A new sequestrate fungus, Barcheria willisiana gen. et sp. nov., is described and its affinities evaluated using nLSU rDNA sequence data. This unusual fungus has several characters that are reminiscent of species of Agaricus and Lepiota, but with a very reduced basidiome form. The nLSU rDNA of four Australian taxa, Barcheria willisiana, Agaricus xanthodermus, Leucoagaricus naucinus, and Lepiota discolorata, was sequenced for this study. Parsimony analysis of the sequences placed Barcheria within an Agaricus clade.

Hyalorhinocladiella and Sporothrix are two common mycelial anamorphs of Ophiostoma that are difficult to distinguish from each other. Sporothrix spp. differ visibly from Hyalorhinocladiella by the presence of denticles on the conidiogenous cells. Graphium and Sporothrix are often synanamorphs of the same Ophiostoma species and the aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between sympodial conidium development in Sporothrix and annellidic development in Graphium. Conidium development was examined in Sporothrix schenckii, Ophiostoma nigrocarpum and Ophiostoma piceae. Using fluorescence microscopy, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy, distinct denticles were observed on the conidiogenous cells in Sporothrix spp. In some cases, these conidiogenous cells were reduced, giving them a Hyalorhinocladiella-like appearance. Results of this study suggest that a continuum in patterns of conidium development exists between Sporothrix, Hyalorhinocladiella and Graphium. The linear extent, and the angle of the proliferation stage with reference to the long axis of the conidiogenous cell, appear to determine the form of conidium development.

An investigation was conducted into whether fungal dynamics are determined by the balance between colonization and fructification, both of which are controlled by climatic factors, particularly rainfall. The distribution of Lophodermium pinastri on Pinus sylvestris needles was studied along two altitude transects over two successive years. Annual rainfall increased in a similar way along the two transects. Colonization (black zones) and the presence of fruiting bodies (ascomata and/ or conidiomata) were observed. Both increased with altitude. At low altitude, needles bore black lines only. The number of needles bearing fruiting bodies increased at altitudes above 1000 m and were present on all needles at high altitude. Empirical and dynamic mathematical models were developed and evaluated in relation to rainfall, assuming that spore production correlates with fructification, and colonization to spore dispersal.

A new freshwater ascomycete Micropeltopsis quinquecladiopsis sp. nov. was collected on submerged twigs in a stream in Thailand. The fungus is described at the light microscope, scanning and transmission electron microscope level. Distinctive features are the appendaged 1-septate hyaline ascospores. The appendage arises as an outgrowth of the episporium from a basal stalk, then divides into five arms (three long and two short). The episporium and appendages are surrounded by an indistinct (at light microscope level) mucilaginous layer. The fungus is assigned to the Dothideales (Trichothyriaceae). Ascospore appendage ontogeny is compared with those of marine Ascomycota (Halosphaeriales).

Cultures derived from ascospores of an Orbilia, described as a new species, O. fimicoloides, from small mammal droppings, developed conidia of Dactylella cf. oxyspora. This connection is discussed in relation to the anamorph–teleomorph connections of nematophagous fungi classified in the anamorph genera Arthrobotrys and Dactylella.

The genus Tectimyces gen. nov. (Harpellales: Legeriomycetaceae) is described with two species, T. leptophlebiidarum and T. robustus spp. nov., collected on the hindgut of the mayfly nymph Habroleptoides confusa (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) in northern Spain. This is the second report of a trichomycete inhabiting a member of this family of ephemerids. Diagnostic for the new genus are type II zygospores and unappendaged trichospores, borne on long generative cells and carrying a very short collar after release. The position and morphological traits of the newly described taxa are discussed and compared with other genera and species, such as Bojamyces repens and Orphella spp.

Three Harknessia species are reported on eucalypt leaves from Tasmania, Australia. Harknessia hawaiiensis is a new record for Australia and H. victoriae for Tasmania. Harknessia tasmaniensis is described and illustrated as a new species.

A new aero-aquatic helicosporous hyphomycete, Helicodendron microsporum, is described and illustrated from decaying leaves submerged in a small artificial pond surrounded by Quercus ilex and Pinus halepensis in Mallorca, Spain. It is characterized by branched conidiophores with chains of hyaline conidia eventually forming white clusters which do not break up even at maturity. It also has small conidia (8–10 μm diam.) consisting of a 2–2.5 μm thick filament which coils 1.5–2 times counter-clockwise. The main characters of the species are compared with 14 similar hyalosporous Helicodendron species.

