Article
Mycology
Patricia Kaishian, Alex Weir
Summary: Four new species of Laboulbenia parasitizing on Heteroptera hosts, collected from South America, Brazil, Suriname, and Peru, are described, bringing the total number of species to 100. These species are found on the genera Paravelia and Oiovelia within Veliidae.
Article
Mycology
S. Konta, S. Tibpromma, S. C. Karunarathna, M. C. Samarakoon, L. S. Steven, A. Mapook, S. Boonmee, C. Senwanna, A. Balasuriya, P. D. Eungwanichayapant, K. D. Hyde
Summary: This study investigated fungi associated with terrestrial palms in Thailand and identified fungal taxa belonging to several orders using morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis. A new genus Triseptatospora and nine new species were described and introduced. The study provides morphological illustrations, descriptions, and phylogenetic trees to support the taxonomic placement of the new taxa.
Article
Mycology
Zhi-Yuan Zhang, Yao Feng, Shuo-Qiu Tong, Chen -Yu Ding, Gang Tao, Yan-Feng Han
Summary: In this study, two new fungal taxa belonging to the family Clavicipitaceae were discovered in Chinese soils. These species were identified as Pochonia sinensis sp. nov. and a new genus called Paraneoaraneomyces gen. nov. based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis.
Article
Microbiology
Xing-Juan Xiao, Jian Ma, Li-Juan Zhang, Ning-Guo Liu, Yuan-Pin Xiao, Xing-Guo Tian, Zong-Long Luo, Yong-Zhong Lu
Summary: During a study of helicosporous fungi in China, six new taxa belonging to the Helicosporium genus were discovered. Morphological comparisons and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses were carried out to identify these taxa and three novel species were named. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and comparisons with similar fungi were provided, along with a list and key to accepted Helicosporium species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Manuel Tiburtini, Gianluigi Bacchetta, Marco Sarigu, Salvatore Cambria, Paolo Caputo, Daniele De Luca, Gianniantonio Domina, Alessia Turini, Lorenzo Peruzzi
Summary: An integrative approach was used to resolve the complex taxonomy and systematics of the genus Armeria in Sardinia and Corsica. The study found that some taxa are no longer supported by new data, leading to a new taxonomic hypothesis that considers only five species endemic to the islands.
Article
Microbiology
Wenxin Su, Rong Xu, Chitrabhanu S. Bhunjun, Shangqing Tian, Yueting Dai, Yu Li, Chayanard Phukhamsakda
Summary: This study discovered new species in the family Cucurbitariaceae based on morphological and molecular data, and determined the importance of the beta-tubulin gene for species-level identification in this family.
Article
Microbiology
Ning Xie, Rungtiwa Phookamsak, Hongbo Jiang, Yu-Jia Zeng, Haoxing Zhang, Fangfang Xu, Saisamorn Lumyong, Jianchu Xu, Sinang Hongsanan
Summary: This study identified five new taxa in the well-studied family Parabambusicolaceae based on a survey of saprobic bambusicola-like species from bamboo and submerged grass in Yunnan Province, China. The novel genus Scolecohyalosporium and the novel genus Neomultiseptospora were introduced, along with the newly described species Parabambusicola hongheensis. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and updated phylogeny were provided for Parabambusicolaceae.
Article
Microbiology
Chang Liu, Xin-Cun Wang, Zhi-He Yu, Wen-Ying Zhuang, Zhao-Qing Zeng
Summary: This article reports the discovery and description of seven new species of Eurotiales from tidal flat sediments in China. They belong to different subgenera and sections of the Eurotiales. Morphological characteristics and DNA sequence analyses were used to confirm their classification as new species, and detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided.
