Reassessment of Dyfrolomyces and Four New Species of Melomastia from Olive (Olea europaea) in Sichuan Province, China

Pleurotremataceae species are saprobes on decaying wood in terrestrial, mangrove, and freshwater habitats. The generic boundary of the family has traditionally been based on morphology. All genera of Pleurotremataceae have a high degree of morphological overlap, of which the generic circumscription of Melomastia and Dyfrolomyces has not been well resolved. Thus, the delimitation of genera has always been challenging. Melomastia traditionally differs from Dyfrolomyces in having 2-septate, oblong, with obtuse-ends ascospores. These main characteristics have been used to distinguish Melomastia from Dyfrolomyces for a long time. However, the above characteristics sometimes overlap among Dyfrolomyces and Melomastia species. Based on the morphology and multigene phylogeny with newly obtained data, we synonymized Dyfrolomyces under Melomastia following up-to-date results. Four novel species (i.e., Melomastia fusispora, M. oleae, M. sichuanensis and M. winteri) collected from the dead branches of Olea europaea L. in Chengdu Olive Base, Sichuan Province in China are introduced based on detailed morphological characterization and phylogenetic analyses of sequences based on nuclear ribosomal (LSU and SSU) and protein-coding gene (tef1-α). The 11 new combinations proposed are Melomastia aquatica (= Dyfrolomyces aquaticus), M. chromolaenae (= D. chromolaenae), M. distoseptata (= D. distoseptatus), M. mangrovei (= D. mangrovei), M. marinospora (= D. marinosporus), M. neothailandica (= D. neothailandicus), M. phetchaburiensis (= D. phetchaburiensis), M. sinensis (= D. sinensis), M. thailandica (= D. thailandica), M. thamplaensis (= D. thamplaensis) and M. tiomanensis (= D. tiomanensis).

An unknown world in the Neotropical region: a complete life cycle of a new species of Monoclona Mik, 1886 (Diptera: Mycetophilidae: Sciophilinae)

Popularly known as fungus gnats, Mycetophilidae are found in humid environments usually associated with mushrooms and decaying wood. Their immature forms often feed on fungus fruiting bodies. Similar to most bibionomorphans, mycetophilids need due attention concerning their taxonomy and information on their natural history, especially in the Neotropical region. This work describes Monoclona carambeiensis sp. nov., a new species of Monoclona Mik, and furnishes information on the morphology of adults and immatures, besides notes and photographs on the life cycle of the species. Immature forms present on a piece of decaying wood with lichens and fungi were collected from Carambeí, Paraná, and reared in the laboratory. The emerged adult male was fixed in 80% ethanol. This is the first study describing an immature of a Neotropical species of Monoclona, and also the first record of the genus in the state of Paraná, Brazil. This is the third Neotropical species of Mycetophilidae to have its life cycle described, for a fauna with over 1,100 known species.

Screening and Identification of Trichoderma Strains isolated from Natural Habitats in China with Potential Agricultural Applications

Trichoderma spp. are widely distributed in natural habitats and have been evaluated as a potential biocontrol agent (BCA) for disease control and plant growth promotion. In this study, 1308 Trichoderma strains were obtained from the plant rhizosphere soil, above-ground plants, and decaying wood from natural habitats in China. Among them, 49 Trichoderma strains showed a good inhibitory effect, especially against Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides with inhibition rate above 85% in the dual culture test. Among these 49 strains, the 13 strains with broad-spectrum inhibitory effects also significantly promoted the seed germination of five crops (rice, cucumber, tomato, melon, and pakchoi) and root growth of four crop seedlings (watermelon, tomato, eggplant, and chili). Furthermore, these strains showed effective colonization in the rhizosphere and root of cucumber. Trichoderma strains SC012 and NX043 showed the highest chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activity among all strains. Based on the morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1 (tef1), twelve Trichoderma strains were identified as Trichoderma asperellum and one as Trichoderma afroharzianum. This study suggests that the 13 Trichoderma strains are promising BCAs and could be developed as biofertilizers and biological pesticides for agricultural applications.

