Three new species, closely related to , are described from the USA and India. These species form septate conidia from simple conidiophores with individual branches terminating in a single phialide and chlamydospores. Teleomorphs, known for and , are characterised by hairy perithecia and fusiform, apiculate, and conspicuously warted ascospores. This combination of characters distinguishes the -group from other members of that all form gliocladium-type anamorphs and mostly grow on basidiomata of spp. Like in other species of the genus, the majority of hosts of the species described in this paper belong to wood-inhabiting taxa of Russulales. had been recorded from a few regions in Europe and exclusively on Herein, it is reported also from in many other localities and on s.l. at the foothills of the Himalayas. Its sister species, found in the same region in northern India on another member of Russulales (, is described as The two species described from North America colonize polypores from various taxa. Whereas occurs in eastern USA, with among its hosts, is so far known only from two locations in eastern Texas, growing on (Polyporales). Despite their great similarity in morphology and ITS rDNA, TEF1 sequences clearly distinguish these two North-American species. Moreover, the two strains of appeared metabolically distinct as their organic extracts strongly inhibited the growth of human pathogenic microbes grown in vitro. Phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences supports monophyly of the genus and the included -group, established here.

Kärcher & Seibt is a rare European species of the subgenus , section , neglected in recent molecular studies. New primers (CortF and CortR) designed for species in the section allowed to obtain ITS rDNA sequence data from the holotype collection of ; according to the results, this epithet has priority over Rob. Henry ex Rob. Henry, Reumaux, and Bidaud, Moënne-Locc. & Reumaux. Morphological and ecological observations on recent collections of from the Czech Republic in comparison with the co-occurring are discussed. Nomenclatural and taxonomic comments on Rob. Henry, Rob. Henry, and Reumaux are also provided. So far, is known with certainty from Germany, France, and the Czech Republic, where it grows in deciduous forests on acid to neutral soils. Arsenic and its compounds were determined in and related species of the section : , , and . Total arsenic concentrations were in the range 3.6-30.2 mg kg (dry matter) and arsenobetaine was the major arsenic compound.

The genus is synonymised with , based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic considerations. Investigations of types and fresh collections revealed that is an earlier name for (syn. ) and is thus combined in . is recognised as a distinct species and transferred to , as well as the recently described . Descriptions and illustrations are provided for and . A recent collection of the North American , the generic type of , was studied with respect to morphology of its sexual morph in fresh condition and of its asexual morph produced in pure culture. Molecular phylogenies based on six loci (ITS and LSU regions of nuc rDNA, , , , and genes) place within , confirming synonymy of with , but remarkably a relationship to European species with green to brown spores (former genus ) receives no support, and its closest relatives remain unclear. is described as a new species from herbarium specimens of collected in the Ukraine. It is characterised by morphology of the sexual morph and by DNA sequence data, which place it within the - clade with high support. This is also supported by its morphology, specifically ascomata partly embedded within a stroma, muriform ascospores not budding within the ascus, becoming yellowish to rosy at maturity.

Based on sequence data from , ITS and LSU rDNA, it is shown that at least six species of occur on the genus , most of which were commonly classified under . Based on sequences from their type hosts, , , , and are combined into , and their circumscription is clarified. is described as a new species from . The host range of , described from , is shown to extend to various species. Host range of species is shown to be highly diagnostic, with no overlap in their host range, but species commonly cannot be distinguished by morphology alone. Both and are confirmed to be good markers for phylogenetic species delimitation of closely related species on .

Lichen thalli harbor complex fungal communities (mycobiomes) of species with divergent trophic and ecological strategies. The complexity and diversity of lichen mycobiomes are still largely unknown, despite surveys combining culture-based methods and high-throughput sequencing (HTS). The results of such surveys are strongly influenced by the barcode locus chosen, its sensitivity in discriminating taxa, and the depth to which public sequence repositories cover the phylogenetic spectrum of fungi. Here, we use HTS of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) to assess the taxonomic composition and diversity of a well-characterized, alpine rock lichen community that includes thalli symptomatically infected by lichenicolous fungi as well as asymptomatic thalli. Taxa belonging to the order Chaetothyriales are the major components of the observed lichen mycobiomes. We predict sequences representative of lichenicolous fungi characterized morphologically and assess their asymptomatic presence in lichen thalli. We demonstrated the limitations of metabarcoding in fungi and show how the estimation of species diversity widely differs when ITS1 or ITS2 are used as barcode, and particularly biases the detection of Basidiomycota. The complementary analysis of both ITS1 and ITS2 loci is therefore required to reliably estimate the diversity of lichen mycobiomes.

