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Morphological revision and phylogenetic analysis based on nITS and nLSU of specimens previously considered to be a species related to Fulvifomes robiniae from South America revealed a new species of Fulvifomes, i.e. Fulvifomes wrightii. It grows on Libidibia paraguariensis, a Fabaceae distributed in the Chaco Region. The new species is characterised by a perennial, ungulate basidioma with a rimose pileal surface, 6-7 pores per mm, a homogenous context, indistinct stratified tubes and abundant crystals in tube trama and hymenia. Illustrations, taxonomic analyses and a key to the Fulvifomes species recorded from the Americas is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Junghuhnia is a genus of polypores traditionally characterised by a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and presence of encrusted skeletocystidia. However, recent molecular studies revealed that Junghuhnia is polyphyletic and most of the species cluster with Steccherinum, a morphologically similar genus separated only by a hydnoid hymenophore. In the Neotropics, very little is known about the evolutionary relationships of Junghuhnia s.lat. taxa and very few species have been included in molecular studies. In order to test the proper phylogenetic placement of Neotropical species of this group, morphological and molecular analyses were carried out. Specimens were collected in Brazil and used for DNA sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer and the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene, the translation elongation factor 1-α gene, and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II gene. Herbarium collections, including type specimens, were studied for morphological comparison and to confirm the identity of collections. The molecular data obtained revealed that the studied species are placed in three different genera. Specimens of Junghuhnia carneola represent two distinct species that group in a lineage within the phlebioid clade, separated from Junghuhnia and Steccherinum, which belong to the residual polyporoid clade. Therefore, the new genus Geesterania is proposed including two species, G. carneola comb. nov. and G. davidii sp. nov. Neotropical specimens identified as Junghuhnia nitida represent a different lineage from the European species and are described as Steccherinum neonitidum sp. nov. In addition, the new combinations Steccherinum meridionale, Steccherinum polycystidiferum and Steccherinum undigerum, as well as the new name Flaviporus tenuis, are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Pine plantations in Argentinian Patagonia cover ca. 95,000 ha in Chubut, Río Negro and Neuquén provinces. Exotic bark beetles (Orthotomicus laricis, Hylastes ater and Hylurgus ligniperda) commonly occur in freshly cut logs, stumps and slash. These beetles are vectors of “ophiostomatoid” fungi which include primary tree pathogens as well as important agents of blue stain. The aim of this study was to identify these beetle‐associated fungi. Sawing mills and pine plantations were surveyed three consecutive years. Fungal isolates from stained logs, processed wood and insect galleries were identified based on morphological and DNA sequence comparisons of ITS and β‐tubulin gene regions. Two Grosmannia, one Graphilbum and three Ophiostoma species were identified. Ophiostoma piliferum and O. peregrinum sp. nov. were the most frequently isolated taxa. O. peregrinum occurred in all provinces, colonizing different conifer species and, interestingly, also the native broadleaved species Nothofagus dombeyi. Pine plantation forestry in southern South America includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Emerging data from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay revealed some coincidences between these countries, but also several differences, probably, as a result of multiple introduction events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arambarria (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) is a monotypic genus recently described to accommodate specimens from the Patagonian forests of Argentina wrongly assigned in the past to Inocutis jamaicensis. On the basis of a wide sampling of strains and phylogenetic analysis inferred from combined sequences including the nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8- ITS2 region, 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains and partial sequences of translation elongation factor 1-a ( tef1-α), we demonstrate that this genus is associated with an important canker rot of eucalypt plantations in Uruguay, to wood rots of many native and exotic hosts, and to 'hoja de malvón' and chlorotic leafroll of grapevines diseases in Central Chile, Central Argentina and Uruguay, formerly assigned to I. jamaicensis and/or Fomitiporella sp. The combined phylogenetic analysis showed the existence of three closely related clades that corresponded to (1) the Pampas of Uruguay and Argentina ('uruguay' clade), (2) the Monte, Chaco Serrano and Yungas forests of Argentina ('cognata' clade) and (3) the Patagonian Andes forests and Chilean Province ('destruens' clade). Lack of morphological differences between taxa from the three clades, their occurrence in both native and exotic hosts, previous results showing interfertility between isolates from Uruguay and Argentina, and the lack of full support in the concatenated ITS + 28S + tef1-α analysis, prevents us to distinguish and describe three different taxa; the proper name of the taxon being Arambarria cognata comb. nov. A fourth, distinctly separated clade corresponded to South African strains isolated from vineyards representing an undescribed taxon associated with Esca grapevine disease in that country. Arambarria is shown to be unrelated to Inocutis, with which it was confused in the past and, so far, remains restricted to the Northern Hemisphere in America (Mexico, Jamaica and the USA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the presence of basidiomes of wood-decay fungi on living lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) was investigated in seven forest stands in Patagonia (Argentinia). The following species accounted for 85% of the rots: Postia pelliculosa, Phellinus andinopatagonicus, Piptoporus portentosus, Aurantioporus albidus, and Serputa himantoides. Ph. andinopatagonicus and A. ailbidus cause characteristic white rots, while the other tree species cause unspecific, cubical brown rots. Piptoporus portentosus probably infected only through the canopy, while A. albidus and S. himantoides did so through the roots.

