NAMC – Newsletter of the Asian Mycological Committee
NAMC – Newsletter of the Asian Mycological Committee
NAMC – Newsletter of the Asian Mycological Committee
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<strong>NAMC</strong> <strong>–</strong> <strong>Newsletter</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Asian</strong> <strong>Mycological</strong><br />
Editor in Chief: Kevin D Hyde, Jiang Na, o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
<strong>Committee</strong><br />
Chairman and <strong>of</strong>fice bearers<br />
Chairman<br />
Xingzhong Liu<br />
State Key Laboratory <strong>of</strong> Mycology<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Microbiology, Chinese Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences<br />
No. 3 1st Beichen West Rd., Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, P. R.China<br />
liuxz@im.ac.cn<br />
Vice-Chairman<br />
Tae Soo Lee<br />
Division <strong>of</strong> Life Sciences<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Incheon<br />
Incheon 406-840, Korea<br />
younslee@kangwon.ac.kr<br />
Vice-Chairman<br />
Vikineswary Sabaratnam<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Biological Sciences<br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Science<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Malaya<br />
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia<br />
viki@um.edu.my<br />
General Secretary<br />
Lei Cai<br />
State Key Laboratory <strong>of</strong> Mycology<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Microbiology, Chinese Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences<br />
No. 3 1st Beichen West Rd., Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, P. R.China<br />
mrcailei@gmail.com
� Australasian<br />
Peter Buchanan<br />
Private Bag 92170<br />
Auckland Mail Centre<br />
Auckland 1142<br />
New Zealand<br />
BuchananP@landcareresearch.co.nz<br />
<strong>Committee</strong> members<br />
� Bangladesh<br />
Amin Uddin Mridha<br />
Plant Production Department<br />
King Saud University<br />
P.O.Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Kingdom <strong>of</strong> Saudi Arabia<br />
mridha@abnetbd.com<br />
� Cambodia<br />
Hean Vanhan<br />
Deputy Director General<br />
General Directorate <strong>of</strong> Agriculture (GDA)/ MAFF, Cambodia<br />
No.54B/49F, Street 395-656, Toeuk Laak 3, Tuol Kok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.<br />
hean_vanhan@yahoo.com<br />
� China<br />
Xingzhong Liu<br />
State Key Laboratory <strong>of</strong> Mycology<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Microbiology, Chinese Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences<br />
No. 3 1st Beichen West Rd., Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, P. R.China<br />
liuxz@im.ac.cn<br />
� China<br />
Lei Cai<br />
State Key Laboratory <strong>of</strong> Mycology<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Microbiology, Chinese Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences<br />
No. 3 1st Beichen West Rd., Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, P. R.China<br />
mrcailei@gmail.com<br />
� HongKong<br />
Lilian LP Vrijmoed<br />
College <strong>of</strong> Science and Engineering<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Biology and Chemistry<br />
City University Hong Kong
Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR<br />
bhlilian@city.edu.hk<br />
� India<br />
Chandralata Raghukumar<br />
313, Vainguinim Valley<br />
Dona Paula, Goa, 403 004, India<br />
lata_raghukumar@rediffmail.com<br />
� Indonesia<br />
Kartini Kramadibrata<br />
Herbarium Bogoriense<br />
Bidang Botani, Pusat Penelitian Biologi-LIPI<br />
Cibinong Science Center (CSC)-LIPI<br />
Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor<br />
INDONESIAkkramadibrata@yahoo.co.uk<br />
� Iran<br />
Rasoul Zare<br />
Iranian Research Institute <strong>of</strong> Plant Protection, Tehran, Iran<br />
simplicillium@yahoo.com<br />
� Israel<br />
Oded Yarden<br />
The Buck Family Chair Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Plant Pathology<br />
Head, Dept. <strong>of</strong> Plant Pathology and Microbiology<br />
The Robert H. Smith Faculty <strong>of</strong> Agriculture, Food and Environment<br />
The Hebrew University <strong>of</strong> JerusalemRehovot 76100<br />
Israel<br />
oded.yarden@huji.ac.il<br />
� Japan<br />
Toru Okuda<br />
Mycology & Metabolic Diversity Research Center<br />
Tamagawa University Research Institute<br />
6-1-1 Tamagawa-Gakuen, Machida<br />
Tokyo 194-8610, Japan<br />
torula@lab.tamagawa.ac.jp<br />
� Korea<br />
Tae Soo Lee<br />
Division <strong>of</strong> Life Sciences<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Incheon<br />
Incheon 406-840, Korea
younslee@kangwon.ac.kr<br />
� Kuwait<br />
Azza A.AlMusallam<br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Science<br />
PO Box 5969<br />
Safat 13060<br />
Kuwait<br />
azza.almusallam@ku.edu.kw<br />
� Laos<br />
Phengsintham Pheng<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Biology<br />
National University <strong>of</strong> Laos<br />
P.O. Box T32, Xaysetha, Vientiane, Laos<br />
pheng_phengsintham@hotmail.com<br />
� Malaysia<br />
Vikineswary Sabaratnam<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Biological Sciences<br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Science<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Malaya<br />
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia<br />
viki@um.edu.my<br />
� Mongolia<br />
Tsetseg Baljinova<br />
Laboratory <strong>of</strong> Microbiology<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Biology<br />
Mongolian Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences<br />
Ulaanbaatar-51<br />
Mongolia<br />
tsetseg110@yahoo.com<br />
� Myanmar<br />
Thida W. Ko Ko<br />
Mushroom Research Centre<br />
Chiang Mai<br />
Thailand<br />
thidawinkoko@gmail.com<br />
� Nepal<br />
Mahesh K. Adhikari<br />
Adhikari Niwas
KUKL 4/536<br />
Dakshin Tol<br />
BhaniMandal,<br />
Lalitpur, Nepal<br />
mkg_adh@wlink.com.np<br />
� Philippines<br />
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Biological Sciences<br />
College <strong>of</strong> Science<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Santo Tomas<br />
España 1015 Manila<br />
Philippines<br />
thomasdelacruz@yahoo.com<br />
� Russia<br />
Larissa Vasilyeva<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Biology & Soil Science<br />
Far East Branch <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Russian Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences<br />
Vladivostok 690022<br />
Russia<br />
vasilyeva@biosoil.ru<br />
� Saudi Arabia<br />
A.H. Bahkali<br />
Botany and Microbiology Department<br />
College <strong>of</strong> Science, King Saud University<br />
Riyadh<br />
Saudi Arabia<br />
abahkali@ksu.edu.sa<br />
� Singapore<br />
Teck Koon Tan<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Biological Science<br />
National University <strong>of</strong> Singapore<br />
14 Science Drive 4<br />
Singapore 117543<br />
dbstantk@nus.edu.sg<br />
� Sri Lanka<br />
Nimal Adikaram<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Botany<br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Science<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Peradeniya
Peradeniya (20400)<br />
Sri Lanka<br />
nkba@pdn.ac.lk<br />
� Taiwan<br />
Sung-Yuan Hsieh<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Botany<br />
National Museum <strong>of</strong> Natural Science<br />
Taichung, Taiwan 404<br />
sungyuan@gmail.com<br />
� Thailand<br />
Kasem Soytong<br />
Biocontrol Research Unit and Mycology Section<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Plant Pest Management<br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Agricultural Technology<br />
King Mongkut’s Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL)<br />
Bangkok 10520<br />
Thailand<br />
kskasem@yahoo.com<br />
� Vietnam<br />
Min Lam Duong<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Biology<br />
Hanoi National University <strong>of</strong> Education<br />
136 Xuanthuy, Caugiay<br />
Hanoi, Vietnam<br />
duong.minhlam@gmail.com<br />
� Thailand<br />
Kevin D. Hyde<br />
PO Box 58<br />
Bandoo Post Office<br />
Muang, Chiang Rai 57100<br />
Thailand<br />
kdhyde3@gmail.com<br />
� Japan<br />
Akira Suziki<br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Education/Graduate School <strong>of</strong> Horticulture<br />
Chiba University<br />
Japan<br />
asmush@faculty.chiba-u.jp
<strong>Asian</strong> <strong>Mycological</strong> Congress 2011<br />
12th International Marine and Freshwater Mycology Symposium<br />
7-11 August 2011<br />
The University <strong>of</strong> Incheon Convention Centre, Incheon, Korea, was <strong>the</strong> venue for <strong>the</strong> 2011 AMC<br />
and IMFMS meetings, an impressive new campus <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University. 269 participants attended<br />
from 22 countries, with host country fielding <strong>the</strong> highest number (163). The AMC programme<br />
included 72 oral presentations in 16 symposia, 263 posters and five plenary lectures by Robert<br />
Samson (Fungi and food: Friends or enemies), Gareth Jones (Marine fungal diversity: How many<br />
species are <strong>the</strong>re?), Toru Okuda (Mycology for mycology?), Ching-Hua Su (Fluconaole induced<br />
drastic genetic change in Candida albicans), and Hyun-Sook Lee (Mycoviruses and mushrooms<br />
diseases and <strong>the</strong>ir detection systems).<br />
The conference was opened by Pr<strong>of</strong>. Tae-Soo Lee, Chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> organizing committee who<br />
welcomed all <strong>the</strong> participants. Besides <strong>the</strong> scientific presentation we were also treated to a<br />
culture show and some wonderful photographs <strong>of</strong> mushrooms.<br />
Two AMC awards were made at <strong>the</strong> meeting: Distinguished Mycologists 2011 award to<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Kevin Hyde, Thailand and Young Mycologists award to Dr Lei Cai. There were a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> distinguished nominations considered by <strong>the</strong> search committee and set a very high<br />
standard for <strong>the</strong>se new awards by AMC.<br />
IMFMS 12 attracted fewer participants than <strong>the</strong> very successful meeting in Taiwan in 2009. The<br />
programme was reduced to four sessions with 19 oral presentations and 20 posters. This<br />
prompted Gareth at <strong>the</strong> closing session to query whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> meeting had outlived its<br />
usefulness with <strong>the</strong> declining numbers <strong>of</strong> mycologists working on aquatic fungi. However many<br />
disagreed with this and <strong>the</strong> meeting in China will decide <strong>the</strong> future <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> IMFMS. Pr<strong>of</strong>. Yang<br />
Soo Lee (Korea) <strong>of</strong>fered to set up a website to promote IMFMS in <strong>the</strong> hope <strong>of</strong> attracting a wider<br />
audience for future meetings. We wish this venture every success.
I am grateful to <strong>the</strong> following for supplying summaries and photographs: Natarajan Velmurugan,<br />
Satinee Suetrong, Yang Soo Lee, Lei Cai and Hyeon-Su Ro.<br />
Gareth Jones<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Ocean and Earth Sciences<br />
University Malaysia<br />
Presentation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> AMC Young Mycologist award 2011 to Dr Cai Lei<br />
Opening address by Pr<strong>of</strong>. Tae-Soo Lee
Banner for <strong>the</strong> 2011 meeting in Incheon<br />
Culture show after <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial dinner <strong>of</strong> AMC
Closing speech by <strong>the</strong> new Chairperson AMC<br />
Plenary talk by Gareth Jones<br />
Gallery <strong>of</strong> muchroom fungi at AMC
Plenary talk by Rob Samson<br />
Group photograph <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 2011 <strong>Asian</strong> Mycology Congress
<strong>Asian</strong> <strong>Mycological</strong> Awards<br />
Distinguished <strong>Asian</strong> Mycologist Award<br />
Dr Kevin D. Hyde was given <strong>the</strong> award <strong>of</strong> Distinguished <strong>Asian</strong> Mycologist in August 2011 at <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Asian</strong> <strong>Mycological</strong> Congress for his services in promoting <strong>Asian</strong> Mycology. Dr Hyde has been<br />
Head and Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Excellence in Fungal Research, School <strong>of</strong><br />
Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai since January 2008 and is also <strong>the</strong> Managing<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mushroom Research Foundation, Chiang Mai, Thailand.<br />
Dr Hyde looking for freshwater fungi in sou<strong>the</strong>rn France (photographed by Jacques Fornier)<br />
Dr Hyde was <strong>the</strong> Coordinator <strong>of</strong> EASIANET from 2004 until 2007. This was an elected<br />
position in <strong>the</strong> body designated by CBD with <strong>the</strong> role to remove taxonomic impediments from<br />
<strong>the</strong> East Asia region. Dr Hyde was also Chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mycological</strong> Association <strong>of</strong> Hong Kong<br />
between 2002-2007 which was inaugurated in 1997. As Chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Asian</strong> <strong>Mycological</strong><br />
<strong>Committee</strong> from 2007-2011 he promoted <strong>the</strong> study <strong>of</strong> mycology throughout <strong>the</strong> <strong>Asian</strong> region.
He was editor-in-chief <strong>of</strong> Fungal Diversity for 11 years, a journal that Dr Hyde introduced, and<br />
was also EIC <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Fungal Diversity Research Series, <strong>the</strong> International Journal <strong>of</strong> Agricultural<br />
Microbiology, and Mycology and is associate editor <strong>of</strong> eight o<strong>the</strong>r journals. Dr Hyde has<br />
published more than 800 refereed papers and <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se 560 are in SCI journals. He has also<br />
published 17 books. Dr Hyde’s passion though is in training students and he supervised some 20<br />
postdoctoral fellows, more than 60 PhD students, and 15 MPhil students up to now. Currently<br />
he is supervising /co-supervising more than 25 postgraduate students at Mae Fah Luang<br />
University, Thailand and in China.<br />
Dr Hyde teaching his students in <strong>the</strong> Mushroom Research Centre classroom. Students from left<br />
to right: Marivic Cabenella, Nilam Wulanderi, Dr Iman Hidiyat, Dr Subbu and Mr Sophia.<br />
Dr Hyde’s academic career is a very unlikely success story as on three occasions it<br />
appeared he would opt for o<strong>the</strong>r career paths. When he was 15 and about to start his last year<br />
at high school his parents moved from Cheltenham to Poole, Dorset, UK. This had <strong>the</strong><br />
unfortunate result that he had to restart his O-level studies because <strong>of</strong> a change in exam body
syllabus and take his exams within 10 months. With four sultry O-level grades he was <strong>of</strong>fered a<br />
job in a chrome plating factory as a chemical apprentice and his fa<strong>the</strong>r, John Hyde,<br />
recommended that he take this up. However, after discussions with <strong>the</strong> teachers at Poole<br />
Grammar School <strong>the</strong>y persuaded his fa<strong>the</strong>r to allow Kevin to pursue his A-levels which John<br />
fortunately accepted. Following his A-levels Dr Hyde carried out his B.Sc. in Zoology at Cardiff<br />
University at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Wales between 1976 and 1979, followed by a one year M.Sc. at<br />
Portsmouth University. At this stage he decided to leave academia and carried out a one year<br />
Post graduate diploma in teaching and in August 1980 took up his first job as a high school<br />
teacher at Hurst School near Basingstoke. His strong desire to travel soon saw him travel to<br />
Seychelles, landing a teaching position where he spent 24 months teaching in a high school. He<br />
had maintained constant contact with Pr<strong>of</strong>. Gareth Jones his M.Sc. program supervisor and in<br />
September 1984 he returned to Portsmouth University in UK and commenced his Ph.D. in<br />
Marine Mycology under <strong>the</strong> guidance <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Jones at University <strong>of</strong> Portsmouth. Never<br />
happy to be back in <strong>the</strong> UK, Dr Hyde finished his Ph.D. in two and a half years and moved to<br />
Brunei and again opted out <strong>of</strong> academia to take up yet ano<strong>the</strong>r high school teaching position in<br />
this oil-rich state. In Brunei, he was able to continue his marine mycology research with <strong>the</strong><br />
help <strong>of</strong> two microscopes borrowed from Pr<strong>of</strong> Jones (Portsmouth University) and in about three<br />
years had published 50 international research articles. By 1989, Dr Hyde tired <strong>of</strong> high school<br />
teaching, migrated to Australia where he was jobless for a while. After four months <strong>of</strong> seeking<br />
research or university positions in vain, disillusionment set in and he almost accepted that a<br />
career in research would never be possible for him. To make matters worse he walked through<br />
a glass door seriously injuring a knee cap which had to be removed, cleaned and replaced.<br />
Fortunately, Ian Moorhead who was <strong>the</strong> director <strong>of</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Primary Industries,<br />
Queensland at this time, saw Dr Hyde’s mycological potential and invited Dr Hyde for an<br />
interview as a NAQS scientist. Dr Hyde attended <strong>the</strong> interview on crutches but was <strong>of</strong>fered <strong>the</strong><br />
position. The subsequent new job surveying plant pathogens throughout north Queensland and<br />
Papua New Guinea set <strong>the</strong> tone for future research on tropical fungi. Although <strong>the</strong> NAQS job<br />
was pretty routine involving looking for 20 or so target organisms, he spent as much time as<br />
possible looking at o<strong>the</strong>r fungi <strong>of</strong> interest and by 2002 had more than 100 SCI publications,
mostly unrelated to his work. Dr Hyde desperately wanted to get into a University so he could<br />
concentrate on research and teach research students. His dream came true in November 2002<br />
at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 37, when he was <strong>of</strong>fered a tenured lectureship at <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Botany in <strong>the</strong><br />
University <strong>of</strong> Hong Kong where he remained for 15 years before moving to Thailand. He was <strong>the</strong><br />
director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Centre for Research in Fungal Diversity, Department <strong>of</strong> Ecology & Biodiversity, The<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Hong Kong from 1998 to 2007. Throughout this time he was very much inspired by<br />
his Ph.D. supervisor, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Jones. During this time he gained a Doctor <strong>of</strong> Science degree in<br />
Biodiversity and Biology <strong>of</strong> Tropical Micro-fungi at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Wales. In 2008 Dr Hyde<br />
retired from his position in Hong Kong, as he wanted a life where he could live in a house with a<br />
garden and have a car and pets, much <strong>of</strong> which was not possible in <strong>the</strong> cramped Hong Kong<br />
lifestyle. It had also become seriously hard to get research funding in Hong Kong. His moved to<br />
Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand was purely by chance and mostly due to meeting <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>n<br />
Dean <strong>of</strong> Science, <strong>the</strong> late Pr<strong>of</strong> Keith Syers. This move was a shear stroke <strong>of</strong> luck and since<br />
joining MFLU Dr Hyde has managed to develop a large hard working active research group.
