Cercophora areolata

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Cercophora areolata
Scientific classification
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Species:
C. areolata
Binomial name
Cercophora areolata
N. Lundq. (1972)

Cercophora areolata is a member of the Ascomycota division, and is grouped into the Lasiosphaeriaceae family based on morphology. [1] C. areolata is a coprophilous fungus that has been most recently isolated from porcupine dung. [2] Defining features of C. areolata include: 1) ovoid-conical, glabrous ascomata, 2) black, carbonaceous, areolate peridium and 3) clavate-shaped, single-walled asci. [3] From studies on C. areolata, this fungus produces multiple antifungal compounds, which inhibit other competitor fungi. [4] [2]

History and taxonomy

Nils Lundqvist, a Swedish mycologist, first discovered Cercophora areolata in 1891, and the description of C. areolata was not published until 1972 in the book Nordic Sordariaceae s. lat, written by Lundqvist himself. [3] Lundqvist first stumbled upon the holotype of C. areolata in Aspvik, Gustavavsberg, Uppland, Sweden, [3] on the dung of Equus caballus. [5] The holotype was first named Hypoxylon coprophila,; [3] However, there is little information regarding C. areolata with this synonym. Based on morphology and molecular data, C. areolata is grouped into the Lasiosphaeriaceae taxonomic clade alongside several members of the Arnium genus. [1] The ascomata of these Arnium species have glabrous or have flexous hairs, [1] similar to the perithecia of C. areolata. A subclade within this clade is supported by C. areolata, Arnium mendax and Arnium inaequilaterale. [1]

Morphology

Cercophora areolata produces perithecia, also known as ascomata, which are fruiting bodies with necks. The perithecia of C. areolata are described as ovoid to conical, aggregated, non-stromatic, ostiolate (have small pores for the discharge of spores), and they have cone-shaped, ridged necks. [3] Perithecia may be glabrous, enveloped with flexuous, brown, septate thick hairs or with short, hyaline (colourless), cylindrical, septate hairs. [3] The perithecia are also characterized as superficial, in which the perithecia appear along the stalk, similar to the phenotype of the Ophiocordyceps species. [6]

The peridium, the protective covering of the perithecium, appears pseudoparenchymatous, meaning it resembles the parenchyma of plant tissue, but consists of fungal hyphae woven together. [7] The peridium is further described as black-brown, opaque, carbonaceous, has 3 layers and is areolate. [3] C. areolata has the most distinct areolate pattern, in which the peridium cracks into broad polygone plates along edges of hyaline cells. [3] [8] The peridial cells in the outer layer resemble the shape of a prism, are thick-walled, and are in a radial arrangement in each polygone. [3] The peridial cells in the middle layer appear flattened. [3] Perithecial contents are yellow, [3] similar to Lasiosphaeria ovina and some Cercophora species. [3] However, L. ovina and other Cercophora species present contrasting peridium, [3] which are more membranaceous and ochraceous (ochre-coloured) to light brown. [3] When specimens are desiccated, the yellow colour dissipates. [3] The areolate peridium is similar to Lasiosphaeria dichroospora, Bombardia manihotis, Sordaria striata, Cercophora coprogena, C. californica, Zopfiella, and Cephalotheca. [3]

As a member of the Ascomycota, C. areolata has asci, sacs that grow in the ascomata and house the developing sexual spores. The asci contain about 8 ascospores, are clavate-shaped (thicker at the apex) and are unitunicate, meaning they are single-walled. [3] The asci become costate (ribbed) after bursting of the perithecium, a process known as dehiscence. [3] The ascus tip possesses a thick, double-apical ring and lacks a sub-apical globulus. [3] Paraphyses, erect filament-like structures, appear longer than asci. [3] The ascospores contained within the asci are arranged in series of 2–3. [3] In immature asci, the spores are initially hyaline (colourless), single-celled, cylindrical, vermiform (worm-like), slightly sigmoid, and smooth. [3] [9] Sticky gelatinous tails called "caudae" are attached at both ends of each ascospore. [3] [9]