Fungi have a unique metabolic plasticity allowing them to produce a wide range of natural products. Since the discovery of penicillin, an antibiotic of fungal origin, substantial efforts have been devoted globally to search for fungal-derived natural bioactive products. Andean region forests represent one of the few undisturbed ecosystems in the world with little human intervention. While these forests display a rich biological diversity, mycological and chemical studies in these environments have been scarce. This review aims to summarise all the efforts regarding the chemical or bioactivity analyses of Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota) from southern South America environments. Overall, herein we report a total of 147 fungal species, 21 of them showing chemical characterisation and/or biological activity. In terms of chemical cores, furans, chlorinated phenol derivatives, polyenes, lactones, terpenes and himanimides have been reported. These natural products displayed a range of biological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, neuroprotective and osteoclast-forming suppressing effects.

A new and threatened polypore species, Bondarzewia loguerciae , is described from the cloud forests of southern Brazil. It is characterized by single-pileate basidiomata that grow on dead branches and along living stems of standing trunks and present a context with dark lines and resinous tubes. When growing in axenic culture, this species also develops chlamydospores. We provide an illustrated morphological description and molecular analysis. Our specimens from Brazil form a monophyletic group among other species of the Southern Hemisphere. The conservation status of B. loguerciae is assessed and published as "Critically Endangered" based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature  (IUCN) criteria. Additionally, a key to the species is provided.

Polysaccharides from wood-rooting fungi have attracted attention due to their broad pharmacological properties. Herein, we report the antitumor and immunomodulatory activities of acid polysaccharides isolated from fungi Gloeosoma mirabile. The polysaccharide extracts displayed significant antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HCT-116, U-937) in a dose-dependent manner and induction of IL-6 in macrophage RAW 264.7. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis showed that high polysaccharide concentrations induced apoptosis by 83% in HL-60 cells. Based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy studies, acidic polysaccharides from G. mirabile were mainly composed of arabinose, α-D-galactopyranose and methyl β-D-galactopyranoside.

Global forests are increasingly being threatened by altered climatic conditions and increased attacks by pests and pathogens. The complex ecological interactions among pathogens, microbial communities, tree hosts and the environment are important drivers of forest dynamics. Little is known about the ecology of forest pathology and related microbial communities in temperate forests of the southern hemisphere. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing to characterize sapwood-inhabiting fungal communities in North Patagonian Nothofagus forests and assessed patterns of diversity of taxa and ecological guilds across climatic, site and host variables (health condition and compartment) as a contribution to Nothofagus autecology. The diversity patterns inferred through the metabarcoding analysis were similar to those obtained through culture-dependent approaches. However, we detected additional heterogeneity and greater richness with culture-free methods. Host species was the strongest driver of fungal community structure and composition, while host health status was the weakest. The relative impacts of site, season, plant compartment and health status were different for each tree species; these differences can be interpreted as a matter of water availability. For Nothofagus dombeyi, which is distributed across a wide range of climatic conditions, site was the strongest driver of community composition. The microbiome of N. pumilio varied more with season and temperature, a relevant factor for forest conservation in the present climate change scenario. Both species carry a number of potential fungal pathogens in their sapwood, whether they exhibit symptoms or not. Our results provide insight into the diversity of fungi associated with the complex pathobiome of the dominant Nothofagus species in southern South America., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Fungal polysaccharides possess a broad biological activity, including cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. This work aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of the acidic polysaccharides of Phylloporia boldo strain (named PBAP40). Cytotoxic activity of polysaccharide was evaluated determining the viability of three tumor cell lines by MTT assay. The effect of acidic polysaccharide on the cell cycle of HL-60 cell line was evaluated by flow cytometry, and the antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH and ABTS assays. PBAP40 showed cytotoxic effects in tumor cell lines. Results suggest that P. boldo acidic polysaccharides arrested tumor cells in the cell cycle Sub G1 phase. The acidic polysaccharides of PBAP40 strain were not cytotoxic for the non-tumor cell line. PBAP40 also showed excellent antioxidant activity. The FT-IR analysis of the acidic polysaccharides indicated the presence of glucans bearing α- and β- type glycosidic bonds.

