The electrophoretic karyotype of the Chinese straw mushroom, Volvariella volvacea, was determined. The haploid strain V34 of V. volvacea has 15 chromosomes ranging in size from 1.4 to 5.1 Mb. No chromosomal polymorphism in terms of size and number was seen in either of two growth stages: vegetative mycelia or fruit-body gill tissues. DNA fingerprints were prepared by the arbitrarily- primed polymerase chain reaction. Those obtained from different stages during fruit-body morphogenesis were identical. However, variation in DNA fingerprints was evident in protoplast regenerants derived from the same vegetative mycelium. Thus the haploid mycelium of strain V34 is heterokaryotic but the bulk genotype is stable during fruit-body development. F1 and F2 progenies germinated from the haploid, uninucleate basidiospores from self-fertilized fruit bodies also regularly segregate a range of mycelial morphological variants as well as phenotypic variation revealed by DNA fingerprints. We overview the known mechanisms to generate genetic variation and propose a novel mechanism that could account for the 1:1 segregation ratio of self-fertile to self-sterile progeny regularly obtained from selfed Volvariella volvacea fruit bodies.

Crossing and selfing experiments were carried out with six field collections and five isolates belonging to three formae speciales, larici-epitea typica (LET), larici-daphnoides (LD), and larici-retusae (LR), of willow rust, Melampsora epitea. European larch (Larix decidua) was inoculated with basidiospores produced on overwintered telial leaves and the resulting spermagonial lesions on larch needles subsequently paired in vitro. In two crosses between LR and LD involving a total of 439 lesion pairs, only two cultures obtained were identified as hybrids. These two cultures were non-pathogenic to the maternal host Salix burjatica cv. Korso and weakly pathogenic to the paternal host S. daphnoides cv. Meikle. No identifiable hybrids were obtained from 56 lesion pairs between LET and LD. In a cross between LET as receptor and LD as donor, one-third of the lesions formed aecia. In the reciprocal combination, however, less than 1% developed aecia. All F1 cultures between LET and LR were weakly pathogenic to the parental hosts S. viminalis cv. Mullatin and S. burjatica cv. Korso. When three of the F1 cultures were used to produce telia, only one developed mature teliospores. Subsequent selfing experiments showed that this culture was predominantly self-sterile, with only 1% of lesions producing aecia. In selfing and crossing two pathotypes within the same f. spp., 20–40% of needles produced aecia and the rate of aecial formation was similar in both directions. The results obtained suggest that M. epitea is heterothallic and the sexual compatibility is controlled by a pair of alleles at a locus. It is concluded that the three f. spp. are genetically different populations and ecologically fit new pathotypes cannot arise easily as a result of hybridization between them. Within a f. sp., however, many pathotypes exist or will occur due to exchange of genes for virulence during the sexual life-cycle.

The ITS region of ribosomal DNA was sequenced for 30 isolates or sporocarps (including five type specimens) representing ten European taxa of Antrodiella. Phylogeny was inferred from the sequences by parsimony with Steccherinum ochraceum as an outgroup. The phylogram is discussed in relation to morphological and ecological characteristics of the species. On the basis of both morphological and molecular data Antrodiella pallasii sp. nov. is described. The study did not support the separation of A. beschidica and A. farinacea from A. semisupina. A. faginea is reported from Fennoscandia.

Haloaleurodiscus gen. nov. (Homobasidiomycetes) is described from Japanese mangrove forests with one species H. mangrovei sp. nov. The genus is morphologically characterized by having resupinate basidioma, nodose-septate hyphae, sulphoaldehyde-positive gloeocystidia, dendrohyphidia and amyloid basidiospores with minute warts. These morphological features are similar to those of Aleurodiscuss. lat., but H. mangrovei differs from the Aleurodiscus primarily in occurring in white pocket-rot and is not closely related based on ribosomal DNA sequence analyses. Molecular data suggest that this species is phylogenetically placed in the root of the ‘Peniophorales’ clade. In addition, ecological and physiological features of the species are provided.

