divergence times as a universally standardized criterion for ranking taxa has now become possible.We can therefore date the origin of Ascomycota lineages by using molecular clock methods and establish the divergence times for the orders and families of Dothideomycetes.We chose Dothideomycetes,the largest class of the phylum Ascomycota,which contains 32 orders,to establish ages at which points orders have split;and Pleosporales,the largest order of Dothideomycetes with 55 families,to establish family divergence times.We have assembled a multi-gene data set(LSU,SSU,TEF1 and RPB2)from 391 taxa representing most family groups of Dothideomycetes and utilized fossil calibration points solely from within the ascomycetes and a Bayesian approach to establish divergence times of Dothideomycetes lineages.Two separated datasets were analysed:(i)272 taxa representing 32 orders of Dothideomycetes were included for the order level analysis,and(ii)191 taxa representing 55 families of Pleosporales were included for the family level analysis.Our results indicate that divergence times(crown age)for most orders(20 out of 32,or 63%)are between 100 and 220 Mya,while divergence times for most families(39 out of 55,or 71%)are between 20 and 100 Mya.We believe that divergence times can provide additional evidence to support establishment of higher level taxa,such as families,orders and classes.Taking advantage of this added approach,we can strive towards establishing a standardized taxonomic system both within and outside Fungi.In this study we found that molecular dating coupled with phylogenetic inferences provides no support for the taxonomic status of two currently recognized orders,namely Bezerromycetales and Wiesneriomycetales and these are treated as synonyms of Tubeufiales while Asterotexiales is treated as a synonym of Asterinales.In addition,we provide an updated phylogenetic assessment of Dothideomycetes previously published as the Families of Dothideomycetes in 2013 with a further ten orders and 35 families.

Families of Dothideomycetes

Dothideomycetes comprise a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by asci with two wall layers(bitunicate asci)and often with fissitunicate dehiscence.Many species are saprobes,with many asexual states comprising important plant pathogens.They are also endophytes,epiphytes,fungicolous,lichenized,or lichenicolous fungi.They occur in terrestrial,freshwater and marine habitats in almost every part of the world.We accept 105 families in Dothideomycetes with the new families Anteagloniaceae,Bambusicolaceae,Biatriosporaceae,Lichenoconiaceae,Muyocopronaceae,Paranectriellaceae,Roussoellaceae,Salsugineaceae,Seynesiopeltidaceae and Thyridariaceae introduced in this paper.Each family is provided with a description and notes,including asexual and asexual states,and if more than one genus is included,the type genus is also characterized.Each family is provided with at least one figure-plate,usually illustrating the type genus,a list of accepted genera,including asexual genera,and a key to these genera.A phylogenetic tree based on four gene combined analysis add support for 64 of the families and 22 orders,including the novel orders,Dyfrolomycetales,Lichenoconiales,Lichenotheliales,Monoblastiales,Natipusillales,Phaeotrichales and Strigulales.The paper is expected to provide a working document on Dothideomycetes which can be modified as new data comes to light.It is hoped that by illustrating types we provide stimulation and interest so that more work is carried out in this remarkable group of fungi.

Fungal diversity notes 367-490:taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal taxa

