Cyphellophora and Phialophora (Chaetothyriales, Pezizomycota) comprise species known from skin infections of humans and animals and from a variety of environmental sources. These fungi were studied based on the comparison of cultural and morphological features and phylogenetic analyses of five nuclear loci, i.e., internal transcribed spacer rDNA operon (ITS), large and small subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA (nuc28S rDNA, nuc18S rDNA), β-tubulin, DNA replication licensing factor (mcm7) and second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2). Phylogenetic results were supported by comparative analysis of ITS1 and ITS2 secondary structure of representatives of the Chaetothyriales and the identification of substitutions among the taxa analyzed. Base pairs with non-conserved, co-evolving nucleotides that maintain base pairing in the RNA transcript and unique evolutionary motifs in the ITS2 that characterize whole clades or individual taxa were mapped on predicted secondary structure models. Morphological characteristics, structural data and phylogenetic analyses of three datasets, i.e., ITS, ITS-β-tubulin and 28S-18S-rpb2-mcm7, define a robust clade containing eight species of Cyphellophora (including the type) and six species of Phialophora. These taxa are now accommodated in the Cyphellophoraceae, a novel evolutionary lineage within the Chaetothyriales. Cyphellophora is emended and expanded to encompass species with both septate and nonseptate conidia formed on discrete, intercalary, terminal or lateral phialides. Six new combinations in Cyphellophora are proposed and a dichotomous key to species accepted in the genus is provided. Cyphellophora eugeniae and C. hylomeconis, which grouped in the Chaetothyriaceae, represent another novel lineage and are introduced as the type species of separate genera.

• MeSH
• Ascomycota genetics   MeSH
• Phylogeny * MeSH
• Genetic Loci genetics   MeSH
• Genes, Fungal genetics   MeSH
• Nucleic Acid Conformation * MeSH
• Consensus Sequence MeSH
• DNA, Ribosomal Spacer chemistry   genetics   MeSH
• Evolution, Molecular * MeSH
• Molecular Sequence Data MeSH
• Nucleotide Motifs genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal chemistry   genetics   MeSH
• Base Sequence MeSH
• Spores, Fungal cytology   MeSH
• Tubulin genetics   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH

Some of the species from the genus Neoparamoeba, for example N. perurans have been shown to be pathogenic to aquatic animals and thus have economic significance. They all contain endosymbiont, Perkinsela amoebae like organisms (PLOs). In this study we investigated phylogenetic ambiguities within the Neoparamoeba taxonomy and phylogenetic congruence between PLOs and their host Neoparamoeba to confirm the existence of a single ancient infection/colonisation that led to cospeciation between all PLOs and their host Neoparamoeba. DNA was extracted and rRNA genes from host amoeba and endosymbiont were amplified using PCR. Uncertainties in the Neoparamoeba phylogeny were initially resolved by a secondary phylogenetic marker, the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). The secondary structure of ITS2 was reconstructed for Neoparamoeba. The ITS2 was phylogenetically informative, separating N. pemaquidensis and N. aestuarina into distinct monophyletic clades and designating N. perurans as the most phylogenetically divergent Neoparamoeba species. The new phylogenetic data were used to verify the tree topologies used in cophylogenetic analyses that revealed strict phylogenetic congruence between endosymbiotic PLOs with their host Neoparamoeba. Strict congruence in the phylogeny of all PLOs and their host Neoparamoeba was demonstrated implying that PLOs are transmitted vertically from parent to daughter cell.

• MeSH
• Amoebozoa genetics   parasitology   MeSH
• Phylogeny * MeSH
• Kinetoplastida classification   genetics   physiology   MeSH
• DNA, Ribosomal Spacer genetics   MeSH
• Molecular Sequence Data MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 18S genetics   MeSH
• Symbiosis * MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

With the advent of molecular phylogenetic methods, it has become possible to assess the bioversity of snow algae more accurately. In this study, we focused on a morphological, ultrastructural and taxonomic description of a new Chloromonas-like alga isolated from snow in the High Arctic (Svalbard). Light and transmission electron microscopy revealed broad ellipsoidal or ellipsoidal-cylindrical, occasionally spherical cells with a chloroplast without a pyrenoid, an inconspicuous eyespot and a papilla. The size difference and the aforementioned morphological traits clearly distinguished the alga from its closest counterparts within the genus Chloromonas. Moreover, we were able to cultivate the alga at both 5 and 20 °C, revealing the psychrotolerant nature of the strain. Phylogenetic analyses of the plastid rbcL and nuclear 18S rRNA gene showed that the alga is nested within a clade containing a number of psychrotolerant strains within the Chloromonadinia phylogroup (Chlorophyceae). In the rbcL phylogeny, the alga formed an independent lineage, sister to the freshwater species Chloromonas paraserbinowii. Comparisons of secondary structure models of a highly variable ITS2 rDNA marker showed support for a distinct species identity for the new strain. The ITS2 secondary structure of the new isolate differed from the closest matches 'Chlamydomonas' gerloffii and Choloromonas reticulata by three and five compensatory base changes, respectively. Considering the morphological and molecular differences from its closest relatives, a new psychrotolerant species from the Arctic, Choromonas arctica sp. nov., is proposed.

