Monograph of epifoliar fungi

Name: Marasinghe Wadige, Diana Sandamali

keyword: Ascomycota

MeSH: Ascomycetes -- 53477

Classification :.DDC: e-Theses

; Asterinales

MeSH: Asterinales -- 305609

MeSH: Fungi -- Classification -- 52208

MeSH: Fungi -- Morphology -- 250913

LCSH: Ascomycetes -- 53477

LCSH: Asterinales -- 305609

LCSH: Fungi -- Classification -- 52208

LCSH: Fungi -- Morphology -- 250913

Abstract: Epifoliar fungi are one of the significant fungal groups typically living on the surface of leaves. They are usually recorded as saprobes, obligate parasites and commensals and are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Numerous genera within this group remain inadequately understood, primarily attributed to limited taxonomic knowledge and insufficient molecular data. In addition to their taxonomic characteristics, epifoliar fungi exhibit a substantial ecological diversity and possess a wide range of morphological adaptations for their survival on leaf surfaces. Some morphological structures (appressorial hyphae) play a crucial role in distinguishing different genera. However, the validation of these generic segregations still requires the support of molecular evidence. Furthermore, the taxonomic delineation of epifoliar fungi remained uncertain, with scattered and literature-based data often intermixed with other follicolous fungi. Herein, a comprehensive taxonomic monograph of 126 genera in (32) Asterinales, (18) Capnodiales, (15) Chaetothyriales, (8) Meliolales, (8) Micropeltidales, (10) Microthyriales, (34) Parmulariales and (1) Zeloasperisporiales was provided re-describing with illustrations and line drawings. The molecular data for Asterolibertia and Cirsosia were provided for the first time and confirmed their placements in Asterinales. Based on the morpho-molecular approaches, Asterolibertia was confirmed as a synonym of Asterina while Cirsosia was transferred from Asterinaceae to Lembosiaceae. Moreover, this study established several noteworthy contributions, including the discovery of a novel family (Brunneofissuraceae), seven new species (Appendiculella viticis, Cirsosia mangiferae, Brunneofissura thailandica, Lembosia mimusopis, Micropeltis goniothalamicola, Meliola camporessi, and Trichomerium camporessi), one new host record (Scolecopeltidium menglaense), and one new nomenclatural novel (Asterina neomangiferae). In addition, six holotype herbarium specimens (Campoa pulcherrima, Cycloschizon brachylaenae, Ferrarisia philippina, Hysterostomella guaranitica, Palawaniella orbiculata, and Pseudolembosia orbicularis) were re-examined, and comprehensive descriptions with updated illustrations were provided. Molecular clock analysis indicated that the Asterinales emerged earliest during the Triassic period, approximately 230 million years ago (MYA). Subsequently, the Chaetothyriales (~157 MYA), Meliolales (~161 MYA), and Microthyriales (~180 MYA) evolved during the Jurassic period. The crown ages of Capnodiales (~118 MYA) and Micropeltidales (~73 MYA) can be traced back to the Cretaceous period. In contrast, the Zeloasperisporiales group represents the most recently evolved group of epifoliar fungi, emerging during the Cenozoic era. The identifications were established through morpho-molecular evidences accompanied by thorough descriptions, and supported by updated multi-gene phylogenetic analyses (LSU, ITS and SSU) incorporated ecological and geographical information. The epifoliar fungal group demonstrates significant diversity in their nutritional strategies and possesses various morphological adaptations to uptake nutrients from host tissues. In this study, I provided a comprehensive review on ecological of morphological adaptations, specifically focusing on their nutritional modes. The representative genera from each order were re-examined, and their distinct morphological adaptations were documented using illustrations. Among the biotrophic epifoliar taxa, diverse adaptations were observed when comparing saprobic and commensal taxa. The role of microevolutionary processes in shaping host-fungal interactions among epifoliar fungi, as well as their contribution to macroevolutionary changes, had remained inadequately understood. Epifoliar fungi are generally regarded as host-specific, exhibiting infection patterns that are confined to native plants within specific geographical areas or occurring a relatively narrow range of host species. However, the introducing of epifoliar taxa by many mycologists has often been based on host associations without considering significant morphological differences. Furthermore, the host-specificity of epifoliar fungi had remained uncertain and had yet to be experimentally confirmed. In this study, I investigated the host specialization and coevolutionary patterns of the Asterinales by ancestral character evolutionary analysis, coevolutionary analysis, and statistical analyses. The interpretations of the ancestral character evolutionary analysis, coevolutionary analysis (host shift), and statistical analysis were provided in Chapter 4. The results of our character evolutionary analysis revealed that the saprobic life mode represented the most primitive nutritional mode. Furthermore, coevolutionary analysis was revealed the substantial impact of host-shift events on the diversification and evolution of epifoliar fungi. In addition, our statistical analysis supported to establish the host-specificity of Asterinales for wide range of plant families within dicotyledons. Overall, this study encourages future research endeavors, particularly in exploring the ecological aspects and potential industrial applications of epifoliar fungi. It emphasizes the importance of confirming the host-specificity of these fungi to avoid species accumulation and establish a more accurate understanding of their taxonomy. Epifoliar fungi remain inadequately explored in terms of molecular data, highlighting the need for advanced molecular techniques to enhance the availability of sequence data for more reliable taxonomic studies in the future.

Mae Fah Luang University. Learning Resources and Educational Media Center

Address: CHIANG RAI

Email: library@mfu.ac.th

Name: Hyde Kevin David

Role: Advisor

Created: 2022

Modified: 2023-07-19

Issued: 2023-07-19

วิทยานิพนธ์/Thesis

application/pdf

CallNumber: e-Theses

eng

DegreeName: Doctor of Philosophy

Level: Doctoral Degree

Descipline: Biological Sciences

Grantor: Mae Fah Luang University

©copyrights Mae Fah Luang University

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