April 2007, party at Dr Hyde’s small Hong Kong apartment, from left to right: Dr Rui-lin Zhao, Dr<br />
Rampai Kodsueb, Dr (Joy) Ratchadawan Cheewangkoon, Dr Damodar Shenoy, Dr Zhang Ying, Dr<br />
Hyde<br />
As stated early Dr Hyde’s passion is to train young mycologists. His counsel to young<br />
researchers is always to persevere in <strong>the</strong>ir research, publish as <strong>of</strong>ten as <strong>the</strong>y can and let <strong>the</strong><br />
world see what research <strong>the</strong>y are capable <strong>of</strong>, and be patient when trying to get a research<br />
position. Eventually because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir expertise and perseverance, <strong>the</strong>y will be <strong>of</strong>fered <strong>the</strong> jobs<br />
matching <strong>the</strong>ir visions. However he states “remember jobs for mycologists are few and far<br />
between, but so is a molecular mycologist who also understands morphology and thus a<br />
position will eventually materialise”. He always guides his students as follows, “I really want to<br />
see you developing yourselves. “Be a general mycologist and do not specialize on one genus”.<br />
He has said many times, “a Ph.D. trains you to run your own research group - advance science<br />
and train yourself to be a scientist. If you cannot get things done and push yourself what hope<br />
do you have when you leave <strong>the</strong> nest? So try to learn to push yourselves and achieve. You are<br />
working for yourselves - not me and whatever you achieve will go towards your future - not<br />
mine. You are not doing a PhD just to get <strong>the</strong> title “Dr” in front <strong>of</strong> your name. If you are, <strong>the</strong>n<br />
you should not continue, but quit now”.<br />
Dr Hyde’s students are represented by many nationalities from Asia, among <strong>the</strong>m are<br />
Thais, Sri Lankans, Chinese, Laos, Myamarese, Vietnamese, Pilipino, Nepali and Indians. He also<br />
has one Kenyan MS student. Dr Hyde has provided a great deal <strong>of</strong> opportunities to young<br />
qualified students who were unable to find opportunities in <strong>the</strong>ir interest areas, and provide<br />
scholarships through <strong>the</strong> Mushroom Research Foundation for PhD’s in mycology.<br />
This article is not enough to express and explain <strong>the</strong> good work Dr Hyde has done to<br />
promote mycology in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Asian</strong> region as well as worldwide. He strives to mould each <strong>of</strong> his<br />
students into renowned mycologists in <strong>the</strong>ir own right. In <strong>the</strong> recent round <strong>of</strong> IMA Young<br />
Mycologists Awards, two out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> five young awardees (Australasia and Asia) were Dr Hyde’s<br />
previous students.<br />
In Dr Hyde’s laboratory, we are budding mycologists, who have been taught, trained and<br />
mentored by Dr Hyde and would like to wish Dr Hyde all <strong>the</strong> very best and good luck as his
endeavors to train and mould mycologists to salvage <strong>the</strong> world <strong>of</strong> mycology which is in dire<br />
need <strong>of</strong> many more mycologists.<br />
Samantha Chandranath Karunarathna<br />
PhD Candidate<br />
Mae Fah Luang University,<br />
Chiang Rai, Thailand
mycologist in <strong>the</strong> region.<br />
Dr. Lei Cai awarded <strong>the</strong> Young Mycologist Award in Asia<br />
Dr. Lei Cai is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> leading young mycologists in China.<br />
He is a Pr<strong>of</strong>essor at <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Microbiology, Chinese<br />
Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences and has been working on <strong>the</strong> systematic<br />
and biodiversity <strong>of</strong> plant pathogenic, aquatic, coprophilous<br />
and <strong>the</strong>rmophilic fungi for many years. For his outstanding<br />
achievements in his carrier life he received <strong>the</strong> <strong>Asian</strong><br />
<strong>Mycological</strong> Association (AMA) Young Mycologist Award<br />
during <strong>the</strong> <strong>Asian</strong> mycological congress held in South Korea<br />
August 2011. This is <strong>the</strong> first time that AMA awarded a young<br />
Dr. Lei Cai was graduated from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China in 1998 and joined to <strong>the</strong><br />
Yunnan University, China as a research assistant. As <strong>the</strong> turning step in to <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> mycology<br />
he has completed his MSC in Mycology during 2000-2002 in Yunnan University, China. He<br />
started his PhD in 2002 under <strong>the</strong> supervision <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>. Kevin D. Hyde in <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Hong<br />
Kong. After <strong>the</strong> successful completion <strong>of</strong> his PhD, Dr. Cai joined R&D centre, Novozymes, Beijing<br />
as a research scientist (2006-2009), and senior research scientist (2009-2010). For his<br />
invaluable achievement in <strong>the</strong> mycological research, Dr. Cai was awarded <strong>the</strong> prestigious<br />
“Hundred-Talent Program” <strong>of</strong> Chinese Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences (CAS) in 2010.<br />
Dr Lei Cai has been a dedicated young mycologist in Asia and worldwide during <strong>the</strong> past decade.<br />
He has attained a notable number <strong>of</strong> publications including one monograph, 2 book chapters,<br />
54 publications on international journals and <strong>the</strong>se publications attained 378 citations (H’ Index<br />
=12). He accomplished 13 research projects, based on which he described 5 new genera, 48<br />
new species and 7 new combinations. This exceptional contribution to <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> mycology is<br />
very appreciable considering <strong>the</strong> time in his career life as an active young scientist in <strong>the</strong> field.<br />
Dr. Lei Cai is not only a talented researcher but also an active teacher. He conducts <strong>the</strong> courses<br />
on systematic mycology and phytopathology for <strong>the</strong> postgraduate students in CAS, and Chinese<br />
Academy <strong>of</strong> Agricultural Science (CAAS). He also gave lectures in various international
workshops, seminars and conferences. Dr. Cai is currently supervising 5 MSC students, 3 PhD<br />
students and 2 post doctoral associates. He is popular among students as a talented and kind<br />
hearted teacher. As <strong>the</strong> executive associate editor, Dr. Cai played a significant role in<br />
establishing and managing <strong>the</strong> new international journal “Mycology”. He is also an associate<br />
editor <strong>of</strong> Fungal Diversity and reviews papers for journals such as Biodiversity and Conservation,<br />
Journal <strong>of</strong> Plant Pathology, Plant Pathology, Plant Disease, Microbial Ecology, Mycologia,<br />
Mycoscience and Nova Hedwigia.
� The <strong>Mycological</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> China<br />
2011 Mycology in China<br />
The <strong>Mycological</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> China (MSC), is an academic organization devoted to <strong>the</strong> research<br />
and extension <strong>of</strong> mycology in China. MSC, formerly a division <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Botanical Society <strong>of</strong> China<br />
(BSC) (1980-1992), became an independent society in May 1993. Currently <strong>the</strong>re are 12<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional committees, 6 working committees and nearly 3,000 Chinese and international<br />
members. MSC is a sustainable member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> International <strong>Mycological</strong> Association and <strong>Asian</strong><br />
<strong>Mycological</strong> Association.<br />
PROFESSIONAL COMMITTEES<br />
1. Division <strong>of</strong> fungal diversity and systematic mycology<br />
2. Division <strong>of</strong> plant pathogenic fungus<br />
3. Division <strong>of</strong> entomogenous fungus<br />
4. Division <strong>of</strong> medical mycology<br />
5. Division <strong>of</strong> edible fungi<br />
6. Division <strong>of</strong> pharmaceutical fungi<br />
7. Division <strong>of</strong> industrial fungi<br />
8. Division <strong>of</strong> myxomycetes<br />
9. Division <strong>of</strong> lichenology<br />
10. Division <strong>of</strong> mycorrhiza and endophytic fungi<br />
11. Division <strong>of</strong> fungal chemistry<br />
12. Division <strong>of</strong> fungal genetics and molecular biology<br />
MSC focuses on <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> fungal science in China and international community and<br />
aims to provide a platform to meet <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> a demanding and growing field, and to serve<br />
and engage dialogue between Chinese mycologists and <strong>the</strong> international community. To publish
journals and organize international conferences, national annual meetings, various symposia<br />
and workshops are <strong>the</strong> main tasks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> society.<br />
Highlights <strong>of</strong> 2011<br />
� The Tenth China-Korea Joint Symposium was held at Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an city<br />
on 22-25 April, 2011. Fifteen representatives from Korea and 60 representatives from China<br />
attended this symposium. Fourteen speeches covering fungal diversity, phylogeny and evolution,<br />
edible and medicinal fungi and o<strong>the</strong>r aspects were reported on <strong>the</strong> meeting.<br />
� The tenth mycological symposium <strong>of</strong> cross-strait sponsored by <strong>Mycological</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> China and<br />
<strong>Mycological</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> Taiwan, was held at Wuhan Agriculture University on 15-18 July, 2011.<br />
Sixteen members <strong>of</strong> <strong>Mycological</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> Taiwan attended this symposium. Fifty<br />
representatives presented <strong>the</strong>ir latest research outcomes. To enhance <strong>the</strong> exchange and co-<br />
operation between mycologists from Cross-Taiwan Straits and facilitate <strong>the</strong> development in<br />
mycology, <strong>the</strong> joint symposium has been run every two years since 1993 in mainland or Taiwan<br />
respectively.<br />
� The 2011 MSC annual meeting was held in Guangzhou on 15-17 August. More than 400<br />
members <strong>of</strong> MSC participated this annual meeting. There are 150 presentations in 11 sections.<br />
These reports exhibited <strong>the</strong> latest research results on <strong>the</strong> followed aspects: fungal diversity and<br />
systematics, plant pathology, medical mycology, edible mushroom, pharmaceutical fungi,<br />
industrial fungi, myxomycete, mycorrhiza and endophytic fungi, fungal chemistry, fungal genetics<br />
and molecular biology. Postgraduate student awards were given to six student presentations.<br />
� China’s Fungal Genome Initiative (CFGI) proposed by <strong>the</strong> MSC are now investing great efforts for<br />
fungal genomics. More than 60 species <strong>of</strong> plant, insect and nematode pathogens as well as <strong>the</strong><br />
mushrooms and mycorrhizal fungi have been or are being sequenced. To incorporate <strong>the</strong> joint<br />
efforts, <strong>the</strong> first CFGI Symposium was successfully held in Shanghai on September 20-22, 2009.<br />
The studies on fungal genomics have been extensively advanced for <strong>the</strong> past two years. To<br />
continue promoting fungal genomics studies in China, <strong>the</strong> second CFGI symposium was<br />
organized by MSC and Yunnan University on October 23-25, 2011. Following <strong>the</strong> invited talks, a<br />
workshop was held for sharing <strong>the</strong> techniques/methods for genomic data analysis.
� “Mini Symposium on Advances in Fungal Genomics and Evolution - In Celebration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Founding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> State Key Laboratory <strong>of</strong> Mycology” kicked <strong>of</strong>f at <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Microbiology,<br />
Chinese Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences, Beijing, on 22 October. Six prestigious international mycologists<br />
were invited to give presentations at this mini-symposium. The speakers shared <strong>the</strong>ir state-<strong>of</strong>-art<br />
research and ideas in fungal genomics and evolution with over 140 Chinese participants <strong>of</strong> this<br />
mini-symposium.<br />
Publications<br />
� An <strong>of</strong>ficial journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>Mycological</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> China entitled “Mycology, an international<br />
journal on fungal biology” had been launched in January 2010 and published by Taylor &<br />
Francis. Mycology publishes papers on all aspects <strong>of</strong> mycology including lichens, with<br />
preference in systematics, ecology and biodiversity, genomics and proteomics, and<br />
molecular phylogeny and evolution. O<strong>the</strong>r appreciate subjects for <strong>the</strong> journal include<br />
bioinformatics, physiology and biochemistry, pathology, morphology development, cell<br />
biology, genetics, molecular biology, fungal enzymology, fungal metabolites and new<br />
techniques.<br />
� Mycosystema is a merger <strong>of</strong> former Acta Mycologica Sinica (1982-1997) and Mycosystema<br />
(1987-1997) sponsored by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mycological</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> China and <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong><br />
Microbiology, Chinese Academy <strong>of</strong> Science and published bimonthly. The journal includes<br />
original papers and short communications based on research results, as well as literature<br />
and book reviews dealing with various aspects <strong>of</strong> mycology. Mycosystema publishes<br />
papers mainly in <strong>the</strong> fields <strong>of</strong> taxonomy, biodiversity, molecular systematics <strong>of</strong> fungi. The<br />
papers related to ecology, phytopathology, physiology, genetics, medical mycology,<br />
industrial mycology and veterinary mycology are also encouraged and acceptable.<br />
� Journal <strong>of</strong> Fungal Research is a quarterly journal sponsored by MSC and Jilin Agricultural<br />
University and was launched in December 2003. The journal publishes <strong>the</strong> papers<br />
concerning <strong>the</strong> scientific researches on <strong>the</strong> organisms studied by mycologists, which are<br />
accepted as fungi in <strong>the</strong> Kingdom (Mycota), pseud<strong>of</strong>ungi and slime molds along with<br />
bacteria (Monera), plants (Plantae), animals (Animalia) and protists (Protista). The journal
<strong>of</strong> Fungal Research is a window for academic exchange <strong>of</strong> scientific research, technology<br />
and education <strong>of</strong> pan-fungi.
