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A chemical investigation on the fruiting bodies of Fomitopsis pinicola led to the isolation and identification of 28 lanostane triterpenoids including 11 new compounds (1-11) and 17 known analogues (12-28). Their structures were elucidated by extensive one-dimensional NMR, two-dimensional NMR, and MS spectra. All isolates were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activity in vitro, and effect on glucose uptake in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Compounds 1, 4, 22, 23, and 27 inhibited the nitric oxide released from the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell assay with IC50 values in the range of 21.4-27.2 μM. Compounds 18, 22, 23, and 28 showed strong PTP1B inhibitory activity with IC50 values in the range of 20.5-29.9 μM, comparable to that of the positive control of oleanolic acid (15.0 μM). Compounds 18 and 22 were confirmed to be good competitive inhibitors of PTP1B by kinetic analysis. In addition, compounds 18, 22, and 28 were found to stimulate glucose uptake in the insulin-resistant HepG2 cells in the dose from 6.25 to 100 μM. These findings indicated the potential of F. pinicola in the development of functional food or medicine for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

For irruptive or facultative migrants in the subfamily Carduelinae, the winter finches, seasonal movements are extensive but have been poorly described in North America. We used stable hydrogen isotope measurements of feathers (δ2Hf) collected in three regions in Ontario, Canada, during the winters of 2014–15 and 2015–16 to infer potential breeding origins of four species. We also deployed color bands to better understand migratory movements within and across winters. Values of δ2Hf differed by age, sex, and capture location both within and among species. Predicted breeding origins of wintering evening grosbeaks (Coccothraustes vespertinus) and pine grosbeaks (Pinicola enucleator) were largely from northwestern North America, suggesting a predominately west–east pattern of seasonal movements. Common redpolls (Acanthis flammea) and hoary redpolls (A. hornemanni) largely originated from the High Arctic or western Canada, suggesting predominantly north–south seasonal movements. Grosbeaks were most often recaptured or re-sighted at the same capture location between winters. Recaptures and observations of color-banded redpolls only occurred within a winter and mostly at the same capture location. Our results document the first linkages between potential breeding and wintering sites for a large number of individual winter finches during two successive winters. Observed variation in breeding origins and movement patterns suggests each species employs a different migration strategy; therefore, future research and conservation efforts might be more beneficial if directed at individual species of winter finch.

This study examined biological characteristics, liquid fermentation, and cultivation of Fomitopsis pinicola. A single-factor test concluded that the optimal carbon and nitrogen sources for mycelial growth were soluble starch and yeast paste; the optimal culture temperature was 31°C, and the optimal pH was 6.0. The orthogonal experiment indicated that the optimal formula for mycelial culture was 25 g soluble starch, 2 g yeast extract, 1 g KH2PO4, and 1.5 g MgSO4 added to 1 L water. The optimal conditions for liquid fermentation culture consisted of the following: a loading volume 90 mL, inoculation volume 30 mL, and rotation speed 160 rpm. The optimal substrate formula for domestic culture was 20% corn cob, 30% sawdust, 20% wheat bran, 25% cotton seed shell, 3% corn meal, 1% gypsum, and 1% lime, which produced the highest yield of fruiting bodies. The results provided basic data for deep liquid fermentation culture and recommendations for the further development and utilization of F. pinicola.

Wood-decaying fungi tend to have characteristic substrate ranges that partly define their ecological niche. Fomitopsis pinicola is a brown rot species of Polyporales that is reported on 82 species of softwoods and 42 species of hardwoods. We analyzed gene expression levels of F. pinicola from submerged cultures with ground wood powder (sampled at 5 days) or solid wood wafers (sampled at 10 and 30 days), using aspen, pine, and spruce substrates (aspen was used only in submerged cultures). Fomitopsis pinicola expressed similar sets of wood-degrading enzymes typical of brown rot fungi across all culture conditions and time points. Nevertheless, differential gene expression was observed across all pairwise comparisons of substrates and time points. Genes exhibiting differential expression encode diverse enzymes with known or potential function in brown rot decay, including laccase, benzoquinone reductase, aryl alcohol oxidase, cytochrome P450s, and various glycoside hydrolases. Comparing transcriptomes from submerged cultures and wood wafers, we found that culture conditions had a greater impact on global expression profiles than substrate wood species. These findings highlight the need for standardization of culture conditions in studies of gene expression in wood-decaying fungi. IMPORTANCE All species of wood-decaying fungi occur on a characteristic range of substrates (host plants), which may be broad or narrow. Understanding the mechanisms that allow fungi to grow on particular substrates is important for both fungal ecology and applied uses of different feedstocks in industrial processes. We grew the wood-decaying polypore Fomitopsis pinicola on three different wood species—aspen, pine, and spruce—under various culture conditions. We found that F. pinicola is able to modify gene expression (transcription levels) across different substrate species and culture conditions. Many of the genes involved encode enzymes with known or predicted functions in wood decay. This study provides clues to how wood-decaying fungi may adjust their arsenal of decay enzymes to accommodate different host substrates.

A phylogenetic analysis of combined rDNA LSU and ITS sequence data was carried out to determine the phylogenetic placement of specimens identified as Pseudotryblidium neesii. The species forms a distinct clade within Dermateaceae (Helotiales, Leotiomycetes) with Rhizodermea veluwiensis and two Dermea species. The geographical distribution of this species, previously known only from Europe on Abies alba, is extended to north-western North America where it grows exclusively on A. grandis. The name P. neesii is lectotypified in order to disentangle the complicated nomenclature of the species. A new, detailed description of P. neesii with illustrations is provided after comparison of sequenced specimens with the type material. Furthermore, the new combination Pseudographis rufonigra (basionym Peziza rufonigra) is made for a fungus previously known as Pseudographis pinicola.

Aim. To screen macromycetes for their ability to show antagonistic activity against Mucor sp. IFBG 139 micromycete. Methods. Antagonistic activity of the representatives of 30 macromycetes against Mucor sp. IFBG 139 has been determined by the method of dual cultures. Results. The studied macromycetes showed low antagonistic activity against to the selected strain of Mucor sp. IFBG 139. The domination of unilateral antagonism of Mucor sp. IFBG 139 has been established: overgrowth of micromycete without deadlock was noted on 4 species, partial and complete overgrowth after deadlock at the mycelial contact was found on 11 species, on 9 species, respectively. Bilateral antagonism has been revealed for certain species, inhibition of macromycetes varied from 38.9 to 51.1%, and for micromycete from 54.4 to 77.7%. Mutual deadlock at the contact was observed for 5 basidiomycetes species: Crinipellis schevczenkoi, Fomitopsis pinicola (the same level of inhibition has been established), Ganoderma applanatum, Laetiporus sulphurеus, Lyophyllum shimeji) and ascomycete Ophiocordyceps sinensis. Results. The obtained data supplement information about antagonism of the studied fungi species. Maximal inhibition index of Mucor sp. IFBG 139 growth has been found with F. pinicola co-cultivation. Lentinula edodes inhibit the growth of micromycete, producing antifungal metabolites against Mucor sp. IFBG 139. These two xylotrophic basidiomycete species can be a biotechnological objects for further research in oder to study their antifungal substances and to create a potentially effective fungicidical products.

Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw. Ex Fr.) Krast has been commonly used as a health food source and antitumor agent. To uncover bioactive key composition of F. pinicola, in our study, we investigated the chemical constituents of a methanol extract of F. pinicola and thirty-five lanostane-type tritetpenoids; 13 new compounds (1-13) and twenty-two known analogues (14-35) were isolated. Among them, compounds 1-9 were C30 lanostane triterpenoids and triterpene sugar esters, while compounds 10-13 were C31 triterpenoids and triterpene sugar esters. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive 1D, 2D NMR, MS, and IR spectra. Furthermore, cytotoxic activities of all isolates against five human tumor cell lines (HL-60, A549, SMMC-7721, MCF-7, and SW480) were evaluated. The results showed that compounds 12, 14, 17, 18, 22, and 23 displayed cytotoxic effects against five human tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 3.92-28.51 μM. Meanwhile, compounds 9 and 35 exhibited selected inhibitory activities against HL-60, SMMC-7721, and MCF-7 with IC50 values in the range of 13.57-36.01 μM. Furthermore, the flow cytometry analysis revealed that compounds 17, 22, and 35 induced apoptosis in HL-60 cell lines. Their structure-activity relationships were preliminarily reported. These findings indicate the vital role of triterpenoids and their glycosides in explaining antitumor effects of F. pinicola and provide important evidence for further development and utilization of this fungus.

Introduction: Medicinal mushrooms have been used for the treatment of diseases and general promotion of health for many centuries. Recent pharmacological research into medicinal mushrooms has identified various therapeutic properties, with applications in modern medicine.Aim: To evaluate the anti-cancer activities of Fomitopsis pinicola (F. pinicola) alcoholic extract in an in vivo setting.Methods: The anti-tumour effect of the F. pinicola extract was tested in a xenograft immune-compromised Rag-1 mouse model. This was followed by RT-PCR and metabolomics analyses.Results: There were no observable differences in tumor growth between treated and non-treated groups. The bioactive components were not detected in the mouse plasma or the tumor site.Conclusions: The extract was poorly absorbed; this is likely due to the timing of treatment, dosage levels and modifications made to the extract where the alcohol-based solvent was replaced with water. This, in combination with fractionation studies which identified most anti-cancer compounds to be hydrophobic, largely explained the lack of anti-cancer activities in vivo.

An investigation was conducted to assess the ability of three species of brown-rot fungi to decolorize and transform methyl orange dye. Methyl orange was decolorized in a potato dextrose agar medium by Fomitopsis pinicola, Gloeophyllum trabeum, and Daedalea dickinsii at different concentrations of 50, 75, and 100 mg L−1. Based on the values of the decolorization index, the highest methyl orange decolorization was found approximately 91% by F. pinicola, followed by D. dickinsii and G. trabeum of 82% and 76%, respectively, at a concentration of 50 mg L−1. F. pinicola had the highest methyl orange transformation with percent decolorization values of approximately 97%, followed by D. dickinsii and G. trabeum of 93% and 67%, respectively, after a 14-day incubation period in potato dextrose broth. F. pinicola transformed methyl orange into six metabolic products: compounds 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, while G. trabeum transformed methyl orange into five metabolic products: compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Among brown-rot fungi, D. dickinsii had more metabolic products, with compounds 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. Based on the identification of metabolic products, novel bio-transformation was proposed that brown-rot fungi initially transformed methyl orange via three pathways: (1) demethylation, (2) desulfonylation, and (3) hydroxylation. This study indicated that brown-rot fungi can be used to decolorize and transform methyl orange dye as well as proposed novel bio-transformation of methyl orange by brown-rot fungi.

Two new species, Fomitopsis mounceae and F. schrenkii (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in the F. pinicola species complex in North America, are described and illustrated. Previous molecular phylogenetic analyses identified three well-delimited lineages that represent F. mounceae and F. ochracea from Canada, the Appalachian Mountains, and the northern United States and F. schrenkii from western and southwestern regions of the United States. Fomitopsis pinicola sensu stricto is restricted to Eurasia and does not occur in North America. Morphological descriptions of basidiocarps and cultures for F. mounceae, F. schrenkii, and F. ochracea are presented. The three species are readily differentiated by nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) sequence, geographic distribution, and basidiospore size. Polyporus ponderosus H. Schrenk is an earlier illegitimate synonym of F. schrenkii. Both F. mounceae and F. schrenkii have a heterothallic multiallelic incompatibility system.

Fomitopsis pinicola is a common brown-rot fungal species found in northern hemisphere. It grows on many different gymnosperm and angiosperm trees. Recent studies show that it is a species complex; three species from North America and one species from Europe have been recognized in this complex. In the current study, six new species in the Fomitopsis pinicola complex were discovered from East Asia, based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses inferred from the sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the second subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF). Detailed descriptions of the six new species are provided. Our results also indicates that species of the F. pinicola complex from East Asia usually have limited distribution areas and host specialization.

20 Pág. Centro de Investigación Forestal (CIFOR), Pine needle diseases, such as red band and brown spot needle blight, are serious pine diseases that threatens forests in many countries. Several outbreaks have been reported resulting in loss of productivity and mortality in both exotic and native plantations of Pinus spp. Symptomatology of these two diseases is quite similar and characterized by the appearance of yellowish areas/bands on hosts’ leaves that subsequently lead to the appearance of more extensive lesions and/or necrotic areas. In an attempt to understand the main causes of needle blight-like disease symptoms a study was carried in two pine stands that were apparently affected by red band and brown spot needle blights. Needles showing spots and/or bands with fruiting bodies were sampled. From 25 pine trees samples, 82 fungal isolates were successfully retrieved. The most common fungal genera were Pestalotiopsis (42.68%, n = 35), Rhizosphaera (28.04%, n = 23) and Cladosporium (9.75%, n = 8). Seven isolates could not be assigned to a species through molecular identification by ITS sequence analysis, potentially representing novel taxa. Based on multilocus phylogenetic analyses, using ITS, tub2 and tef1-α sequences, and morphological data, we propose three novel fungal species: Didymocyrtis pini sp. nov., Pestalotiopsis iberica sp. nov. and Rhizosphaera pinicola sp. nov. These species are potential active players in the symptomatology initially associated to red band and brown spot needle blight diseases. Although the pathogenicity of these fungi needs to be confirmed, this study suggests a high complexity underlying fungal species associated with these diseases which may impact disease epidemiology and management., Thanks are due to the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT/MCTES) for the financial support to CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020) and the PhD grants of Pedro Monteiro (SFRH/BD/143879/2019) and Micael Gonçalves (SFRH/BD/129020/2017). This study was also made possible through project PID2019-110459RB-I00 funded by MICINN (Spain) and FEDER (EU) budget as well as project VA208P20 funded by JCYL (Spain).

Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw. Karst) is a common bracket fungus, with a woody texture. It is found predominantly in coniferous forests in temperate regions throughout Europe and Asia. Fomitopsis pinicola has been extensively used for medicinal purposes, particularly in Chinese and Korean traditional medicine. In this mini-review, the anti-cancer characteristics of F. pinicola extracts were investigated. In vitro experiments revealed the pro-apoptotic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of extracts, whilst two of three in vivo studies reported an inhibition of tumour growth and prolonged survival. Only studies wherein fungal specimens were sourced from Europe or Asia were included in this review, as samples sourced as F. pinicola from North America were probably not F. pinicola, but a different species. Although not one of the most revered fungal species, F. pinicola has been used as a medicinal fungus for centuries, as well as consumed as a health food supplement. To date, the results from only three in vivo studies, investigating anti-cancer properties, have been published. Further studies, using comprehensively identified specimens, are required to fully elucidate the anti-cancer properties of F. pinicola extracts.

