Research Topic: Cryptic species

Hidden treasures of herbaria – even small collections contain a wealth of diversity: the powdery mildews of the North Carolina State Larry F. Grand Mycological Herbarium

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Scientists examined preserved powdery mildew samples stored in a university herbarium and discovered four previously unknown fungal species using DNA analysis. The study shows that even small museum collections contain valuable hidden biodiversity that cannot be discovered through visual examination alone. This research highlights why it is important to preserve and maintain herbarium collections rather than discard them due to space or funding constraints, as they serve as crucial resources for understanding fungal diversity and disease.

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

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Researchers surveyed fungi in a small forest area near Sydney and found that nearly 90% of the club and coral fungi they discovered were previously unknown to science. By using DNA analysis, they were able to identify cryptic species that look identical but are genetically distinct. This study demonstrates just how much fungal diversity remains undocumented even in well-studied parts of the world, highlighting the need for more comprehensive fungal surveys and database development.

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Hidden treasures of herbaria – even small collections contain a wealth of diversity: the powdery mildews of the North Carolina State Larry F. Grand Mycological Herbarium

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This study examined a collection of powdery mildew fungi preserved in a university herbarium and used DNA analysis to identify which specimens had been misidentified over the years. The researchers found that about 83% of the specimens had incorrect identifications and discovered four completely new species that look very similar to known species but are genetically distinct. The findings show that old museum collections are valuable resources for discovering hidden biodiversity and that we should preserve these collections rather than discard them.

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Infection caused by a cryptic fungal species, Blastomyces gilchristii, in a tiger

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A tiger in Tennessee became ill with a serious fungal infection caused by a lesser-known fungus called Blastomyces gilchristii. While blastomycosis is typically caused by a different fungus species, this case represents the first detection of this particular cryptic fungal species in the southeastern United States. Scientists used advanced genetic sequencing to identify the fungus when standard laboratory methods failed. This discovery suggests that this dangerous fungus is spreading to areas where it was not previously thought to exist.

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Multi-locus molecular phylogenetic analysis reveals four new species and a new record of Ophiocordyceps (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) on dipteran hosts in Thailand

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Researchers studying fungi in Thai forests discovered four previously unknown species of Ophiocordyceps that parasitise different types of flies. Using DNA analysis combined with microscopic examination, scientists confirmed these fungi are distinct species, each specialising on particular fly types like houseflies, fruit flies, and robber flies. This research expands our understanding of the remarkable diversity of fungi that naturally control insect populations, which could have implications for biological pest control.

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