The xylosaprotrophic agaricomycete Pleurotus abieticola, described in 1997, is still poorly studied in ecological terms. The objective of this paper is to study the ecological characteristics of P. abieticola using the material from two large dry spruce sites (causal agent Ips typographus) in the Gladyshevsky and Shchuchye Lake protected areas (Saint Petersburg, Russia), where mass fructification of this species was found. The field species identification was confirmed by the results of ITS rDNA sequencing. A detailed study of drying stands revealed new fine features of the ecology and morphology of P. abieticola. A saprotrophic pioneer complex which includes P. abieticola has been identified (Fomitopsis pinicola, Trichaptum abietinum, Gloeophyllum sepiarium, Armillaria ostoyae, Amaropostia stiptica, Exidia nigricans, E. saccharina, Dacrymyces stillatus, Heterobasidion parviporum, Phlebiopsis gigantea, Stereum sanguinolentum). The causes of the mass distribution of Pleurotus abieticola in spruce stands affected by Ips typographus are discussed.
New data on species richness and ecology of lignicolous aphyllophoroid fungi (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) inhabiting the old-growth mesic broad-leaved forest of the Kaluzhskie Zaseki State Nature Reserve (Central Russian Upland, European part of Russia) is presented. A list of 46 species new to Kaluga Region is annotated with data on occupied woody substrates, collection numbers of herbarium specimens and brief distributional notes. Among them Thanatephorus ochraceus is a new species to the European part of Russia, Athelia cystidiolophora, Leucogyrophana sororia, Phlebia subulata, Skeletocutis kuehneri, Steccherinum pudorinum, and Tomentella lapida are registered for the first time for the Central Russian Upland. New localities of rare and little-known in Europe species, such as Aporpium macroporum, Hyphoderma incrustatum, Kneiffiella abdita, Peniophorella clavigera, Riopa metamorphosa, Sistotrema porulosum, and Yuchengia narymica, are revealed.
DNA barcoding is one of the most effective and modern approaches to obtaining new information on biodiversity of fungi and lichens in poorly studied and/or unique regions. As a result of this research, a total of 16 DNA barcodes were obtained for new regional finds of xylobiont aphyllophoroid fungi and lichens inhabiting the territory of the Samursky National Park (Republic of Dagestan, Russia). Among them, not only nucleotide sequences of ITS nrDNA for specimens identified based on classical micromorphological methods are presented, but also new information on cryptic species differentiated using molecular genetic approach. The taxonomic spectrum of the studied objects includes representatives of the genera Coniophora, Dendrographa, Diploicia, Dirina, Evernia, Hyphoderma, Lyomyces, Mycoacia, Opegrapha, Peniophorella, Phanerochaete, and Xylodon. Mycoacia aurea is registered for the first time for the Republic of Dagestan and the Eastern Caucasus.
As a result of field work and revision of herbarium material from previous years’ collections, 14 fungal species new to the Bastak Nature Reserve were identified. Ten of them are new for the Jewish Autonomous Region (Armillaria cepistipes, Baeospora myriadophylla, Baorangia alexandri, Ceraceomyces borealis, Dichomitus squalens, Gomphidius borealis, Phlebiopsis pilatii, Picipes tubaeformis, Serpula himantioides, Thelephora penicillata). To date, 781 species of basidial macrofungi are known in the reserve mycobiota.
Totally, 26 species of macrofungi of two phyla, Basidiomycota (23 species, 88%) and Ascomycota (three species, 12%) – were recorded in the greenhouses of the Donetsk Botanical Garden over a 12-year period (2007–2008 and 2015–2024). Seven species – Cyathus striatus, Gymnopilus liquiritiae, Mycena epipterygia, M. leptocephala, Panaeolus fimicola, Peziza varia, and P. vesiculosa – were reported for the first time for the territory of the Donetsk Botanical Garden. The species diversity of macrofungi in greenhouses is relatively low – 10–18% of the species recorded in the anthropogenically transformed regional ecosystems of Donbass. Multiregional cosmopolitans (20 species, 77%) and saprotrophs (17 species, 65%) dominated among fungal species by species composition and trophic spectrum respectively. Two peaks of fruiting body formation were observed: the winter peak – in January and February, and the autumn peak – in October. Macrofungi communities of greenhouses are composed mostly of accidentally introduced species. The incoming of fungi into the greenhouses occurred with organic substrates of local and foreign origin. This may facilitate the introduction and subsequent naturalization of alien fungi in the regional phytocoenoses.
