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Mycological Research News1
Mycol. Res. 105 (11) : 1281–1282 (November 2001). # The British Mycological Society
1281
DOI : 10.1017\S0953756201009054 Printed in the United Kingdom.
Mycological Research News1
This Mycological Research News features : Non-lichenized ascomycete lineages are derived from lichenized ancestors ; and Changes in Coprinus questioned. The issue contains the Presidential Address given by Stefan Buczacki in December 2000 on Berkeley’s legacy, and 15 original research papers. A protocol for protoplast preparation in Rhizoctonia solani is presented and transformation reported. Four papers describe molecular variability in different fungi ; mycorrhizal Pisolithus strains in Australia ; Mycosphaerella species on Eucalyptus ; Phytophthora infestans ; and Sphaeropsis sapinea. The fungus causing anthracnose of tobacco is shown to be Colletotrichum destructivum, and the infection process followed. One biotype of Trichoderma harzianum causing damage in Agaricus bisporus beds is tolerant of inhibitory bacteria. An extracellular mutanase from this same species may have applications in oral hygiene, and a protease from Cryptococcus neoformans has been found to be a metallopetidase. Two papers focus on fungal development : sclerotial formation in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum may be triggered by oxidative stress ; and rhizomorphs of Armillaria luteobulbina formed in aerial and submerged culture are compared. The assemblages of endophytic fungi in different species of mangroves differ. Systematic papers in this issue : revise the corticioid Sistotremateae in the Patagonian Andes ; describe a new genus in the Kickxellales ; and describe a new species of Chionosphaera. The following new scientific names are introduced : Myconymphaea gen. nov. ; Chionosphaera cuniculicola, M. yatsukahoi, Sistotrema botryobasidioides, and S. globosa spp. nov. ; C. phylacicola (syn. Fubulostilbum phylacicola) comb. Nov.
IN THIS ISSUE This issue features Stefan Buczacki’s Presidential Address to the British Mycological Society (pp. 1283–1294). A biographer of Miles Berkeley (1803–1889), in an impassioned address he compares and contrasts the spirit of mycology in the nineteenth century with that of today and considers Berkeley’s inquisitative and holistic approach to mycology to have been betrayed. He also presents insights into Berkeley’s life through unpublished letters and personal delving into his lifestyle in rural Northamptonshire. Improving technologies are the gateway to new avenues of experimentation. Here a protocol for protoplast preparation in the major plant pathogen Rhizoctonia solani is described and transformation of the protoplasts reported (pp. 1295–1303). Four papers describe molecular variability in different fungi. In the case of mycorrhizal Pisolithus strains in Australian sclerophyll forests, three species were substantiated by ITSRFLP and ITS sequence analysis, one new to science (pp. 1304–1312). Species separations of Mycosphaerella species
" Mycological Research News is compiled by David L. Hawksworth, Executive Editor Mycological Research, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Plaza de Ramo! n y Cajal, Ciudad Universitaria, E-28040 Madrid, Spain. (tel : [j34] 9 1 394 22 82 or [j34] 9 1 857 3640 ; fax [j34] 9 1 394 17 74 ; e-mail : !terra.es and davidh!farm.ucm.es), to whom suggestions for inclusion and items for consideration should be sent. Unsigned items are by the Executive Editor.
have always been difficult, but in the case of species on Eucalyptus leaves in Australia, RAPD-PCR analysis of isolates representing ten species showed that four were distinct and supported separations based on morphological criteria, but that the others could not easily be separated by this method (pp. 1313–1320), AFLP and RFLP fingerprints made from strains of Phytophthora infestans have been found to give conflicting results about the relatedness of British isolates ; some isolates with dissimilar RFLP fingerprints had similar or identical AFLP patterns (pp. 1321–1330). This study emphasizes the need to use multiple molecular approaches to address complex questions. The conidial fungus Sphaeropsis sapinea has at least three forms which can be separated morphologically and by molecular methods ; studies of the variability of isolates from Pinus radiata in different parts of the world suggest there have been multiple introductions into South Africa but few into Australia (pp. 1331–1339). RDNA ITS sequences have been used to confirm that the fungus causing anthracnose of tobacco is Colletotrichum destructivum, and the nature of the infection process has been followed microscopically (pp. 1340–1347). The aggressiveness of one of the biotypes of Trichoderma harzianum causing important economic losses to Agaricus bisporus farmers has shown to be primarily due to its tolerance of inhibitory bacteria in compost (pp. 1348–1356). An extracellular mutanase has been purified and characterized from this same species, prompted by potential applications in oral hygiene (pp. 1357–1363). A highly active protease from
Mycological Research News the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans has also been purified and found to be a metallopetidase (pp. 1371– 1376). Just what stimulates an isolate to start to form sclerotia ? In Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, oxidative stress is considered the trigger from studies on the production of erythroascorbate and ascorbate in differentiating and non-differentiating strains of the same species (pp. 1364–1370). The rhizomorphs of Armillaria luteobulbina formed in aerial and submerged culture differed in the extent of peripheral hyphae, surface mucilage, growth rate, pigmentation, and inner cortical structure but were otherwsie similar internally ; four radial zones were distinguishable (pp. 1377–1387).
