Rui-Lin Zhao

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.

Fungal diversity notes 1–110: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal species

This paper is a compilation of notes on 110 fungal taxa, including one new family, 10 new genera, and 76 new species, representing a wide taxonomic and geographic range. The new family, Paradictyoarthriniaceae is introduced based on its distinct lineage in Dothideomycetes and its unique morphology. The family is sister to Biatriosporaceae and Roussoellaceae. The new genera are Allophaeosphaeria (Phaeosphaeriaceae), Amphibambusa (Amphisphaeriaceae), Brunneomycosphaerella (Capnodiales genera incertae cedis), Chaetocapnodium (Capnodiaceae), Flammeascoma (Anteagloniaceae), Multiseptospora (Pleosporales genera incertae cedis), Neogaeumannomyces (Magnaporthaceae), Palmiascoma (Bambusicolaceae), Paralecia (Squamarinaceae) and Sarimanas (Melanommataceae). The newly described species are the Ascomycota Aliquandostipite manochii, Allophaeosphaeria dactylidis, A. muriformia, Alternaria cesenica, Amphibambusa bambusicola, Amphisphaeria sorbi, Annulohypoxylon thailandicum, Atrotorquata spartii, Brunneomycosphaerella laburni, Byssosphaeria musae, Camarosporium aborescentis, C. aureum, C. frutexensis, Chaetocapnodium siamensis, Chaetothyrium agathis, Colletotrichum sedi, Conicomyces pseudotransvaalensis, Cytospora berberidis, C. sibiraeae, Diaporthe thunbergiicola, Diatrype palmicola, Dictyosporium aquaticum, D. meiosporum, D. thailandicum, Didymella cirsii, Dinemasporium nelloi, Flammeascoma bambusae, Kalmusia italica, K. spartii, Keissleriella sparticola, Lauriomyces synnematicus, Leptosphaeria ebuli, Lophiostoma pseudodictyosporium, L. ravennicum, Lophiotrema eburnoides, Montagnula graminicola, Multiseptospora thailandica, Myrothecium macrosporum, Natantispora unipolaris, Neogaeumannomyces bambusicola, Neosetophoma clematidis, N. italica, Oxydothis atypica, Palmiascoma gregariascomum, Paraconiothyrium nelloi, P. thysanolaenae, Paradictyoarthrinium tectonicola, Paralecia pratorum, Paraphaeosphaeria spartii, Pestalotiopsis digitalis, P. dracontomelon, P. italiana, Phaeoisaria pseudoclematidis, Phragmocapnias philippinensis, Pseudocamarosporium cotinae, Pseudocercospora tamarindi, Pseudotrichia rubriostiolata, P. thailandica, Psiloglonium multiseptatum, Saagaromyces mangrovei, Sarimanas pseudofluviatile, S. shirakamiense, Tothia spartii, Trichomerium siamensis, Wojnowicia dactylidicola, W. dactylidis and W. lonicerae. The Basidiomycota Agaricus flavicentrus, A. hanthanaensis, A. parvibicolor, A. sodalis, Cantharellus luteostipitatus, Lactarius atrobrunneus, L. politus, Phylloporia dependens and Russula cortinarioides are also introduced. Epitypifications or reference specimens are designated for Hapalocystis berkeleyi, Meliola tamarindi, Pallidocercospora acaciigena, Phaeosphaeria musae, Plenodomus agnitus, Psiloglonium colihuae, P. sasicola and Zasmidium musae while notes and/or new sequence data are provided for Annulohypoxylon leptascum, A. nitens, A. stygium, Biscogniauxia marginata, Fasciatispora nypae, Hypoxylon fendleri, H. monticulosum, Leptosphaeria doliolum, Microsphaeropsis olivacea, Neomicrothyrium, Paraleptosphaeria nitschkei, Phoma medicaginis and Saccotheciaceae. A full description of each species is provided with light micrographs (or drawings). Molecular data is provided for 90 taxa and used to generate phylogenetic trees to establish a natural classification for species.