In an attempt to clarify the taxonomic status, geographical distribution and host relationships of Laboulbenia pterostichi and its close allies, especially in relation to the parasites found on European Pterostichini (Coleoptera, Carabidae), we have examined the type series and a wide range of material from the northern hemisphere. We conclude that the presence of L. pterostichi on European Carabidae is not confirmed and that most records are based on misidentifications of the variable species L. pseudomasei.

Four isolates of Myzocytiopsidales infecting Rhabditis nematodes, Distylae rotifers and nematode eggs, are described. Some of these, and other species of Myzocytiopsidales, were obtained in pure culture for the first time. Reinfection of host organisms from pure culture, fulfilling Koch's postulates was achieved for all species in axenic culture.

Patterns of protein expression in the monokaryons and the derived dikaryon of the basidiomycete Flammulina velutipes were investigated using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. Over 300 spots were detected on each gel, and 19 proteins were expressed in the dikaryon before fruiting treatment but not expressed in the monokaryon before fruiting treatment. On the other hand, 9 proteins were expressed in the monokaryon specifically. Newly expressed proteins increased after fruiting treatment (at 7 d and 14 d), but decreased after fruit bodies were formed (at 21 d). The number of newly expressed proteins after the fruiting treatment was similar in the monokaryon. Proteins expressed characteristically were classified into 7 types. The highest number of proteins (13 proteins) were specifically expressed in the dikaryon at 14 d when the fruit-bodies were formed. Twenty-seven proteins were expressed specifically in the fruit body. Fruit body specific proteins Pf1 and Pf3 were sequenced. This revealed Pf1 and Pf3 had amino acid sequences that were similar to each other, as well as a high similarity to the deduced amino acid sequence of the FDS gene isolated from F. velutipes.

Comparative studies of Drepanopeziza species pathogenic to poplars established that for each species, holotype and herbarium specimens of D. populorum, D. tremulae and D. punctiformis were morphologically similar. Light and electron microscope studies of apothecia revealed that in radial longitudinal section, in apothecial shape and the hypothecial and epithecial tissues of the three species were similar. In general, ectal and medullary excipular tissues of D. populorum were more strongly developed than those of D. tremulae and D. punctiformis. Asci and ascospores of D. populorum were larger than the other two species but because of overlap were of limited use for species delimitation. In consideration of the established synonymy of the anamorphs of D. tremulae and D. punctiformis namely, Marssonina tremulae and M. brunnea, respectively, and close morphological similarity of their teleomorphs, synonymy of D. tremulae and D. punctiformis is suggested, with D. tremulae having priority. Although not studied, D. populi-albae is believed to be a distinct species. Accordingly, three Drepanopeziza holomorphs are recognised on poplars: D. populi-albae, anamorph=M. castagenei; D. populorum anamorph=M. populi; and D. tremulae, anamorph=M. brunnea.

Two species previously accommodated in the genus Schneepia, S. pulchella and S. reticulata, are shown to belong to distinct new genera, described here as Viegasella and Mintera respectively. The new taxa are compared with Parmularia (of which Schneepia is confirmed as a synonym) and Symphaeophyma. Features of internal and external stromata, haustoria and stromata are emphasized as important characters for generic delimitation in the Parmulariaceae. The disposition of the remaining species assigned to Schneepia is discussed.

An in vitro screen of 83 isolates of coprophilous fungi revealed that many of them were capable of stimulating growth of Sphaeronaemella fimicola at a distance. When in direct contact with S. fimicola, many (excluding the Zygomycotina) also stimulated the production of perithecia. Species of Coniochaeta, Ryparobius, Thelebolus and Trichobolus were the strongest inducers. These and related genera were also associated with perithecia of S. fimicola on dung collected from the field. Hyphae of many of the strong perithecium inducers and a few non-inducing species were parasitized by necrotrophic intrahyphal growth of S. fimicola. Perithecium formation was stimulated even when parasitism was prevented by separation of growing mycelia of Ryparobius pachyascus and S. fimicola by Cellophane. In contrast, prior growth and removal of R. pachyascus followed by inoculation with S. fimicola caused enhanced growth and asexual reproduction without concomitant perithecium formation.