1282 Comparisons of the endophytic fungi in the leaves of seven mangrove species in southern India showed that while many fungi were found in more than one host, the assemblages of each mangrove species were dominated by different fungi (pp. 1388–1391). Systematic papers in this issue revise the corticioid Sistotremateae in the Patagonian Andes, recognizing 14 species of which two are new (pp. 1392–1396) ; describe a new genus in the Kickxellales with novel septal plugs that have protuberances as well as distinctive morphological features (pp. 1397–1402) ; and describe a new species of Chionosphaera carried by a variety of bark beetles which infest a range of conifers in Europe (pp. 1403–1408).
MAJOR NON-LICHENIZED ASCOMYCETE LINEAGES ARE DERIVED FROM LICHENIZED ANCESTORS The hypothesis that many extant non-lichenized ascomycete orders and families might have arisen from lichenized ancestors is not new (Eriksson 1981, Hawksworth 1982). This was considered to apply especially to those occurring on relatively recently evolved substrates such as plants, many lichen groups having evolved on the ground and on rocks prior to the origin of land plants (Dick & Hawksworth 1985). However, the hypothesis had not been tested independently. Lutzoni, Pagel & Reeb (2001) studied the sequences of the SSU and LSU rRNA regions of 52 ascomycetes representing 24 of the currently accepted 46 orders, making allowances for uncertainty about the phylogenetic tree and ancestral state reconstruction. The results show that lichenization occurred early in ascomycete evolution and that there have been multiple independent losses of lichenization, rather than members of different ascomycete groups becoming secondarily lichenized. I.e. major ascomycete lineages of what are now exclusively non-lichen-forming ascomycete groups are derived from lichen-forming ancestors. This conclusion differs from that of Gargas et al. (1995) whose analysis of the more limited
amount of molecular data then available for lichenized ascomycetes led to the suggestion that lichenization had occurred on multiple occasions during fungal evolution. In discussing their new results, Lutzoni et al. (2001) further suggest that the lichenicolous fungi, many of which are allied to lichen-forming genera, may provide a half-way house in the loss of lichenization and switch to plant hosts. The case for taking a holistic view and integrating lichenized groups fully into the teaching and studying of ascomycete classification, evolution, and biology is now overwhelming. Dick, M. W. & Hawksworth, D. L. (1985) A synopsis of the biology of the Ascomycotina. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 91 : 175–179. Eriksson, O. E. (1981) The families of bitunicate ascomycetes. Opera Botanica 60 : 1–220. Gargas, A., DePriest, P. T., Grube, M. & Tehler, A. (1995) Multiple origins of lichen symbioses in fungi suggested by SSU rDNA phylogeny. Science 268 : 1492–1495. Hawksworth, D. L. (1982) Co-evolution and the detection of ancestry in lichens. Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory 52 : 323–329. Lutzoni, F., Pagel, M. & Reeb, V. (2001) Major fungal lineages are derived from lichen symbiotic ancestors. Nature 411 : 937–940.
CHANGES IN COPRINUS QUESTIONED In July Mycological Research News (Mycological Research 105(7) : 772, July 2001) drew attention to the major revision of generic concepts in Coprinus and allied fungi by Redhead et al. (2001) and the large numbers of name changes that resulted. The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature now makes it possible to prevent name changes arising from a rigid application of its rules through proposals made to a series of committees, including the Committee for Fungi. In order to minimize the name changes arising from this new taxonomy, in August Jørgensen et al. (2001) proposed that Coprinus be typified not by C. comatus but by C. atramentarius. If the Committee concurrs, this would mean that this common generic name could remain in use for the largest number of
‘ Coprinus ’ species and that it would not be necessary to use Coprinopsis at all. However, we would then have to get used to the name Annularius for Coprinus comatus and its two allied species. The Committee is unlikely to report for some time, but in the meantime it could be unwise to rush too quickly into adopting the new nomenclature.
Jørgensen, P. M., Ryman, S., Gams, W. & Stalpers, J. A. (2001) Proposal to conserve the name Coprinus Pers. (Basidiomycota) with a conserved type. Taxon 50 : 909–910. Redhead, S. A., Vilgalys, R., Moncalvo, J.-M., Johnson, J. & Hopple, J. S. jr (2001) Coprinus Pers. and the disposition of Coprinus species sensu lato. Taxon 50 : 203–241.
