V. S. Patil
Uttamrao Patil Arts & Science
College, Dahivel, Tal. Sakri, Dist. Dhule, 424304 (Maharashtra)
Key-words – Aquatic fungi,
foam sample, pycnidium, Coelomycetes fungi, Tapi
river.
Abstract –
Fungi are the most diverse group of eukaryotic
organisms. Mycologists define true fungi as heterotrophic, eukaryotes. Fungi
characteristic with cell walls of β- glucan and chitin with absorptive mode of
nutrition.
This paper reports the occurrence of three Aero – aquatic fungi species as Helicomyces colligatus, H. roseus and H. torquatus
as well as two Coelomycetes fungi species as Chaetospermum indicum and Robillarda sessilis, from
the foam samples collected from different streams of Tapi District, Gujarat
state (India).
The data provides
information on the range of distribution of these fungi in India. Descriptions
and illustrations are provided.
Introduction - Presently,
the ‘fungi’ as a mega-diverse group span into three kingdoms, mostly belonging
to the kingdom “Fungi” (Eumycota), while others are classified in the kingdom
“Protozoa” and kingdom ‘Chromista (Straminipila)’ (Cavalier-Smith, 1998; James
et al., 2006).
The fungi play a dominant role in the decomposition of
plant detritus (Borlocher, 1992 a, b). Fallen tree trunks, branches and twigs
regulate stream dynamics by increasing the retention of organic matter. They
used to enhance the fast litter decomposition in aquatic ecosystem and
nutrients release. Decomposition of these woody substrates is important in
nutrient cycling and the role of wood decay is determined by both physical and
biological factors (Harmon et al., 1986).
Taxonomic account –
Aero – aquatic fungi - These
are found in low-oxygen environments like in stagnant water or mud. These fungi
produce conidia at the air-water interface, which are then released into the
air or float on the water surface. These fungi produce three-dimensional shaped
conidia, such as globose, crown-shaped, or helicoid.
Genus Helicomyces Link
Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin, Mag.3: 21 (1809).
The genus was introduced by Link in 1809 with H. roseus
Link as its type species. The species of the genus are characterized by having;
Colonies are effuse to arachnoid or tuberculate, white to pinkish, or becoming
brownish in age. Mycelium is immersed or superficial, composed of branched,
septate, hyaline to dilute fuscous hyphae. Conidiophores are lacking or formed
as short, lateral branches of the repent mycelium. Conidiogenous cells are
mono- or polyblastic, producing conidia from the apex, or synchronously and /or
successively from short denticles. Conidia are hyaline, dry, hygroscopic,
frequently uncoiling in water. Conidial filament is coiled 1-8 times, usually
in one plane to form a disk-like body, but sometimes in three planes and
resembling a loosely coiled spring; basal cell attached eccentrically; conidial
secession schizolytic. The genus is represented by 12 species (Zhao et al.,
2007; www.mycobank, org, accessed on 1 June 2016).
Helicomyces colligatus R.T.
Moore
Mycologia, 46: 89
(1954). [Figure no.1]
Conidia - loosely coiled 1-2 times, acrogenous, dry,
hyline, hygroscopic, multi-septate at maturity, each cell containing one large
83 vacuole or two smaller ones; filament tapering at both ends, the basal end
3.5 µm broad, conidial filament enlarging to 8 µm broad in the middle and
becoming slightly less at the distal end, easily broken into segments; diameter
of coils 50-60 µm.
Material examined - Conidia in foam sample, Gugalapani
river (at Kuchhalivel); V. S. Patil; 08 August 2014. Conidia in foam sample,
Doswada dam (at Rampura); V. S. Patil; 17 August 2013.
Distribution in India - KK- Conidia in foam samples
(Ramesh, 2002); GJ- Conidia in foam samples (Borse et al., 2015); MH - Conidia
in foam sample (Patil et al., 2015d)
Remark - The fungus was first time recorded from Gujarat.
Helicomyces roseus Link
Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin Mag. Neuestern Entdeck.
Gesammten Naturk., 3: 21(1809) [Figure no.2]
Conidia - hyaline, white to pinkish in mass, attached
eccentrically, frequently with hyaline secondary conidia, 25-60 µm in diam.
Conidial filament 4-5 µm in diam., multi-septate, tapering to an enlarged,
obliquely flattened basal cell, coiled 2 ¼ -3 times.
