Merlin M. White

New Species and First Records of Trichomycetes from Immature Aquatic Insects in Idaho

Molly E. Bench et al. — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:00:37 PST

Trichomycetes, or gut fungi, are currently recognized as an ecological group of fungi and protists that inhabit the guts of immature insects or other stages and types of arthropods. The geographic distribution of these endosymbionts is worldwide. However, trichomycete data from the Pacific Northwest are limited and this is the first account of gut fungi in Idaho. We report on the trichomycetes from a single site, Cottonwood Creek at Military Reserve Park, Boise, Idaho, where periodic surveys for just over a one-year period resulted in the discovery of 4 newly named, 3 probably new but unnamed, and 15 previously known species. Among the Harpellales, three new species, Capniomyces sasquatchoides, Harpella torus, and Lancisporomyces lampetriformis are described, with two possibly new species of Smittium detailed but unnamed at this time pending further collections. A Genistelloides cf. hibernus is also included as a possible new species. One new species of Amoebidiales, Paramoebidium hamatum, is described as well. Hosts in which the gut fungi were recovered include larvae or nymphs of Diptera (Chironomidae and Simuliidae), Ephemeroptera (Baetidae), and Plecoptera (Capniidae and Taeniopterygidae). We hope to demonstrate that future surveys or bioprospecting investigations into the biodiversity of these early-diverging fungi in this region and worldwide remains promising.

A New Species of Ephemerellomyces from North America Highlights Its Morphological Plasticity and Possible Intergeneric Similarities with Other Harpellales

Prasanna Kandel et al. — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:00:34 PST

During routine bioprospecting efforts in southern Idaho, we recovered a new species, Ephemerellomyces kandelii from nymphs of the mayfly genus Ephemerella (Ephemerellidae) in Dry Creek drainage, near Boise. This is the second observation of this monotypic genus since the description of Ephemerellomyces aquilonius from Norway in 2004. Ephemerellomyces was described partly on the basis of unusual developmental features at the base of the thallus. Specifically, trichospores were noted with the capacity to germinate, attach to the hindgut cuticle of the mayfly host, and produce a cell bearing a single terminal trichospore. This feature was less prominent yet noted in our collections from Idaho, but we argue that the remnant basal cell may also be a morphological feature that unites the genus and deserves further scrutinization across closely related taxa. Compared to the two Norwegian surveys, our collections extended over 1 y, a timeframe that was critical to capture the extent of the natural morphological range and plasticity of E. kandelii. Specifically, we emend the generic description to accommodate the first observation of zygospores (Type II) and E. kandelii is described with dimorphic trichospores, yet another genus of the Harpellales to include species with this feature. We also document some variability in trichospore dimensions with E. kandelii, following routine procedures, in vitro slide incubations and staining; these are discussed in light of prior reports noting morphological changes in asexual spores of certain Harpellales following such handling. Finally, we extend our discussion to include putatively closely related taxa of gut fungi in other Ephemeroptera.

Seasonality of Harpella Melusinae Léger and Duboscq (Harpellales) in Black Fly Larvae in Northern Thailand

Melati P. Hapsari et al. — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:00:31 PST

The influence of season and water temperature on the occurence of Harpella melusinae in black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) larvae was investigated in three streams in northern Thailand. A total of 1260 black fly larvae were examined and 86.3 (CI = 82-88) were colonized by H. melusinae. Both prevalence and level of colonization by H. melusinae varied depending on season (P < 0.01). The highest prevalence was during the cool season (November, 96-100), compared to the wet season (July to October, 80-92) and dry season (April to June, 72-89). The levels of colonization (or numbers of thalli per midgut) by H. melusinae also showed a similar pattern. Regression analysis was significant for season and prevalence at all sites, whereas the level of colonization varied across sites. Prevalence and level of colonization varied with water temperature (P < 0.05), and both were higher in colder waters. This study helps to redress the paucity of ecological information concerning this group of fungi but further studies with different taxa, hosts and habitats will undoubtedly increase our limited knowledge about the ecology of this group of obligately endosymbiontic microorganisms.