(synonym: ) is a widely cultivated edible and reportedly almost cosmopolitan mushroom species that serves as a model fungus for basidiome formation and as producer of useful natural products and enzymes. Focusing on strains from different continents, here, we present a phylogenetic analysis of this species and some adjacent taxa that employs four phylogenetic markers. In addition, we tested the strains' capability to fructify on agar media. Our analysis reveals that "" splits up into the following two well-supported monophyletic geographic lineages: a European clade and an Asian clade. The European one is closely associated with the Chinese species . In contrast, the Asian lineage, which we preliminarily designate as agg., may comprise several species (species complex) and clusters with the Pacific species (New Zealand). In addition, fruiting properties differ across and its Asian and Pacific relatives; however, strains from the Asian clade and tend to form larger basidiomes with relatively big caps and long stipes and strains from the European clade exhibit a more variable fruiting productivity with the tendency to form more basidiomes, with smaller caps and shorter stipes. Moreover, some strains showed individual fruiting patterns, such as the preference to fruit where they were exposed to injuring stimuli. In conclusion, the delimitation of the newly delimited Asian species complex from our multilocus phylogeny of "", which is supported by phenotypic data, depicts an exemplary case of biogeographic diversity within a previously thought homogeneous species of near worldwide distribution.

Terricolous lichens are abundant in semi-arid areas, where they are exposed to high irradiation. Photoprotection is essential for the algae as the photobiont provides the primer carbon source for both symbionts. The UV-protectant lichen metabolites and different quenching procedures of the alga ensure adequate photoprotection. Since the long-term effect of diminishing UV-protectant lichen metabolites is unknown, a major part of lichen secondary metabolites was removed from thalli by acetone rinsing, and the lichens were then maintained under field conditions to investigate the effect on both symbionts for 3 years. Our aim was to determine if the decreased level of UV-protectant metabolites caused an elevated photoprotection in the algae and to reveal the dynamics of production of the metabolites. Photosynthetic activity and light protection were checked by chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics measurements every 6 months. The concentrations of fumarprotocetraric and usnic acids were monitored by chromatographic methods. Our results proved that seasonality had a more pronounced effect than that of acetone treatment on the function of lichens over a long-term scale. Even after 3 years, the acetone-treated thalli contained half as much usnic acid as the control thalli, and the level of photoprotection remained unchanged in the algae. However, the amount of available humidity was a more critical limiting environmental factor than the amount of incoming irradiation affecting usnic acid production. The lichenicolous fungus became relatively more abundant in the acetone-treated samples than in the control samples, indicating a slight change caused by the treatment.

Phylogenetic analyses of a combined DNA data matrix containing ITS, LSU, and sequences of representative Xylariales revealed that the genus is a well-defined monophylum, as based on four of its described species (, , , ) and the new species . The generic type of , , is revealed as the closest relative of , being phylogenetically distant from the generic type of , , which belongs to Xylariaceae sensu stricto. and are highly supported and form a distinct lineage, which is recognised as the new family Barrmaeliaceae. The new species is described. , and are epitypified and is lecto- and epitypified. Published sequences of and several -like species from the genera , , , and are evaluated, demonstrating the necessity of critical inspection of published sequence data before inclusion in phylogenies. Verified isolates of several species from these genera should be re-sequenced to affirm their phylogenetic affinities. In addition, the generic type of should be sequenced before additional generic re-arrangements are proposed.

