The diversity of aquatic Hyphomycetes in South America

Abstract

Aquatic Hyphomycetes, also named Ingoldian or freshwater fungi, constitute a group of anamorphic fungi that are typically aquatic, producing tetraradiate, sigmoid or spherical conidia on submerged plant debris (leaf litter, petioles, bark, etc.). Mainly occurring in lotic systems, these fungi are considered to be one of the most active groups of organisms in the decomposition of leaf litter, and play a crucial role in the trophic chain. In South America, aquatic Hyphomycetes are mentioned for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, totalizing the report of about 90 species. Almost all studies are taxonomical, some with proper drawings and complete descriptions, but no keys have been provided yet, nor there is a specific culture collection for preserved strains. The published papers are still sporadic and dispersed, emphasizing a great need to improve the knowledge of the diversity of South American aquatic Hyphomycetes. The present review contents the check list of reported species until now, and has the aim to encourage the research concerned with aquatic Hyphomycetes in non explored regions of the continent.

Ingoldian fungi from semiarid Caatinga biome of Brazil. The genus Campylospora

“…Later, Fisher & Petrini (1989) observed the species as endophytic in roots of Alnus glutinosa. Campylospora parvula was observed in Brazil, São Paulo (Schoenlein-Crusius & Grandi 2003). This is the first record from Brazilian semiarid.…”

Aquatic Hyphomycetes in the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga - PEFI, São Paulo, Brazil

“…Collections were made in streams, medium size rivers, waterfalls, lakes and reservoirs under subtropical climatic conditions and around 60 taxa were obtained. Reviews about the diversity of aquatic Hyphomycetes in South America can be found in Schoenlein-Crusius & Grandi (2003) and, about their distribution in the tropics, in Schoenlein-Crusius & Malosso (2007).…”

Diversity of conidial fungi and some abiotic variables of the water after the reopening of the Pirarungaua stream in the Jardim Botânico, São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil

“…Several conidial fungi, specifically ingoldian fungi have been observed in lotic and also in lenthic waters in urban parks, with richness and diversity higher than expected for an anthropic environment (Schoenlein-Crusius et al 2014). Revisions about the main surveys of ingoldian fungi in Brazil and South America may be consulted in Schoenlein-Crusius & Grandi (2003) and Schoenlein-Crusius & Malosso (2007). More recently outstanding conidial species found in very dry regions in the Northeast region of Brazil have been cited and excellently taxonomically described by Barbosa & Gusmão (2011), Almeida et al (2011;2012), among others.…”