cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.13103358
title: Phylogenetic diversity and prevalence of mycoflora in ready-to-eat supermarket and roadside-vended peanuts

description: Little is known of the mycobiota present in ready-to-eat peanuts consumed in Southern Africa. Knowledge of the mycobiota and aflatoxigenic species can elucidate potential health risks associated with consumption of ready-to-eat peanuts sold by supermarkets and roadside vendors. We investigated the culturable mycobiota diversity in supermarket and roadside-vended peanuts as well as the presence of five aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway–related genes (<i>aflR, aflJ, aflM, aflD</i>, and <i>aflP</i>) in 15 suspected aflatoxigenic isolates, with a focus on Mafikeng, South Africa. Mean colony-forming unit (CFU) counts of 288.7 and 619.7 CFU/g were observed in supermarket and roadside-vended peanuts, respectively. A total of 145 fungal isolates comprising 26 distinct taxa (based on 97% internal transcribed spacer region [ITS1-5.8S-ITS2] sequence similarity) were obtained, including strains representing <i>Aspergillus, Acremonium, Alternaria, Bipolaris, Chaetomium, Ectophoma, Epicoccum, Hamigera, Leancillium, Monascus, Penicillium, Periconia, Talaromyces</i>, and <i>Trichoderma</i>. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated sequences of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, β-tubulin, and calmodulin genes delineated the species of As<i>pergillus</i>, which included <i>A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. hiratsukae, A. niger</i>, and <i>A. parasiticus</i>. Higher species richness was obtained from supermarket peanuts compared with roadside-vended peanuts, with eight species common to both sources. Across supermarket or roadside-vended peanuts, <i>A. fumigatus, A. niger</i>, and <i>A. flavus</i> were prevalent (&gt;40% incidence). In contrast, strains related to or representing <i>Ectophoma multirostata, Aspergillus hiratsukae, Bipolaris zeae, Chaetomium bostrychodes, Epicoccum nigrum, Hamigera paravellanea, Lecanicillium aphanocladii, Monascus ruber, Periconia macrospinosa, Periconia lateralis, Talaromyces funiculosus, Talaromyces minioluteus, Talaromyces wortmannii, Talaromyces</i> spp., and <i>Trichoderma</i> sp. were detected in either supermarket or roadside-vended peanuts. Among the five aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway–related genes, <i>aflD</i> and <i>aflM</i> were more prevalent (87%) and <i>aflR</i> was the least prevalent (40%). Findings suggest that roasted peanuts meant for human consumption and sold at supermarkets and by roadside vendors are contaminated with potential toxin-producing fungi. Hence, proper processing and packaging of peanuts before vending is recommended.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.13103358.v1
title: Phylogenetic diversity and prevalence of mycoflora in ready-to-eat supermarket and roadside-vended peanuts

description: Little is known of the mycobiota present in ready-to-eat peanuts consumed in Southern Africa. Knowledge of the mycobiota and aflatoxigenic species can elucidate potential health risks associated with consumption of ready-to-eat peanuts sold by supermarkets and roadside vendors. We investigated the culturable mycobiota diversity in supermarket and roadside-vended peanuts as well as the presence of five aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway–related genes (<i>aflR, aflJ, aflM, aflD</i>, and <i>aflP</i>) in 15 suspected aflatoxigenic isolates, with a focus on Mafikeng, South Africa. Mean colony-forming unit (CFU) counts of 288.7 and 619.7 CFU/g were observed in supermarket and roadside-vended peanuts, respectively. A total of 145 fungal isolates comprising 26 distinct taxa (based on 97% internal transcribed spacer region [ITS1-5.8S-ITS2] sequence similarity) were obtained, including strains representing <i>Aspergillus, Acremonium, Alternaria, Bipolaris, Chaetomium, Ectophoma, Epicoccum, Hamigera, Leancillium, Monascus, Penicillium, Periconia, Talaromyces</i>, and <i>Trichoderma</i>. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated sequences of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, β-tubulin, and calmodulin genes delineated the species of As<i>pergillus</i>, which included <i>A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. hiratsukae, A. niger</i>, and <i>A. parasiticus</i>. Higher species richness was obtained from supermarket peanuts compared with roadside-vended peanuts, with eight species common to both sources. Across supermarket or roadside-vended peanuts, <i>A. fumigatus, A. niger</i>, and <i>A. flavus</i> were prevalent (&gt;40% incidence). In contrast, strains related to or representing <i>Ectophoma multirostata, Aspergillus hiratsukae, Bipolaris zeae, Chaetomium bostrychodes, Epicoccum nigrum, Hamigera paravellanea, Lecanicillium aphanocladii, Monascus ruber, Periconia macrospinosa, Periconia lateralis, Talaromyces funiculosus, Talaromyces minioluteus, Talaromyces wortmannii, Talaromyces</i> spp., and <i>Trichoderma</i> sp. were detected in either supermarket or roadside-vended peanuts. Among the five aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway–related genes, <i>aflD</i> and <i>aflM</i> were more prevalent (87%) and <i>aflR</i> was the least prevalent (40%). Findings suggest that roasted peanuts meant for human consumption and sold at supermarkets and by roadside vendors are contaminated with potential toxin-producing fungi. Hence, proper processing and packaging of peanuts before vending is recommended.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12867296.v1
title: <i>Periplasma</i>, gen. nov., a new oomycete lineage with isogamous sexual reproduction