Para el bosque mesófilo de montaña en México se ha sugerido la presencia de 125 especies de aves que se encuentran en riesgo o son endémicas. Esas aves requieren ser conservadas. En un tiempo de defaunación mundial, y de reducción de estos bosques, es importante determinar qué especies de aves aún habitan en este ecosistema. Del bosque mesófilo localizado en la Sierra Madre Oriental de México no se han publicado datos recientes de campo que indiquen su presencia. En este análisis reportamos los registros de especies de aves en riesgo realizados en 2016 en cinco Áreas Importantes para la Conservación de las Aves con bosque mesófilo de montaña (Sierra Gorda, Tlanchinol, Huayacocotla, Cuetzalan y Río Metlac) ubicadas en cuatro estados de México (Querétaro, Hidalgo, Veracruz y Puebla). En total registramos 60 especies de aves (48%) de las 125, 29 son consideradas amenazadas a nivel nacional y 34 presentan algún tipo de endemismo. Seis de las especies están protegidas globalmente (Dendrortyx barbatus, Ara militaris, Contopus cooperi, Ridgwayia pinicola, Setophaga chrysoparia y Passerina ciris). Esta información puede servir como base para lograr su preservación y establecer monitoreos, estudios y acciones de conservación dirigidos a especies en las zonas de bosque mesófilo.

A moderately acidophilic actinobacterial strain, designated MMS16-CNU450T, was isolated from pine grove soil, and its taxonomic position was analysed using a polyphasic approach. The isolate showed best growth at 30 °C, pH 6 and 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the isolate was assigned to the genus Streptacidiphilus , and the closest species were Streptacidiphilus rugosus AM-16T (sequence similarity, 98.61 %), Streptacidiphilus melanogenes NBRC 103184T (98.53 %), Streptacidiphilus jiangxiensis NBRC 100920T (98.19 %) and Streptacidiphilus anmyonensis NBRC 103185T (98.05 %). The isolate formed a distinct cluster of its own within the Streptacidiphilus clade in the phylogenetic tree. Based on whole-genome comparison between the strain MMS16-CNU450T and the type strains of related species, the orthologous average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values were in the range of 77.9–87.0 and 22.3–32.7 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of the isolate was 68.6 mol%. The phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic data supported the affiliation of the strain to Streptacidiphilus , and the name Streptacidiphilus pinicola sp. nov. (type strain, MMS16-CNU450T=KCTC 49008T=JCM 32300T) is proposed accordingly.

The faunal composition of Diptera (Insecta) inhabiting the galleries of Polygraphus proximus over the territory of Siberia and the Russian Far East was studied. As a result, 14 species of Diptera were discovered representing 8 families. Within its secondary range, the invasive beetle P. proximus Blandford, 1894 is affected not only by the well-known introduced species Medetera penicillata Negrobov, 1970 but also by numerous other widespread predatory flies, such as Medetera excellens Frey, 1909, M. pinicola Kowarz, 1877, Xylophagus cinctus (De Geer, 1776), and Toxoneura ephippium (Zettersted, 1860). Four predatory fly species, M. penicillata, M. signaticornis Loew, 1857, Lonchaea bukowskii Czerny, 1934, and Xylophagus sachalinensis (Pleske, 1925), affect P. proximus within its native range in the Russian Far East. Data on the predation of each species of Diptera on several species of bark beetles testify to their polyphagy. Saprophagous larvae of Dicranomyia modesta (Meigen, 1818), Chalcosyrphus piger (Fabricius, 1794), Xylosciara lignicola (Winnertz, 1867), and Pseudolycoriella unispina (Mohrig et Krivosheina, 1983) were discovered in bark beetle galleries for the first time.

Continuation of the mycological study of the fire-damaged pine forest in Kampinos National Park in central Poland in 2017 produced interesting new findings. Among the taxa collected, 36 were new to the park, six had not been hitherto reported from Poland (Calycellina araneocincta, Ciliolarina aff. laetifica, Clitocybe metachroides, Galerina cerina f. longicystis, Parasola cuniculorum, Pleonectria pinicola), and the previous status of one taxon (Pleonectria cucurbitula) had been uncertain. Short descriptions based on collected specimens have been prepared for all taxa new to Poland. The current number of taxa of macromycetes identified in Kampinos National Park has reached 1,604.

Intraspecies genetic variability of the medicinal dikaryotic polypore mushroom Fomitopsis pinicola was analyzed by using variable internal transcribed space (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA gene cluster and the somatic compatibility test. The results revealed very low ITS sequence polymorphism among strains of F. pinicola from geographically distant origins (Russia, Finland, and France). Because of its conserved structure, the ITS region of the ribosomal DNA cluster can be proposed as a reliable molecular code for identifying and taxonomically verifying F. pinicola sensu stricto species. Four types of somatic incompatibility interactions were found in the Moscow population; 29 dikaryotic isolates revealed 27 somatically incompatible groups with an overall diversity index (HVC) of 0.782. Moderate antagonistic (somatically incompatible) interactions were predominant, with a frequency (p) of 0.56; strong antagonism with the heavily pigmented interaction zone was estimated as p = 0.35. These findings regarding the genetic diversity of natural F. pinicola isolates will assist further research and development of novel strains useful in food, medicine, and industrial applications.

Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.:Fr.) P. Karst is used in Chinese and Korean traditional medicine The study was aimed to evaluate the anticancer activity of bioactive extract of F. pinicola, mechanism of activity and to identify the bioactive molecules. Ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of F. pinicola was assayed for cytotoxicity, antitumor activity, inhibition of cancerous skin papilloma, antiangiogenesis, inhibition of cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis. Results showed significant cytotoxicity (IC50 of 100 µg/mL), inhibited tumor growth at a dose of 500 mg/kg, angiogenesis and cell cycle progression at G1 phase. HPTLC analysis of EAE showed 13 peaks indicating the chemical profile. LC-MS analysis revealed 11-α- acetoxykhivorin (RT 9.966, C14H44O12, MW 644.7095) as the major active chemical component. The results concluded that EAE of F. pinicola possessed significant antineoplastic activity. The observed anticancer activity might be assigned to the major chemical components of the extract.