This is a continuity of a series of taxonomic papers where materials are examined,described and novel combinations are proposed where necessary to improve our traditional species concepts and provide updates on their classification.In addition to extensive morphological descriptions and appropriate asexual and sexual connections,DNA sequence data are also analysed from concatenated datasets(rDNA,TEF-a,RBP2 and b-Tubulin)to infer phylogenetic relationships and substantiate systematic position of taxa within appropriate ranks.Wherever new species or combinations are being proposed,we apply an integrative approach(morphological and molecular data as well as ecological features wherever applicable).Notes on 125 fungal taxa are compiled in this paper,including eight new genera,101 new species,two new combinations,one neotype,four reference specimens,new host or distribution records for eight species and one alternative morphs.The new genera introduced in this paper are Alloarthopyrenia,Arundellina,Camarosporioides,Neomassaria,Neomassarina,Neotruncatella,Paracapsulospora and Pseudophaeosphaeria.The new species are Alfaria spartii,Alloarthopyrenia italica,Anthostomella ravenna,An.thailandica,Arthrinium paraphaeospermum,Arundellina typhae,Aspergillus koreanus,Asterina cynometrae,Bertiella ellipsoidea,Blastophorum aquaticum,Cainia globosa,Camarosporioides phragmitis,Ceramothyrium menglunense,Chaetosphaeronema achilleae,Chlamydotubeufia helicospora,Ciliochorella phanericola,Clavulinopsis aurantiaca,Colletotrichum insertae,Comoclathris italica,Coronophora myricoides,Cortinarius fulvescentoideus,Co.nymphatus,Co.pseudobulliardioides,Co.tenuifulvescens,Cunninghamella gigacellularis,Cyathus pyristriatus,Cytospora cotini,Dematiopleospora alliariae,De.cirsii,Diaporthe aseana,Di.garethjonesii,Distoseptispora multiseptata,Dis.tectonae,Dis.tectonigena,Dothiora buxi,Emericellopsis persica,Gloniopsis calami,Helicoma guttulatum,Helvella floriforma,H.oblongispora,Hermatomyces subiculosa,Juncaceicola italica,Lactarius dirkii,Lentithecium unicellulare,Le.voraginesporum,Leptosphaeria cirsii,Leptosphaeria irregularis,Leptospora galii,Le.thailandica,Lindgomyces pseudomadisonensis,Lophiotrema bambusae,Lo.fallopiae,Meliola citri-maximae,Minimelanolocus submersus,Montagnula cirsii,Mortierella fluviae,Muriphaeosphaeria ambrosiae,Neodidymelliopsis ranunculi,Neomassaria fabacearum,Neomassarina thailandica,Neomicrosphaeropsis cytisi,Neo.cytisinus,Neo.minima,Neopestalotiopsis cocoe¨s,Neopestalotiopsis musae,Neoroussoella lenispora,Neotorula submersa,Neotruncatella endophytica,Nodulosphaeria italica,Occultibambusa aquatica,Oc.chiangraiensis,Ophiocordyceps hemisphaerica,Op.lacrimoidis,Paracapsulospora metroxyli,Pestalotiopsis sequoiae,Peziza fruticosa,Pleurotrema thailandica,Poaceicola arundinis,Polyporus mangshanensis,Pseudocoleophoma typhicola,Pseudodictyosporium thailandica,Pseudophaeosphaeria rubi,Purpureocillium sodanum,Ramariopsis atlantica,Rhodocybe griseoaurantia,Rh.indica,Rh.luteobrunnea,Russula indoalba,Ru.pseudoamoenicolor,Sporidesmium aquaticivaginatum,Sp.olivaceoconidium,Sp.pyriformatum,Stagonospora forlicesenensis,Stagonosporopsis centaureae,Terriera thailandica,Tremateia arundicola,Tr.guiyangensis,Trichomerium bambusae,Tubeufia hyalospora,Tu.roseohelicospora and Wojnowicia italica.New combinations are given for Hermatomyces mirum and Pallidocercospora thailandica.A neotype is proposed for Cortinarius fulvescens.Reference specimens are given for Aquaphila albicans,Leptospora rubella,Platychora ulmi and Meliola pseudosasae,while new host or distribution records are provided for Diaporthe eres,Di.siamensis,Di.foeniculina,Dothiorella iranica,Do.sarmentorum,Do.vidmadera,Helvella tinta and Vaginatispora fuckelii,with full taxonomic details.An asexual state is also reported for the first time in Neoacanthostigma septoconstrictum.This paper contributes to a more comprehensive update and improved identification of many ascomycetes and basiodiomycetes.

The ranking of fungi:a tribute to David L.Hawksworth on his 70th birthday

The history of assigning ranks to fungi,as well as the relative importance of using divergence time estimates is reviewed.The paper pays tribute to the major mycological players,and especially to David Hawksworth on his 70th birthday and his contribution to fungal ranking in Systema Ascomycetum from 1982 to 1998.Following the conclusion of the latter series,the ranking continued with the Outlines of Ascomycota in 2007 and 2010 and more recently with specific classes in‘Towards an outline of Sordariomycetes’and‘Families of Dothideomycetes’.Earlier classifications based on phenotype were certainly more subjective;however,remarkably many of these old arrangements have stood the test of time.More recently,phylogenetic analyses have provided evidence towards a natural classification,resulting in significant changes in many lineages.The classification arrangements however,are still subjective and dependent on the taxa analysed,resulting in different taxonomic interpretations and schemes,particularly when it comes to ranking.Thus,what have been considered as genera by some,have been introduced as families by others.More recently,estimation of divergence times using molecular clock methods have been used as objective evidence for higher ranking of taxa.A divergence period(i.e.200–300 MYA)can be used as a criterion to infer when a group of related taxa evolved and what rank they should be given.We compiled data on divergence times for various higher ranking taxa in the Kingdom Fungi.The kingdom evolved 1000–1600 MYA(Stenian–Calymmian),while the presently accepted phyla evolved between 358 and 541 MYA(Devonian–Cambrian).Divergence times for subphyla are generally between 358 and 485 MYA(Devonian–Ordovician),those of classes 145–358 MYA(Jurassic–Carboniferous),subclasses 66–358 MYA(Cretaceous–Carboniferous),orders 23–252 MYA(Paleogene–Triassic),families 2.8–145 MYA(Neogene–Cretaceous),and genera 2.8–66 MYA(Neogene–Paleogene).Thus,there are wide discrepancies in the times different taxa diverged.We provide an overview over Ascomycota,showing how application of temporal banding could affect the recognition of higher taxa at certain rank levels.We then use Sordariomycetes as an example where we use divergence times to provide additional evidence to stabilize ranking of taxa below class level.We propose a series of evolutionary periods that could be used as a guide to determine the various higher ranks of fungi:phyla[550 MYA,subphyla 400–550 MYA;classes 300–400 MYA;subclasses 250–300 MYA,orders 150–250 MYA,and families 50–150 MYA.It is proposed that classification schemes and ranking of taxa should,where possible,incorporate a polyphasic approach including phylogeny,phenotype,and estimate of divergence times.

