Fungal biology最新文献

{"title":"The characteristics of metabolites accumulation and their connections with endophytic fungi in roots and stems of Ephedra sinica with different cultivation ages","authors":"Shan-Shan Wang ,&nbsp;Xin Ji ,&nbsp;Jun-Hong Wang ,&nbsp;Yuan-Peng Hao ,&nbsp;Jin-Long Cui","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101731","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101731","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The lack of understanding regarding how endophytic fungi affect the accumulation of metabolites has hindered the comprehension of the influencing factors on the accumulation of active components in <em>E. sinica</em>. This study investigates the accumulation characteristics of secondary metabolites, the composition and succession patterns of endophytic fungi, and their correlations in the roots or stems of <em>E. sinica</em> with five different growth years. The results showed that the accumulations of some special compounds such as ephedrine A-D and flavonol in the roots, as well as the content of methylephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and flavonoid compounds in the stems exhibited unique variations depending on the duration of cultivation. The composition and structure of endophytic fungi in roots or stems also undergo regular succession over time, and the fungal composition and diversity of stems were more complex and higher than those of roots. Significant or highly significant correlations were observed between the accumulation of most compounds and specific fungi. <em>Aporospora</em> was a key genus influencing numerous metabolites. Specifically, root alkaloids showed significant or highly significant negative correlations with fungi including <em>A. gracilis</em>, Pleosporales sp., and <em>Zopfiella</em> sp., whereas <em>A. gracilis</em> was positively correlated with flavonoids. In the stems, phenylpropyl alkaloids were significantly correlated with thirteen fungi, among which <em>Aporospora</em> sp. was highly significant negative correlation with ephedrine and highly significant negative correlation with pseudoephedrine. These results contribute to a better understanding of the factors associated with metabolite accumulation in <em>E. sinica</em> and provide an empirical evidence for improving its quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"130 2","pages":"Article 101731"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146170500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The pandemic strain of the myrtle rust pathogen, Austropuccinia psidii, hosts multiple mycoviruses","authors":"Donald M. Gardiner ,&nbsp;Stephen J. Fletcher ,&nbsp;Rosalie Sabburg ,&nbsp;Andrew D.W. Geering ,&nbsp;Grant R. Smith ,&nbsp;Madhuja Palaparambil Appukkuttan ,&nbsp;Mu Sheen Chang ,&nbsp;Thaís R. Boufleur ,&nbsp;Chris A. Brosnan ,&nbsp;Anne Sawyer","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101730","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101730","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Myrtle rust, caused by the fungus <em>Austropuccinia psidii</em>, is an invasive disease that has a centre of origin in South America and currently threatens native environments and forestry on nearly all continents. A better understanding of the pathogen and disease process is required to develop new strategies to address the threat posed by <em>A. psidii</em> to a broad range of Myrtaceous plants. To gain a better understanding of this multi-host obligate pathogen we investigated if the pandemic strain of the fungus hosted mycoviruses. We identified at least eight different mycoviruses that included double stranded RNA (dsRNA) and positive sense single stranded RNA (ssRNA) viruses. We demonstrated that the RNA interference pathways of <em>A. psidii</em> are active, but ineffective in suppressing the presence of these viruses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"130 2","pages":"Article 101730"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146170501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Kordyana brasiliensis on the invasive weed Tradescantia fluminensis: ability of conidia to infect and the effect of temperature and wetness period on basidiospore germination","authors":"Isabel Zeil-Rolfe ,&nbsp;Ben Gooden ,&nbsp;Louise Morin ,&nbsp;Gavin C. Hunter ,&nbsp;Celeste C. Linde","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101729","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101729","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Kordyana brasiliensis</em> is a pathogenic biotrophic fungus native to Brazil. It was deliberately released in New Zealand and Australia for the biological control of the invasive environmental weed <em>Tradescantia fluminensis</em>. The fungus produces two different spore types, basidiospores and asexual conidia, but the infection ability of conidia and the microclimatic variables that influence basidiospore germination processes are unknown. Results of controlled environment trials showed that conidia produced on either solid or liquid media were able to cause leaf lesions on <em>T. fluminensis</em> plants, but not when applied at the lowest suspension density tested (1 × 10⁴ conidia/ml) or when conidia were harvested from young (&lt;7 days) cultures. The successful infection