Material examined - Conidia in foam sample, Mindhola
river (at Titva); V. S. Patil; 15 October 2013. Conidia in foam sample, Gira
river (at Vati); V. S. Patil; 27 January 2013.
Distribution in India - KK- On Submergedleavesand in
foam samples (Rajashekhar and Kaveriappa, 2003); UK- Conidia in water samples
(Arya and Sati, 2012); MH - Conidia on submerged decaying wood (Patil et al.,
2015c); GJ- Conidia in foam sample (Borse et al., 2015b).
Remarks - The measurements and descriptions of conidia
are agreed with that of H. roseus as given by Zhao et al. (2007). Therefore, it
is assigned to that species. This is an addition to the fungi of Gujarat.
Helicomyces torquatus
L.C. Lane & Shearer
Mycotaxon.19: 291 (1984). [Figure no.3]
Conidia- hyaline, multi-septate, dry, coiled 1.8 to 2.8
times, 104 – 132 µm diam., end cells broadly spathulate, end of basal cell
bearing flattened attachment scar. Conidia in water hydrophilic and floating or
unwinding to assume a torque-like or sigmoid form, 372 – 528 x 5 – 7 µm.
conidial filament 5-7 µm in diam., multi-septate.
Material examined - Conidia in foam Samples, Mindhola
river (at Bajipura); V. S. Patil; 15 December 2013.
Distribution in India - KA- Conidia in foam samples
(Ramesh, 2002); MP -Conidia in foam samples (Patil et al., 2014c); MH-Conidia
in foam samples (Patil et al., 2015b); GJ- Conidia in foam samples (Borse et
al., 2015b).
Remark - This is reported for the first time in Gujarat.
Coelomycetes fungi -
These are a large, artificial group of fungi characterized by producing asexual
spores (conidia) inside a cavity-like structure called a conidiomata, which can
be a spherical pycnidium or a disc-shaped acervulus. They are found in diverse
environments, acting as plant pathogens, endophytes, or saprobes. it was
treated as a distinct group i.e. Deuteromycotina.
Genus Chaetospermum Sacc.
Syll.Fung., 10:
706(1892).
Patouillard in
1888 described a fungus Tubercularia chaetospora Pat. from a decaying grass.
Saccardo in 1892 erected a new genus, Chaetosporium, for T. chaetospora Pat.
and named it C. tubercularioides (Pat.) Saccardo. Smith and Ramsbottom (1913)
reverted to the epithet chaetosporium in accordance with the international
rules of nomenclature. de Fonseka (1960) studied morphology of the said fungus.
For genus description refer Smith and Ramsbottom (1913) and Sutton (1980).
Pycnidia are white to dirty white, slimy, shining, superficial, globose to
subglobose, non-ostiolate, separate or in small groups, measuring from 600-1000
µm in diam., wall of the pycnidium 38-57 µm in thickness, outer cells compactly
arranged, inner once loosly woven. Conidiophores are arise from the inner
surface of pycnidium, conidiophores hyaline, simple or branched towards the
tip, measuring from 30.4-38 x 3-4 µm. Chaetospermum
indicum Talde
Indian Phytopath., 11: 288 (1981). [Figure no.4]
Conidia - apical, unicellular, hyaline, fusiform or oblong,
protoplasm vacuolated, tips rounded, measuring from 34.2-41.8 x 7.2-11.4 µm,
appendages unseptate, long and are present at both ends, towards the distal end
appendages 4-5 in number, measuring upto 75 um in length, appendages 154
towards the proximal end 1 or 2 in number, generally shorter than distal end
appendages.
Material examined - Conidia in foam sample, Ukai dam (on
Tapi river at Ukai); V. S. Patil; 6 October 2014.
Distribution in India – MH- Conidia on stem (Talde,
1981).
Remarks - The description and measurements of conidia
are agreed with that of C. indicum Talde (1981). Therefore, it is assigned to
that species. This is reported for the first time in Gujarat.
Genus Robillarda Sacc.
Michelia, 2: 8 (1880).
Robillarda sessilis
(Sacc.) Sacc.