A Higher-Level Phylogenetic Classification of the Fungi

Merlin M. White — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:00:29 PST

A comprehensive phylogenetic classification of the kingdom Fungi is proposed, with reference to recent molecular phylogenetic analyses, and with input from diverse members of the fungal taxonomic community. The classification includes 195 taxa, down to the level of order, of which 16 are described or validated here: Dikarya subkingdom nov.; Chytridiomycota, Neocallimastigomycota phyla nov.; Monoblepharidomycetes, Neocallimastigomycetes class. nov.; Eurotiomycetidae, Lecanoromycetidae, Mycocaliciomycetidae subclass. nov.; Acarosporales, Corticiales, Baeomycetales, Candelariales, Gloeophyllales, Melanosporales, Trechisporales, Umbilicariales ords. nov. The clade containing Ascomycota and Basidiomycota is classified as subkingdom Dikarya, reflecting the putative synapomorphy of dikaryotic hyphae. The most dramatic shifts in the classification relative to previous works concern the groups that have traditionally been included in the Chytridiomycota and Zygomycota. The Chytridiomycota is retained in a restricted sense, with Blastocladiomycota and Neocallimastigomycota representing segregate phyla of flagellated Fungi. Taxa traditionally placed in Zygomycota are distributed among Glomeromycota and several subphyla incertae sedis, including Mucoromycotina, Entomophthoromycotina, Kickxellomycotina, and Zoopagomycotina. Microsporidia are included in the Fungi, but no further subdivision of the group is proposed. Several genera of ‘basal’ Fungi of uncertain position are not placed in any higher taxa, including Basidiobolus, Caulochytrium, Olpidium, and Rozella.

Extended Studies of Baltomyces Styrax in Idaho and Expanded Distribution of This Isopod Gut Fungus in the USA

Sarah J. Oman et al. — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:00:26 PST

Trichomycetes or gut fungi are currently considered to be an ecological group consisting of both fungi and protists that inhabit the guts of arthropods from varied environments. Baltomyces styrax has been included as a member of the Asellariales, a small and understudied order of true gut fungi. Baltomyces styrax has remained monotypic and not been reported formally since it was first described by Cafaro in 1999 from one collection in Louisiana. Herein we report on subsequent collections of this fungus, from both lentic and lotic locations, over the last several years from four other states, most recently in Idaho, where we have records over a 4-year span. We repeatedly collected at one lentic site in Idaho for a period of 5 months, which allowed an extended study of not only the life history of B. styrax but also the discovery of morphological characteristics that were not reported earlier. Therefore, we are emending the species description and providing additional information on the ecology and host range of B. styrax as well as providing a context for comparison to Asellaria, the type genus of the Asellariales. We also extend the known host range and suggest that the fungus is much more widespread than current records indicate.

Klastostachys, a New Genus of Harpellales in Chironomidae Larvae

Robert W. Lichtwardt et al. — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:56:23 PDT

Klastostachys reflexa, a new genus and species combination in the Harpellales, is established herein based on Stachylina reflexa, which was described in 1988. This gut fungus was found attached to the peritrophic matrix of small bloodworms, Cryptochironomus sp. (Chironomidae), in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA. Klastostachys resembles Stachylina, a genus common in Chironomidae, but the unbranched thalli of Klastostachys disarticulate and disperse with the trichospores remaining attached to their generative cells. This manner of dissemination is unusual among Harpellales, being noted also for Carouxella spp., but members of that genus have zygospores attached at one pole to the zygosporophore (Type IV), whereas Klastostachys zygospores are medially attached to the zygosporophore at right angles (Type I).

Harpellales in the Digestive Tracts of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera Nymphs from Veracruz, Mexico

Laia Guárdia Valle et al. — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:56:21 PDT

This is the first report of Harpellales (Zygomycota) from Mexico, including herein only the endosymbiotic species of gut fungi in the digestive tracts or shed exuviae of Plecopteran and Ephemeropteran nymphs. Four new species are described: Allantomyces zopilotei, Bojamyces olmecensis, Gauthieromyces viviparus and Graminella ophiuroidea. Among previously known Harpellales, Lancisporomyces nemouridarum and Zygopolaris ephemeridarum are southern range extremes and new records for Mexico. All species are illustrated and discussed relating to biogeographic implications of the new reports from Mexico, as well as the particular environmental circumstances of the Harpellales in the tropics.

Typification of Smittium, an Important Genus in the Taxonomy of Harpellales

Robert W. Lichtwardt et al. — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:56:19 PDT

The Harpellales genus Smittium is based on a type species, S. arvernense, which was described by Poisson in 1937 without designation of a type specimen. Smittium arvernense has not been reported since its original publication. Because the other 79 species of Smittium cannot be compared to the type species, a lectotype is proposed as well as an epitype for that lectotype that is also the holotype of S. mucronatum. Because Smittium is believed to be polyphyletic these type designations will provide stable application of names and, as well resolved phylogenetic analyses of member species emerge based on morphological and DNA sequence characters, they will provide a foundation for a more robust and revised classification.

Freshwater Trichomycetes from Northern Thailand

Melati P. Hapsari et al. — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:23:38 PDT

Collections of black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) larvae were made at previously unexplored lotic habitats in northern Thailand and their gut fungi identified. Eight trichomycete species were recovered, including one new species, Harpella asiana, and two possible new species: Graminelloides cf. biconica and Harpella cf. tica. Paramoebidium sp., Pennella montana Lichtwardt, Stachylina nana Lichtwardt and Stipella vigilans Léger & Gauthier are new Thailand records. The widely distributed species of gut fungus, Harpella melusinae Léger & Duboscq, that has previously been reported from Thailand, was also recovered. We have shown that trichomycetes are abundant in northern Thailand and undoubtedly many other Harpellales, beyond the taxa we report here, are present especially in unexplored regions of the country and in different hosts, habitats and times of the year. These findings correspond to 40 (6/15) of the trichomycete genera previously reported from tropical regions worldwide.

