Morphological and Molecular Confirmation of Four Undescribed Oleaginous Species of Mortierella from Libya

Abstract A large number of undiscovered fungal species still exist on earth, which can be useful for the bioprospecting particularly the single cell oil (SCO) production. The present research study confirms four oleaginous fungal isolates from Libyan soil. These isolates (Barcoded as MSU-101, MSU-201, MSU-401 and MSU-501) were discovered and reported first time from diverse soil samples of district Aljabal Al-Akhdar in North-East Libya and fall in the class: Zygomycetes; order: Mortierellales. From the morphological and phylogenetic analysis, these isolates were identified and found as closest match with Mortierella alpina species. The present research study provides insight to the unseen fungal diversity and contributes to more comprehensive Mortierella alpina reference collections worldwide.

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Molecular characterization and genetic diversity of four undescribed novel oleaginous Mortierella alpina strains from Libya

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.70644.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 895

Author(s):

Fuzia Elfituri Muftah Eltariki ◽

Kartikeya Tiwari ◽

Mohammed Abdelfatah Alhoot

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Single Cell ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Research Study ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Mortierella Alpina ◽

Morphological Identification ◽

Single Cell Oil ◽

North East ◽

Fungal Isolates

Background: A large number of undiscovered fungal species still exist on earth, which can be useful for bioprospecting, particularly for single cell oil (SCO) production. Mortierella is one of the significant genera in this field and contains about hundred species. Moreover, M. alpina is the main single cell oil producer at commercial scale under this genus. Methods: Soil samples from four unique locations of North-East Libya were collected for the isolation of oleaginous Mortierella alpina strains by a serial dilution method. Morphological identification was carried out using light microscopy (Olympus, Japan) and genetic diversity of the isolated Mortierella alpina strains was assessed using conserved internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene sequences available on the NCBI GenBank database for the confirmation of novelty. The nucleotide sequences reported in this study have been deposited at GenBank (accession no. MZ298831:MZ298835). The MultAlin program was used to align the sequences of closely related strains. The DNA sequences were analyzed for phylogenetic relationships by molecular evolutionary genetic analysis using MEGA X software consisting of Clustal_X v.2.1 for multiple sequence alignment. The neighbour-joining tree was constructed using the Kimura 2-parameter substitution model. Results: The present research study confirms four oleaginous fungal isolates from Libyan soil. These isolates (barcoded as MSU-101, MSU-201, MSU-401 and MSU-501) were discovered and reported for the first time from diverse soil samples of district Aljabal Al-Akhdar in North-East Libya and fall in the class: Zygomycetes; order: Mortierellales. Conclusions: Four oleaginous fungal isolates barcoded as MSU-101, MSU-201, MSU-401 and MSU-501 were identified and confirmed by morphological and molecular analysis. These fungal isolates showed highest similarity with Mortierella alpina species and can be potentialistic single cell oil producers. Thus, the present research study provides insight to the unseen fungal diversity and contributes to more comprehensive Mortierella alpina reference collections worldwide.

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Living in the dark: Bat caves as hotspots of fungal diversity

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0243494 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. e0243494

Author(s):

Aline O. B. Cunha ◽

Jadson D. P. Bezerra ◽

Thays G. L. Oliveira ◽

Eder Barbier ◽

Enrico Bernard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fungal Diversity ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Dry Forest ◽

Sampling Effort ◽

Taxa Richness ◽

Fungal Isolates ◽

Fungal Abundance ◽

Colony Forming Units ◽

First Time

Bat caves are very special roosts that harbour thousands of bats of one or more species. Such sites may hold an incredible “dark fungal diversity” which is still underestimated. We explored the culturable fungal richness in the air, on bats, and in the guano in a bat cave in Brazil’s Caatinga dry forest. Fungal abundance was 683 colony-forming units (CFU) in the guano, 673 CFU in the air, and 105 CFU on the bats. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU, and TUB2 sequences, fungal isolates of 59 taxa belonging to 37 genera in the phyla Ascomycota (28 genera, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Talaromyces), Basidiomycota (eight genera, including Rhodotorula and Schizophyllum), and Mucoromycota (only Rhizopus) were identified. The fungal richness in the air was 23 taxa (especially Aspergillus taxa), mainly found at 15 m and 45 m from the cave entrance; on the bodies of bats it was 36 taxa (mainly Aspergillus taxa), especially on their wing membranes (21 taxa, nine of which were exclusively found in this microhabitat); and in guano 10 fungal taxa (especially Aspergillus and Penicillium) were found. The fungal richness associated with guano (fresh and non-fresh) was similar from bats with different eating habits (insectivorous, frugivorous, and haematophagous). Sampling effort was not sufficient to reveal the total fungal taxa richness estimated. Eight (21.6%) of the 37 genera and 17 (53.1%) of the 32 identified fungal species are reported for the first time in caves. Our results highlight bat caves in Brazil as hotspots of fungal diversity, emphasizing the need to protect such special roosts.