Indian Mycology (2010-2011)<br />
Fungal research is being carried out in several universities and research institutions in India,<br />
each group having established its own special niche.<br />
Damodar Shenoy at <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, is interested in<br />
phylogeny and molecular diversity <strong>of</strong> plant pathogenic fungi and DNA barcoding <strong>of</strong> fungi. G.S.<br />
Prasad at <strong>the</strong> same institute works on <strong>the</strong> phylogeny and molecular diversity <strong>of</strong> yeasts. He has<br />
described several new species <strong>of</strong> yeasts from India.<br />
Shenoy BD, Jeewon R, Wang HK, Amandeep K, Ho WH, Bhat DJ, Crous PW, Hyde KD. 2010.<br />
Sequence data reveals phylogenetic affinities <strong>of</strong> fungal anamorphs Bahusutrabeeja,<br />
Diplococcium, Natarajania, Paliphora, Polyschema, Rattania and Spadicoides. Fungal<br />
Diversity 44: 161<strong>–</strong>169.<br />
Daniel HM, Prasad GS. 2010. The role <strong>of</strong> culture collections as an interface between providers<br />
and users: <strong>the</strong> example <strong>of</strong> yeasts. Res Microbiol. 161(6):488-96.<br />
Extensive research on endophytic fungi <strong>of</strong> forest trees, algae and mangroves is being carried<br />
out by T.S. Suryanarayana and his team at <strong>the</strong> Vivekananda Institute <strong>of</strong> Tropical Mycology. He<br />
has recently described heat-resistant, ‘agni’ fungi from <strong>the</strong> forests <strong>of</strong> Western Ghats, whose<br />
spores survive exposure to 100-115 o C. D.J. Bhat and his students have carried out enormous<br />
work on diversity <strong>of</strong> fungi in various habitats in Goa and have described several new species<br />
and reported new records <strong>of</strong> fungi from India.<br />
Suryanarayanan TS, Govinda Rajulu MB, Thirumalai E, Reddy MS and Money NP. 2011. Agni’s<br />
fungi: heat-resistant spores from <strong>the</strong> Western Ghats, sou<strong>the</strong>rn India. Fungal Biology<br />
Reviews 115: 833-838.<br />
Thirunavukkarasu N, Suryanarayanan TS, Murali TS. Ravishankar JP, Gummadi SN. 2011. L-<br />
asparaginase from marine derived fungal endophytes <strong>of</strong> seaweeds. Mycosphere 2:147<strong>–</strong><br />
155.
Pratibha J, Bhat DJ and Raghukumar S. 2011. Four anamorphic fungi from forests <strong>of</strong> Western<br />
Ghats, India, with two new species. 117: 269<strong>–</strong>278.<br />
T. Satyanarayana and his team in Delhi University South Campus concentrate on fungal<br />
enzymes, especially phytase and its applications. M.S. Reddy at <strong>the</strong> Thapar Research Institute,<br />
Patiala works on molecular diversity <strong>of</strong> AM fungi and reclamation <strong>of</strong> polluted lands using plants<br />
inoculated with <strong>the</strong>se fungi. Alok Adholeya at <strong>the</strong> Tata Institute <strong>of</strong> Fundamental Research (TERI)<br />
has a large group devoted to research on <strong>the</strong> application <strong>of</strong> AM fungi as bi<strong>of</strong>ertilizers, to<br />
increase <strong>the</strong> productivity <strong>of</strong> crop plants and towards reclamation <strong>of</strong> land degraded by several<br />
industrial pollutants. He has developed a protocol for mass production <strong>of</strong> AM fungi and<br />
commercialized <strong>the</strong> technology.<br />
Kaur, P., Singh, B., Böer, E., Straube, N., Piontek, M., Satyanarayana, T. and Kunze, G. 2010.<br />
Pphy <strong>–</strong> a cell-bound phytase from <strong>the</strong> yeast Pichia anomala: molecular cloning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
gene PPHY and characterization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> recombinant enzyme. J. Biotechnol. 149: 8<strong>–</strong>15.<br />
Singh, B. and Satyanarayana, T. 2011. Microbial phytases in phosphorus aquisition and plant<br />
growth promotion. Physiol. Mol. Biol. Plants 17: 93-103.<br />
K.R. Sridhar and his research group at <strong>the</strong> Mangalore University concentrate on diversity<br />
<strong>of</strong> fresh water and marine fungi and <strong>the</strong>ir ecology. J. Muthumary and her team have screened<br />
several endophytic fungi for production <strong>of</strong> taxol and anticancer activity. Production <strong>of</strong><br />
nanoparticles <strong>of</strong> various metals using metal-tolerant fungi or <strong>the</strong>ir enzymes is carried out by<br />
several research groups. Absar Ahmed at <strong>the</strong> National Chemical Laboratory, Pune has several<br />
publications and patents on production <strong>of</strong> nanoparticles <strong>of</strong> gold and silver by fungi.<br />
Sridhar KR, Karamchand KS and Sumathi P. 2010. Fungal colonization and breakdown <strong>of</strong> sedge<br />
(Cyperus malaccensis Lam.) in a southwest mangrove, India. Botanica Marina 53, 525-<br />
533.<br />
Baerlocher F, Charette N, Letourneau A, Nikolcheva LG and Sridhar KR. 2010. Sequencing DNA<br />
extracted from single conidia <strong>of</strong> aquatic hyphomycetes. Fungal Ecology 3, 115-121.
Visalakchi S and Muthumary J. 2010. Taxol (Anticancer Drug) producing endophytic fungi: An<br />
overview. International Journal <strong>of</strong> Pharma and Bio Sciences.1 (3): 1-9.<br />
Research on fungal technology is done in private firms also. Research on dermatophytic and<br />
keratinophilic fungi is being carried out by S.K. Deshmukh and his group at <strong>the</strong> Nicholas Piramal<br />
Research Centre, Mumbai. Raghukumar’s MykoTech Pvt Ltd., Goa, specializes on<br />
biotechnological application <strong>of</strong> fungi, <strong>the</strong>ir enzymes and metabolites.<br />
Deshmukh SK and Verekar SA 2011. Incidence <strong>of</strong> keratinophilic fungi from <strong>the</strong> soils <strong>of</strong><br />
Vedanthangal water bird sanctuary (India). Mycoses. 54: 487-490.<br />
Deshmukh SK, Verekar SA. 2011. Prevalence <strong>of</strong> keratinophilic fungi in ‘Usar’ soils <strong>of</strong> Uttar<br />
Pradesh, India. Microbiology Research. 3:e15 doi:10.4081/mr.2011.e15<br />
Pratibha Jalmi, Pranali Bodke, Solimabi Wahidullah and Seshagiri Raghukumar. 2011. The<br />
fungus Gliocephalotrichum simplex as a source <strong>of</strong> abundant, extracellular melanin for<br />
biotechnological applications. Published online in World Journal <strong>of</strong> Microbiology and<br />
Biotechnology.<br />
Research on ecology, diversity and phylogeny <strong>of</strong> deep-sea fungi and fungi from oxygen-<br />
depleted coastal and oceanic zones <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Arabian Sea is being carried out at <strong>the</strong> National<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Oceanography. Culture-dependent as well as culture-independent approaches were<br />
used to describe abundance, distribution and diversity <strong>of</strong> fungi from <strong>the</strong>se extreme<br />
environments. Besides, bioremediation <strong>of</strong> industrial pollutants by marine fungi is also pursued<br />
by this group. These studies have resulted in filing several national and international patents.<br />
Jebraj C, Raghukumar C, Behnke A, Stoeck T. 2010. Fungal diversity in oxygen-depleted regions<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Arabian Sea revealed by targeted environmental sequencing combined with<br />
cultivation. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 71 (3) 399-412.<br />
Singh P, Raghukumar C, Verma P, Shouche Y. 2010. Phylogenetic diversity <strong>of</strong> culturable fungi<br />
from <strong>the</strong> deep-sea sediments <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Central Indian Basin and <strong>the</strong>ir growth characteristics.<br />
Fungal Diversity 40: 89-102.
Verma AK, Raghukumar C, Naik CG. 2011. A novel hybrid technology for remediation <strong>of</strong><br />
molasses-based raw effluents. Bioresource Technology 102: 2411-2418.<br />
Ravindran C and Naveenan T. 2011. Adaptation <strong>of</strong> marine derived fungus Chaetomium<br />
globosum (NIOCC 36) to alkaline stress using antioxdant properties. Process<br />
Biochemistry 46: 847-857<br />
Detailed studies on genetics <strong>of</strong> Neurospora crassa is being done by Kasbekar and his team <strong>of</strong><br />
researchers at <strong>the</strong> Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad. Physiology, molecular<br />
studies and biochemistry <strong>of</strong> yeast is pursued in <strong>the</strong> department <strong>of</strong> biochemistry, Indian Institute<br />
<strong>of</strong> Science, Bangalore.<br />
Keshav Prasad et al. 2010. Comparative proteomic analysis <strong>of</strong> Candida albicans and C.globrata.<br />
Clinical Proteomics 6: 167-173.<br />
Kasbekar D. et al. 2011. Carrefour Mme. Gras: A wild-isolated Neurospora crassa strain that<br />
suppresses meiotic silencing by unpaied DNA and uncovers a novel ascospore stability<br />
defect. Fungal Genet.Biol. (in press) Doi:10.1016/j.fgb.2011.01.012<br />
Several books ei<strong>the</strong>r authored or edited by <strong>the</strong>se mycologists are listed below.<br />
Books<br />
Bhat DJ. 2010. Fascinating Micr<strong>of</strong>ungi (Hyphomycetes) <strong>of</strong> Western Ghats, India. Broadway<br />
Publishers, Panaji, Goa. 249 pp<br />
Misra JK, Tiwari JP, Deshmukh SK. (Eds) 2011. Systematics and Evolution <strong>of</strong> Fungi, Science<br />
Publishers, Inc Enfield USA.<br />
Sridhar KR. (Ed) 2011. Aquatic Plants and Plant Diseases: Types, Characteristics and<br />
Management. Nova Science Publishers Inc., New York,<br />
Patents granted<br />
A process for production <strong>of</strong> low temperature active alkaline protease from a deep-sea fungus.<br />
Chandralata Raghukumar, Samir Damare, Usha Devi Muraleedharan.<br />
2010. Patent No.4504311 JAPAN.
A process for decolorization <strong>of</strong> colored effluents uing a marine fungus, its enzymes and<br />
extracellular polymeric substance. Chandralata Raghukumar, Donna Trella D’souza Ticlo<br />
2010. Patent No.: GB2434364. UNITED KINGDOM<br />
Several o<strong>the</strong>r groups are engaged in mycological research whose work I could not<br />
accommodate here due to space constraint. I will write about it in <strong>the</strong> next issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Asian</strong><br />
mycological newsletter.<br />
Awards<br />
Samir Damare from <strong>the</strong> National Institute <strong>of</strong> Oceanography received CSIR Young<br />
Scientist award in 2010 under <strong>the</strong> Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences. The award<br />
was for his studies on deep-sea fungi which he carried out for his PhD degree. The award<br />
carries cash prize, a citation and research grant for a period <strong>of</strong> 5 years.<br />
Meetings<br />
The annual national seminar <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mycological</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> India was held in Chennai at <strong>the</strong><br />
Centre for Advanced Study in Botany in February 2011. The seminar was attended by about 150<br />
delegates from all over India.<br />
Dr.Chandralata Raghukumar,<br />
313, Vainguinim Valley,<br />
Dona Paula, Goa, 403 004,<br />
India.
Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new fungi described from Goa.<br />
Anaselenosporella indica Pratibha,<br />
Bhat & Raghuk.<br />
Stauriella indica Pratibha, Bhat and Raghuk.
Dendryphiopsis goanensis Praibha, Raghuk. And Bhat<br />
Dr. Samir Damare, recipient <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> CSIR Young scientist award for his work on deep-sea fungi.
Pr<strong>of</strong>. D.J. Bhat, displaying his catch during one <strong>of</strong> his fungal <strong>–</strong>hunting trips. He retired from<br />
<strong>the</strong> Goa University on November 30, 2011.<br />
Dr. Lata Raghukumar completed her tenure as an emeritus scientist at <strong>the</strong> National Institute <strong>of</strong><br />
Oceanography on July 31, 2011.
Djafar Ershad and Rasoul Zare<br />
Research Institute <strong>of</strong> Plant Protection<br />
Iranian Research Institute <strong>of</strong> Plant Protection<br />
Mycology in Iran: A historical review<br />
Study <strong>of</strong> fungi in Iran was initiated by foreign mycologists. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se mycologists have not<br />
visited Iran but <strong>the</strong>y received fungal material from botanists who came to Iran for plant<br />
collections. These botanists also collected fungi separately or <strong>the</strong>ir plant material was examined<br />
by mycologists for epiphytic/parasitic fungi. As <strong>the</strong> result <strong>the</strong> list <strong>of</strong> fungi separately or toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
with <strong>the</strong> list <strong>of</strong> plants was published in European literature.<br />
In order to summarize <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> mycology in Iran five periods are described here:
1. First period: until 1860<br />
In this early period <strong>of</strong> time <strong>the</strong>re is no sign <strong>of</strong> Iranian fungi in <strong>the</strong> literature and in case <strong>the</strong>re<br />
was anything published, it was never noticed by later mycologists.<br />
2. Second period: from 1860 to 1941<br />
In fact study on Iranian fungi was started in this period. In this period all publications on Iranian<br />
fungi belong to foreign researchers. These in chronological order are listed here.<br />
1. The first publication on Iranian fungi is published by two European botanists, E. Boissier<br />
and F. Buhse, where 33 fungal species, mostly cap fungi, are named. The fungi in this<br />
publication (Boissier & Buhse 1860) were collected by F. Buhse.<br />
2. Rabenhorst (1871) authored <strong>the</strong> second publication based on fungi collected by C.<br />
Haussknecht during two excursions in Iran.<br />
3. M.C. Cooke in a publication (Cooke 1880) toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> fungi <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
world named eight Iranian species collected from Kurdistan and Loristan provinces.<br />
4. Ano<strong>the</strong>r contributor to Iranian mycology was Wettstein (1885) who studied Iranian<br />
fungi collected by J.F. Polak and Th. Pitcher.<br />
5. Masse (1899) published a list <strong>of</strong> various fungi containing two Iranian species.<br />
6. Study <strong>of</strong> Iranian fungi was continued more seriously when J. Bornmüller, famous<br />
botanist, started his excursions in <strong>Asian</strong> countries. This scientist collected fungi toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
with plants. The material collected by Bornmüller were given to famous mycologists<br />
such as P. Magnus and H. Sydow. Bornmüller himself reported part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fungi he<br />
collected toge<strong>the</strong>r with plants in two publications (Bornmüller 1908, 1911). Ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fungi were reported by Sydow & Sydow (1908a, 1908b). The rest and <strong>the</strong><br />
majority <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fungi were identified by P. Magnus and published in six papers (Magnus<br />
1896, 1899, 1899, 1903, 1912).<br />
7. Worth to mention that Chatin (1897) reported two species <strong>of</strong> Iranian truffles.<br />
8. Ano<strong>the</strong>r mycologist who published three Iranian fungal species based on material<br />
collected by O. Paulsen from central Asia and Iran was Rostrup (1908).
