Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Artículo científico |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
Fungal biology
2026
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41765610/ |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Table of Contents:
- Culturable fungal diversity and description of four novel taxa from allochthonous wood in Portuguese marine and estuarine environments. Abreu, Alberto C Gonçalves, Micael F M Esteves, Ana C Alves, Artur Wood Portugal DNA, Fungal Fungi Sequence Analysis, DNA Phylogeny Biodiversity Molecular Sequence Data Estuaries DNA, Ribosomal Spacer Microsatellite Repeats Cluster Analysis Lignicolous marine fungi are adapted to colonize wood in marine and estuarine environments, where their lignocellulolytic activity plays a key role in nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. Despite their ecological importance, the diversity and distribution of these species remain underexplored. To assess the diversity, abundance, and distribution of lignicolous fungi, we sampled driftwood and wooden pillars from several Portuguese coastal and estuarine habitats, as well as submerged wood blocks in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. Isolates were molecularly typed using microsatellite-primed PCR and identified by ITS sequencing. When necessary, morphological data and specific genetic markers were used for species identification: beta-tubulin (tub2), translation elongation factor 1 alpha (tef1-α), large ribosomal subunit (28S), calmodulin (cal), histone (H3) or RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2). From the 412 isolates recovered, 53 fungal genera were identified, with Fusarium, Penicillium, and Alternaria being the most frequent. We show that the composition of fungal communities varied depending on the substrate and habitat. Marine obligate taxa were primarily associated with submerged wood and marine driftwood, whereas samples collected from brackish environments contained a higher diversity of marine-tolerant fungi. Driftwood samples exhibited the highest genus richness but low evenness, establishing them as a hotspot for fungal diversity. In contrast, submerged wood supported a high number of marine-exclusive taxa, including members of the family Lulworthiaceae. The noteworthy co-occurrence of fast-growing fungi with marine genera suggests a progression from pioneer to intermediate colonizers. For the first time, the presence of Diplodia and Neofusicoccum species in marine environments is described. Additionally, F. maritimus gen. et sp. nov. represents the first known Gelatinosdiscaceae fungus from a marine environment. Three novel species and one novel genus: Cylindrodendrum marii sp. nov., Fusarium limianum sp. nov., Phaeosphaeria salina sp. nov., and Fluctus maritimus gen. et sp. nov. are described and proposed. This study reveals a high taxonomic diversity of lignicolous marine fungi, including novel taxa and previously unreported genera, highlighting their pivotal role in the ecological complexity of wood-associated communities in marine ecosystems.