New host and geographic records of five pleosporalean hyphomycetes associated with Musa spp.(Banana)

A study was undertaken to collect and identify saprobic fungi associated with Musa spp.(banana)from Taiwan(China),and Thailand.Samples were collected during the dry season and their morpho-molecular relationships were investigated.Five brown pleosporalean hyphomycetous taxa in Periconiaceae and Torulaceae viz.Periconia cortaderiae,P.delonicis,Torula chromolaenae,T.fici,and T.masonii were identified for the first time from Musa spp.(Musaceae).Phylogenetic analyses of a combined SSU,LSU,ITS,RPB2 and TEF DNA sequence dataset further justified the taxonomic placements of these five taxa in the above mentioned families.Periconia delonicis is reported for the first time on a monocotyledonous host and T.masonii is the first geographical record from Taiwan(China).

A review of bambusicolous Ascomycota in China with an emphasis on species richness in southwest China

Bamboos not only provide socio-economic benefits to communities within the region,but also provide ecosystem services such as soil-water conservation,stabilization of sandy soils and restoration of soil nutrients.Bambusicolous ascomycetes refer to ascomycetous fungi living on any substrate of bamboo.As the largest group of fungi on bamboo,they play a significant ecological value in species composition and the structure of the fungal community,circulation of materials and energy flow of nutritional elements.In an effort to document the bambusicolous Ascomycota found in China,we assessed all major sources of academic literature,journal papers,and the USDA database(https://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/fungushost/fungushost.cfm)for reports of these fungi from China.As a result,we produced a systematic and comprehensive checklist of bambusicolous Ascomycota in China.Current names of fungi,bamboo host name,bamboo substrate,details of collected localities,references and latest classification for every bambusicolous ascomycete in China are also provided.In addition,we focused on the species richness of bambusicolous Ascomycota in China with an emphasis on southwest China.

Taxonomy,phylogeny and evolution of freshwater Hypocreomycetidae(Sordariomycetes)

Hypocreomycetidae is a highly diverse group with species from various habitats. This subclass has been reported as pathogenic,endophytic, parasitic, saprobic, fungicolous, lichenicolous, algicolous, coprophilous and insect fungi from aquatic andterrestrial habitats. In this study, we focused on freshwater fungi of Hypocreomycetidae which resulted 41 fresh collectionsfrom China and Thailand. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we identified 26 species that belong to twoorders (Hypocreales and Microascales) and six families (Bionectriaceae, Halosphaeriaceae, Microascaceae, Nectriaceae,Sarocladiaceae and Stachybotryaceae). Ten new species are introduced and 13 new habitats and geographic records arereported. Mariannaea superimposita, Stachybotrys chartarum and S. chlorohalonatus are recollected from freshwater habitatsin China. Based on phylogenetic analysis of combined LSU, ITS, SSU, rpb2 and tef1-α sequences data, Emericellopsisis transferred to Hypocreales genera incertae sedis;Pseudoacremonium is transferred to Bionectriaceae;Sedecimiella isplaced in Nectriaceae;Nautosphaeria and Tubakiella are excluded from Halosphaeriaceae and placed in Microascalesgenera incertae sedis;and Faurelina is excluded from Hypocreomycetidae. Varicosporella is placed under Atractium as asynonym of Atractium. In addition, phylogenetic analysis and divergence time estimates showed that Ascocodina, Campylospora,Cornuvesica and Xenodactylariaceae form distinct lineages in Hypocreomycetidae and they evolved in the family/order time frame. Hence, a new order (Xenodactylariales) and three new families (Ascocodinaceae, Campylosporaceae andCornuvesicaceae) are introduced based on phylogenetic analysis, divergence time estimations and morphological characters.Ancestral character state analysis is performed for different habitats of Hypocreomycetidae including freshwater, marineand terrestrial taxa. The result indicates that marine and freshwater fungi evolved independently from terrestrial ancestors.The results further support those early diverging clades of this subclass, mostly comprising terrestrial taxa and freshwaterand marine taxa have been secondarily derived, while the crown clade (Nectriaceae) is represented in all three habitats. Theevolution of various morphological adaptations towards their habitual changes are also discussed.

