Lysurus mokusin (L.f.) Fr., initially described and named ‘mo-ku-sin’ after pronunciation of Chinese ‘蘑菰蕈’ by the French missionary Cibot in 1774, is the first scientifically described fungus from China. To facilitate the correct application of its name, its typification and taxonomic study according to the current nomenclature code were carried out. The lectotype and epitype were designated, and mitochondrial genome and nuclear genome of the epitype specimen were assembled. The circulated mitochondria of L. mokusin totaled 101.1 kb, containing 26 tRNA and 16 protein-coding genes. Each nuclear haplotype contains 11 chromosomes with a total length of 33 Mb and 8/11 fragment contigs of 1.4 Mb. The BUSCO analysis suggested that the genome is 88.5% completed. This is the first genome reported for Lysurus. A high proportion of repeat sequences (ca. 16%) was detected and, after masking, 8 637 and 8 572 protein-coding genes were predicted for two haplotypes, respectively. The gene distribution shows a typical pattern of a “two-speed genome”. In addition, 27 non-redundant biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) were predicted, mainly distributed in Chr01, Chr04 and Chr06. Two BGCs are 100% homologous to known insecticidal and antimicrobial BGCs producing xenotetrapeptide and rhizomide. Our study provides a model for the typification of numerous early-described species lacking types in China.

The omnifungi include the fungi in the kingdom Fungi, the pseudofungi, such as Oomycota, Hyphochytriomycota and Labrinthulmycota in the kingdom Chromista, and the Dictyosteliomycota, Myxomycota and Acrasiomycota in the slime moulds with similar organisms in the kingdom Protozoa. The three life-forms in the kingdom Fungi include symbiosis, phagosis and saprophysis.

The population genetic structure and genetic diversity of Phlebopus portentosus germplasm resources of 53 samples from 9 regions in southern China were identified by using rDNA ITS and SSR molecular markers. The results showed that all 53 samples were Phlebopus portentosus, and the similarity of their ITS sequences was 92.09%. In total, 252 polymorphic loci were successfully amplified by 28 pairs of SSR primers, with each pair exhibiting 48-53 amplification sites and the polymorphism rate exceeding 90%. The Nei’s genetic diversity index and Shannon’s diversity index were determined to be 0.371 6-0.605 1 and 0.327 3-0.584 5, respectively. At the population level, Nei’s genetic diversity index and Shannon’s diversity index were 0.097 3-0.237 0 and 0.142 0-0.358 6, respectively, and the polymorphism rate was 23.48%-74.09%, indicating abundant genotypes within populations. The average genetic differentiation coefficient and gene flow between populations were 0.282 0 and 1.273 2 respectively, indicating a low degree of genetic differentiation and gene exchange. The genetic similarity coefficient of the UPGMA cluster ranged from 0.67 to 0.89, and the 53 samples could be divided into 3 groups at the level of 0.72, showing basically consistent with the results of the PCoA principal component analysis, the Mantel test and the STRUCTURE clustering. The application of population structure analysis enabled the division of samples into 8 genetic components, with subgroup 2 being identified as the most abundant in terms of genotypes. AMOVA analysis revealed that 90% of the observed genetic variation could be ascribed to within-population genetic factors. The tested population of Phlebopus portentosus exhibited a substantial number of genotypes, a moderate degree of genetic differentiation, and impeded gene exchange.

Cup-fungi refer to a group of non-lichenized fungi whose basidiomata appear disc-shaped. This group has a wide range of habitats, diverse species, in addition to various ecological types. The Chongzuo region is a typical representative area of the southwest Karst in Guangxi and rich in biodiversity resources. However, there is a lack of research on the cup-fungal resources and their diversity status in this region. In this study White-headed Langur Nature Reserve, Nonggang Nature Reserve, and Qinglongshan Nature Reserve in the southwest Karst region of Guangxi (hereinafter simplified as “the areas”) were selected as the research areas to investigate the diversity of cup-fungi. In total, 523 specimens of cup-fungi were collected, and 34 species belonging to 8 families and 15 genera were identified using morphological and molecular biology methods. The Shannon diversity index and Simpson diversity index of cup-fungi in the areas both trended towards Nonggang>White-headed Langur Reserve>Qinglongshan, while the evenness index was highest in the White-headed Langur Reserve. The Margalef richness index ranked as Nonggang>Qinglongshan>White-headed Langur Reserve. The plate confrontation culture and fermentation broth crude extract method were used to screen the strains with biocontrol potential. As a result, three antagonistic strains were screened from the anamorphic strains. Among them, Bloxamia discedens S0161 exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect against Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, with an inhibition rate of 88.8%. Additionally, two strains of Mollisia peruni, QLD011 and QLD012, had significant inhibitory effects on Cladobotryum protrusum. The antifungal properties of the ethyl acetate extract of the fermentation broth revealed that S0161 had a significant inhibitory effect, QLD012 took second place, whereas QLD011 revealed no significant inhibitory effect. The results will be based for development and utilization of cup-fungi and the screening of antagonistic fungi for biocontrol purpose.