One stop shop:backbones trees for important phytopathogenic genera:Ⅰ(2014)

Many fungi are pathogenic on plants and cause significant damage in agriculture and forestry.They are also part of the natural ecosystem and may play a role in regulating plant numbers/density.Morphological identification and analysis of plant pathogenic fungi,while important,is often hampered by the scarcity of discriminatory taxonomic characters and the endophytic or inconspicuous nature of these fungi.Molecular(DNA sequence)data for plant pathogenic fungi have emerged as key information for diagnostic and classification studies,although hampered in part by non-standard laboratory practices and analytical methods.To facilitate current and future research,this study provides phylogenetic synopses for 25 groups of plant pathogenic fungi in the Ascomycota,Basidiomycota,Mucormycotina(Fungi),and Oomycota,using recent molecular data,up-to-date names,and the latest taxonomic insights.Lineagespecific laboratory protocols together with advice on their application,as well as general observations,are also provided.We hope to maintain updated backbone trees of these fungal lineages over time and to publish them jointly as new data emerge.Researchers of plant pathogenic fungi not covered by the present study are invited to join this future effort.Bipolaris,Botryosphaeriaceae,Botryosphaeria,Botrytis,Choanephora,Colletotrichum,Curvularia,Diaporthe,Diplodia,Dothiorella,Fusarium,Gilbertella,Lasiodiplodia,Mucor,Neofusicoccum,Pestalotiopsis,Phyllosticta,Phytophthora,Puccinia,Pyrenophora,Pythium,Rhizopus,Stagonosporopsis,Ustilago and Verticillium are dealt with in this paper.

Towards a natural classification of Botryosphaeriales

The type specimens of Auerswaldia,Auerswaldiella,Barriopsis,Botryosphaeria,Leptoguignardia,Melanops,Neodeightonia,Phaeobotryon,Phaeobotryosphaeria,Phyllachorella,Pyrenostigme,Saccharata,Sivanesania,Spencermartinsia and Vestergrenia were examined and fresh specimens of Botryosphaeriales were collected from Thailand.This material is used to provide a systematic treatment of Botryosphaeriales based on morphology and phylogeny.Two new genera,Botryobambusa and Cophinforma are introduced and comparedwith existing genera.Four species newto science,Auerswaldia dothiorella,A.lignicola,Botryosphaeria fusispora and Phaeobotryosphaeria eucalypti,are also described and justified.We accept 29 genera in Botryosphaeriales,with Macrovalsaria being newly placed.In the phylogenetic tree,the 114 strains of Botyrosphaeriales included in the analysis cluster into two major clades with 80%,96%and 1.00(MP,ML and BY)support,with Clade A containing the family type of Botryosphaeriaceae,and Clade B containing Phyllosticta,Saccharata and Melanops species.This group may represent Phyllostictaceae.In Clade A the taxa analyzed cluster in eight sub-clades(Clades A1-8).Clade A1 comprises three distinct subclusters corresponding to the genera Diplodia(Diplodia Clade),Neodeightonia(Neodeightonia Clade)and Lasiodiplodia(Lasiodiplodia Clade).Clade A2 clusters into three groups representing Phaeobotryosphaeria(100%),Phaeobotryon(100%)and Barriopsis(94%).Clade A3 incorporates 17 strains that cluster into three well-supported genera(Dothiorella(86%),Spencermartinsia(100%)and Auerswaldia(63%);the position of Macrophomina is not stable.Clade A4 is a single lineage(100%)representing the new genus Botryobambusa.Clade A5 is a wellsupported subclade incorporating Neofussicoccum.Clade A6 represents the type species of Botryosphaeria,three other Botryosphaeria species and two other genera,Neoscytalidium and Cophinforma gen.nov.Clade A7 comprises two Pseudofusicoccum species and Clade A8 has two Aplosporella species.These sub-clades may eventually require separate families but this requires analysis of a much larger dataset.Our data advances the understanding of Botryosphaeriales,there is,however,still much research to be carried out with resolution of families and genera,linkage of sexual and asexual morphs and differentiation of cryptic species.