Fungal diversity notes 1611-1716: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on fungal genera and species emphasis in south China

This article is the 15th contribution in the Fungal Diversity Notes series,wherein 115 taxa from three phyla,nine classes,28 orders,48 families,and 64 genera are treated.Fungal taxa described and illustrated in the present study include a new family,five new genera,61 new species,five new combinations,one synonym,one new variety and 31 records on new hosts or new geographical distributions.Ageratinicolaceae fam.nov.is introduced and accommodated in Pleosporales.The new genera introduced in this study are Ageratinicola,Kevinia,Pseudomultiseptospora(Parabambusicolaceae),Marasmiellomycena,and Vizzinia(Porotheleaceae).Newly described species are Abrothallus altoandinus,Ageratinicola kunmingensis,Allocryptovalsa aceris,Allophoma yuccae,Apiospora cannae,A.elliptica,A.pallidesporae,Boeremia wisteriae,Calycina papaeana,Clypeo-coccum lichenostigmoides,Coniochaeta riskali-shoyakubovii,Cryphonectria kunmingensis,Diaporthe angustiapiculata,D.campylandrae,D.longipapillata,Diatrypella guangdongense,Dothiorella franceschinii,Endocalyx phoenicis,Epicoc-cum terminosporum,Fulvifomes karaiensis,F.pannaensis,Ganoderma ghatensis,Hysterobrevium baoshanense,Inocybe avellaneorosea,I.lucida,Jahnula oblonga,Kevinia lignicola,Kirschsteiniothelia guangdongensis,Laboulbenia caprina,L.clavulata,L.cobiae,L.cosmodisci,L.nilotica,L.omalii,L.robusta,L.similis,L.stigmatophora,Laccaria rubriporus,Lasiodiplodia morindae,Lyophyllum agnijum,Marasmiellomycena pseudoomphaliiformis,Melomastia beihaiensis,Nemania guangdongensis,Nigrograna thailandica,Nigrospora ficuum,Oxydothis chinensis,O.yunnanensis,Petriella thailandica,Phaeoacremonium chinensis,Phialocephala chinensis,Phytophthora debattistii,Polyplosphaeria nigrospora,Pronectria loweniae,Seriascoma acutispora,Setoseptoria bambusae,Stictis anomianthi,Tarzetta tibetensis,Tarzetta urceolata,Tetraploa obpyriformis,Trichoglossum beninense,and Tricoderma pyrrosiae.We provide an emendation for Urnula ailaoshanensis Agaricus duplocingulatoides var.brevisporus introduced as a new variety based on morphology and phylogeny.

Fungal diversity notes 1387-1511:taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungal taxa