The checklist of edible and medicinal fungi from National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest was compiled based on systematic investigation, species identification, and review of literature and databases. The scientific name and Chinese name of all hitherto known species were provided. A total of 529 species has been found in National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest, of which 366 species are edible, and 316 medicinal. The 366 edible species refer to 122 genera and 53 families, of which 7 species belong to ascomycetes and 359 basidiomycetes. The highest species richness was found in Russulaceae (62 species) and Boletaceae (55 species), accounting for about 16.94% and 15.03% of the total species, respectively. The genera with more than 10 species include Russula, Agaricus, Lactarius, Phylloporus, Amanita, Pleurotus, Suillus, and Auricularia. The 316 medicinal species refer to 146 genera and 69 families, of which 20 species belong to ascomycetes and 296 basidiomycetes. The highest species richness was found in Russulaceae (33 species) and Polyporaceae (26 species), accounting for about 10.44% and 8.23% of the total species, respectively. The genera with more than 8 species include Russula, Ganoderma, Agaricus, Pleurotus, Lactarius, and Scleroderma. The present study provides scientific basis for the protection, development and utilization of edible and medicinal macrofungal resources in this tropical area.

The species and ecological diversity of macrofungi in the Jingdong area of Ailao Mountain National Nature Reserve were investigated. Systematic field surveys and specimen collection in the area were conducted during August 2022 and July 2024. Utilizing morphological and molecular biological methods, comprehensive identifications of the collected specimens together with accumulative specimens in the past two decades were performed. In-depth statistical analyses focusing on species composition, floristic geographical components, resource evaluation, and newly recorded species were complemented. In total, 312 fungal species were documented in the region, encompassing 2 phyla, 7 classes, 22 orders, 66 families, and 131 genera. Among these, 27 species are edible, 13 medicinal, 5 both culinary and medicinal, and 23 poisonous. The dominant families include Russulaceae, Boletaceae, Omphalotaceae, Cortinariaceae, Amanitaceae, Hygrophoraceae, Entolomataceae, Mycenaceae, and Polyporaceae. The dominant genera cover Russula, Cortinarius, Amanita, Lactarius, Mycena, Gymnopus, Entoloma, Helvella, Hygrocybe, Collybiopsis, Xerocomus, and Laccaria. The cosmopolitan (57.25% of the total species), north temperate (29.77%), pantropic (9.92%), and East Asian fungi (3.05%) are predominant. Three species previously unrecorded in China are documented and one new species is decribed. Fungal communities within this ecological niche is in need of further research.

The in vitro antioxidant effects and mechanisms in protecting human skin fibroblasts (HSF) from oxidative stress damage of the ethyl acetate extract of Inonotus hispidus (EAE) and its main components (fractions Fr1-Fr5 and hispidin) are investigated. Through UPLC-MS detection, in vitro antioxidant experiments, network pharmacology, and other experimental methods, the composition of polyphenolic compounds in EAE, the reducing ability and free radical scavenging ability of EAE, Fr1-Fr5, and hispidin, as well as the potential targets and pathways of hispidin in treating oxidative stress diseases were investigated. Result indicates that EAE contains various polyphenolic compounds, with hispidin being the primary one. EAE, Fr1-Fr5, and hispidin all exhibit certain reducing and free radical scavenging abilities, with antioxidant capacity ranking as EAE>Fr1-Fr5>hispidin. Network pharmacology analysis speculated that hispidin had nine core targets for treating oxidative stress diseases and they were mainly enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway and several other signaling pathways. An oxidative stress injury model for HSF cells was established. By using various methods, cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, collagen levels, and the expression of related proteins and relative messenger RNA (mRNA) were detected. The results indicate that 200 μg/mL of EAE, Fr4, and hispidin can enhance the survival rate and antioxidant capacity of HSF under oxidative stress, reduce malondialdehyde (MDA) content and ROS levels, promote the synthesis of typeⅠcollagen (COLI), and possibly inhibit its degradation by regulating the MMPs/TIMPs system in the MAPK pathway. EAE has a significant protective effect on HSF under oxidative damage. In summary, this study verified that the ethyl acetate extract of I. hispidus and its active components possess strong antioxidant capabilities and can improve damage caused by oxidative stress by acting on multiple targets through the MAPK signaling pathway.

Armillaria is a worldwide fungal group known for its large size and extremely long life cycle. The mating system of this genus is polytypic, with a variety of trophic patterns such as saprophytic, parasitic and symbiotic. The morphological characteristics are highly similar but the genetic heterogeneity is significant among the species, leading to the coexistence of multiple taxonomic systems for a long time. These unique biological characteristics not only endow it with complex niche adaptability, but also make it a focus group of fungi with both functional value and research challenges. Its outstanding food and medicinal value and key role in forest ecosystems stimulate the urgent need for basic theoretical and applied research. In this review, the latest research progress of Armillaria in the mating system, classification system, and ecological function was summarized to provide theoretical basis for understanding the formation mechanism of species diversity and the ecological adaptation strategy of this genus. At the same time, the application perspective and prospect of Armillaria are also put forward.