Eleven species of anamorphic fungi associated with anthracnose and fruit rot symptoms of Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng. (Ban Kakrol) have been described. The associated fungi were Aspergillus niger Van Tieghem, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc., C. orbiculare (Berk. & Mont.) Arx., Corynespora cassiicola (Berk. & Curt.) Wei, Curvularia clavata Jain, Dendryphiella vinosa (Berk. & Curt.) Reisinger, Fusarium moniliforme J. Sheld., Lasidiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griff. & Maubl., Pestalotiopsis guepinii (Desm.) Stey., Penicillium digitatum Sacc. and Xylohypha pinicola D. Hawksw. Xylohypha pinicola is a new record for Bangladesh.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 23(2): 181-188, 2016 (December)

The addition effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on methyl orange (MO) biodecolorization by Fomitopsis pinicola had been investigated. P. aeruginosa was added into F. pinicola culture at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 mL (1 mL × 5.05 χ 1012 CFU). The addition of 4 ml of P. aeruginosa showed the highest MO biodecolorization approximately 99.53%, while by F. pinicola only was 77.22% in potato dextrose broth (PDB) medium for 7 days incubation. Four metabolites were detected from MO degradation by mixed cultures such as 4-(4-(dimethylimino) hydroxy-cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene) hydrazinyl) phenolate; 4-(hydroxy-4-iminio-cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene) hydrazinyl) benzene sulfonate; 4-(4-(dimethylimino) methoxy-cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene) hydrazinyl) hydroxy-benzene sulfonate; and 4-(hydroxy-4-iminio-cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene) hydrazinil) hidroxy-benzene sulfonate. The mixed cultures transformed MO via three pathways: (1) desulfonylation, (2) demethylation, and (3) hydroxylation. These results indicated that P. aeruginosa can enhance MO biodecolorization by F. pinicola.

[EN] Cylindrocarpon-like asexual morphs infect herbaceous and woody plants, mainly in agricultural scenarios, but also in forestry systems. The aim of the present study was to characterize a collection of Cylindrocarpon-like isolates recovered from the roots of a broad range of forest hosts from nurseries showing decline by morphological and molecular studies. Between 2009 and 2012, 17 forest nurseries in Spain were surveyed and a total of 103 Cylindrocarpon-like isolates were obtained. Isolates were identified based on DNA sequences of the partial gene regions histone H3 (his3). For the new species, the internal transcribed spacer and intervening 5.8S nrRNA gene (ITS) region, beta-tubulin (tub2), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tefl) were also used to determine their phylogenetic position. Twelve species belonging to the genera Cylindrodendrum, Dactylonectria, and Ilyonectria were identified from damaged roots of 15 different host genera. The species C. alicantinum, D. macrodidyma, D. novozelandica, D. pauciseptata, D. pinicola, D. torresensis, I. capensis, I. cyclaminicola, I. liriodendri, I. pseudodestructans, I. robusta, and I. rufa were identified. In addition, two Dactylonectria species (D. hispanica sp. nov. and D. valentina sp. nov.), one Ilyonectria species (I. ilicicola sp. nov.), and one Neonectria species (N. quercicola sp. nov.) are newly described. The present study demonstrates the prevalence of this fungal group associated with seedlings of diverse hosts showing decline symptoms in forest nurseries in Spain., This research was supported by funding from the Spanish project AGL2011-30438-C02-01 (Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Spain). It was also funded by Portuguese national funds through Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia grant SFRH/BPD/84508/2012 for Ana Cabral and FCT Unit funding UID/AGR/04129/2013). C. Agusti-Brisach is the holder of a 'Juan de la Cierva-Formacion' fellowship from MINECO (Spain).

International audience; Franz Xaver Fieber was a leading Hemiptera taxonomist in the 19th century. The recent discovery of his unpublished drawings that go along with the original handwritten manuscript allow a reassessment of species descriptions from this century. In addition, we present an alphabet of Fieber's handwriting. We give an overview on the Cixiidae species he had described and reassess the status of the species names Cixius brachycranus Scott, 1870, Cixius intermedius Scott, 1870, Cixius pinicola Fieber, 1876, Tachycixius venustulus (Germar, 1830) and Tachycixius distinctus (Signoret, 1865). T. venustulus and T. distinctus are regarded as valid species. The synonymy of C. pinicola with T. venustulus is invalidated and C. pinicola is placed in synonymy with T. distinctus.

Wood-decaying fungi tend to have characteristic substrate ranges that partly define their ecological niche. Fomitopsis pinicola is a brown rot species of Polyporales that is reported on 82 species of softwoods and 42 species of hardwoods. We analyzed the gene expression levels and RNA editing profiles of F. pinicola from submerged cultures with ground wood powder (sampled at 5 days) or solid wood wafers (sampled at 10 and 30 days), using aspen, pine, and spruce substrates (aspen was used only in submerged cultures). Fomitopsis pinicola expressed similar sets of wood-degrading enzymes typical of brown rot fungi across all culture conditions and time points. Nevertheless, differential gene expression and RNA editing were observed across all pairwise comparisons of substrates and time points. Genes exhibiting differential expression and RNA editing encode diverse enzymes with known or potential function in brown rot decay, including laccase, benzoquinone reductase, aryl alcohol oxidase, cytochrome P450s, and various glycoside hydrolases. There was no overlap between differentially expressed and differentially edited genes, suggesting that these may provide F. pinicola with independent mechanisms for responding to different conditions. Comparing transcriptomes from submerged cultures and wood wafers, we found that culture conditions had a greater impact on global expression profiles than substrate wood species. In contrast, the suites of genes subject to RNA editing were much less affected by culture conditions. These findings highlight the need for standardization of culture conditions in studies of gene expression in wood-decaying fungi.IMPORTANCE All species of wood-decaying fungi occur on a characteristic range of substrates (host plants), which may be broad or narrow. Understanding the mechanisms that enable fungi to grow on particular substrates is important for both fungal ecology and applied uses of different feedstocks in industrial processes. We grew the wood-decaying polypore Fomitopsis pinicola on three different wood species, aspen, pine, and spruce, under various culture conditions. We examined both gene expression (transcription levels) and RNA editing (posttranscriptional modification of RNA, which can potentially yield different proteins from the same gene). We found that F. pinicola is able to modify both gene expression and RNA editing profiles across different substrate species and culture conditions. Many of the genes involved encode enzymes with known or predicted functions in wood decay. This work provides clues to how wood-decaying fungi may adjust their arsenal of decay enzymes to accommodate different host substrates.

Basidiomycota fungi in the order Polyporales are specified to decomposition of dead wood and woody debris and thereby are crucial players in the degradation of organic matter and cycling of carbon in the forest ecosystems. Polyporales wood-decaying species comprise both white rot and brown rot fungi, based on their mode of wood decay. While the white rot fungi are able to attack and decompose all the lignocellulose biopolymers, the brown rot species mainly cause the destruction of wood polysaccharides, with minor modification of the lignin units. The biochemical mechanism of brown rot decay of wood is still unclear and has been proposed to include a combination of nonenzymatic oxidation reactions and carbohydrate-active enzymes. Therefore, a linking approach is needed to dissect the fungal brown rot processes. We studied the brown rot Polyporales species Fomitopsis pinicola by following mycelial growth and enzyme activity patterns and generating metabolites together with Fenton-promoting Fe 3+ -reducing activity for 3 months in submerged cultures supplemented with spruce wood. Enzyme activities to degrade hemicellulose, cellulose, proteins, and chitin were produced by three Finnish isolates of F. pinicola . Substantial secretion of oxalic acid and a decrease in pH were notable. Aromatic compounds and metabolites were observed to accumulate in the fungal cultures, with some metabolites having Fe 3+ -reducing activity. Thus, F. pinicola demonstrates a pattern of strong mycelial growth leading to the active production of carbohydrate- and protein-active enzymes, together with the promotion of Fenton biochemistry. Our findings point to fungal species-level “fine-tuning” and variations in the biochemical reactions leading to the brown rot type of wood decay. IMPORTANCE Fomitopsis pinicola is a common fungal species in boreal and temperate forests in the Northern Hemisphere encountered as a wood-colonizing saprotroph and tree pathogen, causing a severe brown rot type of wood degradation. However, its lignocellulose-decomposing mechanisms have remained undiscovered. Our approach was to explore both the enzymatic activities and nonenzymatic Fenton reaction-promoting activities (Fe 3+ reduction and metabolite production) by cultivating three isolates of F. pinicola in wood-supplemented cultures. Our findings on the simultaneous production of versatile enzyme activities, including those of endoglucanase, xylanase, β-glucosidase, chitinase, and acid peptidase, together with generation of low pH, accumulation of oxalic acid, and Fe 3+ -reducing metabolites, increase the variations of fungal brown rot decay mechanisms. Furthermore, these findings will aid us in revealing the wood decay proteomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic activities of this ecologically important forest fungal species.

