A new measurement tool to consider for airborne pollutants evaluations using lichens.

An important factor affecting acquisition of pollution elements could be the lichen growth form. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller theory approach has been used to determinate the specific area surface (BET-area) of solids by gas multilayer adsorption. Taking this standard method as a new tool, we measure the specific thallus area in foliose and fruticose lichens to evaluated area/volume relation for bioaccumulation prospects.

Potential biocontrol actinobacteria: Rhizospheric isolates from the Argentine Pampas lowlands legumes.

Control of fungal plant diseases by using naturally occurring non-pathogenic microorganisms represents a promising approach to biocontrol agents. This study reports the isolation, characterization, and fungal antagonistic activity of actinobacteria from forage soils in the Flooding Pampa, Argentina. A total of 32 saprophytic strains of actinobacteria were obtained by different isolation methods from rhizospheric soil of Lotus tenuis growing in the Salado River Basin.

Evolution of complex symbiotic relationships in a morphologically derived family of lichen-forming fungi.

We studied the evolutionary history of the Parmeliaceae (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), one of the largest families of lichen-forming fungi with complex and variable morphologies, also including several lichenicolous fungi. We assembled a six-locus data set including nuclear, mitochondrial and low-copy protein-coding genes from 293 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The lichenicolous lifestyle originated independently three times in lichenized ancestors within Parmeliaceae, and a new generic name is introduced for one of these fungi.

Occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizas and dark septate endophytes in pteridophytes from a Patagonian rainforest, Argentina.

Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) are one of the most widespread types of symbiotic associations. Pteridophytes occupy an important position in the evolution of vascular plants. However, their mycorrhizal state remains poorly understood.

Chaenothecopsis quintralis, a new species of calicioid fungus.

Chaenothecopsis quintralis from southwestern Argentina is described and illustrated as a new species in the family Mycocaliciaceae. It has been found in three localities in the Andean Patagonian temperate forests, growing strictly on dung of an endemic marsupial Dromiciops gliroides. The new species is distinguished by the hemispherical, black capitulum of ascoma, the presence of asci with croziers, one-celled brown ascospores, and its fimicolous habitat.