Diversity of water-borne conidial fungi in some freshwater bodies of Kumaun Himalaya in district Nainital (Uttarakhand), India

The aquatic ecosystem harbours a variety of micro-organisms, among which water-borne conidial fungi occupy an important place. Their occurrence in freshwater habitat has great significance in the decomposition of submerged plant materials, nutrient release and productivity. Their occurrence and frequency to extreme temperatures and pH may have a profound effect on fungal community composition and metabolic activities. The present paper deals with the diversity of conidial aquatic fungi from different unexplored freshwater bodies flowing through different elevations (1000-1500 m) in district Nainital, Kumaun Himalaya. Comparative study of species composition in different seasons, sporulation temperatures and pH conditions was also carried out. In all, 18 species of conidial fungi belonging to 14 genera were recorded, out of which maximum species (11 species) were recorded in both rainy (July to September) and winter seasons (November to December). Anguillospora crassa, Beltrania rhombica, Campylospora chaetocladia, Cylindrocarpon aquaticum, Helicomyces roseus and Tetracladium setigerum were isolated only during rainy season; Alatospora acuminata, Clavariopsis aquatica, Clavatospora tentacula, Lemonniera pseudofloscula, L. terrestris and Tetrachaetum elegans were isolated only during winter season while Lunulospora curvula, L. cymbiformis, Setosynnema isthmosporum, Tetracladium marchalianum and Triscelophorus acuminatus were isolated in both rainy and winter seasons. The preferred pH and the sporulation temperature ranged from 6-7 and 15-20 °? respectively. The results of the present study are clearly indicating fungal species composition variations along pH, temperature, seasonal and altitudinal gradients and the sites selected for this exploratory investigation are being undertaken for the first time.

Quadracaea mediterranea, a new record from Kumaun Himalaya region, India

Quadracaea mediterranea was collected during our continuing mycological survey of saprobic conidial fungi on decaying leaf litter of Quercus floribunda from the Ramgarh forest, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. Detailed taxonomic information on Q. mediterranea includes morphological description, geographical distribution, comments, illustrations, and a comparison with allied taxa. This finding extends the geographic distribution of the species, previously recorded only in China, Italy, and Brazil.

Conidial fungi associated with leaf litter of red cedar (Cedrela odorata) in Belém, Pará (eastern Brazilian Amazon)

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the species of conidial fungi associated with leaf litter of Cedrela odorata (Meliaceae), an endangered red cedar species typical of Amazonian terra-firme forests. Conidial fungi were sampled around C. odorata individuals in three forest areas in the municipality of Belém (Pará State, Brazil). A total of 104 species were identified, with 53 new records for the state of Pará, 46 first records for the Brazilian Amazon, including new records for Brazil (Cordana abramovii), for South America (Acarocybiopsis cubitaensis, Xylocladium claviforme) and for the Americas (Dactylaria biguttulata). A review of species of conidial fungi reported on C. odorata is provided, indicating its distribution in Brazil. For each new record in Brazil, South America and the Americas we present a description, illustrations, geographical distribution and taxonomic comments.

Richness and diversity of conidial fungi associated with plant debris in three enclaves of Atlantic Forest in the Caatinga biome of Brazil

Background and aims – A study of richness and diversity of conidial fungi associated with plant debris was conducted in three Atlantic Forest enclaves in the Caatinga biome: Serra da Jibóia-BA (SJ), Serra da Ibiapaba-CE (SI) and Brejo Paraibano-PB (BP). Methods – The plant debris samples included leaves, twigs and barks and were washed in running water, incubated in moist chambers and analyzed for 40 days under a stereomicroscope. These reproductive structures were transferred to slides containing PVL resin and identified with specialized literature. Key results – The richness and diversity were similar in the three enclaves of interest. Cluster analysis using the Morisita similarity index indicated a group formed by fungal communities of SI and BP and another with SJ. Of these substrates, the leaves had the greatest richness and the bark samples had the greatest diversity, but these differences were not significant. Multivariate analysis via NMDS revealed differences in the fungal community composition with respect to the substrate and area, but the similarity analysis (ANOSIM) indicated that the differences were significant only with respect to the substrate.Conclusions – The survey data shows the great richness and diversity of conidial fungi in the studied areas. Substrate was the most determinant factor for the distribution of fungi when compared with area.

In memory of József Vörös mycologist (1929–1991) on the 25th anniversary of his death

Twenty five years ago died professor József Vörös, internationally recognized mycologist, phytopathologist. On the field of microscopic fungi research, especially on taxonomy of plant pathological conidial fungi (Deuteromycetes, Coelomycetes, Hyphomycetes) gained imperishable reputation during his more than 40 years research activity. As author of 17 fungus taxa and publisher of numerous mycological data J. Vörös took place in the history of mycology.