Iman Hidayat

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.

Cystotheca tjibodensis (Erysiphaceae, Ascomycota): rediscovery in Java after 90 years and first finding of anamorph

Cystotheca tjibodensis, formerly known as Lanomyces tjibodensis (Perisporiales), is a fungus found in 1920 in Indonesia. This species, hitherto only known from its type collection, is now regarded as belonging to the Erysiphales. However, molecular data are still required to verify the taxonomic affinity. In March 2011, we rediscovered this fungus at Cibodas Botanical Garden, Java. Detailed characterizations of this tropical powdery mildew are reported in this study based on morphological and molecular examinations. The anamorph of this species that was not found in the type specimen is also reported in this study.

First report of Pseudoidium aff. neolycopersici in Indonesia

Tamarillo was found to be heavily infested with powdery mildew in Bali, February 2012. The cause of the disease, Pseudoidium aff. neolycopersici, was characterised based on the morphology and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer sequence. This is the first report of P. aff. neolycopersici on tamarillo in Indonesia.

Antibacterial compound produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain UICC B-40, an endophytic bacterium isolated from Neesia altissima

This study’s aim was to determine the identity of antibacterial compounds produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain UICC B-40 and describe the antibacterial compounds’ mechanisms of action for damaging pathogenic bacteria cells. Isolation and identification of the compounds were carried out using thin layer chromatography (TLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses. Antibacterial activity was assayed via minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the antibacterial compound mechanism was observed morphologically through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This study successfully identified the (2E,5E)-phenyltetradeca-2,5-dienoate antibacterial compound (molecular weight 300 g/mol), composed of a phenolic ester, fatty acid and long chain of aliphatic group structures. MIC values for this compound were determined at 62.5 μg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus strain ATCC 25923. The mechanism of the compound involved breaking down the bacterial cell walls through the lysis process. The (2E,5E)-phenyltetradeca-2,5-dienoate compound exhibited inhibitory activity on the growth of Gram-positive bacteria.

A SPECIES-SPECIFIC PCR ASSAY BASED ON THE INTERNAL TRANSCRIBED SPACER (ITS) REGIONS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF MYCOSPHAERELLA EUMUSAE, M. FIJIENSIS AND M. MUSICOLA ON BANANA

A study on development of a rapid PCR-based detection method based on ITS region of M. eumusae, M. fijiensis, and M. musicola on banana was carried out. The main objecive of this study was to develop a fast and species-specific PCR-based detection method for the presence of Mycosphaerella species on banana. The methods include collection of specimens, morphological identification supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis, RFLP analysis, species-specific primers development, and validation. Two species of Mycosphaerella, namely, M. fijiensis and M. musicola, and one unidentified Pseudocercospora species were found in Java Island. Three restriction enzymes used in the RFLP analysis, viz, AluI, HaeIII, and TaqI were capable to discriminate M. eumusae, M. fijiensis, and M. musicola. Two species-specific primer pairs, viz, MfijF/MfijR and MmusF/MmusR have been successfully developed to detect the presence of M. fijiensis and M. musicola, respectively. BIOTROPIA, Vol. 19. No. 1. Hal. 19-29