Article
Evolutionary Biology
Theo Llewellyn, Reuben W. Nowell, Andre Aptroot, Marina Temina, Thomas A. K. Prescott, Timothy G. Barraclough, Ester Gaya
Summary: Fungi produce a large number of secondary metabolites that affect their interactions with other organisms and the environment. Understanding the genes involved in metabolite synthesis is important for studying fungal evolution and adaptation. By using metagenomic sequencing, researchers identified unique transporter genes in a diverse order of lichens that may explain the abundance and ubiquity of UV-protectant secondary metabolites in these lichens. The results highlight the significance of metagenomics in studying the secondary metabolism of non-model fungi like lichens.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Rundong Liu, Wonyong Kim, Jaycee Augusto Paguirigan, Min-Hye Jeong, Jae-Seoun Hur
Summary: Despite the fascinating biology of lichens, the lack of genetic tools manipulating mycobiont has hindered studies on genetic mechanisms underpinning lichen biology. By establishing an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) system for genetic transformation of a mycobiont isolated from Cladonia macilenta, researchers identified optimal ATMT conditions and found that most transformants had a single copy T-DNA insertion, highlighting the feasibility of using ATMT for genetic studies in lichens.
Article
Immunology
Hong-Min Zhou, Tolgor Bau, Jing Si
Summary: In this study, samples of the genus Pseudohydnum from North China were examined morphologically and phylogenetically. Three new species were described: Pseudohydnum abietinum, Pseudohydnum candidissimum, and Pseudohydnum sinobisporum. The characteristics, type localities, and hosts of Pseudohydnum species were listed.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Qiuxia Yang, Xiangmin Cheng, Tingting Zhang, Xinzhan Liu, Xinli Wei
Summary: This study conducted a taxonomic study on the genus Peltula from China, discovering and describing five new species and providing a key to identify Peltula species in China.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Henrique F. F. Valim, Francesco Dal Grande, Juergen Otte, Garima Singh, Dominik Merges, Imke Schmitt
Summary: Lichen-forming fungi establish stable symbioses with green algae or cyanobacteria and retain functional circadian clock mechanisms for environmental adaptation. Core circadian genes are present across the Fungi, including lichen-forming species, and show similar evolutionary trajectories. Activation of the putative frq gene in a light-dependent manner is observed in two unrelated lichen-forming fungi. These findings provide a foundation for further investigating the role of the circadian clock in lichen symbiosis, including its role in adaptation and synchronizing the symbiotic interaction.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohamed Mendili, Marwa Bannour, Maria Eduarda M. Araujo, Mark R. D. Seaward, Ayda Khadhri
Summary: The phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of four Tunisian lichen species were analyzed, revealing that they are rich sources of potentially bioactive compounds with valuable properties.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Chang-Ge Song, Yi-Fei Sun, Shun Liu, Yuan-Yuan Chen, Bao-Kai Cui
Summary: In this study, four new species of the Phellodon genus, namely P. caesius, P. henanensis, P. concentricus, and P. subgriseofuscus, were described from China based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using the ITS + nLSU gene regions and the combined sequence dataset of ITS + nLSU + nSSU + RPB1 + RPB2 gene regions. Illustrated descriptions and ecological habits of the newly described species are provided.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nathan G. Brady, Shamus L. O'Leary, Garrett C. Moormann, Manish K. Singh, John Watt, George D. Bachand
Summary: This study investigates the impact of fungal species and precursor salt on the mycosynthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. The results show that all five tested fungal species are capable of producing ZnO structures that exhibit different morphologies, including well-defined nanoparticles, coalesced/dissolving nanoparticles, and micron-sized square plates. It is also found that the preference for these morphologies varies among species, possibly due to differences in the biochemical constituents of their individual exudates. Additionally, the anion species, such as nitrate, sulfate, and chloride, has no effect on the mycosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors that control the mycosynthesis of ceramic nanoparticles and support future research for controlling their physical and chemical properties through green synthesis methods.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kaijie Shi, Zefeng Jia, Xin Zhao
Summary: This article introduces a new species and two new records of the genus Fissurina in China. The position of these species is confirmed through morphological, anatomical, chemical, and molecular studies, and detailed descriptions and photographs are provided.
Review
Mycology
Kerstin Voigt, Timothy Y. James, Paul M. Kirk, Andre L. C. M. de A. Santiago, Bruce Waldman, Gareth W. Griffith, Minjie Fu, Renate Radek, Jurgen F. H. Strassert, Christian Wurzbacher, Gustavo Henrique Jeronimo, David R. Simmons, Kensuke Seto, Eleni Gentekaki, Vedprakash G. Hurdeal, Kevin D. Hyde, Thuong T. T. Nguyen, Hyang Burm Lee
Summary: The increasing number of new fungal species described from all over the world and the use of genetics to define taxa have dramatically changed the classification system of early-diverging fungi. However, the classification and phylogeny of basal fungi are still unresolved. This article reviews the recent taxonomy of basal fungi, re-evaluates the relationships among early-diverging lineages of fungal phyla, and discusses species concepts in several fungal phyla.
