Coniochaeta
The Coniochaeta form a genus of pleomorphic yeasts of the order Coniochaetales and are pathogens of trees.[1] They can take the form of pink to brown colonies, hyphae, condiophores or sclerotia. In 2013, the Lecythophora were merged with the Coniochaeta, following suggestions by Ziauddin Khan et al.[2]
Coniochaeta | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Sordariomycetes |
Order: | Coniochaetales |
Family: | Coniochaetaceae |
Genus: | Coniochaeta |
Species | |
Ecology
The Coniochaeta have been described as typically associated with wood, water, soil,.[3][4] However, there is also growing evidence of specialised associations between each species and specific environments, and a suggestion that 4-spored and 8-spored species interact differently with their environments, some species surviving forest fires, which activate their sexual cycle.[5] Other members of the Coniochaeta, most commonly Coniochaeta polymorpha, can cause clinical infections in immunocompromised individuals,[2] which has increased recent interest in the genus.
References
- Damm, U; Fourie, PH; Crous, PW (June 2010). "Coniochaeta (Lecythophora), Collophora gen. nov. and Phaeomoniella species associated with wood necroses of Prunus trees". Persoonia. 24: 60–80. doi:10.3767/003158510x500705. PMC 2890157. PMID 20664761.
- Khan, Ziauddin; Gené, J; Ahmad, S; Cano, J; Al-Sweih, N; Joseph, L; Chandy, R; Guarro, J (Aug 2013). "Coniochaeta polymorpha, a new species from endotracheal aspirate of a preterm neonate, and transfer of Lecythophora species to Coniochaeta". Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 104 (2): 243–52. doi:10.1007/s10482-013-9943-z. PMID 23748934.
- Weber, E (2002). "The Lecythophora-Coniochaeta complex I. Morphological studies on Lecythophora species isolated from Picea abies". Nova Hedwigia. 74: 159–185. doi:10.1127/0029-5035/2002/0074-0159.
- Weber E, Go¨rke C, Begerow D (2002) The Lecythophora/Coniochaeta complex II. Molecular studies based on sequences of the large subunit of ribosomal DNA. Nova Hedwigia 74:187–200
- Coniochaeta extramundana, with a Synopsis of Other Coniochaeta Species. D. P. Mahoney and J. S. LaFavre Mycologia Vol. 73, No. 5 (Sep. - Oct., 1981), pp. 931-952