Mycologia Iranica
Volume:2 Issue: 2, Summer and Autumn 2015

Pythium species are cosmopolitan, fungus-like oomycotes which may cause diseases in plants, animals and even human beings. Some of the species, however, are saprophytes and also well-proven biological control agents of plant pathogenic fungi. Since 1968, when the first Pythium species was reported from Iran, ca 44 species, two varieties, and five groups of this genus have been reported from different regions of Iran. Nevertheless, morphological or morphometric characters of only 35 species are more or less described. On the other hand more than 50% of these species have only been reported once. In the course of identification and classification of Pythium taxa in Iran, in addition to general obstacles, there exist some other problems. The lack of identification keys for the species; the absence of comprehensive checklists of the species, their dispersal and matrices; the lack of or the inadequacy of the species descriptions; unillustrated descriptions; generalization about the host names; unspecific geographical locations; unknown isolation matrices; the absence of type specimens in type culture collections; and the overlooking of molecular analyses, especially in the case of phylogenetic species are some of the challenges ahead. In this review, the prospects of future studies on the taxonomy of the Pythium species in Iran and the proposed solutions for the taxonomic challenges are discussed.

In the framework of the collection and identification of agaric fungi of Iran, three species of the genus Lepiota, viz. Lepiota brunneoincarnata, L. echinella and L. subincarnata are reported as new records for mycobiota of Iran. Two species, L. brunneoincarnata and L. subincarnata are deadly poisonous taxa. Up to now, two species of Amanita, A. phalloides and A. verna, and one from Galerina, G. marginata, have been reported from Iran as deadly poisonous fungi. Lepiota brunneoincarnata and L. Subincarnat, both collected from northern forests of the country, are introduced as fatal dangerous poisonous fungi.

Sixteen isolates of Colletotrichum were collected from leaves with anthracnose symptoms or leaf spots of twelve wild, cultivated and ornamental plant species from the Guilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan provinces in Northern Iran. Five different species, including C. aenigma, C. gigasporum, C. godetiae, C. karstii, and C. musae were identified based on the DNA sequence data (TUB2, GS, GAPDH). Four of these species, termed as C. aenigma, C. gigasporum, C. godetiae and C. karstii represent new records for the mycobiota of Iran. Moreover, this study reports many plants as new hosts of Colletotrichum species. Comprehensive morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided for the species.

The family Magnaporthaceae considered as a single-family placed in the order Magnaporthales. Currently, three distinct clades are phylogenetically distinguished in this order that one is referred as the Pyriculariaceae. The Pyriculariaceae is characterized as a novel family having new genera, new species, new combinations and neotypification (basionym). To taxonomically evaluate this family, an extensive sampling of several host plants including rice, corn, sorghum, barley and wheat cultivation regions, tea, citrus orchards and forests in the south of Caspian coast from Astara in Guilan Province to Gonbad-e Qabus in Golestan Province, Iran, was conducted for 2 consecutive years One hundred thirty isolates were obtained from the collected samples showing symptoms of the blast and leaf spot. Morphological characteristics such as shape, color, and the size of conidia and conidiophores and colony color were determined. In order to phylogenetically investigate the gained isolates, the ITS region of ribosomal DNA, DNA replication licensing factor (MCM7) and calmodulin (CAL) genes were utilized as a phylogenetic marker. Three major clades were recognized in the phylogenetic tree constructed based on the ITS and MCM7 regions. The first clade belongs to the Pyriculariaceae family containing two subclades. Moreover, the Pyriculariaceae clade has two subclades generated based on the analysis of the CAL gene.

Sooty blotch and flyspeck occur on fruit surfaces and result in economic losses due to less attractive appearance. Sooty blotch fungi form dark mycelial mats whereas flyspeck fungal agents are well characterized with black, sclerotium-like bodies on fruit surface. Whilst more than 60 species have been reported in association with these two fungal diseases, thus far they have not been studied in Iran. In this study specimens showing the symptoms related to sooty blotch and flyspeck were collected from different regions of Guilan province during 2012-14. Morphological characteristics and sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA were generated for the isolates and compared to describe species. In this study Microcyclosporella mali, Zasmidium sp. and Zygophiala jamaicensis were identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Microcyclosporella mali and Zygophiala jamaicensis are described and illustrated for the first time from Iran.

Black meristematic fungi are cosmopolitan and able to adapt to extreme fluctuations of ultraviolet radiation, temperature, and moisture and grow in exposed habitats such as stone surfaces. In a survey on fungi associated with fruit rots, leaf spots, canker, gummosis, dieback and trunk diseases of grapevine and walnut trees in Kurdistan Province (Iran), some black meristematic fungal isolates resemble to Endoconidioma/Hormonema were found on necrotic twigs. Based on morphology and sequence data (28S rDNA and ITS) the isolates were characterized as Endoconidioma populi as a first record for Iran mycobiota. This is a first report of this species from Juglans regia and Vitis vinifera.

Turkey is a favourite place for the growth and the development of myxomycete due to its climatic conditions and flora. During routine field trips to several locations of Gökçeada (Çanakkale), which is the largest island of Turkey, numerous samples of myxomycetes were collected. According to the available checklists, Diderma effusum (Schw.) Morgan records for the first time from Turkey. It has been isolated by the moist chamber technique. The new record is described by the aid of the literature. Microscopic and macroscopic photographs were taken and a distribution map is provided. This specimen is stored in the Herbarium of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (CNH), Çanakkale – Turkey.