We investigated the effects of salinity on the zoospore production of four mangrove thraustochytrid isolates, Schizochytrium sp. KF1, Aurantiochytrium mangrovei KF6, Thraustochytrium striatum KF9 and Ulkenia sp. KF13. The zoospore motilities, which were based on curvilinear velocity (VCL) and straight-line velocity (VSL), were monitored using the Computer-Assisted Sperm Motility Analysis (CASA) Software system. The zoospore production of four isolates was suppressed at salinity above 15%. Schizochytrium sp. produced the greatest number of zoospores at 15%, while Aurantiochytrium mangrovei and Ulkenia sp. produced abundant zoospores in diluted sea water ranging from 7.5 to 15%. Thraustochytrium striatum performed relatively poorly under all salinities. Salinity and exposure time, as well as their interactions, had significant impacts on most zoospore velocity measurements. The optimal velocities of zoospore motility also varied among isolates. Zoospores of Schizochytrium sp. and A. mangrovei had similar responses to salinity, with the highest motility at 7.3%, followed by a decrease in velocities with increasing salinity. In contrast, the zoospore of T. striatum had optimal motility at 12% and remained highly motile from 15 to 20%. The velocities of zoospores of Ulkenia sp. were the lowest among the tested thraustochytrids and had optimal motility at 12%. Zoospores of all the isolates remained active after 4 h of exposure to aqueous medium, but the optimal salinity for each mode of swimming changed. The ecological significance of these data are discussed.

No previous studies have been conducted on the diversity and population of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in relation to organically grown chili (Capsicum frutescens L.) in Thailand. This study was carried out to investigate the diversity and status of AMF populations at four organically managed farms in Ubon Ratchathani and Sisaket provinces. The effects of each AMF species on the growth and nutrient uptake of chili grown in sterile, organically managed soil were determined. Fourteen AM fungal taxa belonging to the genera Acaulospora (4 spp.), Entrophospora (1 sp.), Glomus (7 spp.) and Scutellospora (2 spp.) were found. Among these, Glomus was the dominant genus found at all sites, followed by Acaulospora. The spore density and root colonization of AMF on chili did not vary significantly among the sites. The effects of ten selected AMF species on the growth of chili showed that Gl. clarum RA0305 increased the growth, flowering, and fruit production of chili, and also increased the P uptake significantly, compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. This fungus showed the highest potential as a promoter of growth, flowering and yield in organically managed chili production.

Sooty moulds often grow in colonies of more than one species, and taxonomic descriptions thus often unknowingly combine elements of different fungi. The species composition of such mixtures can be clarified by microscopic examination of undisturbed colonies removed from the substrate using the collodion technique. This method facilitates analysis of hyphal morphologies and the associations of different synanamorphs with these hyphae, i.e., the recognition of character suites that correlate with sooty mould families. Earlier versions of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature allowed a name based on a mixture to be designated a nomen confusum, but since 1978 the Code has required selection of one species or one morph to serve as the lectotype for the name. Two binomials are revised here, with the component parts of their holotypes characterized and compared with their protologues. The type specimen of Hormiscium handelii is dominated by monilioid hyphae of a member of the Metacapnodiaceae with a hyphomycetous Capnophialophora anamorph; this latter morph is selected as the lectotype. No new combination is made because no spores were observed, so that it is impossible to adequately characterize the fungal species represented by this morph. The type of Torula lechleriana comprises three species, but it is dominated by the characteristic monilioid hyphae of a member of the Metacapnodiaceae, with Capnobotrys conidiogenous cells and conidia. The latter anamorphic fungus is chosen as the lectotype, and a taxonomic description is provided for the resulting new combination, Capnobotrys lechleriana.

Two new dematiaceous hyphomycetes, Spadicoides camelliae and Diplococcium livistonae, are described and illustrated based on specimens collected from the subtropical forests in Fujian Province, southeast China. They were collected on dead branches of Camellia japonica and Livistona chinensis, respectively. Spadicoides camelliae is characterized by polytretic, terminal conidiogenous cells with solitary, ovoid, versicolored, and mainly 2-septate conidia (15.0–22.0 9 7.0–10.0 μm). Diplococcium livistonae is distinguished by polytretic, terminal, and intercalary conidiogenous cells with catenate, cylindrical, concolored, and mainly 2-septate conidia (15.0–28.0 9 5.0–7.0 μm). They are compared with other similar species by their morphological characteristics.

