Search

Chytrids, often overshadowed by their other fungal counterparts, take center stage as we unravel the mysteries surrounding new species within Rhizophydiales and explore their unique characteristics. In the broader spectrum of chytrids, their significance lies not only in their roles as decomposers but also as key players in nutrient cycling within aquatic ecosystems as parasites and saprobes. Baited soil and aquatic samples collected from various provinces of Thailand, yielded new species of the Rhizophydiales (Chytridiomycota), some of which expanded previously single species genera. Our investigation incorporated a combination of morphological and phylogenetic approaches, enabling us to identify these isolates as distinct taxa. The novel isolates possess distinguishing features, such as variations in size and shape of the sporangium and zoospores, that somewhat differentiate them from described taxa. To confirm the novelty of the species, we employed robust phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood and bayesian methods. The results provided strong support for the presence of eight distinct lineages within the Rhizophydiales, representing our newly discovered species. Furthermore, we employed Poisson Tree Processes to infer putative species boundaries and supplement evidence for the establishment of our new Rhizophydiales species. By meticulously exploring their morphological characteristics and genetic makeup, we expand the known catalogue of fungal diversity by describing Alphamyces thailandicus, Angulomyces ubonensis, Gorgonomyces aquaticus, G. chiangraiensis, G. limnicus, Pateramyces pingflumenensis, Terramyces aquatica, and T. flumenensis and also provide valuable insights into the intricacies of this order. This newfound knowledge not only enriches our understanding of Rhizophydiales but also contributes significantly to the broader field of mycology, addressing a critical gap in the documentation of fungal species. The identification and characterization of these eight novel species mark a noteworthy stride towards a more comprehensive comprehension of fungal ecosystems and their vital role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel fungus species, Nemania hydei, isolated from Avicennia marina in Pranburi District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand is described. The samples were collected from mangrove habitats, and the fungus was isolated and characterised. Nemania species produce carbonaceous, superficial stromata that are multi-peritheciate with papillate ostioles. They are frequently isolated from decomposing angiospermous wood and are primarily considered saprophytic, although some are endophytic, while a few are pathogenic. DNA extraction was performed on pure cultures, and the ITS, LSU, RPB-2, and TUB sequence data were amplified. Molecular phylogenetic investigation revealed that the isolate formed a distinct and well-supported clade with Nemania viridis as a sister taxon. Morphological observations further demonstrated unique characteristics that distinguish N. hydei from its closest taxonomic relative. Primarily, they differ in the shape and size of ascospores, asci, and the characteristic reaction of the apical ring. Despite the existence of over 70 known species within the genus Nemania, only four species have been previously documented from mangrove ecosystems. The discovery of N. hydei contributes to knowledge of species from mangroves, expanding our understanding of the diversity within Nemania in marine habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation of freshwater fungi in Thailand resulted in the collection of one new monotypic genus, Neoxylomyces, and a novel species each in Camposporium, Brunneofusispora, Rattania, Neoxylomyces, and Phaeoacremonium. Camposporium dulciaquae resembles C. septatum in conidial morphology and number of septa but differs in conidial sizes. Brunneofusispora hyalina is similar to B. sinensis in conidiogenesis and conidial shape but differs in the sizes of conidiomata and conidiogenous cells. Rattania aquatica is the second species in Rattania, while Phaeoacremonium thailandense is the third species recorded from freshwater habitats. A new genus, Neoxylomyces, typified by N. multiseptatus, is similar to Xylomyces giganteus, but differs in the number of septa, chlamydospore measurements, and absence of a mucilaginous coating around the chlamydospores. These novel taxa form an independent lineage distinct from other species based on multi-loci phylogenetic analyses. Descriptions, illustrations, and notes are provided for each taxon. These new freshwater ascomycetes add to the increasing number of fungi known from Thailand and it is now evident that there are numerous novel taxa awaiting to be described as new freshwater habitats are explored. An update of newly discovered taxa in the widely studied freshwater habitats of Thailand over the last five years is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During studies of microfungi on para rubber in Thailand, we collected a new Coryneum species on twigs which we introduce herein as C. heveanum with support from phylogenetic analyses of LSU, ITS and TEF1 sequence data and morphological characters. Coryneum heveanum is distinct from other known taxa by its conidial measurements, number of pseudosepta and lack of a hyaline tip to the apical cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colletotrichum species are widely known as key anthracnose pathogens of several economic plants. In this study, Colletotrichum species associated with leaf anthracnose isolated from various plants in Thailand were subjected to morphological and molecular analyses. The ITS rDNA regions of these strains were sequenced and aligned with those of type strains in the genus in order to establish if they can be assigned to any known species. Strains that could not be identified were further sequenced for partial actin (ACT), β-tubulin (TUB2) and glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes and employed in a phylogenetic analysis to reveal their relationships with other closely related taxa. The multilocus sequence analysis, together with a critical examination of the phenotypic characters, revealed three new species. These are introduced as C. brevisporum, C. tropicicola and C. thailandicum and formally described, illustrated and compared with similar taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a long term study of fungi colonizing submerged wood in freshwater streams a new Annulatascus species, A. aquatorba, is described and illustrated from Erythrophleum teysmannii test blocks from Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest, southern Thailand. It differs from other species in the genus in ascospore measurements, thickness