Pseudocercospora bolkanii sp. nov., and P. luzardii sp. nov., were collected in the Brazilian cerrado on leaves of Strychnos pseudoquina, and Hancornia speciosa, respectively. Prathigada backmanii sp. nov., is described on leaf spots of Bowdichia virgilioides. Pseudocercospora curatellae on Curatella americana is illustrated in detail.

The ectomycorrhizal Laccaria bicolor, cultivated axenically in modified Pachlewski's medium, can use a broad spectrum of nitrogen and carbon sources. The fungus exhibited greater growth in the presence of ammonium or nitrate than with ammonium nitrate. With the latter salt, the drop in pH of the culture medium indicated that ammonium was taken up preferentially to nitrate. L. bicolor grew more poorly on amino acids such as glycine, alanine, aspartate and glutamate, the latter three being very poor carbon sources. By contrast, glycine was used as nitrogen and carbon sources. Glucose and maltose in mixture, with a 20[ratio ]5 ratio, were the most effective carbohydrates for promoting growth, followed by starch, dextrins, maltose, glucose and sorbitol. L. bicolor failed to grow in the presence of sucrose and galactose.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), a key enzyme linking carbon and nitrogen metabolism, is present in L. bicolor as NAD- and NADP-dependent proteins. Both enzymes were stimulated in response to nitrogen starvation and appeared to operate in close association with the glutamine synthetase and NADP-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase of the fungus, indicating that 2-oxoglutarate produced by IDHs is probably utilized in the assimilation of inorganic nitrogen. The highest specific activities of NAD and NADP-IDH coincided in most cases with the rapid growth periods of the fungus, although in slow growing conditions obtained by addition of glycine or sorbitol to the culture media, only NADP-IDH activity increased in conjunction with growth. In addition, activity of the NADP-IDH was constantly higher than that of NAD-IDH. These results are indicative that the NADP-dependent enzyme plays a substantial biosynthetic role, possibly by an additional production of reduced nucleotides.

Truffles live in an environment poor in oxygen, and are a good model for investigation of enzymatic adaptation to microaerobic conditions. We studied the antioxidant and glutathione dependent enzymatic endowment of Tuber truffles. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase Se dependent, glutathione reductase, glyoxalase 1 and glyoxalase 2 are expressed and correlate with the microaerobic metabolism, growth rate and mycorrhizal symbiosis of truffles. A very low or undetectable glutathione S-transferase activity was found. For comparison the same enzyme activities were investigated in Agaricus bisporus which is epigeous and non-mycorrhizal.

In situ gene amplification (in situ PCR) is a recent, powerful molecular technique which allows the localization of low abundance nucleic acids targets directly within tissue sections. The work presented here is, to our knowledge, the first report of successful direct detection of in situ PCR amplification with fluorescently-labelled primers, and the first successful in situ PCR performed on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Ribosomal SSU genes within AM fungal spore sections were amplified by using fluorescent, glomalean-specific primers, then directly detected by means of epifluorescence microscopy. Different controls confirmed the successfulness of the in situ amplification. These results open new avenues in the study of arbuscular mycorrhizas, where genetic processes seem to be transient and very localized.

Astrocystis fimbriata, A. rarissima and A. cepiformis spp. nov. are described and illustrated from dead leaves of Pandanus. Their affinities with related taxa are discussed, especially with Astrocystis species on Palmae and with Rosellinia as interpreted in recent studies. One species has stromata which develop from a mat of superficial hyphae, which has not previously been reported for Astrocystis.

Based upon studies of type specimens six species of Stemonitales are redescribed and illustrated: Comatricha microcarpa, C. laxa, C. nigricapillitium, Stemonitis fusca and S. nigrescens are critically reviewed and illustrated. Comatricha microcarpa is considered to be a nomen ambiguum, and Stemonitis nigrescens is treated as an extreme form of S. fusca. S. virginiensis is recognized as a rare species distinct from the smaller forms of S. fusca. Comatricha nigricapillitium comb. nov. is proposed for Lamproderma nigricapillitium.