National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Six DNA regions were evaluated as potential DNA barcodes for Fungi, the second largest kingdom of eukaryotic life, by a multinational, multilaboratory consortium. The region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 used as the animal barcode was excluded as a potential marker, because it is difficult to amplify in fungi, often includes large introns, and can be insufficiently variable. Three subunits from the nuclear ribosomal RNA cistron were compared together with regions of three representative protein-coding genes (largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, and minichromosome maintenance protein). Although the protein-coding gene regions often had a higher percent of correct identification compared with ribosomal markers, low PCR amplification and sequencing success eliminated them as candidates for a universal fungal barcode. Among the regions of the ribosomal cistron, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region has the highest probability of successful identification for the broadest range of fungi, with the most clearly defined barcode gap between inter- and intraspecific variation. The nuclear ribosomal large subunit, a popular phylogenetic marker in certain groups, had superior species resolution in some taxonomic groups, such as the early diverging lineages and the ascomycete yeasts, but was otherwise slightly inferior to the ITS. The nuclear ribosomal small subunit has poor species-level resolution in fungi. ITS will be formally proposed for adoption as the primary fungal barcode marker to the Consortium for the Barcode of Life, with the possibility that supplementary barcodes may be developed for particular narrowly circumscribed taxonomic groups.

Cordyceps, comprising over 400 species, was historically classified in the Clavicipitaceae, based on cylindrical asci, thickened ascus apices and filiform ascospores, which often disarticulate into part-spores. Cordyceps was characterized by the production of well-developed often stipitate stromata and an ecology as a pathogen of arthropods and Elaphomyces with infrageneric classifications emphasizing arrangement of perithecia, ascospore morphology and host affiliation. To refine the classification of Cordyceps and the Clavicipitaceae, the phylogenetic relationships of 162 taxa were estimated based on analyses consisting of five to seven loci, including the nuclear ribosomal small and large subunits (nrSSU and nrLSU), the elongation factor 1α (tef1), the largest and the second largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (rpb1 and rpb2), β-tubulin (tub), and mitochondrial ATP6 (atp6). Our results strongly support the existence of three clavicipitaceous clades and reject the monophyly of both Cordyceps and Clavicipitaceae. Most diagnostic characters used in current classifications of Cordyceps (e.g., arrangement of perithecia, ascospore fragmentation, etc.) were not supported as being phylogenetically informative; the characters that were most consistent with the phylogeny were texture, pigmentation and morphology of stromata. Therefore, we revise the taxonomy of Cordyceps and the Clavicipitaceae to be consistent with the multi-gene phylogeny. The family Cordycipitaceae is validated based on the type of Cordyceps, C. militaris, and includes most Cordyceps species that possess brightly coloured, fleshy stromata. The new family Ophiocordycipitaceae is proposed based on Ophiocordyceps Petch, which we emend. The majority of species in this family produce darkly pigmented, tough to pliant stromata that often possess aperithecial apices. The new genus Elaphocordyceps is proposed for a subclade of the Ophiocordycipitaceae, which includes all species of Cordyceps that parasitize the fungal genus Elaphomyces and some closely related species that parasitize arthropods. The family Clavicipitaceae s. s. is emended and includes the core clade of grass symbionts (e.g., Balansia, Claviceps, Epichloë, etc.), and the entomopathogenic genus Hypocrella and relatives. In addition, the new genus Metacordyceps is proposed for Cordyceps species that are closely related to the grass symbionts in the Clavicipitaceae s. s. Metacordyceps includes teleomorphs linked to Metarhizium and other closely related anamorphs. Two new species are described, and lists of accepted names for species in Cordyceps, Elaphocordyceps, Metacordyceps and Ophiocordyceps are provided. Taxonomic novelties: New family: Ophiocordycipitaceae G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora. New genera: Elaphocordyceps G.H. Sung & Spatafora, Metacordyceps G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora. New species: Metacordyceps yongmunensis G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora; Ophiocordyceps communis Hywel-Jones & Samson. New combinations: Cordyceps confragosa (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, C. ninchukispora (C.H. Su & H.-H. Wang) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora; Elaphocordyceps capitata (Holmsk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. delicatistipitata (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. fracta (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. inegoënsis (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. intermedia (S. Imai) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung& Spatafora, E. japonica (Lloyd) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung& Spatafora, E. jezoënsis (S. Imai) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. longisegmentis (Ginns) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. minazukiensis (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. miomoteana (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. ophioglossoides (Ehrh.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. paradoxa (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. ramosa (Teng) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. rouxii (Cand.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. subsessilis (Petch) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. szemaoënsis (M. Zang) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. tenuispora (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. toriharamontana (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. valliformis (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. valvatistipitata (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. virens (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora; infraspecific: E. intermedia f. michinokuënsis (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora, E. ophioglossoides f.alba (Kobayasi & Shimizu ex Y.J. Yao) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung& Spatafora, E. ophioglossoides f. cuboides (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung & Spatafora; Metacordyceps brittlebankisoides (Z.Y. Liu, Z.Q. Liang, Whalley, Y.J. Yao & A.Y. Liu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, M. campsosterni (W.M. Zhang & T. H. Li) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, M. chlamydosporia (H.C. Evans) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, M. liangshanensis (M. Zang, D. Liu & R. Hu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, M. taii (Z.Q. Liang & A.Y. Liu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora; Ophiocordyceps agriotidis (A. Kawam.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. ainictos (A. Möller) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. amazonica (Henn.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. aphodii (Mathieson) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. appendiculata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. arachneicola (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. arbuscula (Teng) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. armeniaca (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. asyuënsis (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. aurantia (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. australis (Speg.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. barnesii (Thwaites) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. bicephala (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. bispora (Stifler) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. brunneipunctata (Hywel-Jones) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cantharelloides (Samson & H.C. Evans) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. carabidicola (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cicadicola (Teng) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. clavata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. coccidiicola (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. coccigena (Tul. & C. Tul.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cochlidiicola (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. corallomyces (A. Möller) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. crassispora (M. Zang, D. R. Yang & C.D. Li) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. crinalis (Ellis ex Lloyd) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cucumispora (H.C. Evans & Samson) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. curculionum (Tul. & C. Tul.