This article is the 13th contribution in the Fungal Diversity Notes series,wherein 125 taxa from four phyla,ten classes,31 orders,69 families,92 genera and three genera incertae sedis are treated,demonstrating worldwide and geographic distri-bution.Fungal taxa described and illustrated in the present study include three new genera,69 new species,one new com-bination,one reference specimen and 51 new records on new hosts and new geographical distributions.Three new genera,Cylindrotorula(Torulaceae),Scolecoleotia(Leotiales genus incertae sedis)and Xenovaginatispora(Lindomycetaceae)are introduced based on distinct phylogenetic lineages and unique morphologies.Newly described species are Aspergillus lan-naensis,Cercophora dulciaquae,Cladophialophora aquatica,Coprinellus punjabensis,Cortinarius alutarius,C.mammil-latus,C.quercoflocculosus,Coryneum fagi,Cruentomycena uttarakhandina,Cryptocoryneum rosae,Cyathus uniperidiolus,Cylindrotorula indica,Diaporthe chamaeropicola,Didymella azollae,Diplodia alanphillipsii,Dothiora coronicola,Efibula rodriguezarmasiae,Erysiphe salicicola,Fusarium queenslandicum,Geastrum gorgonicum,G.hansagiense,Helicosporium sexualis,Helminthosporium chiangraiensis,Hongkongmyces kokensis,Hydrophilomyces hydraenae,Hygrocybe boertmannii,Hyphoderma australosetigerum,Hyphodontia yunnanensis,Khaleijomyces umikazeana,Laboulbenia divisa,Laboulbenia triarthronis,Laccaria populina,Lactarius pallidozonarius,Lepidosphaeria strobelii,Longipedicellata megafusiformis,Lophiotrema lincangensis,Marasmius benghalensis,M.jinfoshanensis,M.subtropicus,Mariannaea camelliae,Mel-anographium smilaxii,Microbotryum polycnemoides,Mimeomyces digitatus,Minutisphaera thailandensis,Mortierella solitaria,Mucor harpali,Nigrograna jinghongensis,Odontia huanrenensis,O.parvispina,Paraconiothyrium ajrekarii,Par-afuscosporella niloticus,Phaeocytostroma yomensis,Phaeoisaria synnematicus,Phanerochaete hainanensis,Pleopunctum thailandicum,Pleurotheciella dimorphospora,Pseudochaetosphaeronema chiangraiense,Pseudodactylaria albicolonia,Rhexoacrodictys nigrospora,Russula paravioleipes,Scolecoleotia eriocamporesi,Seriascoma honghense,Synandromyces makranczyi,Thyridaria aureobrunnea,Torula lancangjiangensis,Tubeufia longihelicospora,Wicklowia fusiformispora,Xenovaginatispora phichaiensis and Xylaria apiospora.One new combination,Pseudobactrodesmium stilboideus is pro-posed.A reference specimen of Comoclathris permunda is designated.New host or distribution records are provided for Acrocalymma fici,Aliquandostipite khaoyaiensis,Camarosporidiella laburni,Canalisporium caribense,Chaetoscutula juniperi,Chlorophyllum demangei,C.globosum,C.hortense,Cladophialophora abundans,Dendryphion hydei,Diaporthe foeniculina,D.pseudophoenicicola,D.pyracanthae,Dictyosporium pandanicola,Dyfrolomyces distoseptatus,Ernakula-mia tanakae,Eutypa flavovirens,E.lata,Favolus septatus,Fusarium atrovinosum,F.clavum,Helicosporium luteosporum,Hermatomyces nabanheensis,Hermatomyces sphaericoides,Longipedicellata aquatica,Lophiostoma caudata,L.clematidis-vitalbae,Lophiotrema hydei,L.neoarundinaria,Marasmiellus palmivorus,Megacapitula villosa,Micropsalliota globocys-tis,M.gracilis,Montagnula thailandica,Neohelicosporium irregulare,N.parisporum,Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum,Phaeoisaria aquatica,Poaceascoma taiwanense,Saproamanita manicata,Spegazzinia camelliae,Submersispora variabi-lis,Thyronectria caudata,T.mackenziei,Tubeufia chiangmaiensis,T.roseohelicospora,Vaginatispora nypae,Wicklowia submersa,Xanthagaricus necopinatus and Xylaria haemorrhoidalis.The data presented herein are based on morphological examination of fresh specimens,coupled with analysis of phylogenetic sequence data to better integrate taxa into appropriate taxonomic ranks and infer their evolutionary relationships.

