Termitomyces cryptogamus sp. nov. associated with Macrotermes natalensis in Africa

Abstract

A new species of Termitomyces symbiotic with the termite Macrotermes natalensis is described from Africa. As there are no records of field collected basidiocarps within this lineage, traditional basidiocarp-based morphological taxonomy is not practical. While basidiocarps may be obtained rarely from incubation of fungal comb fragments, their practical use for taxonomical purposes is limited. Therefore, the species is described based on an ITS nucleotide sequence, with comparisons to an asexual culture. Based on samples with similar ITS sequences, this species is likely associated with multiple termite hosts across a large part of Africa.

Isolation, (bio)synthetic studies and evaluation of antimicrobial properties of drimenol-type sesquiterpenes of Termitomyces fungi

“…In the fungus-growing termite Odontotermes obesus , a first study indicated that termites are likely able to differentiate between the scent of the food fungus and ascomycetous fungal garden antagonist Pseudoxylaria , and that volatiles emitted by the antagonist, such as the sesquiterpenes aristolene and viridiflorol, are likely triggers of termite hygiene measures 17 . We recently commenced to analyze the VOC profiles emitted by laboratory cultures of Termitomyces cryptogamus 18 retrieved from healthy Macrotermes natalensis colonies 19 . To our surprise, only few terpenoid features were detectable in the volatilome of Termitomyces cultures maintained under laboratory growth conditions, although comparative genomic studies indicated that the fungal mutualist encodes above average numbers of e.g., terpene cyclases responsible for the biosynthesis of e.g., volatile terpenoids 20 , 21 .…”

Horizontal transfer of tRNA genes to mitochondrial plasmids facilitates gene loss from fungal mitochondrial DNA

“…T123. We observed intraspecific variation of plasmid presence among host species for which multiple strains were analysed: we detected up to three different types of plasmid in Termitomyces cryptogamus (Van de Peppel 2022 ), ranging from one in strain J132, to three in strain T8, with another two plasmid types in the five other strains of this species.…”

“…The protocols for strain cultivation, DNA isolation, and sequencing were all identical to those outlined in Van de Peppel et al ( 2021 ). To estimate intraspecific variation of plasmids, one Termitomyces species was represented by multiple strains in our data set (“ Termitomyces cryptogamus ”, Van de Peppel ( 2022 ), J132/T132/T99/T8/T28/T61/T60a). Data consisted of paired-end Illumina reads (read length: 150 bp, insert size: 500 bp).…”

Termite Mushrooms (Termitomyces), a Potential Source of Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds Exhibiting Human Health Benefits: A Review

“…Izhar et al [ 35 ] identified T. sheikhupurensis from Pakistan based on a combination of ITS and nrLSU sequences. Additionally, T. cryptogamus was described from Africa based on a phylogenetic analysis of the ITS sequence [ 36 ]. Therefore, it is essential to be able to identify Termitomyces by coordinating both morphological characteristics and molecular approaches through the phylogenetic analyses of ITS, nrLSU, and mtSSU sequences.…”