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Back to the roots: Uncovering ectomycorrhizal communities across three major African vegetation types
No full textEctomycorrhizal fungi (EcM) are critical to the health and sustainability of many African ecosystems that include EcM-associated tree species. In Sub-Saharan Africa, three major EcM-dominated vegetation types can be distinguished: the Central African Guineo-Congolian rainforests, the West African Sudanian woodlands and the East African Zambezian Miombo woodlands. While the rainforests feature humid conditions with isolated patches of EcM trees amongst predominantly arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) communities, the woodlands are characterised by drier soils and more vast continuous areas of EcM trees. We hypothesise that the isolation of EcM tree patches within the rainforest promotes a unique and potentially endemic EcM fungal community, while riparian forests found along rivers in woodland areas may serve as corridors, facilitating the spread of such rare taxa into woodland regions. In this study, we employ root tip metabarcoding combined with Species Hypothesis (SH) matching to characterise the EcM communities across these three vegetation types. Consistent with previous findings from fruit-body surveys and eDNA studies, our results show that Russulaceae is the most abundant EcM clade across all three regions. Other clades reveal greater discrepancy compared to their above-ground abundances, with notably high abundances of Inocybaceae, Thelephoraceae and Sebacinaceae, especially in woodlands. Conversely, Amanitaceae and Boletaceae appear under-represented. Both Boletaceae and Elaphomycetaceae are found to be more prevalent in rainforest and riparian zones, illustrating the unique EcM community of the Guineo-Congolian rainforest. Our findings highlight the corridor potential of riparian areas in facilitating the spread of these rainforest endemics. This suggests that local edaphic and climatic conditions can override broad spatial patterns, such as distance decay, in community structure of African EcM. Moreover, we suggest a stronger effect of EcM host specificity than previously suggested for African fungal communities. Lastly, we assess the level of species-level representation and accuracy of taxonomic annotation of SHs within African Lactifluus. We confirm it to be one of the most thoroughly described and collected fungal genera on the continent, with over 80% of identified SHs represented in our herbarium collections
Phylogenetic position, supplementary description and phytochemical analysis of Camellia hekouensis (Theaceae), a critically endangered tree native to Hekou, Yunnan, China
No full textCamellia harbors unique diversity along Sino-Vietnamese border. Some species of them are under threat due to human activity. Camellia hekouensis, a native of Hekou, Yunnan, China, was once considered extinct as the previously known “last living tree” died in 2024. Fortunately, 11 in-situ and 32 ex-situ trees have been protected and propagated by the staff of Hekou Administration Branch of Dawei Mountain National Nature Reserve in Yunnan with their great unpublicized efforts. Molecular phylogenetic analysis suggests that C. hekouensis is nested in the main clade CI of Camellia and forms a clade with C. corallina, C. gracilipes and C. pubicosta, which are generally distributed in Vietnam. Morphological characters of the capsule and seed of C. hekouensis are supplementally described. The leaves of C. hekouensis contain 1.18 mg/g theobromine, which disagrees with the previous chemotaxonomic claim. Though the economic and ecological values are little known for C. hekouensis, the species should be conserved and propagated effectively and promptly to prevent extinction
Three new species of Pleurothallis (Orchidaceae) from Costa Rica and Panama, with a note on asexual reproduction by prolification in Pleurothallidinae
No full textThree new species of Pleurothallis, each exhibiting prolific vegetative growth, are described from Costa Rica and western Panama. Prolification refers to the development of a vegetative bud from the axil of a bract within the floral meristem, a frequent condition in the Pleurothallidinae, where it manifests as a new ramicaul developed from the apex of a previous ramicaul. Prolification can be either constitutive or facultative, the latter occurring mostly under stress-induced, non-optimal growing conditions. The three new species are found at high elevations, between 1400 and 2550 m, in humid, dense, mossy conditions on the Talamanca range, where they naturally produce prolific growths on the ramicaul apex that sever from the plant with time. Pleurothallis matrisilvae sp. nov. superficially resembles P. bothros, but may be distinguished by the prolific habit, thin ramicauls, typically bearing 1–2 open flowers, the longer flower segments, the lanceolate petals, and the black flecks on the pedicel, ovary, and external surface of the sepals. Pleurothallis pridgeoniana sp. nov. is similar to P. vinealis but distinguished by the significantly shorter plants and ramicauls, the much smaller yellow flowers with a rose to purple suffusion, and the triangular-ovate lip with glandular margins and lacking a central sulcus. Pleurothallis winkeliana sp. nov., closely resembles P. longipetala, but differs by the occasionally prolific plant that produces clumps of ramicauls, the comparatively broader, cordate leaves with overlapping basal lobes, the smaller flower, and the pendent lip, perpendicular to the column
