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Studies in Mycology Jun 2023(, ) species are common soil-borne fungi, endophytes, epiphytes, and saprotrophs. Sexual morphs of spp were placed in the genus , which was further segregated into the...
(, ) species are common soil-borne fungi, endophytes, epiphytes, and saprotrophs. Sexual morphs of spp were placed in the genus , which was further segregated into the six subgenera , , , , , and . However, with the end of dual nomenclature, became the single depository for sexual and asexual morph-typified species. Species of are typically characterised by penicillate, sporodochial, and, in many cases, dimorphic conidiophores (primary and secondary conidiophores). Primary conidiophores are mononematous, either verticillium-like or narrowly penicillate. The secondary conidiophores generally form imbricate conidial chains that can collapse to slimy masses, particularly on sporodochia. In the present study, we investigated the species diversity within a collection of 420 strains of from the culture collection of, and personal collections at, the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Strains were analysed based on their morphological characters and molecular phylogeny. The latter used DNA sequence data of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions and intervening 5.8S nrDNA (ITS) and partial 28S large subunit (LSU) nrDNA and partial protein encoding genes including the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (), translation elongation factor 1-alpha () and β-tubulin (). Based on these results, the subgenera , , and are supported within . Furthermore, the genus is resurrected to accommodate the former subgenera and . The close relationship of and is strongly supported as both are inferred phylogenetically as sister-genera. New taxa include 24 new species and 10 new combinations. Recognition of distinguishes species typically forming a reduced perithecial stroma superficially on plant tissue from species in often forming well-developed, through bark erumpent stromata. The patterns of observed perithecial wall anatomies, perithecial wall and stroma interfaces, and asexual morph diversifications described in a previously compiled monograph are used for interpreting ancestral state reconstructions. It is inferred that the common ancestor of and may have formed perithecia superficially on leaves, possessed a perithecial wall consisting of a single region, and formed intercalary phialides in penicilli of conidiophores. Character interpretation may also allow hypothesising that diversification of morphs occurred then in the two genera independently and that the frequently stroma-linked morphs evolved together with the occupation of woody host niches and mycoparasitism. L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, , L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao & Crous, L. Zhao & Crous. (J.A. Stev.) L. Zhao & Crous, (Y.P. Tan .) L. Zhao & Crous, (Y.P. Tan .) L. Zhao & Crous, (Samuels) L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, (Schroers) L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, (Schroers) L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, (Lechat & J. Fourn.) L. Zhao & Crous, (Samuels) L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, (Lechat & J. Fourn.) L. Zhao & Crous, (Höhn.) Schroers. W.H. Chen ., H. Yu & Y. Wang, R.H. Perera & K.D. Hyde, (Starbäck) Forin & Vizzini, Prasher & R. Chauhan, R.H. Perera ., (Sacc.) Forin & Vizzini, (J. Luo & W.Y. Zhuang) Z.Q. Zeng & W.Y. Zhuang. J.C. Schmidt ex Link, Bonord. Zhao L, Groenewald JZ, Hernández-Restrepo M, Schroers H-J, Crous PW (2023). Revising and allied genera in . : 205-266. doi: 10.3114/sim.2023.105.03.
PubMed: 38895704
DOI: 10.3114/sim.2023.105.03 -
World Journal of Microbiology &... May 2024Plant pathogens with their abundance are harmful and cause huge damage to different agricultural crops and economy of a country as well as lead towards the shortage of... (Review)
Review
Plant pathogens with their abundance are harmful and cause huge damage to different agricultural crops and economy of a country as well as lead towards the shortage of food for humans. For their management, the utilization of entomopathogenic fungi is an eco-friendly technique, sustainable to the environment, safe for humans and has promising effect over chemical-based pesticides. This process requires a biochemical mechanism, including the production of enzymes, toxins, and other metabolites that facilitate host infection and invasion. Essential enzymes such as chitinase, proteinase, and lipase play a direct role in breaking down the host cuticle, the primary barrier to EPF (Entomopathogenic Fungi) infection. Additionally, secondary metabolites such as destruxins in Metarhizium, beauvericin in Beauveria, hirsutellides in Hirsutella, isarolides in Isaria, cordyols in Cordyceps, and vertihemipterins in Verticillium, among others, act both directly and indirectly to disable the defense mechanisms of insect hosts, thereby accelerating the EPF infection process. The chemical composition of these secondary metabolites varies, ranging from simple non-peptide pigments such as oosporine to highly complex piperazine derivatives such as vertihemiptellides. The biocontrol efficacy of EPF is extensively studied, with numerous fungal strains commercially available on a large scale for managing arthropod pests. This review emphasizes the role of proteins and enzymes against crop pathogens, detailing their mode of action, and describing the metabolites from entomopathogenic fungi and their biological activities. In doing so, these findings contribute to establishing a symbiotic equilibrium between agricultural productivity and environmental conservation.
Topics: Animals; Beauveria; Biological Control Agents; Cordyceps; Crop Protection; Crops, Agricultural; Fungi; Insecta; Metarhizium; Pest Control, Biological; Plant Diseases; Secondary Metabolism
PubMed: 38806748
DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04022-x -
Archives of Microbiology May 2023Entomopathogenic fungal biocides are preferred for environment friendly sustainable management of insect pests due to their host specificity and harmlessness to...