Hainan Province is situated at the northern edge of the Asian tropics, serving as China’s only tropical province. The province harbors exceptional biodiversity due to its unique geography and climate, particularly in fungal diversity. However, previous mycological surveys in Hainan are predominantly focused on central forested regions, while coastal ecosystems are largely overlooked. This study reports the first discovery of the genus Calocybella in China, with one new species and one new record for China collected from coastal Casuarina forests. Calocybella hainanensis sp. nov. is characterized by its ginger-yellow to yellowish-brown pileus, pale yellow lamellae, and small, oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores (4.9-5.5 × 2.3-3.1 µm) with faint ornamentation and inamyloid reaction. The newly recorded species, Calocybella sribuabanensis, exhibits gregarious growth, yellowish-brown pileus, densely arranged lamellae, and ellipsoid, faintly ornamented, inamyloid basidiospores. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS sequences reveal that C. hainanensis forms a unique evolutionary lineage within Calocybella, but it shows unresolved affinities to other taxa. C. sribuabanensis forms a sister lineage with the Indian species Calocybella dicholamellata.

Ganoderma lingzhi 13 is an excellent cultivated variety with superior agronomic character. The mononucleate strain, G. lingzhi 13-5, as assembled into a complete genome by three-generation HiFi sequencing and Hi-C sequencing, and five replicated bi-nucleate strains were subjected to high throughput sequencing by Illumina, and then the genome of G. lingzhi 13-5 was used as a reference for SNP calling to establish the molecular markers based on the whole genome of G. lingzhi 13. The genome contains 13 chromosomes with a total of 45.73 Mb. After the SNP calling of five replicate strains were de-emphasized and merged, 319 074 shared heterokaryotic allelic difference sites were obtained as a molecular marker library for the identification of G. lingzhi 13 strains. Seven post-fruiting strains were randomly selected from the strain library. It was found that the percentage of allelic difference sites of the post-fruiting strains shared with G. lingzhi 13 ranged from 22.20% to 45.18%, being far inferior to threshold value, indicating that these strains were different from G. lingzhi 13 and they were not the same strains. In this study, molecular markers based on the whole genome of G. lingzhi 13 and its heterokaryotic allelic differentiation sites were established, which can accurately differentiate G. lingzhi 13, a superior cultivated variety.

A wild strain AH150 of Pleurotus collected from Qiyun Mountain of Anhui Province was isolated and identified as Pleurotus giganteus based on morphological observation and ITS sequence analyses. The suitable carbon source, nitrogen source, temperature and pH for the mycelial growth were screened by single factor and orthogonal test. The results showed that the optimum carbon source and nitrogen source were fructose and peptone respectively. Under the optimum temperature of 30 ℃ and optimum pH of 8, the relative growth rate was the fastest and the mycelium was most robust and dense. The substrate for domesticated cultivation was sawdust 52%, corn cob 25%, wheat bran 20%, lime 2% and gypsum 1%. After spawning and covering soil, the air humidity was kept at more than 80%. The primordium appeared on the 11th day. Under humidification of 85%-90%, the fruiting body appeared in 4-5 d. This research provides a reference for extended development and utilization of P. giganteus AH150.

Cordyceps javanica is an entomopathogenic fungus with biocontrol potential in control of many important pests belonging to Homoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Thysanoptera and Coleoptera. Submerged conidia and blastospores can be obtained by liquid fermentation of C. javanica, and aerial conidia can be obtained by solid culture. The differences in morphology, size and surface ultrastructure of the three kinds of spores of C. javanica IF-1106 were compared. It is clear that aerial conidia, submerged conidia and blastospores have different morphology, and the average sizes are 4.45, 4.17 and 7.67 μm, respectively. A similar structure, the scar at one end of three kinds of spores, was observed by scanning electron microscope. The surface of the aerial conidia was rough and appeared to be covered with a layer of small rods. The surface of blastospores is smooth with obvious cracks, and sometimes segmented. The surface of the submerged conidia is smooth with a few thin cracks, and some of them have structures like bud scars. Image of transmission electron microscopy showed that the cell wall thickness and outer layer structure of the three kinds of spores were significantly different. The hydrophobicity of three kinds of spores of C. javanica IF-1106 was determined by the test of microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) and the results showed the hydrophobicity ranked as aerial conidia > blastospore > submerged conidia. When pH ranging from 3.0 to 9.0, the Zeta potential of aerial conidia varied from +2.68 mV to -18.44 mV, that of blastospores ranged from +5.16 mV to -5.51 mV, and that of submerged conidia changed from +0.39 mV to -18.09 mV. The isoelectric points of the three kinds of spores were in acidic range and all spores were negatively charged in neutral condition. The germination rate and stress tolerance of the three kinds of spores were compared. It was found that blastospores germinated fastest but were least stress-tolerant; the aerial conidia were more stress-tolerant but slowest germinated, while germination rate of submerged conidia was close to that of blastospores and the stress-tolerance was the best, showing good potential for utilization and development. These results provide a theoretical basis for the application of C. javanica IF-1106 in production.