Fungal diversity notes 1512–1610: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungal taxa

This article is the 14th in the Fungal Diversity Notes series,wherein we report 98 taxa distributed in two phyla,seven classes,26 orders and 50 families which are described and illustrated.Taxa in this study were collected from Australia,Brazil,Burkina Faso,Chile,China,Cyprus,Egypt,France,French Guiana,India,Indonesia,Italy,Laos,Mexico,Russia,Sri Lanka,Thailand,and Vietnam.There are 59 new taxa,39 new hosts and new geographical distributions with one new combination.The 59 new species comprise Angustimassarina kunmingense,Asterina lopi,Asterina brigadeirensis,Bartalinia bidenticola,Bartalinia caryotae,Buellia pruinocalcarea,Coltricia insularis,Colletotrichum fexuosum,Colletotrichum thasutense,Coniochaeta caraganae,Coniothyrium yuccicola,Dematipyriforma aquatic,Dematipyriforma globispora,Dematipyriforma nilotica,Distoseptispora bambusicola,Fulvifomes jawadhuvensis,Fulvifomes malaiyanurensis,Fulvifomes thiruvannamalaiensis,Fusarium purpurea,Gerronema atrovirens,Gerronema favum,Gerronema keralense,Gerronema kuruvense,Grammothele taiwanensis,Hongkongmyces changchunensis,Hypoxylon inaequale,Kirschsteiniothelia acutisporum,Kirschsteiniothelia crustaceum,Kirschsteiniothelia extensum,Kirschsteiniothelia septemseptatum,Kirschsteiniothelia spatiosum,Lecanora immersocalcarea,Lepiota subthailandica,Lindgomyces guizhouensis,Marthe asmius pallidoaurantiacus,Marasmius tangerinus,Neovaginatispora mangiferae,Pararamichloridium aquisubtropicum,Pestalotiopsis piraubensis,Phacidium chinaum,Phaeoisaria goiasensis,Phaeoseptum thailandicum,Pleurothecium aquisubtropicum,Pseudocercospora vernoniae,Pyrenophora verruculosa,Rhachomyces cruralis,Rhachomyces hyperommae,Rhachomyces magrinii,Rhachomyces platyprosophi,Rhizomarasmius cunninghamietorum,Skeletocutis cangshanensis,Skeletocutis subchrysella,Sporisorium anadelphiae-leptocomae,Tetraploa dashaoensis,Tomentella exiguelata,Tomentella fuscoaraneosa,Tricholomopsis lechatii,Vaginatispora favispora and Wetmoreana blastidiocalcarea.The new combination is Torula sundara.The 39 new records on hosts and geographical distribution comprise Apiospora guiyangensis,Aplosporella artocarpi,Ascochyta medicaginicola,Astrocystis bambusicola,Athelia rolfsii,Bambusicola bambusae,Bipolaris luttrellii,Botryosphaeria dothidea,Chlorophyllum squamulosum,Colletotrichum aeschynomenes,Colletotrichum pandanicola,Coprinopsis cinerea,Corylicola italica,Curvularia alcornii,Curvularia senegalensis,Diaporthe foeniculina,Diaporthe longicolla,Diaporthe phaseolorum,Diatrypella quercina,Fusarium brachygibbosum,Helicoma aquaticum,Lepiota metulispora,Lepiota pongduadensis,Lepiota subvenenata,Melanconiella meridionalis,Monotosporella erecta,Nodulosphaeria digitalis,Palmiascoma gregariascomum,Periconia byssoides,Periconia cortaderiae,Pleopunctum ellipsoideum,Psilocybe keralensis,Scedosporium apiospermum,Scedosporium dehoogii,Scedosporium marina,Spegazzinia deightonii,Torula fci,Wiesneriomyces laurinus and Xylaria venosula.All these taxa are supported by morphological and multigene phylogenetic analyses.This article allows the researchers to publish fungal collections which areimportant for future studies.An updated,accurate and timely report of fungus-host and fungus-geography is important.We also provide an updated list of fungal taxa published in the previous fungal diversity notes.In this list,erroneous taxa and synonyms are marked and corrected accordingly.