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cusu (Pat.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cylindrostromata (Z.Q. Liang, A.Y. Liu & M.H. Liu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. dayiensis (Z.Q. Liang) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. dermapterigena (Z.Q. Liang, A.Y. Liu & M.H. Liu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. dipterigena (Berk. & Broome) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. discoideicapitata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. ditmarii (Quél.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. dovei (Rodway) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. elateridicola (Kobayasi& Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. elongata (Petch) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. elongatiperitheciata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. elongatistromata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. emeiensis (A.Y. Liu & Z.Q. Liang) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. engleriana (Henn.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. entomorrhiza (Dicks.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. evdogeorgiae (Koval) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. falcata (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. falcatoides (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. fasciculatistromata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. ferruginosa (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. filiformis (Moureau) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. formicarum (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. forquignonii (Quél.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. furcicaudata (Z.Q. Liang, A.Y. Liu & M.H. Liu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. gansuënsis (K. Zhang, C. Wang & M. Yan) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. geniculata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. gentilis (Ces.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. glaziovii (Henn.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. goniophora (Speg.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. gracilioides (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. gracilis (Grev.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. heteropoda (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. hiugensis (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. huberiana (Henn.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. humbertii (C.P. Robin) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. insignis (Cooke & Ravenel) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. irangiensis (Moureau) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. japonensis (Hara) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. jiangxiensis (Z.Q. Liang, A.Y. Liu& Y.C. Jiang) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. jinggangshanensis (Z.Q. Liang, A.Y. Liu & Y.C. Jiang) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. kangdingensis (M. Zang& Kinjo) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. kniphofioides (H.C. Evans & Samson) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. koningsbergeri (Penz. & Sacc.) G. H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. konnoana (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. lachnopoda (Penz. & Sacc.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. larvarum (Westwood) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. lloydii (H.S. Fawc.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. longissima (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. lutea (Moureau) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. melolonthae (Tul.& C. Tul.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. michhganensis (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. minutissima (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. monticola (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. mrciensis (J.C. Jung, Z.Q.Liang, Soytong & K.D. Hyde) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. multiaxialis (M. Zang& Kinjo) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. myrmecophila (Ces.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. neovolkiana (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. nepalensis (M. Zang & Kinjo) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. nigra (Samson, H.C. Evans & Hoekstra) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. nigrella (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. nigripes (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. nutans (Pat.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. obtusa (Penz. & Sacc.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. octospora (M. Blackwell & Gilb) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. odonatae (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. osuzumontana (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. ouwensii (Höhn.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. owariensis (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. oxycephala (Penz. & Sacc.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. pentatomae (Koval) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. petchii (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. proliferans (Henn.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. pseudolloydii (H.C. Evans & Samson) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. pseudolongissima (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. purpureostromata (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. ravenelii (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. robertsii (Hook.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. rubiginosiperitheciata (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. rubripunctata (Moureau) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. ryogamiensis (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. salebrosa (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. scottiana (Olliff) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. selkirkii (Olliff) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. sichuanensis (Z.Q. Liang & B. Wang) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. sinensis (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. smithii (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. sobolifera (Hill ex Watson) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. sphecocephala (Klotzsch ex Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. stipillata (Z.Q. Liang & A.Y. Liu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. stylophora (Berk. & Broome) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. subflavida (Mains) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. superficialis (Peck) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. takaoënsis (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. taylorii (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. thyrsoides (A. Möller) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. tricentri (Yasuda) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. uchiyamae (Kobayasi & Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. variabilis (Petch) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. voeltzkowii (Henn.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. volkiana (A. Möller) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. wuyishanensis (Z.Q. Liang, A.Y. Liu & J.Z. Huang) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. yakusimensis (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. zhangjiajiensis (Z.Q. Liang & A.Y. Liu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora; infraspecific: O. amazonica var. neoamazonica (Kobayasi & Hara) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. cucumispora var. dolichoderi (H.C. Evans & Samson) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. kniphofioides var. dolichoderi (H.C. Evans & Samson) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. kniphofioides var. monacidis (H.C. Evans & Samson) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones& Spatafora, O. kniphofioides var. ponerinarum (H.C. Evans & Samson) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. lloydii var. binata (H.C. Evans & Samson) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. melolonthae var. rickii (Lloyd) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. owariensis f. viridescens (Uchiyama & Udagawa) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. purpureostromata f. recurvata (Kobayasi) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, O. superficialis f. crustacea (Kobayasi& Shimizu) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora; Pochonia parasitica (G.L. Barron) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora.