Ganoderma applanatum is one of the important medicinal fungi found in China, with a long history of medicinal and clinical application in China and East Asia. Ganoderma triterpenes are tetracyclic derivatives of lanostane, and they have been considered to be the main secondary metabolites and functional components of G. applanatum. Ganoderma triterpenoids have various chemical structures, and 7,8-epoxy-9(11)-ene-12-oxo-ganoderma triterpenoid is one of the characteristic secondary metabolites that distinguish G. applanatum from other species in this genus. With the recent continued discovery of various types of meroterpenoids, it has been shown that these compounds are another important kind of secondary metabolites in G. applanatum. They possess novel and diverse structures, including 10-carbon-chain, lactone-containing, pentacyclic/hexacyclic/heptacyclic, bridged, nitrogen-containing and dimeric meroterpenoids. Their different structural features determine the diverse pharmacological activities of G. applanatum. In addition, these compounds have been reported to have liver-protecting, angiogenesis- promoting, neuroprotective, anti-adipogenic, anti-inflammatory as well as antibacterial pharmacological activities. This article summarizes the structures and pharmacological activities of 98 naturally occurring triterpenoids and 67 meroterpenoids reported in the literature, aiming at providing a reference for further studies and development of G. applanatum.

Species of Morchella possess high nutritional and medicinal value. Adversity stress is an important factor affecting the growth, yield and quality of Morchella during cultivation. Therefore, the molecular mechanisms of Morchella responding to stress has received more and more attention. Omics technology based on transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics has been widely used in Morchella studies and has made it possible to clarify the molecular response mechanisms under stress. In this article, progress in the application of omics technology to study the response of Morchella to abiotic (temperature, drought, mineral elements, light etc.) and biological stresses in recent years is reviewed, and the future prospects for the development and application of omics technology are discussed, in order to provide reference for research on the mechanisms of Morchella in response to adversity stress.

Three new wood-rotting fungi Peniophorella growing on Pinus yunnanensis in southwestern China, Peniophorella euryhypha, Peniophorella pinicola and Peniophorella stellata, are described based on morphology and phylogeny. They all have annual resupinate basidiomata with smooth, white to cream hymenophore and clavate to cylindrical leptocystidia without resinous matter. P. euryhypha is characterized by simple septate subicular hyphae 7.5-9.5 μm wide and broadly clavate to sphaeropedunculate cystidia, narrowly ellipsoid basidiospores 9.3-11 × 3-4.3 μm. P. pinicola is characterized by encrusted hyphae and bowl-shaped stephanocysts and thick-walled cystidia, oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores 5.5-8 × 3.2-5 µm. P. stellata is characterized by leptocystidia and sometimes hyphidia encrusted with rosette-like crystals in subhymenium and hymenium, and oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores 8-10 × 3.5-5 µm. In addition, Peniophorella cremea is considered as a synonym of Hyphoderma transiens. A key to Chinese species of Peniophorella is provided.

Macrofungal germplasm resources are an important part of the construction of national germplasm banks. A wild fungal strain collected from Baishanzu National Nature Reserve was isolated and purified, and it was identified as Bondarzewia dickinsii by morphology and ITS sequence analysis. The effects of different carbon sources, nitrogen sources, pH, temperature and illumination on the mycelium growth under solid culture conditions were studied by cross streaking method. Three optimal levels were selected from the above four single factor experiments for orthogonal test. The results showed that the optimal carbon source was starch; the optimal nitrogen source was yeast extract; the optimal pH was 7.0, and the optimal temperature was 25 °C. The fruiting bodies of Bondarzewia dickinsii were obtained by domestication and cultivation, and the content of crude polysaccharide, crude protein, and 16 amino acids in the fruiting bodies were determined. The total polysaccharide content is as high as 37.29 g/100 g, and the crude protein content 24.9 g/100 g. This study provides a reference for the further research and development of this fungus.

Based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses, a new species, Efibula candidissima, is described from Bawangling, National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest. The basidiomata are resupinate, waxy, snow white when fresh, white to cream and soft corky to fragile when dry, with distinct snow white rhizomorph at margin. Hymenophore surface are smooth, and the clamp connections are absent. Ellipsoid to oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores measure 4.8-5.8 × 3.3-4 μm. This species is distributed in tropical forest in southern China.

Using the genome of Naematelia sinensis monospore strain NX-20 as the reference, resequencing data from four monospore strains (D13, D25, D40, and D47) with different mating types was analyzed by using bioinformatics software to identify SNP and InDel positions. Primer5.0 software was used to design SNP/InDel marker primers, resulting in 8 pairs of SNP and 6 pairs of InDel markers with polymorphic differences for genetic diversity analysis of 14 widely used N. sinensis strains in the cultivation industry. Results of SNP marker analysis revealed that the J2F1 strain exhibited two genotypes in eight pairs of SNP primers, while other strains showed only one genotype. The analysis results of 6 pair InDel markers showed that the J2F1 strain displayed unique band patterns in the 1st, 2nd, and 5th pairs of primers compared to other strains, while most strains (such as YL, YR, JB, LL, and SC) exhibited consistent band patterns, indicating the phenomenon of synonyms. These findings enhance our understanding of the genetic diversity of N. sinensis cultivated germplasm resources, and the identified SNP and InDel molecular markers can serve as valuable tools for genetic analysis, germplasm resource identification, protection and molecular-assisted breeding in N. sinensis research.