Dipteran-Associated Harpellales from Lowland and Submontane Tropical Rain Forests of Veracruz (Mexico)

Laia Guardia Valle et al. — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:59:49 PDT

We report on the species of Harpellales found in dipteran hosts during two surveys (32 field d) in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. One new morphospecies, Genistellospora dorsicaudata, is described with particular attention to the position of the terminal cell associated with fully developed fertile thalli bearing sexual spores. We emend the description of G. guanacastensis to include morphometrics on the zygospores, based on discovery of the sexual spores for that species in our collections. Thirteen other previously described species, which are new for Mexico, include G. homothallica, Pennella montana, Simuliomyces microsporus, Smittium aciculare, S. brasiliense (in a new host type), S. culisetae, S. dipterorum, S. microsporum, S. simulii and the unbranched species Harpella melusinae, H. tica, Stachylina grandispora and S. paucispora. Some species have been described but not named, specifically one each of Harpella, Pennella and Smittium. All taxa are identified morphologically, illustrated and additional details on their ecology are provided.

Trifoliellum bioblitzii, a New Genus of Trichomycete from Mayfly Nymphs in Nova Scotia, Canada

D. B. Strongman et al. — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:39:37 PDT

Trichomycetes are an ecological group of fungi and protists that colonize the gut lining of invertebrates in aquatic and moist terrestrial habitats. The diversity of this group appears to be high with many new species discovered each year. A new genus of fungal trichomycete, Trifoliellum (Harpellales), is described here with the type species T. bioblitzii. This genus is characterized by having unique, trefoilshaped asexual spores (trichospores). Another new species, Legeriosimilis halifaxensis, also is described from the same mayfly host, Eurylophella temporalis, collected from the same site near Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Trichomycetes: Fungal Associates of Arthropods

Robert W. Lichtwardt et al. — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:55:21 PST

The Classification and Phylogeny of the Trichomycetes and Zygomycetes

Gerald L. Benny et al. — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:10:30 PST

Taxonomy and Systematics of Trichomycetes – Past, Present, and Future

Merlin M. White et al. — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:05:34 PST

The book has been divided into two parts. Part I comprises review chapters on trichomycetes - including the history, taxonomy, phylogeny, biogeography ultrastructure, and physiology of trichomycetes. Part II comprises a composite of topics. It begins with two chapters on insect-fungus associations (ant pathogenic fungi and bark beetle galleries) followed by a chapter on nematophagous fungi. Subsequent chapters deal with such diverse mycological topics as fungal endophytes, endolithic micoorganisms, aquatic ascomycetes and hyphomycetes, and mushrooms.

Freshwater Trichomycetes and Their Arthropod Hosts

R. W. Lichtwardt et al. — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:51:10 PST

Freshwater fungi are diverse in numbers, taxonomic groups and ecological roles, but they have been a relatively neglected group until the last decade. This book brings together information on freshwater fungi, reviewing topics and providing informative comprehensive text on practical approaches for their study. The book presents chapters authored by leading experts on topics including; isolation and identification, plant and animal pathogens, teleomorph-anamorph connections, ecology, microscope techniques, measuring fungal activity, effects of pollution, interactions with stream invertebrates, and dispersal. This book will serve as a catalyst for further development of our understanding of freshwater mycology in the 21st Century.

Trichomycetes from Lentic and Lotic Aquatic Habitats in Ontario, Canada

D. B. Strongman et al. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:35:13 PDT

Fungi and protists make up an ecological group, trichomycetes, that inhabit the guts of invertebrates, mostly aquatic insects. Trichomycetes are reported herein from arthropods collected in lotic habitats (fast flowing streams) and lentic environments (ponds, ditches, seeps, and lakes) from 11 sites in Algonquin Park and 6 other sites in Ontario, Canada. Thirty-two trichomycete species were recovered, including 7 new species: Legeriomyces algonquinensis, Legeriosimilis leptocerci, Legeriosimilis whitneyi and Paramoebidium umbonatum are described from mayfly nymphs (Ephemeroptera); Pennella digitata and Glotzia incilis from black fly and midge larvae (Diptera), respectively; and Arundinula opeongoensis from a crayfish (Crustacea). Legeriomyces rarus Lichtw. & M.C. Williams and Stachylina penetralis Lichtw. are new North American records, and seven species are documented for the first time in Canada. More common and widely distributed trichomycete species such as Harpella melusinae Léger & Duboscq and Smittium culicis Manier, were also recovered. Most previous studies on trichomycetes have been done primarily in lotic environments but clearly lentic systems (e.g., ponds and lakes) harbour diverse arthropod communities and further exploration of these habitats will continue to increase our knowledge of trichomycete diversity.