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Screening and Identification of Laccase Producing Fungi from Environmental Samples

UMYU Journal of Microbiology Research (UJMR) ◽

10.47430/ujmr.2161.012 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 91-98

Author(s):

A. Bello ◽

◽

J. B. Ameh ◽

D. A. Machido ◽

A. I. Mohammed-Dabo

Keyword(s):

Tannic Acid ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Potato Dextrose Agar ◽

Laccase Production ◽

Curvularia Lunata ◽

Main Campus ◽

Fungal Isolates ◽

Screening And Identification ◽

Decaying Wood

Laccases are oxidases with broad substrate specificity and ability to oxidize various phenolic and non-phenolic compounds. This study was carried out to isolate and characterizes laccase producing fungi from environment samples. Soil and decaying wood samples were collected from different locations within Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Main campus. Suspensions of the samples (1 g in 10 mL sterile distilled water) were serially diluted, inoculated onto Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) containing 0.01% Chloramphenicol and incubated for 7 days at 30oC.The fungal isolates were characterized macroscopically and microscopically with the aid of an atlas. The identified fungal isolates were screened for laccase production by inoculating onto PDA containing 0.02% Guaiacol, 1mM ABTS (2 2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 0.5% Tannic acid as indicator compounds and incubated at 250C for 7 days. The laccase producing isolates were confirmed molecularly by ITS rDNA sequence analysis using the FASTA algorithm with the Fungus database from the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI).A total of 25 fungal species (11 from soil and 14 from decaying wood samples) were isolated. Two isolates from the soil origin identified as Curvularia lunata SSI7 (Accession No. QIE06317.1) and Fusarium clade VII SSI3 (Accession No. GQ505677) were found to produce laccase where Curvularia lunata SSI7 was able to oxidize all the indicator compounds used for the screening. Fusarium clade VII SSI3 was able to oxidize only 0.5% Tannic acid. Laccase producing Curvularia lunata and Fusarium clade VII were isolated from soil samples collected from ABU Zaria Main Campus. Keywords: laccase, fungi, soil, decaying wood

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New plectosphaerellaceous species from Dutch garden soil

Mycological Progress ◽

10.1007/s11557-019-01511-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 1135-1154 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alejandra Giraldo ◽

Margarita Hernández-Restrepo ◽

Pedro W. Crous

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Citizen Science ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Garden Soil ◽

Science Project ◽

Fungal Isolates ◽

University Museum ◽

Citizen Science Project

Abstract During 2017, the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute (WI) and the Utrecht University Museum launched a Citizen Science project. Dutch school children collected soil samples from gardens at different localities in the Netherlands, and submitted them to the WI where they were analysed in order to find new fungal species. Around 3000 fungal isolates, including filamentous fungi and yeasts, were cultured, preserved and submitted for DNA sequencing. Through analysis of the ITS and LSU sequences from the obtained isolates, several plectosphaerellaceous fungi were identified for further study. Based on morphological characters and the combined analysis of the ITS and TEF1-α sequences, some isolates were found to represent new species in the genera Phialoparvum, i.e. Ph. maaspleinense and Ph. rietveltiae, and Plectosphaerella, i.e. Pl. hanneae and Pl. verschoorii, which are described and illustrated here.

