Faruk Selçuk

The Faces of Fungi database: fungal names linked with morphology, phylogeny and human impacts

Taxonomic names are key links between various databases that store information on different organisms. Several global fungal nomenclural and taxonomic databases (notably Index Fungorum, Species Fungorum and MycoBank) can be sourced to find taxonomic details about fungi, while DNA sequence data can be sourced from NCBI, EBI and UNITE databases. Although the sequence data may be linked to a name, the quality of the metadata is variable and generally there is no corresponding link to images, descriptions or herbarium material. There is generally no way to establish the accuracy of the names in these genomic databases, other than whether the submission is from a reputable source. To tackle this problem, a new database (FacesofFungi), accessible at www.facesoffungi.org (FoF) has been established. This fungal database allows deposition of taxonomic data, phenotypic details and other useful data, which will enhance our current taxonomic understanding and ultimately enable mycologists to gain better and updated insights into the current fungal classification system. In addition, the database will also allow access to comprehensive metadata including descriptions of voucher and type specimens. This database is user-friendly, providing links and easy access between taxonomic ranks, with the classification system based primarily on molecular data (from the literature and via updated web-based phylogenetic trees), and to a lesser extent on morphological data when molecular data are unavailable. In FoF species are not only linked to the closest phylogenetic representatives, but also relevant data is provided, wherever available, on various applied aspects, such as ecological, industrial, quarantine and chemical uses. The data include the three main fungal groups (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Basal fungi) and fungus-like organisms. The FoF webpage is an output funded by the Mushroom Research Foundation which is an NGO with seven directors with mycological expertise. The webpage has 76 curators, and with the help of these specialists, FoF will provide an updated natural classification of the fungi, with illustrated accounts of species linked to molecular data. The present paper introduces the FoF database to the scientific community and briefly reviews some of the problems associated with classification and identification of the main fungal groups. The structure and use of the database is then explained. We would like to invite all mycologists to contribute to these web pages.

Discovery of Thecaphora schwarzmaniana on Rheum ribes in Iran and Turkey: implications for the diversity and phylogeny of leaf smuts on rhubarbs

A leaf smut discovered on wild rhubarb Rheum ribes in Iran and Turkey is evaluated to identify the species. Based on morphological analyses using light and scanning electron microscopy and molecular phylogenetic analyses using ITS and LSU ribosomal DNA sequences, it is shown that the smut fungus belongs to Thecaphora schwarzmaniana, a rare species previously known on Rheum cordatum, R. lobatum, R. macrocarpum, and R. turkestanicum in some central Asian countries. This is the first documented case of Thecaphora schwarzmaniana on Rheum ribes and significantly expands the range of the species on the Asian continent. The ITS and LSU sequences of the Iranian and Turkish material differed from sequences of Thecaphora schwarzmaniana from Rheum palmatum from China. The re-study of the morphology of the respective specimen revealed morphological differences allowing the conclusion that Thecaphora on Rheum palmatum belongs to a distinct species. The new species is not described here due to the paucity of available material. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on ITS and LSU sequences, recovered Thecaphora on Rheum spp. in a clade including species on host plants from diverse unrelated families, indicating that multiple inter-family host jumps took place in the course of evolution of Thecaphora species. Vast similarity of ITS and LSU sequences of Thecaphora spp. on Rheum spp. point to their close relation suggesting that co-evolution could shape the diversification of Thecaphora species on Polygonaceae following an initial host jump from another host plant family.

Second record of Ramularia hypericicola - collected in Turkey on a new host.

Ramularia hypericicola, a rare anamorphic Mycosphaerella species, is reported and illustrated from Turkey on Hypericum calycinum. The Turkish collection represents the second report of this fungus, known hitherto only from the type locality.

Orman Fitosönozlarında Mikrofungusların Konsortif İlişkileri

Bu calismada mikrofunguslarin konsortif yapilari ve konukculari ile olan iliskileri hakkinda bilgi verilmistir. Ayrica, Ulkemizin kimi orman fitosonozlarinda yapilan tur teshis calismalarinin sonuclari da verilmistir. Buralarda tespit edilen mikrofunguslar konsortif acidan (indifferent, negatif, antogonistik ve pozitif) degerlendirilmistir. Orman fitosonozlarinda bulunan mikrofunguslarin teshisi ile elimizde bir tur listesi olusmaktadir. Ancak bu mikrofunguslarin konsortif iliskilerinin degerlendirilmesi, ormanlarimizin korunmasi ve devamliliginin saglanmasi bakimindan onemlidir.

Microfungi of forest ecosystems in Bartın province. I.

In this research the microfungi of Bartin forest ecosystems has been investigated. After revaluation of more than one hundred plant samples collected from the research area in September 16-17, 2012, 30 species belonging to 19 families and 26 genera of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota are determined. 26 species are belonging to Ascomycota and 4 species are belonging to Basidiomycota. 7 spesies of Ascomycota belonging to Sordariomycetes, 4 species belonging to Leotiomycetes while 15 are belonging to Dothideomycetes. All species belong to Xylotrophical and Phyllotrophical groups. 21 of 30 species are pathogens or parasites. 9 species are saprobiont. The genera Cheiromyces and Neosetophoma, C. stellatus, N. samararum, Phyllosticta ruscicola, Physalospora eriostega, Mycosphaerella winteri, Metasphaeria errabunda and Nectria wiridescens species are recorded for the first time for the Turkish Mycota