Microfungi on Tectona grandis(teak)in Northern Thailand

To date there is virtually no information available concerning the fungi associated with Tectona grandis(teak)(Lamiaceae)in Thailand.In this study,samples of microfungi were collected from both asymptomatic stems and dead wood,and symptomatic branches,stem and leaves of T.grandisfrom 27 sites in six provinces(Chiang Mai,Chiang Rai,Phayao,Phitsanulok,Phrae and Uttaradit Provinces).Morphology and combined multi-gene phylogeny(CAL,GAPDH,ITS,LSU,RPB2,SSU,TEF1 and TUB)were used to identify taxa.A total of 270 collections,representing 28 fungal species residing in 12 families,7 orders and 21 genera,with three species of uncertain taxonomic placement were identified.Of these,one family,three genera and 14 species are new to science.The new family,Pseudocoleodictyosporaceae is introduced based on its distinct lineage in the Dothideomycetes and its unique morphology as compared to Roussoellaceae and Torulaceae.The new genera are Neooccultibambusa,Pseudocoleodictyospora and Subglobosporium.The newly described species are Diaporthe neoraonikayaporum,D.tectonendophytica,D.tectonae,D.tectonigena,Hermatomyces tectonae,H.thailandica,Manoharachariella tectonae,Neooccultibambusa chiangraiensis,Pseudocoleodictyospora sukhothaiensis,Ps.tectonae,Ps.thailandica,Rhytidhysteron tectonae,Subglobosporium tectonae and Tubeufia tectonae.Fourteen species are known published taxa including Alternaria tillandsiae,Berkleasmium talaumae,Boerlagiomyces macrospora,Ceratocladium purpureogriseum,Fusarium solani,Helicoma siamense,Lasiodiplodia theobromae,Macrovalsaria megalospora,Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum,Phaeoacremonium italicum,Sphaeropsis eucalypticola,Stachybotrys levispora,St.renispora and Thaxteriellopsis lignicola.Epitypifications or reference specimens are designated for Boerlagiomyces macrospora and Macrovalsaria megalospora.Macrovalsaria megalospora is transferred from Botryosphaeriaceae to Dothideomycetes genus,incertae sedis based on taxonomy and phylogenetic analysis,which indicate it is distinct from Botryosphaeriaceae.All fungal species represent first reports on T.grandisin Thailand.New taxa and taxa incertae sedis,as well as known taxa which are established as reference specimens or epitypes,are presented with phylogenetic tree analyses,habitat,known distribution,material examined,full descriptions,notes and figures.Information is also provided for known taxa to add to the body of knowledge and to assist those wishing to study fungi occurring on T.grandis in future.

Towards a natural classification and backbone tree for Sordariomycetes

Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota and is characterised by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci.The class includes many important plant pathogens,as well as endophytes,saprobes,epiphytes,and fungicolous,lichenized or lichenicolous taxa.The class includes freshwater,marine and terrestrial taxa and has a worldwide distribution.This paper provides an updated outline of the Sordariomycetes and a backbone tree incorporating asexual and sexual genera in the class.Based on phylogeny and morphology we introduced three subclasses;Diaporthomycetidae,Lulworthiomycetidae and Meliolomycetidae and five orders;Amplistromatales,Annulatascales,Falcocladiales,Jobellisiales and Togniniales.The outline is based on literature to the end of 2014 and the backbone tree published in this paper.Notes for 397 taxa with information,such as new family and genera novelties,novel molecular data published since the Outline of Ascomycota 2009,and new links between sexual and asexual genera and thus synonymies,are provided.The Sordariomycetes now comprises six subclasses,28 orders,90 families and 1344 genera.In addition a list of 829 genera with uncertain placement in Sordariomycetesis also provided.

The Faces of Fungi database:fungal names linked with morphology,phylogeny and human impacts

Taxonomic names are key links between various databases that store information on different organisms.Several global fungal nomenclural and taxonomic databases(notably Index Fungorum,Species Fungorum and MycoBank)can be sourced to find taxonomic details about fungi,while DNA sequence data can be sourced from NCBI,EBI and UNITE databases.Although the sequence data may be linked to a name,the quality of the metadata is variable and generally there is no corresponding link to images,descriptions or herbarium material.There is generally no way to establish the accuracy of the names in these genomic databases,other than whether the submission is from a reputable source.To tackle this problem,a new database(FacesofFungi),accessible at www.facesoffungi.org(FoF)has been established.This fungal database allows deposition of taxonomic data,phenotypic details and other useful data,which will enhance our current taxonomic understanding and ultimately enable mycologists to gain better and updated insights into the current fungal classification system.In addition,the database will also allow access to comprehensive metadata including descriptions of voucher and type specimens.This database is user-friendly,providing links and easy access between taxonomic ranks,with the classification system based primarily on molecular data(from the literature and via updated web-based phylogenetic trees),and to a lesser extent on morphological data when molecular data are unavailable.In FoF species are not only linked to the closest phylogenetic representatives,but also relevant data is provided,wherever available,on various applied aspects,such as ecological,industrial,quarantine and chemical uses.The data include the three main fungal groups(Ascomycota,Basidiomycota,Basal fungi)and fungus-like organisms.The FoF webpage is an output funded by the Mushroom Research Foundation which is an NGO with seven directors with mycological expertise.The webpage has 76 curators,and with the help of these specialists,FoF will provide an updated natural classification of the fungi,with illustrated accounts of species linked to molecular data.The present paper introduces the FoF database to the scientific community and briefly reviews some of the problems associated with classification and identification of the main fungal groups.The structure and use of the database is then explained.We would like to invite all mycologists to contribute to these web pages.

