The monotypic genus Allopsalliota (Agaricaceae, Agaricales, Basidiomycota) was created to accommodate Allopsalliota geesterani, originally described as Agaricus geesterani. After reexamination of this species based on both morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic evidence, we conclude that Allopsalliota should be considered a synonym of Micropsalliota, and we propose the transfer of Al. geesterani into Micropsalliota.

Two new species of Trichoderma are described based on soil samples from the Hubei and Tibet regions of China, and named as Trichoderma shennongjianum and Trichoderma tibetense. The combined analyses of morphology and sequence data, including culture characteristics, features of asexual states, and phylogeny inferred from partial sequences of translation elongation factor 1-α and the second largest RNA polymerase subunit encoding genes were carried out. Both species belong to the Strictipile clade, which previously contained only three species. Distinctions between the new species and their relatives are discussed. Trichoderma shennongjianum is related to T. longipile, and is characterized by variability in the sizes of its phialides and conidia and sequence data. Trichoderma tibetense appeared as a separate terminal branch related to T. strictipile, and is distinctive by its high growth rate and conidiophore branching pattern.

This study aimed to identify and further characterize hydrophobin genes in the whole-genome sequence of Flammulina velutipes. Ten genes (Hyd-1, Hyd-2, Hyd-3, Hyd-4, Hyd-5, Hyd-6, Hyd-7, Hyd-8, Hyd-9, and Hyd-10) sharing eight conserved cysteine residues were identified from 13 previously predicted putative hydrophobin genes in the F. velutipes genome. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that these genes were specifically expressed in different developmental stages and tissues. Whereas all of the genes showed relatively higher levels of expression in the primordial stages of the fungus, most of them were expressed at relatively low levels in the mycelial stage.

A low molecular weight alkaline xylanase from Neosartorya tatenoi KKU-CLB-3-2-4-1 was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-100 and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The xylanase was purified 32.09 fold, with the specific activity of 16.07 U mg⁻¹ protein and a recovery yield of 2.67%. The purified xylanase was estimated by SDS-PAGE with a molecular weight of 20 kDa. The purified xylanase was active at pH 10.0 and retained over 75% of the original activity in pH range 7.0–11.0 after incubation at 4 °C for 24 h. The optimum temperature of the purified xylanase was 45 °C. As for thermo-stability, more than 80% of original xylanase activity was retained after heating at 45 °C for 120 min. Xylanase activity was stimulated by Ag⁺ and inhibited by Hg²⁺. The purified xylanase was specific to beechwood xylan, birchwood xylan and oat spelt xylan. The K_m and V_max values for beechwood xylan were 10.34 mg/mL and 45.66 μmol/min/mg, respectively. In addition, the xylanase hydrolyzed beechwood xylan yielded mainly xylotriose and xylotetraose as end products, suggesting it was an endo-xylanase. Thus, its properties may make it attractive for application in the pulp and paper industry.

Heterothallic zygomycetes consist of two mating types, named plus and minus, whereas in homothallic species the genetic information for both mating types is present in one individual and nucleus. Nevertheless, zygophores, specialized sexual hyphae, of homothallic species harbor a plus or minus identity in the sexual reaction. Because of the lack of knowledge about the molecular and genetic background of the sexual development in zygomycetes, we used UV mutagenesis to create sexual defective mutants of Zygorhynchus moelleri. Our aim was to provide a set of mutants, which are helpful to identify new genes involved in the sexual morphogenesis. The six mutants presented here are arrested in different stages of the sexual development. Two mutants UV139 and UV542 predominantly produce only zygophores, whereas in two other mutants UV44 and UV48 the formation of gametangial walls is inhibited. Mutant UV554 seems to be blocked in the zygospore formation, whereas in mutant UV112 the wall formation of the zygosporangium is inhibited. We additionally isolated one methionine auxotroph, mutant UV127, which is blocked in the sexual and asexual development at low methionine concentrations, revealing the importance of methionine in the developmental processes of Z. moelleri.

Two Erysiphe species, viz., E. syringae and E. syringae-japonicae, are known to occur on lilacs (Syringa spp.). Erysiphe syringae migrated to Europe in the 19th century or early 20th century from the putative geographic origin North America and became widely distributed in Europe by mid-20th. Erysiphe syringae-japonicae was newly introduced to Europe in the 1990s and expanded from eastern Europe westward. Geographic distributions of these Erysiphe species were investigated using PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in Japan and Europe. Only E. syringae-japonicae is distributed on Hokkaido Island, Japan, whereas E. syringae and E. syringae-japonicae coexist in an extended area of Honshu Island. Only E. syringae-japonicae was detected from DNAs extracted from chasmothecia with a few exceptions, suggesting that E. syringae does not produce chasmothecia in Japan. Investigation of samples collected in Europe revealed that E. syringae and E. syringae-japonicae coexist in various regions of Europe. Erysiphe syringae coexists with E. syringae-japonicae on a single lilac leaf without observed spatial differentiation.

Although Pleurotus eryngii is a highly-valued mushroom, the tools for undertaking molecular biological research are lacking. We have now developed an improved, more efficient ATMT (Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation) system for generating P. eryngii transformants. Successful generation of transformants required that nutrient-limited fungal mycelium be used as the receptor material. The transformants remained genetically stable and produced normal clamp connections in mating tests. The procedures developed here provide an effective and simple means for gene function studies and directed breeding in P. eryngii essential for realizing the full biotechnological potential of this mushroom.

A new species of endophytic fungi, described herein as Chrysofolia barringtoniae, was isolated from leaves of Barringtonia acutangula in Lampang Province, Thailand. Morphological investigations revealed that its conidia are shorter than in Chrysofolia colombiana. Phylogenetic analyses also support the morphological results. A description and an illustration of C. barringtoniae are provided.

We describe and illustrate two new species, Tuber japonicum and Tuber flavidosporum, based on molecular and morphological analyses. Tuber japonicum is characterized by its two-spored asci and pale yellow irregularly reticulate ascospores. Tuber flavidosporum has one ascospore per ascus, which is similar to some related species in China, but is distinguishable by its large reticulate ornamentation. Molecular phylogenetic analysis also supports T. japonicum and T. flavidosporum as new species.