of <em>T. fluminensis</em> plants inoculated with conidia (derived from a single basidiospore culture) and subsequent development of sexual structures in lesions indicate that <em>K. brasiliensis</em> is homothallic. The mechanism of infection, however, remains unclear because penetration of the host by thin hyphae produced by conidia on leaf surfaces was not observed in the samples examined by light microscopy. The influence of temperature and wetness period on basidiospore germination processes <em>in vitro</em> was investigated in a second set of experiments. Basidiospore germination and germ-tube elongation were significantly influenced by the interaction of both temperature and wetness period duration (optimal germination at 15–25 °C and germ-tube elongation at 20–22.5 °C). Extended wetness periods buffered the effects of suboptimal temperatures on basidiospore germination until the maximum threshold temperature of 30 °C was reached. Conidia formed on sterigmata-like outgrowths on basidiospore germ-tubes after exposure to extended wetness periods (&gt;18 h) and a relatively broad temperature range (15–25 °C). The potential role of conidia in the life cycle of the fungus is discussed. This is the first study of a <em>Kordyana</em> species to demonstrate the ability of conidia to cause infection on its host and investigate the influence of microclimate variables on basidiospore germination processes. Results of this study can be used as a basis for future research to examine the life cycle, mating system genetic basis and epidemiology of <em>K. brasiliensis</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"130 2","pages":"Article 101729"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146024038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Native Trichoderma strains from Brazilian biomes exhibit dual activity: biocontrol of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and growth promotion in common bean","authors":"Clarice Rossato Marchetti ,&nbsp;Carlos Eduardo Weirich ,&nbsp;Arthur Ladeira Macedo ,&nbsp;Leonardo França do Nascimento ,&nbsp;Paulo Victor Rocha Silva ,&nbsp;José Cirano Ulhoa ,&nbsp;Fabyano Álvares Carloso Lopes ,&nbsp;Denise Brentan da Silva ,&nbsp;Maria Rita Marques ,&nbsp;Edson dos Anjos dos Santos","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101733","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101733","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biological control using fungi of the <em>Trichoderma</em> genus has been gaining increasing prominence as a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides, particularly due to its ability to suppress phytopathogens and promote plant growth. While the beneficial role of <em>Trichoderma</em> species is well established, research involving native strains from Brazilian biomes remains limited. The present work comprised the investigation of 55 isolates of <em>Trichoderma</em> spp., isolated from the soil or endophytic from the plant species natives to the Pantanal and Cerrado of Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil), regarding their capacity to inhibit the growth and spread of the phytopathogen <em>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</em> (Lib.) de Bary. The results from confrontation assays (15.74–30.04 % growth of <em>S. sclerotiorum</em>), paired plate cultures (5.76–39.53 % growth of <em>S. sclerotiorum</em>), and cell wall-degrading enzyme (CWDEs) activity assays–whose activities ranged from 8.791 to 197.593 U mg⁻¹ for glucanase, 0.059–333.864 U mg⁻¹ for NAGase, 0.082–37.110 U mg⁻¹ for acid phosphatase, 1.234–45.716 U mg⁻¹ for chitinase, and 3.261–304.807 U mg⁻¹ for protease—were used to select <em>Trichoderma</em> spp. Five strains were selected: <em>Trichoderma</em> sp. T24, <em>Trichoderma zelobreve</em> T26, <em>Trichoderma longibrachiatum</em> T44, <em>T. zelobreve</em> T53, and <em>Trichoderma</em> sp. T55. Except for strain T44, all other strains demonstrated effectiveness in biological control of <em>S. sclerotiorum</em> (disease severity index ≤25 %) and plant growth promotion in <em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em> L. cultivation (vigor index ≥268). The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by five <em>Trichoderma</em> spp. strains post-exposure to <em>S. sclerotiorum</em> were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) were identified, among these VOCs with known antifungal activity, such as β-cedrene (6), β-funebrene (7), and α-acoradiene (12). <em>Trichoderma</em> sp. T24, <em>T. zelobreve</em> T53, and <em>Trichoderma</em> sp. T55 have potential as biocontrol agents against <em>S. sclerotiorum</em> and as biostimulants, increasing plant growth and development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"130 2","pages":"Article 101733"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146074454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enzyme and biosurfactant production as strategy for bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate degradation by Fusarium culmorum: Metabolic pathway proposal using quantum chemical investigation","authors":"Brenda Hernández-Sánchez ,&nbsp;Ericka Santacruz-Juárez ,&nbsp;Francisco Figueroa-Martínez ,&nbsp;Manuel González-Pérez ,&nbsp;Angel González-Márquez ,&nbsp;Dolores Castañeda-Antonio ,&nbsp;Roberto Portillo-Reyes ,&nbsp;Gustavo Viniegra-González ,&nbsp;Carmen Sánchez","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101719","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101719","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is a globally used plastic additive that can exhibit toxic effects on environmental and human health. In this study, <em>Fusarium culmorum</em> was grown on BEHP (3000 mg/L), used as a sole carbon source, in liquid fermentation. A glucose medium was used as a control. Growth kinetics, protein content, and esterase activity were determined. BEHP biodegradation compounds were detected through GC–MS, and a metabolic pathway was proposed using quantum chemical modeling to predict the stability of the generated products. <em>F. culmorum</em> had a μ value 1.6-fold more in the control medium (0.032 h⁻¹) than in the BEHP-supplemented medium (0.02 h⁻¹). The maximum volumetric esterase activity was 63-fold more in the BEHP-supplemented cultures (6007.5 U/L) than that in the control cultures (95.7 U/L). Five (28.4, 34.5, 47.9, 84, and 178.2 kDa approx.) and two (33 and 49.5 kDa approx.) esterase isoenzymes were detected in BEHP-supplemented and in the control cultures, respectively, indicating that the BEHP supplementation significantly induced esterase production. The GC–MS revealed that <em>F. culmorum</em> degraded BEHP and synthesized compounds, including oleic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, and palmitoleic acid, that can be converted into natural surfactants, which make the substrate bioavailable (through micelles formation) for uptake and metabolism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study suggesting a microorganism-mediated degradation of a plasticizer (i.e. phthalate ester) associated with a concomitant natural surfactant production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"130 2","pages":"Article 101719"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145975326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In silico structural and functional characterization of the Yap1 transcription factor in fungi of the Tuber genus: a study approach on the mechanisms of response to oxidative stress","authors":"B. Ranocchi,&nbsp;A. Pennesi,&nbsp;E. Baglieri,&nbsp;A. Amicucci","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101716","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101716","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Tuber</em> genus includes hypogeous ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, widely recognized as truffles. Truffles spend much of their life in a vegetative form in the soil, a crucial phase to ensure the growth and the accomplishment of their life cycle. Adverse events to which they may be subjected, <em>i.e.,</em> rise in temperature, drought, and biotic stress factors, can influence the levels of oxidative stress, increasing the production of free radicals.</div><div>It is known that both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have evolved various primary antioxidant defenses to protect themselves from oxidative damage. In some eukaryotes, transcription factors are activated to regulate the genes responsible for producing enzymes and proteins necessary to reduce ROS levels. In yeasts the Yap1 protein is a key modulator of oxidative stress response.</div><div>In this study, we used an <em>in silico</em> approach to characterize the Yap1 transcription factor in fungi of the <em>Tuber</em> genus, using <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em> as the main reference model. The phylogenetic analysis based on the Yap1 protein sequences from 24 fungal species showed clustering consistent with their taxonomic relationships, including those observed within <em>Tuber</em> genus.</div><div>The amino acid alignment revealed the conservation within the <em>Tuber</em> species of cysteine-rich domains (nCRD and cCRD) and motifs potentially involved in redox regulation. Finally, by <em>silico</em> investigation of Yap1 possible protein interactions and three-dimensional structure in <em>Tuber melanosporum</em>, it was possible to provide further elements to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the functionality of Yap1 and the response mechanism to oxidative stress modulated by it in fungi of the <em>Tuber</em> genus.</div><div>The evidence obtained represents an essential starting point for understanding a complex process that can strongly influence the biological cycle of the truffle and compromise its fruiting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"130 2","pages":"Article 101716"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145915105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Culturable fungal diversity and description of four novel taxa from allochthonous wood in Portuguese marine and estuarine environments","authors":"Alberto C. Abreu,&nbsp;Micael F.M. Gonçalves,&nbsp;Ana C. Esteves,&nbsp;Artur Alves","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101718","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101718","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lignicolous marine fungi are adapted to colonize wood in marine and estuarine environments, where their lignocellulolytic activity plays a key role in nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. Despite their ecological importance, the diversity and distribution of these species remain underexplored.