Endophyllum osteospermi is an autoecious, endocyclic rust fungus, which has only been recorded on Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera (Asteraceae, Calendulae), a perennial woody shrub. Both organisms are indigenous to South Africa. Because E. osteospermi is being considered for release in Australia as a biocontrol agent against C. monilifera ssp. monilifera, it was necessary to determine its host range and natural distribution in South Africa. To address this, natural stands of Chrysanthemoides species, as well as other South African asteraceous plants, were monitored for E. osteospermi between 1992 and 2003. A morphological and molecular comparison of specimens referable to Endophyllum was undertaken. Based on these results, E. osteospermi was recorded on C. monilifera sspp. monilifera, pisifera, rotundata, canescens, and subcanescens, C. incana, and an undescribed taxon. E. osteospermi was also recorded on Osteospermum ciliatum, O. polygaloides, and O. potbergense. Furthermore, a closely related but previously undescribed species, E. dimorphothecae sp. nov. is described on Dimorphotheca cuneata. Aecidium elytropappi is transferred to Endophyllum as E. elytropappi comb. nov., being recorded on Elytropappus rhinocerostis and Stoebe plumosa. This study shows that in South Africa E. osteospermi is restricted to a small group of related plant species in the Calenduleae. This rust is therefore considered suitable as a candidate agent for the biocontrol of C. monilifera ssp. monilifera, and pending the results of host specificity testing, would most likely be safe to introduce into Australia.

Daldinia macaronesica (from the Canary Islands and Madeira), D. palmensis (from the Canary Islands), D. martinii and D. raimundi (from Sicily), and D. vanderguchtiae (from Jersey, Channel Islands) spp. nov., are described, based on new combinations of teleomorphic and anamorphic characters. They all resemble the pantropical D. eschscholzii and/or the European D. concentrica with regard to teleomorphic characters and secondary metabolite profiles generated by analytical HPLC. The status of the newly described taxa was established by SEM of ascospores and microscopic studies of their anamorphs in comparison with various materials of the aforementioned known species. HPLC and SEM studies on the holotype of D. bakeri confirmed its relationships to D. fissa and D. loculata. Yellowish pigments contained in the type specimen of D. bakeri are probably artificial.

Syncephalastrum racemosum RR 96, MTCC 2774, synthesized extra-cellular β-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) when cultivated with starch as sole carbon source. The strain showed maximum β-amylolytic activity on the fourth day of cultivation, and the partly purified enzyme showed highest activity at 60° and pH 5. About 60% of the activity was found to be retained within the range pH 4–7. The enzyme activity was not increased in presence of exogenous thiols and remained unaffected in presence of heavy metals and the thiol inhibitor p-chloromercuribenzoate, indicating the absence of thiols at the active site of the enzyme. Absence of substrate cross specificity and ability to hydrolyse waste starches made the enzyme competent for industrial application.

Forty-seven isolates of Verticillium albo-atrum, 35 from hop (Humulus lupulus), seven from lucerne (alfalfa, Medicago sativa) and five from four other hosts, were analysed for DNA polymorphisms. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were detected in ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) using Southern hybridization. Polymorphisms in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were detected in ethidium bromide stained gels after digestion of total genomic DNA with restriction enzymes which recognize four bases containing only G and C. Amplified polymorphic DNA (APD) was analysed using primers based on rDNA sequences from the intergenic spacer (IGS) and 25S regions. These data were used to construct phenograms using either squared Euclidean dissimilarity coefficients (SEDC) and cluster analysis, or unweighted pair grouping with arithmetic averaging (UPGMA). rDNA RFLPs revealed one group with 44 isolates, a second group with two atypical hop isolates, and a third group containing a single avirulent lucerne isolate. mtDNA RFLPs separated rDNA group one into two subgroups, one group containing 38 isolates from different hosts and the other containing all six virulent lucerne isolates. APD analysis divided the isolates into 16 phenotypes, 12 of which contained most of the hop isolates, but there was no correlation with origin, hop cultivar, pathogenicity or year of isolation. One APD phenotype contained all six virulent lucerne isolates, indicating the genetic differentiation between hop and lucerne isolates. Two further APD phenotypes coincided with the second atypical group containing two hop isolates and a distinct avirulent lucerne isolate, respectively. The three methods revealed that three isolates differed markedly from those of the main group.

