Genome diversification of symbiotic fungi in beetle-fungus mutualistic symbioses.

Ambrosia beetles and their fungal symbionts represent a widespread and diverse insect-fungus mutualism. This study investigates the genomic adaptations associated with the evolution of the ambrosia lifestyle across multiple fungal lineages. We performed comparative genomic analyses on 70 fungal genomes from four families (Irpicaceae, Ceratocystidaceae, Nectriaceae, and Ophiostomataceae), including 24 ambrosia and 34 non-ambrosia lineages.

Establishing an Interactive Sequence Database for Shiitake Cultivar Identification.

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) hold significant cultural and economic value, particularly in Asia where they are extensively cultivated. The diversification of shiitake cultivars, driven by the need to adapt to various climatic conditions and cultivation methods, has resulted in over 200 distinct cultivars. Reliable identification of these cultivars is crucial for breeding, intellectual property protection, and effective genetic resource management.

Optimal liquid-based DNA preservation for DNA barcoding of field-collected fungal specimens.

Preserving fungal tissue DNA in the field is essential for molecular ecological research, enabling the study of fungal biodiversity and community dynamics. This study systematically compares two liquid-based preservation solutions, RNAlater and DESS, for their effectiveness in maintaining macrofungi DNA integrity during field collection and storage. The research encompasses both controlled experiments and real-world field collections.

Clinical manifestations and susceptibility of Scedosporium/Lomentospora infections at a tertiary medical centre in Taiwan from 2014 to 2021: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Scedosporiosis/lomentosporiosis is a globally emerging and crucial fungal infection. However, clinical data on Scedosporium/Lomentospora infections in Taiwan are scarce.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of Scedosporium/Lomentospora-infected patients and evaluate the susceptibility of these isolates to antifungal agents.

Body size of fungus-growing termites infers on the volume and density of their fungal cultivar.

The body size of an animal plays a crucial role in determining its trophic level and position within the food web, as well as its interactions with other species. In the symbiosis between and fungus-growing termites, termites rely on nutrition of fungal nodules produced by . To understand whether the size of termites and fungal nodules are related to their partner specificity, we quantified the size of termite farmer caste, and the size and density of nodules in termite nests of four genera of fungus-growing termites, and identified their cultivated fungus species based on internal transcribed spacer regions and partial large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences.

Keratitis in Taiwan: Molecular Identification, Antifungal Susceptibilities, and Clinical Features.

We performed molecular identification and antifungal susceptibilities of pathogens and investigated clinical features of 43 culture-proven keratitis cases from 2015-2020 in Taiwan. The pathogens were identified by sequencing of their internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA and translation elongation factor 1α gene; their antifungal susceptibilities (to seven agents) were determined by broth microdilution method. We also collected clinical data to compare the drug susceptibilities and clinical features of species complex (FSSC) isolates with those of other species complexes (non-FSSC).

First report of causing root rot on rice seedling in Taiwan.

Rice ( L.) is the principle staple crops in the World and its production can be severely damaged by species. Several species including , , , , , have been recorded to cause rice seedling root rot in Taiwan (List of Plant Diseases in Taiwan edited by Tzean et al.