description: This paper describes the taxonomy, developmental morphology, and phylogeny of <i>Periplasma isogametum</i>, a new monotypic member of the Leptomitales (Oomycota). In phylogenetic trees inferred from concatenated and separate nuc 18S rDNA (18S) and nuc 28S rDNA (28S) sequences, <i>P. isogametum</i> forms a well-supported clade related to but distinct from <i>Apodachlya</i>, a member of the Leptomitales. The organism is a holocarpic facultative saprotroph of moribund aquatic insects but grows well on a variety of mycological media in which it produces large eucarpic hyphae with a peripheral layer of protoplasm surrounding a central vacuole. In zoosporogenesis, a peripheral network of zoospore initials collapses to the center of the zoosporangium and is partitioned into individual heterokont zoospores. Sexual reproduction involves morphological isogamy in which male gametes produce elongate fertilization tubes, which fuse with female gametes, which are subsequently converted into thick-walled oospores. Developmental morphology is detailed in photomicrographs and pointillism drawings.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12975029
title: A phylogeny for the plant pathogen <i>Piptoporellus baudonii</i> using a multigene data set

description: <i>Piptoporellus baudonii</i> is proposed as a new combination for <i>Laetiporus baudonii</i> in the Polyporales (Basidiomycota) based on morphological and molecular features. This parasitic macrofungus attacks cashew trees, <i>Eucalyptus</i>, cassava, <i>Tectona</i>, and some indigenous trees in southern regions of Tanzania and poses a serious threat to agroforestry and livelihood conditions in the area. Phylogenetic trees were produced from partial sequences of three rDNA gene regions and a portion of translation elongation factor 1-alpha (<i>TEF1</i>) gene of <i>Laetiporus baudonii</i> for comparisons with samples from the antrodia clade. Our results reveal a strongly supported group of <i>L. baudonii</i> with <i>Piptoporellus</i> in Fomitopsidaceae. <i>Piptoporellus baudonii</i> shares many morphological features with other members of <i>Piptoporellus</i> but differs from them in having broadly ellipsoid or rarely ovoid basidiospores. Both morphological and phylogenetic evidence justify the placement of <i>L. baudonii</i> in <i>Piptoporellus</i> together with the three other known species in the genus.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12867296
title: <i>Periplasma</i>, gen. nov., a new oomycete lineage with isogamous sexual reproduction

description: This paper describes the taxonomy, developmental morphology, and phylogeny of <i>Periplasma isogametum</i>, a new monotypic member of the Leptomitales (Oomycota). In phylogenetic trees inferred from concatenated and separate nuc 18S rDNA (18S) and nuc 28S rDNA (28S) sequences, <i>P. isogametum</i> forms a well-supported clade related to but distinct from <i>Apodachlya</i>, a member of the Leptomitales. The organism is a holocarpic facultative saprotroph of moribund aquatic insects but grows well on a variety of mycological media in which it produces large eucarpic hyphae with a peripheral layer of protoplasm surrounding a central vacuole. In zoosporogenesis, a peripheral network of zoospore initials collapses to the center of the zoosporangium and is partitioned into individual heterokont zoospores. Sexual reproduction involves morphological isogamy in which male gametes produce elongate fertilization tubes, which fuse with female gametes, which are subsequently converted into thick-walled oospores. Developmental morphology is detailed in photomicrographs and pointillism drawings.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12848604.v1
title: Fungal melanins that deteriorate paper cultural heritage: An overview