During a survey on corticolous Dothideomycetes in Mallorca, several collections with ascomata, asci, and ascospores matching the genus Stigmatodiscus (Stigmatodiscales, Dothideomycetes) were revealed, which did not fit any described species. Therefore, these collections were cultured and sequenced, and a multigene matrix of four loci (nuc18S-ITS-28S rDNA, rpb2, tef1 and tub2) was produced. Based on the results of the phylogenetic analyses of this matrix and of morphological investigations, three new species (Stigmatodiscus labiatus, S. oculatus, and S. pinicola) are described and illustrated, Asterodiscus is synonymised with Stigmatodiscus and the new combination S. tamaricis is proposed. A key to all currently known species of Stigmatodiscus is provided.

Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst. (Fomitopsidaceae) is a medicinal mushroom with a variety of healthy properties. In this study we tested the radical scavenging activity and antimicrobial and anticancer potential of methanol extracts of F pinicola from central Italy. Molecular identification confirmed that the samples were F. pinicola; a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool search showed a close match (99% sequence identity) with European isolates of this species. The free radical scavenging capacities, measured by DPPH assay, showed that the extract activity was 3.5% that of Trolox. The MTT test, evaluated after 72 hours of treatment with increasing doses of extract (5-500 mu g.mL(-1)), considerably inhibited proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in 2 human tumor cell lines. This reduction was coupled with a relevant induction of apoptosis in the human leukemia THP-1 cell line after 24 hours of treatment, but a relevant toxic effect occurred in the human colon adenocarcinoma HT29 cell line. The genotoxic potential of the methanol extracts was studied by single-cell gel electrophoresis of normal human leukocytes exposed to 20 mu g extract at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes; no DNA damage was observed. The F. pinicola methanol extract was found to have varying degrees of antifungal effects against the pathogenic fungi tested (minimum inhibitory concentration from 23.63 to 66.81 mu g.mL(-1)). The results show that the tested F. pinicola extract has strong antimicrobial and chemo-preventive activities, but is a poor antioxidant.

Pyrrhula crassa n.sp. (FIgureS 3, 4, 5, and Supplementary fIgureS In AppendIX 2) Holotype. MCMa 2002.016: fragmentary mandIble, wIth a near Complete rIght half, wIthout proCeSSuS medIalIS mandIbulae and a fragment of the proCeSSuS CoronoIdeuS, and the left ramuS mandIbulae broken (FIgure 3 A`). ColleCted by E. TorreS, J.C. Illera, J.C. Rando, H. PIeper, O. Runze & J.A. AlCover, 20��� 24.06.2015. Type locality. Furna do CalCInhaS, Small Cave (22.5 m length, 7 m wIde, 3.5 m maXImum heIght) SItuated at 175 m a.S.l. InSIde the CaldeIra volCano, SoutheaStern portIon of Ilha da GraCIoSa, AzoreS (FIgure 1). Horizon. HoloCene. The CaldeIra volCano IS 12,000 yearS old (Fran��a et al. 2003), So the materIalS InSIde the Cave are neCeSSarIly younger. The remaInS of a Fringilla obtaIned In the Same SedImentary unIt aS the materIal of the new SpeCIeS yIelded a 14C age of 3029��31BP (1400-1190 Cal BC; RICH-21754). Status. EXtInCt. Etymology. From LatIn, crassa, thICk, referrIng to the large SIze of the SpeCIeS and partICularly to ItS notably heavy bIll. Vernacular names proposed: Greater AzoreS BullfInCh (EnglISh) ��� PrIolo maIor doS A��oreS (PortugueSe). Paratypes: MCMa 1998.016: an aSSemblage of boneS found together, probably belongIng to an aSSoCIated IndIvIdual: 2 humerI (left and rIght), left CarpometaCarpuS; 2 quadratI, rIght tIbIotarSuS, left CoraCoId; MCMa 1999.016: fragmentary mandIble; MCMa 2000.016: fragmentary mandIble; MCMa 2001.016: fragmentary mandIble; MCMa 2003.016: fragmentary premaXIlla; MCMa 2004.016: fragmentary premaXIlla; MCMa 2005.016: fragmentary premaXIlla; MCMa 2006.016: fragmentary premaXIlla; MCMa 2007.016: fragmentary premaXIlla; MCMa 2008.016: fragmentary premaXIlla; MCMa 2009.016: aSSoCIated rIght humeruS and rIght CarpometaCarpuS; MCMa 2010.016: rIght CarpometaCarpuS. All the boneS were ColleCted by E. TorreS, J.C. Illera, J.C. Rando, H. PIeper, O. Runze & J.A. AlCover, 20.��� 24.06.2015, eXCeptIng the mandIble MCMa 1999.016, ColleCted by E. TorreS, F. PereIra and J.A. AlCover, 12.09.2014. See Supplementary fIgureS S1, S2 and S3. P. crassa n.sp. P. murina P. pyrrhula P. erythaca 1:Cranium length 28.4 (1) 26.6��0.8 (10) 26.6��0.2 (4) 25.0���28.5 26.4���27 Diagnosis. Quadrate larger than In any other known SpeCIeS of Pyrrhula. The premaXIlla IS very robuSt, whIle the noStrIlS are relatIvely Smaller In relatIon to the bIll SIze than they are In P. murina or P. pyrrhula, and the proCeSSuS dorSonarIalIS IS relatIvely wIde (84% and 50% wIder than In P. pyrrhula and P. murina reSpeCtIvely). The mandIble IS muCh larger, hIgher and more robuSt than In CongenerS. The SymphySeal part of the mandIble IS hIgher than In ItS CongenerS (on average, 75.6% hIgher than In P. pyrrhula and 42% than In P. murina), whIle ItS length IS only 57% longer than In P. pyrrhula and 32% longer than In P. murina. The humeruS, CarpometaCarpuS, CoraCoId, and tIbIotarSuS are longer and more robuSt than In the other known SpeCIeS of the genuS (FIgureS 3 and 4)., Published as part of Pieper, H., Olson, Storrs L., Pereira, F. & Alcover, J. A., 2017, A new extinct species of large bullfinch (Aves: Fringillidae: Pyrrhula) from Graciosa Island (Azores, North Atlantic Ocean), pp. 567-583 in Zootaxa 4282 (3) on pages 571-574, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4282.3.9, http://zenodo.org/record/828016, {"references":["Franca, Z., Cruz, J. V., Nunes, J. C. & Forjaz, V. H. (2003) Geologia dos Acores: uma perspectiVa actual. Acoreana, 10, 11 - 140."]}