In the temperate forests of Patagonia, Argentina, Nothofagus dombeyi , commonly known as Coihue, has shown sensitivity to intense drought events, leading to mortality. Studies have been conducted on Coihue decline and mortality using a variety of approaches, including the role of extreme heat waves and drought, pests and pathogens, particularly the fungus Huntiella decorticans . This work aimed to evaluate survival, vitality, necrosis extension and growth response of inoculated and non-inoculated Coihue seedlings from different provenances exposed to different soil moisture levels. To achieve this goal, 96 Coihue seedlings from 2 different provenances were assigned to 8 different experimental treatments. Treatments were composed of the presence or absence of H. decorticans and different soil moisture content conditions, dry, wet and the exposure to dry condition at different times of the experiment. Both dry conditions and H. decorticans had negative effects on the survival and growth rate of Coihue. The combination of both factors resulted in 100 % mortality, regardless of the plants' geographical provenances. Mortality began to be observed 3 months after pathogen inoculation, during the warmest month. Necrosis extension produced by the pathogen was similar for most of the inoculated treatments. The treatment under wet condition during the experiment but subjected to dry condition in the previous growing season presented lower necrosis extension (8.4 ± 3.2 %), than the other treatments. The radial increase was also affected by the treatments and geographical provenance, being those plants exposed to dry conditions which grew less (0.19 ± 0.21 mm). This study enhances our understanding of the plant-pathogen interaction. According to our results, Coihue may become more susceptible to mortality, when H. decorticans and water deficit conditions act synergistically., Competing Interests: Not declared., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company.)

Symbiosis between insects and fungi arose multiple times during the evolution of both groups, and some of the most biologically diverse and economically important are mutualisms in which the insects cultivate and feed on fungi. Among these are bark beetles, whose ascomycetous cultivars are better known and studied than their frequently-overlooked and poorly understood basidiomycetous partners. In this study, we propose five new species of Entomocorticium , fungal mutualists in the Russulales ( Basidiomycota ) that are mutualistic symbionts of scolytine beetles. We have isolated these fungi from the beetle mycangia, which are structures adapted for the selective storage and transportation of fungal mutualists. Herein, we present the most complete phylogeny of the closely related genera Entomocorticium and Peniophora and provide insights into how an insect-associated taxon ( Entomocorticium ) evolved from within a wood-decaying, wind-dispersed lineage ( Peniophora ). Our results indicate that following a transition from angiosperms to gymnosperms, fungal domestication by beetles facilitated the evolution and diversification of Entomocorticium . We additionally propose four new species: Entomocorticium fibulatum Araújo, Li & Hulcr, sp. nov.; E. belizense Araújo, Li & Hulcr, sp. nov.; E. perryae Araújo, Li & Hulcr, sp. nov.; and E. macrovesiculatum Araújo, Li, Six & Hulcr, sp. nov. Our findings highlight the fact that insect-fungi associations remain an understudied field and that these associations harbor a large reservoir of novel fungal species.