Growth and Habitat

Cercophora areolata is a fimicolous or coprophilous fungus, [4] [3] a fungus that preferably colonizes the dung of herbivores. [10] Animal dung serves as a nutrient-rich source for coprophilous fungi, providing high content of nitrogen and carbohydrate. [10] C. areolata has been isolated from porcupine dung. [2]

Antifungal and cytotoxic compounds

Many fimicolous fungi exhibit interspecies competition, or fungal antagonism, which entails the generation of inhibiting chemicals targeting other species. [4] Thus, Cercophora areolata produces many secondary metabolites such as Cercophorin A, Cercophorin B, Cercophorin C, [2] allowing for C. areolata to display antibacterial and antifungal activity. [4] C. areolata also produces decarboxycitrinone, 4-acetyl-8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-5-methylisocoumarin and roridin E. [4]

Cercophorins A-C are 8-hydroxyisocoumarin derivatives. [4] Cercophorin A is a white, solid substance, whereas cercophorin B and C are yellow, solid substances. [2] Cercophorins A-C demonstrate antifungal and cytotoxic activity against Sordaria fimicola and Ascobolus furfuraceus. [2] [4] Cercophorins A-C act to impede the growth of these early successional coprophilous fungi, which appear much earlier on dung and have more rapid metabolisms. [2] [4] [10] From standard disk assays, Cercophorin A generated zones of inhibition of about 26 and 16mm when tested on Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. [4] Thus, Cercophorin A is most potent against B. subtilis and S. aureus. [2] [4]

Decarboxycitronine displayed antifungal activity against S. fimicola and A. furfuraceus, as treatment resulted in 100% reduction in radial growth. [2] [4] Roridin E, a known trichothecene mycotoxin, also demonstrated antifungal activity, as it caused 100% reduction in growth of S. fimicola and A. furfuraceus. [4] Roridin E executes anti-Candida activity. [2] [4] [10]

Cercophorins A-C are novel antifungal agents, as there a no known analogs in other species. [4] Decarboxycitronine is similar to a product from Penicillium citrinum, decarboxydihydrocitrinone. [4] 4-acetyl-8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-5-methylisocoumarin is derived from another antifungal metabolite in Aspergillus viridinutans. [4] All of these secondary metabolites are the first natural antifungal agents to be described from the genus Cercophora. [4]

Related Research Articles

An ascocarp, or ascoma, is the fruiting body (sporocarp) of an ascomycete phylum fungus. It consists of very tightly interwoven hyphae and millions of embedded asci, each of which typically contains four to eight ascospores. Ascocarps are most commonly bowl-shaped (apothecia) but may take on a spherical or flask-like form that has a pore opening to release spores (perithecia) or no opening (cleistothecia).

<i>Sordaria fimicola</i> Species of fungus

Sordaria fimicola is a species of microscopic fungus. It is commonly found in the feces of herbivores. Sordaria fimicola is often used in introductory biology and mycology labs because it is easy to grow on nutrient agar in dish cultures. The genus Sordaria, closely related to Neurospora and Podospora, is a member of the large class Sordariomycetes, or flask-fungi. The natural habitat of the three species of Sordaria that have been the principal subjects in genetic studies is dung of herbivorous animals. The species S. fimicola is common and worldwide in distribution. The species of Sordaria are similar morphologically, producing black perithecia containing asci with eight dark ascospores in a linear arrangement. These species share a number of characteristics that are advantageous for genetic studies. They all have a short life cycle, usually 7–12 days, and are easily grown in culture. Most species are self-fertile and each strain is isogenic. All kinds of mutants are easily induced and readily obtainable with particular ascospore color mutants. These visual mutants aid in tetrad analysis, especially in analysis of intragenic recombination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sordariales</span> Order of fungi

The order Sordariales is one of the most diverse taxonomic groups within the Sordariomycetes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sordariaceae</span> Family of fungi

The Sordariaceae are a family of perithecial fungi within the Sordariales order.