Genus Pyrrhula Brisson, 1760 The boneS deSCrIbed here are referred to Pyrrhula by the followIng CharaCterIStICS. The bIll IS CharaCterIStICally Short and wIde, the noStrIlS are large and Subquadrangular and the parS SymphySIalIS of the mandIble IS Short Compared wIth other FrIngIllIdae, SuCh aS Fringilla, Carduelis, Serinus, or Coccothraustes (e.g., Moreno 1984). In addItIon, the quadrate of Pyrrhula haS the CondyluS medIalIS relatIvely larger Compared wIth other FrIngIllIdae. The comparisons are focused on the new taxon���s closest relatives so we have not compared it with other eXtant or eXtInCt InSular large bIlled fInCheS., Published as part of Pieper, H., Olson, Storrs L., Pereira, F. & Alcover, J. A., 2017, A new extinct species of large bullfinch (Aves: Fringillidae: Pyrrhula) from Graciosa Island (Azores, North Atlantic Ocean), pp. 567-583 in Zootaxa 4282 (3) on page 570, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4282.3.9, http://zenodo.org/record/828016, {"references":["Brisson, M. J. (1760) Ornithologie, ou, Methode contenant la division des oiseaux en ordres, sections, genres, especes & leurs varietes: a laquelle on a joint une description exacte de chaque espece, avec les citations des auteurs qui en ont traite, les noms quils leur ont donnes, ceux que leur ont donnes les differentes nations, & les noms vulgaires. Fols. 1 & 3. Pyrrhula. Ad Ripam Augustinorum, apud Cl. Joannem-Baptistam Bauche, bibliopolam, ad Insigne S. GenoVesae, & S. Joannis in Deserto, Parisiis, 36 pp. & 6 pp. (pp. 308 - 314). http: // dX. doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 51902","Moreno, E. (1984) ClaVe osteologica para la identificacion de los Passeriformes ibericos. I. Aegithalidae, Remizidae, Paridae, Emberizidae, Passeridae, Fringillidae, Alaudidae. Ardeola, 32, 295 - 377."]}

In 1994 Mycoplasma gallisepticum was found to be the etiologic agent of House Finch ( Haemorhous mexicanus) conjunctivitis, a rapidly expanding epidemic caused by a genetically discrete, House Finch-associated strain of M. gallisepticum (HFMG). While most prominent in House Finches, HFMG has been reported in other members of the family Fringillidae, including American Goldfinches ( Spinus tristis), Purple Finches ( Haemorhous purpureus), Pine Grosbeaks ( Pinicola enucleator), and Evening Grosbeaks ( Coccothraustes vespertinus). Herein we report two new potential host species of HFMG strain, the Lesser Goldfinch ( Spinus psaltria), belonging to the Fringillidae family, and the Western (California) Scrub Jay ( Aphelocoma californica), belonging to the Corvidae family. The latter is one of only two reports of HFMG being found outside the Fringillidae family, and of these is the only one reported outside of captivity. Furthermore, non-HFMG M. gallisepticum was identified in an American Crow ( Corvus brachyrhynchos), indicating presence of additional strains in wild birds. Strain typing of M. gallisepticum isolates was done via HFMG-specific quantitative PCR analysis and validated using random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Our results suggested an expanded host range of HFMG strain, and further suggested that the host range of HFMG was not limited to members of the family Fringillidae.

Soil microarthropods colonize a wide range of habitats including microhabitats such as earthworm burrows, ant nests, tree trunks, moss mats and wood decaying fungi. While many of these microhabitats have been investigated intensively, the role of wood decaying fungi as a habitat and food resource for microarthropods found little attention. We investigated the density, community structure, reproductive mode and trophic structure of microarthropods, in particular oribatid mites, in the wood decaying fungus Fomitopsis pinicola (Schwarts: Fr) Karst. along an altitudinal gradient in Germany spanning from 350 m to 1160 m. Microarthropods were extracted from sporocarps, and stable isotope ratios ( 15 N/ 14 N; 13 C/ 12 C) of the fungus and the microarthropods were measured. Densities of most microarthropod taxa were highest at lower altitudes and decreased with increasing altitude. Oribatid mites were the dominant animal taxon. Their community structure gradually changed with altitude. Stable isotope ratios indicated that oribatid mite and other arthropod species occupy distinct trophic niches but most do not feed on F. pinicola . Notably, species of the same genus, e.g. Carabodes , occupied different trophic niches. Most oribatid mite species in F. pinicola reproduced sexually which is similar to the bark of trees but in contrast to the soil where most species reproduce via parthenogenesis. The findings indicate that (1) at high altitudes microarthropod density in fungal fruiting bodies is limited by low temperatures reducing animal metabolism and reproduction, and this also affects oribatid mite community structure, (2) despite the uniform habitat trophic niches of oribatid mite species differ and this also applies to morphologically similar species of the same genus, and (3) feeding on F. pinicola or associated resources facilitates the dominance of sexual reproducing species.

A flock of 100–150 Carduelis flammea (Common Redpolls) made at least 252 cavities and short tunnels in fluffy snow over 5 consecutive days in western Maine at temperatures from -26 °C to -14 °C. They produced neither structure during 4 days when temperatures were above freezing and the snow was wet, nor during a month of other variable weather. In the same area during two winters, Carduelis tristis (American Goldfinches), Carpodacus purpureus (Purple Finches), Pinicola enuncleator (Pine Grosbeaks), and Coccothraustes vespertinus (Evening Grosbeaks) exhibited no snow tunneling behavior at any time even though, excluding the Pine Grosbeaks and Goldfinches, I observed them throughout the entirety of 2 winters. Common Redpolls did not use the observed snow cavities as shelters, nor did the structures appear to be related to foraging. Social stimulation and play are likely proximate stimuli for the behavioral release of the Common Redpolls' snow-manipulating behavior.

Basidiomata of Callistosporium pinicola were collected in years 2012–2013, on strongly decayed fallen trunks of Picea abies and Abies alba on two remote sites, localized in North-eastern and southern Poland. These localities represent the first records of this fungus in Poland. A full description and illustration of C. pinicola based on Polish specimens are provided and the distinguishing features and delimitation of the species are briefly discussed. The ecology of C. pinicola, its general distribution and threat are also presented. As all specimens of C. pinicola were collected only in recent years we suggest that this species is increasing its distribution in Poland. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that, because of its cryptic nature, C. pinicola has been much overlooked in the past.

Kukwa, M., Schiefelbein, U. & Flakus, A. 2013. A contribution to the lichen family Graphidaceae (Ostropales, Ascomycota) of Bolivia. - Herzogia 26: 231–252. Carbacanthogr aphis violaceospora Kukwa & Flakus, Graphis boliviana Kukwa & Flakus and G. seawardii Flakus & Kukwa are described as new to science from Bolivia. In addition 56 corticolous and muscicolous species of Graphidaceae are reported for the first time from Bolivia, of which four, Graphis pinicola, G. urandrae, Phaeographis dendroides and P. quadrifera, are new to South America, and six, Graphis argentata, G. litoralis, G. nudaeformis, G. pittieri, G. subflexibilis and Phaeographis delicatula, are new to the Southern Hemisphere. Notes on the chemistry, habitat and general distribution are provided, with taxonomic remarks provided for some species.