Article
Plant Sciences
Vannak Kong, Try Yorn, Matteo Bernardi, Walter Rossi
Summary: New records of Laboulbeniales from Cambodia in freshwater environments are reported, including species belonging to Autoicomyces, Chaetarthriomyces, Chitonomyces, and Zodiomyces. Chitonomyces appendiculatus is reported for the first time from the Asian continent. Additionally, a few unpublished findings from Australia, Greece, and Thailand are also reported.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Emily Hartop, Amrita Srivathsan, Fredrik Ronquist, Rudolf Meier
Summary: New method called large-scale integrative taxonomy (LIT) is proposed for tackling dark taxa, which are groups with a low percentage of described species and a high estimated diversity. LIT generates preliminary species hypotheses based on inexpensive data, which are then evaluated using more expensive validation data. In this study, LIT was used to sort scuttle flies into preliminary species hypotheses based on DNA barcodes, which were then validated using morphological data. Quantitative indicators for predicting incongruence between barcodes and morphology were developed. The results showed that LIT can effectively and efficiently delimit species.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Markus Osaland Fjelde, Einar Timdal, Reidar Haugan, Mika Bendiksby
Summary: This study investigated the taxonomy of the crustose lichen genus Calvitimela using molecular phylogenetics and morphological observations. The results revealed evolutionarily old and deeply divergent lineages within Calvitimela, with overlapping morphological characters between different subgenera. Chemical characters were informative at the level of subgenera but often homoplastic at the species level. A practical taxonomy of Calvitimela was proposed based on these findings.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Microbiology
Zi-Kun Song, An-Hong Zhu, Zhen-Dong Liu, Zhi Qu, Yu Li, Hai-Xia Ma
Summary: Three new species of hypoxylaceous fungi were discovered in Medog county, China, through morphological and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses. A key to all known Hypoxylon species from China and related species worldwide is provided.
Article
Microbiology
De-Ping Wei, Dhanushka N. Wanasinghe, Eleni Gentekaki, Vinodhini Thiyagaraja, Saisamorn Lumyong, Kevin D. Hyde
Summary: Stictidaceae family includes species with diverse lifestyles, many of which are drought resistant and significant for studying fungal adaptation and evolution. This study introduces a new species and a new combination, as well as additional morphological and molecular data for certain species. Taxonomic conclusions are drawn based on morphological evidence and phylogenetic analysis of sequence data, highlighting characteristics and lifestyles within the Stictidaceae genera.
Article
Immunology
Sinang Hongsanan, Rungtiwa Phookamsak, Darbhe Jayarama Bhat, Dhanushka N. Wanasinghe, Itthayakorn Promputtha, Nakarin Suwannarach, Diana Sandamali, Saisamorn Lumyong, Jianchu Xu, Ning Xie
Summary: This study introduces two new fungal genera, Pseudorepetophragma and Pseudostomiopeltis, in the Yunnan region and revises the classification of other fungal genera. It provides new insights into the diversity and ecological roles of fungal species in this region.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Hong Min Hu, Li Li Liu, Xu Zhang, Yan Lin, Xiang Chun Shen, Si Han Long, Ji Chuan Kang, Nalin N. Wijayawardene, Qi Rui Li, Qing De Long
Summary: Several new fungal records, including two new geographical records for China and two new species, were collected from bamboo and palm in Guizhou Province, China. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to provide a comprehensive description and illustration of these species.
Article
Ecology
Aron Peter, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Danny Haelewaters, Attila D. Sandor
Summary: This study investigated the tritrophic association of bats, bat flies, and Laboulbeniales microfungi and found that bat host behavior, roost selection, bat fly sex, and season all have significant effects on the prevalence of fungal infection.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Mycology
Danny Haelewaters, Jeffery K. Stallman, Terry W. Henkel, M. Catherine Aime
Summary: Polydiscidium is a rarely reported genus of Ascomycota with unique morphology. Recent research reveals that it belongs to the order Sclerococcales and is congeneric with Sclerococcum. A new combination, Sclerococcum martynii, is proposed for this species. Two additional species, Sclerococcum chiangraiensis and S. fusiformis, are also proposed. The synonymy between Dactylosporales and Sclerococcales is confirmed.