9. R. G. Fragosu is ano<strong>the</strong>r mycologist who, based on material collected by F.M. de la<br />
Escalera from Khuzestan and upstream <strong>of</strong> Karun river, published two papers.<br />
10. Iran is mentioned in <strong>the</strong> title <strong>of</strong> a publication authored by R. Picbauer (1932), but no<br />
locality <strong>of</strong> Iran is mentioned in <strong>the</strong> paper. The materials this scientist studied, were<br />
collected by F. Nabelek who traveled to Iran and Turkey for plant collection.<br />
11. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> greatest foreign mycologists who contributed most to Iranian mycology was<br />
<strong>the</strong> famous Austrian mycologist F. Petrak. This mycologist published his first paper in<br />
1939. The materials he studied were collected by K.H. Rechinger. F. Petrak started his<br />
study on Iranian fungi in this period, however, published his major papers on Iranian<br />
fungi in <strong>the</strong> third period. He even published a paper in <strong>the</strong> fourth period.<br />
3. Third period: from 1941 to 1963<br />
This period is different from o<strong>the</strong>rs in that Iranian mycologists started studying fungi <strong>of</strong> Iran.<br />
Researchers who contributed most to Iranian mycology are listed here in chronological order.<br />
1. E. Esfandiari is <strong>the</strong> first Iranian mycologist who published <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> his studies in<br />
collaboration with F. Petrak (Petrak & Esfandiari 1941). Esfandiari had a close<br />
collaboration with Petrak during <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> his studies and even published ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
paper with Petrak in 1950 in Sydowia. Esfandiari has also worked with A. Pilát,<br />
Czechoslovakian mycologist, on <strong>the</strong> identification <strong>of</strong> cap fungi <strong>of</strong> Iran. Esfandiari has<br />
published ano<strong>the</strong>r 10 papers on fungi or plant pathogenic fungi <strong>of</strong> Iran.<br />
2. F. Petrak has contributed most to <strong>the</strong> Iranian mycology in this period. He studied on <strong>the</strong><br />
fungi that were collected by E. Esfandiari and/or G. Scharif and were sent to Vienna.<br />
Petrak published ano<strong>the</strong>r 18 papers in this period.<br />
3. J.A. von Arx in a paper published in 1949 on <strong>the</strong> genus Mycosphaerella mentions <strong>the</strong><br />
names <strong>of</strong> a few Iranian specimens that were already reported by earlier mycologists.<br />
4. E. Khabiri is ano<strong>the</strong>r Iranian mycologist who published his studies in a French journal in<br />
1952, 1956 and 1958. Besides, he published a book on mycology for Iranian students.<br />
5. R.L. Steyaert, Belgian mycologist, was in Iran in 1952 and 1953 who worked on plant<br />
diseases with Iranian scientists. During his stay in Iran he published a book in French on
Diseases <strong>of</strong> Forest Trees that was translated into Persian by A. Manuchehri and G.<br />
Scharif.<br />
6. D.M. Henderson in five papers published on <strong>Asian</strong> rust fungi in 1957, 1959, 1961, 1966<br />
and 1969 reported a few rust fungi <strong>of</strong> Iran too (Henderson 1969).<br />
7. Ano<strong>the</strong>r Iranian mycologist who in this period considerably contributed to Iranian<br />
mycology was G. Scharif. He published his first paper on grape anthracnose in 1959. The<br />
title <strong>of</strong> his <strong>the</strong>sis was: Etude morphologique et biologique de quelques champignons<br />
folicole de agrumes en Iran. He also published a number <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r papers mostly on<br />
fungal plant diseases in Iran. As mentioned earlier, Scharif had collected and<br />
preliminarily studied <strong>the</strong> fungi that were later studied and published by F. Petrak.<br />
8. R. Pakravan is ano<strong>the</strong>r Iranian mycologist who did his PhD <strong>the</strong>sis on biology and<br />
classification <strong>of</strong> fungi attacking rose shrubs in Iran in 1958.<br />
9. G. Viennot-Bourgin, <strong>the</strong> French mycologist, was invited by <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Tehran and<br />
some collection on <strong>the</strong> fungi <strong>of</strong> Iran that he published in 1958.<br />
10. I. Jørstad, Norwegian mycologist, in a few papers reported <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> his study on <strong>the</strong><br />
fungi <strong>of</strong> Iran in 1960. The materials were collected from Iran by his compatriot botanist,<br />
P. Wendelbo.<br />
11. R. Heim, French mycologist, travelled to Iran in 1960 and published a paper on a<br />
mushroom species <strong>of</strong> Iran (Heim 1960).<br />
12. Among foreign mycologists we should also name <strong>of</strong> C. Golato, Italian mycologist, who<br />
himself did not work on Iranian fungi but published a paper in 1960 in which he names a<br />
few fungal species that were already published by earlier mycologists.<br />
13. A. Manuchehri and E. Mohammadi-Doustdar considerably contributed to Iranian<br />
mycology mostly in <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> mycology teaching.
E.Esfandiari F.Petrak G. Scharif<br />
4. Fourth period: from 1963 to 2000<br />
This period is distinct from o<strong>the</strong>r periods for <strong>the</strong> following reasons:<br />
i. Until this period, no artificial media were used in order to grow/identify <strong>the</strong> fungi. In<br />
this period after <strong>the</strong> foundation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Iranian Research Institute <strong>of</strong> Plant Protection<br />
in Tehran equipments and materials for culture <strong>of</strong> fungi were prepared and<br />
developed. Therefore, it became possible to work on most fungal species. This type<br />
<strong>of</strong> research was initiated in Iranian universities at 1963.<br />
ii. In this period due to <strong>the</strong> growing number <strong>of</strong> Iranian mycologists and plant<br />
pathologists most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> work on Iranian fungi was done by Iranian mycologists.<br />
iii. In earlier periods most papers on <strong>the</strong> identification <strong>of</strong> fungi <strong>of</strong> Iran were generally<br />
covering all groups <strong>of</strong> fungi, but in this period papers on specific fungal groups in<br />
addition to identification monographs on <strong>the</strong> fungi <strong>of</strong> Iran were published.<br />
Due to <strong>the</strong> ra<strong>the</strong>r large number <strong>of</strong> Iranian mycologists in this period we refrain from<br />
writing <strong>the</strong>ir names. But we feel it is necessary to introduce foreign researchers who<br />
contributed to Iranian mycology in this period.<br />
1. E. Niemann was a German plant pathologist who for many years worked for <strong>the</strong><br />
Iranian Research Institute <strong>of</strong> Plant Protection as a colleague <strong>of</strong> Iranian
esearchers. His contribution to Iranian plant pathology and mycology was<br />
considerable enough to name him as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main founders <strong>of</strong> modern fungal<br />
plant pathology in Iran. He authored nine papers on plant diseases co-authored<br />
by his Iranian colleagues that were published in <strong>the</strong> Iranian journal Applied<br />
Entomology and Plant Pathology during 1963 to 1967.<br />
2. In 1963 A. Dubuis & L. Faurel reported eight fungal species in a list <strong>of</strong> plant<br />
species that were collected by R. Pasquier.<br />
3. In 1964 F. Petrak published ano<strong>the</strong>r paper and reported two new fungal species<br />
from Iran.<br />
4. D. Boubls & A. Nazemille wrote a paper on grape diseases in Azarbaijan province<br />
(west <strong>of</strong> Iran) in 1966 and reported <strong>the</strong> fungi <strong>the</strong>y isolated from grape in that<br />
region.<br />
5. W.J. Kaiser, American researcher, worked for many years at <strong>the</strong> College <strong>of</strong><br />
Agriculture, Tehran University on disease <strong>of</strong> pulses and published his first paper<br />
in 1967.<br />
6. G. Viennot-Bourgin travelled to Iran in <strong>the</strong> same period and authored four<br />
papers alone or jointly with Iranian colleagues.<br />
7. Norwegian mycologist, Eckblad (1970) published his findings on Gasteromycetes<br />
<strong>of</strong> Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq based on material that were collected by P.<br />
Wendelbo from Iran.<br />
8. W. Gerlach, German mycologist, worked for three months in Iran in 1968 and<br />
published three papers on Iranian Fusarium and Cylindrocarpon species alone or<br />
jointly with Iranian colleagues (Gerlach & Ershad 1970).<br />
9. W. Frey & H.J. Mayeo (1971) listed papers published about plants and fungi <strong>of</strong><br />
Iran.<br />
10. R.L. Steyaert was again in Iran in this period, in 1972 published a paper on<br />
Ganoderma and reported a few Iranian fungi too.
11. J. Altman, American researcher, who worked in Iran (Power & Water<br />
Organization, Dezful, Khuzistan) on plant diseases, published a few papers on<br />
fungal diseases <strong>of</strong> plants.<br />
12. H. Riedl travelled to Iran in spring 1974 in order to collect plants, fungi and<br />
lichens <strong>of</strong> Iran. He jointly published a paper with his Iranian collaborator (Riedl &<br />
Ershad 1977).<br />
13. N. Hallenberg, Swedish mycologist, who worked on wood inhabiting fungi as <strong>the</strong><br />
subject <strong>of</strong> his <strong>the</strong>sis, travelled to <strong>the</strong> Caspian Sea region in a couple <strong>of</strong> occasions<br />
with his Iranian collaborators and <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> his worked was published in four<br />
papers (Hallenberg 1978).<br />
14. K. Vánky, smut specialist, travelled to Iran in spring 1990 and with his Iranian<br />
collaborator visited central, eastern and nor<strong>the</strong>rn parts <strong>of</strong> Iran and published<br />
two papers on Iranian smut fungi (Vánky & Ershad 1993).<br />
15. H.B. Gjaerum, Norwegian rust specialist, collaborated with Iranian rust specialists<br />
5. Fifth period: from 2000<br />
and reported Iranian rust fungi in a few papers and also published a joint paper<br />
with Iranian mycologists (Ershad et al. 1997).<br />
This period is distinct from o<strong>the</strong>r periods because molecular techniques were used in <strong>the</strong><br />
identification <strong>of</strong> fungi <strong>of</strong> Iran. In this period several Iranian mycologists were educated abroad<br />
or at Iranian universities who used molecular techniques in <strong>the</strong>ir works.<br />
A turning point in <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> mycology in Iran is <strong>the</strong> foundation <strong>of</strong> Iranian <strong>Mycological</strong><br />
Society which took place on 15 September 2010 at <strong>the</strong> Iranian Research Institute <strong>of</strong> Plant<br />
Protection, Tehran, where five executive committee members were elected during <strong>the</strong> first<br />
general meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> society.<br />
The number <strong>of</strong> Iranian mycologists was increased and nearly most papers were dedicated to<br />
specific groups <strong>of</strong> fungi. Due to <strong>the</strong> large number <strong>of</strong> Iranian mycologists in this period we refrain<br />
from writing <strong>the</strong>ir names. It is important here to mention <strong>the</strong> names <strong>of</strong> two outstanding<br />
mycologists whose collaboration and support to young Iranian mycologists significantly
contributed to <strong>the</strong> advancement <strong>of</strong> mycology in Iran. These great mycologists are W. Gams<br />
(Swiss-Austrian mycologists who works in <strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands) and U. Braun (German mycologist).<br />
As was mentioned here, in <strong>the</strong> first paper published on Iranian fungi (Biossier & Buhse 1860) 33<br />
species were reported. In <strong>the</strong> third edition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 'Fungi <strong>of</strong> Iran' Ershad (2009) listed 3229 fungal<br />
species/varieties toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong>ir substrates and localities. Now after 151 years <strong>of</strong><br />
mycological study in Iran <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> fungal species/varieties <strong>of</strong> Iran reaches some 3300.<br />
These taxa belong to 871 genera that are: 20 <strong>of</strong> Protozoa, 15 <strong>of</strong> Chromista, 261 <strong>of</strong><br />
Deuteromycota, 225 <strong>of</strong> Ascomycota, 315 <strong>of</strong> Basidiomycota (including 289 <strong>of</strong> Agaricomycotina,<br />
21 <strong>of</strong> Pucciniomycotina and 15 <strong>of</strong> Ustilaginomycotina), 4 <strong>of</strong> Blastocladiomycota, 2 <strong>of</strong><br />
Chytridiomycota, 9 <strong>of</strong> Glomeromycota and 20 <strong>of</strong> Zygomycota.<br />
The first general meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Iranian <strong>Mycological</strong> Society on 15 September 2010
References<br />
Boissier E., Buhse F. (1860) Aufzählung der auf eine Reise durch Transkaukasien und Persien<br />
gesammelten Pflanzen Fungi. Nouveaux Mémoires de la Société Imperiale des Naturalistes de<br />
Moscou, Tom 12: 244-246.<br />
Bornmüller J (1908) Beiträge zur Flora der Elbusgebirge, Nord-Persiens. Fungi Bull. Herb. Boisser.<br />
2 ser. 8: 917-922.<br />
Bornmüller J (1911) Collectiones Straussianae novae. Weiter Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Flora<br />
West-Persiens, Fungi. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 28: Abt: II. Heft 3: 529-531.<br />
Chatin M (1897) Les terfas (truffles) de Pers. C. r. Séanc. Acad. Sci., Paris 125: 387-388.<br />
Cooke MC (1880) Exotic fungi, Persia. Grevillea 9: 13-14.<br />
Eckblad F-E (1970) Gasteromycetes from Iraq. Iran and Afghanestan. Nytt. Mag. Bot. 17: 129-<br />
138.<br />
Ershad D, Abbasi M and Gjaerum HB (1997) Report <strong>of</strong> several rust taxa from Iran. Iran. J. Plant<br />
Path. 19: 40-45.<br />
Fragoso RG (1918) Pugillus seundus mycetorum Persiae (Lecti. A Ferd Martinez de la Escalera)<br />
Boln R. Soc. Esp. Hist. nat. 18: 78-85.<br />
Hallenberg N (1978) Wood-fungi (Corticiaceae, Coniophoraceae, Lachnocladiaceae,<br />
Telephoraceae) in N. Iran. I. Iran. J. Plant Path. 14: 38-87.<br />
Heim R (1960) Le pleurote des ombellifères en Iran. Revue Mycol. 25: 242-247.<br />
Henderson DM (1969) Two new puccinias from south west Asia. Notes R. Bot. Gdn Edinb. 29:<br />
389-390.<br />
Jørstad I (1960) Iranian plants collected by Per Wendelbo in 1959. II. Uredinales and some o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
parasitic fungi. Arb. Univ. Bergen. Nat.-Natur. Serie 11: 1-33.
Khabiri E (1952) Contribution á la myc<strong>of</strong>lore de ľ Iran. Premiere liste. Revue Mycol. 17: 154-157.<br />
Magnus P (1896) J. Bornmüller. Iter Persico-turcicum 1892/93. Fungi Pars I. Ein Beitrag zur<br />
Kenntnis der Pilze des Orients. Verh. K. K. Zool.-Bot. Gesellsch. Wien 46: 426-438.<br />
Magnus P (1899) J. Bornmüller. Iter Persico-turcicum 1892/93. Fungi Pars II. Ein Beitrag zur<br />
Kenntnis der Pilze des Orients. Verh. K. K. Zool.-Bot. Gesellsch. Wien 49: 432-449.<br />
Massee GE (1899) Fungi exotici II Persia. Kew Bull. 146: 153-154.<br />
Petrak F (1939) Fungi in K.H. Rechinger: Ergebnisse einer botanichen Reise nach dem Iran, 1937.<br />
Ann. Naturh. Mus. Wien 50: 414-521.<br />
Petrak F und Esfandiari E (1941) Beiträge zur Kenntnis der iranischen Pilzflora. Ann. Mycol. 39:<br />
204-228.<br />
Rabenhorst L. (1871) Ü bersicht der von Herrn Pr<strong>of</strong>. Dr. Hassknecht im Orient gesammelten<br />
Kryptogammen. Hedwigia 10: 17-27.<br />
Riedl H und Ershad D (1977) Mykologishe Ergebnisse einer Sammelreise in den Iran im Frühgahr<br />
1974. I. Sydowia 29: 155-169.<br />
Rostrup PE (1908) Lieutenant Olufsen's second Pamir-Expedition. Plant collected in Asia Media<br />
and Persia by Ova Paulsen. V. Fungi. Bot. Tidsskr. 28: 215-218.<br />
Sydow H und Sydow P (1908a) Einige neuve von Herrn J. Bornmüller in Persien gesammelte<br />
Pilze. Ann. Mycol. 6: 17-18.<br />
Sydow H und Sydow P (1908b) Micromycetes orientales acl. J. Bornmüller communicati. Ann.<br />
Mycol. 6: 526-530.<br />
Vánky K and Ershad D (1993) Smut fungi (Ustilaginales) new to Iran. Iran J. Plant Path. 29: 1-29.<br />
Viennot-Bourgin G (1958) Contribution á la connaissanse des champignons parasities de ľ Iran.<br />
Ann. Epiphyt. N. S. 9: 97-210.