Entomopathogenic fungal biocides are preferred for environment friendly sustainable management of insect pests due to their host specificity and harmlessness to non-target insects. Plant growth promotion (PGP) functions of the entomofungi are also important attributes but hitherto insignificantly explored. Therefore, virulence of 17 natural fungal entomocides (Cordyceps, Beauveria, Metarhizium, Nomuraea, Fusarium, Verticillium, Trichoderma and Paecilomyces spp.) were evaluated for pathogenicity against five rice pests (brown plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens) and green leaf hopper (Nephotettix virescens) nymphs, leaf folder (Cnaphalocrosis medinalis) and yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas) larvae and swarming caterpillar (Spodoptera mauritia), respectively), and PGP traits of the potent leaf folder pathogens. Among the fungi, only the leaf folder pathogens (3 isolates each of Beauveria and Metarhizium spp.) infected > 50% (80-90%) larvae but other fungi were ineffective as infected < 50% (0-47%) insects. Besides, the leaf folder pathogens exhibited diverse PGP traits such as organic/inorganic phosphate solubilization (104.7-236.4 µg/ml), and siderophore, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), indole production etc. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), simple sequences repeat (SSR) and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) analysis ascertained strain identity and genetic (inter and intra-specific) diversity among the potent biocides Beauveria and Metarhizium spp. The virulent natural fungal pathogens of rice pests with polyvalent PGP traits may be prospected for rice growth promotion and biocontrol of leaf folder.
Topics: Animals; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; Insecta; Moths; Larva; Polymorphism, Genetic; Hemiptera; Beauveria; Metarhizium; Pest Control, Biological
PubMed: 37129727
DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03552-6 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2022Three new species of are introduced based on specimens collected from China. sp. nov. is distinguished by pale yellow to pale orange-yellow perithecia with a very low...
Three new species of are introduced based on specimens collected from China. sp. nov. is distinguished by pale yellow to pale orange-yellow perithecia with a very low papilla, clavate to subcylindrical asci possessing ellipsoidal to elongate-ellipsoidal spinulose ascospores 13-16 × 4.5-5.5 μm; it has acremonium- to verticillium-like conidiophores and ellipsoidal to rod-shaped conidia. sp. nov. has pinkish-white subglobose to globose perithecia on a well-developed stroma and with a thin perithecial wall, clavate to subcylindrical asci with ellipsoidal to elongate-ellipsoidal spinulose ascospores 7.5-11 × 2.5-3.5 μm; it produces verticillium-like conidiophores and ellipsoidal to subellipsoidal conidia. sp. nov. features solitary to gregarious perithecia with a papilla, clavate asci containing 6-8 smooth-walled ascospores 9-17 × 3-5.5 μm; it forms verticillium-like conidiophores and sparse, subfusiform conidia. The morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of combined nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and beta-tubulin sequences support their placement in and their classification as new to science. Distinctions between the novel taxa and their close relatives are compared herein.
PubMed: 36294592
DOI: 10.3390/jof8101027 -
Mycology 2022The entomopathogenic fungus strain IMI 268317, previously known as and , is currently used as a microbial insecticide to protect tomatoes from serious leaf-inhabiting...
Entomopathogenic fungus (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) strain IMI 268317 colonises on tomato leaf surface through conidial adhesion and general and microcycle conidiation.
The entomopathogenic fungus strain IMI 268317, previously known as and , is currently used as a microbial insecticide to protect tomatoes from serious leaf-inhabiting pests in greenhouses. However, its persistence on tomato leaves has been unidentified. Understanding the events and processes of phyllosphere colonisation by this strain should help in developing its practical applications. This study assessed the epiphytic abilities of this strain on tomato leaves in humid conditions, simulating closed greenhouse environments. Conidia applied on tomato leaflets strongly adhered 12 h after inoculation. The mucilage-like materials were found around the germinated conidia after 3 days after inoculation (dpi), which possibly strengthened the adhesion. A total of 15% of conidia germinated at 3 dpi, of which 2% formed typical conidium or an enlarged structure on germ-tube tips. Many conidia were produced on phialide tips that branched from elongated hyphae at 7 dpi; however, invasion into leaf tissue was not observed. On the leaflets, inoculated conidia suspensions of 1 × 10 and 1 × 10 conidia/mL, colony forming units increased 52.6 and 8.8 folds from 0 to 14 dpi, respectively. These results suggested that strain IMI 268317 has high epiphytic abilities on tomato leaflets in a humid condition.
PubMed: 35711329
DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2021.1944929 -
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology Jul 2022Hypocrella, Moelleriella and related species in the Hypocreales (Ascomycota, Sordariomycetes) cause epizootics of whiteflies and scale insects in nature. However,...
Virulence of native isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (Hypocreales) against the "sweetpotato whitefly" Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), including the effects of temperature and fungicides.