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Two new Chrysosporium (Onygenaceae, Onygenales) from China

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.270.3.5 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 270 (3) ◽

pp. 210 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

YAN-WEI ZHANG ◽

WANHAO CHEN ◽

GUIPING ZENG ◽

XIAO ZOU ◽

TINGCHI WEN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

New Species ◽

Phylogenetic Tree ◽

Soil Samples ◽

The Other ◽

Guizhou Province ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

5.8S Rdna ◽

Rdna Sequences ◽

Fungal Isolates

Fungal isolates GZUIFR-EM14.2002 and GZUIFR-EM66601 were respectively isolated from Chinese soil samples under the snake skin in Guizhou Province and from the soil samples under the feathers in Hubei Province, China. Morphological and molecular evidence support both isolates as new species of Chrysosporium. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS-5.8S rDNA sequences grouped GZUIFR-EM14.2002 together with C. lucknowense and C. mephiticum. GZUIFR-EM14.2002, which could be distinguished from the latter two species by the presence of abundant intercalary conidia, was named C. guizhouense sp. nov. In the phylogenetic tree, GZUIFR-EM66601 was most closely related to C. submersum and C. siglerae, GZUIFR-EM66601 differed from the other two species in having small obovate to ellipsoidal conidia and no intercalary conidia; this strain was designated as C. hubeiense sp. nov. Holotypes and their isolates had been deposited in GZAC, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China.

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Phylogeny- and morphology-based recognition of new species in the spider-parasitic genus Gibellula (Hypocreales, Cordycipitaceae) from Thailand

MycoKeys ◽

10.3897/mycokeys.72.55088 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 72 ◽

pp. 17-42

Author(s):

Wilawan Kuephadungphan ◽

Kanoksri Tasanathai ◽

Booppa Petcharad ◽

Artit Khonsanit ◽

Marc Stadler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

New Species ◽

Morphological Traits ◽

Pathogenic Fungi ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Biodiversity Hotspot ◽

Host Behavior ◽

Vast Array ◽

First Time ◽

Over Time

Thailand is known to be a part of what is called the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, hosting a vast array of organisms across its diverse ecosystems. This is reflected by the increasing number of new species described over time, especially fungi. However, a very few fungal species from the specialized spider-parasitic genus Gibellula have ever been reported from this region. A survey of invertebrate-pathogenic fungi in Thailand over several decades has led to the discovery of a number of fungal specimens with affinities to this genus. Integration of morphological traits into multi-locus phylogenetic analysis uncovered four new species: G. cebrennini, G. fusiformispora, G. pigmentosinum, and G. scorpioides. All these appear to be exclusively linked with torrubiella-like sexual morphs with the presence of granulomanus-like asexual morph in G. pigmentosinum and G. cebrennini. A remarkably high host specificity of these new species towards their spider hosts was revealed, and for the first time, evidence is presented for manipulation of host behavior in G. scorpioides.

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PRODUCTION OF LACCASE BY FUNGI ISOLATED FROM SOIL VIA SUBMERGED FERMENTATION USING CORN COB AS SUBSTRATE

FUDMA Journal of Sciences ◽

10.33003/fjs-2020-0403-296 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 224-229

Author(s):

A. Nuhu ◽

Ibrahim Hussaini ◽

S. Gide ◽

G. Anas ◽

A. Madika

Keyword(s):

Enzyme Activity ◽

Aspergillus Niger ◽

Large Scale ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Potato Dextrose Agar ◽

Laccase Production ◽

Corn Cob ◽

Fungal Isolates ◽

Fusarium Sp

One of the limitations of large scale application of laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) is the inability to produce them in large quantity at an affordable cost. This study was carried out to screen indigenous fungi for their ability to produce laccase using the locally available substrate. Five soil samples were collected and diluted serially, 0.1 mL of the 10-5 and 10-6 dilutions were inoculated onto Potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates. The fungal isolates were identified based on their macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. The isolates were then screened for laccase production by growing them on PDA containing tannic acid as an indicator compound. The laccase producing isolates were further screened for their ability to utilize corn cob as a substrate for laccase production. Ten fungal species were isolated and identified as Trichoderma viridae (3), Trichoderma harzianum (3), Aspergillus niger (2), Fusarium sp. (1) and Penicillium sp. (1). Only two of the isolates namely T. viridae and T. harzianum were found to be laccase producers. Both laccase producing fungal species were able to utilize corn cob as substrate for laccase production. T. viridae had higher enzyme activity (2.228 U/mL) than T. harzianum (2.1583 U/mL) after 9 days of incubation. Laccase producing fungi were isolated in this study and they were able to use corn cob as substrate for laccase production.