Segregation and recombination in sexual progeny of Phaeosphaeria spp. were analysed using three PCR based techniques which targeted arbitrary DNA sequence (random amplified polymorphic DNA, RAPD–PCR), microsatellites (microsatellite primed PCR, MP–PCR) and dispersed repetitive DNA elements (rep-PCR). Polymorphic DNA markers were not detected in three sets of P. avenae f. sp. triticea ascospores isolated sequentially from single asci. It is hypothesised that ascospores of P. avenae f. sp. triticea were produced from a sexual process in which fusion of genetically identical nuclei took place. On the other hand, polymorphic DNA fragments were found in three sets of eight P. nodorum isolates recovered from ascospores sequentially liberated from single asci produced by in vitro mated ‘+’ and ‘−’ strains. Among 172 polymorphic markers identified in two sets of isolates (ascospores) of the fungus, 171 segregated in a ratio 1[ratio ]1. We have demonstrated for the first time that the inheritance of PCR based markers in P. nodorum progeny follows Mendelian genetics. Thereby, a molecular proof for bipolar heterothallism of the fungus was provided. In contrast, of 48 polymorphic markers detected in the third cross, only 26 segregated in an expected Mendelian frequency 4[ratio ]4 and the other 22 demonstrated either aberrant segregation pattern or possessed new DNA fragments amplified in PCR which were not detected previously in parental DNA profiles. The reasons underlying the high frequency PMS type markers identified almost exclusively in one cross have yet to be conclusively determined. If such recombinants were found in the progeny of in vitro mated P. nodorum isolates it is obvious that they also occur under natural conditions. Thus, the study provides a molecular evidence for generation of novel genotypes of the pathogen.

Chitin, an insoluble polymer, induces the chitinolytic system of Trichoderma harzianum, which is made up of two N-acetylglucosaminidases and four endochitinases. Only one N-acetylglucosaminidase, CHIT 102, was found to exhibit extracellular basal activity. The initial inducer of the chitinolytic system was found to be the chitin monomer N-acetylglucosamine, which preferentially induces CHIT 102.

The genus Piricauda comprises eight species characterized by monotretic conidiogenous cells and micronematous arched conidiophores: P. cochinensis, P. cubensis, P. longispora, P. mexicana, P. paraguayensis, P. pseudarthriae, P. taiwanensis, and P. vulcanensis sp. nov. P. caribensis is transferred to Acrodictys. Species usually colonize dead petioles and rachides of palms in tropical and subtropical areas, but can also be found on branches and leaves of different trees. The species are illustrated and briefly described, and a key to them is provided.

The entomophthoralean fungi Batkoa sp., Furia sp. and Neozygites floridana have been suggested for biocontrol of insect pests: the first two for control of spittlebug pests of pasture and sugarcane, and the third for mites of agricultural importance. To develop these agents as biopesticides and bioacaricides, it is important to have available culture media that maximize production at low cost. The research reported here evaluates, in different combinations and concentrations, the effect of four complex sources of nitrogen on production of mycelium or hyphal bodies in liquid media of all three species. Yeast extract allowed the highest production of Batkoa sp., with a concentration of 0.5% being the most suitable for vegetative (mycelial) growth. The combination of 0.33% each of yeast extract+beef extract+skim milk allowed the highest production of Furia sp. Mycelium. The combination of yeast extract+skim milk (0.5% of each) allowed the second highest production of Furia sp., and was the most suitable for mass production due to the lower cost. The combination of 1%each of yeast extract+peptone+skim milk was the most suitable for production of N.floridana hyphal bodies.

A new keratinophilic species, Chrysosporium fluviale sp. nov., isolated from river sediments in Catalonia, Spain, is characterized by having small, slender and verrucose conidia borne on slightly swollen conidiogenous cells. Morphological and molecular characters obtained by sequencing of the corresponding ITS-5.8S rDNA regions and of the RFLPs support the separation of Chrysosporium fluviale from the morphologically closest C. evolceanui, C. indicum and the Chrysosporium anamorph of Arthroderma curreyi.

Preussia aquilirostrata is newly described from submerged plant debris in Iraq. A key to the identification of Preussia species with hairy ascomata is provided. Since Sporormiella is regarded as a synonym of Preussia, the new combinations Preussia lasiocarpa, P. pilosa, P. pilosella and P. chaetomioides are proposed.