of the cell wall, 1-3-septate, fusoid to lunate shape, with central brown cells and subhyaline end cells and without a mucilaginous sheath. Asci are cylindrical, pedicellate, with a distinct, wedge-shaped and non-amyloid apical ring. Phylogenetic relationships of this species, based on the combined partial 18S and 28S rDNA, place it in the same clade as A. velatisporus (type species), A. hongkongensis and A. nilensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new Kirschsteiniothelia species are proposed in this study; both were collected on decaying wood from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces in northern Thailand. The taxa were isolated and the morphological characters are described and illustrated. ITS, LSU and SSU combined sequence analysis showed taxa of Kirschsteiniothelia separating into three lineages: (I) K. elaterascus grouped within Morosphaeriaceae (Pleosporales); (ii) K. maritima clustered with Mytilinidion spp. as a sister group in the Mytilinidiaceae clade; and (iii) the two new Kirschsteiniothelia species, which produce Dendryphiopsis anamorphs in culture, clustered with K. aethiops (the generic type) and the anamorph D. atra. The new family Kirschsteiniotheliaceae is introduced to accommodate taxa grouping with K. aethiops. K. elaterascus is transferred to Morosphaeria (Morosphaeriaceae) and a new genus Halokirschteiniothelia is introduced to accommodate K. maritima (Mytilinidiaceae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of saprotrophic microfungi associated with the palm Calamus sp. in Thai forests yielded 88 species, with 40 ascomycetes (45.5%), and 48 anamorphic taxa (54.5%) from 212 fungal collections. The most common fungi were Tetraploa sp. (14.1% of all records), Morenoina palmicola (11.8%), Circinoconis paradoxa (5.2%), Diaporthe sp. (4.7%), and Helminthosporium sp. (4.7%). The percentage of fungi occurring in dry versus damp materials were 68.5% and 31.5%, respectively, with 61% of fungi occurring on petioles and 39% on rachides. The fungi occurring on Calamus sp. are compared with those recorded on other palms in Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong and Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asexual morphs of freshwater fungi have been mostly reported from tropical and subtropical regions. From our ongoing investigation of the diversity and taxonomy of freshwater microfungi in Thailand, a country with rich natural resources and diverse ecosystems, Parafuscosporella ellipsoconidiogena sp. nov. and P. obovata sp. nov., collected from decaying submerged twigs at Phalad Waterfall in a conserved forest in Chiang Mai Zoo, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, are proposed. DNA phylogenies based on a combination of ITS and LSU datasets support the placement of these species in Parafuscosporella (Fuscosporellaceae, Fuscosporellales, Sordariomycetes), and these two novel species differ from known species in terms of morphology. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and a key to Parafuscosporella species are provided, as well as comparisons with other accepted Parafuscosporella species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogenetic relationship of the coelomycete genus Infundibulomyces with cupulate conidiomata was assessed by ribosomal DNA sequences of partial small subunit (SSU) and partial large subunit (LSU) regions using maximum parsimony and Bayesian analysis. The genus has no known teleomorph. A new species, Infundibulomyces oblongisporus, is described from collections on a senescent angiosperm leaf from Thailand based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Both Infundibulomyces species form a monophyletic group in the Chaetosphaeriaceae (Chaetosphaeriales, Sordariomycetidae) with Dictyochaeta simplex as a sister clade. Chaetosphaeriaceae with a coelomycete anamorph has not been reported previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species diversity and collection time variation of marine fungi on Nypa fruticans in Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand were investigated. Eighty-one fungal taxa were recorded between October 1997 and August 1999, with 76 new taxon records for Nypa fruticans, and 22 new taxon records (13 pyrenomycetes, 1 discomycete and 8 anamorphic fungi) for Thailand. Percentage occurrence of the nine most prevalent marine taxa ranged from 34.8 to 8.8%. Trichocladium nypae (34.8%), Linocarpon appendiculatum (34.0%), L. nypae (30.8%), Oxydothis nypae (26.8%) and Astrosphaeriella striatispora (26.4%) were the most common fungi. The study of collection time variation revealed the greatest species diversity in the dry months when rainfall ranged between 19 and 11 millimeters. Species richness in the dry and wet months was 38–40 and 29–30, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phruensis brunneispora is a new genus and species occurring on decaying trunks of the palm Licuala longecalycata in Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest, Thailand. We compare the genus with other aquatic ascomycetes with falcate septate ascospores: Pseudohalonectria and Ophioceras. Ascospores differ from species in these genera in being brown with lighter end cells. Also, the ascus pore is subapical, with a channel leading to the apex. Lollipopaia minuta differs from Phruensis brunneispora in that the ascomata are borne in a stroma, asci have an apical pore and the ascospores are hyaline. No genus was found to accommodate the new species. Molecular analysis of rDNA ribosomal 18S confirmed the exclusion of the new species from Pseudohalonectria, and Ophioceras and Lollipopaia minuta formed a sister group with it. Phruensis brunneispora and Lollipopaia minuta grouped in the Diaporthales with 100% bootstrap support. Therefore, both morphological and molecular evidence supports erecting a new genus to accommodate this taxon. A hyaline Phialophora-like anamorph was formed when single ascospores were plated out on agar. The taxon is described and illustrated with light micrographs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the topics and issues discussed at the 5th Asia Mycological Congress and 9th International Marine and Freshwater Mycology Symposium held from November 14 to 19, 2004 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Initially this symposium was concerned only with marine fungi, but it soon became apparent there was an overlap in the organisms occurring in marine and freshwater habitats, while the techniques for their study are often the same. Forty oral presentations were made at the symposium in six sessions, with four devoted to marine fungi: ecological interactions and bioactive compounds, taxonomy and phylogeny of marine fungi, biology of Stramenopiles, and mangrove fungi and their ecology.