Tubeufiales,ord.nov.,integrating sexual and asexual generic names

Tubeufiaceae is based on the generic type Tubeufia,which is characterized by superficial,oval and bright ascomata,bitunicate asci,mostly long fusiform to filiform,transeptate ascospores and hyphomycetous asexual states with helicosporous conidia.Most species in this family are saprobic on terrestrial woody substrates and some are aquatic.Their distinct morphology as well as combined LSU,SSU and TEF1 sequence analysis show that Tubeufiaceae should be accommodated in a new order Tubeufiales,which is introduced in this paper.Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU and ITS sequences were used to resolve genera and species within the family Tubeufiaceae.In this study,we examine and incorporate sexual and asexual states of genera in Tubeufiales to provide a modern treatment,based on single names.An epitype for Tubeufia javanica,the type species of Tubeufia,is designated and represents Tubeufia sensu stricto.The genera Acanthophiobolus,Acanthostigma,Boerlagiomyces,Chlamydotubeufia,Kamalomyces,Podonectria,Thaxteriella and Thaxteriellopsis are accepted,Acanthostigmina is reinstated,and the asexual genera Aquaphila,Helicoma,Helicomyces,Helicosporium and Tamhinispora are accepted in Tubeufiaceae.Three new genera Acanthohelicospora,Helicangiospora and Neoacanthostigma are introduced.The genus Bifrontia is added to the family based on morphological similarity.The incongruous morphological genera Acanthostigmella,Amphinectria,Chaetocrea,Chaetosphaerulina,Glaxoa,Malacaria,Melioliphila,Paranectriella,Puttemansia,Rebentischia and Uredinophila are excluded from Tubeufiaceae despite having characteristic ascomata with setae and multiseptate long spores.A key to genera accepted in Tubeufiaceae is provided.

The numbers of fungi: is the descriptive curve flattening?

The recent realistic estimate of fungal numbers which used various algorithms was between 2.2 and 3.8 million.There are nearly 100,000 accepted species of Fungi and fungus-like taxa,which is between 2.6 and 4.5%of the estimated species.Several forums such as Botanica Marina series,Fungal Diversity notes,Fungal Biodiversity Profiles,Fungal Systematics and Evolution-New and Interesting Fungi,Mycosphere notes and Fungal Planet have enhanced the introduction of new taxa and nearly 2000 species have been introduced in these publications in the last decade.The need to define a fungal species more accurately has been recognized,but there is much research needed before this can be better clarified.We address the evidence that is needed to estimate the numbers of fungi and address the various advances that have been made towards its understanding.Some genera are barely known,whereas some plant pathogens comprise numerous species complexes and numbers are steadily increasing.In this paper,we examine ten genera as case studies to establish trends in fungal description and introduce new species in each genus.The genera are the ascomycetes Colletotrichum and Pestalotiopsis(with many species or complexes),Atrocalyx,Dothiora,Lignosphaeria,Okeanomyces,Rhamphoriopsis,Thozetella,Thyrostroma(rela-tively poorly studied genera)and the basidiomycete genus Lepiota.We provide examples where knowledge is incomplete or lacking and suggest areas needing further research.These include(1)the need to establish what is a species,(2)the need to establish how host-specific fungi are,not in highly disturbed urban areas,but in pristine or relatively undisturbed forests,and(3)the need to establish if species in different continents,islands,countries or regions are different,or if the same fungi occur worldwide?Finally,we conclude whether we are anywhere near to flattening the curve in new species description.

Towards a natural classification of Astrosphaeriella-like species;introducing Astrosphaeriellaceae and Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae fam.nov.and Astrosphaeriellopsis,gen.nov.