Syl. Fung., 3:
408 (1884); = Pestalotia sessilis Sacc., Michelia, 1: 261 (1878); [Figure no.5]
Conidia - 9-11 x 3.5 µm, oblong, one-septate,
constricted at the septum, pale olivaceous, smooth-walled; with a three hyaline
bristles, 14 x 1 µm. 155
Material examined - Conidia in foam sample, Gugalapani
river (at Mandavipani); V. S. Patil; 1 September 2012.
Distribution in India – AP - Conidia in foam (Manohara.
and Murthy, 1981).
Remarks - The description and measurements of conidia
are agreed with that of R. sessilis (Sacc.) Sacc. Therefore, it is assigned to
that species. This is reported for the first time in Gujarat.
Aero – aquatic fungi
|
|
Coelomycetes fungi
Figure no. 4 Figure
no. 5
Figure no. 1 Helicomyces
colligatus, Figure no. 2 – H. roseus, Figure
no. 3 – H. torquatus, Figure no. 4 - Chaetospermum indicum, Figure no. 5 - Robillarda sessilis.
Conclusion – Aquatic fugi species, Helicomyces
colligatus, H. roseus and H. torquatus,
Chaetospermum indicum and Robillarda sessilis are first time reported from
Gujarat. Therefore, these species are an addition in Gujarat microbiome.
References –
1) Arya, P. and Sati, S.C. (2012) Estimation of conidial concentration
of freshwater Hyphomycetes in two streams flowing at different of Kumaun
Himalaya. J. Ecol. and Nat. Environ., 4: 29-32.
2) Borlocher, F. (ed.) (1992a) “The Ecology of Aquatic Hyphomycetes”,
Springer-Verlag, Berlin. pp. 1- 225.
3) Borlocher, F. (1992b) Community organization. In: “The Ecology of
Aquatic Hyphomycetes”, (ed. Barlocher, F.), Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 38-
76.
4) Borse, B.D., Patil, V.S. and Patil, V.R. (2015b) Freshwater Fungi
from Tapi district (Gujarat, India): Stream spora. Annals of Plant Sciences, 4:
1131-1136.
5) Cavalier-Smith. T. (1998) A revised six-kingdom system of life.
Biological Review, 73: 203-266.
6) Chamier, A.C. (1985) Cell-wall degrading enzymes of aquatic
hyphomycetes: a revivew. Bot. J. Linn. Soc., 91: 67-81.
7) Harmon, M.E, Franklin, J.F., Swanson, F.J., Sollins, O. et al.
(1986). Ecology of coarse woody debris in temperate ecosystems. Adv. Ecol.
Res., 15: 133-302.
8) James, T.Y., Kauff, F., Schoch, C.L., et al., (2006) Reconstructing
the early evolution of the fungi a six gene phylogeny. Nature, 443: 818-822.
9) Manoharachary, C. and Murthy, A.B.S. (1981) Foam spora from Andhra
Pradesh. Curr. Sci., 50: 378-379.
10) Patil, D.K., Patil, K.B. and Borse, K.N. (2014d) Some Aquatic
Hyphomycetes from Khandwa District of MP, India. Int. Res. J. Biol. Sci., 3:
53-5
11) Patil, S.Y. and Borse, B.D. (2011b) Aquatic fungi from North
MaharashtraVII. Recent Res. Sci. and Tech., 3: 8-11.
12) Rajashekhar, M. and Kaveriappa, K.M. (2003) Diversity of aquatic
Hyphomycetes in the aquatic ecosystems of the Western Ghats of India.
Hydrobiologia, 501: 167-177.
13) Ramesh, Ch. (2002) Seasonal occurrence of water borne fungi in
different streams of Uttar Kannada region, Karnataka stare, India. Kavaka, 30:
31-52.
14) Talde, U.K. (1981) Aquatic Deuteromycetous fungi from Purna and
Dudhana rivers-I. Indian J. Mycol. and Pl. Pathol., 11: 288-290.
15) Zhao, G, Liu, X, and Wu, W. (2007) Helicosporous Hyphomycetes from
China. Fungal Diversity, 26: 313-524.
16) www.mycobank
org. 1 June 1916.
Abbreviations – AP – Andhra Pradesh, AS – Assam, GJ –
Gujarat, KK- Karnataka, KL – Kerala, MH – Maharashtra, MP -Madhya Pradesh, TN –
Tamil nadu, UK – Uttarakhand.
FAA – Formaldehyde, Fig. –
Figure, µm-
micrometer.