Species concepts of Dothideomycetes:classification,phylogenetic inconsistencies and taxonomic standardization

The species is one of the basic units of biological classification.Both species concepts and recognition are essential topics in taxonomic studies and other biological research.In the first part of this review,we briefly discuss the taxonomic history of the class Dothideomycetes.In the second part of the paper,we review four commonly used species concepts,focusing on morphological,ecological,biological and phylogenetic criteria and their applicability in the taxonomy of Dothideomycetes.The application and utility of the four criteria is discussed with examples in the genera Ascochyta,Cercospora and Neofu-sicoccum.Some problems and challenges of studying Dothideomycetes are analyzed and basic guidelines for classifying species under the above criteria are provided.

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.

Forecasting the number of species of asexually reproducing fungi(Ascomycota and Basidiomycota)

Asexually reproducing fungi play a significant role in essential processes in managed and wild ecosystems such as nutrients cycling and multitrophic interactions.A large number of such taxa are among the most notorious plant and animal pathogens.In addition,they have a key role in food production,biotechnology and medicine.Taxa without or rare sexual reproduction are distinguished based on their sporulating structures and conidiomata in traditional morphology-based taxonomy.The number,variation and diversity of asexually reproducing taxa are insufficiently known,even though fungi capable of asexual reproduction may provide an untapped,rich biological resource for future exploitation.Currently,ca.30,000 asexual species belonging to ca.3800 genera have been reported(including 1388 coelomycetous and 2265 hyphomycetous genera).Recent reports(2017–2020)reiterate that the number of asexually producing fungi is higher than the number of frequently sexually-reproducing fungi.With the advent of molecular tools and the abandonment of the dual nomenclature system for pleomorphic fungi,priority criteria were established and revisited in the latest outline of fungi and fungus-like taxa.However,species numbers and taxonomic boundaries of pleomorphic taxa and their synanamorphs or synasexual morphs have yet to be addressed.The number of species of speciose genera(e.g.Alternaria,Aspergillus,Cercospora,Fusarium,Phoma and Pseudocercospora),cryptic species,species of pleomorphic genera,less studied life modes(such as lichenicolous taxa,taxa from extreme environments)and species from biodiversity-rich areas still need evaluation to achieve more reliable estimates of their diversity.This paper discusses the current knowledge on the matter,with diversity estimates,and potential obstacles in several chapters on(1)speciose genera;(2)pleomorphic genera;(3)cryptic species;(4)well-studied but insufficiently resolved taxa,e.g.leaf inhabiting species,marine fungi,(5)less studied life modes,e.g.lichenicolous,rock-inhabiting fungi,insect-associated and yeast-forming taxa and(6)species from biodiversity-rich areas.

Taxonomic monograph of epifoliar fungi

Epifoliar fungi are one of the significant fungal groups typically living on the surface of leaves. They are usually recordedas saprobes, obligate parasites and commensals and are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Numerousgenera within this group remain inadequately understood, primarily attributed to limited taxonomic knowledge and insufficientmolecular data. Furthermore, the taxonomic delineation of epifoliar fungi remained uncertain, with scattered andliterature-based data often intermixed with other follicolous fungi. Herein, a comprehensive taxonomic monograph of 124genera in (32) Asterinales, (18) Capnodiales, (15) Chaetothyriales, (8) Meliolales, (8) Micropeltidales, (10) Microthyriales,(32) Parmulariales and (1) Zeloasperisporiales was provided re-describing with illustrations and line drawings. Notes onecological and economic importance of the families are also provided. Representatives type herbarium materials of Campoapulcherrima, Cycloschizon brachylaenae, Ferrarisia philippina, Hysterostomella guaranitica, Palawaniella orbiculata andPseudolembosia orbicularis of Parmulariaceae were re-examined and provided updated illustrations with descriptions. Abackbone phylogenetic tree and divergence estimation analysis for epifoliar fungi based on LSU and 5.8s ITS sequence dataare provided.