Astrosphaeriella sensu lato is a common genus occurring on bamboo,palms and stout grasses.Species of Astrosphaeriella have been collected from various countries in tropical,subtropical or temperate regions.In Asia,species have been collected in Brunei,China,Indonesia,Japan,Philippines and Vietnam.There have been several morphological studies on Astrosphaeriella,but molecular work and phylogenetic analyses are generally lacking.Taxa included in Astrosphaeriella were characterized in three main groups 1)typical Astrosphaeriella species(sensu stricto)having carbonaceous,erumpent,conical ascostromata 2)atypical Astrosphaeriella species(sensu lato)having immersed,coriaceous ascostromata with short to long papilla and 3)lophiostoma-like species having immersed ascostromata with slit-like openings.Some of the latter Astrosphaeriella species,having slit-like openings,have been transferred to Fissuroma and Rimora in Aigialaceae.In this study five type specimens of Astrosphaeriella were loaned from herbaria worldwide and re-examined and are re-described and illustrated.Collections of Astrosphaeriella were also made in Thailand and morphologically examined.Pure cultures were obtained from single spores and used in molecular studies.The asexual morph was induced on sterile bamboo pieces placed on water agar.Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU,SSU and TEF1 sequence data of astrosphaeriella-like species using Bayesian,Maximum parsimony(MP)and Randomized Accelerated Maximum Likelihood(RAxML)analyses were carried out.Phylogenetic analyses show that species of Astrosphaeriella can be distinguished in at least three families.Species of Astrosphaeriella sensu stricto with erumpent,carbonaceous ascostromata,form a strongly supported clade with Pteridiospora species and a new family,Astrosphaeriellaceae,is introduced to accommodate these taxa.The genera are revised and Astrosphaeriella bambusae,A.neofusispora,A.neostellata,A.thailandica,A.thysanolaenae and Pteridiospora chiangraiensis are introduced as new species.Astrosphaeriella exorrhiza is reported on a dead stem of Thysanolaena maxima and is the first record for Thailand.Reference specimens for A.fusispora and A.tornata are designated to stabilize the taxonomy of Astrosphaeriella.The coelomycetous asexual morph of A.bambusae is reported and forms hyaline,globose to subglobose,aseptate conidia.Species of Astrosphaeriella sensu lato with immersed,coriaceous ascostromata,with short to long papilla and striate ascospores,form a sister clade with Tetraplosphaeriaceae.The genus Pseudoastrosphaeriella is introduced to accommodate some of these taxa with three new species and three new combinations,viz.P.aequatoriensis,P.africana,P.bambusae,P.longicolla,P.papillata and P.thailandensis.A new family Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae is introduced to accommodate this presently monotypic lineage comprising Pseudoastrosphaeriella.The asexual morph of P.thailandensis is described.Astrosphaeriella bakeriana forms a distinct clade basal to Aigialaceae.Astrosphaeriella bakeriana is excluded from Astrosphaeriella and a new genus Astrosphaeriellopsis,placed in Dothideomycetes genera incertae sedis,is introduced to accommodate this taxon.Fissuroma aggregata(Aigialaceae)is re-visited and is shown to be a cryptic species.Three new species of Fissuroma and a new combination are introduced based on morphology and phylogeny viz.F.bambusae,F.fissuristoma,F.neoaggregata and F.thailandicum.The asexual morph of Fissuroma bambusae is also reported.

Taxonomy,phylogeny,molecular dating and ancestral state reconstruction of Xylariomycetidae(Sordariomycetes)

Xylariomycetidae(Ascomycota)is a highly diversified group with variable stromatic characters.Our research focused on inconspicuous stromatic xylarialean taxa from China,Italy,Russia,Thailand and the United Kingdom.Detailed morpho-logical descriptions,illustrations and combined ITS-LSU-rpb2-tub2-tef1 phylogenies revealed 39 taxa from our collections belonging to Amphisphaeriales and Xylariales.A new family(Appendicosporaceae),five new genera(Magnostiolata,Mela-nostictus,Neoamphisphaeria,Nigropunctata and Paravamsapriya),27 new species(Acrocordiella photiniicola,Allocryp-tovalsa sichuanensis,Amphisphaeria parvispora,Anthostomella lamiacearum,Apiospora guiyangensis,A.sichuanensis,Biscogniauxia magna,Eutypa camelliae,Helicogermslita clypeata,Hypocopra zeae,Magnostiolata mucida,Melanostictus longiostiolatus,M.thailandicus,Nemania longipedicellata,N.delonicis,N.paraphysata,N.thailandensis,Neoamphispha-eria hyalinospora,Neoanthostomella bambusicola,Nigropunctata bambusicola,N.nigrocircularis,N.thailandica,Occul-titheca rosae,Paravamsapriya ostiolata,Peroneutypa leucaenae,Seiridium italicum and Vamsapriya mucosa)and seven new host/geographical records are introduced and reported.Divergence time estimates indicate that Delonicicolales diverged from Amphisphaeriales+Xylariales at 161(123-197)MYA.Amphisphaeriales and Xylariales diverged 154(117-190)MYA with a crown age of 127(92-165)MYA and 147(111-184)MYA,respectively.Appendicosporaceae(Amphisphaeriales)has a stem age of 89(65-117)MYA.Ancestral character state reconstruction indicates that astromatic,clypeate ascomata with aseptate,hyaline ascospores that lack germ slits may probably be ancestral Xylariomycetidae having plant-fungal endo-phytic associations.The Amphisphaeriales remained mostly astromatic with common septate,hyaline ascospores.Stromatic variations may have developed mostly during the Cretaceous period.Brown ascospores are common in Xylariales,but they first appeared in Amphisphaeriaceae,Melogrammataceae and Sporocadaceae during the early Cretaceous.The ascospore germ slits appeared only in Xylariales during the Cretaceous after the divergence of Lopadostomataceae.Hyaline,filiform and apiospores may have appeared as separate lineages,providing the basis for Xylariaceae,which may have diverged inde-pendently.The future classification of polyphyletic xylarialean taxa will not be based on stromatic variations,but the type of ring,the colour of the ascospores,and the presence or absence or the type of germ slit.