Article
Mycology
Martin Kukwa, Pamela Rodriguez-Flakus, Andre Aptroot, Adam Flakus
Summary: This article describes two new species of Astrothelium, namely Astrothelium chulumanense and Astrothelium isidiatum, which are found in the Yungas forest in the Bolivian Andes. Astrothelium chulumanense is characterized by concolorous pseudostromata, partially immersed perithecia with an elevated upper portion covered in orange pigment, fused ostioles, absence of lichexanthone (but thallus UV+ orange-yellow), clear hamathecium, 8-spored asci with amyloid, and large, muriform ascospores with median septa. Astrothelium isidiatum is only known in a sterile state, producing isidia that develop in groups on areoles and resemble soralia when broken off. Both species belong to the Astrothelium s.str. according to the phylogenetic analysis. The production of isidia is reported for the first time in Astrothelium and the family Trypetheliaceae.
Article
Plant Sciences
Fei Wang, Seiya Saito, Themis J. Michailides, Chang-Lin Xiao
Summary: The study identified A. alternata and A. arborescens as the causative agents of Alternaria rot in mandarin fruit in California, with A. arborescens being reported for the first time. Pathogenicity tests confirmed the pathogenicity of both Alternaria species on mandarin fruit.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hyeunjeong Song, Ki-Tae Kim, Sook-Young Park, Gir-Won Lee, Jaeyoung Choi, Jongbum Jeon, Kyeongchae Cheong, Gobong Choi, Jae-Seoun Hur, Yong-Hwan Lee
Summary: By comparing the genomes of six lichen-forming fungi, this study reveals the reduction of dispensable genes and the acquisition of lineage-specific genes, providing insights into the symbiotic biology of lichens.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Zhiqin Wang, Yao Wang, Quanying Dong, Qi Fan, Van-Minh Dao, Hong Yu
Summary: This study reports five new species of the important fungal resource Samsoniella, providing morphological descriptions, phylogenetic placements, associated hosts, and comparisons with allied taxa. These new species were determined to be located in the clade of Samsoniella and had similar morphologies to other species in the genus.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nathan G. Brady, Shamus L. O'Leary, Garrett C. Moormann, Manish K. Singh, John Watt, George D. Bachand
Summary: In article number 2205799, George D. Bachand and co-workers discovered a species dependency in the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles, which resulted in the formation of three distinct morphologies. These morphologies may be attributed to variations in the biochemical composition of exudates, including organic acids and proteins, that regulate the nucleation and growth of nanoparticles.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bibiana Moncada, Joel A. Mercado-Diaz, Clifford W. Smith, Frank Bungartz, Emmanuel Serusiaux, H. Thorsten Lumbsch, Robert Luecking
Summary: Sticta is a subcosmopolitan genus with the greatest diversity in the tropics. Molecular phylogenetic analyses have revealed that the S. weigelii morphodeme actually represents several species, with high phenotypic and genetic variation. Two new species and one new subspecies within this morphodeme have been described, with broad distribution in the Neotropics and Hawaii. The species show differences in habitat preference and genetic diversity.
Article
Microbiology
Vinodhini Thiyagaraja, Robert Luecking, Damien Ertz, Samantha C. Karunarathna, Dhanushka N. Wanasinghe, Saisamorn Lumyong, Kevin D. Hyde
Summary: Ostropales sensu lato is a large group of fungi, including both lichenized and non-lichenized species, with optional lichenization. The order has undergone frequent taxonomic changes and is currently divided into multiple families. Stictidaceae, a family within this order, contains many poorly known species with unresolved taxonomy, and new species have been identified through genetic and morphological analyses. Ancestral character state analysis suggests that Stictidaceae likely had a saprotrophic ancestor, and frequent transitions between nutritional modes played a significant role in the evolution of this family.
Article
Ecology
Edvaneide Leandro de Lima Nascimento, Leonor Costa Maia, Marcela Eugenia da Silva Caceres, Robert Luecking
Summary: Major vegetation units in North and Northeast Brazil include Amazon, Atlantic forest, Brejos de Altitude, Caatinga, Carrasco, Cerradao and Restinga. Little is known about lichen metacommunity structure in these habitats. Different tree bark structures and climatic factors can have a filtering effect on the richness and phylogenetic structure of epiphytic lichen communities in different vegetation types.
ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Robert Lucking, M. Catherine Aime, Barbara Robbertse, Andrew N. Miller, Takayuki Aoki, Hiran A. Ariyawansa, Gianluigi Cardinali, Pedro W. Crous, Irina S. Druzhinina, David M. Geiser, David L. Hawksworth, Kevin D. Hyde, Laszlo Irinyi, Rajesh Jeewon, Peter R. Johnston, Paul M. Kirk, Elaine Malosso, Tom W. May, Wieland Meyer, Henrik R. Nilsson, Maarja Opik, Vincent Robert, Marc Stadler, Marco Thines, Duong Vu, Andrey M. Yurkov, Ning Zhang, Conrad L. Schoch
Summary: Identifying and naming microfungi, especially plant, animal, and human pathogens, remains a challenge. Molecular identification is increasingly used, and environmental metabarcoding is generating a vast amount of sequence data to document global fungal diversity. Solutions for naming taxa known only from sequences are proposed based on bacterial taxonomy methods.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Diego Simijaca, Robert Lucking, Bibiana Moncada
Summary: Two new species of the tropical crustose lichen genus Astrothelium were discovered, characterized by muriform, amyloid ascospores. One species has an olive-green thallus while the other has a light brownish to greenish grey thallus, both producing solitary ascomata with unique features.
Article
Plant Sciences
Robert Luecking, Bibiana Moncada, Todd J. Widhelm, H. Thorsten Lumbsch, Dan J. Blanchon, Peter J. De Lange
Summary: This study assessed the status of two morphodemes in the genus Sticta from New Zealand, indicating that they represent two separate lineages instead of discrete morphodemes of a single species. Through quantitative analysis and molecular data, the study provided evidence for this conclusion. Further experiments and methods were proposed to further evaluate this situation.
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Antoine Simon, Bernard Goffinet, Li-Song Wang, Toby Spribille, Trevor Goward, Tatiana Pystina, Natalia Semenova, Nikolay V. Stepanov, Bibiana Moncada, Robert Luecking, Nicolas Magain, Emmanuel Serusiaux
Summary: The genus Dendriscosticta includes several unique lichen-forming fungal species primarily found in old-growth forests in the Northern Hemisphere. A global phylogeny of the genus revealed a high level of cryptic speciation with two main clades identified, the D. wrightii clade with five species and the D. praetextata clade with eight potential species. The study also proposed three new combinations and increased the species diversity within the genus from four to nine.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amanda Barreto Xavier-Leite, Marcela Eugenia da Silva Caceres, Andre Aptroot, Bibiana Moncada, Robert Lucking, Bruno Tomio Goto
Summary: This study presents a broad molecular-phylogenetic revision of the lichenized family Gomphillaceae, based on newly generated sequences. The study identified new genus-level clades and found that the characteristic asexual anamorph called hypho-phores is diagnostic for many of the recognized clades.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Mycology
Andrus Voitk, Irja Saar, Bibiana Moncada, Edgar B. Lickey
Summary: Molecular studies in Newfoundland and Labrador have identified four clades of sphagnicolous arrhenias, including three obligate clades and one facultative clade. A critical nomenclatural review resulted in the identification of five suitable names for this group. This study provides new sequences for these clades and describes each species.
MYCOLOGICAL PROGRESS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Manuela Dal Forno, James D. Lawrey, Bibiana Moncada, Frank Bungartz, Martin Grube, Eric Schuettpelz, Robert Luecking
Summary: The large number of lichen specimens collected worldwide and deposited in herbaria offer the potential for assessing species boundaries and diversity. This study demonstrates the successful use of high-throughput sequencing to overcome the limitations of DNA fragmentation in historical collections. The integration of molecular and phenotypic approaches provides a comprehensive understanding of diversity in lichenized Basidiomycota.
Article
Plant Sciences
Robert Luecking, Bibiana Moncada, Manuela Dal Forno
Summary: This study presents a novel identification tool that combines molecular and morphological data to identify species. The tool can rapidly and accurately identify a large number of samples, providing alternative identifications and their corresponding support values.
Article
Mycology
Andrus Voitk, Irja Saar, Robert Luecking, Pierre-Arthur Moreau, Gilles Corriol, Irmgard Krisai-Greilhuber, R. Greg Thorn, Chris R. J. Hay, Bibiana Moncada, Gro Gulden
Summary: The molecular genetic study of the Arrhenia acerosa complex using the ITS fungal barcoding marker identified unexpected diversity and new species, adding valuable information to fungal diversity in locations such as Canadian prairies and European wetlands. The study revealed the complexity of the complex in terms of geographic distribution, habitat preference, and morphological characteristics, particularly the presence of unique brown omphalinoid species.
Review
Plant Sciences
Robert Luecking
Summary: Peter D. Crittenden served as the senior editor of The Lichenologist from 2000 to 2019, overseeing significant editorial changes and increasing the journal's impact factor. The 1197 papers published during his tenure matched the total number of papers published by the three previous editors combined, suggesting his impactful contributions to the field of lichenological research.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bibiana Moncada, Clifford W. Smith, Robert Luecking
Summary: The taxonomy of Sticta in Hawaii was reevaluated based on molecular phylogeny. Thirteen taxa were classified, including 12 species and one subspecies previously identified in a phylogenetic analysis. The implications of revised species taxonomies on other research fields and an environmental health monitoring protocol for Hawaiian ecosystems using Sticta lichens were discussed.
