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Phylogeny and Morphology of Dematiaceous Freshwater Microfungi from Perú

Summary

This research explored and identified various species of fungi living in freshwater environments across different elevations in Peru. The study combined traditional methods of observing fungal structures with modern DNA analysis to better understand how these fungi are related to each other and where they can be found. The findings impact everyday life in several ways: • Helps scientists better understand biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems • Contributes to knowledge of how fungi break down plant material in water systems • Provides baseline data for monitoring environmental changes in tropical regions • Aids in discovering new species that might have practical applications • Improves our understanding of fungal distribution patterns in South America

Background

During a study of ascomycetes colonizing submerged, decomposing woody and herbaceous debris in freshwater habitats along an elevational gradient in Perú extending from the Peruvian Amazon to the Peruvian Andes (2010-2012), numerous freshwater mitosporic fungi were encountered. The study focused on one aeroaquatic hyphomycete (Cancellidium applanatum) and four species of miscellaneous mitosporic ascomycetes (Cordana abramovii, Sporoschisma saccardoi, S. juvenile, and S. uniseptatum).

Objective

The goals of this study were to: (1) describe, illustrate, and provide voucher specimens and sequences for freshwater mitosporic fungi for which pure cultures were obtained; (2) compare and contrast these fungi with morphologically similar and genetically related taxa; and (3) construct a molecular phylogeny using 28S large subunit (LSU) nrDNA to elucidate the evolutionary relationships of these fungi with other Ascomycota.

Results

The study yielded specimens of Cancellidium applanatum, Cordana abramovii, Sporoschisma juvenile, S. uniseptatum, and S. saccardoi. With the exception of S. saccardoi, these were new records for Perú. Molecular data was generated for three previously unsequenced species. The sexual morph of S. saccardoi was genetically linked to Melanochaeta hemipsila for the first time, resulting in the new combination Sporoschisma hemipsila.

Conclusion

The study expanded the known distribution of several freshwater fungi species to Perú and provided new molecular data for previously unsequenced taxa. The genetic connection between sexual and asexual morphs of Sporoschisma hemipsila was confirmed, leading to taxonomic revision. The research contributed to understanding the phylogenetic relationships and distribution of dematiaceous freshwater fungi in neotropical regions.
  • Published in:IMA Fungus,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Study,
  • Source: 10.5598/imafungus.2014.05.02.07
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