Article
Biology
Michal Knapp, Michal Reficha, Danny Haelewaters, Ezequiel Gonzalez
Summary: Winter survival and overwintering performance of invasive ladybirds are negatively affected by parasitic fungus infection. The infected ladybirds have lower survival rates, higher body mass loss, and reduced post-winter longevity. During overwintering, total haemocyte and protein concentration as well as antimicrobial activity decrease. Energy exhaustion is the most probable explanation for increased overwintering mortality in infected ladybirds.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Krizler C. Tanalgo, John Aries G. Tabora, Hernani Fernandes Magalhaes de Oliveira, Danny Haelewaters, Chad T. Beranek, Aida Otalora-Ardila, Enrico Bernard, Fernando Goncalves, Alan Eriksson, Melissa Donnelly, Joel Monzon Gonzalez, Humberto Fernandez Ramos, Alberto Clark Rivas, Paul W. Webala, Stanimira Deleva, Ridha Dalhoumi, Jaycelle Maula, Dennis Lizarro, Luis F. Aguirre, Nils Bouillard, Ma. Nina Regina M. Quibod, Jennifer Barros, Manfredo Alejandro Turcios-Casco, Marcio Martinez, Diego Ivan Ordonez-Mazier, Jose Alejandro Soler Orellana, Eduardo J. Ordonez-Trejo, Danny Ordonez, Ada Chornelia, Jian Mei Lu, Chen Xing, Sanjeev Baniya, Renata L. Muylaert, Leonardo Henrique Dias-Silva, Nittaya Ruadreo, Alice Catherine Hughes
Summary: This study developed a global database of bat caves and species, DarkCideS 1.0, which contains information on geographical location, ecological status, species traits, and parasites. The database is important for bat research and conservation efforts.
Article
Ecology
Danny Haelewaters, Thomas Hiller, Piotr Ceryngier, Rene Eschen, Michal Gorczak, Makenna L. Houston, Kamil Kislo, Michal Knapp, Nediljko Landeka, Walter P. Pfliegler, Peter Zach, M. Catherine Aime, Oldrich Nedved
Summary: Hesperomyces virescens, a fungal ectoparasite, has been reported on Harmonia axyridis from five continents. This study collected and screened adult Harmonia axyridis from 23 locations in seven countries in Central Europe to test the effect of host characters and climate and landscape variables on the infection probability with He. virescens. The results showed that host sex, climate, and landscape composition did not significantly affect the infection probability of He. virescens on Harmonia axyridis, while different color forms of Harmonia axyridis had varying parasite prevalence.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Samira Fatemi, Danny Haelewaters, Hector Urbina, Samuel Brown, Makenna L. Houston, M. Catherine Aime
Summary: Shifts in food microbiomes can affect the development of human pathogens, such as dangerous strains of Escherichia coli. Lettuce, which is often consumed raw, is particularly susceptible to such outbreaks. A newly described species of yeast, Sporobolomyces lactucae, has been found to be abundant in commercial romaine lettuce. It is similar in appearance to other Sporobolomyces species but can be differentiated by its ability to assimilate glucuronate and D-glucosamine. Sporobolomyces lactucae is one of the most common fungi in the lettuce microbiome.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Antonio O. Soares, Danny Haelewaters, Olga M. C. C. Ameixa, Isabel Borges, Peter M. J. Brown, Pedro Cardoso, Michiel D. de Groot, Edward W. Evans, Audrey A. Grez, Axel Hochkirch, Milada Holecova, Alois Honek, Jan Kulfan, Ana Lillebo, Zdenka Martinkova, J. P. Michaud, Oldrich Nedved, Omkar, Helen E. Roy, Swati Saxena, Apoorva Shandilya, Arnaud Sentis, Jiri Skuhrovec, Sandra Viglasova, Peter Zach, Tania Zaviezo, John E. Losey
Summary: Ladybird populations are compromised by anthropogenic threats, and there is a lack of knowledge on the conservation status and factors driving their population dynamics. Short-term actions such as citizen science programs and education are suggested for conservation and recovery, while long-term actions involve the development of a global monitoring program to fill data gaps.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Ramdan Dramani, Gerard N. Gouwakinnou, Roel D. Houdanon, Andre De Kesel, David Minter, Nourou S. Yorou
Summary: This study investigates the distribution of seven Cantharellus species in Benin to better understand their habitats. By building a model, it was found that these species are mainly distributed in the gallery forests of the Bassila and Atacora mountain ranges, influenced by factors such as soil moisture and potential evapotranspiration. According to the research results, these seven species were classified as Endangered threat category.
