fungal systematics – mycolab.ai

MycoNews 2023: Editorial, news, reports, awards, personalia, and book news

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This report highlights major developments in mycology during 2023, featuring updates from international fungal research conferences held around the world. It covers new awards recognizing fungal research including innovative uses of fungi for environmental cleanup and sustainable energy storage. The report also discusses emerging therapeutic uses of psilocybin-containing mushrooms for treating depression and anxiety, and emphasizes the importance of international gatherings for mycologists to share discoveries and collaborate.

Holarctic Species in the Pluteus podospileus Clade: Description of Six New Species and Reassessment of Old Names

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Scientists have discovered and formally identified six new species of mushrooms in the Pluteus podospileus group that was previously thought to be a single variable species across the Northern Hemisphere. Using DNA analysis combined with traditional microscopic examination, researchers found that what was once considered one widespread species is actually multiple distinct species with different geographic distributions in Europe, Asia, and North America. The study also resurrected an old, forgotten species name and clarified the relationships between various populations of these small brown mushrooms that grow on decaying wood in forests.

Fungal evolution: diversity, taxonomy and phylogeny of the Fungi

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Fungi are found everywhere on Earth and play critical roles in breaking down organic matter, supporting plant growth, and providing food and medicines. Scientists have recently reorganized how fungi are classified into nine major groups using genetic analysis, which has helped clarify evolutionary relationships that were previously unclear. This comprehensive review explains what distinguishes each fungal group, how they are related to each other evolutionarily, and why fungi deserve more attention in biology education given their importance to human life and global ecosystems.

Nomenclatural review of names published in the fungal genus Dermoloma (Basidiomycota, Agaricales, Tricholomataceae) based on morphological analyses of type specimens

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Scientists have carefully re-examined nine fungal specimens from the genus Dermoloma that serve as the reference standards for naming these mushroom species. Using detailed microscopic analysis, they found that some specimens previously classified as Dermoloma actually belong to different genera, while others represent distinct species. This work helps clarify the true identity of Dermoloma mushrooms and provides a stable foundation for accurately naming new species discovered in the future.

20 years of bibliometric data illustrates a lack of concordance between journal impact factor and fungal species discovery in systematic mycology

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This study analyzed 20 years of data on how many new fungal species were discovered in different scientific journals. The researchers found that journals with high impact factors (which are often considered more prestigious) did not discover more new fungal species than journals with low or no impact factors. In fact, many important new fungal discoveries were published in less prestigious journals. This suggests that using impact factor as the main way to evaluate mycologists’ research quality is misleading and that hiring committees and funding agencies should look at actual research contributions instead.

The genus Thaxterogaster (Cortinariaceae): phylogeny and species diversity in Western China

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This study describes the diversity of Thaxterogaster mushrooms in Western China, a region with varied habitats ranging from tropical to temperate climates. Researchers identified eight new mushroom species and one species new to China using DNA analysis and microscopic examination. The study provides detailed descriptions and identification keys to help scientists and mycologists recognize these fungi in the field and understand their evolutionary relationships.

The polyphasic approach reveals two new species and two new records of Nigrospora (Apiosporaceae, Amphisphaeriales) associated with Aquilaria sinensis from China

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Researchers discovered two previously unknown species of Nigrospora fungi (N. guangxiensis and N. pubeiensis) living inside agarwood tree leaves in southern China. These fungi, along with two other known species, were identified using a combination of microscopic examination and DNA analysis. The findings expand our understanding of fungal diversity in agarwood trees, which are valuable medicinal plants, and may have practical applications for the agarwood production industry.

Additions to Macgarvieomyces in Iran: Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Six New Species

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Scientists discovered six new species of fungi in Iran that cause leaf spots on common wetland plants. By examining the fungi under microscopes and analyzing their genetic material, researchers were able to identify these previously unknown species and describe their characteristics. This discovery significantly increases our understanding of fungal diversity in Iran and shows how combining traditional observation with modern genetic analysis helps identify new organisms. These findings provide important information for future ecological and evolutionary studies of these fungi.

Research Keyword: fungal systematics