Cercophora is a genus of fungi which was within the Lasiosphaeriaceae family. As of 2020, it was placed into the Neoschizotheciaceae family.

Polytolypa is a monotypic genus of fungus containing the single species Polytolypa hystricis. First classified in the Onygenaceae family, as of 2008 it is considered to be in the Ajellomycetaceae, although there is still uncertainty as to its phylogenetic relationships with other similar genera. This species is only known from a single specimen derived in the laboratory from a specimen of dung of the North American porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum, collected in Ontario, Canada. Polytolypa hystricis contains bioactive compounds that have antifungal activity.

Thielavia subthermophila is a ubiquitous, filamentous fungus that is a member of the phylum Ascomycota and order Sordariales. Known to be found on plants of arid environments, it is an endophyte with thermophilic properties, and possesses dense, pigmented mycelium. Thielavia subthermophila has rarely been identified as a human pathogen, with a small number of clinical cases including ocular and brain infections. For treatment, antifungal drugs such as amphotericin B have been used topically or intravenously, depending upon the condition.

<i>Chaetomium elatum</i> Species of fungus

Chaetomium elatum is a very common and widely distributed saprotrophic fungus of the Chaetomiaceae family of molds which has been found to grow on many different substances all over the world. It was first established by Gustav Kunze after he observed it growing on dead leaves. Its defining features that distinguish it from other Chaetomium species are its extremely coarse terminal hairs and the lemon-shaped morphology of its ascospores. It produces many metabolites with potential biotechnology uses including one with promise against the rice blast disease fungus, Magnaporthe grisea. It shows very little pathogenic ability causing confirmed disease in only a few plant species.

Collariella bostrychodes is a fungal decomposer of lignin and carbohydrate in the family Chaetomiaceae commonly found in soil and dung. The fungus is distinguished by a darkened collar-like ostiole around the ostiolar pore, giving the fungus its name. The fungus is highly variable in shape and form, giving raise to the belief that there are two subclades in the species. The ascospores range from lemon-shaped to nearly spherical with slightly pointed ends. It can grow to be pale green and later turn pale bluish grey or olivaceous with age. The fungus produces the toxic secondary metabolite, chaetochromin.

Botryotrichum piluliferum is a fungal species first identified in 1885 by Saccardo and Marchal. It was discovered to be the asexual state of a member of the ascomycete genus, Chaetomium. The name B. piluliferum now applies to the fungus in all its states. B. piluliferum has been found worldwide in a wide range of habitats such as animal dung and vegetation. The colonies of this fungus start off white and grow rapidly to a brown colour. The conidia are smooth and white. B. piluliferum grows optimally at a temperature of 25-30 °C and a pH of 5.5.

Arcopilus aureus is a plant and soil fungus in the genus Arcopilus. It was first identified by A. H. Chivers in 1912, who named it Chaetomium aureum. It was later transferred to the genus Arcopilus by Wang and colleagues. The fungus has recently been recognized to have industrial use for the production of the metabolites resveratrol. and sclerotiorin Additionally, A. aureus has high lead tolerance and clearance, suggesting a potential role in environmental biotechnology.

Microascus manginii is a filamentous fungal species in the genus Microascus. It produces both sexual (teleomorph) and asexual (anamorph) reproductive stages known as M. manginii and Scopulariopsis candida, respectively. Several synonyms appear in the literature because of taxonomic revisions and re-isolation of the species by different researchers. M. manginii is saprotrophic and commonly inhabits soil, indoor environments and decaying plant material. It is distinguishable from closely related species by its light colored and heart-shaped ascospores used for sexual reproduction. Scopulariopsis candida has been identified as the cause of some invasive infections, often in immunocompromised hosts, but is not considered a common human pathogen. There is concern about amphotericin B resistance in S. candida.