A new species of the genus Afissa Dieke, 1947 (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) from China
No full textRecent morphological and molecular studies have clarified some aspects of the taxonomy of Afissa Dieke, 1947, but many species remain unexamined or misclassified. Additional taxonomic work is essential to resolve the classification and distribution of Afissa species in Asia, particularly in China.Afissa xuexii sp. nov. is described from Yunan and Guizhou Province, China. This new species is characteried by its typical bifurcated penis guide. Diagnosis, description and illustrations are provided
The Trichoptera of Panama XXVIII. Nine new species of microcaddisflies (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae)
No full textIn this study, we describe and illustrate nine new species of microcaddisflies: Oxyethira jaramillo sp. nov., Neotrichia afuera sp. nov., Neotrichia aguirrei sp. nov., Neotrichia betegui sp. nov., Neotrichia rancheria sp. nov., Neotrichia sona sp. nov., Metrichia riosi sp. nov., Ochrotrichia mariettae sp. nov. and Ochrotrichia martinez sp. nov. The majority of these new species were collected on the Soná Peninsula or offshore on the Coiba National Park islands. With these additions, there are now 544 species of caddisflies known from Panama, distributed amongst 15 families and 56 genera
First record of African fig fly, Zaprionus indianus Gupta, 1970 (Diptera, Drosophilidae) in Hungary
No full textOur study reports the first occurrence of Zaprionus indianus Gupta, 1970 (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Hungary, representing the northernmost European record of this thermophilic species. Specimens were captured in October 2023 during a large-scale Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) monitoring program conducted in sweet cherry orchards in north-central Hungary. A total of five individuals (one female and four males) were caught at two different orchards 1 km apart, using modified pan and bottle traps baited with apple cider vinegar-based lures. No specimens were detected in the previous year (2022) or the following year (2024), which may indicate a transient population, though further monitoring would be required to confirm the lack of establishment. Although the overwintering of the species appears unlikely in Hungary, climate change may facilitate its future range expansion. Our findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of invasive drosophilids in Central Europe for better understanding their establishment potential and agricultural risks
Livelihood benefits from commercialisation of mopane worms (Imbrasia belina) in the Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo Province of South Africa
No full textMopane worms have traditionally been harvested for subsistence purposes, however, in recent times, there has been increased commercialisation of these worms. In Muyexe and Nsavulani villages (falling under Mopani District), local communities have been selling mopane worms for the past two decades. A survey was undertaken in these two villages in June and July 2023 to document the process involved in the commercialisation of mopane worms—from raw material harvesting to a commodity sold to generate cash income, and to assess the importance of the trade for livelihoods and poverty allevia-tion of households. Interview-administered questionnaires were used as the main data collection tool, and systematic random sampling was used to select 161 households in Muyexe village and 82 households in Nsavulani village. The questionnaire that included closed- and open-ended questions covered the socio-economic profile of respondents, mopane worms’ availability and procurement, processing of mopane worms, market-ing, trading of mopane worms and livelihood benefits from selling mopane worms. Closed-ended questions were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, while open-ended questions were analysed using thematic content analysis. The study found that most of the harvesters in Muyexe (69% n = 111) and Nsavulani (59% n = 48) villages were females. Most harvesters in Muyexe (97%; n = 156) and Nsavulani villages (98%; n = 80) preferred degutting mopane worms at home, whereas only five and two respondents in Muyexe and Nsavulani villages, respectively, degut them in the harvesting fields. The researcher found that mopane worms are harvested for both household consumption and trade—this is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 1 (no poverty) and 2 (zero hunger). Most harvesters in Nsavulani village who trade mopane worms reported making between R2,100 (162.55), whereas most harvesters in Muyexe village make between R1,000 ($54.18) and R2,000 (108.37) per season. The study found that 55% of households in Muyexe village and 70% in Nsavulani village derive income only from mopane worm sales. Although the income earned from the sale of mopane worms is seasonal, it is highly appreciated by communities and plays a significant role in alleviating poverty and improving their lives and livelihoods