Wettstein R (1885) Fungi in O. Stapf: Die botanischen Ergebnisse der polakschen Expedition<br />
nach Persien im Jahre 1882. Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien 50: 1-4.<br />
Studies <strong>of</strong> fungal diversity in nor<strong>the</strong>rn Thailand<br />
Thailand is rich in tropical forests where fungi and fungi-like organisms are hyperdiverse. Many<br />
areas however, remain unexplored, thus, many organisms still await discovery and<br />
identification. The National Science Foundation provided funds that support a program that<br />
provides opportunities to aspiring mycologists to carry out studies on fungi and fungi-like<br />
organisms in nor<strong>the</strong>rn Thailand. Selected undergraduate and graduate students from <strong>the</strong><br />
United States and Thailand participated in <strong>the</strong> workshop on “Fungal Diversity in Nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
Thailand” in June 2011. The students were able to interact with International mycologists from<br />
various universities in <strong>the</strong> United States and Thailand who gave <strong>the</strong>m educational experiences<br />
related to biodiversity. Dr. Steve Stephenson, <strong>the</strong> program coordinator from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong><br />
Arkansas and Dr. Steve Miller, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> co-directors from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Wyoming<br />
facilitated <strong>the</strong> workshop. They shared <strong>the</strong>ir expertise in micr<strong>of</strong>ungi and macr<strong>of</strong>ungi as well as<br />
fungi-like organisms such as myxomycetes. Dr. Kevin D. Hyde <strong>of</strong> Mae Fah Luang University and<br />
Dr. Saisamorn Lumyong <strong>of</strong> Chiang Mai University were also involved in <strong>the</strong> program.<br />
Dr. Stephenson, explaining to <strong>the</strong> students <strong>the</strong> does and don’t’s in collecting fungal specimens.
Dr. Miller, showing <strong>the</strong> students Lactarius sp. and Rhizophogun (truffles) collected from Doi Inthanon.<br />
Various study sites in nor<strong>the</strong>rn Thailand were chosen based on <strong>the</strong> accessibility and diversity <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> area. These include, Doi Inthanon, Doi Su<strong>the</strong>p, Mae Sae, Mushroom Research Center and<br />
Pamathikaram temple. The laboratory activities, lectures, processing <strong>of</strong> samples and analyzing<br />
<strong>of</strong> data were all conducted at <strong>the</strong> Mushroom Research Centre. The students from different<br />
countries (America, China, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand) worked toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
in processing <strong>of</strong> samples and analyzing data that helped <strong>the</strong>m develop camaraderie and<br />
understand <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> team work.
The Mushroom Research Centre. A bliss. An ideal place to learn Mycology.<br />
Personally, <strong>the</strong> fungal diversity workshop has helped me a lot to widen my knowledge in<br />
Mycology. I am very fortunate to be chosen as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> participants <strong>of</strong> this workshop<br />
because I was able to work with international mycologists. I will never forget all <strong>the</strong> knowledge<br />
and skills <strong>the</strong>y have shared us during classroom discussions, laboratory activities and field work.<br />
They provided us with a deeper understanding about biodiversity and made us realize that as<br />
aspiring mycologists we should know our responsibilities.<br />
Also, It was a great opportunity to work with foreign students from America, Sri Lanka, China,<br />
Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. I learned a lot from <strong>the</strong>m. I hope one day, we can come up with<br />
a big project that will contribute to fungal diversity. More brains, more ideas. The interaction<br />
with <strong>the</strong>m, joint activities and field work made me realized that <strong>the</strong>re is so much research to be<br />
carried out. Each country needs to establish information based on <strong>the</strong>ir biodiversity and make
national collections <strong>of</strong> organisms found in <strong>the</strong>se areas. Our journey does not stop here. There is<br />
a long way to go, thus, <strong>the</strong> search for <strong>the</strong> missing fungi continues.<br />
Overal, <strong>the</strong> workshop was a great success! I went back to my country carrying a collection<br />
basket not full <strong>of</strong> mushrooms but filled with knowledge about mycology. It has been my dream<br />
for <strong>the</strong> Philippines to follow <strong>the</strong> path <strong>of</strong> carrying out <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> research <strong>of</strong> mycology.<br />
Kudos to <strong>the</strong> organizers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> MRC WORKSHOP 2011.<br />
PAMELA P. ALVA (Pam)<br />
Philippines<br />
Ph.D. Student, Mae Fah Luang University<br />
Chiang Rai Thailand<br />
The Fungal Diversity Research Group 2011.
Mycology in Laos<br />
Phengsintham P 1,2 , E. Chukeatirote E 1 , Hyde KD 1 and Braun U 3<br />
1 School <strong>of</strong> Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100. Thailand<br />
2 Biology Department, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Sciences, National University <strong>of</strong> Laos<br />
3 Martin-Lu<strong>the</strong>r-Universität, Institut für Biologie, Bereich Geobotanik und Botanischer Garten, Herbarium, Neuwerk<br />
21 D-06099 Halle/S. Germany<br />
Abstract: Lao PDR is considered to be globally important for biodiversity conservation due to its<br />
relatively high forest cover and high diversity <strong>of</strong> flora and fauna. A total <strong>of</strong> 12,116 species:<br />
8,000-11,000 species <strong>of</strong> flowering plants, fauna includes 166 species <strong>of</strong> reptiles and amphibians,<br />
at least 700 bird species, 90 known species <strong>of</strong> bats and at least 100 species <strong>of</strong> large mammals,<br />
and fungi 60 species.<br />
There have very few studies on Lao fungi. 1959-1974 was <strong>the</strong> war condition period and<br />
almost temporary stop study in Mycology, and for each institute <strong>the</strong> teaching curriculum only<br />
mentioned about <strong>the</strong> general mycology and focused on macr<strong>of</strong>ungi such as edible and<br />
poisonous mushroom. From 1975 up to now <strong>the</strong> teaching curriculum has been<br />
developed and started studying specific subjects on fungi. A total <strong>of</strong> 201 fungi species have<br />
recorded from Laos: Ascomycota 24 species, Basidiomycota 44 species, Deuteromycota 133<br />
species. By integrating <strong>the</strong> morphological and molecular characters, nine new taxa were<br />
established, namely Passalora dipterocarpi, P. helicteris-viscidae, Pseudocercospora<br />
mannanorensis Bagyan., U. Braun & Jagad. var. paucifasciculata, Zasmidium aporosae, Z.<br />
jasminicola, Z. meynae-laxiflorae, Z. micromeli, Z. suregadae, Z. pavettae, while o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
cercosporoids species represent new record for Laos.These data are expected to shed light on<br />
<strong>the</strong> diversity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fungal group in this region.<br />
Keywords: Mycology / Biodiversity / Curriculum / South East Asia.
Introduction<br />
Overview <strong>of</strong> Biodiversity in Laos<br />
Lao PDR is considered to be globally important for biodiversity conservation due to its<br />
relatively high forest cover and high diversity <strong>of</strong> flora and fauna. Approximately 41% <strong>of</strong> Lao PDR<br />
is covered with forest which contains an estimated 8,000-11,000 species <strong>of</strong> flowering plants.<br />
The country’s fauna includes 166 reported species <strong>of</strong> reptiles and amphibians, at least 700 bird<br />
species, 90 known species <strong>of</strong> bats and at least 100 species <strong>of</strong> large mammals (STEA, 2003), and<br />
fungi 60 species (Phengsintham & Hyde, 2003a).<br />
<strong>Mycological</strong> studies from 1959 to 1974<br />
1959-1974 it was <strong>the</strong> war condition period and temporary stop studying in Mycology,<br />
and for teaching curriculum only mentioned about general information about fungi.<br />
The fungi <strong>of</strong> Laos were little studied. Vidal (1959), a French botanist, published a<br />
checklist <strong>of</strong> plant species <strong>of</strong> Laos which included 33 species <strong>of</strong> Lao fungi. Almost all names <strong>of</strong><br />
fungi are local names, but include some scientific names.<br />
<strong>Mycological</strong> studies from 1975 to 2011<br />
For this period can be divided into two phases:<br />
(1) In 1975, combined two institutes such as Viengxay Pedagogical Institute, in Hua<br />
Phanh province and Dongdok Pedagogical Institute into one institute called “Dongdok<br />
Pedagogical Institute <strong>of</strong> Vientiane, Lao PDR”. The study in Mycology is focused on general<br />
information about fungi. In that time, <strong>the</strong> Kingdom fungi still belong to plant.<br />
(2) In 1996, <strong>the</strong> National University <strong>of</strong> Laos was established on <strong>the</strong> Prime Minister’s<br />
Decree No. 50/PM, dated 09/06/1995 and began first academic year on 5 November 1996, by<br />
merging 10 higher learning institution previously operated under different governmental<br />
department and ministries to form a full-fledged university called “National University <strong>of</strong> Laos<br />
(NUOL)”. The one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main objectives is to educate Lao students to become qualified
economic staff with good behaviour, generosity, and <strong>the</strong> advanced capability leading regional<br />
and international standards. So far, <strong>the</strong> National University has <strong>of</strong>fered <strong>the</strong> following academic<br />
programs <strong>of</strong> 96 bachelor degree programs, 33 continuing bachelor programs, 37 master’s<br />
degree programs, and 3 doctoral degree programs (Saignaleut, 2011).<br />
More new buildings were constructed; one <strong>of</strong> those is laboratory <strong>of</strong> Biology Department,<br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Sciences, NUOL (Fig. 1). National University <strong>of</strong> Laos has taken <strong>the</strong> measures in<br />
providing students with more opportunity to gain access to university in <strong>the</strong> equitable manner<br />
through <strong>the</strong> annual entrance examination and quota system called a quota and non-quota<br />
programs. The number <strong>of</strong> students graduating from NUOL has been increasing every year as<br />
shown in <strong>the</strong> following Table 1.<br />
Table 1: Number <strong>of</strong> student summary<br />
Academic year Number <strong>of</strong> registered students Number <strong>of</strong> graduating students<br />
Total Female Total Female<br />
1996-1997 8,137 2,270 687 237<br />
1997-1998 9,890 2,976 1,521 384<br />
1998-1999 11,168 3,663 1,400 381<br />
1999-2000 11,746 4,345 1,655 428<br />
2000-2001 13,079 5,426 2,157 579<br />
2001-2002 16,613 5,982 2,959 882<br />
2002-2003 18,366 6,215 2,734 651<br />
2003-2004 20,550 7,457 3,090 905<br />
2004-2005 22,624 8,263 3,742 1,036<br />
2005-2006 26,673 9,415 3,981 1,299<br />
2006-2007 28,366 10,215 4,925 1,608<br />
2007-2008 32,332 11,069 5,595 1,813<br />
2008-2009 36,706 12,963 5,849 2,016<br />
2009-2010 40,731 14,537 6,639 2,492<br />
2010-2011 37,504 16,729 6,611 2,404<br />
Total 323,915 121,525 53,545 17,115<br />
Source: Reports on <strong>the</strong> activities <strong>of</strong> NUOL within 15 years (1996-2011).
The fungi study was started by updating teaching curriculum and focused study on<br />
macr<strong>of</strong>ungi such as edible and poisonous mushroom, but almost data only in reports, no<br />
publications.<br />
Our overseas collaboration was carried with <strong>the</strong> “Mushroom Research Centre, Chiang<br />
Mai, Thailand”, School <strong>of</strong> Science, Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), Chiang Rai, Thailand and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r institutions, and attempted to document macro- and micr<strong>of</strong>ungi respectively:<br />
Phengsintham & Hyde (2003a) updated list <strong>of</strong> fungi from Laos, including 60 fungi species, and<br />
published “Twenty ascomycetes on palms from Laos” (Phengsintham & Hyde, 2003b). seven (7)<br />
genera (Alternaria, Cercospora, Cladosporium, Chlamydomyces, Curvularia, Passalora,<br />
Pseudocercospora) <strong>of</strong> dematiaceous hyphomycetes were recorded in <strong>the</strong> B.Sc. report <strong>of</strong><br />
Vongphachanh et al. (2007), and ten (10) genera (Alternaria, Arthrinium, Cephaleros,<br />
Cladosporium, Dictyoerthirinium, Meliola, Scolecostigmina, Spirops, Pseudocercospora and<br />
Tripospermum) <strong>of</strong> Hyphomycetes and 2 genera (Pestalopsis & Collectotrichum) <strong>of</strong> Coelomycetes<br />
on leaf and fruit <strong>of</strong> Mango (Mangifera indica) were recorded in BSc <strong>the</strong>sis (Vanavong &<br />
Khamphonvixay, 2009). Phengsintham et al. (2009) published paper “Cercospora and allied<br />
genera from Laos 1: notes on five new species <strong>of</strong> Zasmidium”. Beside that, Phengsintham et al.<br />
(2010a, 2010b) also published papers “Cercospora and allied genera from Lao 2&3”. A total <strong>of</strong><br />
201 fungi species have recorded from Laos: Ascomycota 24 species, Basidiomycota 44 species,<br />
Deuteromycota about 133 species (Table 2).<br />
By integrating <strong>the</strong> morphological and molecular characters, nie new taxa were<br />
established, namely Passalora dipterocarpi, P. helicteris-viscidae, Pseudocercospora<br />
mannanorensis Bagyan., U. Braun & Jagad. var. paucifasciculata, Zasmidium aporosae, Z.<br />
jasminicola, Z. meynae-laxiflorae, Z. micromeli, Z. suregadae, Z. pavettae, while o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
cercosporoids species represent new record for Laos.