• MeSH
• DNA, Algal genetics   MeSH
• Phylogeny * MeSH
• DNA, Ribosomal Spacer genetics   MeSH
• Plastids genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 18S genetics   MeSH
• Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
• Snow * MeSH
• Volvocida classification   genetics   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Svalbard MeSH

The Pegosomum Ratz, 1903 are digenean parasites of piscivorous birds. They exhibit few morphological autapomorphies and some of their identification features (number of collar spines) can be altered before or during fixation. Several re-classifications within the genus were suggested, but they have never been supported by molecular analyses. We addressed the synonymization of species within Pegosomum asperum/saginatum complex suggested by Dubinin, Dubinina and Saidov. We analyzed one nuclear (ITS2) and two mitochondrial (CO1, ND1) loci of two central European species of Pegosomum, namely Pegosomum asperum (Wright, 1879) Ratz, 1903 and Pegosomum saginatum (Ratz, 1898) Ratz, 1903. Our combined molecular and comparative morphological analyses confirmed the validity of the two Pegosomum spp. Both species had highly similar morphology and occurred sympatrically in the gall bladder and bile duct of Ardea alba (Linnaeus, 1758). P. saginatum occurred more frequently in hosts infected concurrently with P. asperum. We also provided host-, age- and sex-specific prevalence and intensity of infections, and comparative measurements of the two Pegosomum spp. based on an extensive dataset collected from 1962 to 2016. These species can be morphologically distinguished based on the extent of vitellarium, which reached anteriorly to the pharynx in P. asperum but extended anteriorly to the midline of the esophagus in P. saginatum. The species also differed in the cirrus diameter (P. asperum≥447, P. saginatum≤447).

• MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Trematode Infections parasitology   veterinary   MeSH
• Coinfection parasitology   MeSH
• DNA, Ribosomal Spacer genetics   MeSH
• DNA, Mitochondrial genetics   MeSH
• Bird Diseases parasitology   MeSH
• Birds parasitology   MeSH
• Trematoda anatomy & histology   classification   genetics   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Bile Ducts parasitology   MeSH
• Biliary Tract parasitology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Rock-inhabiting fungi harbour species-rich, poorly differentiated, extremophilic taxa of polyphyletic origin. Their closest relatives are often well-known species from various biotopes with significant pathogenic potential. Speleothems represent a unique rock-dwelling habitat, whose mycobiota are largely unexplored. Isolation of fungi from speleothem biofilm covering bare granite walls in the Kungsträdgården metro station in Stockholm yielded axenic cultures of two distinct black yeast morphotypes. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from six nuclear loci, ITS, nuc18S and nuc28S rDNA, rpb1, rpb2 and β-tubulin, support their placement in the Chaetothyriales (Ascomycota). They are described as a new genus Bacillicladium with the type species B. lobatum, and a new species Bradymyces graniticola. Bacillicladium is distantly related to the known five chaetothyrialean families and is unique in the Chaetothyriales by variable morphology showing hyphal, meristematic and yeast-like growth in vitro. The nearest relatives of Bacillicladium are recruited among fungi isolated from cardboard-like construction material produced by arboricolous non-attine ants. Their sister relationship is weakly supported by the Maximum likelihood analysis, but strongly supported by Bayesian inference. The genus Bradymyces is placed amidst members of the Trichomeriaceae and is ecologically undefined; it includes an opportunistic animal pathogen while two other species inhabit rock surfaces. ITS rDNA sequences of three species accepted in Bradymyces and other undescribed species and environmental samples were subjected to phylogenetic analysis and in-depth comparative analysis of ITS1 and ITS2 secondary structures in order to study their intraspecific variability. Compensatory base change criterion in the ITS2 secondary structure supported delimitation of species in Bradymyces, which manifest a limited number of phenotypic features useful for species recognition. The role of fungi in the speleothem biofilm and relationships of Bacillicladium and Bradymyces with other members of the Chaetothyriales are discussed.