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Dothideomycetes comprise a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by asci with two wall layers (bitunicate asci) and often with fissitunicate dehiscence. Many species are saprobes, with many asexual states comprising important plant pathogens. They are also endophytes, epiphytes, fungicolous, lichenized, or lichenicolous fungi. They occur in terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats in almost every part of the world. We accept 105 families in Dothideomycetes with the new families Anteagloniaceae, Bambusicolaceae, Biatriosporaceae, Lichenoconiaceae, Muyocopronaceae, Paranectriellaceae, Roussoellaceae, Salsugineaceae, Seynesiopeltidaceae and Thyridariaceae introduced in this paper. Each family is provided with a description and notes, including asexual and asexual states, and if more than one genus is included, the type genus is also characterized. Each family is provided with at least one figure-plate, usually illustrating the type genus, a list of accepted genera, including asexual genera, and a key to these genera. A phylogenetic tree based on four gene combined analysis add support for 64 of the families and 22 orders, including the novel orders, Dyfrolomycetales, Lichenoconiales, Lichenotheliales, Monoblastiales, Natipusillales, Phaeotrichales and Strigulales. The paper is expected to provide a working document on Dothideomycetes which can be modified as new data comes to light. It is hoped that by illustrating types we provide stimulation and interest so that more work is carried out in this remarkable group of fungi.