</div><div>To assess the diversity, abundance, and distribution of lignicolous fungi, we sampled driftwood and wooden pillars from several Portuguese coastal and estuarine habitats, as well as submerged wood blocks in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. Isolates were molecularly typed using microsatellite-primed PCR and identified by ITS sequencing. When necessary, morphological data and specific genetic markers were used for species identification: beta-tubulin (<em>tub2</em>), translation elongation factor 1 alpha (<em>tef1-α</em>), large ribosomal subunit (28S), calmodulin (<em>cal</em>), histone (<em>H3</em>) or RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (<em>rpb2</em>).</div><div>From the 412 isolates recovered, 53 fungal genera were identified, with <em>Fusarium</em>, <em>Penicillium</em>, and <em>Alternaria</em> being the most frequent.</div><div>We show that the composition of fungal communities varied depending on the substrate and habitat. Marine obligate taxa were primarily associated with submerged wood and marine driftwood, whereas samples collected from brackish environments contained a higher diversity of marine-tolerant fungi. Driftwood samples exhibited the highest genus richness but low evenness, establishing them as a hotspot for fungal diversity. In contrast, submerged wood supported a high number of marine-exclusive taxa, including members of the family <em>Lulworthiaceae</em>. The noteworthy co-occurrence of fast-growing fungi with marine genera suggests a progression from pioneer to intermediate colonizers.</div><div>For the first time, the presence of <em>Diplodia</em> and <em>Neofusicoccum</em> species in marine environments is described. Additionally, <em>F. maritimus</em> gen. et sp. nov. represents the first known <em>Gelatinosdiscaceae</em> fungus from a marine environment.</div><div>Three novel species and one novel genus: <em>Cylindrodendrum marii</em> sp. nov., <em>Fusarium limianum</em> sp. nov., <em>Phaeosphaeria salina</em> sp. nov., and <em>Fluctus maritimus</em> gen. et sp. nov. are described and proposed.</div><div>This study reveals a high taxonomic diversity of lignicolous marine fungi, including novel taxa and previously unreported genera, highlighting their pivotal role in the ecological complexity of wood-associated communities in marine ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"130 2","pages":"Article 101718"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145975325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Niche partitioning of Colletotrichum species in mango anthracnose: Contrasting roles of Colletotrichum siamense in leaves and Colletotrichum asianum in fruits","authors":"Liumi Meng ,&nbsp;Mengze Gao ,&nbsp;Gaolei Bai ,&nbsp;Jing Gao ,&nbsp;Shizi Zhang ,&nbsp;Ren Chu ,&nbsp;Lingyan Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101734","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2026.101734","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mango (<em>Mangifera indica</em>), an economically important tropical fruit crop, is severely constrained in production by anthracnose disease. To investigate the diversity of causal pathogens and their infection patterns, systematic field surveys were conducted across six major mango-producing regions during 2024–2025. A total of 379 pathogenic isolates were obtained from both orchard leaves and postharvest fruits exhibiting anthracnose symptoms. Based on integrated morphological and multilocus phylogenetic analyses, incorporating the <em>Internal Transcribed Spacer</em> (<em>ITS</em>), <em>Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase</em> (<em>GAPDH</em>), <em>Beta-Tubulin</em> (<em>TUB2</em>), <em>Glutamine Synthetase</em> (<em>GS</em>), and <em>Calmodulin</em> (<em>CAL</em>) gene regions, six <em>Colletotrichum</em> species were identified: <em>C</em><em>olletotrichum</em> <em>asianum</em>, <em>C</em><em>olletotrichum</em> <em>siamense</em>, <em>Colletotrichum</em> <em>fructicola</em>, <em>Colletotrichum tropicale</em>, <em>C</em><em>olletotrichum</em> <em>camelliae</em>, and <em>Colletotrichum karstii</em>. Among these, <em>C</em><em>. siamense</em> was the predominant species infecting orchard leaves, whereas <em>C. asianum</em> dominated in postharvest fruits. Notably, <em>C. camelliae</em> was reported for the first time worldwide as a pathogen of mango anthracnose. Cross-pathogenicity assays further revealed distinct tissue specialization: <em>C. siamense</em> exhibited higher infectivity in leaves, while <em>C. asianum</em> showed stronger pathogenicity in fruits. Population genetic analysis also indicated significant differentiation between <em>C. siamense</em> from leaves and <em>C. asianum</em> from fruits. Together, these results offer valuable insights for developing targeted strategies to manage anthracnose in both pre- and post-harvest stages.