A total of 49 species of aphyllophoroid fungi (Agaricomycetes) were recorded for the first time in Taymyrsky Dolgano-Nenetsky District. The ranges expansion of phytopathogenic fungi associated with alien and native woody plants to the north, as well as the increase in the number of the wooden infrastructure destroyers, are discussed.
Microfungi of the genus Aspergillus are well-known as producers of fibrinolytic and plasminogen activating proteases. But for development of new antithrombotics we should use strains which extracellular proteases correspond to these criteria: 1) demonstrate anticoagulant, fibrinolytic and plasminogen activating activities at the same time; 2) have narrow substrate specificity; 3) are able to hydrolase substrates of two following each other proteins of hemostasis system. According to these criteria Aspergillus tabacinus was chosen. Maximal activities of culture liquid of this strain grown in optimal conditions were 87 Е × 10–3 with activated protein C substrate S-2366 and 73 Е × 10–3 with thrombin substrate Chromozym TH. Fibrinogenolytic activity of lyophilized enzyme preparation after ammonium sulfate precipitation and dialysis was 779.1 Е/mg of protein.
The review examines the results of studies of the last decade on the co-cultivation of fungi and microalgae. It outlines the mechanisms of interaction between fungi and microscopic algae during associative cultivation and briefly discusses the methods for the formation of flocs. Key importance for biotechnology is the ability of fungi and algae to form granules (floccules), which are easy to separate from the culture liquid. The synergistic effect of these relationships results in a higher level of biomass accumulation, synthesis of lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and other metabolites, as well as the removal of various pollutants from wastewater. By selecting specific strains and optimizing cultivation conditions, it is possible to enhance the composition of the resulting products. So far, mostly successful laboratory experiments have been carried out in this direction, which need to be expanded and transferred to production projects. For large-scale application of these systems, it is necessary to continue research into the mechanisms of interaction between fungi and microalgae, their metabolism, regulation of biosynthetic processes using modern methods of metabolomics and proteomics, and to develop engineering solutions for their cultivation.
Grain production serves as an important strategic resource of the Russian Federation, it is a fundamental branch of agricultural production. In order to get a high and stable yield, it is necessary to carry out protective measures for crops against various diseases. In recent years, leaf-stem diseases of grain crops stand out as the most harmful ones in agrocoenoses. They significantly decrease crop yield. Not only do they rapidly spread around multiple regions of the Russian Federation, but they encompass other grain-producing countries as well. Zymoseptoria tritici is a dangerous fungal phytopathogen that causes Septoria blotches among wheat, triticale, barley and rye. Within several decades, some significant progress has been made in the process of genetic control of wheat resistance to Z. tritici. However, due to the presence of favorable weather conditions contributing to the development of fungal infections, in order to prevent crop loss together with decrease in the quality of agricultural produce, from one to several fungicide treatments have to be implemented. Russian and foreign scientists have noted a tendency of Z. tritici to increase rersistance to some fungicides, which poses a problem with the successful implementation of efficient plant protection measures. Such classes as triazoles and strobilurins are no exception, and according to the FRAC rating, the risk of developing resistance to them is assessed as medium in the former and high in the latter, accordingly. Increasing problems caused by fungicide resistance in Z. tritici populations pose a threat to further wheat production. The purpose of the present research is to analyze modern literature data on the emergence of resistance to fungicides from the chemical classes of triazoles and strobilurins in Z. tritici. The given review examines the genetic mechanisms of resistance that appear in the phytopathogen; examples of monitoring studies of fungal resistance in various countries are provided alongside with practical recommendations on the implementation of anti-resistance strategies. The success of creating such strategies is impossible without knowledge of the pathogen population structure, cultivar resistance, regional agro-ecological peculiarities of the pathogen development and crop cultivation or the biological commercial and economic efficiency of protection means and methods.