<i>Myxotrichum chartarum</i> Species of fungus

Myxotrichum chartarum is a psychrophilic and cellulolytic fungus first discovered in Germany by Gustav Kunze in 1823. Its classification has changed many times over its history to better reflect the information available at the time. Currently, M. chartarum is known to be an ascomycete surrounded by a gymnothecium composed of ornate spines and releases asexual ascospores. The presence of cellulolytic processes are common in fungi within the family Myxotrichaceae. M. chartarum is one of many Myxotrichum species known to degrade paper and paper products. Evidence of M. chartarum "red spot" mold formation, especially on old books, can be found globally. As a result, this fungal species and other cellulolytic molds are endangering old works of art and books. Currently, there is no evidence that suggests that species within the family Myxotrichaceae are pathogenic.

Zopfiella ebriosa is an unharmful fungus discovered covering the corks of wine bottles in 1991 in Tarragona, Spain. A member of the division Ascomycota, Zopfiella ebriosa is characterized by small and asymmetrical asci, presence of ostioles, and possession of germ slits.

Podospora appendiculata is a coprophilous fungus that is most commonly found in the dung of lagomorphs, such as hares and rabbits, in temperate to warm climates. A member of the division Ascomycota, P. appendiculata is characterized by ovoid, hair-studded perithecia which can bear a distinctive violaceous colouring and peridia which are coriaceous, or leathery, in texture. Podospora appendiculata has been shown to produce three compounds with antimicrobial properties.

Triangularia setosa is a member of the Ascomycota, and of the genus Triangularia. This genus is notable for its widespread appearance on the excrement of herbivores, and is therefore seen as a coprophilous fungus. The fungus itself is characteristically dark in colour and produces sac-like perithecium with a covering of hair. Its dispersion involves the ingestion, passage, and projectile ejection of spores. It has preference for colonizing the dung of lagomorphs, such as hares and rabbits.

Pseudothielavia terricola is a fungal species of the phylum Ascomycota, family Chaetomiaceae, and genus Pseudothielavia. Pseudothielavia terricola is widely distributed, especially in the tropical region of the world – with documented appearances in Africa, Southern Europe, and Asia. The species is mainly found in soil, but can also be found on other materials such as animal dung. The species was first assigned to the genus Coniothyrium in 1927, but was soon re-assigned to the genus Thielavia which endured for almost 90 years. Through intensive phylogenetic research and reassessment, the species was designated to a new genus, Pseudothielavia; the etymology of Pseudothielavia means similar to the genus Thielavia – the high resemblance was what contributed to the species assignment to the genus Thielavia nine decades ago. The fungus is mesophilic, grows abundantly in a pH level between 3.9–6, and is able to utilize multiple carbohydrates to support its growth. Mature Pseudothielavia terricola colonies in culture is dark brown in colour and spread out. Pseudothielavia terricola synthesizes a variety of compounds, two of which are thielavin A & B. These compounds were determined to be strong inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis.

Anopodium ampullaceum is a species of fungus first discovered by Nils Lundqvist in Sweden, in the year 1964. A. ampullaceum became one of the first few fungi along with Anopodium epile and Podospora dagonerii, to be placed in the new genus Anopodium due to their unique spores that did not suit the description of the spores of the Podospora genus, which P. dagonerii had previously belonged to. The genus Anopodium deviates from other members of the Sordariomycetes class by two spore characteristics; firstly the pedicels of its spore in the apical position, and secondly due to its immature spores having spherical bodies with cylindrical apical regions. As of 1998 all three of these species are now considered to be one species, using the name A. ampullaceum.

Zwackhiomacromyces is a genus of lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) fungi in the family Xanthopyreniaceae. It has two species. The genus is distinguished by its black, pear-shaped fruiting bodies with large, nipple-shaped ostioles that have a granular surface, and a dark, multi-layered wall made up of hyphal cells forming a pseudoparenchymatous structure. The genus is closely related to the similarly named genus Zwackhiomyces.

The Pyrenotrichaceae are a small family of fungi in the order Chaetothyriales. It contains two genera, and a total of six species. The genus Pyrenothrix has two species of bark- or leaf-dwelling lichens, while Neophaeococcomyces has four species of saprobic fungi.

References

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