Fungal diversity notes 491–602: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal taxa

This is a continuity of a series of taxonomic and phylogenetic papers on the fungi where materials were collected from many countries,examined and described.In addition to extensive morphological descriptions and appropriate asexual and sexual connections,DNA sequence data are also analysed from concatenated datasets to infer phylogenetic relationships and substantiate systematic positions of taxa within appropriate ranks.Wherever new species or combinations are proposed,we apply an integrative approach using morphological and molecular data as well as ecological features wherever applicable.Notes on 112 fungal taxa are compiled in this paper including Biatriosporaceae and Roussoellaceae,Didysimulans gen.nov.,81 new species,18 new host records and new country records,five reference specimens,two new combinations,and three sexual and asexual morph reports.The new species are Amanita cornelii,A.emodotrygon,Angustimassarina alni,A.arezzoensis,A.italica,A.lonicerae,A.premilcurensis,Ascochyta italica,A.rosae,Austroboletus appendiculatus,Barriopsis thailandica,Berkleasmium ariense,Calophoma petasitis,Camarosporium laburnicola,C.moricola,C.grisea,C.ossea,C.paraincrustata,Colletotrichum sambucicola,Coprinopsis cerkezii,Cytospora gelida,Dacrymyces chiangraiensis,Didysimulans italica,D.mezzanensis,Entodesmium italica,Entoloma magnum,Evlachovaea indica,Exophiala italica,Favolus gracilisporus,Femsjonia monospora,Fomitopsis flabellata,F.roseoalba,Gongronella brasiliensis,Helvella crispoides,Hermatomyces chiangmaiensis,H.chromolaenae,Hysterium centramurum,Inflatispora caryotae,Inocybe brunneosquamulosa,I.luteobrunnea,I.rubrobrunnea,Keissleriella cirsii,Lepiota cylindrocystidia,L.flavocarpa,L.maerimensis,Lophiotrema guttulata,Marasmius luculentus,Morenoina calamicola,Moelleriella thanathonensis,Mucor stercorarius,Myrmecridium fluviae,Myrothecium septentrionale,Neosetophoma garethjonesii,Nigrograna cangshanensis,Nodulosphaeria guttulatum,N.multiseptata,N.sambuci,Panus subfasciatus,Paraleptosphaeria padi,Paraphaeosphaeria viciae,Parathyridaria robiniae,Penicillium punicae,Phaeosphaeria calamicola,Phaeosphaeriopsis yuccae,Pleurophoma italica,Polyporus brevibasidiosus,P.koreanus,P.orientivarius,P.parvovarius,P.subdictyopus,P.ulleungus,Pseudoasteromassaria spadicea,Rosellinia mearnsii,Rubroboletus demonensis,Russula yanheensis,Sigarispora muriformis,Sillia italica,Stagonosporopsis ailanthicola,Strobilomyces longistipitatus,Subplenodomus galicola and Wolfiporia pseudococos.The new combinations are Melanomma populina and Rubroboletus eastwoodiae.The reference specimens are Cookeina tricholoma,Gnomoniopsis sanguisorbae,Helvella costifera,Polythrincium trifolii and Russula virescens.The new host records and country records are Ascochyta medicaginicola,Boletellus emodensis,Cyptotrama asprata,Cytospora ceratosperma,Favolaschia auriscalpium,F.manipularis,Hysterobrevium mori,Lentinus sajor-caju,L.squarrosulus,L.velutinus,Leucocoprinus cretaceus,Lophiotrema vagabundum,Nothophoma quercina,Platystomum rosae,Pseudodidymosphaeria phlei,Tremella fuciformis,Truncatella spartii and Vaginatispora appendiculata and three sexual and asexual morphs are Aposphaeria corallinolutea, Dothiorabuxi and Hypocrella calendulina.

