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Onygenales from marine sediments: diversity, novel taxa, global distribution, and adaptability to the marine environment

Summary

Researchers discovered 22 different species of fungi living in marine sediments off the coast of Spain, including 6 previously unknown species. These fungi have special adaptations allowing them to survive in salty seawater and break down complex organic materials. The findings expand our understanding of fungal life in ocean environments and reveal how these organisms contribute to marine nutrient cycles.

Background

The Onygenales are a versatile group of fungi primarily inhabiting soils and degrading cellulose and/or keratin. While some are known human pathogens, others exhibit osmotolerance or colonize chitin-rich substrates. The marine environment, characterized by 3.5% salinity and chitin as the dominant polysaccharide, represents an intriguing but poorly studied niche for these fungi.

Objective

This study investigated the culturable diversity of Onygenales in marine sediments collected along the Catalan coast, explored their global biogeography using the GlobalFungi database, and assessed their adaptability to marine conditions through osmotolerance and substrate degradation assays.

Results

The study recovered 32 strains representing 22 species across multiple genera in Gymnoascaceae, Malbrancheaceae, Onygenaceae, and Neoarthropsidaceae. Six novel species were identified including a new genus Deilomyces minimus and four new Malbranchea species. All strains degraded cellulose, and most tolerated up to 10% NaCl, with only four species also degrading chitin qualifying as facultative marine fungi.

Conclusion

This work demonstrates great diversity of onygenalean fungi in marine sediments and underscores their metabolic adaptability to marine conditions through cellulolytic, chitinolytic, and halotolerance capabilities.
  • Published in:IMA Fungus,
  • Study Type:Descriptive/Taxonomic Study,
  • Source: 10.3897/imafungus.16.158470, PMID: 41001231
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