Fig.1. Laboratory building and microscopes<br />
Lab. building <strong>of</strong> Biology Department, Faculty<br />
<strong>of</strong> Sciences, NUOL<br />
Table 2. Fungi species described from Laos<br />
Microscopes and stereoscopes are used in <strong>the</strong><br />
lab. for research activities<br />
Taxa<br />
ASCOMYCOTA<br />
Local<br />
name<br />
Appendicospora<br />
Apiospora- Decaying on<br />
hongkongensis Yanna,<br />
ceae<br />
petiole <strong>of</strong><br />
K.D. Hyde & Frohl.<br />
Livistona chinensis<br />
Arecophila motobilis K.D. Cainiaceae Decaying on stem<br />
Hyde<br />
<strong>of</strong> Calamus<br />
viminalis<br />
Astrocystis sp. Xylariaceae Decaying on stem<br />
<strong>of</strong> C. flagellum<br />
Astrosphaeriella<br />
Melanommat Decaying on stem<br />
fisurostroma J. Frohl. &<br />
K.D.Hyde<br />
aceae <strong>of</strong> C. flagellum<br />
Astrosphaeriella<br />
Melanom- Decaying on stem<br />
malayensis K.D. Hyde &J.<br />
mataceae <strong>of</strong> Calamus<br />
Frohl.<br />
viminalis<br />
Diapor<strong>the</strong> palmarum J.E.<br />
Valsaceae Decaying on stem<br />
Taylor, K.K.Hyde & E,B,G.<br />
Jones<br />
<strong>of</strong> C. flagellum<br />
Fasciatispora petrakii<br />
Xylariaceae Decaying on leaf<br />
(Mhaskar & V.G. Rao)<br />
<strong>of</strong> Borassus<br />
K.D. Hyde<br />
flabellifer<br />
Guignardia calami (Syd.<br />
Mycosphae- Decaying on leaf<br />
P. Syde) Arx & E. Moll.<br />
rellaceae <strong>of</strong> Cocos nucifera<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
T S Phengsintham &<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b<br />
T S Phengsintham &<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b<br />
T S Phengsintham &<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b<br />
T S Phengsintham &<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b<br />
T S Phengsintham &<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b<br />
T S Phengsintham &<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b<br />
T S Phengsintham &<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b<br />
T S Phengsintham &<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b
Taxa Local<br />
name<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
Hirsutella citriformis<br />
Baculoviri- On Ant T P Keokene (NOUL 022)<br />
Speare<br />
dae<br />
Lophiostoma graciale<br />
Lophiosto- Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham &<br />
(Fuckel) Holm<br />
mataceae <strong>of</strong> C. flagellum<br />
Hyde. 2003b<br />
Massarina corticola<br />
Lophiosto- Decaying on T S Phengsintham &<br />
(Fuckel) Holm<br />
mataceae petiole <strong>of</strong> Licuala<br />
grandis<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b<br />
Massarina palmicola<br />
Lophiosto- Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham &<br />
K.D.Hyde & Aptroot<br />
mataceae <strong>of</strong> C. flagellum<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b<br />
Myelosperma tumidum<br />
Myelosper- Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham &<br />
Syd. & P. Syd.<br />
maceae <strong>of</strong> C. flagellum<br />
Hyde. 2003b<br />
Mytilidion cf. acicola<br />
Mytilidaceae Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham &<br />
Winter.<br />
<strong>of</strong> C. flagellum<br />
Hyde. 2003b<br />
Ophiocordycep s<br />
Ophiocordy- On Wasp T P Keokene (NOUL 005)<br />
shecocephala (Klotzsch)<br />
G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung,<br />
Hywel-Jones & Spatafora<br />
cipitaceae<br />
Ophiocordyceps<br />
Ophiocordy- On Wasp T P Keokene (NOUL 023)<br />
myrmecophila (Cesati)<br />
G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung,<br />
Hywel-Jones & Spatafora<br />
cipitaceae<br />
Oxydothis bruneiensis J.<br />
Hyponectri- Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham &<br />
Frohl. & K.D. Hyde<br />
aceae <strong>of</strong> Cocos nucifera<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b<br />
Oxydothis elaeicola Petr.<br />
Hyponectri- Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham &<br />
Apud Petrak & deighton<br />
aceae <strong>of</strong> C. flagellum<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b<br />
Oxydothis rattanica J.<br />
Hyponectri- Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham &<br />
Frohl. & K.D. Hyde<br />
aceae <strong>of</strong> C. flagellum<br />
Hyde. 2003a&b<br />
Pestalosphaeria elaeidis<br />
Amphisphae- Decaying on leaf T S Phengsintham &<br />
(Booth & Robertson) Ao<br />
riaceae <strong>of</strong> Cocos nucifera<br />
Hyde. 2003b<br />
Phaeodothis sp. Phaeosphae- Decaying on leaf T S Phengsintham &<br />
riaceae <strong>of</strong> Caryota mitis<br />
Hyde. 2003b<br />
Phomatospora sp. Xylidaceae Decaying on leaf T S Phengsintham &<br />
<strong>of</strong> Caryota mitis<br />
Hyde. 2003b<br />
Torrubiella iriomoteana<br />
Cordycipita- Insect<br />
T P Keokene<br />
Kobayasi & Shimizu<br />
ceae<br />
(Hemiptera)<br />
(MUO00001.1)<br />
Valsa chlorine Pat. Valsaceae Decaying on stem T S Phengsintham &<br />
BASIDIOMYCOTA<br />
<strong>of</strong> Cocos nucifera<br />
Hyde. 2003b<br />
Agaricus cinereus Het Agaricaceae On soil under T S Vidal, 1959<br />
Schaeff.<br />
Khi<br />
Khou<br />
ay<br />
grass<br />
Agaricus equestris Lour. Het<br />
Khi<br />
Mah<br />
Agaricaceae On host dug T S Vidal, 1959<br />
Agaricus sp. Het<br />
Poua<br />
Agaricaceae On soil T S Vidal,1959
Taxa Local<br />
name<br />
k<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
Astraeus hygrometricus Het Astreaceae On soil in dry T S Vidal,1959<br />
(Pers) Morg.<br />
Phoh<br />
dipterocarp forest<br />
Amanita vaginata Fr. Het Amanitaceae On soil T S Thavatdy et al., 2008<br />
var. alba (Fr.) Gill. La<br />
Ngok<br />
Khao<br />
Amanita vaginata (Fr.) Het Amanitaceae On soil T S Thavatdy et al., 2008<br />
Quel. Var. fulva<br />
La<br />
Ngok<br />
Luang<br />
Auricularis auricular Het Auricula-ceae Decaying wood in T S Vidal, 1959, Khamta<br />
(Hook F.) Underw. Hou<br />
Nou<br />
forest<br />
et al, 2003<br />
Auricularia polytricha Het Auricula-ceae Decaying wood in T S Khamta et al., 2003<br />
(Mont.) Sacc.<br />
Hou<br />
Nou,<br />
Het<br />
Sa<br />
Noun<br />
, Het<br />
sa<br />
Tao<br />
forest<br />
Auricularia ternus (Lev.) Het Auricula-ceae Decaying wood in T S Khamta et al., 2003<br />
farlow<br />
Hou<br />
Nou<br />
forest<br />
Boletus sp. (1) Het<br />
Tup<br />
Tau<br />
Dam<br />
Boletaceae On soil T S Khamta et al., 2003<br />
Boletus sp. (2) Het<br />
Tup<br />
Tau<br />
Dam<br />
Boletaceae On soil T S Khamta et al., 2003<br />
Calvatia craniformis Het Lycoperda- On soil T S Khamta et al., 2003<br />
Coker et Couch<br />
Chao<br />
Mark<br />
ceae<br />
Cantharella minor Pek Het Canthrarel- On soil T S Phengsintham and<br />
Khi<br />
Minn<br />
oy<br />
laceae<br />
Hyde, 2003a<br />
Cantharella<br />
Het Canthrarel- On soil T S Phengsintham and<br />
subbrubarius Pek Mun<br />
Pau<br />
laceae<br />
Hyde, 2003a<br />
Clavaria sp. Clavaria-ceae On soil T S Vidal, 1959<br />
Coprinus disseminates<br />
Coprina-ceae Decaying wood T S Phengsintham and<br />
(Schaeff. Ex Fr.) S.F. Gray<br />
Hyde, 2003a
Taxa Local<br />
name<br />
Coprinus cinereus<br />
(Schaeff. Ex Fr.) S.F. Gray<br />
Coriolus caperatus Berk. Het<br />
hou<br />
Sua<br />
Coriolus biformis KI. Het<br />
Bok<br />
Dictyophora indusiata Het<br />
(vent.) Fisch.<br />
dang<br />
Hae<br />
Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Het<br />
Karst<br />
Lin<br />
Chu<br />
Lactarius flavidulus Imai Het<br />
Khah<br />
Lactarius sp. (1) Het<br />
Khah<br />
Lactarius sp. (2) Het<br />
Khah<br />
Lepiota sp. Het<br />
Khon<br />
Kong<br />
Lentinus flavidulus Imai. Het<br />
Kha<br />
Lentinus sajar-caju (Fr.) Het<br />
Fr.<br />
Pok<br />
Lentinus polychrous Lev. Het<br />
Khon,<br />
Het<br />
Both<br />
Lentinus squarrosulus<br />
Mont.<br />
Het<br />
Khon<br />
Khao<br />
Het<br />
Hom<br />
Het<br />
Seng<br />
Lentinus edodes (Berk.)<br />
Singer.<br />
Microporus xanthopus<br />
(fr.) Pat.<br />
Mycena sp. Het<br />
Khau<br />
Tok,<br />
Het<br />
Kai<br />
Noy<br />
Pleurotus ostreatus (Fr.) Het<br />
Guil.<br />
Nang<br />
Lom<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
Coprina-ceae Decaying wood T S Khamta et al., 2003<br />
Polyporaceae<br />
Decaying wood T S Vidal, 1959<br />
Polyporaceae<br />
Decaying wood T S Vidal, 1959<br />
Phallaceae On soil T S Vidal, 1959<br />
Polyporaceae<br />
On soil T S Vidal, 1959<br />
Russualaceae<br />
On soil T S Khamta et al, 2003<br />
Russualaceae<br />
On soil T S Khamta et al, 2003<br />
Russualaceae<br />
On soil T S Khamta et al, 2003<br />
Agarica-ceae On soil T S Vidal, 1959<br />
PolypodiaceaePolypodiaceae <br />
Polypodiaceae <br />
Polypodiaceae<br />
Decaying wood T S Thavatdy et al, 2008<br />
Decaying wood <strong>of</strong><br />
Terminalia,<br />
Cratoxylon sp., etc<br />
T S Khamta et al, 2003<br />
Decaying wood T S Khamta et al, 2003<br />
Decaying wood T S Khamta et al, 2003<br />
Polypodiaceae<br />
Decaying wood T S Khamta et al, 2003<br />
Polypodiaceae<br />
Decaying wood T S Vidal, 1959<br />
Agarica-ceae On soil T S Khamta et al, 2003<br />
Pleurota-ceae Decaying wood T S Thavatdy et al, 2008
Taxa Local<br />
name<br />
Russula cyanoxantha Het<br />
Schaeff. Ex fr.<br />
Naa<br />
Muan<br />
g<br />
Russula nigricans Fr. Het<br />
Thain<br />
Ngai<br />
Russula sanguine Fr. Het<br />
Nam<br />
mak<br />
Rusulla sp. (1) Het<br />
Than<br />
Noi<br />
Rusulla sp. (2) Het<br />
Than<br />
Noi<br />
Rusulla sp. (3) Het<br />
Than<br />
Noi<br />
Russula violeipis Quel. Het<br />
Naa<br />
Muan<br />
g<br />
Schizophyllum commune Het<br />
Fr.<br />
Bee,<br />
het<br />
Tupk<br />
ae<br />
Termitomyces sp. Het<br />
Puak<br />
Termitomyces<br />
microcarpus (Berk & Br.)<br />
Heim<br />
Volvariella volvacea<br />
(Bull. & fr.)<br />
Het<br />
tupka<br />
i<br />
noy<br />
Het<br />
Fuan<br />
g<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
Russulaceae On soil in dry<br />
dipterocarp and<br />
oak forests<br />
Russula-ceae On soil in dry<br />
dipterocarp and<br />
oak forests<br />
T S Phengsintham et al.,<br />
1996; Khamta et al.,<br />
2003<br />
T S Phengsintham et al.,<br />
1996; Khamta et al.,<br />
2003<br />
Russula-ceae On soil in forest T S Thavady et al., 2008<br />
Russula-ceae On soil in dry<br />
dipterocarp and<br />
oak forests<br />
Russula-ceae On soil in dry<br />
dipterocarp and<br />
oak forests<br />
Russula-ceae On soil in dry<br />
dipterocarp and<br />
oak forests<br />
Russula-ceae On soil in dry<br />
dipterocarp and<br />
oak forests<br />
Schizophyllaceae<br />
DEUTEROMYCOTA<br />
Acremonium sp. Dematiaceae Decaying on<br />
petiole <strong>of</strong> Borasus<br />
flabellifer<br />
Alternaria brassicae<br />
(Berk.) Sacc.<br />
Alternaria cucurbitae<br />
Letendre & Braun.<br />
T S Khamta et al., 2003<br />
T S Khamta et al., 2003<br />
T S Khamta et al., 2003<br />
T S Khamta et al., 2003<br />
Decaying wood T S Khamta et al., 2003<br />
Agarica-ceae On soil T S Vidal, 1959;<br />
Phengsintham et al,<br />
2003<br />
Agaricaceae On soil T S Vidal, 1959;<br />
Phengsintham et al,<br />
2003<br />
Pluteaceae On grasses T S Vidal, 1959; Thavady<br />
et al., 2008<br />
Dematiaceae Parasitic on living<br />
leaf on Brassica<br />
integrifolia<br />
Dematiaceae Parasitic on living<br />
leaf on Cucurbita<br />
T S Phengsintham &<br />
Hyde, P2003a<br />
T P Vongphachanh et al.<br />
2007<br />
T P Vongphachanh et al.<br />
2007
Taxa Local<br />
name<br />
Alternaria solani (Ellis &<br />
Dematiacea<br />
hispida<br />
Parasitic on living<br />
G. martin) L.R. Jones &<br />
leaf on<br />
Grauz.<br />
Lycopersicon<br />
esculentum<br />
Cercospora achyranthis<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Syd. & P. Sydow.<br />
Achyran<strong>the</strong>s<br />
aspera<br />
Cercospora alocasiae<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Goh & W.H. Hsieh<br />
Alocasia<br />
macrorrhiza<br />
Cercospora apii Fresen. Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Byttneria<br />
andamanensis<br />
Cercospora artemisiae Y.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
L. Guo & Y. Jiang<br />
Artemisia caudata<br />
Cercospora asparangi<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Sacc.<br />
Asparagus<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficinalis<br />
Cercospora begoniae<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Nori<br />
Begonia inflate<br />
Cercospora bidentis<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Tharp.<br />
Bidens pilosa<br />
Cercospora brassicicola<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
P. Hennings<br />
Brassica<br />
integrifolia<br />
Cercospora canescens<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Ellis & G. Martin<br />
Lablab purpureus<br />
subsp.<br />
Bengalensis<br />
Cercospora cannabis<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Hara & Fukui<br />
Cannabis sativa<br />
Cercospora c<strong>of</strong>feicola<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Berk. & Cooke<br />
C<strong>of</strong>fea Arabica<br />
Cercospora citrulina<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Cooke<br />
Luffa cylindrical<br />
Cercospora cocciniae<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Munjal, Hall & Chona<br />
Coccinia indica<br />
Cercospora copsigena<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Bhartiya, R, Dubey & S.K.<br />
Singh<br />
Capsicum annuum<br />
Cercospora crophulariae<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
(Moesz) Chupp<br />
Scrophilaria sp<br />
Cercospora crotalaria<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Sacc.<br />
Crotalaria<br />
uncinella Lamk.<br />
Subsp. elliptica<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
T P Vongphachanh et al.<br />
2007<br />
T P Phengsintham (P43)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P464)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010a<br />
T P Phengsintham (P597)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham (P517)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010a<br />
T P Phengsintham (P172)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P646)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P301)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P199)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham (P380)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P570)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P574)
Taxa Local<br />
name<br />
Cercospora diplaziicola<br />
A.K. Das<br />
Cercospora durantae<br />
Chupp. & Muller<br />
Cercospora erechtitis<br />
Atkison<br />
Cercospora erythrinicola<br />
Tharrp<br />
Cercospora gossypina<br />
Cooke.<br />
Cercospora hyptidicola<br />
R.K.Srivast., N. Srivast. &<br />
A.K.Srivast.<br />
Cercospora ipomoeae G.<br />
Winter<br />
Cercospora meliicola<br />
Speg.<br />
Cercospora nasturtii<br />
Passerini.<br />
Cercospora nicotianicola<br />
J. M. Yen<br />
Cercospora nilhirensis<br />
Govinda & Thirun<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Diplazium<br />
esculentum<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Duranta repens<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Erechtites<br />
valerianifolius<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Erythrina stricta<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Gossypium<br />
herbaceum<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Hyptis suaveolens<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Ipomoea<br />
involucrata<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Chukrasia<br />
tabularis<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Nasturtium<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficinale<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Nicotiana<br />
tabacum<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Conyza<br />
banariensis<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Oroxylum indicum<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Paederia scandens<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Carica papaya<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Smilax chinensis<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010a<br />
T P Phengsintham (P333)<br />
T P Crous & Braun, 2003<br />
T P Phengsintham (P22)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010a<br />
T P Phengsintham (P581)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham (P583)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P240)<br />
Cercospora oroxyli<br />
Fresen.<br />
T P Phengsintham (P23)<br />
Cercospora paederiicola<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
Y.L. Guo<br />
2010a<br />
Cercospora papayae<br />
Hansf.<br />
T P Phengsintham (P122)<br />
Cercospora petersii<br />
(Berk. & M.A. Curtis) G.F.<br />
Atk.<br />
T P Phengsintham (P460)<br />
Cercospora physalidis<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
Ellis<br />
Physalis angulata<br />
2010a<br />
Cercospra ricinella Sacc.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P594)<br />
& Berl.<br />
Ricinus communis<br />
Cercospora sambuci Y.L.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P233)<br />
Guo & Jiang<br />
Sambucus<br />
Cercospora Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P567)
Taxa Local<br />
name<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
senecionicola J.J. Davis Senecio walkeri<br />
Cercospora somchi<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P600)<br />
Chupp.<br />
Taraxacum<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficinale<br />
Cercospora stahlianthi<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
Z.D. Jiang & P.K. Chi<br />
Stahlianthus<br />
thorelii<br />
2010a<br />
Cercospora taccae (Syd.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
& P. Syd.) Chupp.<br />
Tacca intergrifoia<br />
2010b<br />
Cercospora trewiae A.K.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P580)<br />
Kar & M. Madal<br />
Trewia nudiflora<br />
Cercospora tridacis-<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P282)<br />
procumbens Govindu &<br />
Tridax<br />
Thirum.<br />
procumbens<br />