Isolates of Chondrostereum purpureum were characterised on malt agar by rapid growth of white, flat, velvety to cottony mycelium and formation of yellow fruitbody crusts with apiculate basidiospores. The presence of cystidia was diagnostic, but not a reliable taxonomic character. Above 33 °C isolates exhibited a differential growth response and only three failed to grow following 20 d incubation at 36°. Tolerance of high temperature was not correlated with RAPD banding patterns nor geographic origin. All isolates were pathogenic to willow, poplar and apple regardless of their original host, locality or RAPD profiles. No zones of demarcation were observed following infection of wounds by multiple isolates. RAPD banding patterns exhibited considerable diversity, enabling discrimination of isolates with single primers, and this was indicative of the extensive genetic diversity within the NZ population. No RAPD banding combinations specific to host species or locality were observed. An explanation is given for the wide dissemination of C. purpureum isolates throughout NZ.

A key to 13 species in the genus Hygrocybe subgenus Pseudohygrocybe section Firmae is provided for the Greater Antilles. Seven new species and one species that is a new report for the Greater Antilles are described. The new species are H. brunneosquamosa, H. cinereofirma, H. flavocampanulata, H. laboyi, H. miniatofirma, H. neofirma and H. olivaceofirma. The new report is H. trinitensis.

Crypticola is re-evaluated, following a commentary on the nature of its straminipilous ornamentation, zoosporogenesis and habitat range. Atkinsiella entomophaga is transferred to Crypticola, but because this species was made the type species of Halocrusticida, new names are required for Halocrusticida and species therein (Halodaphnea hamanaensis – type species; H. parasitica, H. awabi, H. okinawaensis, H. panulirata). A new family, the Crypticolaceae, is erected for Crypticola. The family is placed, with reservations, in the Myzocytiopsidales, Peronosporomycetes.

Five fungal isolates, tentatively identified as belonging to Thysanophora, were re-examined to confirm their generic placement. DNA sequences from multiple loci were determined and compared to homologous sequences from other fungi. The Thysanophora-like isolates belong in the genus Penicillium on the basis of phylogenetic analysis of their gene sequences. Because these isolates have unique phylogenetic positions within Penicillium and have unique phenotypes we describe them as the new species P. boreae, P. subarcticum and P. canariense spp. nov. In addition, P. pullum sp. nov. is described for NRRL 721, which served as the typical isolate of P. fuscum in the monographic studies of Raper & Thom and Ramirez; however, the name P. fuscum has been applied and neotypified using a different specimen and NRRL 721 is markedly different phylogenetically from the neotype of P. fuscum.

Phylogeographic divergences of four coprinoid species, Coprinus comatus, Coprinellus disseminatus, Coprinellus micaceus and Coprinopsis lagopus were investigated using nuclear ITS sequences. Each taxon showed genetic variation that corresponds with the geographic origins of collections. Groupings produced from ITS1 and ITS2 sequences were similar together. In C. comatus, East Asian strains were well separated from New Zealand and North American strains. In C. disseminatus, Hawaiian strains formed an independent clade with that from Nepal, separating those from East Asia. And there were two distinct East Asian groups for C. disseminatus. East Asian C. micaceus strains constituted a distinct group from Hawaiian strains. In C. lagopus, Hawaiian and European strains were clearly separated from each other. There was a great genetic diversification in C. disseminatus and C. micaceus from East Asia, suggesting divergence process of these taxa in that region. However, Hawaiian strains lacked genetic variation, which indicated their recent origin in Hawaii.

The taxonomic position and properties of an unidentified fungus isolated from wheat roots was investigated. The Sterile Red Fungus (SRF) is characterised by its fast growing habit, red pigmentation, non-sporing nature and mycelial form resembling some Laetisaria and Limonomyces species. rDNA variation was used to study the relationship of the SRF to Laetisaria spp. and Limonomyces spp. Nucleotide sequence obtained from eight Laetisaria and three Limonomyces species representing the ITS 1 region, were analysed by PCR and direct sequencing. Plant growth promoting properties of the five taxa were also determined. The SRF had closest identity (98%) to British material of Limonomyces roseipellis. UPGMA analysis of ITS 1 DNA sequence support a close relationship between SRF and L. roseipellis. The relationship inferred by nucleotide sequence data was supported by phenotypic analysis; both L. roseipellis and the SRF were shown to promote the growth of wheat plants. Unexpectedly, Laetisaria arvalis and material named as Limonomyces roseipellis from New Zealand appeared to be closely related with 98% rDNA sequence identity, suggesting the misidentification of the New Zealand collection.