description: Paper-based works of art and documents of cultural importance kept in museums and libraries can show notorious signs of deterioration, including foxing stains, caused by fungal colonization. Some of the main chromophore agents of fungal origin that deteriorate paper and therefore affect paper cultural heritage both aesthetically and structurally are the group of pigments called melanins. Thus, knowledge of the diversity and features of fungal melanins and of the melanization pathways of fungi growing on paper is key to removing these pigments from paper-based works of cultural importance. This review provides an approach about the current knowledge of melanins synthesized by paper-colonizing fungi, their localization in the fungal structures, and their role in the deterioration of paper. This knowledge might contribute to developing new, effective, and sustainable strategies of restoration and conservation of historical documents and works of art based on paper.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12975029.v1
title: A phylogeny for the plant pathogen <i>Piptoporellus baudonii</i> using a multigene data set

description: <i>Piptoporellus baudonii</i> is proposed as a new combination for <i>Laetiporus baudonii</i> in the Polyporales (Basidiomycota) based on morphological and molecular features. This parasitic macrofungus attacks cashew trees, <i>Eucalyptus</i>, cassava, <i>Tectona</i>, and some indigenous trees in southern regions of Tanzania and poses a serious threat to agroforestry and livelihood conditions in the area. Phylogenetic trees were produced from partial sequences of three rDNA gene regions and a portion of translation elongation factor 1-alpha (<i>TEF1</i>) gene of <i>Laetiporus baudonii</i> for comparisons with samples from the antrodia clade. Our results reveal a strongly supported group of <i>L. baudonii</i> with <i>Piptoporellus</i> in Fomitopsidaceae. <i>Piptoporellus baudonii</i> shares many morphological features with other members of <i>Piptoporellus</i> but differs from them in having broadly ellipsoid or rarely ovoid basidiospores. Both morphological and phylogenetic evidence justify the placement of <i>L. baudonii</i> in <i>Piptoporellus</i> together with the three other known species in the genus.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12848604
title: Fungal melanins that deteriorate paper cultural heritage: An overview

description: Paper-based works of art and documents of cultural importance kept in museums and libraries can show notorious signs of deterioration, including foxing stains, caused by fungal colonization. Some of the main chromophore agents of fungal origin that deteriorate paper and therefore affect paper cultural heritage both aesthetically and structurally are the group of pigments called melanins. Thus, knowledge of the diversity and features of fungal melanins and of the melanization pathways of fungi growing on paper is key to removing these pigments from paper-based works of cultural importance. This review provides an approach about the current knowledge of melanins synthesized by paper-colonizing fungi, their localization in the fungal structures, and their role in the deterioration of paper. This knowledge might contribute to developing new, effective, and sustainable strategies of restoration and conservation of historical documents and works of art based on paper.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12848622
title: Large-spored <i>Drechslera gigantea</i> is a <i>Bipolaris</i> species causing disease on the invasive grass <i>Microstegium vimineum</i>

description: Environmentally damaging invasive plants can also serve as reservoir hosts for agricultural pathogens. <i>Microstegium vimineum</i> is an invasive C4 annual grass that is present throughout the midwestern and eastern United States. It can reach high densities in disturbed areas such as crop-forest interfaces, which creates the potential for pathogen spillover from <i>M. vimineum</i> to agricultural crops and native plants. A previous study that surveyed disease on <i>M. vimineum</i> found a large-spored <i>Bipolaris</i> species that was widespread on <i>M. vimineum</i> and also isolated from co-occurring native grasses. Here, we report that the large-spored fungus isolated from <i>M. vimineum</i> and the native grass <i>Elymus virginicus</i> is <i>Drechslera gigantea</i>, based on comparison with published descriptions of morphological traits, and establish that <i>D. gigantea</i> is a pathogen of <i>M. vimineum</i> and <i>E. virginicus</i>. We review the phylogenetic placement and taxonomic history of <i>D. gigantea</i> and propose that it be reassigned to the genus <i>Bipolaris</i> as <i>Bipolaris gigantea.</i>
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12848622.v1
title: Large-spored <i>Drechslera gigantea</i> is a <i>Bipolaris</i> species causing disease on the invasive grass <i>Microstegium vimineum</i>