1281
DOI : 10.1017\S0953756201009054 Printed in the United Kingdom.
Mycological Research News1
This Mycological Research News features : Non-lichenized ascomycete lineages are derived from lichenized ancestors ; and Changes in Coprinus questioned. The issue contains the Presidential Address given by Stefan Buczacki in December 2000 on Berkeley’s legacy, and 15 original research papers. A protocol for protoplast preparation in Rhizoctonia solani is presented and transformation reported. Four papers describe molecular variability in different fungi ; mycorrhizal Pisolithus strains in Australia ; Mycosphaerella species on Eucalyptus ; Phytophthora infestans ; and Sphaeropsis sapinea. The fungus causing anthracnose of tobacco is shown to be Colletotrichum destructivum, and the infection process followed. One biotype of Trichoderma harzianum causing damage in Agaricus bisporus beds is tolerant of inhibitory bacteria. An extracellular mutanase from this same species may have applications in oral hygiene, and a protease from Cryptococcus neoformans has been found to be a metallopetidase. Two papers focus on fungal development : sclerotial formation in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum may be triggered by oxidative stress ; and rhizomorphs of Armillaria luteobulbina formed in aerial and submerged culture are compared. The assemblages of endophytic fungi in different species of mangroves differ. Systematic papers in this issue : revise the corticioid Sistotremateae in the Patagonian Andes ; describe a new genus in the Kickxellales ; and describe a new species of Chionosphaera. The following new scientific names are introduced : Myconymphaea gen. nov. ; Chionosphaera cuniculicola, M. yatsukahoi, Sistotrema botryobasidioides, and S. globosa spp. nov. ; C. phylacicola (syn. Fubulostilbum phylacicola) comb. Nov.
IN THIS ISSUE This issue features Stefan Buczacki’s Presidential Address to the British Mycological Society (pp. 1283–1294). A biographer of Miles Berkeley (1803–1889), in an impassioned address he compares and contrasts the spirit of mycology in the nineteenth century with that of today and considers Berkeley’s inquisitative and holistic approach to mycology to have been betrayed. He also presents insights into Berkeley’s life through unpublished letters and personal delving into his lifestyle in rural Northamptonshire. Improving technologies are the gateway to new avenues of experimentation. Here a protocol for protoplast preparation in the major plant pathogen Rhizoctonia solani is described and transformation of the protoplasts reported (pp. 1295–1303). Four papers describe molecular variability in different fungi. In the case of mycorrhizal Pisolithus strains in Australian sclerophyll forests, three species were substantiated by ITSRFLP and ITS sequence analysis, one new to science (pp. 1304–1312). Species separations of Mycosphaerella species
" Mycological Research News is compiled by David L. Hawksworth, Executive Editor Mycological Research, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Plaza de Ramo! n y Cajal, Ciudad Universitaria, E-28040 Madrid, Spain. (tel : [j34] 9 1 394 22 82 or [j34] 9 1 857 3640 ; fax [j34] 9 1 394 17 74 ; e-mail : !terra.es and davidh!farm.ucm.es), to whom suggestions for inclusion and items for consideration should be sent. Unsigned items are by the Executive Editor.
have always been difficult, but in the case of species on Eucalyptus leaves in Australia, RAPD-PCR analysis of isolates representing ten species showed that four were distinct and supported separations based on morphological criteria, but that the others could not easily be separated by this method (pp. 1313–1320), AFLP and RFLP fingerprints made from strains of Phytophthora infestans have been found to give conflicting results about the relatedness of British isolates ; some isolates with dissimilar RFLP fingerprints had similar or identical AFLP patterns (pp. 1321–1330). This study emphasizes the need to use multiple molecular approaches to address complex questions. The conidial fungus Sphaeropsis sapinea has at least three forms which can be separated morphologically and by molecular methods ; studies of the variability of isolates from Pinus radiata in different parts of the world suggest there have been multiple introductions into South Africa but few into Australia (pp. 1331–1339). RDNA ITS sequences have been used to confirm that the fungus causing anthracnose of tobacco is Colletotrichum destructivum, and the nature of the infection process has been followed microscopically (pp. 1340–1347). The aggressiveness of one of the biotypes of Trichoderma harzianum causing important economic losses to Agaricus bisporus farmers has shown to be primarily due to its tolerance of inhibitory bacteria in compost (pp. 1348–1356). An extracellular mutanase has been purified and characterized from this same species, prompted by potential applications in oral hygiene (pp. 1357–1363). A highly active protease from
Mycological Research News the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans has also been purified and found to be a metallopetidase (pp. 1371– 1376). Just what stimulates an isolate to start to form sclerotia ? In Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, oxidative stress is considered the trigger from studies on the production of erythroascorbate and ascorbate in differentiating and non-differentiating strains of the same species (pp. 1364–1370). The rhizomorphs of Armillaria luteobulbina formed in aerial and submerged culture differed in the extent of peripheral hyphae, surface mucilage, growth rate, pigmentation, and inner cortical structure but were otherwsie similar internally ; four radial zones were distinguishable (pp. 1377–1387).