The new species is described and illustrated from collected in Portugal. Phylogenetic analyses of LSU rDNA, , and sequence matrices place in the Bionectriaceae, Hypocreales, within a clade of specimens morphologically identified as , the generic type of . differs from in dark olive green to blackish ascomata basally immersed in a stroma, KOH+ and LA+ ascomata and the lack of a stilbella-like asexual morph on natural substrate and pure culture. A simple phialidic asexual morph is formed in pure culture. To enable a morphological comparison, is illustrated.

Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multigene matrix of partial nuSSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, , , , , , and sequences, recent European and Iranian collections of from the type host, , are shown to be distinct from the Japanese from , and both are confirmed as closely related members of the recently described genus . Therefore, the new name is proposed for . As no type collection could be traced, (syn. ) is neotypified, described and illustrated, and it is recorded for Europe for the first time. During field surveys in natural stands of in Guilan province (Iran), was consistently isolated from tissues affected by branch and trunk cankers, twig dieback and wood necrosis, indicating that it is the causal agent of these diseases. The external and internal symptoms associated with these trunk diseases are described and illustrated.

Waterways are ideal pathways for dispersal and potential introduction to terrestrial ecosystems. While many species from phylogenetic clades 6, 9 and 10 are predominant oomycetes in watercourses due to their adaptation to a lifestyle as saprotrophs and opportunistic pathogens of riparian plants, species from clades 2, 7 and 8 are predominantly soil- or airborne using aquatic habitats as temporal niches for spreading and invading terrestrial sites along the watercourses. In contrast to forest ecosystems, knowledge of diversity in watercourses in Central Europe is limited. Between 2014 and 2019 extensive surveys of streams and rivers were undertaken across Austria, in South Moravia, Czech Republic and Žilina province, Slovakia to unveil the diversity and distribution of and related oomycetes. In addition, in Austria riparian forests of black alder () and grey alder () in lowlands and in the Alps were examined. A variety of species from clades 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 were isolated, with clade 6 species showing the widest distribution and abundance. Furthermore, interspecific clade 6 hybrids and other oomycetes such as and undescribed spp. were also obtained. In riparian alders, symptoms of infections were associated with species from the  ×  complex and . was most common in alder stands whereas was the oomycete species occurring at the highest altitude in alpine riparian areas.

Perylenequinones (PQs) are aromatic polyketides with an oxidized pentacyclic core that make up a family of natural compounds. Naturally occurring PQs mostly are produced by phytopathogenic fungi, with few aphides, crinoids, and plants. PQs, also known as photosensitizers, absorb light energy which empowers them to produce reactive oxygen species that damage host cells. Therefore, PQs gained a considerable interest in pharmaceutical application notably in photodynamic therapy. This review presents a comprehensive overview of fungal PQs. Their occurrence, categorization, biosynthesis, structures, and bioactivities are all discussed in detail. After that, an analysis outlines their distribution across the kingdom of fungi. A total of 66 fungal PQs have been described from 22 ascomycete genera (, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and ). account for the majority of documented fungal PQs (82%), followed by (14%), (3%), and (1%). Herein, five families , , , , and are highlighted as potential sources of novel PQs due to their diversity. The review intends to pique bioprospectors' interest in fungal PQs. Indeed, the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries might gain greatly by exploiting fungal perylenequinones. Graphical abstract.

A multigene analysis of a combined ITS, LSU, SSU, and sequence data matrix was applied to infer the phylogenetic position of the genus in the Pleosporales, based on isolates from freshly collected material of the generic type and several additional species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that and are synonyms of . All species of these genera and several species recently described in the genus belong to and are thus combined in this genus. Also, and are combined in . The new name is established for . Three new species, , and , are described, and an expanded description of is given. The family Teichosporaceae is currently confined to , which can be phylogenetically clearly separated from , the type genus of the Lophiostomataceae. The family name Floricolaceae is a synonym of Teichosporaceae. All species described here form apically free paraphyses among immature asci. This finding contradicts the current general dogma that apically free paraphyses are absent in the Pleosporales and questions the wide use of the term pseudoparaphysis.

Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multigene matrix of partial nuSSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, , and sequences and by morphological evidence, the genus is shown to be the closest relative of , and confirmed to be a member of the Cenangiaceae (Leotiomycetes). While and share many traits like similar conidia, conidiogenesis, asci and ascospores, their apothecia differ particularly in excipular features and are therefore recognized as distinct genera. , described from North America, is excluded from the genus but shown to represent the sexual morph of the European , and it is therefore synonymized with the latter. Based on morphology, is assumed to be congeneric with , and it is lectotypified. and , the basionyms of and , respectively, are lectotypified as well, and for , the asexual morph is recorded for the first time. sp. nov. is described as a new species from various hosts in Europe, where it is shown to be widely distributed. It morphologically and ecologically closely resembles the North American , but differs in paraphysis and ascospore morphology and by croziers at its ascus base. The three accepted species of and the two of are described and illustrated. , and are recorded to be constantly associated with species of , indicating a fungicolous habit, but no evidence for fungal associations has been found in and .

Lichens and their isolated symbionts are potentially valuable resources for biotechnological approaches. Especially mycobiont cultures that produce secondary lichen products are receiving increasing attention, but lichen mycobionts are notoriously slow-growing organisms. Sufficient biomass production often represents a limiting factor for scientific and biotechnological investigations, requiring improvement of existing culturing techniques as well as methods for non-invasive assessment of growth. Here, the effects of pH and the supplement of growth media with either D-glucose or three different sugar alcohols that commonly occur in lichens, D-arabitol, D-mannitol and ribitol, on the growth of the axenically cultured mycobiont isolated from the lichen  were tested. Either D-glucose or different sugar alcohols were offered to the fungus at different concentrations, and cumulative growth and growth rates were assessed using two-dimensional image analysis over a period of 8 weeks. The mycobiont grew at a pH range from 4.0 to 7.0, whereas no growth was observed at higher pH values. Varying the carbon source in Lilly-Barnett medium (LBM) by replacing 1% D-glucose used in the originally described LBM by either 1%, 2% or 3% of D-mannitol, or 3% of D-glucose increased fungal biomass production by up to 26%, with an exponential growth phase between 2 and 6 weeks after inoculation. In summary, we present protocols for enhanced culture conditions and non-invasive assessment of growth of axenically cultured lichen mycobionts using image analysis, which may be useful for scientific and biotechnological approaches requiring cultured lichen mycobionts.

Based on molecular phylogenetic and morphological evidence, the new genus (Xylariales) is established for several species previously classified within (Diaporthales). Fresh collections of from dead overwintered leaves of and of from dead overwintered leaves of , , and were isolated in pure culture, and molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multi-locus matrix of partial nuITS-LSU rDNA, and sequences as well as morphological investigations revealed that both species are unrelated to the diaporthalean genus , but belong to Xylariaceae sensu stricto. The new combinations and are proposed, the species are described and illustrated, and their basionyms lecto- and epitypified. is synonymized with ca. Based on similar morphology and ecology, and from dead leaves of and , respectively, are also combined in . The four accepted species of are illustrated, a key to species is provided and their ecology is discussed.

(Fr.) Fr. is one of the most species-rich genera in the (). subgen. (Fr.) Trog includes brightly coloured Cortinarii with anthraquinone pigments. The chemotaxonomic approach has always been as important as classical methods for species definition of and helped to improve overall species concepts. However, some species concepts within this group remain unclear. We therefore address this topic based on a combined phylogenetic, morphological, and pigment-chemical approach. For this, sequence data, HPLC-MS pigment profiles and spore sizes were included were included to obtain a better resolution of taxa. The study was based on 173 recent collections and 12 type specimens. A total of 117 rDNA ITS sequences were produced from the collections in this study, 102 sequences were retrieved from databases. We could detect and clearly delimit 19 species occurring in central European habitats, from which 16 are discussed in detail. Additionally, we grouped the detected anthraquinone pigments into four groups. This detailed analysis of dermocyboid species occurring in a restricted number of habitat types confirmed our hypothesis that species diversity is much higher than currently assumed. This high diversity is blurred by too wide and incorrect species concepts of several classical species like and . Molecular and chemotaxonomical studies carried out together with careful phenotypical analyses resulted in a good differentiation of species. A key is presented for these taxa to allow a better identification of subgenus spp. occurring in Central Europe mainly in the alpine range.