Palmitic acid was used to stimulate human colon cancer epithelial cells Caco-2 to construct a tight-junction protein injury model under high fat diet for studying the effect of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides on intestinal barrier and its functional mechanism. By measuring cell viability, cell integrity, redox level, inflammatory factor content, tight junction gene, protein expression level, and inflammatory signaling pathway expression level, it was found that 400 μg/mL T. fuciformis polysaccharides was non-toxic to Caco-2 cells, and could increase SOD and CAT content and decrease MDA content, inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6, enhance the mRNA and protein expression levels of tight junction proteins Claudin-1, Occludin and ZO-1, and down-regulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors by inhibiting the inflammatory signaling pathway of TRL4/MyD88/NF-κB. T. fuciformis polysaccharides maintained the intestinal barrier by means of anti-oxidation, inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors and elevating the expression of tight junction protein.

Cortinarius is the largest genus of Agaricales, exhibiting symbiotic relationships with various plants and playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Telamonia is the subgenus with the most species in Cortinarius, and the fungi in this subgenus lack adhesive properties on their cap surfaces under moist conditions. A taxonomic study was carried out on the Telamonia specimens collected from China using the methods of morphological observation combined with phylogenetic analyses. The result shows that 106 species were found from the examined specimens, including 11 newly recorded species to China. The relevant information of each species was collated and the newly recorded species in China were described in detail.

The potential of cordycepin in alleviating glucose metabolism disorders and renal damage induced by prolonged tacrolimus administration was investigated. A total of 32 mice was randomly assigned into four groups: control group (CON), tacrolimus model group (TAC), cordycepin low-dose treatment group (TAC_CORL), and cordycepin high-dose treatment group (TAC_CORH), with eight mice in each group. The treatments were administered continuously for a duration of eight weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), area under the glucose tolerance curve (AUC), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured. Histopathological examination of the pancreas and kidneys was performed by using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The gut microbiota of the mice was analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Compared to the TAC group, cordycepin administration significantly reduced FBG, AUC, Scr and BUN. The HE staining results demonstrated that cordycepin effectively improved the expansion and vacuolation of pancreatic islet beta cells, as well as the vacuolation, swelling, and desquamation of renal glomeruli and tubular epithelial cells. Furthermore, cordycepin influenced changes in gut microbiota at the phylum and genus levels. Certain environmental factors such as FBG, AUC, Scr, and BUN showed significant positive or negative correlations with specific gut microbiota. The findings suggest that cordycepin administration mayameliorate glucose metabolism disorders and renal injury in mice treated with long-term administration of tacrolimus by modulating intestinal microbiota.

Coniophora is a widely distributed genus that includes species with resupinate basidiomata causing brown rot on fallen trees. In this study, two new species, Coniophora granulosa and Coniophora hainanensis, are described from Hainan Province based on molecular and morphological evidence. C. granulosa is characterized by having coriaceous basidiomata with granulose and light orange to grayish-orange hymenophore, relatively large and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 12.5-14.2 × 8.2-9.5 μm. C. hainanensis is characterized by having membranaceous basidiomata with smooth and grayish-orange to brownish orange hymenophore and fimbriate margin, and oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 9.8-12.2 × 5.2-6.5 μm. Descriptions and illustrations are provided for the two new species.

Ancient Platycladus orientalis holds significantly historical, cultural, and landscape ecological value. The species of the genus Alternaria are diverse and widely distributed in the world, and they are important pathogens causing leaf blight of P. orientalis. In this study, a large number of Alternaria isolates were collected from blighted leaf specimens of ancient P. orientalis in Beijing. Based on the morphological characteristics of conidia, conidiophores, and conidiogenous cells on PCA medium, in combination with phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, GAPDH, TEF1, RPB2, and ALT gene loci, these isolates were identified as Alternaria alternata, A. subcucurbitae, A. cantlous and a novel species, Alternaria platycladi. A. subcucurbitae and A. cantlous are reported on P. orientalis for the first time. Koch’s postulates confirmed that all four Alternaria species could cause leaf blight of P. orientalis.

The ancient camphor forest in Niutian Town, Le’an County, Jiangxi Province, is well known as ‘the first ancient camphor forest in China’, having more than 3 000 ancient camphor trees dating from 100 to 1 200 years, and it is listed as a national ecological public welfare forest for protection. To explore the mycorrhizal types and the species diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in the ancient camphor trees with different tree ages, root tissue staining, AM fungal spore separation, and microscopic morphological observation were carried out. The results show that the main type of camphor tree mycorrhiza was AM with characteristic arbuscular and vesicle structures, intermixed with a small amount of DSE (dark septate endophytic) symbiotic fungi with dark septate mycelia and microsclerotia in root cells. Totally 15 species belonging to 8 genera of 5 families of AM fungi were identified from the rhizosphere soil samples of ancient camphor trees covering 100, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1 200 years. Among them, Glomus flavisporum and G. melanosporum were the most widely distributed species. The colonizing rate of AM fungi in roots and the amount of AM fungal spores in the rhizosphere soil showed a decreasing trend with the increase of tree age. The probability is that these AM fungi have long been symbiotically associated with the 1 000-year-old camphor trees, and they play an important ecological function in maintaining the healthy growth of the ancient camphor forest.