Epixylic component of bryoflora of the Polesye Region

The article gives a detailed description of the epixylic component of bryoflora of the Polesye Region on the terri-tory of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. According to the results of a long-term comprehensive study of the Polesye bryocomponent, 468 species of bryophytes from three divisions have been recorded to date: Anthocerotophyta, Bryophyta, Marchantiophyta. On rotting and decaying wood, 159 species were identified, including 52 species belonging to the division Marchantiophyta, 107 – Bryophyta. The most representative in terms of species diver-sity are the family of liverworts Scapaniaceae, Cephaloziaceae, Calypogeaceae, Aneuraceae and Lophocoleace-ae, mosses – Brachytheciaceae, Amblystegiaceae, Dicranaceae, Hypnaceae and Mniaceae. The distribution of bryophyte species depending on the degree of decomposition of wood is shown, the forms of growth of bryophytes are considered, and hydromorphs are analyzed. An annotated list of bryoepixyls of the Polesye Region has been compiled. The systematic position, main synonyms, growing conditions, distribution in regions, ecological features, and occurrence are indicated for each species.

Soil Microcosms for Bioaugmentation With Fungal Isolates to Remediate Petroleum Hydrocarbon-contaminated Soil

The aim of this work was to isolate indigenous PAH degrading-fungi from petroleum contaminated soil and exogenous ligninolytic strains from decaying-wood, with the ability to secrete diverse enzyme activity. A total of ten ligninolytic fungal isolates and two native strains, has been successfully isolated, screened and identified. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the indigenous fungi (KBR1 and KB8) belong to the genus Aspergillus niger and tubingensis. While the ligninolytic exogenous PAH-degrading strains namely KBR1-1, KB4, KB2 and LB3 were affiliated to different genera like Syncephalastrum sp, Paecilomyces formosus, Fusarium chlamydosporum, and Coniochaeta sp., respectively. Basis on the taxonomic analysis, enzymatic activities and the hydrocarbons removal rates, single fungal culture employing the strain LB3, KB4, KBR1 and the mixed culture (LB3+KB4) were selected to be used in soil microcosms treatments. The Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), fungal growth rates, BOD5/COD ratios and GC-MS analysis, were determined in all soil microcosmos treatments (SMT) and compared with those of the control (SMU). After 60 days of culture incubation, the highest rate of TPH degradation was recorded in SMT[KB4] by approximately 92±2.35% followed by SMT[KBR1] then SMT[LB3+KB4] with 86.66±1.83% and 85.14±2.21%, respectively.

Acidisoma silvae sp. nov. and Acidisomacellulosilytica sp. nov., Two Acidophilic Bacteria Isolated from Decaying Wood, Hydrolyzing Cellulose and Producing Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate

Two novel strains, HW T2.11T and HW T5.17T, were isolated from decaying wood (forest of Champenoux, France). Study of the 16S rRNA sequence similarity indicated that the novel strains belong to the genus Acidisoma. The sequence similarity of the 16S rRNA gene of HW T2.11T with the corresponding sequences of A. tundrae and A. sibiricum was 97.30% and 97.25%, while for HW T5.17T it was 96.85% and 97.14%, respectively. The DNA G+C contents of the strains were 62.32–62.50%. Cells were Gram-negative coccobacilli that had intracellular storage granules (poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB)) that confer resistance to environmental stress conditions. They were mesophilic and acidophilic organisms growing at 8–25 °C, at a pH of 2.0–6.5, and were capable of using a wide range of organic compounds and complex biopolymers such as starch, fucoidan, laminarin, pectin and cellulose, the latter two being involved in wood composition. The major cellular fatty acid was cyclo C19:0ω8c and the major quinone was Q-10. Overall, genome relatedness indices between genomes of strains HW T2.11T and HW T5.17T (Orthologous Average Nucleotide Identity (OrthoANI) value = 83.73% and digital DNA-DNA hybridization score = 27.5%) confirmed that they belonged to two different species. Genetic predictions indicate that the cyclopropane fatty acid (CFA) pathway is present, conferring acid-resistance properties to the cells. The two novel strains might possess a class IV polyhydroxyalcanoate (PHA) synthase operon involved in the P3HB production pathway. Overall, the polyphasic taxonomic analysis shows that these two novel strains are adapted to harsh environments such as decaying wood where the organic matter is difficult to access, and can contribute to the degradation of dead wood. These strains represent novel species of the genus Acidisoma, for which the names Acidisoma silvae sp. nov. and Acidisomacellulosilytica sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains of Acidisoma silvae and Acidisomacellulosilytica are, respectively, HW T2.11T (DSM 111006T; UBOCC-M-3364T) and HW T5.17T (DSM 111007T; UBOCC-M-3365T).

