Entomopathogenic microorganisms in locusts and grasshoppers populations and prospects for their use for control of this pest group

Brief information on the main groups of microorganisms parasitizing on locusts and grasshoppers is given. It has been shown that viral and most bacterial infections have no practical prospects, both as natural regulators of density populations and as potential producers of bioinsecticides. Alpha-proteobacteria, entomophthoralean fungi and microsporidia may make some contributions as natural mechanisms of population dynamics. The most significant group as producers of biopesticides are anamorphic ascomycetes from the genera Metarhizium and Beauveria.

Do not forget Africa – revision of fungarium collections at Kew revealed a new species of Hermatomyces (Hermatomycetaceae, Pleosporales)

Species of the genus Hermatomyces (Hermatomycetaceae, Pleosporales) are saprotrophic anamorphic ascomycetes that have been intensively studied mostly in South-East Asia and Panama. Species concepts were recently revised based on specimens from these regions using both phenotypic and molecular data. However, other tropical areas have been mostly overlooked, e.g. Africa, although members of the genus were collected from this continent in the past. Therefore, specimens available at the fungarium of Kew were studied. Most of them originated from western Africa, specifically Ghana and Sierra Leone, but collections from Ethiopia, India, and Malaysia were also revised. Among them, a new species was found and is described and illustrated herein as H. truncatus. The fungus colonized dead branches of Averrhoa carambola in Ghana and is characterized by two types of conidia; the cylindrical ones are 2-, rarely 3-celled, with a central or eccentric septum and the upper cells rounded but slightly flattened at the apex, often distinctly widening and dark brown or black in color. An additional collection of this fungus from Panama was also studied. Recently collected specimens from Puerto Rico and Australia are included and the known distribution of the following species is updated with new regions: H. indicus (first record from Sierra Leone), H. megasporus (Ethiopia), H. reticulatus (Ethiopia) and H. sphaericus (Puerto Rico and Australia).

Preliminary studies of fungi in the Biebrza National Park (NE Poland). Part III. Micromycetes – new data

Ecological information concerning 292 fungal taxa is reported as a result of two surverys in the Biebrza National Park. Most data presented come from the 5-day all-fungi inventory of the Polish Mycological Society in 2013, and 47 species were recorded during studies in the Biele Suchowolskie fen in 2008/2009. In total, 27 species of zygomycetes, 232 ascomycetes (including anamorphs) and 27 basidiomycetes (mainly Pucciniales). Additionaly some representatives of fungi-like organisms from Stramenopiles (4 species) and Dictyostelia (2) were identified. Fungal groups included were the same as in the previous survey in 2012: 190 taxa associated with plants, 15 with animals, 8 with fungi and 71 isolated from soil, plant debris and animal excrements. The most numerous were anamorphic ascomycetes (159 species). Nineteen species have not been previously known from Poland and 31 species are rare (1–3 localities). For the Biebrza National Park 197 species (67.5%) are new.

Leaf-litter microfungal community on poor fen plant debris in Torfy Lake area (Central Poland)

The purpose of this study was to initially evaluate the species diversity of microfungi growing on litter of 15 plant species occurring on the poor fen and neighbouring area of the Torfy Lake, Masovian voivodeship, Poland. The lake is located near the planned road investment (construction of the Warsaw southern express ring road S2). The place is biologically valuable as there are rare plant communities from <em>Rhynchosporion albae </em>alliance protected under the Habitats Directive adopted by the European Union. On the examined plant debris 73 taxa of fungi were recorded (3 basidiomycetes, 13 ascomycetes, 2 zygomycetes, 43 anamorphic ascomycetes, 12 unidentified). Two of them, <em>Dicranidion </em>sp. and <em>Wentiomyces </em>sp. are presented here as new to Poland. Among the plant species examined, the litter of <em>Rhododendron tomentosum </em>harbored the highest number of fungal taxa (16). The highest percents of substrate-specific microfungi (i.e. recorded only on one plant species) was noted on <em>R. tomentosum </em>(81.3 %), and <em>Pteridium aquilinum </em>(75%). It is emphasized that the lake area should be protected not only because of rare plant community but also because of the uniqueness and diversity of mycobiota.

Diversity and function of fungi in peatlands: A carbon cycling perspective

Peatlands are a dominant landform in the northern hemisphere, accumulating carbon in the form of peat due to an imbalance between decomposition and plant production rates. Decomposer (saprobes) and mycorrhizal fungi significantly influence carbon dynamics by degrading organic matter via the synthesis of extracellular enzymes. As organic matter decomposes, litter quality variables figure most prominently in the succession of fungi. Hence, litters composed primarily of complex polymers decompose very slowly. Surprisingly, recalcitrant polymer degraders (mostly basidiomycetes) are rarely isolated from peat, which may explain the accumulation of complex polymers in peat profiles. While enzymatic profiles of mycorrhizal fungi and other root endophytes may be more limited compared with saprobes, many of these fungi can degrade polymers of varying complexity as well and hence may also be significant decomposers of organic matter. To date, anamorphic ascomycetes and zygomycetes are the most frequently isolated fungi from peatlands (63 and 10% of all taxa, respectively), and chytridiomycetes, teleomorphic ascomycetes, and basidiomycetes appear to be less common (11% of all taxa). The remaining 16% of taxa remain unidentified or are sterile taxa. How disturbances affect peatland microbial communities and their roles is virtually unknown. This aspect of peatland microbial ecology requires immediate attention. The objective of this paper is to review the current state of knowledge of the diversity of fungi and their roles in carbon cycling dynamics in peatlands. Key words: Peatlands, fungi, carbon dynamics, diversity, functions, saprobes, mycorrhizas