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Orthologous relationships form the basis of most comparative genomic and metagenomic studies and are essential for proper phylogenetic and functional analyses. The third version of the eggNOG database (http://eggnog.embl.de) contains non-supervised orthologous groups constructed from 1133 organisms, doubling the number of genes with orthology assignment compared to eggNOG v2. The new release is the result of a number of improvements and expansions: (i) the underlying homology searches are now based on the SIMAP database; (ii) the orthologous groups have been extended to 41 levels of selected taxonomic ranges enabling much more fine-grained orthology assignments; and (iii) the newly designed web page is considerably faster with more functionality. In total, eggNOG v3 contains 721,801 orthologous groups, encompassing a total of 4,396,591 genes. Additionally, we updated 4873 and 4850 original COGs and KOGs, respectively, to include all 1133 organisms. At the universal level, covering all three domains of life, 101,208 orthologous groups are available, while the others are applicable at 40 more limited taxonomic ranges. Each group is amended by multiple sequence alignments and maximum-likelihood trees and broad functional descriptions are provided for 450,904 orthologous groups (62.5%).

Inclusions of TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43), a nuclear protein that regulates transcription and RNA splicing, are the defining histopathological feature of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-positive inclusions (FTLD-Us) and sporadic and familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In ALS and FTLD-U, aggregated, ubiquitinated, and N-terminally truncated TDP-43 can be isolated from brain tissue rich in neuronal and glial cytoplasmic inclusions. The loss of TDP-43 function resulting from inappropriate cleavage, translocation from the nucleus, or its sequestration into inclusions could play important roles in neurodegeneration. However, it is not known whether TDP-43 fragments directly mediate toxicity and, more specifically, whether their abnormal aggregation is a cause or consequence of pathogenesis. We report that the ectopic expression of a approximately 25-kDa TDP-43 fragment corresponding to the C-terminal truncation product of caspase-cleaved TDP-43 leads to the formation of toxic, insoluble, and ubiquitin- and phospho-positive cytoplasmic inclusions within cells. The 25-kDa C-terminal fragment is more prone to phosphorylation at S409/S410 than full-length TDP-43, but phosphorylation at these sites is not required for inclusion formation or toxicity. Although this fragment shows no biological activity, its exogenous expression neither inhibits the function nor causes the sequestration of full-length nuclear TDP-43, suggesting that the 25-kDa fragment can induce cell death through a toxic gain-of-function. Finally, by generating a conformation-dependent antibody that detects C-terminal fragments, we show that this toxic cleavage product is specific for pathologic inclusions in human TDP-43 proteinopathies.

We present a comprehensive phylogeny derived from 5 genes, nucSSU, nucLSU rDNA, TEF1, RPB1 and RPB2, for 356 isolates and 41 families (six newly described in this volume) in Dothideomycetes. All currently accepted orders in the class are represented for the first time in addition to numerous previously unplaced lineages. Subclass Pleosporomycetidae is expanded to include the aquatic order Jahnulales. An ancestral reconstruction of basic nutritional modes supports numerous transitions from saprobic life histories to plant associated and lichenised modes and a transition from terrestrial to aquatic habitats are confirmed. Finally, a genomic comparison of 6 dothideomycete genomes with other fungi finds a high level of unique protein associated with the class, supporting its delineation as a separate taxon.

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are abundant in humans and recognize bacterial ligands. Here, we demonstrate that MAIT cells are also activated during human viral infections in vivo. MAIT cells activation was observed during infection with dengue virus, hepatitis C virus and influenza virus. This activation-driving cytokine release and Granzyme B upregulation-is TCR-independent but dependent on IL-18 in synergy with IL-12, IL-15 and/or interferon-α/β. IL-18 levels and MAIT cell activation correlate with disease severity in acute dengue infection. Furthermore, HCV treatment with interferon-α leads to specific MAIT cell activation in vivo in parallel with an enhanced therapeutic response. Moreover, TCR-independent activation of MAIT cells leads to a reduction of HCV replication in vitro mediated by IFN-γ. Together these data demonstrate MAIT cells are activated following viral infections, and suggest a potential role in both host defence and immunopathology.