Cercospora volkameriae<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
Speg.<br />
Clerodendron<br />
schmidtii<br />
2010a<br />
Cercospora zinniae A.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P82)<br />
Pande<br />
Zinnia elegans<br />
Cladoporium maculans<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P39)<br />
Schwein.<br />
Jasmium<br />
undulatum<br />
Cladosporium<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P413)<br />
alternioloratum R.F.<br />
Cyperus<br />
Castañeda & W.B.<br />
Kendr.<br />
alternifolius<br />
Cladosporium citri G.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P12)<br />
Briosi, & R. Farneti<br />
Citrus grandis<br />
Cladosporium colocasiae<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P185)<br />
Sawada<br />
Colocasia<br />
antiquorum<br />
Cladosporium fulvum<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P224)<br />
Cooke<br />
Lycopersicon<br />
esculentum<br />
Cladosporium musae<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P150)<br />
Mason.<br />
Musa sapientum<br />
Cladosporium<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P04)<br />
oxycarpum Berk. & Curt.<br />
Anadendrum<br />
latifolium<br />
Cladosporium zeae Peck Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Zea mays<br />
T P Phengsintham (P32)<br />
Corynespora sp. Dematiaceae Decaying on T S Phengsintham &<br />
petiole <strong>of</strong><br />
Calamus flagellum<br />
Hyde, P2003a<br />
Gyrotrix sp. Dematiaceae Decaying on T S Phengsintham &<br />
petiole <strong>of</strong> Cocos<br />
nucifera<br />
Hyde, P2003a
Taxa Local<br />
name<br />
Passalora aenea (Cif.) U.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Braun & Crous<br />
Cassia siamea<br />
Passalora benninghii<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
(Allesch.) R. F. Castañeda<br />
Manihot<br />
& U. Braun<br />
utilissima<br />
Passalora bougainvilliae<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
(Munt.-Cvetk.) R.F.<br />
Bougainvillea<br />
Castañeda & U. Braun<br />
spectabilis<br />
Passalora capsicicola<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
(Vassiljevsky) U. Braun<br />
and F. Freire.<br />
Capsicum annuum<br />
Passalora dipterocarpii<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
P. Phengsintham, K.D.<br />
Dipterocarpus<br />
Hyde. & U. Braun<br />
sp.nov.<br />
alatus<br />
Passalora erytrinae (Ellis<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
& Everh.) U. Braun &<br />
Crous.<br />
Erythrina stricta<br />
Passalora haldinae C.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Nakash. & Meeboon<br />
Haldina cordifolia<br />
Passalora helicteris-<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
viscidae P.<br />
Phengsintham, E.<br />
Chukeatirote, K.<br />
Abdelsalam, K.D. Hyde.<br />
& U. Braun sp.nov<br />
Helicteres viscida<br />
Passalora perfoliati (Ellis<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
&Everh) U. Braun &<br />
Crous.<br />
Chromolaena sp.<br />
Passalora tithoniae (R. E.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
D. Naker & W. T. Dale)<br />
Tithonia<br />
U. Braun & Crous.<br />
diversifolia<br />
Penicillium sp. Dematiaceae Decaying on<br />
petiole <strong>of</strong><br />
Livistona chinensis<br />
Periconiela lygodii Arch.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Singh, Bhalla & S.K.<br />
Lygodium<br />
Singh ex U. Braun<br />
flexuosum<br />
Pestalotiopsis smilasis<br />
Coelomyces Decaying on<br />
(Schusinithze) Sutton<br />
petiole <strong>of</strong> Cocos<br />
nucifera<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
alacicola (Muthappa)<br />
Kamal, M.K. Khan & R.K.<br />
Verma<br />
Olax scandens<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
alangii Y.L. Guo & X.L.<br />
Alangium kurzii<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010a<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010a<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010a<br />
T P Phengsintham (P27)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2009<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T S Phengsintham &<br />
Hyde, P2003a<br />
T P Phengsintham (P579)<br />
T S Phengsintham &<br />
Hyde, P2003a<br />
T P Phengsintham (P192)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P596)
Taxa Local<br />
name<br />
Liu<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
baliospermi (S. Chowdry)<br />
Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
buddleiae (W. Yammam)<br />
Goh & W.H. Hsieh<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
cassiae-occidentalis<br />
(J.M. Yen) J.M.Yen<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
catappae (Henn.) X.J.<br />
Liiu &Y. L. Guo<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
centromaticola (J.M. Yen<br />
& G. Lim) J.M. Yen<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
combretigena U. Braun<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
cotizensis (A.S. Mull. &<br />
Chupp) Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
cruenta (Sacc.) Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora cyclea<br />
(Chidd.) Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
duabangae M.D.<br />
Mehrotra & R.K. Verma<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
ecdysan<strong>the</strong>rae (J.M. Yen)<br />
J. M. Yen<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
eupatorii<strong>–</strong>formasani U.<br />
Braun & Bagyan.<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
formasana (W. Yamam)<br />
Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
fuligena (Roldan)<br />
Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
giranensis Sawada ex<br />
Goh & W.H. Hsieh<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
gmelinae (J.M. Yen &<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Baliospermum<br />
montanum<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Buddleia asiatica<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Cassia<br />
occidentalis<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Terminalia<br />
tomentosa<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Centrosema<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Calycopteris<br />
floribunda<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Crotalaria<br />
uncinella subsp.<br />
elliptica<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Mucuna pruriens<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Cyclea peltata<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Duabanga<br />
grandiflora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Ecdysan<strong>the</strong>ra<br />
rosea<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Chromolaena<br />
odorata<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Lantana camara<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Lycopersicon<br />
esculentum<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Glochidion<br />
eriocarpum<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Gmelina arborea<br />
T P Phengsintham (P549)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P560)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham (P543)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P44)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P545)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010a<br />
T P Phengsintham (P565)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P90)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham (P133)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010a<br />
T P Phengsintham (P576)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P49)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P181)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b
Taxa Local<br />
name<br />
Gilles) J.M. Yen<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
holarrhenae (Thirun. &<br />
Chupp.) Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora ixora<br />
(Solh.) Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
jussiaeae (G. F. Atk.)<br />
Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
lythracearum (Heald &<br />
F.A. Wolf) X.J. Liu & Y.L.<br />
Guo<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
macarangae (Sud. & P.<br />
Syd.) Deaighton<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
maesae (Hansf.) X.J. Liu<br />
& Y.L. Guo<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
malloticola Goh & Hsieh.<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
mannanorensis var.<br />
paucifasciculata P.<br />
Phengsintham, E.<br />
Chukeatirote, K.<br />
Abdelsalam, K.D. Hyde &<br />
U. Braun sp.nov<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
melochiae (Henn.)<br />
Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
musae (Zimm.) Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
namae (Dearn. & House)<br />
U. Braun & Crous<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
ocimicola (Petr. & Cif.)<br />
Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
paraguayensis (Tak.<br />
Kobay.) Crous<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
piperis (Pat.) Deighton<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
polygonicola (A.K. Kar &<br />
M. Mandal) Deighton<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Holarrhena curtisii<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Ixora stricta<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Ludwigia<br />
prostrata<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Lagerstroemia<br />
macrocarpa<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Macarangae<br />
denticulata<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Maesa<br />
ramentacea<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Mallotus thorelii<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Microcos<br />
paniculata<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Melochia<br />
corchorifolia<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Musa sapientum<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Hydrolea<br />
zeylanica<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Ocimum<br />
tenuiflorum<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Eucalyptus sp.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Piper lolot<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Polygonum<br />
pulchrum<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham (P50)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010a<br />
T P Phengsintham (P611)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P564)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P575)<br />
T P Phengsintham (P588)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2009<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010a<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham (P405)<br />
T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
2010b<br />
T P Phengsintham (P599)
Taxa Local<br />
name<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
Pseudocercospora puderi<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P164)<br />
Deighton<br />
Rosa chinensis<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
puerariicola (W.<br />
Pueraria<br />
2010a<br />
Yamam.) Deighton<br />
phaseoloides<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
punicae (Henn.)<br />
Deighton<br />
Punica granatum<br />
2011<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P358)<br />
sarcocephalii (Venn-<br />
Sarcocephalus<br />
Bourg) Deighton<br />
cordatus<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P644)<br />
scopariicola (J.M. Yen)<br />
Dieghton<br />
Scoparia dulcis<br />
Pseudocercospora sp. Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Micromelum<br />
hirsutum<br />
T P Phengsintham (P582)<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
sphaerellae-eugeniae<br />
(Sacc.) Crous, Alfenas &<br />
R. W. Barreto<br />
Sysygium cuminii<br />
2010b<br />
Pseudocercospora stahlii<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
(F. Stevens) Deighton<br />
Passiflora foetida<br />
2010a<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
tabernaemontanae (Syd.<br />
Tabernaemontana<br />
2010b<br />
& P. Syd.) Deighton<br />
coronaria<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
testonicola Ten, Kas &<br />
Das.<br />
Tectona grandis<br />
2010b<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
tetramilis A.N. Shukla &<br />
Tetrameles<br />
2010b<br />
Sarmah<br />
nudiflora<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
tiliacora (A.K. Kar & M.<br />
Mandal) Deighton<br />
Tiliacora triandra<br />
2010a<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
trematicola (J.M. Yen)<br />
Deighton<br />
Trema orientale<br />
2010b<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
trichophila (F. Stevens)<br />
Deighton<br />
Solanum undatum<br />
2010a<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P512)<br />
wendlandiae (U. Braun &<br />
Wendlandia<br />
Crous) B. Sutton<br />
thorelii<br />
Pseudocercospora<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
writiae (Thirum. &<br />
Wrightia<br />
2010a<br />
Chupp) Deighton<br />
pubescens
Taxa Local<br />
name<br />
Family Host H LM Ref.<br />
Pseudocercosporella<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Frank et al, 2010<br />
bakeri (Syd. & P. Syd.)<br />
Deighton<br />
Ipomoea aquatica<br />
Scolecostigmina<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
mangiferae (Koord) U.<br />
Braun & Mouch.<br />
Mangifera indica<br />
2010b<br />
Spegazzinia tessarthra<br />
Dematiaceae Decaying on T S Phengsintham &<br />
(Berk & Curt.) Sacc.<br />
petiole <strong>of</strong> Lcuala<br />
grandis<br />
Hyde, 2003a<br />
Spirops clavatus (Ellis &<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham (P390)<br />
Martin) M. B. Ellis.<br />
Mangifera indica<br />
Zasmidium aporosae P.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
Phengsintham, K.D.<br />
Hyde & U. Braun sp.nov<br />
Aporosa villosa<br />
2009<br />
Zasmidium jasmicola P.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
Phengsintham, K.D.<br />
Jasminum<br />
2009<br />
Hyde & U. Braun sp.nov<br />
undulatum<br />
Zasmidium maynae-<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
laxiflorae P.<br />
Phengsintham, K.D.<br />
Hyde & U. Braun sp.nov<br />
Meyna pubescens<br />
2009<br />
Zasmidium micromeli P.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
Phengsintham, K.D.<br />
Micromelum<br />
2010b<br />
Hyde & U. Braun sp.nov<br />
hirsutum<br />
Zasmidium pavetae P.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
Phengsintham, K.D.<br />
Hyde & U. Braun sp.nov<br />
Pavetta indica<br />
2009<br />
Zasmidium sp. (2) Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Dalbergia cultrata<br />
T P Phengsintham (P550)<br />
Zasmidium sp.(1) Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong><br />
Spondias pinnata<br />
T P Phengsintham (P605)<br />
Zasmidium suregadae P.<br />
Dematiaceae On living leaf <strong>of</strong> T P Phengsintham et al.,<br />
Phengsintham, K.D.<br />
Suregada<br />
2009<br />
Hyde & U. Braun sp.nov<br />
multiflora<br />
Note: C = Calamus, H = habitat, LM = life modes, S = saprobic. T= terrestrial. P = parasitic<br />
Discussions and Conclusions<br />
(1) Lao PDR is considered to be globally important for biodiversity conservation due to<br />
its relatively high forest cover and high diversity <strong>of</strong> flora and fauna.<br />
(2) A total <strong>of</strong> 12,116 species: 8,000-11,000 species <strong>of</strong> flowering plants, fauna includes<br />
166 reported species <strong>of</strong> reptiles and amphibians, at least 700 bird species, 90 known<br />
species <strong>of</strong> bats and at least 100 species <strong>of</strong> large mammals, and fungi 60 species.
The Future<br />
(3) There have very few studies on Lao fungi. 1959-1974, it was <strong>the</strong> war condition<br />
period and almost temporary stop study in Mycology, and for each institute teaching<br />
curriculum only mentioned about <strong>the</strong> general information <strong>of</strong> fungi, especially<br />
focused on mar<strong>of</strong>ungi. A total <strong>of</strong> 33 fungi species had recorded, and almost those<br />
fungi are belong to Basidiomycota.<br />
(4) From 1975 up to now <strong>the</strong> teaching curriculum has been developed and started study<br />
on fungi by cooperation with international organizations. A total <strong>of</strong> 168 fungi species<br />
have recorded from Laos: Ascomycota 24 species, Basidiomycota 11 species,<br />
Deuteromycota about 133 species. By integrating <strong>the</strong> morphological and molecular<br />
characters, nine new taxa were established, namely Passalora dipterocarpi, P.<br />
helicteris-viscidae, Pseudocercospora mannanorensis Bagyan., U. Braun & Jagad. var.<br />
paucifasciculata, Zasmidium aporosae, Z. jasminicola, Z. meynae-laxiflorae, Z.<br />
micromeli, Z. suregadae, Z. pavettae, while o<strong>the</strong>r cercosporoids species represent<br />
new record for Laos.These data are expected to shed light on <strong>the</strong> diversity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
fungal group in this region.<br />
(5) As we known <strong>the</strong> forest cover in Laos about 41 % <strong>of</strong> a total country, and <strong>the</strong>re still<br />
have primary forest and limestone areas, so that unexpoitation forests, may be have<br />
more fungal diversity.<br />
Based on <strong>the</strong> strategic plan for <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> NUOL, and to achieve <strong>the</strong> goals,<br />
vision and functions <strong>of</strong> NUOL for <strong>the</strong> educational quality development, six development<br />
strategic plans have been determined as follows:<br />
(1) Improve teachers, staff, and students.<br />
(2) Improve administration and management systems.<br />
(3) Improve <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> teaching and learning.<br />
(4) Improve <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> research and academic services.<br />
(5) Improve <strong>the</strong> infrastructure and facilities.<br />
(6) Improve <strong>the</strong> national and international collaborations.