Using the example of the preparation of the third edition of the Red data book of the Rostov Region (section Fungi), the experience of applying criteria developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature is presented. Until recently, the assessment of rarity and threats was carried out using traditionally accepted methods in Russia and often allowed for a significant degree of subjectivity. The IUCN criteria are based on quantitative assessments, which permit a more of accurate evaluation of species status and associated threats. The introduction of new assessment criteria frequently results in a notable revision of the lists of species proposed for protection, with the exclusion of a considerable number of species. The application of most criteria in relation to fungi is exceedingly challenging. Criterion B (geographical distribution: extent of occurrence and area of occupancy) is the most adequate, which allows to indirectly assess the degree of threat of extinction of the species in the territory under consideration. Since the IUCN criteria have been developed for assessment at the global level, it is necessary to develop clearer recommendations for work at the regional level regarding the assessment of the area of areal and habitat.
A total of 81 fungal species including ten ascomycete and 71 basidiomycete species have been recorded for the first time from 19 administrative regions of Russia: Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (6), Republic of Crimea (6), Republic of Tyva (2), Perm Krai (8), Primorsky Krai (2), Arkhangelsk Oblast (2), Bryansk Oblast (1), Irkutsk Oblast (3), Murmansk Oblast (6), Novosibirsk Oblast (1), Oryol Oblast (1), Pskov Oblast (2), Tula Oblast (27), Tyumen Oblast (5), Ulyanovsk Oblast (1), Yaroslavl Oblast (1), Saint Petersburg Federal City (1), Sevastopol Federal City (3), and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (4 species). An annotated species list containing the data on locality, substrate, habitat type, date of collection, and voucher numbers is provided. Berkleasmium conglobatum, Biporispora europaea, Heydenia arietina, Lopadostoma pouzarii, Navicella pileata, Trizodia acrobia (Ascomycota), and Callistosporium pseudofelleum, Coltricia confluens, Melanoleuca monticola (Basidiomycota) are reported as the first records in Russia. Clitopilus geminus, Crepidotus stenocystis, Flammulina populicola, Mycena luteovariegata, and Pholiotina longistipitata are recorded in Russia for the second time. Among them, Clitopilus geminus is a new species to European Russia, and Crepidotus stenocystis is a new one to the Asian part of Russia. Amanita mairei, Cortinarius integerrimus, Flammulina elastica, and Infundibulicybe gigas are reported for the third time. New data on rare and little-collected species Purpureodiscus subisabellinus and Hydnellum gracilipes is presented. Complete sequences of ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 nuclear ribosomal DNA for nine species reported have been generated and submitted to the GenBank database.
Microfungi of deep-sea sediments, and especially those several meters below the water–sediment interface, are poorly studied. In this work, for the first time, microfungal communities isolated by cultivation from deep-sea sediments of the eastern part of the Equatorial Atlantic (the Romanche and Chain Fracture Zones) were investigated. Fungi were isolated from sediments sampled at each of 12 stations from horizons 1.0–4.7 m below the sediment–water interface. To study microscopic fungi, one sediment horizon was isolated from each core. The fungal abundances were within the range of 0.0–3300.0 CFU g-1 sediment dry weight. A total of 19 fungal taxa from the phyla Ascomycota (18) and Basidiomycota (1) were identified, and Mycelia sterilia 1 strain was also isolated. Seven fungal species were encountered only once. In this case, the maximum similarity of species composition, in terms of the Bray – Curtis coefficient, was 57.14% (horizons 1.0 and 3.6 m, four common species). A comparison of the taxonomic structures of fungal communities from the study area was made with those from sediments of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and other areas of the Atlantic. The fungal communities from sediments in the study area were compared with those from the Indian and Pacific Oceans and other areas of the Atlantic. From the literature data and present study results, a list of fungal species with 180 names was compiled. The fungi belonged to 97 genera, 57 families, 32 orders and 13 classes of the phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mucoromycota. The diversity of fungal communities was assessed using indicators of taxonomic richness (number of taxa from different ranks), proportions (genera/families, species/families, species/genera), Average Taxonomic Distinctness index (AvTD, Δ+) and Variation in Taxonomic Distinctness index (VarTD, Λ+). Four and twelve fungal classes were identified in sediments in the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic and the Indian Ocean, respectively. The species/genera proportions in the communities varied from 1.33 (Indian Ocean) to 3.8 (other areas of the Atlantic Ocean). For the fungal communities of the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic, the AvTD index value was minimal (Δ+ = 50.19), the VarTD index was maximal (Λ+ = 945.38), and they were beyond the 95% confidence interval. This was due to the small number of the fungal classes and vertical and horizontal unevenness of species distribution along taxonomic branches, which was manifested in the dominance of species of the family Aspergillaceae (78.9% of the species in the class Saccharomycetes and Eurotiomycetes), only two species belonging to the classes Sordariomycetes and one species belonging to the class Microbotryomycetes (phylum Basidiomycota). Consequently, statistically significant differences were found between the taxonomic structures of the fungal communities of the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic and the other regions of the World Ocean, which are due to the insufficient amount of data obtained on the species composition of fungi in the sediments of this area. The study did not reveal any pattern in the change in the number of fungal species and their abundance in relation to the water characteristics (temperature, pH, and salinity), horizon depth in the sediment core, sediment type, or sampling station location in the Romanche and Chain Fracture Zones.