This paper provides an updated classification of the Kingdom Fungi (including fossil fungi) and fungus-like taxa. Five-hundred and twenty-three (535) notes are provided for newly introduced taxa and for changes that have been made since the previous outline. In the discussion, the latest taxonomic changes in Basidiomycota are provided and the classification of Mycosphaerellales are broadly discussed. Genera listed in Mycosphaerellaceae have been confirmed by DNA sequence analyses, while doubtful genera (DNA sequences being unavailable but traditionally accommodated in Mycosphaerellaceae) are listed in the discussion. Problematic genera in Glomeromycota are also discussed based on phylogenetic results.

Graphene oxide (GO) has recently attracted great attention due to its unique chemical and physical properties. In this work, the GO nanosheets were prepared by a chemical exfoliation technique. The structural and optical properties of the as-prepared GO nanosheets were characterized by Raman, FTIR, UV-vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The FTIR results confirmed the existence of oxygen-containing groups on the GO nanosheets and the photoluminescence spectra of GO nanosheets showed the emission peak in the visible regions. These results indicate that the GO nanosheets could be used as a promising new material for biological applications such as biofunctionalization and fluorescence biosensors.

BACKGROUND: Vascular leakage and shock are the major causes of death in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Thirty years ago, complement activation was proposed to be a key underlying event, but the cause of complement activation has remained unknown. METHODS: The major nonstructural dengue virus (DV) protein NS1 was tested for its capacity to activate human complement in its membrane-associated and soluble forms. Plasma samples from 163 patients with DV infection and from 19 patients with other febrile illnesses were prospectively analyzed for viral load and for levels of NS1 and complement-activation products. Blood and pleural fluids from 9 patients with DSS were also analyzed. RESULTS: Soluble NS1 activated complement to completion, and activation was enhanced by polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against NS1. Complement was also activated by cell-associated NS1 in the presence of specific antibodies. Plasma levels of NS1 and terminal SC5b-9 complexes correlated with disease severity. Large amounts of NS1, complement anaphylatoxin C5a, and the terminal complement complex SC5b-9 were present in pleural fluids from patients with DSS. CONCLUSIONS: Complement activation mediated by NS1 leads to local and systemic generation of anaphylatoxins and SC5b-9, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of the vascular leakage that occurs in patients with DHF/DSS.

DNA phylogenetic comparisons have shown that morphology-based species recognition often underestimates fungal diversity. Therefore, the need for accurate DNA sequence data, tied to both correct taxonomic names and clearly annotated specimen data, has never been greater. Furthermore, the growing number of molecular ecology and microbiome projects using high-throughput sequencing require fast and effective methods for en masse species assignments. In this article, we focus on selecting and re-annotating a set of marker reference sequences that represent each currently accepted order of Fungi. The particular focus is on sequences from the internal transcribed spacer region in the nuclear ribosomal cistron, derived from type specimens and/or ex-type cultures. Re-annotated and verified sequences were deposited in a curated public database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), namely the RefSeq Targeted Loci (RTL) database, and will be visible during routine sequence similarity searches with NR_prefixed accession numbers. A set of standards and protocols is proposed to improve the data quality of new sequences, and we suggest how type and other reference sequences can be used to improve identification of Fungi. Database URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/PRJNA177353.

