fungal taxonomy – Page 7

Exploring fungal pathogens to control the plant invasive Rubus niveus on Galapagos Island San Cristobal

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Scientists in the Galapagos Islands are working to control an invasive raspberry plant (Rubus niveus) that has taken over about 30,000 hectares and is damaging native species. Rather than using costly manual removal or herbicides, researchers isolated and tested five different fungi found naturally on diseased raspberry plants to see if they could be used as biological control agents. These five fungi—including species like Colletotrichum and Fusarium—showed promise by causing leaf damage to the raspberry plant, offering hope for a more sustainable pest management solution.

Two new Periconia species (Pleosporales, Ascomycota) in China

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Scientists discovered two previously unknown fungal species from the genus Periconia in China. One species was found growing on decaying wood in a freshwater stream in Guangxi Province, while the other was isolated from dead corn leaves in Yunnan Province. Through detailed microscopic examination and genetic testing, the researchers confirmed these are distinct new species with unique characteristics that set them apart from similar known species.

Diverse, Cryptic, and Undescribed: Club and Coral Fungi in a Temperate Australian Forest

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Researchers surveyed mushroom-like fungi called club and coral fungi in a small Australian forest and used DNA testing to identify the species. They found that about 89% of the fungi they discovered were either new species or not yet recorded in scientific databases. This shows that even in a small area, there are many fungal species we have not yet discovered or properly studied.

Phylogenetic placements and cultural characteristics of Tuber species isolated from ectomycorrhizas

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Researchers successfully grew truffle fungi in the laboratory by isolating them from the roots of fir trees in Japanese forests. They identified eight different truffle species or lineages and studied how they grew on nutrient agar plates, finding that while they shared basic characteristics like white filamentous colonies, they had many differences in growth rates and hyphal structure. The study shows that collecting truffles from tree roots can be an effective way to obtain pure cultures of these fungi when fruiting bodies cannot be found.

MycoNews 2022: editorial, news, reports, awards, personalia, and book news

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Mycology is experiencing rapid growth in public awareness and scientific recognition. Popular books and films about fungi have dramatically increased interest in the field. The International Mycological Community celebrated major achievements in 2022, with prominent conferences and awards recognizing outstanding research and contributions to understanding fungi’s vital roles in nature and human health.

New entomopathogenic species in the Clavicipitaceae family (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) from the subtropical forests of Fujian, China

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Scientists discovered four new or newly recorded fungal species in the forests of Fujian, China that infect insects and could potentially be used for natural pest control. These fungi belong to a family called Clavicipitaceae and were identified using advanced genetic analysis combined with microscopic examination. The findings demonstrate that there is still much to discover about fungal diversity in Chinese subtropical forests, which could help develop more environmentally friendly pest management strategies.

Didymellaceae species associated with tea plant (Camellia sinensis) in China

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Researchers identified 25 different fungal species from the Didymellaceae family affecting tea plants across China, including 6 previously unknown species. These fungi cause leaf blight disease that damages tea crops. Tests showed that some species are more harmful than others, with Epicoccum anhuiense being the most damaging and Epicoccum puerense the least damaging to tea leaves.

Catalogue of fungi in China 1. New taxa of plant-inhabiting fungi

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Scientists in China have discovered 33 new types of fungi, including 2 entirely new genera and 18 previously unknown species. These fungi were found growing on dead wood, leaves, and plant materials across different regions of China. By combining detailed microscopic observations with DNA analysis, researchers confirmed these are genuinely new species distinct from known types. This work is part of an ongoing effort to catalog and document all the diverse fungi living in China’s varied landscapes.

Inconsistencies within the proposed framework for stabilizing fungal nomenclature risk further confusion

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Scientists who study fungi have been working to update how fungal species are named to match modern genetic understanding. A recent proposal tried to create rules for how clinical laboratories should report fungal names, but experts are concerned that the new framework has inconsistencies and may actually cause more confusion rather than clarify things. The authors of this letter point out that some fungi get special naming considerations while others don’t, and worry that allowing multiple names for the same organism contradicts years of effort to use one standard name per species.

Morphology and phylogeny reveal two new species of pestalotioid fungi associated with hawthorn in Northeast China

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Researchers discovered two previously unknown fungal species living on hawthorn trees in Northeast China. Through detailed microscopic examination and genetic analysis, they identified these as Sporocadus changchunensis and S. crataegicola. Testing showed these fungi can cause disease spots on hawthorn leaves, suggesting they may pose risks to hawthorn crops. This finding helps expand our understanding of fungal species and their role in plant health.

Research Keyword: fungal taxonomy