Volume 2 - 2012 - Issue 1


1. Studies of coprophilous ascomycetes in Kenya – Ascobolus species from wildlife dung

Authors: Mungai PG, Njogu JG, Chukeatirote E, Hyde KD

Recieved: 09 February 2012, Accepted: 10 February 2012, Published: 26 February 2012

Species of coprophilous Ascobolus were examined in a study of coprophilous fungi in different habitats and wildlife dung types from National Parks in Kenya. Dung samples were collected in the field and returned to the laboratory where they were incubated in moist chamber culture. Coprophilous Ascobolus were isolated from giraffe, impala, common zebra, African elephant dung, Cape buffalo, dikdik, hippopotamus, black rhinoceros and waterbuck dung. Six species, Ascobolus amoenus, A. bistisii, A. calesco, A. immersus, A. nairobiensis and A. tsavoensis are identified and described. Ascobolus calesco, A. amoenus and A. bistisii were the most common. Two new species, Ascobolus nairobiensis and A. tsavoensis are introduced in this paper. In addition, two others, Ascobolus bistisii and A. calesco are new records in Kenya and are described and illustrated. The diversity of coprophilous Ascobolus from wildlife dung in Kenya as deduced from this study is very high.

Keywords: Ascobolus amoenus – A. nairobiensis – A. tsavoensis – elephant – moist chambers – national park – zebra

 

2. Current status of knowledge of Sri Lankan mycota

Authors: Karunarathna SC, Udayanga D, Maharachchikumbura SN, Pilkington M, Manamgoda DS, Wijayawardene DNN, Ariyawansa HA, Bandara AR, Chukeatirote E, McKenzie EHC, Hyde KD

Recieved: 20 March 2012, Accepted: 28 March 2012, Published: 27 April 2012

The Sri Lankan mycota is inadequately described, although there are a number of studies on its biodiversity. Current estimates suggest that there could be as many as 25,000 species, of which only a little more than 2,000 are presently known, and this estimate does not take into account the large number of exotics introduced with food, plantation, and ornamental plants. In addition, only limited parts of the island have been explored. The available information is widely dispersed, difficult to access, and plagued by synonymy. This paper describes the current status of Sri Lankan Mycology, and makes suggestions for facilitating further research.

Keywords: biodiversity – lichens – microfungi – mushrooms – phytopathogens – quarantine

 

3. Biology of Endophytic Fungi

Authors: Selim KA, El-Beih AA, AbdEl-Rahman TM, El-Diwany AI

Recieved: 30 January 2012, Accepted: 04 May 2012, Published: 20 June 2012

Endophytic fungi that are residing asymptomatically in internal tissues of all higher plants are of growing interest as promising sources of biologically active agents. This review focuses on the biology of endophytic fungi, their discovery, isolation, identification, and diversity and their biological activities in environmental and agricultural sustainability. It also considersand their medicinal applications especially in the production of anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiviral compounds. Endophytic fungi are one of the most creative groups of secondary metabolite producers that play important biological roles for human life. They are potential sources of novel natural agents for exploitation in the pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, and in environmental applications.

Keywords: Biological Roles – Ecology – Endophytic Fungi – Identification – Isolation –Secondary Metabolites

 

About CREAM Journal

Current Research in Environmental & Applied Mycology (Journal of Fungal Biology) publishes reviews, research articles and methodology papers and articles in environmental and appied mycology. The official journal language is English.

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