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Screening of halotolerant microfungi isolated from hypersaline soils of Algerian Sahara for production of hydrolytic enzymes

Journal of Biological Research - Bollettino della Società Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale ◽

10.4081/jbr.2022.10167 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Wassila Dendouga ◽

Mohamed Belhamra

Keyword(s):

Fungal Diversity ◽

Hydrolytic Enzyme ◽

Hydrolytic Enzymes ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Salt Lakes ◽

Plate Count ◽

Fungal Population ◽

Fungal Isolates ◽

Algerian Sahara ◽

Abundance And Diversity

The Algerian Sahara contains numerous hypersaline ecosystems including salt lakes in which the fungal diversity has not been characterized. The abundance and diversity of soil microofungi in three salt lakes in southeastern Algeria was investigated together with their profiles of hydrolytic enzyme. Fungal population size and relative abundance were determined in about 75 soil samples by plate count. From 69 fungal isolates, 46.38% were Aspergillus, 20.29% were Penicillium and 11.59% belonging to Cladosporium genus. The sixty-nine isolates have been studied at different constant temperatures and salinities. All fungal isolates are halotolerant or halophiles with the ability to grow at 50°C. The screening for extracellular halophilic enzymes at 40°C showed that 69.57% of the isolates were able to produce at least two types of the screened enzymes. Protease was the most abundant enzyme detected in 60.87% of the total isolates. The results obtained of all the growth tests indicate the adaptability of fungal isolates tested to the extreme conditions and their possible utilisation as producers of halophilic-active hydrolytic enzymes.

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Fungal communities associated with symptomatic leaves of naranjilla (Solanum quitoense Lam.) in the Ecuadorian Amazon region

Revista Ecuatoriana de Medicina y Ciencias Biológicas ◽

10.26807/remcb.v39i1.561 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

Author(s):

María Fernanda Dávila ◽

Wagner Chaves-Acuña ◽

Jeniffer Yánez

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Control Measures ◽

Fungal Communities ◽

Production Region ◽

Fungal Isolates ◽

Ecuadorian Amazon ◽

Pharmaceutical Properties ◽

First Time ◽

Isolated Species

Fungal isolates were recovered from symptomatic leaves of naranjilla Solanum quitoense Lam. sampled in Pastaza province, an important production region in eastern Ecuadorian Amazon. Filamentous fungi were identified with molecular methods based on ITS and ribosomal DNA sequencing. Among 68 recorded fungi, the isolation of mycobiota resulted in 14 taxa. Diaporthe citri, D. schini, and Xylaria berteri were the most frequently isolated species. To our knowledge more than 90 % of taxa recovered in this study are reported for the first time in S. quitoense. Diversity indexes suggest that symptomatic tissues represent a moderately diverse reservoir for fungal species. The latter may act as a significant source of novel molecules with agronomic and pharmaceutical properties considering their capacity to survive within unhealthy foliar tissues. We also expect this study to facilitate the enforcement of biological control measures in Neotropical crops of commercial interest.

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New section and species in Talaromyces

MycoKeys ◽

10.3897/mycokeys.68.52092 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 68 ◽

pp. 75-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bing-Da Sun ◽

Amanda J. Chen ◽

Jos Houbraken ◽

Jens C. Frisvad ◽

Wen-Ping Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

New Species ◽

Phylogenetic Relationship ◽

Fungal Diversity ◽

Agricultural Soil ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Complete Sequence ◽

Soil Samples ◽

The World

Talaromyces is a monophyletic genus containing seven sections. The number of species in Talaromyces grows rapidly due to reliable and complete sequence data contributed from all over the world. In this study agricultural soil samples from Fujiang, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Shandong, Tibet and Zhejiang provinces of China were collected and analyzed for fungal diversity. Based on a polyphasic approach including phylogenetic analysis of partial ITS, BenA, CaM and RPB2 gene sequences, macro- and micro-morphological analyses, six of them could not be assigned to any described species, and one cannot be assigned to any known sections. Morphological characters as well as their phylogenetic relationship with other Talaromyces species are presented for these putative new species. Penicillium resedanum is combined in Talaromyces section Subinflati as T. resedanus.

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