Phylogenetic relationships of 12 species in Aleurodiscus sensu lato (Stereaceae, Russulales) described from the Patagonian forests of Chile and Argentina were investigated based on sequences of nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and the D1-D2 domains of nuc 28S rDNA (28S). A new genus and a new species are presented, and 10 new combinations proposed. The genus Gloeosoma is shown to be phylogenetically well supported and morphologically circumscribed; it includes G. vitellinum (type species), G. mirabile , comb. nov., G. zealandicum , comb. nov., and Gloeosoma decorticans , sp. nov., which is newly described from Chile. The new genus Stereodiscus is proposed to accommodate a group of taxa characterized by an austral distribution and morphologically by smooth, thin-walled, amyloid basidiospores and a lack of gloeocystidia and acanthocystidia; three species develop Stereum -like basidiomata and two species present discoid ones. The new genus includes the species formerly known as Aleurodiscus antarcticus, A. limonisporus, A. parmuliformis, A. patagonicus , and A. triviale . Specimens of Stereodiscus parmuliformis ( A. parmuliformis ) from New Zealand (where it was originally described) and southern Chile are shown to be phylogenetically conspecific, which confirms its presence in Patagonia. Gloeosoma and Stereodiscus are shown to be distantly related to Aleurodiscus s. str. and other genera in Stereaceae. The new combinations Aleurocystidiellum bernicchiae, Aleurocystidiellum hallenbergii , and Acanthobasidium quilae are proposed based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses, and Aleurodiscus cerussatus is shown to be a cryptic species complex.

Corticiaceae is one of the traditional families of the Agaricomycetes and served for a long time as a convenient placement for basidiomycetes with a resupinate, corticioid form of fruiting body. Molecular studies have helped to assign many corticioid fungi to diverse families and orders; however, Corticiaceae still lacks a phylogenetic characterization and modern circumscription. Here, we provide the first comprehensive phylogenetic and taxonomic revision of the family Corticiaceae based on extensive type studies and sequences of nLSU, ITS, IGS, nSSU, and mtSSU regions. Our analyses support the recognition of ten monophyletic genera in the Corticiaceae, and show that nutritional mode is not a robust basis for generic delimitations in the family. The genus Mycobernardia and the species Corticium thailandicum, Erythricium vernum , and Marchandiomyces allantosporus are described as new to science, and five new combinations are proposed. Moreover, ancestral character state reconstruction revealed that saprotrophy is the plesiomorphic nutritional mode in the Corticiaceae, while several transitions have occurred to diverse nutritional modes in this family. Identification keys are provided to the genera in Corticiaceae s.s. as well as to the species in Corticium, Erythricium, Laetisaria , and Marchandiomyces ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The handling editor RJ declared a past co-authorship with the authors MG-N, PD, and RN., (Copyright © 2021 Ghobad-Nejhad, Langer, Nakasone, Diederich, Nilsson, Rajchenberg and Ginns.)

With the change to one scientific name for fungal taxa, generic names typified by species with sexual or asexual morph types are being evaluated to determine which names represent the same genus and thus compete for use. In this paper generic names of the Agaricomycotina (Basidiomycota) were evaluated to determine synonymy based on their type. Forty-seven sets of sexually and asexually typified names were determined to be congeneric and recommendations are made for which generic name to use. In most cases the principle of priority is followed. However, 16 generic names are recommended for use that do not have priority and thus need to be protected: Aleurocystis over Matula; Armillaria over Acurtis and Rhizomorpha; Asterophora over Ugola; Botryobasidium over Acladium, Allescheriella, Alysidium, Haplotrichum, Physospora, and Sporocephalium; Coprinellus over Ozonium; Coprinopsis over Rhacophyllus; Dendrocollybia over Sclerostilbum and Tilachlidiopsis; Diacanthodes over Bornetina; Echinoporia over Echinodia; Neolentinus over Digitellus; Postia over Ptychogaster; Riopa over Sporotrichum; Scytinostroma over Artocreas, Michenera, and Stereofomes; Tulasnella over Hormomyces; Typhula over Sclerotium; and Wolfiporia over Gemmularia and Pachyma. Nine species names are proposed for protection: Botryobasidium aureum, B. conspersum, B. croceum, B. simile, Pellicularia lembosporum (syn. B. lembosporum), Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Polyporus metamorphosus (syn. Riopa metamorphosa), Polyporus mylittae (syn. Laccocephalum mylittae), and Polyporus ptychogaster (syn. Postia ptychogaster). Two families are proposed for protection: Psathyrellaceae and Typhulaceae. Three new species names and 30 new combinations are established, and one lectotype is designated., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Poroid Hymenochaetaceae associated with wood rots of trees in three timber-harvesting compartments of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP), South Africa, were investigated using multilocus phylogenetic analyses and morphology of the basidiomes. Results revealed the presence of 10 species belonging to five genera. Six of the species are known, but four are described as new. The known species include Fomitiporia capensis, Fuscoporia gilva, Sanghuangporus microcystideus, Tropicoporus tropicalis, Inonotus rickii , and Inonotus setuloso-croceus . The new species are described as Fomitiporia tsitsikamensis, Fulvifomes elaeodendri, Fuscoporia pulviniformis , and Phellinus guttiformis .

