• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.230-236
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• 2023

Rhododendron caucasicum Pall. is a shrub distributed in the mountainous areas of the Caucasus from northeastern Türkiye towards the Caspian Sea. This study reports the first complete chloroplast genome sequence of R. caucasicum. The plastome is 199,487 base pairs (bp) long and exhibits a typical quadripartite structure comprising a large single-copy region of 107,645 bp, a small single-copy region of 2,598 bp, and a pair of identical inverted repeat regions of 44,622 bp each. It contains 143 genes, comprising 93 protein-coding genes, 42 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The large chloroplast genome size is likely due to the expansion of inverted repeats. A phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast genomes with other Rhododendron species supports previously recognized infrageneric relationship.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2023

We report the first discovery of Penicillium mexicanum in Korea. Fungal strains were isolated from air samples collected in Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. The strain was identified based on its morphological characteristics, as well as molecular phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin (BenA), and calmodulin (CaM) regions. This strain exhibited a high sequence similarity to the reference sequences of P. mexicanum. These findings enhance our understanding of fungal biodiversity in Korea and underscore the importance of continuous monitoring of fungal species.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2023

During an investigation of micro-fungi in soil, two fungal isolates belonging to the phylum Ascomycota, namely KNUF-20-NI011 and KNUF-20-NI006, were collected from Gyeongbuk Province and Dokdo Island in Korea and identified as Clonostachys divergens and Chrysosporium merdarium, respectively. The fungal isolates were confirmed through molecular phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer regions, 28S rDNA large subunit, and β-tubulin sequences. Cultural and morphological characteristics were observed and determined using different media. These species were identified based on phylogenetic relationships along with their cultural and morphological characteristics. To our knowledge, this is the first report on Clonostachys divergens and Chrysosporium merdarium in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2023

In Korea, Cornus controversa and C. florida are known as hosts of Erysiphe pulchra from section Microspharea of the genus Erysiphe. However, recent molecular-phylogenetic analyses on the internal transcribed spacer regions and large subunit gene of the rDNA revealed that the Erysiphe powdery mildew on C. controversa in Japan is in fact E. cornicola. To assess the taxonomic status of Erysiphe-C. controversa association in Korea, isolates collected since 1987 were investigated and consequently identified as E. cornicola based on molecular-phylogenetic analyses and new morphological traits. To our knowledge, this is the first study to confirm the presence of this powdery mildew in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.311-318
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• 2022

Endophytic fungal strains were isolated from the leaves of two conifer species (Juniperus rigida and Pinus densiflora) in Korea and identified on the basis of their morphological and molecular characteristics. Internal transcribed spacer and large subunit regions of rDNA were used for the phylogenetic analysis, and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes were analyzed depending on the species. Two fungal species that were previously unrecorded in Korea were identified: Acrodontium burrowsianum and Pestalotiopsis humicola. Their morphological and phylogenetic characteristics are described herein.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.173-181
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• 2022

Endophytic fungi were isolated from needle leaves of two conifer species in Korea. The fungal isolates were identified based on their morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of their internal transcribed spacer and large-subunit rDNA regions. Three species of endophytic fungi, namely Celosporium laricicola, Neocatenulostroma germanicum, and Phaeophleospora eucalypticola were the first records in Korea. In this study, we reported the morphological and phylogenetic characteristics of these fungi.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.78.1-78.6
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• 2023

Avian-origin H3N2 canine influenza A viruses (CIVs) have become enzootic in China and Korea and have sporadically transmitted to North America, causing multiple epidemics. We isolated six CIVs in Korea from CIV-infected patients during 2014-2017 and conducted whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Results revealed that CIVs have circulated and evolved in Korea since the early 2000s and then diversified into a new clade, probably contributing to multiple epidemics in China, the USA, and Canada. Our findings bridge an evolutionary gap for understanding the global transmission of CIVs, emphasizing the significance of continuous monitoring of CIVs.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.281-287
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• 2023

The symbiotic association between fungus-gardening termites Macrotermes and its fungal symbiont has a moderate degree of specificity-although the symbiotic fungi (Termitomyces) form a monophyletic clade, there is not a one-to-one association between termite species and their fungus-garden associates. Here, we aim to determine the origin and phylogenetic relationships of Termitomyces in Oman. We used sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and the nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU rRNA, 25S) gene and analyzed these with sequences of Termitomyces from other geographic areas. We find no evidence for more than a single colonization of Oman by Termitomyces. Unexpectedly, we find Termitomyces in Oman is most closely related to the symbiont of M. subhyalinus in West Africa rather than to those of geographically closer populations in East Africa.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.320-332
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• 2023

Talaromyces is a genus within the phylum Ascomycota (class Eurotiomycetes, order Eurotiales, family Trichocomaceae). Many species in this genus are known to produce diverse secondary metabolites with great potential for agricultural, medical, and pharmaceutical applications. During a survey on fungal diversity in the genus Talaromyces in Korea, six strains were isolated from soil, indoor air, and freshwater environments. Based on morphological, physiological, and multi-locus (ITS, BenA, CaM, and RPB2) phylogenetic analyses, we identified five previously unrecorded species in Korea (T. brevis, T. fusiformis, T. muroii, T. ruber, and T. soli) and a new species (T. echinulatus sp. nov.) belonging to section Talaromyces. Herein, detailed descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic tree are provided.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.397-403
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• 2023

Wilt symptoms were observed in basil (Ocimum basilicum) plants grown in a vinyl greenhouse located in Gokseong, Korea, during crop disease surveys conducted in August 2022. The symptoms appeared as wilting of the plants and brown to dark brown longitudinal streaks on the stems at or above the soil line. The disease incidence among the plants in the vinyl greenhouse was 5-20%. Six isolates of Fusarium sp. were obtained from stem lesions and identified as Fusarium oxysporum species complex based on their morphological characteristics. Among the isolates, two were used for phylogenetic analysis and pathogenicity test. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these isolates belonged to F. oxysporum. Pathogenicity of the isolates was confirmed through artificial inoculation test. The symptoms induced by the isolates were similar to those observed in basil plants in the investigated vinyl greenhouse. This is the first report of F. oxysporum causing Fusarium wilt in basil in Korea.