Data are presented on a comparative analysis of carbon-oxygen gas exchange between basidiocarps of brown and white rot fungi and the coniferous wood they decay using the chamber method at 20°C. The ratio of CO2 and O2 volumes (characterizing the efficiency of the oxidative conversion of organic carbon into CO2) and CO2 emission activity (characterizing the intensity of the oxidative conversion of organic carbon into CO2) were assessed. It has been shown that the gas exchange of coniferous woody debris with brown and white rot is aerobic, and its carbon-oxygen balance is identical to the gas exchange of basidiocarps of the corresponding ecological and physiological groups of xylotrophic fungi and characterizes them as equally effective mineralizers: 70–80% of organic carbon is converted into CO2. The CO2 emission activity of woody debris with white and brown rot is close – for the former 0.11–0.12, for the latter 0.07–0.09 mg CO2/g/h – but for white rot it is 30–60% higher. The basidiocarps of brown rot fungi are distinguished by a higher respiration rate than that of white rot fungi, but in both cases it is many times higher (white rot fungi – 5–8 times, brown rot fungi – 11–90 times) higher than the CO2 emission activity of the wood they decay.
The article presents the results of a detailed survey of cultivated roses growing in the European territory of Russia for their infestation by fungi of the genus Phragmidium causing rose rust disease. The main study area was the rose garden of the Peter the Great Botanical Garden of BIN RAS (St. Petersburg). A total of five wild species and 43 varieties of roses from seven garden groups were studied. As a result of morphological analysis of affected plant parts, detailed microscopy (using light and scanning electron microscopes) of collected fungal specimens and analysis of DNA data, four species of the genus (Phragmidium mucronatum, P. fusiforme, P. tuberculatum, and P. rosae- pimpinellifoliae) were identified. Interestingly, all identified species appeared to belong to the group of morphologically similar species from the P. mucronatum complex. During the study, the nucleotide sequences of ITS for P. fusiforme, P. mucronatum, and P. rosae- pimpinellifoliae and LSU for P. rosae-pimpinellifoliae, previously missing from databases, were obtained for the first time. Refined morphological descriptions and illustrations of macro- and microstructures are provided for all Phragmidium species studied. To compare the studied species with other representatives of the genus and to determine their phylogenetic position, phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and LSU sequences was performed.
Information is given on 53 species of macromycetes (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota), first documented in the Russian Far East (11 species) or in its administrative regions (Amur, Jewish Autonomous, Magadan, and Sakhalin Oblast, Khabarovsk and Primorskiy Krai). For some poorly known species, notes on the peculiarities of their distribution and ecology are given. The identification of Pluteus hibbettii and Rhizopogon laricinus was confirmed by molecular genetic methods. The cited material is stored in mycological herbaria of ABGI (Blagoveshchensk), LE (St. Petersburg), MAG (Magadan), SVER (Ekaterinburg), TOB (Tobolsk), and VLA (Vladivostok).