Fungal diversity notes 1277-1386:taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal taxa

This is the twelfth contribution to the Fungal Diversity Notes series on fungal taxonomy,based on materials collected from many countries which were examined and described using the methods of morphology,anatomy,and strain culture,combined with DNA sequence analyses.110 taxa are described and illustrated,including five new genera,92 new species,eight new combinations and other taxonomic contributions(one new sequenced species,one new host and three new records)which are accommodated in 40 families and 1 incertae sedis in Dothideomycetes.The new genera are Amyloceraceomyces,Catenuliconidia,Hansenopezia,Ionopezia and Magnopulchromyces.The new species are Amyloceraceomyces angustisporus,Amylocorticium ellipsosporum,Arthrinium sorghi,Catenuliconidia uniseptata,Clavulina sphaeropedunculata,Colletotrichum parthenocissicola,Coniothyrium triseptatum,Cortinarius indorusseus,C.paurigarhwalensis,C.sinensis,C.subsanguineus,C.xiaojinensis,Diaporthe pimpinel-lae,Dictyosporella guizhouensis,Diplodia torilicola,Fuscoporia marquesiana,F.semiarida,Hansenopezia decora,Helicoarcta-tus thailandicus,Hirsutella hongheensis,Humidicutis brunneovinacea,Lentaria gossypina,L.variabilis,Lycoperdon lahorense,L.pseudocurtisii,Magnopulchromyces scorpiophorus,Moelleriella gracilispora,Neodevriesia manglicola,Neodidymelliopsis salvia,N.urticae,Neoroussoella magnoliae,Neottiella gigaspora,Ophiosphaerella chiangraiensis,Phaeotremella yunnanensis,Podosphaera yulii,Rigidoporus juniperinus,Rhodofomitopsis pseudofeei,Russula benghalensis,Scleroramularia vermispora,Scytinopogon minisporus,Sporormurispora paulsenii,Thaxteriellopsis obliqus,Tomentella asiae-orientalis,T.atrobadia,T.atrocastanea,T.aureomarginata,T.brevis,T.brunneoflava,T.brunneogrisea,T.capitatocystidiata,T.changbaiensis,T.citri-nocystidiata,T.coffeae,T.conclusa,T.cystidiata,T.dimidiata,T.duplexa,T.efibulata,T.efibulis,T.farinosa,T.flavidobadia,T.fuscocrustosa,T.fuscofarinosa,T.fuscogranulosa,T.fuscopelliculosa,T.globospora,T.gloeocystidiata,T.griseocastanea,T.griseofusca,T.griseomarginata,T.inconspicua,T.incrustata,T.interrupta,T.liaoningensis,T.longiaculeifera,T.longiechinuli,T.megaspora,T.olivacea,T.olivaceobrunnea,T.pallidobrunnea,T.pallidomarginata,T.parvispora,T.pertenuis,T.qingyuanensis,T.segregata,T.separata,T.stipitata,T.storea,Trichoderma ceratophylletum,Tyromyces minutulus,Umbelopsis heterosporus and Xylolentia reniformis.The new combinations are Antrodiella descendena,Chloridium macrocladum,Hansenopezia retrocurvata,Rhodofomitopsis monomitica,Rh.oleracea,Fuscoporia licnoides,F.scruposa and Ionopezia gerardii.A new sequenced species(Graphis supracola),one new host(Aplosporella prunicola)and three new geographical records(Golovinomyces monardae,Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum and Prosthemium betulinum),are reported.

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.

The numbers of fungi:are the most speciose genera truly diverse?