The ability of Climacodon septentrionalis to immobilize and kill a mycophagous nematode (Aphelenchoides sp.) in vitro is described for the first time. Two isolates produced droplets (20–45 μm in diameter) that formed at the apices of tall, stalked, and branching secretory cells (700–1,500 μm tall). On 2% modified malt extract agar, nematodes became enveloped in the droplets, which restricted their ability to move and resulted in complete immobilization and death within several hours of contact. The rate of decomposition of the nematodes varied considerably, with most individuals persisting for weeks whereas others were degraded within several days and appeared to be colonized by dense hyphal growth. This study provides the first documentation of a non-agaricoid fungus producing secretory cells that are able to immobilize nematodes.

Candida albicans is a commensal yeast in humans that disseminates in immunocompromised persons. Its spreading is modulated by melanin, hormones, or some neurotransmitters, among other factors. The neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is used by bacteria, plants, and fungi as a carbon and nitrogen source. In this article, the in vitro effect of different doses of GABA on germ-tube formation and expression of phospholipase B1 (PLB1) mRNA in two Candida albicans strains was investigated. Results demonstrated that GABA increases both germ-tube formation and PLB1 mRNA expression in the two Candida strains in a dose-dependent manner, which suggests that GABA promotes the growth of C. albicans.

Two new polypores, Inonotus canaricola sp. nov. and Skeletocutis substellae sp. nov., are described. Both of them were found in Hainan, tropical China. I. canaricola is distinct from other species in the genus by bearing a black cuticle at the upper surface, presence of hyphoid setae in the trama and hooked hymenial setae, and having yellowish brown and subglobose to globose basidiospores. S. substellae is very similar to S. stellae but differs from the latter by swollen skeletal hyphae in potassium hytrochloride (KOH) and smaller basidiospores. In addition, Polyporus rhododendri is renamed as P. taibaiensis, because the previous name was illegitimate. A new combination, Phellinus yunnanensis, is proposed.

Some 25 fungi, including at least 14 basidiomycetes, one ascomycete, and five anamorphic fungi were evaluated for their cellulose-degrading abilities in Difco potato dextrose broth or Difco malt extract broth cultures with cellulosic substrates (e.g., filter paper) in plastic Petri dishes. Among them, Peniophora sp. 06-13 and Phlebia sp. 99-335 reduced the dry weights of the whole cultures with these substrates more than the dry weights of the respective original substrates after 30 days of culture, showing definite cellulose degradation. In the cultures with more than 10 test fungi including Pycnoporus coccineus 84-117, such weight losses did not occur. This assay technique for the primary screening for cellulose degrading fungi is simple, inexpensive, reproducible and accurate.

This report is a comprehensive review of polypore investigations in China up to 2011. Nearly 12,000 polypore specimens have been collected from almost all forest types in China during the past 20 years. After examination of these and other herbarium specimens, 704 polypore species belonging to 132 genera in ten orders were identified, and the majority of them found to belong in the orders Polyporales (accounting for 65% of the total Chinese polypores) and Hymenochaetales (25%). According to the author's investigations, 148 species are boreal, 390 are temperate, 395 are subtropical, and 220 are tropical in distribution. The majority of the Chinese polypores are white rot fungi, whereas 98 species (14%) cause a brown rot; 520 species (74%) were found on angiosperm wood, of which 434 species (62%) grew exclusively on angiosperm wood; 459 species (65%) were found on fallen trunks, which seem to be the most frequent substrate for polypores. Based on field investigations and collections, 223, 267, and 214 species are considered as common, occasional, and rare, respectively, and they subsequently account for 32%, 38%, and 30% of the total Chinese polypores. The host, substratum, distribution, and occurrence of each species are listed.