BACKGROUND: The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a perennial monocotyledonous tropical crop species that is now the world's number one source of edible vegetable oil, and the richest dietary source of provitamin A. While new elite genotypes from traditional breeding programs provide steady yield increases, the long selection cycle (10-12 years) and the large areas required to cultivate oil palm make genetic improvement slow and labor intensive. Molecular breeding programs have the potential to make significant impacts on the rate of genetic improvement but the limited molecular resources, in particular the lack of molecular markers for agronomic traits of interest, restrict the application of molecular breeding schemes for oil palm. RESULTS: In the current study, 6,103 non-redundant ESTs derived from cDNA libraries of developing vegetative and reproductive tissues were annotated and searched for simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Primer pairs from sequences flanking 289 EST-SSRs were tested to detect polymorphisms in elite breeding parents and their crosses. 230 of these amplified PCR products, 88 of which were polymorphic within the breeding material tested. A detailed analysis and annotation of the EST-SSRs revealed the locations of the polymorphisms within the transcripts, and that the main functional category was related to transcription and post-transcriptional regulation. Indeed, SSR polymorphisms were found in sequences encoding AP2-like, bZIP, zinc finger, MADS-box, and NAC-like transcription factors in addition to other transcriptional regulatory proteins and several RNA interacting proteins. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of new EST-SSRs that detect polymorphisms in elite breeding material provides tools for molecular breeding strategies. The identification of SSRs within transcripts, in particular those that encode proteins involved in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, will allow insight into the functional roles of these proteins by studying the phenotypic traits that cosegregate with these markers. Finally, the oil palm EST-SSRs derived from vegetative and reproductive development will be useful for studies on the evolution of the functional diversity within the palm family.

This paper is a compilation of notes on 110 fungal taxa, including one new family, 10 new genera, and 76 new species, representing a wide taxonomic and geographic range. The new family, Paradictyoarthriniaceae is introduced based on its distinct lineage in Dothideomycetes and its unique morphology. The family is sister to Biatriosporaceae and Roussoellaceae. The new genera are Allophaeosphaeria (Phaeosphaeriaceae), Amphibambusa (Amphisphaeriaceae), Brunneomycosphaerella (Capnodiales genera incertae cedis), Chaetocapnodium (Capnodiaceae), Flammeascoma (Anteagloniaceae), Multiseptospora (Pleosporales genera incertae cedis), Neogaeumannomyces (Magnaporthaceae), Palmiascoma (Bambusicolaceae), Paralecia (Squamarinaceae) and Sarimanas (Melanommataceae). The newly described species are the Ascomycota Aliquandostipite manochii, Allophaeosphaeria dactylidis, A. muriformia, Alternaria cesenica, Amphibambusa bambusicola, Amphisphaeria sorbi, Annulohypoxylon thailandicum, Atrotorquata spartii, Brunneomycosphaerella laburni, Byssosphaeria musae, Camarosporium aborescentis, C. aureum, C. frutexensis, Chaetocapnodium siamensis, Chaetothyrium agathis, Colletotrichum sedi, Conicomyces pseudotransvaalensis, Cytospora berberidis, C. sibiraeae, Diaporthe thunbergiicola, Diatrype palmicola, Dictyosporium aquaticum, D. meiosporum, D. thailandicum, Didymella cirsii, Dinemasporium nelloi, Flammeascoma bambusae, Kalmusia italica, K. spartii, Keissleriella sparticola, Lauriomyces synnematicus, Leptosphaeria ebuli, Lophiostoma pseudodictyosporium, L. ravennicum, Lophiotrema eburnoides, Montagnula graminicola, Multiseptospora thailandica, Myrothecium macrosporum, Natantispora unipolaris, Neogaeumannomyces bambusicola, Neosetophoma clematidis, N. italica, Oxydothis atypica, Palmiascoma gregariascomum, Paraconiothyrium nelloi, P. thysanolaenae, Paradictyoarthrinium tectonicola, Paralecia pratorum, Paraphaeosphaeria spartii, Pestalotiopsis digitalis, P. dracontomelon, P. italiana, Phaeoisaria pseudoclematidis, Phragmocapnias philippinensis, Pseudocamarosporium cotinae, Pseudocercospora tamarindi, Pseudotrichia rubriostiolata, P. thailandica, Psiloglonium multiseptatum, Saagaromyces mangrovei, Sarimanas pseudofluviatile, S. shirakamiense, Tothia spartii, Trichomerium siamensis, Wojnowicia dactylidicola, W. dactylidis and W. lonicerae. The Basidiomycota Agaricus flavicentrus, A. hanthanaensis, A. parvibicolor, A. sodalis, Cantharellus luteostipitatus, Lactarius atrobrunneus, L. politus, Phylloporia dependens and Russula cortinarioides are also introduced. Epitypifications or reference specimens are designated for Hapalocystis berkeleyi, Meliola tamarindi, Pallidocercospora acaciigena, Phaeosphaeria musae, Plenodomus agnitus, Psiloglonium colihuae, P. sasicola and Zasmidium musae while notes and/or new sequence data are provided for Annulohypoxylon leptascum, A. nitens, A. stygium, Biscogniauxia marginata, Fasciatispora nypae, Hypoxylon fendleri, H. monticulosum, Leptosphaeria doliolum, Microsphaeropsis olivacea, Neomicrothyrium, Paraleptosphaeria nitschkei, Phoma medicaginis and Saccotheciaceae. A full description of each species is provided with light micrographs (or drawings). Molecular data is provided for 90 taxa and used to generate phylogenetic trees to establish a natural classification for species.

Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota that comprises a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci. The class includes many important plant pathogens, as well as endophytes, saprobes, epiphytes, coprophilous and fungicolous, lichenized or lichenicolous taxa. They occur in terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats worldwide. This paper reviews the 107 families of the class Sordariomycetes and provides a modified backbone tree based on phylogenetic analysis of four combined loci, with a maximum five representative taxa from each family, where available. This paper brings together for the first time, since Barrs' 1990 Prodromus, descriptions, notes on the history, and plates or illustrations of type or representative taxa of each family, a list of accepted genera, including asexual genera and a key to these taxa of Sordariomycetes. Delineation of taxa is supported where possible by molecular data. The outline is based on literature to the end of 2015 and the Sordariomycetes now comprises six subclasses, 32 orders, 105 families and 1331 genera. The family Obryzaceae and Pleurotremataceae are excluded from the class.

Genera of Phytopathogenic Fungi (GOPHY) is introduced as a new series of publications in order to provide a stable platform for the taxonomy of phytopathogenic fungi. This first paper focuses on 21 genera of phytopathogenic fungi: Bipolaris , Boeremia , Calonectria , Ceratocystis , Cladosporium , Colletotrichum , Coniella , Curvularia , Monilinia , Neofabraea , Neofusicoccum , Pilidium , Pleiochaeta , Plenodomus , Protostegia , Pseudopyricularia , Puccinia , Saccharata , Thyrostroma , Venturia and Wilsonomyces . For each genus, a morphological description and information about its pathology, distribution, hosts and disease symptoms are provided. In addition, this information is linked to primary and secondary DNA barcodes of the presently accepted species, and relevant literature. Moreover, several novelties are introduced, i.e. new genera, species and combinations, and neo-, lecto- and epitypes designated to provide a stable taxonomy. This first paper includes one new genus, 26 new species, ten new combinations, and four typifications of older names.

Beauveria is a cosmopolitan anamorphic genus of arthropod pathogens that includes the agronomically important species, B. bassiana and B. brongniartii, which are used as mycoinsecticides for the biological control of pest insects. Recent phylogenetic evidence demonstrates that Beauveria is monophyletic within the Cordycipitaceae (Hypocreales), and both B. bassiana and B. brongniartii have been linked developmentally and phylogenetically to Cordyceps species. Despite recent interest in the genetic diversity and molecular ecology of Beauveria, particularly as it relates to their role as pathogens of insects in natural and agricultural environments, the genus has not received critical taxonomic review for several decades. A multilocus phylogeny of Beauveria based on partial sequences of RPB1, RPB2, TEF and the nuclear intergenic region, Bloc, is presented and used to assess diversity within the genus and to evaluate species concepts and their taxonomic status. B. bassiana and B. brongniartii, both which represent species complexes and which heretofore have lacked type specimens, are redescribed and types are proposed. In addition six new species are described including B. varroae and B. kipukae, which form a biphyletic, morphologically cryptic sister lineage to B. bassiana, B. pseudobassiana, which also is morphologically similar to but phylogenetically distant from B. bassiana, B. asiatica and B. australis, which are sister lineages to B. brongniartii, and B. sungii, an Asian species that is linked to an undetermined species of Cordyceps. The combination B. amorpha is validly published and an epitype is designated.