The Chytridiomycota is a phylum of zoosporic eufungi that inhabit terrestrial, freshwater, and oceanic habitats. Within the phylum, the Rhizophydiales contains several monotypic families theorized to hold a diverse assemblage of fungi yet to be discovered and properly described. Based on morphology alone, many species in this order are difficult or impossible to identify. In this study, we isolated three chytrids from northern Thailand. Phylogenetic analyses placed the isolates in three monotypic genera within Rhizophydiales. Intrageneric genetic distances in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ranged between 1.5 and 8.5%. Angulomyces solicola sp. nov. is characterized by larger sporangia, spores, and fewer discharge papilla than A.argentinensis; Gorgonomyces thailandicus sp. nov. has larger zoospores and fewer discharge papillae in culture compared to G. haynaldii; Terramyces chiangraiensis sp. nov. produces larger sporangia than T. subangulosum. We delimited species of Angulomyces, Gorgonomyces and Terramyces using a tripartite approach that employed phylogeny, ITS genetic distances and Poisson tree processes (PTP). Results of these approaches suggest more than one species in each genus. This study contributes to the knowledge of chytrids, an understudied group in Thailand and worldwide., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In a recent study unusual taxa of epiphyllous ascomycota belonging to Chaetothyriaceae (Eurotiomycetes) were collected in northern Thailand. This family is poorly understood due to morphological confusion and lack of phylogenetic studies. This paper deals with three new species, Ceramothyrium thailandicum, Chaetothyrium brischofiacola and Phaeosaccardinula ficus, which are fully described and illustrated. A DNA sequence analyses of LSU and ITS rDNA genes shows that the new species cluster in the Chaetothyriaceae. This paper adds six sequences for Chaetothyriaceae to GenBank, providing much needed data for the family.

The poorly known marine ascomycete Manglicola guatemalensis from Trang and Trat provinces, Thailand, were collected in 2005 and 2006 on the brackish water palm Nypa fruticans. This fungus is known only from two previous collections. This paper reports on the morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny of this unique marine bitunicate ascomycete. Manglicola guatemalensis has large clavate to obtusely fusiform ascomata, wide ostioles, bitunicate asci, cylindrical, thick-walled, unequally one-septate ascospores, constricted at the septum, apical cell larger, chestnut-brown and a smaller light brown basal cell. Ascospores germinate readily, always from the basal cell. Four isolates from different locations were selected for the phylogenetic study. Regions of the rDNA gene, including SSU and LSU, were sequenced and combined. Molecular data places M. guatemalensis in the Jahnulales with high bootstrap support; all strains are monophyletic. In the combined SSU and LSU analyses the Jahnulales comprises four subclades, A, B, C and D. Subclade A comprises Jahnula species and two anamorphic fungi, Brachiosphaera tropicalis and Xylomyces chlamydosporus. In subclade B Manglicola strains form a sister group of the Aliquandostipite species Aliquandostipite crystallinus, A. khaoyaiensis, Jahnula siamensiae and Patescospora separans. Subclade C comprises Jahnula species, Jahnula aquatica, J. granulosa and J. rostrata, while Megalohypha aqua-dulces constitutes subclade D. Therefore Manglicola forms another lineage of marine fungi.

Berkleasmium crunisia sp. nov. is described from a decaying rachis of Calamus sp. (Arecaceae) from Khuan Ka Long, Satun Province, Thailand. This Berkleasmium species differs morphologically from other species in possessing subtending cells and larger conidia. The phylogenetic relationship of the genus Berkleasmium among sexual ascomycetes also was examined. Sequence analyses from 18S, 28S and ITS-5.8S rDNA were analyzed phylogenetically under maximum parsimony, Bayesian and neighbor joining criteria. Phylogenies revealed that Berkleasmium is not monophyletic. Berkleasmium micronesicum and B. nigroapicale are related to Westerdykella cylindrica and Sporormia australis, which are members of the family Sporormiaceae (Pleosporales). Other species, including our new taxon, appear to share phylogenetic affinities with other anamorphic fungi, whose classification within the Pleosporales is still obscure. Analyses of 18S, 28S, ITS (+5.8S) rDNA and combined (18S+28S) gene sequences fail to give sufficient phylogenetic resolution within the Pleosporales.