The effect of extraction temperature, ethylalcohol concentration, liquid to material ratio and extraction time on the extraction yield of ergothioneine in M. sextelata scraps were studied by using the content of ergothioneine obtained as indicator, and the response surface methodology based on single factor experiment was applied to optimize the technological process of extraction. The results obtained by single factor experiment and response surface methodology indicated that liquid to material ratio of 40:1 (mL/g), ethylalcohol concentration of 50%, extraction temperature of 60 ℃, and extraction time of 20 min were the optimum extraction condition. Under this optimized condition, the extraction yield of ergothioneine was (0.236±0.000 887) mg/g, no significantly difference was found as compared with estimated value 0.235 mg/g (error value 0.426%), indicating that the optimized process was effective and reliable. This study provides basic data for utilization of M. sextelata scraps.

Elaeocarpus decipiens is an important economic and medicinal tree species in southern China. Species of Diaporthales often exist as phytopathogens or endophytes, however, the fungal diversity associated with Elaeocarpus decipiens is not comprehensively known. Four representative strains of Diaporthales were isolated from E. decipiens leaves in Qiongzhou, Hainan. Morphological and multi-locus (ITS, LSU, TEF1-α, TUB, RPB2) molecular analyses were used to identify these isolates. As a result, two new species, Melanconiella qiongzhouensis and Lasmenia hainanensis, were discovered. It is the first report on species of Diaporthales on E. decipiens.

Two crustose lichen species of Acarospora are reported as new to science based on the comprehensive data of morphological, anatomical, and chemical characteristics, combined with the phylogenetic analyses inferred from tri-locus sequences of the nuclear ribosome internal transcriptional spacer (ITS), the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU), and the nuclear ribosome large subunit (nrLSU). Acarospora aenea is mainly characterized by rust-colored upper surface, immersed apothecia, black and epruinose disc, thick upper cortex, and large ascospores (4-6.5 × 2.5-3.5 µm); whereas Acarospora turpanensis is characterized by its reddish brown to whitish brown upper surface with pruina, uneven algal layer, and its narrowly ellipsoid ascospores with perispore. The assemble species by automatic partitioning (ASAP) analysis of ITS sequence alignment data also supports the recognition of the new species.

The aquaporin (AQP) gene family plays a crucial role in water transport and various physiological processes in fungi. In this study, the members of the AQP family in Pleurotus ostreatus (PoAQPs) were systematically identified using bioinformatics approaches, and their physicochemical properties, subcellular localization, chromosomal distribution, phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, and cis-regulatory elements of the promoters were analysed. The relative expression levels of PoAQPs were evaluated in various growth stages and under waterlogging stress conditions using RT-qPCR. As a result, five members of the aquaporin (PoAQPs) gene family in the genome of Pleurotus ostreatus were identified, which were categorized into two subfamilies, classical aquaporins (AQPs) and aquaglyceroporins (AQGPs). All members contained the MIP superfamily domain and exhibited the characteristic tertiary structure of classical water channel proteins. The five PoAQPs genes were distributed among four chromosomes, and subcellular localization predictions indicated that these genes were located at the cell membrane. Members within the same subfamily shared similar conserved motifs. The promoter regions were enriched with numerous regulatory elements related to hormonal responses and abiotic stress. RT-qPCR results revealed significant differences in the expression levels of PoAQPs genes in various growth stages and in response to waterlogging stress, with particularly high expression during the fruiting body stage and after 8 hours of waterlogging stress. It is suggested that PoAQPs are involved in the regulation of the growth, the development of Pleurotus ostreatus as well as the responses to abiotic stress. These findings offer valuable theoretical insights into the mechanisms of water regulation in Pleurotus ostreatus and give support to the breeding of stress-resistant varieties.

A new species of Phyllobaeis, P. subcrustacea, was identified by methods of morphology, anatomy, chemistry, and phylogenetic analysis based on combination of sequences of the internal transcriptional spacer (ITS), the large ribosome subunit (nuLSU), and the small mitochondrial subunit (mtSSU). It is characterized by the crustose thallus with clear schizidia; light reddish brown to dark brown apothecia with circinate, flat or sunken discs, obvious margin, unconspicuous podetia; simple or septate paraphyses; long-clavate asci, 8-spored, with apex I-; ascospores are ovoid to fusiform, hyaline, simple or 1-septate, I-. The type specimen was produced in Zhejiang Province, China. In this paper, phenotypic description and characteristic photos of the new species are provided, and a key of known species of Phyllobaeis is also provided.

The studies on specimens collected from Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park on the basis of morphological characteristics and molecular data have yielded three hypoxylaceous species new to China. The three species viz. Annulohypoxylon nouraguense, A. subnitens and A. viridistratum, were described and illustrated based on Chinese collections. The differences between the species and the related and morphologically similar species are discussed. The taxonomic positions of the three species were supported and confirmed by the ITS phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods.