Fungi play vital roles in ecosystems as endophytes,pathogens and saprobes.The current estimate of fungal diversity is highly uncertain,ranging from 1.5 to 12 million,but only around 150,000 species have been named and classified to date.Since the introduction of DNA based methods for species identification,the number of newly described taxa has increased from approximately 1000 to around 2000 yearly.This demonstrates the importance of DNA based methods to identify and distin-guish species,especially cryptic species.Many novel species from recent studies have been found in historically understudied regions and habitats,but these still represent only a small percentage of the estimated species.In this paper,we examine 16 genera from the top 40 most speciose genera as listed in Species Fungorum as case studies to examine the diversity of taxa in each genus.The genera treated herein are Cercospora,Diaporthe,Meliola,Passalora,Phyllachora,Phyllosticta,Pseudocer-cospora,Ramularia(ascomycetes)and Cortinarius,Entoloma,Inocybe,Marasmius,Psathyrella,Puccinia,Russula,Uromyces(basidiomycetes).We critically evaluate the number of species in these genera and correlate these numbers with the number of entries in GenBank.We introduce 18 new species Apiospora multiloculata,Candolleomyces thailandensis,Cortinarius acutoproximus,Cortinarius melleoalbus,Cortinarius pacificus,Cortinarius parvoacetosus,Diaporthe guizhouensis,Entoloma pseudosubcorvinum,Inocybe meirensongia,Marasmius albulus,Marasmius obscuroaurantiacus,Meliola camporesii,Phyl-lachora siamensis,Phyllosticta doitungensis,Picipes yuxiensis,Pseudocercospora vignae,Puccinia maureanui and Russula inornata.We also introduce a new record of Candolleomyces cladii-marisci and Inocybe iringolkavensis.We discuss the genera Colletotrichum and Pleurotus that are speciose,but do not occur in the top 40.We hypothesize whether there might be more species in these genera and discuss why these genera have some of the largest number of species.

Fungal community succession on decomposing leaf litter across five phylogenetically related tree species in a subtropical forest

Fungi are an essential component of the ecosystem.They play an integral role in the decomposition of leaf litter and return nutrients to the ecosystem through nutrient cycling.They are considered as the“key players”in leaf litter decomposition,because of their ability to produce a wide range of extracellular enzymes.Time-related changes of fungal communities during leaf litter decomposition have been relatively well-investigated.However,it has not been established how the tree species,tree phylogeny,and leaf litter chemistry influence fungal communities during decomposition.Using direct observations and a culturing approach,this study compiles fungi found in freshly collected leaf litter from five phylogenetically related,native tree species in Taiwan:Celtis formosana(CF),Ficus ampelas(FA),Ficus septica(FS),Macaranga tanarius(MT),and Morus australis(MA).We investigated(i)the effects of tree species(including tree phylogeny)and leaf litter chemistry on fungal community succession,and(ii)specific patterns of fungal succession(including diversity and taxonomic community assembly)on decomposing leaf litter across the selected tree species.We hypothesized that host species and leaf litter chemistry significantly affect fungal community succession.A total of 1325 leaves(CF:275,FA:275,FS:275,MT:275 and MA:225)were collected and 236 fungal taxa were recorded(CF:48,FA:46,FS:64,MT:42 and MA:36).Tree species relationships had variable associations on the fungal communities,as even closely related tree species had strongly differing communities during decomposition.A high number of species were unique to a single tree species and may indicate‘host-specificity’to a particular leaf litter.The overlap of microfungal species in pair wise comparisons of tree species was low(7–16%),and only 1–2%of microfungal species were observed in leaves of all tree species.The percentage of occurrences of fungal communities using Hierarchical Cluster Analyses(HCA)showed that there were at least four succession stages in each tree species during decomposition.Fungal diversity increased at the beginning of each tree species leaf decay,reached peaks,and declined at the final stages.Overall,our findings demonstrate that tree species and leaf litter chemistry are important variables in determining fungal diversity and community composition in leaf litter.Referring to the establishment of fungal discoveries from this experimental design,two new families,two new genera,40 new species and 56 new host records were reported.This study provides a host-fungus database for future studies on these hosts and increases the knowledge of fungal diversity in leaf litter.