Fungal extracts are extensively used as nutritional supplements in Far-Eastern Asia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-cancer activities of some different fungal species against different cancer cell lines. The water or ethanol extracts of Fomitopsis pinicola (F. pinicola), Ganoderma sinense, Fomitopsis officinalis, Polyporus melanopus, and Taiwanofungus camphorates were used to evaluate the anti-cancer activities in various cancer cells. We found that all of the fungi ethanol extracts used in this study exert anti-cancer activities in vitro, whereas water extracts show lower inhibitory activities as determined by 3-(4,5-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. Among the tested fungi species, F. pinicola ethanol extract exerts the most significant anti-cancer activity (growth inhibitory ratio 82.8%, p < 0.001) by increasing cell apoptosis. Moreover, F. pinicola ethanol extract significantly decreased tumor size (tumor growth inhibitory ratio 54%, p < 0.05) and increased the lifespan in mice bearing sarcoma-180 tumors. Taken together, this is the first study indicating the anti-tumor effect of F. pinicola in vivo and in vitro. F. pinicola ethanol extract induces cell apoptosis to exert a significant anti-tumor activity, with potential to be a new alternative anti-tumor medicine.

Bacterial endosymbionts of the pine bark adelgid, Pineus strobi (Insecta: Hemiptera: Adelgidae), were investigated using transmission electron microscopy, 16S and 23S rRNA-based phylogeny, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Two morphologically different symbionts affiliated with the Gammaproteobacteria were present in distinct bacteriocytes. One of them (“ Candidatus Annandia pinicola”) is most closely related to an endosymbiont of Adelges tsugae , suggesting that they originate from a lineage already present in ancient adelgids before the hosts diversified into the two major clades, Adelges and Pineus . The other P. strobi symbiont (“ Candidatus Hartigia pinicola”) represents a novel symbiont lineage in members of the Adelgidae. Our findings lend further support for a complex evolutionary history of the association of adelgids with a phylogenetically diverse set of bacterial symbionts.

This study contributes new knowledge on the diversity of conidial fungi in edible pine (Pinus armandii) seeds found in Yunnan Province, China and emphasizes the importance of edible seed products to ensure food safety standards. We isolated two fungal species, one on the pine seed coat and the other on the endosperm of the pine seed. The two fungal species were identified as Pestalotiopsis pinicola sp. nov. and a new host record Cladosporium anthropophilum. Characteristic morphological features of Pestalotiopsis pinicola were used alongside results from multi-gene phylogenetic analysis to distinguish it from currently known species within the genus. Cladosporium anthropophilum was identified as a new host record based on morphological features and phylogenetic analysis. In addition, detailed descriptions, scanned electron microscopy morphology, illustrations, and phylogenetic trees are provided to show the placement of these species.

The name Calocybe cerina has recently been applied for two different species of agarics. After studying collections from different European countries it is concluded that the true Calocybe cerina is very close to C. chrysenteron and best regarded as a variety. The new combination Calocybe chrysenteron var. cerina is proposed and a full description of that taxon is given. The majority of collections, identified as C. cerina, appear to belong to a fungus, provisionally described by Bon as Callistosporium luteoolivaceum fo. minor. It is described here as a new species: Callistosporium pinicola. Calocybe juncicola is another species that might be confused with the two species mentioned before and therefore a full description is provided. The status of the genera Rugosomyces and Calocybe is discussed. The new combinations Calocybe obscurata and Calocybe pudica are made.

Kukwa, M., Schiefelbein, U. & Flakus, A. 2013. A contribution to the lichen family Graphidaceae (Ostropales, Ascomycota) of Bolivia. - Herzogia 26: 231–252.Carbacanthogr aphis violaceospora Kukwa & Flakus, Graphis boliviana Kukwa & Flakus and G. seawardii Flakus & Kukwa are described as new to science from Bolivia. In addition 56 corticolous and muscicolous species of Graphidaceae are reported for the first time from Bolivia, of which four, Graphis pinicola, G. urandrae, Phaeographis dendroides and P. quadrifera, are new to South America, and six, Graphis argentata, G. litoralis, G. nudaeformis, G. pittieri, G. subflexibilis and Phaeographis delicatula, are new to the Southern Hemisphere. Notes on the chemistry, habitat and general distribution are provided, with taxonomic remarks provided for some species.

Decaying wood plays a vital role in maintaining biological diversity and ecological processes within forest ecosystems. One enhancement that may help to maintain wood-decay processes in managed forests involves the inoculation of healthy trees with fungus to create potential habitat trees to enable excavation for foraging and nesting by primary cavity nesters (i.e., woodpeckers); however, this approach has only received limited evaluation. We evaluated the inoculation of Fomitopsis pinicola into live trees in managed forests in western Washington in 1997 and 1998. In 2006, we revisited trees that were inoculated with live fungus or sterile controls, and inspected each tree for the presence of fungal growth and woodpecker activity. Of 650 trees inoculated with fungus ( n = 330) or a sterile control ( n = 320), 528 (81.2%) were alive and standing in 2006 ( n = 276 with fungus, 83.6%; n = 252 control trees, 78.8%). Trees had been lost to harvest (11.1%), blowdown (3.8%), breakage (2.9%), and had died of undetermined causes (0.9%). A higher proportion of treatment trees displayed F. pinicola conks (0.200) and mycelia (0.073; inferred to be F. pinicola ) than did control trees (0.004 conks [unknown species], 0.012 mycelia), although the difference for mycelia was marginally significant. We also found that western hemlock ( Tsuga heterophylla ) had a higher proportion of conks (0.313) and evidence of any fungal growth (conks or mycelia; 0.393) than Douglas-firs ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ; 0.064 and 0.112, respectively). Further, we observed evidence of significantly ( P = 0.010) more woodpecker excavations and sapsucker ( Sphyrapicus spp.) foraging holes associated with the fungal inoculations (6.2%) than at control trees (1.2%). Although use by woodpeckers was limited, we suggest that this finding is ecologically significant as we observed no woodpecker use, except for limited sapsucker foraging, when we inspected trees in 2002. The fungal inoculations completed 1997–1998, to some extent, were successful as F. pinicola was documented in at least 36.8% of the treated trees. In addition to F. pinicola , an ensemble of fungi and other microorganisms was established into the inoculation wounds of both control and treatment trees, suggesting that wounding of a healthy tree under the right circumstances may be sufficient to initiate this natural process in younger-aged forests as it occurs in old-growth forests.

The presence of genes encoding lignin peroxidase, laccase, and manganese peroxidase was assessed in more than 20 types of polypore fungi collected in the woods of Kirov oblast; the fungi studied had not been previously characterized with regard to ligninolytic enzyme production. Fifteen isolates of eleven basidiomycete species were shown to contain genes coding for all three ligninolytic enzymes. Genes coding for these enzymes were detected in D. mollis, D. quercina, F. pinicola, G. trabeum, G. lucidum, H. fasciculare, L. betulina, P. betulinus, P. igniarus, P. pomaceus, P. pini, and P. cinnabarinus for the first time.