description: Environmentally damaging invasive plants can also serve as reservoir hosts for agricultural pathogens. <i>Microstegium vimineum</i> is an invasive C4 annual grass that is present throughout the midwestern and eastern United States. It can reach high densities in disturbed areas such as crop-forest interfaces, which creates the potential for pathogen spillover from <i>M. vimineum</i> to agricultural crops and native plants. A previous study that surveyed disease on <i>M. vimineum</i> found a large-spored <i>Bipolaris</i> species that was widespread on <i>M. vimineum</i> and also isolated from co-occurring native grasses. Here, we report that the large-spored fungus isolated from <i>M. vimineum</i> and the native grass <i>Elymus virginicus</i> is <i>Drechslera gigantea</i>, based on comparison with published descriptions of morphological traits, and establish that <i>D. gigantea</i> is a pathogen of <i>M. vimineum</i> and <i>E. virginicus</i>. We review the phylogenetic placement and taxonomic history of <i>D. gigantea</i> and propose that it be reassigned to the genus <i>Bipolaris</i> as <i>Bipolaris gigantea.</i>
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12848610
title: Characterization of morphological changes within stromata during sexual reproduction in <i>Aspergillus flavus</i>

description: <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> contaminates agricultural products worldwide with carcinogenic aflatoxins that pose a serious health risk to humans and animals. The fungus survives adverse environmental conditions through production of sclerotia. When fertilized by a compatible conidium of an opposite mating type, a sclerotium transforms into a stroma within which ascocarps, asci, and ascospores are formed. However, the transition from a sclerotium to a stroma during sexual reproduction in <i>A. flavus</i> is not well understood. Early events during the interaction between sexually compatible strains of <i>A. flavus</i> were visualized using conidia of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled <i>MAT1-1</i> strain and sclerotia of an mCherry-labeled <i>MAT1-2</i> strain. Both conidia and sclerotia of transformed strains germinated to produce hyphae within 24 h of incubation. Hyphal growth of these two strains produced what appeared to be a network of interlocking hyphal strands that were observed at the base of the mCherry-labeled sclerotia (i.e., region in contact with agar surface) after 72 h of incubation. At 5 wk following incubation, intracellular green-fluorescent hyphal strands were observed within the stromatal matrix of the mCherry-labeled strain. Scanning electron microscopy of stromata from a high- and low-fertility cross and unmated sclerotia was used to visualize the formation and development of sexual structures within the stromatal and sclerotial matrices, starting at the time of crossing and thereafter every 2 wk until 8 wk of incubation. Morphological differences between sclerotia and stromata became apparent at 4 wk of incubation. Internal hyphae and croziers were detected inside multiple ascocarps that developed within the stromatal matrix of the high-fertility cross but were not detected in the matrix of the low-fertility cross or the unmated sclerotia. At 6 to 8 wk of incubation, hyphal tips produced numerous asci, each containing one to eight ascospores that emerged out of an ascus following the breakdown of the ascus wall. These observations broaden our knowledge of early events during sexual reproduction and suggest that hyphae from the conidium-producing strain may be involved in the early stages of sexual reproduction in <i>A. flavus</i>. When combined with omics data, these findings could be useful in further exploration of the molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying sexual reproduction in <i>A. flavus</i>.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.13046161.v1
title: Additional new species suggest high dictyostelid diversity on Madagascar

description: Dictyostelids are a monophyletic group of sorocarp-forming social amoebae in the major eukaryotic division Amoebozoa. Members of this taxon, which is made up of almost 200 described species, are common in terrestrial soils globally. Still, the alpha diversity is not well known in many areas, and new species are frequently recovered. The highest species richness is found in the tropics. Here, five new species are described from soil samples collected in Madagascar. These species—<i>Cavenderia basinodulosa, C. canoespora, Heterostelium radiatum, H. versatile</i>, and <i>Raperostelium stabile</i>—are described based on both morphological characteristics and molecular data, with sequence data from the rDNA small subunit (SSU). The five new species are morphologically disparate, ranging from relatively small, robust taxa such as <i>R. stabile</i> to taxa with variable morphologies such as the larger <i>H. radiatum</i> and <i>H. versatile</i> and the yellow-tinted and irregularly branched species <i>C. canoespora</i> and <i>C. basinulosa</i>. These new species, together with earlier work where 13 other species were described from the island, suggest that there is a range of genetically diverse and highly morphologically variable dictyostelid taxa occurring on Madagascar, suggesting biogeographic patterns even within these very small organisms.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12848610.v1
title: Characterization of morphological changes within stromata during sexual reproduction in <i>Aspergillus flavus</i>

