Inonotus rickii (Agaricomycetes, Hymenochaetaceae) in Brazilian Cerrado: Expanding Its Geographic Distribution and Host List

Abstract

Inonotus rickii (Pat.) Reid (Agaricomycetes: Hymenochaetaceae) is a poroid fungus characterized by the expressive production of chlamydospores, in vivo and in vitro, especially during its anamorphic stage. The species plays important ecological roles, standing out as a phytopathogen, affecting several species of ornamental and wild trees, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. The infected trees develop canker and white rot of the wood, showing symptoms of reduced vegetative vigor and decline of leaves and branches which causes death in some cases. The first record of I. rickii for the Cerrado biome (Brazilian Savanna) and the first record as causal agent of canker in Schinus molle L. in Brazil is reported here. In addition, we present a checklist of its worldwide geographical distribution and known hosts, from an extensive bibliographic search in Google Scholar, SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The species is widespread in tropical and subtropical zones; common in the American continent, especially in Central and South America and the Mediterranean region, and rare in temperate zones. We found specimens growing in both living and dead hosts, totalizing 70 species of hosts, distributed in 43 genera and 22 families. Of these, Acer negundo L. (10.5%), Celtis australis L. (6.5%), and Platanus acerifolia (Aiton) Willd. (4.8%), and the Fabaceae (30%), Fagaceae (10%), and Sapindaceae (8.6%) families were the most frequent. We present morphological descriptions and illustrations, as well as the growth characteristics in culture medium. Our study expands the known geographical distribution of I. rickii, including the Cerrado biome, as well as its structural, physiological characteristics, and its hosts.

Axenic Culture and DNA Barcode Identification of Wood Decay Fungi from the Maltese Islands

“…All the specimens recorded were ascribed to the anamorph described in Europe with a basidiome semi-spherical or cushion shaped, soft and fleshy at first, yellowish brown to golden brown, then dark brownish [61,62], and not like the species described in Florida as plumose and bearded-like [63]. Inonotus rickii anamorph: Ptychogaster cubensis is an infecting basidiomycete of urban trees, posing a significant threat globally by parasitizing a variety of hosts [64]. The fungus's impact is particularly pronounced, where infected ornamental trees not only lose their visual appeal, but also become a substantial danger to other members of the urban tree population due to the exhibited disease symptoms [65].…”

Fungal community characteristics and driving factors during the decaying process of Salix psammophila sand barriers in the desert

“…We also found that Agaricomycetes had a higher species abundance (8.04%). This species stands out as a plant pathogen, causing canker and white rot of the wood [43].…”