Additions to Distoseptispora (Distoseptisporaceae) associated with submerged decaying wood in China

In this study, five aquatic hyphomycetous taxa were collected and isolated from submerged wood in Lancang River located in the northwestern Yunnan Province of China. Phylogenetic analyses based on combined LSU, ITS, tef1α and rpb2 sequence matrix indicated that those five taxa belonging to Distoseptispora (Distoseptisporaceae), and they can be recognized as four species which two are introduced as new species (Distoseptispora euseptatensis and D. yunnanensis) and two are identified as D. aquatica and D. tectonae. Two isolates of the new species Distoseptispora euseptatensis formed a distinct clade among Distoseptispora species (basal to D. suoluoensis and D. bambusae) with good support (ML 100%, MP 100%, BI 1.00 PP). Distoseptispora yunnanensis clustered together with D. euseptatensis, but they are difference in the size of conidiophore and conidia. Corresponding illustrations, descriptions and phylogenetic evidences are provided to justify the placement of our newly collected Distoseptispora taxa.

Two new psathyrelloid species of Coprinopsis (Agaricales, Psathyrellaceae) from China

In this study, Coprinopsis jilinensis and Coprinopsis pusilla were introduced, based on their morphological characteristics, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit ribosomal (LSU) region sequences of nrDNA. These new psathyrelloid species were found in Jilin Province, China. Coprinopsis jilinensis has brown pileus, utriform pleurocystidia, brown, smooth, dextrinoid basidiospores and tiny pore. It mainly grows on humus. Coprinopsis pusilla has small basidiomata, greyish-white pileus, thick and distinct veil at edges, subcolourless and verrucose basidiospores. It is poreless and it grows on the decaying wood of broad-leaved trees. Both of them belong to the C. sect. Melanthinae. A supplementary description of C. sect. Melanthinae was given in combination with the newly-discovered taxa and an identification key to the fourteen psathyrelloid species of Coprinopsis is provided. Coprinopsis sect. Canocipes and C. sect. Quartoconatae were evaluated and the phylogenetic position of the psathyrelloid species of Coprinopsis was discussed. Psathyrella subagraria, as a confusing species, was also discussed in this study.

High Diversity of Mites (Acari: Oribatida, Mesostigmata) Supports the High Conservation Value of a Broadleaf Forest in Eastern Norway

Broadleaf forests are critical habitats for biodiversity and this biodiversity is in turn essential for their proper functioning. Mites (Acari) are a numerous and functionally essential component of these forests. We report the diversity of two important groups, Oribatida and Mesostigmata, in a broadleaf forest in Eastern Norway which is considered to be a biodiversity hotspot. Eighteen samples, each 500 cm3, were collected from diverse microhabitats (moss on ground, lichens on tree twigs lying on ground, moss on tree trunks at ground level, moss on tree trunks 1.5 m above ground, moss on decaying stump, moss on decaying log, and decaying wood from trees) from which 10,843 specimens and 95 species from 32 families of Oribatida, and 655 specimens of 34 species from 14 families of Mesostigmata were found. Only 30% of the species were previously recorded in broadleaf forests in Western Norway. Oribatid communities on decaying stump and in lichens were distinct from the other communities, while mesostigmatid communities on tree trunks (both at ground level and 1.5 m above ground) and in lichens differed most from other communities. Over 30% of the species were found in only a single microhabitat. Twenty-three species and the genus Zerconopsis are reported from Norway for the first time. Six records are also new to Fennoscandia, including (Oribatida) Coronoquadroppia monstruosa, Eueremaeus valkanovi, Ramusella furcata, and (Mesostigmata) Dendrolaelaps rectus, D. multidentatus, and D. tenuipilus. In addition, several rare species were detected, e.g., Achipteria magna, Oribotritia berlesei, and Subiasella quadrimaculata, and two were found in their northernmost locality (O. berlesei, E. valkanovi). These results confirm the unique character and high conservation value of the studied forest in Norway, Fennoscandia and at a European scale.

Screening and Identification of Laccase Producing Fungi from Environmental Samples

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