Toxigenic fungi are pathogenic microorganisms that produce mycotoxins and cause mycoses and mycotoxicoses. According to FAO, 25% of the world’s grain production is contaminated with mycotoxins. In developing countries, up to 36% of all diseases are directly or indirectly related to fungal mycotoxins. The review considers the situation with infestation of grain crops in different regions of Russia by toxigenic fungi of the genera Claviceps, Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium and accumulation of mycotoxins dangerous for humans and animals. Claviceps fungi are widespread on cereals, especially harmful on rye. They contain toxic alkaloids with nerve agent action. The toxins produced by Fusarium are harmful to human and animal health. Different Fusarium species can produce a wide range of mycotoxins. Fungi of the genus Alternaria are widely distributed on agricultural crops. Diseases caused by Alternaria affect usually the grain of all cereals. The main danger of grain contamination by Alternaria species is the presence of secondary metabolites toxic to plants, animals and humans in agricultural products. Fungi of the genus Aspergillus affect grain of wheat, barley, corn and other crops. Species of the genus Aspergillus produce toxins harmful to humans and animals. They have carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic and immunosuppressive properties. Fungi of the genus Penicillium mainly cause seed mold. Seed mold causes reduced germination and often seed death. Fungi of the genus Penicillium produce a large number of mycotoxins. They have nephrotoxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Disease development and mycotoxin production are influenced by climatic conditions.
Based on the updated information, nine species are recommended for inclusion in the list of protected fungal species of the Primorsky Krai of the Russian Federation: Bryoperdon acuminatum, Buchwaldoboletus lignicola, Calonarius sodagnitus, Gomphidius flavipes, Hapalopilus croceus, Hygrocybe swanetica, Leucopholiota lignicola, Pycnoporellus alboluteus, Rubroboletus dupainii. The following species are proposed for exclusion: Arrhenia discorosea, Boletus aereus, B. auripes, Butyriboletus appendiculatus, Calostoma cinnabarinum, Fomitopsis castanea, Hypsizygus tessulatus, Lentinellus brunnescens, Phallus ultraduplicatus, Pseudocolus fusiformis, Retiboletus retipes, Rhodotus palmatus, Rubroboletus rhodoxanthus, Tylopilus alboater. For two genera (Calostoma and Retiboletus), monitoring was proposed in order to supplement information on their occurrence in the Russian Far East.
Talaromyces is a monophyletic genus of microscopic fungi which contain a large number of species, including clinically and biotechnologically significant ones. Since 2011 when species of Penicillium subg. Biverticillium were transferred to a Talaromyces, interest in the genus has grown significantly, a large number of new species have been described from various regions, especially Asia and North America. According to the generalized literature data on the 2023 year a genus Talaromyces have a 198 species. This paper provides an overview of the history and changes in the genus system, discusses the difficulties in identifying both using morphological and molecular characters, and gives information about genetic regions that are most convenient for the DNA barcoding procedure. Separately, provides a data about regions and substrates.
The biodegradation of oils by the strain Aspergillus niger AM1 VKM F-4815D was studied. Visual observation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that oil is subject to partial destruction, but cannot serve as the only source of carbon — the culture medium must contain glucose. An interesting fact is the change in consistency and hardening of oil under the influence of A. niger. This allows us to consider the possibility of using the strain for the bioremediation of soils and waters contaminated with oil. No less interesting is that, even earlier, the ability of the strain to metabolize a number of toxic phosphorus compounds, including even white and red phosphorus, was established. However, most organic solvents have a noticeable toxic effect, inhibiting growth in the presence of glucose and not becoming carbon sources in the absence of glucose.
The effect of pre-sowing seed treatment with immunostimulant Bisol-2, red light and low frequency electromagnetic field on the content of fungitoxic substances of phenolic nature – phytoalexins (isohemigossypol and gossypol-equivalent) in infected etiolated cotton seedlings of S-4727 cultivar infected with Verticillium wilt pathogen was studied. It was found that photostimulation of seeds by red light induces phytoalexin formation in cotton tissues infected by the pathogen 1.5–2 times more effectively in comparison with Bisol-2 preparation or inducer of electromagnetic nature. The correlation between the content of phytoalexins in the tissues of seedlings, parameters of induction curves of chlorophyll fluorescence and the number of plants with signs of wilt lesions grown from treated and untreated seeds with inducers was revealed. This indicates the possibility of using red light and weak low-frequency electromagnetic fields as factors contributing to the intensification of phytoalexin formation in response to Verticillium wilt infection of cotton.
