Twelve New Species Reveal Cryptic Diversification in Foliicolous Lichens of Strigula s.lat. (Strigulales, Ascomycota)

We employed a molecular phylogenetic approach using five markers (ITS, nuSSU, nuLSU, TEF1-α, and RPB2) to assess potential cryptic speciation in foliicolous members of Strigula s.lat. (Strigulaceae), including the recently segregated genera Phylloporis, Puiggariella, Raciborskiella, Racoplaca, and Serusiauxiella, from tropical areas in Asia, with selected materials from the Neotropics as reference. On the basis of combined molecular and phenotypic datasets, two new species of Racoplaca and 10 new species of Strigula s.str. are described: Racoplaca macrospora sp. nov., R. maculatoides sp. nov., Strigula guangdongensis sp. nov., S. intermedia sp. nov., S. laevis sp. nov., S. microcarpa sp. nov., S. pseudoantillarum sp. nov., S. pseudosubtilissima sp. nov., S. pycnoradians sp. nov., S. sinoconcreta sp. nov., S. stenoloba sp. nov., and S. subtilissimoides sp. nov. In addition, we propose the new combination Phylloporis palmae comb. nov. (≡ =Manaustrum palmae) and we validate the earlier combination Racoplaca melanobapha comb. nov. (≡ Verrucaria melanobapha; Strigula melanobapha). Our data clearly indicate a considerable degree of cryptic diversification in foliicolous representatives of Strigula s.lat., particularly in the presumably widespread taxa Strigula antillarum, S. concreta, S. nitidula, and S. smaragdula. Given that these phylogenetic revisions are thus far limited to few regions, we predict that our findings only represent the proverbial tip of the iceberg in this group of lichenized fungi.

The Estonian Mycological Collections of Heinrich August Dietrich (1820–1897)

Heinrich August Dietrich was a gardener with a deep interest in mycology. He published a two-volume monograph dealing with over 1,000 fungal and fungal-like taxa, the first cryptogamic research of this kind for the Baltic region. Between 1852 and 1857, H. A. Dietrich issued nine volumes of exciccatae named Centuria Plantarum Florae Balticae cryptogamarum. The preserved eight Centuriae and additional collections from Estonia (then the Imperial Russian Baltic province, Estonian Governorate) are revised and their current status in collections is presented. As a result, a new myxomycete species for Estonia, Physarum gyrosum, and the once doubtfully-reported species, Arcyria oerstedii, are recorded, and the earliest vouchers of some endangered ascomycetes, such as Poronia punctata and Sabuloglossum arenarium, are identified in his material. The most remarkable findings among lichenized fungi are Alectoria sarmentosa, Dibaeis baeomyces, Flavoparmelia caperata, Lasallia pustulata, Nephroma laevigatum, Peltigera venosa and Ramalina calicaris, as well as the oldest Estonian specimen of Lobaria pulmonaria.

Additions to the lichenized and lichenicolous fungi of Jammu & Kashmir from Kishtwar High Altitude National Park

The present study reports 14 lichenized and two lichenicolous fungi new to the mycota of Jammu & Kashmir. The lichenized fungi are Buellia aeruginascens (Nyl.) Zahlbr., Caloplaca pachycheila Poelt & Hinter., Cladonia cervicornis ssp. verticillata (Hoffm.) Ahti, Hafellia curatellae (Malme) Marbach, Hafellia subnexa Marbach, Hafellia tetrapla (Nyl.) Pusswald, Leptogium askotense D.D.Awasthi, Nephromopsis laii (A. Thell & Randlane) Saag & A.Thell, Polycauliona phlogina (Ach.) Arup, Frödén & Søchting, Pyxine cognata Stirt., Rinodina conradii Körb., Rinodina intermedia Bagl., Rinodina oxydata (A.Massal.) A.Massal., and Squamulea squamosa (B.deLesd.) Arup, Søchting & Frödén. The lichenicolous fungi include Abrothallus microspermus Tul. and Lichenoconium lecanorae (Jaap) D.Hawksw. The species are enumerated along with their present distribution.

Depside and Depsidone Synthesis in Lichenized Fungi Comes into Focus through a Genome-Wide Comparison of the Olivetoric Acid and Physodic Acid Chemotypes of Pseudevernia furfuracea

Primary biosynthetic enzymes involved in the synthesis of lichen polyphenolic compounds depsides and depsidones are non-reducing polyketide synthases (NR-PKSs), and cytochrome P450s. However, for most depsides and depsidones the corresponding PKSs are unknown. Additionally, in non-lichenized fungi specific fatty acid synthases (FASs) provide starters to the PKSs. Yet, the presence of such FASs in lichenized fungi remains to be investigated. Here we implement comparative genomics and metatranscriptomics to identify the most likely PKS and FASs for olivetoric acid and physodic acid biosynthesis, the primary depside and depsidone defining the two chemotypes of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea. We propose that the gene cluster PF33-1_006185, found in both chemotypes, is the most likely candidate for the olivetoric acid and physodic acid biosynthesis. This is the first study to identify the gene cluster and the FAS likely responsible for olivetoric acid and physodic acid biosynthesis in a lichenized fungus. Our findings suggest that gene regulation and other epigenetic factors determine whether the mycobiont produces the depside or the depsidone, providing the first direct indication that chemotype diversity in lichens can arise through regulatory and not only through genetic diversity. Combining these results and existing literature, we propose a detailed scheme for depside/depsidone synthesis.