• MeSH
• Ascomycota classification   genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Bayes Theorem MeSH
• Biofilms MeSH
• DNA, Fungal chemistry   isolation & purification   metabolism   MeSH
• Ants microbiology   MeSH
• Fungal Proteins genetics   MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Nucleic Acid Conformation MeSH
• DNA, Ribosomal chemistry   isolation & purification   metabolism   MeSH
• RNA Polymerase II genetics   MeSH
• Base Sequence MeSH
• Sequence Alignment MeSH
• Tubulin genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Sweden MeSH

The traditional green algal genus Chloromonas accommodates mesophilic, cold-tolerant and cold-adapted microorganisms. In this paper, we studied a new strain isolated from a wet hummock meadow in the High Arctic. We used morphological, ultrastructural and molecular data to assess the taxonomic position and phylogenetic relationships of the new isolate. The observed morphological features generally corresponded to the cold-tolerant Chloromonas characteristics. However, ellipsoidal or wide ellipsoidal vegetative cells, a massive parietal cup-shaped chloroplast with a number of continuously connected lobes, a thick cell wall, a prominent hemispherical papilla and the anterior position of an oblong or round eyespot distinguished the alga from all previously described Chloromonas species. Analyses of rbcL and 18S rRNA genes showed that the new strain formed an independent lineage within a clade containing mesophilic and psychrotolerant Chloromonas species. Comparisons of secondary structure models of a highly variable ITS2 rDNA marker supported a separate species identity of the new isolate. Considering the morphological and molecular differences from its relatives, a new psychrotolerant species, Chloromonas svalbardensis, is proposed. Further, our results demonstrated the paraphyletic origin of Chloromonas within Chloromonadinia with genetically, morphologically and ecologically well-defined clades. We discuss a scenario of a possible Chloromonas split and revision.

• MeSH
• Cell Wall ultrastructure   MeSH
• Chlorophyceae classification   cytology   genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Chloroplasts ultrastructure   MeSH
• DNA, Plant analysis   MeSH
• Phylogeny * MeSH
• DNA, Ribosomal genetics   MeSH
• Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 18S genetics   MeSH
• Genes, Plant genetics   MeSH
• Snow MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Arctic Regions MeSH
• Norway MeSH

The present work is aimed to hypothesize that fungal endophytes associated with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants can play a variety of roles in biotechnology including plant growth. Out of 67 fungal isolates, five maximum drought-tolerant isolates were used to check their various plant growth-promoting traits, antioxidants, and antifungal activities under secondary screening. Fungal isolate #8TAKS-3a exhibited the maximum drought tolerance capacity and potential to produce auxin, gibberellic acid, ACC deaminase, phosphate, zinc solubilization, ammonia, siderophore, and extracellular enzyme activities followed by #6TAKR-1a isolate. In terms of antioxidant activities, #8TAKS-3a culture also showed maximum DPPH scavenging, total antioxidant, and NO-scavenging activities. However, #6TAKR-1a exhibited maximum total flavonoid content, total phenolic content, and Fe-reducing power and also the highest growth inhibition of Aspergillus niger (ITCC 6152) and Colletotrichum sp. (ITCC 6152). Based on morphological characters and multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS), β-tubulin (TUB 2), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes, potent fungal isolate #8TAKS-3a was identified as Talaromyces purpureogenus. Under the in vitro conditions, T. purpureogenus (#8TAKS-3a) was used as a bioinoculant that displayed a significant increase in various physio-biochemical growth parameters under normal and stressed conditions (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that drought stress-tolerant T. purpureogenus can be further used for field testing as a growth promoter.

• MeSH
• Antioxidants MeSH
• Endophytes MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Droughts MeSH
• Triticum MeSH
• Seedlings * MeSH
• Talaromyces * genetics   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The aim of this study was to assess the phylogenetic relationships, ecology and ecophysiological characteristics of the dominant planktic algae in ice-covered lakes on James Ross Island (northeastern Antarctic Peninsula). Phylogenetic analyses of 18S rDNA together with analysis of ITS2 rDNA secondary structure and cell morphology revealed that the two strains belong to one species of the genus Monoraphidium (Chlorophyta, Sphaeropleales, Selenastraceae) that should be described as new in future. Immotile green algae are thus apparently capable to become the dominant primary producer in the extreme environment of Antarctic lakes with extensive ice-cover. The strains grew in a wide temperature range, but the growth was inhibited at temperatures above 20 °C, indicating their adaptation to low temperature. Preferences for low irradiances reflected the light conditions in their original habitat. Together with relatively high growth rates (0.4-0.5 day(-1)) and unprecedently high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, more than 70% of total fatty acids), it makes these isolates interesting candidates for biotechnological applications.

• MeSH
• Biodiversity * MeSH
• Chlorophyta classification   genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Phytoplankton classification   genetics   isolation & purification   metabolism   MeSH
• Adaptation, Physiological MeSH
• Lakes MeSH
• Ice Cover * MeSH
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated metabolism   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 18S genetics   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Antarctic Regions MeSH