Grape pomace from Vitis labrusca is an important sub-product of the "American table wine" industry. It is recalcitrant to degradation, and its accumulation is a serious problem with negative environmental impacts. We analyzed the ability of five white-rot fungi to transform this residue in-vitro. Mass loss and phenol removal in grape pomace treated with each fungus were compared after 30-day solid-state fermentation. Since Peniophora albobadia isolate LPSC 285 was the fungus that showed the highest degradative ability and the lowest free phenol levels in the residue transformed, we selected this fungus to monitor its effect on this residue after 30, 60, and 90 days of incubation. We analyzed mass loss of the residue caused by the fungus activity and its chemical changes using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. After 90 days of incubation, Peniophora albobadia isolate LPSC 285 reduced grape pomace mass by 20.48%, which was associated with degradation of polysaccharides and aromatic structures. We concluded that Peniophora albobadia LPSC # 285 isolate is a promising fungus to transform grape pomace from Vitis labrusca under solid-state fermentation conditions.

Ganoderma is a cosmopolitan genus that encompasses species with cultural, economic, and pathogenic importance. Despite the importance of this genus, knowledge pertaining to the species diversity of Ganoderma in South Africa is limited. This study aimed at elucidating the identity and phylogenetic placements of Ganoderma samples obtained during a survey of wood-rotting fungi in the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) of South Africa, supplemented with isolates obtained from other localities across the country. Identification was achieved by means of multilocus phylogenetic inference combined with morphological evaluation. In total, eight distinct species of Ganoderma were recovered from different hosts and localities across the country. Of these, Ganoderma cf. cupreum and Ganoderma cf. resinaceum represent possible new records for South Africa. Two novel species are described, namely, G. eickeri . and G. knysnamense. Ganoderma eickeri , sp. nov., is characterized by a triquetrous and broadly attached basidiome, a sulcate or zonate yellowish brown to brown pilear surface, and ovoid to ellipsoid basidiospores. Ganoderma knysnamense is distinguished by an applanate to ungulate, sometimes convex, dimidiate to broadly attached basidiome, a chocolate-brown pilear surface covered with a hard woody-like crust and ellipsoid, broadly ellipsoid to ovoid basidiospores. The discovery of two new Ganoderma species in this study raises the known Ganoderma species in South Africa to 13.

The genus Antrodiella includes resupinate and pileate species of polypores with a dimitic hyphal system, small, globose to cylindrical basidiospores, absence of cystidia, tetrapolar mating system, and haplo-dikaryotic nuclear behavior. Recent studies, however, indicate that Antrodiella is highly polyphyletic, so many of its species have been transferred to other genera. This study reviews the systematic status and diversity of Antrodiella from the Neotropics based, in part, on studies of type specimens. Collections from Brazil were used for molecular analysis of nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS), nuc 28S rDNA (28S), and portions of genes encoding translation elongation factor 1-α ( tef1 ) and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II ( rpb2 ). Eight genera are confirmed to include Neotropical species treated as Antrodiella in a broad sense: Aegis, Antrodiella s. str., Flaviporus, Metuloidea, Mycorrhaphium, Rickiopora, Trametopsis , and Trullella . Molecular data reveal the occurrence of two new species, described as Antrodiella trivialis , the only Neotropical species of Antrodiella s. str. known so far, and Mycorrhaphium hispidum . In addition, Antrodiella luteocontexta was found to nest in the genus Aegis , close to the Grifolaceae and Polyporaceae; therefore, the new combination Aegis luteocontexta is proposed. Comments on the eight Antrodiella -related genera as well as species with uncertain taxonomic position are provided, together with a key to their identification.