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"130 2","pages":"Article 101734"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146170499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diversification and spatio-temporal evolution of Cladoniaceae (Lecanorales, Ascomycota), a widespread family of lichen-forming fungi","authors":"Raquel Pino-Bodas ,&nbsp;Teuvo Ahti ,&nbsp;Soili Stenroos ,&nbsp;Isabel Sanmartín","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101710","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101710","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The lichen-forming fungi family <em>Cladoniaceae</em> has a great ecological relevance and forms the most important group of terricolous lichens. They make up a significant element of the vegetation of numerous biomes, such as boreal forests, the tundras, and the páramos of South America. Within <em>Cladoniaceae</em>, <em>Cladonia</em> is the most diverse genus, distributed in all continents. Here, we explore the role played by dispersal and ecological opportunity in the diversification and geographic expansion of <em>Cladonia</em> and allies within <em>Cladoniaceae</em>. We estimated lineage divergence times based on a robust multilocus phylogeny (five loci and 47 % species diversity), using Bayesian relaxed clocks calibrated with secondary age estimates derived from a more inclusive fossil-calibrated analysis. Biogeographic events and ancestral ranges were estimated using the Dispersal-Extinction-Cladogenesis (DEC) model implemented in a Bayesian framework in RevBayes. Our divergence time estimates suggest that the family <em>Cladoniaceae</em> originated in the Upper Cretaceous. <em>Cladonia</em> started diversifying around the Early Eocene, coincident with a global rise in world temperatures, though most major <em>Cladonia</em> lineages diverged during the Miocene. A biogeographical analysis of <em>Cladonia</em> lends support to the hypothesis of land dispersal between the Palearctic and Nearctic regions through the Bering land bridges in the Middle Miocene and Pliocene. Stepping-stone dispersal across the Wallace's line facilitated migration from Palearctic to Oceania during the Middle Miocene. Colonizations from South America to Africa and from Africa to Australasia in the Miocene likely took place via long-distance dispersal events. High relative extinction rates were estimated through <em>Cladonia</em> early diversification, between 50 and 30 Myr, with an increase in the diversification rate around 19 Myr, congruent with the Middle Miocene climatic optimum. The current distribution of <em>Cladonia</em> is likely the result of both long-distance, overwater dispersal events and land colonization through land bridges. Our results suggest that geological and paleoclimatic events played a major role in <em>Cladonia</em> diversification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"130 1","pages":"Article 101710"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Scytalidium-like indoor fungus revealing polyphyletic relationships and convergent evolution in Scytalidium","authors":"De-Wei Li ,&nbsp;Ethan Paine ,&nbsp;Neil P. Schultes","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101691","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101691","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A <em>Scytalidium</em>-like fungus was isolated from a dust sample collected indoors in the USA. Partial DNA sequences for the genomic regions of the 5.8S nuclear ribosomal DNA and flanking internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α (<em>tef1</em>), the β-tubulin (<em>tub2</em>) and the DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (<em>rpb2</em>) genes were determined. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the indoor <em>Scytalidium</em>-like fungus is closely related to <em>Scytalidium flavobrunneum,</em> yet neither fungus is phylogenetically related to the generic type species, <em>Scytalidium lignicola</em>. Further analyses revealed that members of <em>Scytalidium</em> are polyphyletic belonging to eight orders: <em>Amphisphaeriales</em>, <em>Coryneliales</em>, <em>Helotiales</em>, <em>Hypocreales</em>, <em>Mycosphaerellales</em>, <em>Pleosporales</em>, <em>Sordariales</em>, <em>Xylariales</em>; seven subclasses: <em>Coryneliomycetidae</em>, <em>Dothideomycetidae</em>, <em>Hypocreomycetidae</em>, <em>Leotiomycetidae</em>, <em>Pleosporomycetidae</em>, <em>Sordariomycetidae</em>, <em>Xylariomycetidae</em> and four classes: <em>Eurotiomycetes</em>, <em>Dothideomycetes</em>, <em>Leotiomycetes</em>, and <em>Sordariomycetes</em>. <em>Scytalidium</em> s.s. belongs to <em>Helotiales</em>. The indoor fungus has dimorphic anamorphs and belongs to <em>Monochaetia</em>, <em>Amphisphaeriales</em> using sequences of five loci (ITS, LSU, <em>tub2</em>, <em>tef1</em> and <em>rpb2</em>). Species of <em>Scytalidium</em> belonging to other orders are combined in their respective genera based on phylogenetic analyses using ITS and LSU. In our opinion, the polyphyletic nature of <em>Scytalidium</em>-like fungi shared morphological characteristics is the result of convergent evolution. At the same time, three new species, <em>Scytalidium ruthenicum</em> D.W. Li &amp; N.P. Schultes, <em>Monochaetia domiciliana</em> D.W. Li &amp; N.P. Schultes and <em>Monochaetia arboricola</em> D.W. Li &amp; N.P. Schultes, were described and illustrated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"130 1","pages":"Article 101691"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145584254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}