Three common bryophilous fungi with meristematic anamorphs and phylogenetic alliance to Teratosphaeriaceae, Capnodiales

Bryophilous ascomycetes are an overlooked and poorly known fungal group. In this study, the extreme and small-sized niche of Polytrichum piliferum hyaline leaf tips was screened for the presence of these fungi in Finland. Three closely related species were found. Bryochiton perpusillus and Bryochito...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fungal biology 2014-12, Vol.118 (12), p.956-969
Main Authors: Wäli, Pauliina P., Huhtinen, Seppo, Pino-Bodas, Raquel, Stenroos, Soili
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ascomycetes
Ascomycota - classification
Ascomycota - genetics
Ascomycota - isolation & purification
Black fungi
Bryochiton
Bryophyta - microbiology
Bryophyte-associated ascomycetes
Bryosymbionts
Capnodiales
DNA, Fungal - genetics
DNA, Ribosomal Spacer - genetics
Finland
Microniche
Monascus
Phylogeny
Plant Leaves - microbiology
Polytrichum piliferum
Sequence Analysis, DNA
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Summary:Bryophilous ascomycetes are an overlooked and poorly known fungal group. In this study, the extreme and small-sized niche of Polytrichum piliferum hyaline leaf tips was screened for the presence of these fungi in Finland. Three closely related species were found. Bryochiton perpusillus and Bryochiton monascus were identified from several samples, and DNA isolations revealed a third closely related species, Bryochiton sp. In addition, melanised hyphae, typical to the Bryochiton species, were present in all the samples. According to phylogenetic analyses consisting of combined small subunit (SSU), large subunit (LSU), and 5.8S rDNA sequences, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences, the species showed affinity with Teratosphaeriaceae within Capnodiales, and especially with black, meristematic species often inhabiting rock substrate in extreme environments. The connection was supported by meristematic growth of the Bryochiton species in culture. Bryochiton is the second sexual genus associated within the family Teratosphaeriaceae, and B. perpusillus, and B. monascus constitute examples of teleomorphs within a group of meristematic anamorphs. These findings emphasize the multiform diversity underlying poorly researched fungal groups, such as the bryophilous fungi. •Two Bryochiton and a closely related species inhabit Polytrichum piliferum leaf tips.•According to phylogenetic analysis, Bryochiton belongs to Teratosphaeriaceae.•Bryochiton is so far second sexual genus associated within Teratosphaeriaceae.•Bryochiton species show affinity with a group of meristematic anamorphs.•All three species exhibit meristematic growth on agar media.
ISSN:1878-6146
1878-6162
DOI:10.1016/j.funbio.2014.08.007