Mushroom-producing soil is the important place for the fruiting body formation of mycorrhizal edible fungi. Microorganisms that can promote the mycorrhizal formation exist in the mushroom-producing soil, so the study of microbial communities of the mushroom-producing soil is crucial for understanding the mycorrhizal formation. In this study, the composition of microbial communities and diversity of the mushroom-producing soil of Chroogomphus rutilus and non-mushroom-producing soil were clarified by use of amplicon sequencing. The results showed that the Chao 1, Observed species, Shannon, Simpson and Pielou indices of bacteria and fungi in the non-mushroom-producing soil were significantly higher than those in the mushroom- producing soil (P<0.05). The dominant phyla in both the mushroom-producing and non-mushroom- producing soil are Proteobacteria and Basidiomycota. In the mushroom-producing soil, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Ascomycota and Rozellomycota is greater than that in the non-mushroom-producing soil, among them the relative abundance of Rozellomycota is 2.94 times higher than that in the non-mushroom-producing soil. The dominant genera in the mushroom- producing and non-mushroom-producing soil are Russula and Suillus. In the mushroom- producing soil, the relative abundance of Leptodontidium is 1.27 times higher than that in the non-mushroom-producing soil, the relative abundance of Penicillium is 4.47 times higher than that in the non-mushroom-producing soil, the relative abundance of Suillus is 5.72 times higher than that in the non mushroom-producing soil, the relative abundance of Oidiodendron is 6.31 times higher than that in the non-mushroom-producing soil, the relative abundance of Talaromyces is 18.14 times higher than that in the non-mushroom-producing soil, and the genus Chroogomphus and Sebacina only exists in the mushroom-producing soil. LEfSe analysis showed that 26 different taxonomic levels of fungi (1 phylum, 1 class, 4 orders, 6 families, 9 genera, 5 species) and 20 different taxonomic levels of bacterial indicator groups (2 phyla, 3 classes, 3 orders, 6 families, 6 genera) were obtained in the mushroom-producing soil. The co-occurrence network analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the number of nodes and edges of fungal and bacterial communities between the mushroom-producing and non-mushroom-producing soil. Chroogomphus rutilus was positively correlated with the abundance of unidentified bacterium ASV20 (uncultured Proteobacteria) and that of unidentified fungus ASV22 (Tomentella), and the correlation was high. The results provide reference for the artificial domestication and cultivation of C. rutilus.

Ganoderma, as indigenous traditional medicine with a long application history, has important medical properties and economic values. A wild strain of Ganoderma X2287 collected from Wuzhishan area in National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest was isolated and identified as Ganoderma orbiforme by the combination of morphology and TEF1-α-RPB2 sequence. The biological characteristics and domestication conditions of the strain were studied. The results showed that the optimal carbon source for mycelial growth was sucrose; the optimal nitrogen source was ammonium chloride; the optimal pH was 5.0, and the optimal temperature was 30 ℃. The mycelia fully colonized the media of culture bag after cultivation for about 30 days at 25 ℃ under dark conditions. The primordium began to form in 7-10 days, and the fruiting body matured in 25 days. The results provide basic data for development and utilization of the Ganoderma resources in Hainan Tropical Rainforest and breeding of new varieties.

Hainan island in tropical China is rich in forest resources. Numerous macrofungi have been discovered on trees and ground in its forest ecosystems, while the diversity of culturable filamentous fungi in rhizosphere soil remains unclear. In this study 188 rhizosphere soil samples were collected from six national forest parks in Hainan, and 693 culturable fungal strains were isolated. Through morphological and molecular barcoding (ITS rDNA) identification, these culturable fungi were classified into 248 species belonging to 117 genera, 55 families, 27 orders, 11 classes, and 3 phyla. Among these, 26 species were previously recorded in Hainan; 182 were new records for Hainan and 40 were undetermined. Ascomycota and Mucoromycota were dominant phyla. The dominant classes were, in descending order, Sordariomycetes, Mucoromycetes, Eurotiomycetes, Dothideomycetes, and Mortierellomycetes. The predominant orders included Hypocreales, Mucorales, Eurotiales, Mortierellales and Pleosporales. Leading families were Cunninghamellaceae, Nectriaceae, Aspergillaceae, Mortierellaceae, Bionectriaceae and Hypocreaceae. Dominant genera comprised Gongronella, Penicillium, Fusarium, Trichoderma, Clonostachys and Cunninghamella, with key species being Gongronella butleri only. Combined with existing literature records, total 421 current rhizosphere soil culturable fungal species in Hainan were classified into 180 genera, 72 families, 38 orders, 18 classes, and 3 phyla. Including documented oomycetes and myxomycetes (31 species in 7 genera, 3 families, 3 orders, 2 classes, and 2 phyla), the current compilation of Hainan rhizosphere soil fungi reaches 452 species belonging 187 genera, 75 families, 41 orders, 20 classes, and 5 phyla. This represents the first systematic catalogue of rhizosphere soil culturable fungi in Hainan Province.

Wood-decaying fungi play crucial roles as decomposers in forest ecosystems. In this study, two new Lopharia species from Yunnan Province in southwest China, Lopharia minispora and Lopharia punctata, are described and illustrated based on the morphological and molecular evidence. L. minispora is characterized by its slightly brown and cracked basidiomata when dry, a monomitic hyphal system with clamp connections, and oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 5.5-6.7 × 2.7-3.3 µm; L. punctata is characterized by its membranous, white to cream basidiomata, a monomitic hyphal system with simple-septa on generative hyphae and subglobose to globose basidiospores measuring 9.5-12 × 7.5-10.1 µm. Sequences of ITS and nLSU rDNA markers of the studied samples were employed, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods, ensuring the reliability of our findings. The dataset analyses showed that the two new species clustered into the genus Lopharia, in which L. minispora was sister of Lopharia erubescens; L. punctata grouped with the lineage of Lopharia ayresii and Lopharia resupinata.