description: <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> contaminates agricultural products worldwide with carcinogenic aflatoxins that pose a serious health risk to humans and animals. The fungus survives adverse environmental conditions through production of sclerotia. When fertilized by a compatible conidium of an opposite mating type, a sclerotium transforms into a stroma within which ascocarps, asci, and ascospores are formed. However, the transition from a sclerotium to a stroma during sexual reproduction in <i>A. flavus</i> is not well understood. Early events during the interaction between sexually compatible strains of <i>A. flavus</i> were visualized using conidia of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled <i>MAT1-1</i> strain and sclerotia of an mCherry-labeled <i>MAT1-2</i> strain. Both conidia and sclerotia of transformed strains germinated to produce hyphae within 24 h of incubation. Hyphal growth of these two strains produced what appeared to be a network of interlocking hyphal strands that were observed at the base of the mCherry-labeled sclerotia (i.e., region in contact with agar surface) after 72 h of incubation. At 5 wk following incubation, intracellular green-fluorescent hyphal strands were observed within the stromatal matrix of the mCherry-labeled strain. Scanning electron microscopy of stromata from a high- and low-fertility cross and unmated sclerotia was used to visualize the formation and development of sexual structures within the stromatal and sclerotial matrices, starting at the time of crossing and thereafter every 2 wk until 8 wk of incubation. Morphological differences between sclerotia and stromata became apparent at 4 wk of incubation. Internal hyphae and croziers were detected inside multiple ascocarps that developed within the stromatal matrix of the high-fertility cross but were not detected in the matrix of the low-fertility cross or the unmated sclerotia. At 6 to 8 wk of incubation, hyphal tips produced numerous asci, each containing one to eight ascospores that emerged out of an ascus following the breakdown of the ascus wall. These observations broaden our knowledge of early events during sexual reproduction and suggest that hyphae from the conidium-producing strain may be involved in the early stages of sexual reproduction in <i>A. flavus</i>. When combined with omics data, these findings could be useful in further exploration of the molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying sexual reproduction in <i>A. flavus</i>.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12999385
title: Characterization of mating type genes in heterothallic <i>Neonectria</i> species, with emphasis on <i>N. coccinea, N. ditissima</i>, and <i>N. faginata</i>

description: <i>Neonectria ditissima</i> and <i>N. faginata</i> are canker pathogens involved in an insect-fungus disease complex of American beech (<i>Fagus grandifolia</i>) in North America commonly known as beech bark disease (BBD). In Europe, both <i>N. ditissima</i> and <i>N. coccinea</i> are involved in BBD on European beech (<i>Fagus sylvatica</i>). Field observations across the range of BBD indicate ascospores to be the dominant spore type in the environment. Several studies report a heterothallic (self-sterile) mating strategy for <i>Neonectria</i> fungi, but one study reported homothallism (self-fertility) for <i>N. ditissima</i>. As such, investigations into mating strategy are important for understanding both the disease cycle and population genetics of <i>Neonectria</i>. This is particularly important in the United States given that over time <i>N. faginata</i> dominates the BBD pathosystem despite high densities of nonbeech hosts for <i>N. ditissima</i>. This study utilized whole-genome sequences of BBD-associated <i>Neonectria</i> spp. along with other publicly available <i>Neonectria</i> and <i>Corinectria</i> genomes and in vitro mating assays to characterize mating type (MAT) locus and confirm thallism for select members of <i>Neonectria</i> and <i>Corinectria</i>. MAT gene–specific primer pairs were developed to efficiently characterize the mating types of additional single-ascospore strains of <i>N. ditissima, N. faginata</i>, and <i>N. coccinea</i> and several other related species lacking genomic data. These assays also confirmed the sexual compatibility among <i>N. ditissima</i> strains from different plant hosts. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of both <i>MAT1-1-1</i> and <i>MAT1-2-1</i> sequences recovered trees with similar topology to previously published phylogenies of <i>Neonectria</i> and <i>Corinectria</i>. The results of this study indicate that all <i>Neonectria</i> and <i>Corinectria</i> tested are heterothallic based on our limited sampling and, as such, thallism cannot help explain the inevitable dominance of <i>N. faginata</i> in the BBD pathosystem.