The 28 Eurasian species of Xyela Dalman, 1819 are revised based on material of ca 7,500 imagines including about 10 % reared specimens. Larvae of Eurasian Xyela usually are monophagous and feed inside the staminate cones of pines (Pinus spp., Pinaceae). Based on the reared material, on identification by barcoding and on additional collection observations, the larval host associations for the Xyela species are summarized and additional biological observations are noted. An illustrated key to the species and distribution maps are presented. Eight species are described as new: X. altenhoferi Blank, sp. nov. (Croatia), X. heldreichii Blank, sp. nov. (Albania, Greece), X. koraiensis Blank & Shinohara, sp. nov. (Russia, South Korea), X. peuce Blank, sp. nov. (Bulgaria), X. pumilae Blank & Shinohara, sp. nov. (Japan), X. rasnitsyni Blank & Shinohara, sp. nov. (China, Russia, South Korea), X. sibiricae Blank, sp. nov. (Mongolia, Russia), and X. uncinatae Blank, sp. nov. (Andorra, France, Spain, Switzerland). For the other species redescriptions are given. A lectotype is designated for X. longula Dalman, 1819, and neotypes are designated for X. graeca J.P.E.F. Stein, 1876 and Pinicola julii Brébisson, 1818. The following new synonymies are proposed: X. lii Xiao, 1988, syn. nov. of X. sinicola Maa, 1947; X. nigroabscondita Haris & Gyurkovics, 2011, syn. nov. of X. lugdunensis (Berland, 1943); and X. suwonae Ryu & Lee, 1992, syn. nov. of X. ussuriensis Rasnitsyn, 1965.

DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane) is one of the pesticides that are hazardous for the environment and human health. Effective environmental-friendly treatment using co-cultures of fungi and bacteria is needed. In this study, the bacteria Bacillus subtilis at various volumes of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 mL (1 mL ≈ 6.7 × 108 CFU) were mixed into 10 mL of the brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis pinicola culture for degrading DDT during a 7-days incubation period. DDT was degraded by approximately 42% by F. pinicola during the 7-days incubation period. The addition of 10 mL of B. subtilis into F. pinicola culture showed the highest DDT degradation of approximately 86% during the 7-days incubation period. DDD (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane), DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene), and DDMU (1-chloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene) were detected as metabolic products from DDT degradation by co-cultures of F. pinicola and B. subtilis. Transformation pathway was proposed in which DDT was transformed into three pathways as follows: (1) dechlorination to DDD, (2) dehydrochlorination to DDE, and (3) formation of DDMU.

We describe three new species of minute salamanders, genus Thorius, from the Sierra Madre del Sur of Oaxaca, Mexico. Until now only a single species, T. minutissimus, has been reported from this region, although molecular data have long shown extensive genetic differentiation among geographically disjunct populations. Adult Thorius pinicola sp. nov., T. longicaudus sp. nov., and T. tlaxiacus sp. nov. are larger than T. minutissimus and possess elliptical rather than oval nostrils; T. pinicola and T. longicaudus also have longer tails. All three new species occur west of the range of T. minutissimus, which has the easternmost distribution of any member of the genus. The new species are distinguished from each other and from other named Thorius in Oaxaca by a combination of adult body size, external morphology and osteology, and by protein characters (allozymes) and differences in DNA sequences. In addition, we redescribe T. minutissimus and a related species, T. narisovalis, to further clarify the taxonomic status of Oaxacan populations and to facilitate future studies of the remaining genetically differentiated Thorius that cannot be satisfactorily assigned to any named species. Populations of all five species considered here appear to have declined dramatically over the last one or two decades and live specimens are difficult to find in nature. Thorius may be the most endangered genus of amphibians in the world. All species may go extinct before the end of this century.

In the old growth spruce-fir forest “Wilder See”, a long-term protected zone of the Black Forest National Park (Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany), the phenology of two associated polypore fungus species on Picea abies logs, Fomitopsis pinicola and the rare red-data list species Antrodiella citrinella were investigated. We combined detailed field studies and temperature-related in-vitro growth studies. Whereas perennial fruitbodies of F. pinicola developed from late spring to autumn, the annual A. citrinella fruitbodies were formed mainly in late autumn (October, November) and again in spring (April and May). Growth studies on agar media confirm that A. citrinella grows faster at lower temperatures (5-10 °C), whereas F. pinicola is clearly superior in growth rate between 15 °C and 25 °C. This indicates that A. citrinella is a generally rare, but locally common species that may have been overlooked because of its special phenology in colder periods. The “Wilder See” area in the National Park seems to be an important refuge for the species. Its existence seems to depend on high humidity, high amount of woody debris (P. abies) and the occurrence of F. pinicola. In the presence of living A. citrinella fruitbodies, fruitbodies of F. pinicola were found to be always dead. This supports earlier speculations that the relation may be parasitic.

Picea abies logs were inoculated with Resinicium bicolor, Fomitopsis pinicola or left un-inoculated and placed in an old-growth boreal forest. Mass loss and fungal community data were collected after 6 yr to test whether simplification of the fungal community via inoculation affects mass loss and fungal community development. Three techniques were used to survey communities: (1) observation of fruiting structures; (2) culturing on media; and (3) cloning and sequencing of ITS rDNA. Fruit body surveys detected the smallest number of species (18, 3.8 per log), DNA-based methods detected the most species (72, 31.7 per log), and culturing detected an intermediate number (23, 7.2 per log). Initial colonizer affected community development and inoculation with F. pinicola led to significantly greater mass loss. Relationships among fungal community composition, community richness and mass loss are complex and further work is needed to determine whether simplification of fungal communities affects carbon sequestration in forests.

Using ITS nrDNA sequence data, the Caloplaca cerina group (Teloschistaceae) is defined here as a monophyletic, but internally richly branched lineage. The group is also characterized by a combination of morphological and anatomical characters. Its internal lineages are supported by phenotypic characters in addition to ecology and distribution. Within the large C. cerina group, we have found at least 20 phylospecies in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Two species complexes do not produce any vegetative diaspores: the polyphyletic, corticolous Caloplaca cerina s. lat. (six separated cryptic or semi-cryptic species) and the monophyletic C. stillicidiorum s. lat. that grows mainly on plant debris, small shrubs and bryophytes and consists of at least four internal lineages. All lineages producing vegetative diaspores (soredia, blastidia, isidia or lobules) are phenotypically characteristic and represent fairly easily distinguishable species: C. chlorina, C. isidiigera, C. monacensis, C. subalpina, C. thracopontica, C. turkuensis and C. ulmorum. Only the North American sorediate C. pinicola possibly represents an aggregate of species. Caloplaca sterilis is described as a new species. A key to the phenotypically distinguishable species is provided.Lectotypes are designated for C. albolutea, Caloplaca cerina f. coronulata and for C. monacensis. The Australian C. hanneshertelii belongs to this group, but this and other possible species from the Southern Hemisphere are not treated here in detail. Some species traditionally placed in the C. cerina group due to their similar morphology are excluded here on the basis of our phenotype examinations and molecular data. Caloplaca albolutea, C. mydalaea and C. virescens are uncertain taxa and their identities still remain unclear.