Drought is a major constraint to rice (Oryza sativa) yield and its stability in rainfed and poorly irrigated environments. Identifying genomic regions influencing the response of yield and its components to water deficits will aid in our understanding of the genetics of drought tolerance and development of more drought tolerant cultivars. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for grain yield and its components and other agronomic traits were identified using a subset of 154 doubled haploid lines derived from a cross between two rice cultivars, CT9993-510 to 1-M and IR62266-42 to 6-2. Drought stress treatments were managed by use of a line source sprinkler irrigation system, which provided a linearly decreasing level of irrigation coinciding with the sensitive reproductive growth stages. The research was conducted at the Ubon Rice Research Center, Ubon, Thailand. A total of 77 QTL were identified for grain yield and its components under varying levels of water stress. Out of the total of 77 QTL, the number of QTL per trait were: 7-grain yield (GY); 8-biological yield (BY); 6-harvest index (HI); 5-d to flowering after initiation of irrigation gradient (DFAIG); 10-total spikelet number (TSN); 7-percent spikelet sterility (PSS); 23-panicle number (PN); and 11-plant height (PH). The phenotypic variation explained by individual QTL ranged from 7.5% to 55.7%. Under well-watered conditions, we observed a high genetic association for BY, HI, DFAIG, PSS, TSN, PH, and GY. However, only BY and HI were found to be significantly associated with GY under drought treatments. QTL flanked by markers RG104 to RM231, EMP2_2 to RM127, and G2132 to RZ598 on chromosomes 3, 4, and 8 were associated with GY, HI, DFAIG, BY, PSS, and PN under drought treatments. The aggregate effects of these QTL on chromosomes 3, 4, and 8 resulted in higher grain yield. These QTL will be useful for rainfed rice improvement, and will also contribute to our understanding of the genetic control of GY under drought conditions at the sensitive reproductive stage. Close linkage or pleiotropy may be responsible for the coincidence of QTL detected in this experiment. Digenic interactions between QTL main effects for GY, BY, HI, and PSS were observed under irrigation treatments. Most (but not all) DH lines have the same response in measure of productivity when the intensity of water deficit was increased, but no QTL by irrigation treatment interaction was detected. The identification of genomic regions associated with GY and its components under drought stress will be useful for marker-based approaches to improve GY and its stability for farmers in drought-prone rice environments.

Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota and is characterised by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci. The class includes many important plant pathogens, as well as endophytes, saprobes, epiphytes, and fungicolous, lichenized or lichenicolous taxa. The class includes freshwater, marine and terrestrial taxa and has a worldwide distribution. This paper provides an updated outline of the Sordariomycetes and a backbone tree incorporating asexual and sexual genera in the class. Based on phylogeny and morphology we introduced three subclasses; Diaporthomycetidae, Lulworthiomycetidae and Meliolomycetidae and five orders; Amplistromatales, Annulatascales, Falcocladiales, Jobellisiales and Togniniales. The outline is based on literature to the end of 2014 and the backbone tree published in this paper. Notes for 397 taxa with information, such as new family and genera novelties, novel molecular data published since the Outline of Ascomycota 2009, and new links between sexual and asexual genera and thus synonymies, are provided. The Sordariomycetes now comprises six subclasses, 28 orders, 90 families and 1344 genera. In addition a list of 829 genera with uncertain placement in Sordariomycetes is also provided.