Major clades in tropical Agaricus

Agaricus (Basidiomycota) is a genus of saprobic fungi that includes edible cultivated species such as Agaricus bisporus, the button mushroom. There has been considerable ecological, nutritional and medicinal interest in the genus, yet the extent of its diversity remains poorly known, particularly in subtropical and tropical areas. Classification of tropical species has for a large part followed the classification of temperate species. The objective of our study was to examine to what extent this system of classification is appropriate for tropical Agaricus species. Species from temperate sections were therefore compared to the major clades of tropical species using a phylogenetic approach. ITS1 + 2 sequence data from 128 species were used in the phylogenetic analysis. Specimens included four species of genera closely related to Agaricus, 38 temperate species representing the eight classical sections of the genus, and 86 putative species of Agaricus from tropical areas of Africa, Asia and the Americas. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses produced relatively congruent trees and almost identical clades. Our data show that (i) only about one-third of tropical species belong to the classical sections based on temperate species; the systematics of the genus therefore needs to be expanded; (ii) among the remaining two-thirds of tropical species, those from the Americas and those from Africa and/or Asia group in distinct clades, suggesting that secondary diversification occurred in these two areas; (iii) in contrast, several clades of classical sections contain American and African + Asian species along with temperate species. In this study, we used approximately 50 distinct species from a small area of northern Thailand, most probably being novel species. This diversity indicates that Agaricus is a species-rich genus in the tropics as well as in temperate regions. The number of species and the hypothetical paleotropical origin of the genus are discussed.

Bambusicola, a New Genus from Bamboo with Asexual and Sexual Morphs

Abstract Bambusicola, gen. nov., is introduced for four new saprobic taxa from culms of bamboos in northern Thailand. One species, chosen as the generic type, has both sexual and asexual morphs, one species has the sexual morph only and two species have the asexual morph only. The four new species, Bambusicola massarinia, B. bambusae, B. irregulispora and B. splendida are illustrated and described. Isolates of each species were sequenced using LSU, SSU and ITS genes and phylogenetic analysis shows the genus to be a distinct clade in the suborder “Massarineae”. Morphological differences between Bambusicola and some related genera are noted. Bambusicola is characterized by small, cone-shaped ascomata, slightly broad and fusiform ascospores and a coelomycete asexual morph with light brown conidia. Bambusicola clusters in Trematosphaeriaceae, but the closeness of this relationship cannot be resolved.

Towards standardizing taxonomic ranks using divergence times – a case study for reconstruction of the Agaricus taxonomic system

The recognition of taxonomic ranks in the Linnean classification system is largely arbitrary. Some authors have proposed the use of divergence time as a universally standardized criterion. Agaricus (Agaricaceae, Agaricales) is a mushroom genus that contains many species of high commercial value. Recent studies using ITS sequence data discovered 11 new phylogenetic lineages within the genus, however their taxonomic ranks were uncertain due to the lack of criteria to define them within traditional taxonomy. In this study, we analyzed ITS sequence data from 745 collections (nearly 600 being newly generated) including 86 from type specimens of previously recognized subgenera and sections. Many monophyletic groups were recognized, but most basal relationships were unresolved. One hundred and fourteen representatives of the identified ITS clades were selected in order to produce a multi-gene phylogeny based on combined LSU, tef-1α, and rpb2 sequence data. Divergence times within the multi-gene phylogeny were estimated using BEAST v1.8. Based on phylogenetic relationships and with respect to morphology, we propose a revised taxonomic system for Agaricus that considers divergence time as a standardized criterion for establishing taxonomic ranks. We propose to segregate Agaricus into five subgenera and 20 sections. Subgenus Pseudochitonia is substantially emended; circumscription of the subgenera Agaricus and Flavoagaricus is restricted to taxa of sections Agaricus and Arvenses, respectively; and two new subgenera (Minores and Spissicaules) are introduced. Within Pseudochitonia, sections Bivelares, Brunneopicti, Chitonioides, Nigrobrunnescentes, Sanguinolenti and Xanthodermatei are maintained, but the latter two are reduced because we raise subsection Bohusia to sectional rank and a clade within section Xanthodermatei is formally introduced as section Hondenses; and sections Rubricosi, Crassispori, Flocculenti, and Amoeni are introduced. Section Laeticolores is placed in the subgenus Minores and sections Rarolentes and Subrutilescentes are placed in the subgenus Spissicaules. Twenty-two new species belonging to various sections are described. This work exemplifies that ITS data, while useful at lower taxonomic levels (i.e., detection of species and species groups), are of limited value for inferring deeper phylogenetic relationships. Finally, we suggest that the establishment of a standardized taxonomic system based on divergence times could result in a more objective, and biologically more meaningful, taxonomic ranking of fungi.

