Geastrum melanocephalum, originally described as Trichaster melanocephalus, is characterized by large basidiomata and an evanescent endoperidium. Although Trichaster was recently treated as a synonym of Geastrum and the specific name G. melanocephalum has often been used, it is still controversial whether Trichaster is an independent genus. Although a close affinity of G. melanocephalum and G. triplex has been suggested based on some morphological similarities, it is highly likely that G. triplex is polyphyletic because of its high morphological variability. To clarify the phylogenetic position of G. melanocephalum, it is therefore critical to evaluate the monophyly of G. triplex. This study sampled ITS, LSU, and atp6 genes from 144 specimens of Geastrales including G. melanocephalum and G. triplex from several continents. Results of phylogenetic analyses demonstrated G. melanocephalum is nested within Geastrum and is most closely related to the European and North American group of G. triplex. Morphological similarities of G. melanocephalum and European and North American G. triplex are also suggested. Based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence, we confirm Trichaster is a synonym of Geastrum, and the scientific name Geastrum nocephalum should be accepted. Moreover, the present study revealed that taxa tentatively identified as “G. triplex” are highly polyphyletic, and a taxonomic revision of “G. triplex” is therefore needed.

The present investigation was designed to observe the survival of the anaerobic fungus Caecomyces sp. in various routine preservation methods. Among all the treatments, cryopreservation of fungi at −70°C with glycerol was found to be most effective for long-term maintenance (more than 90 days) of rumen fungi, followed by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol (up to 60 days). In contrast, at −196°C, DMSO showed maximum survival (more than 90 days), followed by glycerol (up to 90 days) and ethylene glycol (up to 30 days). At 39°C, maximum survival (up to 30 days) was observed with soft agar and wheat straw; at refrigeration temperature, preservation with Orpin's media containing straw showed maximum survival (up to 30 days).

The species of the genus Emericella have been classified and identified on the basis of morphological features. However, the phylogenetic relationships in this genus have not been investigated. To clarify the relationships according to molecular phylogenetics, morphological characteristics, and growth temperature regimens in Emericella, multilocus sequencing analysis based on recent Aspergillus taxonomy was carried out. Various characteristic species formed individual clades, and maximum growth temperature reflected the phylogenetics. Emericella species exhibit various ascospore characteristics, although some species do not have distinct ascospore ornamentation. Species that have smooth-walled ascospores with two equatorial crests are polyphyletic. Here, Emericella pachycristata is described and illustrated as a new species. Its ascospores are similar to those of E. nidulans. These species produce smooth-walled ascospores, but the equatorial crests of E. pachycristata are thicker than those of E. nidulans. On the phylogenetic trees, E. pachycristata is closely related to E. rugulosa, which produces ascospores with ribbed convex surfaces. Thus, E. pachycristata is considered to be a new species both morphologically and phylogenetically.

Using an integrated analysis of phenotypic and genotypic characterizations, a total of 18 isolates of “bristle-like” fungal colonizers of the Kitora and Takamatsuzuka Tumuli, which had been provisionally identified as Phialocephala phycomyces, were here determined to be Kendrickiella phycomyces (Auersw.) K. Jacobs & M. J. Wingf. The 18 isolates consisted of 10 from stone surfaces or viscous gels (biofilms) of the stone chamber interior and adjacent small room, and air in the adjacent small room of the Kitora Tumulus, and 8 from viscous gels on the stone surfaces of the stone chamber interior, plant roots, and soil in the adjacent space or stone wall interspaces (interstices) in the stone chamber of the Takamatsuzuka Tumulus. Plaster and stone walls in both tumuli were recorded as novel substrates of this fungus. Our 18S sequence-based phylogeny indicated that K. phycomyces and species of the leotiomycetous anamorph genera Chaetomella, Pilidium, Sphaerographium, and Synchaetomella formed a monophyletic lineage distant from the core taxa of the Leotiomycetes (Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota). The relationship between the physicochemical characteristics of these isolates on GYC agar plates, i.e., soluble brownish pigments and dissolution of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), and the biodeterioration of the plaster and plaster walls of both tumuli, are briefly discussed.

This work describes a simple protocol for longterm preservation of strains of Rosellinia necatrix based on sclerotia production combined with storage at 4°C in liquid substrate, without affecting the growth and pathogenic characteristics of the fungal isolates recovered. The sclerotization process was set up in both liquid and solid media, and the sclerotia-like structures (pseudosclerotia) obtained were preserved in liquid media or water at 4°C. R. necatrix pseudosclerotia viability after 6 years of preservation at 4°C was confirmed by growth and microscopic characteristics, with no differences when compared with the fungal strains routinely preserved by periodic transfers. Additionally, pathogenicity on avocado plants by the preserved R. necatrix strains showed no difference from those preserved by periodic transfers. The albino strain used in this study should continue to be preserved by periodic subculturing.

Four anamorphic fungal species of Heteroconium were collected from tropical and subtropical forests in southern China. Among them, Heteroconium tsoongio-dendronis sp. nov. and Heteroconium fici sp. nov. are described from specimens collected on dead branches of Tsoongiodendron odorum and Ficus gibbosa, respectively. Two species of Heteroconium, H. decorosum and H ponapense, are recorded for the first time in China. A key to Heteroconium and related genera is also provided.

The mitochondrial rps3 gene in some filamentous ascomycetes fungi is encoded within an rnl group I intron. In Grosmannia piceiperda the N-terminal segment of the intron-encoded rps3 gene has been invaded by an IC2-type group I intron. This intron disrupts the recipient rps3 and fragments this gene into two open reading frames (ORFs). The IC2 group I intron encodes a putative double-motif LAGLIDADG ORF, which is fused in-frame to the upstream rps3 exon sequence. The presence of the LAGLIDADG amino acid motif is indicative of an enzyme that has endonuclease and/or maturase activity and thus the intron encoded protein could be involved in promoting splicing and mobility. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed that this intron is spliced in vivo and as a result this could allow for the expression of a functional ribosomal Rps3 protein.