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Fungal communities on decaying culms of a bamboo host (Phyllostachys bambusoides) from freshwater and adjacent terrestrial habitats were identified. Collections were made at Xiao Bai Long Mountain, Yiliang, Yunnan, China in the winter and summer. In each collection, 100 similar-sized bamboo culms were collected, comprising 50 submerged samples from a stream and 50 terrestrial samples from adjacent riparian vegetation. A total of 82 fungal taxa were recorded from the samples, including 30 ascomycetes and 52 anamorphic fungi. The frequency of occurrence of these fungi were recorded and the Shannon-Weiner indices (H') were applied to evaluate fungal diversity. The results showed that variation of the fungal diversity between the summer and winter collections was insignificant (0.2 < p < 0.5). Fungal diversity on submerged bamboo however, was significantly higher than that on terrestrial bamboo (p < 0.001). Further findings were that: (1) some commonly recorded freshwater and terrestrial taxa were found in both habitats, but overall there were only 15 overlapping species between the two habitats; (2) the dominant species in each habitat were considerably different, and (3) only a few fungi were dominant, while most species were rare, being recorded only once or twice. Factors responsible for the distribution patterns and variations in composition of the fungal communities are discussed.

The work reported here investigated the fungal community inhabiting western redcedar fence material with a focus on species colonizing wood below the surface, of which little is known. From seven pieces of fence material, twenty-three different fungal species were isolated and characterized using both traditional morphology and molecular identification methods. The species identified included thirteen ascomycetous and ten basidiomycetous fungi. Isolates were tested for their resistance to beta-thujaplicin - one of the principle fungicidal agents of western redcedar heartwood extractives. Generally, ascomycetous fungi exhibited greater resistance to beta-thujaplicin than basidiomycetous fungi. Interestingly, three ascomycetous and two basidiomycetous species frequently isolated had high tolerance to this compound. These species could be candidate 'pioneer' species that invade and detoxify western redcedar extractives, paving the way for colonization by decay fungi.

Fungi isolated from soil in Timna Park (Israel) were found to belong to a new species of Exserohilum for which the name Erserohilum israeli sp. nov. is proposed. The main physiological properties of members of this species are discussed and the influence of temperature and copper concentrations on the growth and morphology of the fungus were investigated.

A single strain representative of an undescribed Trichosporon species, was recovered from soil. The cell wall of the strain corresponds in structure to cell walls of the ascomycetous yeasts. On the ground of X-ray inactivation data the strain is assumed to be diploid. A description of the new species is given.