Phylogeny of rock-inhabiting fungi related to Dothideomycetes

Abstract

The class Dothideomycetes (along with Eurotiomycetes) includes numerous rock-inhabiting fungi (RIF), a group of ascomycetes that tolerates surprisingly well harsh conditions prevailing on rock surfaces. Despite their convergent morphology and physiology, RIF are phylogenetically highly diverse in Dothideomycetes. However, the positions of main groups of RIF in this class remain unclear due to the lack of a strong phylogenetic framework. Moreover, connections between rock-dwelling habit and other lifestyles found in Dothideomycetes such as plant pathogens, saprobes and lichen-forming fungi are still unexplored. Based on multigene phylogenetic analyses, we report that RIF belong to Capnodiales (particularly to the family Teratosphaeriaceae s.l.), Dothideales, Pleosporales, and Myriangiales, as well as some uncharacterised groups with affinities to Dothideomycetes. Moreover, one lineage consisting exclusively of RIF proved to be closely related to Arthoniomycetes, the sister class of Dothideomycetes. The broad phylogenetic amplitude of RIF in Dothideomycetes suggests that total species richness in this class remains underestimated. Composition of some RIF-rich lineages suggests that rock surfaces are reservoirs for plant-associated fungi or saprobes, although other data also agree with rocks as a primary substrate for ancient fungal lineages. According to the current sampling, long distance dispersal seems to be common for RIF. Dothideomycetes lineages comprising lichens also include RIF, suggesting a possible link between rock-dwelling habit and lichenisation.

Fungi associated with black mould on baobab trees in southern Africa

“…The relationship of Rachicladosporium associated with the black mould on Baobab to rock inhabiting fungi (RIF) aligns with reports of several sooty mould groups that are also related to RIF, including groups in the Chaetothyriales (Gueidan et al 2008) and Capnodiales (Ruibal et al 2009). RIF are typically melanised, slowgrowing organisms that have high tolerance for drought stress, radiation and low nutrients (Gueidan et al 2008;Ruibal et al 2009).…”

“…RIF are typically melanised, slowgrowing organisms that have high tolerance for drought stress, radiation and low nutrients (Gueidan et al 2008;Ruibal et al 2009). It has been hypothesised that rock inhabiting fungi might have given rise to various plant and insect pathogens, as the inhospitable habitat may pre-dispose these fungi to easily adapt to new hosts and environments (Gueidan et al 2008;.…”

Paleomycology of the Princeton Chert II. Dark-septate fungi in the aquatic angiospermEorhiza arnoldiiindicate a diverse assemblage of root-colonizing fungi during the Eocene

“…They usually proliferate by short hyphal stolons, although yeastlike phases have been observed (Sterflinger et al 1999, Sterflinger 2006. Phylogenetically, these fungi are members of orders that contain saprotrophic and plant pathogenic black yeasts (Ruibal et al 2009). Cerebriform microsclerotia, however, are reported only rarely within plants but are probably common in that they have been observed within a broad taxonomic range of hosts (Hambleton et al 2003, Ahlic and Sieber 2006, Fernandez et al 2008.…”

Cryptogam covers on sepulchral monuments and re-colonization of a marble surface after cleaning

“…Eight of 12 fungal OTUs belong to the classes Dothideomycetes and Eurotiomycetes, which include numerous rock inhabiting fungi involved in stone biodeterioration (Gorbushina et al 1993;Wollenzien et al 1997;Ruibal et al 2009). …”