Ten decadal advances in fungal biology leading towards human well‑being

Fungi are an understudied resource possessing huge potential for developing products that can greatly improve human well-being.In the current paper,we highlight some important discoveries and developments in applied mycology and interdisciplinary Life Science research.These examples concern recently introduced drugs for the treatment of infections and neurological diseases;application of–OMICS techniques and genetic tools in medical mycology and the regulation of mycotoxin production;as well as some highlights of mushroom cultivaton in Asia.Examples for new diagnostic tools in medical mycology and the exploitation of new candidates for therapeutic drugs,are also given.In addition,two entries illustrating the latest developments in the use of fungi for biodegradation and fungal biomaterial production are provided.Some other areas where there have been and/or will be significant developments are also included.It is our hope that this paper will help realise the importance of fungi as a potential industrial resource and see the next two decades bring forward many new fungal and fungus-derived products.

Freshwater Dothideomycetes

Freshwater Dothideomycetes are a highly diverse group of fungi,which are mostly saprobic in freshwater habitats world-wide.They are important decomposers of submerged woody debris and leaves in water.In this paper,we outline the genera of freshwater Dothideomycetes with notes and keys to species.Based on multigene analyses and morphology,we introduce nine new genera,viz.Aquimassariosphaeria,Aquatospora,Aquihelicascus,Fusiformiseptata,Neohelicascus,Neojahnula,Pseudojahnula,Purpureofaciens,Submersispora;33 new species,viz.Acrocalymma bipolare,Aquimassariosphaeria kun-mingensis,Aquatospora cylindrica,Aquihelicascus songkhlaensis,A.yunnanensis,Ascagilis submersa,A.thailandensis,Bambusicola aquatica,Caryospora submersa,Dictyocheirospora thailandica,Fusiformiseptata crocea,Helicosporium thai-landense,Hongkongmyces aquaticus,Lentistoma aquaticum,Lentithecium kunmingense,Lindgomyces aquaticus,Longipedi-cellata aquatica,Neohelicascus submersus,Neohelicomyces dehongensis,N.thailandicus,Neohelicosporium submersum,Nigrograna aquatica,Occultibambusa kunmingensis,Parabambusicola aquatica,Pseudoasteromassaria aquatica,Pseu-doastrosphaeriella aquatica,Pseudoxylomyces aquaticus,Purpureofaciens aquatica,Roussoella aquatica,Shrungabeeja aquatica,Submersispora variabilis,Tetraploa puzheheiensis,T.yunnanensis;16 new combinations,viz.Aquimassariospha-eria typhicola,Aquihelicascus thalassioideus,Ascagilis guttulaspora,A.queenslandica,A.seychellensis,A.sunyatsenii,Ernakulamia xishuangbannaensis,Neohelicascus aquaticus,N.chiangraiensis,N.egyptiacus,N.elaterascus,N.gallicus,N.unilocularis,N.uniseptatus,Neojahnula australiensis,Pseudojahnula potamophila;17 new geographical and habitat records,viz.Aliquandostipite khaoyaiensis,Aquastroma magniostiolata,Caryospora aquatica,C.quercus,Dendryphiella vinosa,Ernakulamia cochinensis,Fissuroma neoaggregatum,Helicotruncatum palmigenum,Jahnula rostrata,Neorous-soella bambusae,N.leucaenae,Occultibambusa pustula,Paramonodictys solitarius,Pleopunctum pseudoellipsoideum,Pseudocapulatispora longiappendiculata,Seriascoma didymosporum,Shrungabeeja vadirajensis and ten new collections from China and Thailand,viz.Amniculicola guttulata,Aquaphila albicans,Berkleasmium latisporum,Clohesyomyces aquati-cus,Dictyocheirospora rotunda,Flabellascoma fusiforme,Pseudoastrosphaeriella bambusae,Pseudoxylomyces elegans,Tubeufia aquatica and T.cylindrothecia.Dendryphiella phitsanulokensis and Tubeufia roseohelicospora are synonymized with D.vinosa and T.tectonae,respectively.Six orders,43 families and 145 genera which belong to freshwater Dothideo-mycetes are reviewed.Of these,46 genera occur exclusively in freshwater habitats.A world map illustrates the distribution of freshwater Dothideomycetes.