Fungi and Algae as Sources of Medicinal and Other Biologically Active Compounds: A Review

Many species of fungi including lichenized fungi (lichens) and algae have the ability to biosynthesize biologically active compounds. They produce, among others, polysaccharides with anticancer and immunostimulatory properties: (1) Background: This paper presents the characteristics of the most important bioactive compounds produced by fungi and algae; (2) Methods: Based on the example of the selected species of mushrooms, lichens and algae, the therapeutic properties of the secondary metabolites that they produce and the possibilities of their use are presented; (3) Results: The importance of fungi, especially large-fruited mushrooms, lichens and algae, in nature and human life is discussed, in particular, with regard to their use in the pharmaceutical industry and their nutritional value; (4) Conclusions: The natural organisms, such as fungi, lichenized fungi and algae, could be used as supplementary medicine, in the form of pharmaceutical preparations and food sources. Further advanced studies are required on the pharmacological properties and bioactive compounds of these organisms.

Lichens and allied fungi from the Gauja National Park (Latvia), including new records for the country

In summer and autumn 2020, a lichenological inventory took place in the Gauja National Park (Latvia, Northern Europe). In total, 60 species of lichenized fungi, six non-lichenized saprophytic fungi and three non-lichenized fungi are reported as new for Gauja National Park. Among them, ten species are new to Latvia. Data on habitats, substrates, main characteristics and distribution in the neighbouring countries to Latvia are provided. The total number of lichenized and closely related fungi for the Gauja National Park is 346.

Depside and depsidone synthesis in lichenized fungi comes into focus through a genome-wide comparison of the olivetoric and physodic acid chemotype of Pseudevernia furfuracea

ABSTRACTPrimary biosynthetic enzymes involved in the synthesis of lichen polyphenolic compounds depsides and depsidones are Non-Reducing Polyketide Synthases (NR-PKSs), and cytochrome P450s (CytP450). However, for most depsides and depsidones the corresponding PKSs are unknown. Additionally, in non-lichenized fungi specific fatty acyl synthases (FASs) provide starters to the PKSs. Yet, the presence of such FASs in lichenized fungi remains to be investigated. Here we implement comparative genomics and metatranscriptomics to identify the most likely PKS and FASs for the synthesis of olivetoric and physodic acid, the primary depside and depsidone defining the two chemotypes of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea. We propose that the gene cluster PF33-1_006185, found in both chemotypes, is the most likely candidate for olivetoric and physodic acid biosynthesis. This is the first study to identify the gene cluster and the FAS likely responsible for physodic and olivetoric acid biosynthesis in a lichenized fungus. Our findings suggest that gene regulation and other epigenetic factors determine whether the mycobiont produces the depside or the depsidone, providing the first direct indication that chemotype diversity in lichens can arise through regulatory and not only through genetic diversity. Combining these results and existing literature, we propose a detailed scheme for depside/depsidone synthesis.

Siphula paramensis V. Marcano & L. Castillo (Icmadophilaceae, Lichenized Fungi), a new species from the high paramo in Venezuela

A new species of the genus Siphula is described from the Cordillera de Merida and Sierra La Culata in the Venezuelan Andes: Siphula paramensis V. Marcano & L. Castillo sp. nov. This species closely resembles Siphula subsimplex V. Marcano from the Guayana Highlands. Siphula paramensis differs by its very small thallus, obovoid or globuliform lobes, ochre-coloured, yellowish or whitish gray (in older thalli) surface, rugose, rounded and entire apices having usually reticulated lines, less thick cortex and shorter rhizines; the thalli are K–, C+ yellow, and P+ yellow in the cortex, and contain baeomycesic and squamatic acids. This is the Siphula species that grows at the highest altitude in Venezuela. It is considered to be endemic to the Venezuelan Andes.

A key to the identification of the genera of lichenized fungi occurring in Thailand

A key to the identification of the 258 genera of lichenized fungi in Thailand is presented. Species names are provided for genera for which only a single species has been recorded for Thailand. Recent available keys that include all species known from Thailand are referenced. The replacement name Ionaspis aptrootii is proposed for I. tropica Aptroot (non Riddle).

Lichens from Brazil: a checklist of lichenized fungi from Acre, in the Amazon

Mycotaxon is pleased to add a new annotated species distribution list to our 144 previously posted free access fungae. The 49-page "Lichens from Brazil: a checklist of lichenized fungi from Acre, in the Amazon" by Aptroot, Santos, Oliveira, Cavalcante, and Cáceres may be downloaded from our website via http://www.mycotaxon.com/mycobiota/index.html