Andrzej Chlebicki

Anther smuts of Caryophyllaceae: molecular analyses reveal further new species.

Recent collections of Microbotryum (Pucciniomycotina, Basidiomycota) specimens inhabiting anthers of different caryophyllaceous host plants were analysed using LM and electron microscopy, as well as molecular phylogenetic analyses using rDNA (ITS and LSU) sequences. The phylogenetic relationships of caryophyllaceous anther parasites are discussed. Three new species, Microbotryum adenopetalae, M. minuartiae, and M. silenes-acaulis, are described based on morphological, ecological, and molecular characteristics. New host plants are reported for Microbotryum dianthorum (Dianthus jacquemontii and Petrorhagia saxifraga) and M. lychnidis-dioicae (Cucubalus baccifer and Silene zawadskii). For Microbotryum violaceum, a neotype is selected.

Exophiala sideris, a novel black yeast isolated from environments polluted with toxic alkyl benzenes and arsenic

A novel species of the black yeast genus Exophiala (order Chaetothyriales) is described. Strains were repeatedly obtained by enriching samples of wild berries from different plants, guano-rich soil and from oak railway ties treated with arsenic creosote under a toluene-rich atmosphere. An identical strain was encountered in a closed arsenic mine polluted by alkyl benzenes. Its potential use for purposes of bioremediation is discussed.

Timber transported to Antarctica: a potential and undesirable carrier for alien fungi and insects

Antarctica’s severe climate and its geographical isolation are the factors that hinder the arrival of non-native species by natural means. However, the movement of people and cargo associated with national scientific programs and tourism render Antarctica much more accessible to exotic organisms. Both the transport routes and carriers are varied. The wide range of uses to which timber is put means that it is readily freighted to Antarctic stations. However, it can harbor numerous alien organisms. All the timber materials transported to the “Arctowski” station for the 32nd Polish Antarctic Expedition in the 2007/2008 season were scanned as a potential vector for alien species. This study focuses on the non-lichenized fungi and insects which were found on the timber. Four species of perithecia-forming Ascomycota, five species of corticioid and polyporoid Basidiomycota, four unidentified basidiomycetes taxa in form of sterile mycelia, and two insects belonging to Cerambycidae, were detected. Most of these ‘hitch-hikers’ were connected with the untreated parts of the timber. Their enduring survival in harsh Antarctic conditions is regarded as highly improbable. Nevertheless, some ascocarps frequently contained vital spores, and live insect larvae and imago were found in hibernation. The results also emphasize that such organisms can be accidentally transported to Antarctica and that the elementary rules for the eventual safe transport of non-infected goods should be obeyed and respected.

Subfossil Fomes fomentarius from a Holocene fluvial deposit in Poland

A fossil fruit body of Fomes fomentarius was found in Holocene deposits of the Odra River in the city of Wroclaw (SW Poland). The fungus was found among early Sub-Boreal oak logs.

Variability in Diatrypella favacea in Poland

The results of a biometrical examination of Polish specimens of Diatrypella favacea on dead twigs of Acer pseudoplatanus, Carpinus betulus, Corylus avellana, Betula spp., Alnus spp., Fagus sylvatica, Frangula alnus and Populus tremula are presented. A new conidial anamorph associated with the perithecial stroma and Diatrypella favacea subsp. nespiakii subsp.nov. are described.

Galvanic microcells as control agent of indoor microorganisms

Today, fungicides are part of the basic tool kit for indoor surface maintenance. However, fungi develop resistance to fungicides, which consequently accelerates the evolution of virulence. Fungicides also carry the risk of adverse effects in humans. Galvanic microcells are a new tool for fungal control on indoor surfaces. We used two types of electrodes, Zn and Cu, with two potential anti-fungal mechanisms: the oligodynamic action of the metal ions themselves and the electricidal effect of the current between the electrodes. The size of the inhibition zone is related to the distance between the electrodes. We hypothesized that the unique geometric properties of the observed inhibition zone could be modelled using multi foci curve Cassini ovals. Moreover, the size of the inhibition zone possessed two maximum values, while the shape of the observed inhibition zones correlated with the shape of the electric field strength. The control activity of the galvanic microcells correlated with decreasing water content in building materials. Thus, this acute antifungal system works the best in damp building environments where the risk of fungal contamination is highest.

Fungi on higher plants of the upper limit of the alpine zone in Tian Shan.

Fifty-two taxa of fungi were noted in upper limit of closed vegetation in Zailijskiy Alatau Mts. (Tian Shan) in Kazakhstan. Of them only 30% were saprobic species. Six new species were described: Cyathicula brunneospora, Microbotryum adenopetalae, Pirottaea atrofusca, Protoventuria juniperina, Trichometasphaeria barriae, and Veronaea thylacospermi. A new combination, Didymosphaerella spartii with a possible Sclerostagonospora anamorph was proposed. There are some common species as well as rare ones: Cistella tianschanica, Comoclathris planispora, Didymosphaerella spartii, Lagarobasidium detriticum, Mytilinidion acicola, Pleospora primulae, Scutellinia kerguelensis var. microspora, Wettsteinina oreophila. The complete list is available on: http://www.mycotaxon.com/resources/weblists.html