Emendation of morphology and infrageneric standards of Parasola (Psathyrellaceae, Agaricales) and its species diversity in China
No full textThe genus Parasola, a significant lineage of coprinoid fungi, represents a basal clade within the family Psathyrellaceae, with species saprotrophic on soil, wood, or occasionally on dungs. While the infrageneric classification of Parasola has been established into two sections, sect. Conopileae and sect. Parasola, based on phylogenetic studies, the corresponding morphological differentiation criteria remain poorly defined, and the species diversity of Parasola in China is poorly understood, with only eight known species previously recorded. Through extensive fieldwork across ten provinces in China, this study discovered eight proposed new species and three new records to the country, each accompanied by detailed description and line drawings. A molecular phylogenetic analysis, incorporating samples from China and other species confirmed by previous studies, was performed using multiple loci, including the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA (nrLSU), the translation elongation factor EF-1 alpha gene (tef1-α), and the beta-tubulin gene (β-tublin), and integrated with morphological features and geographic data. The results confirmed the current infrageneric classification of Parasola into two sections and established morphological differentiation criteria: (1) species in sect. Conopileae exhibit psathyrelloid basidiomata, while those in sect. Parasola display parasoloid basidiomata; (2) the formation of pileus plication due to the growth of secondary pileipellis at maturity distinguishes sect. Parasola, whereas its absence characterizes sect. Conopileae; and (3) the two sections differ in lamellae-stipe attachment types, influenced by the arrangement of caulocystidia at stipe’s upper part— adjacent in sect. Conopileae without accumulated caulocystidia, and free in sect. Parasola with enlongated stipepellis hyphae bearing terminal cystidia. Notably, the presence or absence of sclerocystidia, a previously used classification criterion, no longer aligns with monophyletic grouping system of this genus. The study also explores the formation mechanism of the pileus plication and the free-type lamellae-stipe attachment in Parasola, highlighting evolutionary trends such as the emergence of secondary pileipellis, the increased distance between the stipe and gills, loss of sclerocystidia, transition from monomorphic to dimorphic basidia, the flattening and polygonalization of basidiospores, and the partialization of germ pores, all mapped onto phylogenetic framework. A taxonomic key to the species of Parasola, validated by phylogenetic results, is provided, enhancing our understanding of the morphological and phylogenetic diversity of Parasola and offering new insights into its infrageneric classification and evolutionary path
Four novel endolichenic fungi from Usnea spp. (Lecanorales, Parmeliaceae) in Yunnan and Guizhou, China: Taxonomic description and preliminary assessment of bioactive potentials
No full textUsnea is one of the largest and most diverse genera of fruticose lichens with global distribution. Endolichenic fungi, which thrive within lichen thalli, have emerged as a promising source of bioactive compounds, with the ability to synthesise a variety of metabolites with biopharmaceutical potential. In this study, four isolates of endolichenic fungi isolated from Usnea spp. were identified using comprehensive multi-gene phylogenetic analyses. These isolates were evaluated for their anticancer, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, as well as for their ability to produce extracellular enzymes. Our findings revealed that the isolates represent four novel species, named as Amphisphaeria falcata, Kirschsteiniothelia tumidula, Neoroussoella annulata, and Veronaea brunneicolor. Our screening assay showed N. annulata and V. brunneicolor exhibited cytotoxic effects against the H460 human lung cancer cell line, with moderate inhibitory activity at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. The four fungal isolates exhibited distinct antifungal profiles against phytopathogens: Amphisphaeria falcata specifically inhibited Fusarium graminearum, while Veronaea brunneicolor showed broad-spectrum activity against Botrytis cinerea, F. graminearum, and Alternaria alternata. No antibacterial effects were detected in any isolates. These fungi exhibited a diverse array of extracellular enzyme activities, including amylase, protease, gelatinase, glucose oxidase, and cellulase. Collectively, these results underscore the considerable biotechnological potential of endolichenic fungi as sources of bioactive compounds with applications in drug discovery, agriculture, and environmental management. These findings also highlight the ecological importance of endolichenic fungi, suggesting that they may play multifaceted roles in lichen symbioses and their environments. Continued exploration of these fungi is essential for unlocking their full pharmacological and industrial potential
