Fungal diversity inhabited with trees and their conservation in Bukki Top in upper great Himalaya

This investigation was aimed to explore the biodiversity of upper great Himalayas range with special reference to the flora and its conservation. The natural landscape and high altitude meadows (Bugyal) enhanced the beauty of Uttarakhand. Bukki village and Bukki top one of the gorgeous region locate in Uttarkashi district of Uttrakhand state, fall on the opposite side of the national highway NH-108 and connect the Gangotri Glacier via Harsil. The present article is the description of the flora of the Bukki region and, we tried to mainly focus on different fungus species and disease on trees, observed during the trek. Some important fungus species observed are Daldinia concentric, Trichaptum biforme, Fomes fomentarius and Daedalea quercina. We also describe each fungus attributes and habitat distribution description.

Species composition of the mycobiota of the Sievers apple tree (Malus sieversii (Ledeb) M. Roem.) in Kazakhstan

The mycobiota of the Sievers apple tree on the territory of the fruit forests of Kazakhstan (Tarbagatai, Ketmen, Karatau, Altyn-Emel, Talassky, Zailiysky and Dzhungarsky Alatau ranges) includes 64 species of fungi from threedivisions. The most widely represented division is Ascomycota – 48 species, and for the genera Cytospora, Aspergillus,Alternaria, the largest number of species is noted (4 species, 3 and 3 species, respectively). The largest group of fungi of21 species causes damage to apple fruits. Fungus species causing apple tree trunk rot and wood rot are considered to bethe most harmful.

Buellia epigaea (Pers.) Tuck , a new record of lichenized fungus species for Antarctica

Buellia epigaea, a terricolous lichenized fungal species known from numerous localities in Northern Hemisphere, but only from Australia in Southern Hemisphere, is reported from Antarctica for the first time. Here we provide morphological, anatomical, and molecular characteristics (nrITS) of this species. Besides, the differences of B. epigaea with morphologically, ecologically or phylogenetically related species are discussed.

Habitat Quality Determines Dispersal Decisions and Fitness in a Beetle – Fungus Mutualism

Delayed dispersal of sexually mature offspring is a fundamental component of cooperative breeding. In ambrosia beetles, female offspring temporarily remain in their natal nest and refrain from reproduction, instead investing in alloparental care. Previous work has demonstrated a link between helping behaviour and the increased need for pathogen defence, arising from their close association with fungal cultivars. In the ambrosia beetle Xyleborinus saxesenii, mature female offspring can effectively fight pathogen infections and manage the microbial composition within the nest by adjusting the frequency of different hygienic and nest maintenance behaviours. This suggests a potential to respond flexibly to the ecology of their nest, which calls for a better understanding of the connection between behaviour and the microbial community thriving within their nests. Here, we studied the significance of the mutualistic fungus garden composition for the beetles’ nest ecology and fitness by experimentally varying substrate quality. We found that the vertically transmitted ambrosia fungus garden is composed of at least two fungus mutualist species and a wide variety of other microbes varying in their relative abundance. This is strongly affected by the moisture content of the substrate, which in nature depends on the age and type of wood. We found that the mutualist fungi complement each other in terms of dryness-resistance, allowing the beetles to utilise a broad range of substrates over prolonged time during which the wood gradually desiccates. Under suboptimal humidity conditions, the interaction between host and multiple fungus species has important ramifications for the behaviour of philopatric helpers, including their alloparental investment, sibling cannibalism and the timing of dispersal. Rearing five generations of beetles consecutively in dry substrate resulted in transgenerational effects on philopatry and alloparental care, probably mediated through the dominance of a particular fungus species that was driven by the experimental habitat condition. Interestingly, the nests of these selection lines produced much more offspring after five generations than any first-generation nest, which may have reflected increased egg laying by non-dispersing daughters. Our study highlights the importance of considering the interactions between the microbial community and their insect hosts for understanding social evolution in cooperatively breeding beetles.

A new record of lichenized fungus species for Antarctica: Peltigera castanea Goward, Goffinet & Miądl.

As a result of our studies aiming to determine the lichen mycota of the James Ross Island (Antarctic Peninsula), we report Peltigera castanea, a species in the P. didactyla complex from Antarctica and Southern Hemisphere for the first time. Collections were evaluated using morphological, anatomical and molecular characteristics (nrITS). Peltigera castanea has foliose, 4-6 cm lobate thallus; upper surface dark brown to chestnut brown, weakly tomentose (especially in the margins of the lobes) and sorediate. The morphological and ecological variations of this species are discussed in this paper.

Ophiocordyceps stylophora (Ophiocordycipitaceae) in Poland: new localities and host species

<em>Ophiocordyceps stylophora</em>, a rare fungus species in Europe, was first recorded in one locality in Poland in 2011. This paper concerns 33 specimens found between 2011 and 2015 in 23 new localities in five areas. Amongst the described specimens, one was found on the Tenebrionidae beetle, and others grew on Elateridae larvae. For the first time, Tenebrionidae larvae have been observed as hosts of <em>O. stylophora</em>. Five new positions have been located in the southern part of Poland in the area of Oszast and Reberce nature reserves, Babia Góra and Roztocze national parks, and one has been found in the northern part of Poland, in the Elbląg Upland Landscape Park.

Sphaerellothecium reticulatum (Zopf) Etayo, a new lichenicolous fungusfor Antarctica

In the project aiming to determine the lichen mycota of James Ross Island, we identified a new lichenicolous fungus species which is reported from Antarctica for the first time: Sphaerellothecium reticulatum on Flavoparmelia gerlachei. Although this species was identified on other parmelioid lichens, it was never reported on Flavoparmelia spp.

Rapid Detection of Ustilaginoidea virens from Rice using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay

Ustilaginoidea virens is an important fungus that causes rice false smut disease. This disease significantly reduces both grain yield and quality. Various methods have been developed for the detection of U. virens but most of these methods need sophisticated equipment such as a thermal cycler. Here, we present a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the specific detection of U. virens. This assay used a specific region of the UvG-β1 gene (212-bp region) to design six LAMP primers. The LAMP assay was optimized by the combination of rapidity, simplicity, and high sensitivity for the detection of about 1 pg of target genomic DNA in the reaction whereas, with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), there was no amplification of DNA with concentrations less than 1 ng. Among the genomic DNA of 22 fungus species and two strains of U. virens, only the tube containing the DNA of U. virens changed to yellowish green with SYBR Green I. The color change was indicative of DNA amplification. No DNA was amplified from either the other 22 fungus species or the negative control. Moreover, 20 spikelets and 22 rice seed samples were used for the detection of rice false smut via LAMP. The results were comparable with conventional PCR. We conclude that gene UvG-β1 coupled with LAMP assay, can be used for the detection and identification of U. virens gene via LAMP.

Biotransformation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) by environmental strains of filamentous fungi

Study on the ability of selected filamentous fungus species to transform dehydroepiandrosterone was performed (DHEA) and interesting DHEA derivatives were obtained with high yield.