A monograph of Micropsalliota in Northern Thailand based on morphological and molecular data

Using a combination of morphological and molecular data, the genus Micropsalliota is shown to represent a monophyletic lineage in the Agaricaceae sister to Hymenagaricus. Features that distinguish the genus from Agaricus and allied genera include usually small, gracile basidiomes with a membranous partial veil, dextrinoid basidiospores with an apically thickened endosporium and lack of a germ pore, capitate or subcapitate, conspicuous cheilocystidia, and incrusted pileipellis hyphae that turn green in ammonia solution. We provide a monographic treatment of 23 taxa of Micropsalliota from Northern Thailand, of which 13 taxa represent new distribution reports for Thailand and 10 represent new taxa, including M. allantoidea, M. bifida, M. furfuracea, M. lateritia var. vinaceipes, M. megarubescens, M. megaspora, M. pusillissima, M. rubrobrunnescens var. rubrobrunnescens, M. rubrobrunnescens var. tibiicystis, and M. suthepensis. Included in this monograph are comprehensive descriptions, illustrations of micromorphological features, photographs of basidiomes, comparisons with allied species, phylogenetic trees inferring relationships amongst Thai species based on nrITS and nrLSU sequence datasets, and a key to aid in diagnosis.

Pustulomyces gen. nov. Accommodated in Diaporthaceae, Diaporthales, as Revealed by Morphology and Molecular Analyses

Abstract A new coelomycetous genus, Pustulomyces, inhabiting decaying bamboo, is introduced based on morpho-molecular studies. Pustulomyces is characterized by immersed, pustule-like, acervular conidiomata, with dark ostiolar necks, enteroblastic, phialidic conidiogenous cells with a small collarette and fusiform, sigmoid, aseptate, guttulate conidia. In morphology it is similar with Bambusicola (Bambusicolaceae), but maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses of the combined LSU and TEF-1 alpha sequence data set shows Pustulomyces belongs in Diaporthaceae, Diaporthales. The new fungus is compared with other morphologically and phylogenetically similar genera.

Three new species of Lentinus from northern Thailand

There have been few studies on the taxonomy and biodiversity of the genus Lentinus in Thailand, which is a genus of edible mushrooms. Recently, collections from 17 sites in northern Thailand yielded 47 specimens of Lentinus sensu lato. Three were shown to be new species of Lentinus sensu stricto and Lentinus roseus, L. concentricus and L. megacystidiatus are introduced in this paper. The new species are described and illustrated with line drawings and are justified and compared with similar taxa. Furthermore, ITS sequence data do not match closely with any species presently lodged in GenBank.

Vamsapriya (Xylariaceae) re-described, with two new species and molecular sequence data

Abstract Vamsapriya comprises two species from bamboo and is characterized by erect, rigid, dark brown, synnematous conidiophores, monotretic conidiogenous cells and brown to dark brown, septate, conidia in chains. Vamsapriya indica, the generic type of Vamsapriya, was recollected and isolated from bamboo culms in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand and is described, illustrated and epitypified in this paper. Two new species in the genus were also discovered and are introduced as V. khunkonensis and V. bambusicola. The new species differs from the type and the other known species, V. mahabaleshwarensis, in the shape and size of the conidia. Maximum-parsimony (MP) analysis of combined LSU, SSU and RPB2 sequence data and Bayesian analysis based on multi-gene data set of betatubulin, ITS, LSU, and RPB2 show Vamsapriya belongs in Xylariaceae, Xylariales.

Morphological and molecular characterization of three Agaricus species from tropical Asia (Pakistan, Thailand) reveals a new group in section Xanthodermatei.

The genus Agaricus is known for its medicinal and edible species but also includes toxic species that belong to section Xanthodermatei. Previous phylogenetic reconstruction for temperate species, based on sequence data of nuc rRNA gene (rDNA) internal transcribed spacers (ITS), has revealed two major groups in this section and a possible third lineage for A. pseudopratensis. Recent research in Agaricus has shown that classifications need improving with the addition of tropical taxa. In this study we add new tropical collections to section Xanthodermatei. We describe three species from collections made in Pakistan and Thailand and include them in a larger analysis using all available ITS data for section Xanthodermatei. Agaricus bisporiticus sp. nov. and A. fuscopunctatus sp. nov. are introduced based on molecular and morphological studies, whereas A. microvolvatulus is recorded for the first time in Asia. Specimens from Thailand however have a much larger pileus than the type specimens from Congo. In maximum likelihood (ML) and maximum parsimony (MP) phylogenetic analyses these three species cluster with A. pseudopratensis from the Mediterranean area and A. murinocephalus recently described from Thailand. In Agaricus section Xanthodermatei this new group is monophyletic and receives low bootstrap support whereas the two previously known groups receive strong support. Within the new group, the most closely related species share some traits, but we did not find any unifying morphological character; however the five species of the group share a unique short nucleotide sequence. Two putatively toxic species of section Xanthodermatei are now recognized in Pakistan and six in Thailand.