During a study of fungal diversity in the Puruogangri Glacier ecosystem on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, a strain was isolated from soil samples at the glacier forefields using the dilution plate method, and identified as Sinophaeosphaeria xizangensis gen. et sp. nov. Morphological analysis revealed that the fungus produced olive to olive-brown conidia on PDA medium. The conidia consist of two or more cells, arranged in curved or irregular chains. Some cells slightly swollen, forming distinctly prominent bulging regions or aggregating into dense, hammer-shaped structures. Phylogenetic analyses based on five genetic loci, including internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU), small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU), RNA polymeraseⅡsecond largest subunit (rpb2), and translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α), indicate that this fungus represents a previously undescribed lineage within the family Phaeosphaeriaceae. This genus is located at the base of a branch that includes Paraloratospora, Loratospora, Wingfieldomyces and Sulcispora, revealing its unique evolutionary position.

Ganoderma lingzhi is a traditional Chinese medicine and has been artificially cultivated on a large scale. Triterpene and polysaccharides are the main bioactive compounds in G. lingzhi. Most present studies focused on the medicinal functions of these bioactive substances. However, the effects of cultivation conditions, such as type of substrate or growth stages, on the accumulation of bioactive substances are less well studied. Besides, the different determination methods of bioactive substances using in present studies often lead to dissimilar conclusion. In this study, four strains of G. lingzhi were used as target strains and their content of polysaccharides and triterpenoids were determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method and ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The content of polysaccharides and triterpenoids in fruiting bodies grown in two different substrates (sawdust-wheat bran and sawdust) and four growth stages (primordium formation, beginning of fruiting, maturation and sporulation) were compared. It was found that the content of polysaccharides and triterpenoids in the fruiting bodies reached the highest level at primordium stage or beginning of fruiting stage, and decreased to lower level at the sporulation stage. The content of polysaccharides and triterpenoids in fruiting bodies growing on sawdust-wheat bran was relatively higher than that on sawdust. The yields of G. lingzhi fruiting bodies harvested at different growing stages were compared. For the sake of obtaining higher yield of polysaccharides and triterpenoids, using sawdust-wheat bran as cultivation substrate, collecting the fruiting bodies at the beginning of fruiting stage and repeatedly harvesting the fruiting bodies at refruiting stages are the best choice.

Large-scale fermentation of rice by the entomopathogenic fungus Purpureocillium clavatum was carried out, and the crude extract was separated and purified by several modern natural product separation methods. The structure of the compound was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), circular dichroism (CD) and other spectroscopic methods. Seven compounds were obtained from the ethyl acetate layer of the rice fermented extract of the entomopathogenic fungus Purpureocillium clavatum, including one new compound, purcilliumene A (5), four steroid compounds (1-3, 6), one sphingosine compound (7), one other compound (4). Antimicrobial activity screening revealed that compounds 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 showed significant inhibitory effects against Colletotrichum capsici, Hypomyces odoratus-Ⅰ, and Trichothecium roseum. Compounds 2 and 7 also showed inhibitory effect against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

A wild Lignosus strain EPPI-2021-159 isolated from Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County of Hainan Province was identified as Lignosus rhinocerus through morphological characterization and ITS sequence analysis. The optimal carbon source, nitrogen source, temperature, and pH for mycelial growth were determined using orthogonal experimental design. The results showed that sucrose was the optimal carbon source and yeast extract powder was the optimal nitrogen source, and the strain grew well at 28 ℃ and pH 5.0. Domestication trials revealed bagful mycelial colonization time in substrate containing 45% sawdust was (45.65±2.32) days, producing sclerotia averaging (149.73±8.90) g fresh weight. This study provides foundational data supporting domestication cultivation of the fungus on a large scale.

The main active components and antioxidant activities of Cordyceps militaris aqueous extract (CME) were analyzed, and protective effects of the extract on skin cell oxidative damage in HaCaT cell model induced by hydrogen peroxide were evaluated. The results showed that CME was rich in polysaccharides, polyphenols, adenosine, cordycepin, N⁶-(2-hydroxyethyl) adenosine and other active substances, and could scavenge DPPH free radical, ABTS free radical and ·OH free radical, with IC₅₀ values of 0.63, 2.97 and 3.24 mg/mL, respectively, indicating the CME possessed effective antioxidant activity. The CME could improve HaCaT cell survival rate through concentration-dependent manner, and the cell viability was increased from 55.39% to 83.90% at the concentration of 50 μg/mL. CME could reduce the intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA) content and significantly decrease the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level by up-regulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, GSH-Px and CAT (P<0.01), thereby balancing oxidation and antioxidant systems and reducing oxidative damage. This study comes to the conclusion that CME can protect skin cell avoiding oxidative damage of hydrogen peroxide, suggesting that it has the potential to be used as a natural antioxidant in cosmetics and other fields.