Naming and outline of Dothideomycetes-2014 including proposals for the protection or suppression of generic names

Article 59.1,of the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae,Fungi,and Plants(ICN;Melbourne Code),which addresses the nomenclature of pleomorphic fungi,became effective from 30 July 2011.Since that date,each fungal species can have one nomenclaturally correct name in a particular classification.All other previously used names for this species will be considered as synonyms.The older generic epithet takes priority over the younger name.Any widely used younger names proposed for use,must comply with Art.57.2 and their usage should be approved by the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi(NCF).In this paper,we list all genera currently accepted by us in Dothideomycetes(belonging to 23 orders and 110 families),including pleomorphic and nonpleomorphic genera.In the case of pleomorphic genera,we follow the rulings of the current ICN and propose single generic names for future usage.The taxonomic placements of 1261 genera are listed as an outline.Protected names and suppressed names for 34 pleomorphic genera are listed separately.Notes and justifications are provided for possible proposed names after the list of genera.Notes are also provided on recent advances in our understanding of asexual and sexual morph linkages in Dothideomycetes.A phylogenetic tree based on four gene analyses supported 23 orders and 75 families,while 35 families still lack molecular data.

FungalTraits:a user-friendly traits database of fungi and fungus-like stramenopiles

The cryptic lifestyle of most fungi necessitates molecular identification of the guild in environmental studies.Over the past decades,rapid development and affordability of molecular tools have tremendously improved insights of the fungal diversity in all ecosystems and habitats.Yet,in spite of the progress of molecular methods,knowledge about functional properties of the fungal taxa is vague and interpretation of environmental studies in an ecologically meaningful manner remains challenging.In order to facilitate functional assignments and ecological interpretation of environmental studies we introduce a user friendly traits and character database FungalTraits operating at genus and species hypothesis levels.Combining the information from previous efforts such as FUNGuild and FunFun together with involvement of expert knowledge,we reannotated 10,210 and 151 fungal and Stramenopila genera,respectively.This resulted in a stand-alone spreadsheet dataset covering 17 lifestyle related traits of fungal and Stramenopila genera,designed for rapid functional assignments of environmental stud-ies.In order to assign the trait states to fungal species hypotheses,the scientific community of experts manually categorised and assigned available trait information to 697,413 fungal ITS sequences.On the basis of those sequences we were able to summarise trait and host information into 92,623 fungal species hypotheses at 1%dissimilarity threshold.

Can we use environmental DNA as holotypes?

The advantages and disadvantages of giving a valid name to a sequence of DNA detected from environmental specimens is presently a hot debate amongst the mycological community.The idea of using intracellular DNA("mgDNA")from environmental samples as holotypes seems at face value,to be a good idea,considering the expansion of knowledge among these‘dark taxa’or‘dark matter fungi’that it could provide(i.e.sequence based taxa without physical specimens and formal nomenclature).However,the limitations of using mgDNA as holotypes needs careful thought,i.e.can we use a short mgDNA fragment,which may contain a small amount of genetic information,to allow discrimination between species?What is the point and are the potential problems of giving valid scientific names to mgDNA?Numerous mycologists and taxonomists,who have many years of experience working on the taxonomy and phylogeny of different groups of fungi,are concerned about the consequences of providing valid names to mgDNA.There has been much debate,through several publications on the considerable problems of using mgDNA as holotypes.The proponents have tried to debate the virtues of using mgDNA as holotypes.Those against have shown that identification to species using mgDNA does not work in many fungal groups,while those for have shown cases where species can be identified with mgDNA.Different disciplines have different reasons and opinions for using mgDNA as holotypes,however even groups of the same disciplines have dissimilar ideas.In this paper we explore the use of mgDNA as holotypes.We provide evidences and opinions as to the use of mgDNA as holotypes from our own experiences.In no way do we attempt to degrade the study of DNA from environmental samples and the expansion of knowledge in to the dark taxa,but relate the issues to fungal taxonomy.In fact we show the value of using sequence data from these approaches,in dealing with the discovery of already named taxa,taxa numbers and ecological roles.We discuss the advantages and the pitfalls of using mgDNA from environmental samples as holotypes.The impacts of expanding the nomenclatural concept to allow using mgDNA from environmental samples as holotypes are also discussed.We provide evidence from case studies on Botryosphaeria,Colletotrichum,Penicillium and Xylaria.The case studies show that we cannot use mgDNA due to their short fragments and the fact that most ITS sequence data presently result from environmental sequencing.We conclude from the evidence that it is highly undesirable to use mgDNA as holotypes in naming fungal species.If this approach adopted,it would result in numerous problems where species identification cannot be confirmed due to limited sequence data available for the holotypes.We also propose an alternative DNA-based system for naming DNA based species which would provide considerably less problems and should be adopted.