1282 Comparisons of the endophytic fungi in the leaves of seven mangrove species in southern India showed that while many fungi were found in more than one host, the assemblages of each mangrove species were dominated by different fungi (pp. 1388–1391). Systematic papers in this issue revise the corticioid Sistotremateae in the Patagonian Andes, recognizing 14 species of which two are new (pp. 1392–1396) ; describe a new genus in the Kickxellales with novel septal plugs that have protuberances as well as distinctive morphological features (pp. 1397–1402) ; and describe a new species of Chionosphaera carried by a variety of bark beetles which infest a range of conifers in Europe (pp. 1403–1408).
MAJOR NON-LICHENIZED ASCOMYCETE LINEAGES ARE DERIVED FROM LICHENIZED ANCESTORS The hypothesis that many extant non-lichenized ascomycete orders and families might have arisen from lichenized ancestors is not new (Eriksson 1981, Hawksworth 1982). This was considered to apply especially to those occurring on relatively recently evolved substrates such as plants, many lichen groups having evolved on the ground and on rocks prior to the origin of land plants (Dick & Hawksworth 1985). However, the hypothesis had not been tested independently. Lutzoni, Pagel & Reeb (2001) studied the sequences of the SSU and LSU rRNA regions of 52 ascomycetes representing 24 of the currently accepted 46 orders, making allowances for uncertainty about the phylogenetic tree and ancestral state reconstruction. The results show that lichenization occurred early in ascomycete evolution and that there have been multiple independent losses of lichenization, rather than members of different ascomycete groups becoming secondarily lichenized. I.e. major ascomycete lineages of what are now exclusively non-lichen-forming ascomycete groups are derived from lichen-forming ancestors. This conclusion differs from that of Gargas et al. (1995) whose analysis of the more limited
amount of molecular data then available for lichenized ascomycetes led to the suggestion that lichenization had occurred on multiple occasions during fungal evolution. In discussing their new results, Lutzoni et al. (2001) further suggest that the lichenicolous fungi, many of which are allied to lichen-forming genera, may provide a half-way house in the loss of lichenization and switch to plant hosts. The case for taking a holistic view and integrating lichenized groups fully into the teaching and studying of ascomycete classification, evolution, and biology is now overwhelming. Dick, M. W. & Hawksworth, D. L. (1985) A synopsis of the biology of the Ascomycotina. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 91 : 175–179. Eriksson, O. E. (1981) The families of bitunicate ascomycetes. Opera Botanica 60 : 1–220. Gargas, A., DePriest, P. T., Grube, M. & Tehler, A. (1995) Multiple origins of lichen symbioses in fungi suggested by SSU rDNA phylogeny. Science 268 : 1492–1495. Hawksworth, D. L. (1982) Co-evolution and the detection of ancestry in lichens. Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory 52 : 323–329. Lutzoni, F., Pagel, M. & Reeb, V. (2001) Major fungal lineages are derived from lichen symbiotic ancestors. Nature 411 : 937–940.
CHANGES IN COPRINUS QUESTIONED In July Mycological Research News (Mycological Research 105(7) : 772, July 2001) drew attention to the major revision of generic concepts in Coprinus and allied fungi by Redhead et al. (2001) and the large numbers of name changes that resulted. The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature now makes it possible to prevent name changes arising from a rigid application of its rules through proposals made to a series of committees, including the Committee for Fungi. In order to minimize the name changes arising from this new taxonomy, in August Jørgensen et al. (2001) proposed that Coprinus be typified not by C. comatus but by C. atramentarius. If the Committee concurrs, this would mean that this common generic name could remain in use for the largest number of
‘ Coprinus ’ species and that it would not be necessary to use Coprinopsis at all. However, we would then have to get used to the name Annularius for Coprinus comatus and its two allied species. The Committee is unlikely to report for some time, but in the meantime it could be unwise to rush too quickly into adopting the new nomenclature.
Jørgensen, P. M., Ryman, S., Gams, W. & Stalpers, J. A. (2001) Proposal to conserve the name Coprinus Pers. (Basidiomycota) with a conserved type. Taxon 50 : 909–910. Redhead, S. A., Vilgalys, R., Moncalvo, J.-M., Johnson, J. & Hopple, J. S. jr (2001) Coprinus Pers. and the disposition of Coprinus species sensu lato. Taxon 50 : 203–241.