Review
Microbiology
Brianna Santamaria, Annemieke Verbeken, Danny Haelewaters
Summary: Fungi play important roles as decomposers, mutualists, and parasites/pathogens in natural and agricultural settings, but there is a lack of research on their interactions with invertebrates. This review aims to provide a comprehensive view of mycophagy in invertebrates by prospecting the existing literature. The search yielded 209 papers covering fungal phyla and invertebrate orders, with field-based observations originating mainly from North America and Europe. Research on invertebrate mycophagy is lacking in some important fungal phyla, invertebrate orders, and geographic regions.
Article
Zoology
Mona Awad, Radka Pialkova, Danny Haelewaters, Oldrich Nedved
Summary: This study investigated the interactions between the ectoparasitic fungus He. harmoniae, the bacteria Spiroplasma and Wolbachia, and the invasive ladybird Ha. axyridis. The results showed that infection with He. harmoniae and Spiroplasma did not affect the level of parasitism by the ectoparasitic fungus, but co-infection with both symbionts resulted in reduced fecundity and hatchability in female ladybirds.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Warre Van Caenegem, Aimee Blondelle, Iris Dumolein, Brianna Santamaria, Carl W. W. Dick, Thomas Hiller, Jingyu Liu, C. Alisha Quandt, Rosa V. Villarreal V. Saucedo, Annemieke Verbeken, Danny Haelewaters
Summary: This paper describes and illustrates five new species of Gloeandromyces associated with bat flies in tropical America. The morphological characteristics, host associations, and phylogenetic reconstruction support the placement of these taxa in the genus Gloeandromyces. The description of these new species doubles the number of known species in the genus, and a dichotomous key to all species and morphotypes is presented.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hyppolite L. Aignon, Yu-Guang Fan, Andre De Kesel, Mohammad Bahram, Martin Ryberg, Nourou S. Yorou, Shwet Kamal
Summary: In this study, we report the discovery of Inosperma macrocarpa and the first record of I. afromelliolens in West Africa. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that I. macrocarpa belongs to an Old World Tropical clade. Morphological and molecular analyses confirmed the presence of I. afromelliolens in West Africa.
Article
Mycology
Warre Van Caenegem, Piotr Ceryngier, Jerzy Romanowski, Donald H. Pfister, Danny Haelewaters
Summary: Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniomycetes) are microfungi that parasitize the exoskeleton of arthropods. Hesperomyces virescens is a complex of species found on ladybirds, with different species associated with different host genera and geographical locations. In this study, we compare Hesperomyces thalli on Hyperaspis vinciguerrae from the Canary Islands with Hesperomyces hyperaspidis on Hyperaspis sp. from Trinidad. Based on genetic analysis, we found that Hesperomyces sp. ex Hy. vinciguerrae is distinct from He. virescens s.s. and that Hesperomyces sp. ex Chilocorus bipustulatus from Algeria is different from He. virescens s.s. This suggests that host association and biogeography play a role in the speciation of Hesperomyces. We also discuss the potential use of a specific gene, MCM7, for species delimitation in Hesperomyces.
FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Sylvestre A. Badou, Brendan Furneaux, Andre De Kesel, Faheema Kalsoom Khan, Roel D. Houdanon, Martin Ryberg, Nourou S. Yorou
Summary: This study presents a new lamellate bolete genus, Paxilloboletus, represented by two tropical African species. Although closely resembling Paxillus, these new taxa form a separate generic clade within the Boletaceae phylogeny and can only be differentiated by their spore morphology.
MYCOLOGICAL PROGRESS
(2022)
Article
Mycology
Danny Haelewaters, Maarten Lubbers, Andre De Kesel
Summary: Laboulbeniomycetes is a class of fungi that have obligate associations with arthropod hosts, either for dispersal or as biotrophic parasites. This study focuses on the Herpomycetales and Laboulbeniales, presenting a One-Host-One-Parasite model for haustorial thallus-forming Laboulbeniomycetes. It discusses the importance of host specificity and microhabitat in governing host shifting, presence or absence of the fungus, abundance, effective host range, and geographic distribution. Suggestions for future research include fluorescent labeling of waxy lipids and mass spectrometry to evaluate the proposed hypothesis.