Based on <strong>the</strong> strategic plan above, <strong>the</strong> fungi research activities are need to improve in<br />
teaching curriculum and research on fungi.<br />
Acknowledgements<br />
The authors would like to thank <strong>the</strong> Mushroom Research Foundation (MRF) for financial<br />
support. Special thanks also go to <strong>the</strong> MRF organizers and members <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>. K.D. Hyde’s<br />
laboratory, Mae Fah Luang University, and members <strong>of</strong> Biology department, Faculty <strong>of</strong> sciences,<br />
National University <strong>of</strong> Laos for <strong>the</strong>ir assistance.<br />
References<br />
Cous PW and Braun U 2003 <strong>–</strong> Mycosphaerella and its anamorphs: 1. Names published in<br />
Cercospora and Passalora. CBS Biodiversity Series 1: 1<strong>–</strong>569.<br />
Frank J, Crous PW, Groenewald JZ, Oertel B, Hyde KD, Phengsintham P and Schroers HJ 2010 <strong>–</strong><br />
Microcyclospora and Microcyclosporella: novel genera accommodating epiphytic fungi causing<br />
sooty blotch on apple. Persoonia 24, 2010: 93<strong>–</strong>105.<br />
Khamta D, Payaming B, Pravongviengkham S and Phengsintham P 2003 <strong>–</strong> Studies on Wild edible<br />
mushroom in Xaythani District, Vientiane Municipality, BSc report. National University <strong>of</strong> Laos.<br />
NUOL 2011 <strong>–</strong> Strategic plan National University <strong>of</strong> Laos, Vientiane, Lao PDR.<br />
Phengsintham P and Hyde KD 2003a <strong>–</strong> Check list <strong>of</strong> Lao fungi. Building Capacity in Biodiversity<br />
Information Sharing 2003. Ksukuba Japan, 184<strong>–</strong>190.<br />
Phengsintham P and Hyde KD 2003b <strong>–</strong> Fungi <strong>of</strong> Laos I: Ascomycetes from Palms. Building<br />
Capacity in Biodiversity Information Sharing 2003. Ksukuba Japan, 174<strong>–</strong>183.<br />
Phengsintham P, Hyde KD and Braun U 2009 <strong>–</strong> Cercospora and allied genera from Laos 1. Notes<br />
on Zasmidium (Stenella s.lat.). Cryptologie, Mycologie, 30(2): 1<strong>–</strong>20.<br />
Phengsintham P, Chukeatirote E, Abdelsalam KA, Hyde KD & Braun U 2010 <strong>–</strong> Cercospora and<br />
allied genera from Laos 2. Cryptogamie, Mycologie 31(1): 1<strong>–</strong>21.<br />
Phengsintham P, Chukeatirote E, McKenzie EHC, Hyde KD, Braun U 2011 <strong>–</strong> Tropical<br />
phythopathogens 1: Pseudocercospora punicae. Plant Pathology & Quarantine 1(1), 1<strong>–</strong>6.
Saignaleut S 2011 <strong>–</strong> Report on <strong>the</strong> National University <strong>of</strong> Laos’ 15 years <strong>of</strong> Foundation (1996-<br />
2011). Vientiane Lao PDR.<br />
STEA 2003 <strong>–</strong> Biodiversity Country Report. Lao PDR.<br />
Thavatdy T, Sykham B and Saliyavong V 2008 <strong>–</strong> Report on Diversity <strong>of</strong> Mushrooms in<br />
Dongmakkhai Village, Xaythany District, Vientiane Municipality, and Mai village, Xay District,<br />
Oudomxay Province. BSc. Report, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Science, National University <strong>of</strong> Laos.<br />
Vidal J 1959 <strong>–</strong> Noms vernacularis de Plantes en usage au Laos. Ecole Francaise D’ Extreme-<br />
Orient. Paris.<br />
Vongphachanh P, Wolabout M, Phaviste M, Phengsintham P & Khounsouvanh F 2007 <strong>–</strong><br />
Taxonomic Study on Family Demataceae in Xaithany District. BSc. Report, National University <strong>of</strong><br />
Laos.
Studies <strong>of</strong> Fungal Biodiversity in Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Thailand<br />
In 2009, <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Arkansas in <strong>the</strong> United States was awarded a grant from <strong>the</strong> National<br />
Science Foundation (NSF) for a project entitled “Studies <strong>of</strong> Fungal Biodiversity in Nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
Thailand.” The funding provided by NSF supports an international education program that<br />
provides <strong>the</strong> opportunity, during each <strong>of</strong> three summers, for four undergraduate and/or<br />
graduate students from <strong>the</strong> Unites States to spend a month carrying out biodiversity studies <strong>of</strong><br />
fungi and fungus-like organisms associated with tropical forests in nor<strong>the</strong>rn Thailand. Tropical<br />
forests are thought to be <strong>the</strong> terrestrial ecosystems characterized by <strong>the</strong> highest fungal<br />
biodiversity, but a major portion <strong>of</strong> this biodiversity has yet to be documented. While in<br />
Thailand, <strong>the</strong> four student participants from <strong>the</strong> United States interact with students from SE<br />
Asia who are enrolled at ei<strong>the</strong>r Mae Fah Luang University or Chiang Mai University. The<br />
majority <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> students are from Thailand, but participants also have included individuals from<br />
China, Laos, Sri Lanka and <strong>the</strong> Philippines.<br />
Dr. Steve Stephenson <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Biological Sciences at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Arkansas is<br />
<strong>the</strong> program coordinator, with Dr. Dennis Desjardin <strong>of</strong> San Francisco State University and Dr.<br />
Steve Miller <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Wyoming serving as co-directors. Mycologists in Thailand<br />
involved in <strong>the</strong> program are Dr. Kevin Hyde at Mae Fah Luang University and Dr. Saisamorn<br />
Lumyong at Chiang Mai University. O<strong>the</strong>r individuals who have been involved in <strong>the</strong> program<br />
are Dr. Adam Rollins <strong>of</strong> Lincoln Memorial University (United States), Dr. Carlos Rojas <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
University <strong>of</strong> Costa Rica, and Dr. Thida Win Ko Ko <strong>of</strong> Mae Fah University.<br />
The first <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> three summer programs was carried out during <strong>the</strong> period <strong>of</strong> mid-June to mid-<br />
July <strong>of</strong> 2010, with <strong>the</strong> second summer program taking place during <strong>the</strong> period <strong>of</strong> mid-June <strong>of</strong><br />
2011. The third summer program is scheduled for a comparable period <strong>of</strong> time in 2012.<br />
Participants from <strong>the</strong> United States flew to Bangkok and <strong>the</strong>n on to Chiang Mai, finally arriving<br />
at <strong>the</strong> Mushroom Research Centre (Fig. 1), which is serving as <strong>the</strong> base <strong>of</strong> operations for <strong>the</strong><br />
summer programs. The Mushroom Research Centre, located 64 km north <strong>of</strong> Chiang Mai, is<br />
situated on in a forested area that <strong>of</strong>fers excellent opportunities for collecting fungi. The Centre<br />
itself consists <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> chalets (which provide “homes” for all participants in <strong>the</strong> month-
long summer program), a kitchen and meeting area and laboratory facilities. Meals (traditional<br />
Thai food) are prepared on site.<br />
Each summer program consists <strong>of</strong> an introductory session on fungi, workshops on particular<br />
groups <strong>of</strong> fungi and fungus-like organisms and trips to collecting sites in <strong>the</strong> Chiang Mai region<br />
<strong>of</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn India. Workshops held as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 2011 summer program considered <strong>the</strong> family<br />
Russulaceae, pyrenomycetous fungi and myxomycetes. Collecting has been carried out in a<br />
variety <strong>of</strong> different forest types, including pine-dominated forests, dipterocarp forests and<br />
mixed forests (Fig. 2). Specimens collected in <strong>the</strong> field are brought back to <strong>the</strong> laboratory for<br />
detailed study. After <strong>the</strong>y have been photographed, described and worked up, specimens are<br />
deposited in <strong>the</strong> herbarium <strong>of</strong> Mae Fah Luang University.<br />
In addition to spending time toge<strong>the</strong>r on collecting trips and working in <strong>the</strong> laboratory, student<br />
participants share research interests and generally get to know one ano<strong>the</strong>r. Participants form<br />
<strong>the</strong> United States get to know Thai culture in addition to learning about <strong>the</strong> customs and way <strong>of</strong><br />
life in <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r countries (e.g., China and Laos) represented by participants from SE Asia. This<br />
aspect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> program has been an extraordinary experience for all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> students involved and<br />
undoubtedly will lead to future research collaborations as <strong>the</strong>se students embark upon <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
careers in mycology.<br />
Each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two summer programs completed thus far has yielded several hundred collections<br />
<strong>of</strong> fungi (including slime molds). In 2011, some emphasis was on <strong>the</strong> “little fungi” (mostly<br />
ascomycetes) that are <strong>of</strong>ten overlooked by mycologists whose interests are directed towards<br />
macr<strong>of</strong>ungi. Although most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> specimens have yet to be identified, Dr. Larissa Vasilyeva<br />
(Vladivostok, Russia), who spent about 10 days at <strong>the</strong> Mushroom Research Centre during <strong>the</strong><br />
latter portion <strong>of</strong> June, discovered at least 15 species <strong>of</strong> pyrenomycetes that are new to science.<br />
It seems almost certain that additional new species in a number <strong>of</strong> groups <strong>of</strong> fungi are<br />
forthcoming.<br />
Images <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mushroom Research Centre, student participants, fungi and nor<strong>the</strong>rn Thailand in<br />
general are available on .
Mushroom Research Centre<br />
Participants in <strong>the</strong> 2011 summer program
Mycology in Israel<br />
Mycology in Israel encompasses all aspects <strong>of</strong> interests in <strong>the</strong> fungal kingdom. This includes<br />
research, cultivation, <strong>the</strong> biotechnological industry and clinical mycology. A growing number <strong>of</strong><br />
Israelis are also interested in fungal forays and <strong>the</strong> culinary delights <strong>of</strong> fungi.<br />
The fungal research community <strong>of</strong> about 120 active members has representatives in all 7 Israeli<br />
universities as well as in additional institutes. Though not very large (given <strong>the</strong> size <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
country, with a population <strong>of</strong> about 7 million), it is an active research community and prides<br />
itself with high quality research output, mainly in fungal cell biology, genetics, fungal host<br />
interactions (human, animal and plant), biological control, fungal ecology (terrestrial and<br />
marine) and systematics. Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main fungal genera studied in Israel include Cochliobolus,<br />
Colletotrichum, Botrytis, Fusarium, Aspergillus, Candida, Pleurotus, Trichoderma and<br />
Neurospora.<br />
Most fungal researchers are associated with one or both <strong>of</strong> two major societies in Israel <strong>–</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Israeli Phytopathological Society and <strong>the</strong> Israel Society for Microbiology. Both <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se active<br />
societies hold annual general meetings and workshops as well as field trips and special interest<br />
group meetings. In addition, non-formal meetings <strong>of</strong> a “molecular mycology club” convene<br />
twice yearly (each time hosted by a different university campus), where students present <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
progress in an “expanded group meeting” format.<br />
Fungal biology is also studied and applied in industry, ranging from production <strong>of</strong> biocontrol<br />
agents (e.g., Trichoderma, Ampelomyces) to <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> fungi for production <strong>of</strong> metabolites <strong>of</strong><br />
interest. Services for diagnosis are present in <strong>the</strong> major hospitals, <strong>the</strong> ministry <strong>of</strong> agriculture as<br />
well as by some private companies. In addition, <strong>the</strong>re is a constant expansion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> edible<br />
mushroom industry (mainly Agaricus and Pleurotus but efforts are invested in <strong>the</strong> expansion <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> range <strong>of</strong> species grown).<br />
It is currently <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> foray season in Israel (which can last as long as until April), in<br />
which mushrooms such as Agaricus, Pleurotus, Boletus, Lepiota, Tricholoma, and Volvarilla can
e found. In addition, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> unique edible mushrooms collected during <strong>the</strong> spring time,<br />
mainly in dessert areas <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country, is <strong>the</strong> desert "false Truffles" Terfezia and Tirmania.
Which has more diverse assemblages <strong>of</strong> myxomycetes: tropical forests or<br />
temperate forests?<br />
Particular groups <strong>of</strong> plants and animals become increasingly more diverse as one nears <strong>the</strong><br />
equator. Is this pattern also true for slime molds (or myxomycetes)? This is what Dr. Thomas<br />
Edison dela Cruz would like to answer. Dr dela Cruz, <strong>the</strong> Philippine representative to <strong>the</strong> Asia<br />
Mycology <strong>Committee</strong> and a faculty member in <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Biological Sciences,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines, is currently working on a project with Dr.<br />
Steve Stephenson at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Arkansas in <strong>the</strong> United States. Dr. dela Cruz was awarded<br />
a post-doctoral fellowship by <strong>the</strong> prestigious Fulbright Commission. He and Stephenson, who is<br />
a former Fulbright scholar (at Himachal Pradesh University in India) himself, are comparing <strong>the</strong><br />
myxomycete assemblages associated with three well-defined microhabitats in forests <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
tropics and temperate zones. Samples <strong>of</strong> aerial litter, ground litter and dead twigs were<br />
collected from three lowland dipterocarp forests in <strong>the</strong> Philippines. These were Mt. Palay-Palay<br />
National Park in Ternate, Cavite; <strong>the</strong> Subic Forest Reserve in Subic, Zambales; and Bataan<br />
National Park in Morong, Bataan. Comparable samples also were collected from three types <strong>of</strong><br />
temperate forests in Arkansas. The forests sampled were an oak-hickory forest in Devil’s Den<br />
State Park, a mixed oak forest in Pea Ridge National Historical Park, and a beech-dominated<br />
forest in <strong>the</strong> Lost Valley area <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Buffalo National River. With <strong>the</strong> assistance <strong>of</strong> Dr. Hanh Tran,<br />
a faculty member at Ho Chi Minh International University in Vietnam and also a Fulbright<br />
scholar at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Arkansas, sets <strong>of</strong> moist chamber cultures were prepared from <strong>the</strong><br />
samples and are being monitored to assess myxomycete species diversity. Preliminary data<br />
appear to show higher diversity for tropical forests than temperate forests. At least 43 species<br />
<strong>of</strong> myxomycetes belonging to 17 genera have been recorded thus far for substrates collected in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Philippines, whereas only 29 species representing 18 genera have appeared in moist<br />
chamber cultures prepared from substrates collected in Arkansas. Several <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> species from<br />
<strong>the</strong> Philippines are new records for <strong>the</strong> country. Twigs clearly have been <strong>the</strong> most productive<br />
substrate, regardless <strong>of</strong> where <strong>the</strong>y were collected. However, as <strong>the</strong> project continues, it
emains to be seen whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> patterns noted thus far will continue to hold true. This project<br />
is <strong>the</strong> largest study yet carried out to compare <strong>the</strong> assemblages <strong>of</strong> myxomycetes associated<br />
with <strong>the</strong> same types <strong>of</strong> substrates in tropical and temperate forests.<br />
Dr. Stephenson, Dr. Tran and Dr. dela Cruz at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas.