Zythiostroma
Encyclopedia
Zythiostroma is a genus
of canker
fungus
in the Nectriaceae
family. The two or three species in the genus, which are anamorphs of the genus Nectria
, have been found in Europe and Java
.
Zythiostroma mougeotii was originally described as Sphaeria mougeotii by Elias Magnus Fries
in 1828, but was later called Sphaeronaemella mougeotii by Italian mycologist Pier Andrea Saccardo
in 1884.
The teleomorph forms of Z. pinastri and Z. mougeotti are Nectria cucurbicula and N. sinopica, respectively.
produced by Zythiostroma species is branched, contains septa (partitions that divide cells into compartments), and is pale brown to translucent hyaline
. The conidiomata (structures that bear conidia) start their development below the level of the cortex, but eventually appear on the surface, and may be either separate or aggregated. Their shape can be spherical to depressed in the center, although they may collapse irregularly. Conidiomata are red, with irregularly-shaped and convoluted compartments. There is a single opening (ostiole) on top of the conidimata that is circular, and shaped like a pimple. The conidiophores (secializd stalks that hold up the conidiomata) are septate, branched irregularly, cylindrical, tapered to the apices, hyaline, smooth, and formed from the inner wall of the locules. The conidia are acropleurogenous, meaning they develop at the tips and sides of the conidiomata. They are also hyaline, aseptate (without partitions), straight or slightly curved, thin-walled, and do not contain oil droplets.
at Waychinicup National Park
east of Albany in Western Australia. One has also been associated with uncommon but severe cankers on Eucalyptus obliqua
in Tasmania. Zythiostroma mougeotii has been found associated with Rosaceae
species in eastern Westphalia
, Germany. The species Z. pinastrum was one of several fungal pathogens found growing on the shoot
s of the common yew (Taxus baccata) in the Botanical Garden in Kraków
in Poland.
, was shown to produce the diterpenoid
compounds zythiostromic acid A, zythiostromic acid B, and zythiostromolid when grown in liquid culture
. These chemicals have what is known as a cleistanthane skeleton
, a structure previously only reported from plant sources. The Zythiostroma species from which the compounds were isolated has antifungal effects against the growth of the blue stain fungus Ophiostroma crassivaginatum.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of canker
Canker
Canker and anthracnose are general terms for a large number of different plant diseases, characterised by broadly similar symptoms including the appearance of small areas of dead tissue, which grow slowly, often over a period of years. Some are of only minor consequence, but others are ultimately...
fungus
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
in the Nectriaceae
Nectriaceae
Nectriaceae is a family of fungi in the order Hypocreales.-List of genera:This is an incomplete list of genera in the Nectriaceae family:*Albonectria*Allonectella*Calonectria*Calostilbe*Calostilbella*Corallomycetella...
family. The two or three species in the genus, which are anamorphs of the genus Nectria
Nectria
This article is about a genus of fungi. For the echinoderm genus, see Nectria .Nectria is a genus of Ascomycete fungi. They are most often encountered as saprophytes on decaying wood but some species can also occur as parasites of trees, especially fruit trees and a number of other hardwood trees...
, have been found in Europe and Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
.
Taxonomy
The type speciesType species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
Zythiostroma mougeotii was originally described as Sphaeria mougeotii by Elias Magnus Fries
Elias Magnus Fries
-External links:*, Authors of fungal names, Mushroom, the Journal of Wild Mushrooming.*...
in 1828, but was later called Sphaeronaemella mougeotii by Italian mycologist Pier Andrea Saccardo
Pier Andrea Saccardo
Pier Andrea Saccardo was an Italian botanist and mycologist.- Life :...
in 1884.
The teleomorph forms of Z. pinastri and Z. mougeotti are Nectria cucurbicula and N. sinopica, respectively.
Description
The myceliumMycelium
thumb|right|Fungal myceliaMycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. The mass of hyphae is sometimes called shiro, especially within the fairy ring fungi. Fungal colonies composed of mycelia are found in soil and on or within many other...
produced by Zythiostroma species is branched, contains septa (partitions that divide cells into compartments), and is pale brown to translucent hyaline
Hyaline
The term hyaline denotes a substance with a glass-like appearance.-Histopathology:In histopathological medical usage, a hyaline substance appears glassy and pink after being stained with haematoxylin and eosin — usually it is an acellular, proteinaceous material...
. The conidiomata (structures that bear conidia) start their development below the level of the cortex, but eventually appear on the surface, and may be either separate or aggregated. Their shape can be spherical to depressed in the center, although they may collapse irregularly. Conidiomata are red, with irregularly-shaped and convoluted compartments. There is a single opening (ostiole) on top of the conidimata that is circular, and shaped like a pimple. The conidiophores (secializd stalks that hold up the conidiomata) are septate, branched irregularly, cylindrical, tapered to the apices, hyaline, smooth, and formed from the inner wall of the locules. The conidia are acropleurogenous, meaning they develop at the tips and sides of the conidiomata. They are also hyaline, aseptate (without partitions), straight or slightly curved, thin-walled, and do not contain oil droplets.
Distribution and phytopathology
One species has decimated populations of the rare plant Banksia verticillataBanksia verticillata
Banksia verticillata, commonly known as Granite Banksia or Albany Banksia, is a species of shrub or tree of the genus Banksia in the Proteaceae family. It is native to the southwest of Western Australia and can reach up to 3 m in height. It can grow taller to 5 m in sheltered areas,...
at Waychinicup National Park
Waychinicup National Park
Waychinicup National Park is a in Western Australia , southeast of Perth and east of Albany and extends as far Cheynes Beach near Bremer Bay. Facilities at the park include a camping area and bush toilet near the inlet of the Waychinicup River....
east of Albany in Western Australia. One has also been associated with uncommon but severe cankers on Eucalyptus obliqua
Eucalyptus obliqua
Eucalyptus obliqua, commonly known as Australian Oak, Brown Top, Brown Top Stringbark, Messmate, Messmate Stringybark, Stringybark and Tasmanian Oak, is a hardwood tree native to south-eastern Australia....
in Tasmania. Zythiostroma mougeotii has been found associated with Rosaceae
Rosaceae
Rosaceae are a medium-sized family of flowering plants, including about 2830 species in 95 genera. The name is derived from the type genus Rosa. Among the largest genera are Alchemilla , Sorbus , Crataegus , Cotoneaster , and Rubus...
species in eastern Westphalia
Westphalia
Westphalia is a region in Germany, centred on the cities of Arnsberg, Bielefeld, Dortmund, Minden and Münster.Westphalia is roughly the region between the rivers Rhine and Weser, located north and south of the Ruhr River. No exact definition of borders can be given, because the name "Westphalia"...
, Germany. The species Z. pinastrum was one of several fungal pathogens found growing on the shoot
Shoot
Shoots are new plant growth, they can include stems, flowering stems with flower buds, and leaves. The new growth from seed germination that grows upward is a shoot where leaves will develop...
s of the common yew (Taxus baccata) in the Botanical Garden in Kraków
Botanical Garden in Kraków
Botanical Garden of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków is a botanical garden, founded in 1783 in Kraków. It's located east of the Old City and occupies 9.6 hectares. It belongs to the Jagiellonian University and is classified as a historical location.-External links:...
in Poland.
Bioactive compounds
An unidentified Zythiostroma species, isolated from an aspenAspen
Populus section Populus, of the Populus genus, includes the aspen trees and the white poplar Populus alba. The five typical aspens are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south at high altitudes in the mountains. The White Poplar, by...
, was shown to produce the diterpenoid
Terpene
Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced by a variety of plants, particularly conifers, though also by some insects such as termites or swallowtail butterflies, which emit terpenes from their osmeterium. They are often strong smelling and thus may have had a protective...
compounds zythiostromic acid A, zythiostromic acid B, and zythiostromolid when grown in liquid culture
Microbiological culture
A microbiological culture, or microbial culture, is a method of multiplying microbial organisms by letting them reproduce in predetermined culture media under controlled laboratory conditions. Microbial cultures are used to determine the type of organism, its abundance in the sample being tested,...
. These chemicals have what is known as a cleistanthane skeleton
Skeletal formula
The skeletal formula of an organic compound is a shorthand representation of its molecular structure, developed by the organic chemist, Friedrich August Kekulé von Stradonitz. Skeletal formulae are ubiquitous in organic chemistry, because they are relatively quick and simple to draw. Carbon and...
, a structure previously only reported from plant sources. The Zythiostroma species from which the compounds were isolated has antifungal effects against the growth of the blue stain fungus Ophiostroma crassivaginatum.
External links
- Zythiostroma at Index FungorumIndex FungorumIndex Fungorum, an international project to index all formal names in the Fungi Kingdom. Somewhat comparable to the IPNI, but with more contributing institutions....