Hypocrella, Moelleriella and related species in the Hypocreales (Ascomycota, Sordariomycetes) cause epizootics of whiteflies and scale insects in nature. However, studies on their host specificity, virulence, infection cycles, optimal development under laboratory conditions, and compatibility with other control methods, are unexplored for most species. Under laboratory conditions, the virulence of several isolates of field-collected hypocrealean fungi (Hypocrella, Moelleriella, Regiocrella, and Verticillium) was determined on Bemisia tabaci eggs and 4th instar nymphs. In addition to virulence, the effect of temperature and two commercial fungicides on growth rates and germination of the isolates was evaluated. None of the isolates infected the eggs, while M. libera, M. ochracea, and M. turbinata caused high nymphal mortality. Moelleriella libera was the most virulent isolate. At all temperatures, M. libera, Regiocrella sp. (P17H20), and Verticillium cf. pseudohemipterigenum had the highest germination and growth rates. The optimal growth temperature depended on the isolate, but at 23 °C and 25 °C, the probability of spore germination was higher for most isolates. Finally, the fungicides azoxystrobin and chlorothalonil inhibited growth rates and conidial germination at 24 and 48 h of exposure. This research produces vital knowledge on the virulence and infection cycles of poorly studied native species of entomopathogenic fungi. In addition, the results provide information on the optimal temperature for development in laboratory conditions and susceptibility to fungicides, which could contribute to future biological control strategies.
Topics: Animals; Fungicides, Industrial; Hemiptera; Hypocreales; Nymph; Pest Control, Biological; Temperature; Virulence
PubMed: 35697117
DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2022.107787 -
PeerJ 2022The peachfruit fly, (Saunders) is a polyphagous pest in nature, belonging to order, and their respective family is . It mostly feeds on different crops, vegetables and...
The peachfruit fly, (Saunders) is a polyphagous pest in nature, belonging to order, and their respective family is . It mostly feeds on different crops, vegetables and fruits. Different traditional chemical insecticides have been used to control this notorious pest. Excessive consumption of pesticides has become a major threat to the fresh fruits trade since many importing countries refused to accept the shipments due to public health and environmental concerns. There is a growing trend to control these pests using the most effective biological control methods and other preventive measures have been adopted for reducing their attacks. Fungal agents have been used as biological agents to manage the attack of different insects pest through biological means. The present study was conducted to assess the virulence of three entomopathogenic fungi, , and against stages under different laboratory conditions. The results showed that and were more effective in pathogenicity and potentially kill at all stages of as compared to . The highest mortality rate for the third larval instar and the pupal stage were recorded after exposure to the 1 × 10 conidia/ml concentrations, with 68.67% and 89.67%, respectively. Adult flies were the most susceptible to all entomopathogenic fungi. However, was more virulent against adult flies than and at 1 × 10 conidial concentration. Therefore, the entomopathogenic fungi and can be used as an cost effective bio-insecticide in the integrated pest management programs to control . This study will be helpful to overcome this pest through biological control means.
Topics: Animals; Tephritidae; Pest Control, Biological; Insecticides; Larva; Metarhizium; Spores, Fungal
PubMed: 35480558
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13316 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2021In the process of screening for new bioactive microbial metabolites we found a novel ƴ-pyrone derivative for which we propose the trivial name luteapyrone, in a...
In the process of screening for new bioactive microbial metabolites we found a novel ƴ-pyrone derivative for which we propose the trivial name luteapyrone, in a recently described microscopic filamentous fungus, BiMM-F96/DF4. The compound was isolated from the culture extract of the fungus grown on modified yeast extract sucrose medium by means of flash chromatography followed by preparative HPLC. The chemical structure was elucidated by NMR and LC-MS. The new compound was found to be non-cytotoxic against three mammalian cell lines (HEK 263, KB-3.1 and Caco-2). Similarly, no antimicrobial activity was observed in tested microorganisms (gram positive and negative bacteria, yeast and fungi).
Topics: Fungi; Hypocreales; Molecular Structure
PubMed: 34770997
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216589 -
Open Life Sciences 2021The entomopathogenic fungus T011, parasitizing on nymph of Cicada, collected in the coffee garden in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam, was preliminarily morphologically...
The entomopathogenic fungus T011, parasitizing on nymph of Cicada, collected in the coffee garden in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam, was preliminarily morphologically identified as , belonged to order Hypocreales and family Clavicipitaceae. To ensure the authenticity of T011, phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated set of multiple genes including , , , , and was applied to support the identification. Genomic DNA was isolated from dried sample T011. The PCR assay sequencing was applied to amplify , , , , and gene. For phylogenetic analysis, the concatenated data of both target gens were constructed with MEGAX with a 1,000 replicate bootstrap based on the neighbor-joining, maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony method. As the result, the concatenated data containing 62 sequences belonged to order Hypocreales, families Clavicipitaceae, and 2 outgroup sequences belonged to order Hypocreales, genus . The phylogenetic analysis results indicated that T011 was accepted at subclade and significantly formed the monophyletic group with referent (Telemorph of ) with high bootstrap value. The phylogenetically analyzed result was strongly supported by our morphological analysis described as the . In summary, phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated dataset were successfully applied to strengthen the identification of T011 as .
PubMed: 34307886
DOI: 10.1515/biol-2021-0074