Brazilian tropical dry forest (Caatinga) in the spotlight: an overview of species of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Talaromyces (Eurotiales) and the description of P. vascosobrinhous sp. nov.

Abstract

A literature-based checklist of species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Talaromyces recorded in the Brazilian tropical dry forest (Caatinga), the largest tropical dry forest region in South America, is provided. A total of 130 species (60 Aspergillus, 57 Penicillium, and 13 Talaromyces) are reported. Soil was the most common substrate, with 122 species records. Various reported species are well known in biotechnological processes. This checklist reflects the limited knowledge of fungal species in tropical dry environments. These data provide a good starting point for biogeographical studies on species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Talaromyces in dry environments worldwide. In addition, the new species Penicillium vascosobrinhous is introduced, an endophytic fungus isolated from cactus of the Caatinga forest in Brazil.

Living in the dark: Bat caves as hotspots of fungal diversity

“…The fauna, flora, and fungi of the Caatinga dry forest have recently received a lot of attention as a result of several studies describing new taxa, ecological patterns, and behaviour of species [ 35 – 37 ], and because of the anthropic pressure and plans for conservation of natural areas [ 38 , 39 ]. Nevertheless, the Caatinga’s fungal diversity is better known in association with soil, plants, and as decomposers [ 40 , 41 ], but the mycodiversity associated with bats, which comprise approximately 96 species in this biogeographic region [ 2 , 42 ], is still unexplored.…”

First record of Aspergillus hongkongensis C.C. Tsang et al. (Eurotiales, Ascomycota) in South America and the third report worldwide

“…The isolate was deposited in the URM culture collection (Micoteca URM Profa. Maria Auxiliadora Cavalcanti (WCDM 604) of the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil (Barbosa et al 2020).…”

First report of Penicillium brasilianum Bat., P. cluniae Quintan., and P. echinulonalgiovense S. Abe ex Houbraken & R.N. Barbosa (Eurotiales, Aspergillaceae) as endophytes from a bromeliad in the Caatinga dry forest in Brazil

“…Colony colours were analysed according to the colour charts of Rayner (1970). Following recommendations by Barbosa et al (2020), representative isolates are deposited in the culture collection Micoteca URM Profa. Maria Auxiliadora Cavalcanti (WCDM 604), at the Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.…”