This month Mycological Research News reports how elevated carbon dioxide levels affect soil fungi, on cryptic species of macromycetes and species concepts, punching appressoria, and fungi in the Dead Sea. Amongst the topics covered in the 17 research papers included in this issue are ones presenting a new molecular taxonomy for Metarhizium, insights into the taxonomy of small-spored Alternaria species, sequencing and expression of an enolase gene in Cunninghamella, a novel extracellular protease from Beauveria bassiana, tests of different mathematical models on the effect on a lichen's growth by neighbouring thalli, how the taenia in Trichiales capillitium is formed, histological details of the incompatibility reaction between Plasmodiophora brassicae and Arabidopsis, and a key to the known Beltraniopsis species. The following new species and varieties are described: Beltraniopsis miconiae, Chrysosporium fluviale, Leptographium piceaperdum, and Metarhizium anisopilae vars acridum, lepidotum, and majus, and M. flavoviride vars novazealandicum and pemphigum.

This month Mycological Research News features the naming of a rust hybrid as a nothospecies, presents a synopsis of a revised ascomycete system, and the identity of British cramp balls. The 20 research papers in this issue include ones reporting a natural hybrid between two species of Melampsora rust fungi, the molecular detection of Rhizoctonia solani subgroups, variation in Alternaria alternata on tomato, genes coding for proteins involved in VA mycorrhizal formation, pycniospore cap production in rusts, Phakopsora cuticle penetration, variation in Dothiostroma pini, Aspergillus evolutionary rates in a chemostat, and metal tolerance in Oidiodendron ericoid mycorrhizas. Three papers concern Agaricus bisporus, one on oxalate decarboxylase production, and two on its pathogens. The following new scientific names are introduced: Cornuvesica and Halorosellinia gens. nov.; Melampsora ×columbiana nothosp. nov.; Helicodendron microsporum sp. nov.; Cornuvesica falcata (syn. Ceraotocystis falcata), H. oceanicum (syn. Hypoxylon oceanicum), and Sporisorium andropogonis-finitimi (syn. Ustilago andropogonis-finitimi) combs. nov.

This month Mycological Research News features the role of pathogenic Pythium species in the control of patterns of tree distribution in forests, unravelling the relationships of Rhizoctonia-like fungi, and homothallism in apotheciate lichens.

Amongst the 19 papers in this issue are molecular studies on Leptosphaeria maculans, Fusarium solani and Mortierella alpina. Two isozyme groups are reported within F. graminearum, the xylanases in Agaricus bisporus cultures are compared, and the enzymes of white-rot fungi studied. Effects of heavy metals on ericoid mycorrhizas, and the soluble carbohydrates in Pinus ectomycorrhizas have been analyzed. New data are presented on osmotic pressures and osmolytes, and the factors affecting branching in Neurospora. The endophytes of Rubus, and xylem degradation by Fistulina hepatica are explored. Plant pathological contributions include ones on karyotypes in Pyrenophora, Gibberella and Fusarium on teosinte and maize, and Aphanomyces on peas.

Revisions of Hygrocybe subgen. Hygrocybe in the Greater Antilles, and Harknessia species on Eucalyptus are reported, a new synnematal hyphomycete genus is described, and new species of Corynascus have been discovered.

The following new scientific names are introduced: Siamia gen. nov.; Corynascus sexualis, C. similis, C. verrucosus, Harknessia tasmaniensis, Hygrocybe chimaeroderma and S. luxuriosa spp. nov.; H. calyptriformis var. domingensis and H. konradii var. antillana vars. nov.; H. acutoconica var. microspora (syn. Hygrophorus acutoconicus var. microsporus), H. conica var. brevispora (syn. Hygrophorus nigrescens var. brevisporus), H. luteistipes (syn. Hygrophrus luteistipes) combs. nov.

This month Mycological Research News features the role of fungi in black boxes and missing sinks in global climate change research, and the collective terms suggested for the fungi present in any geographical situation or eological niche (i.e. funga, mycota, and mycobiota).

The issue includes a review of species concepts in lichen-forming fungi in the light of new molecular insights. The 15 other papers cover diverse aspects of mycology. Molecular data shows that the Peronosporomycetes comprise two main groups and the ordinal placement of some genera needs reconsideration. The generic separations in the Cystotheceae of the Erysiphales also need rethinking as molecular data are at variance with some morphological features. Alternaria and its allies have been reassessed, and at the infraspecific level molecular information on Ophiostoma novo-ulmi in North America, and Pythium irregulare from diverse sources is provided. Differences in endopolygalacturonase activity in Fusarium relate to its regulation and expression.

The biological relationships of the Dacampiaceae with its lichen hosts are examined, and the activity and metabolites of fungi from marine sponges investigated. Variation in heavy metal tolerance of ectomycorrhizas is studied in vitro, and the relationships of two ectomycorrhizal fungi with Pinus sylvestris explored by molecular and anatomical approaches.

Ultrastructural papers include ones on the development of basidiospores in Tricholosporum, and the location of chitin in the different spore stages of Cronartium ribicola.

A world monograph of Amorphomyces is presented, and the following new fungal taxa are described in this issue: Torrentispora gen. nov.; and Amorphomyces hernandoi, Dactylaria cazorlii, Hansfordia catalonica, and T. fibrosa spp. nov.

This month Mycological Research News features a report of an extraordinary richness of undescribed truffle-like fungi in Australia, and an explanation of why mycologists should always deposit voucher specimens and cultures to enable their work to be validated, co-authored by 18 mycologists.

Amongst the 21 papers included in this issue are three on the biocontrol of insect pests by Erynia and Metarhizium species, including methods of application and longevity of conidial preparations. Biomass estimations by ergosterol in decomposing leaves in the Everglades, and by chitin in Crinipellis infections on cacao are described. Variation in Phytophthora infestans provides evidence of heterokaryons, conidial production in Colletotrichum acutatum is favoured by monsoon conditions, and the conidia of Pestalotiopsis neglecta inhibit other fungi. Six papers on mycorrhizas address competition with saprobic fungi and other ectomycorrhizal species, the characterization of a chitin synthase, variation at the molecular level in two endomycorrhizal fungi, a culture technique, and the early response of tobacco roots to colonization. Amongst other papers are ones characterizing a protease in Schizophyllum, describing incompatability groups in Pleurotus tuberregium, and showing different Venturia species attack different pears.

The following new scientific names are introduced: Pseudohelicomyces gen. nov.; Anthostomella acuminata, A. applanata, A. caffrariae, A. colligata, A. meerensis, A. palmae, A. raphiae, A. spiralis, Pseudohelicomyces albus, Ramulispora cerealis, and Trichoderma stromaticum spp. nov.

This month Mycological Research News features recent work on the advance of the daisy rust Puccinia distincta in the UK, questions whether hyphae should be viewed as eusocial, draws attention to work showing that fertilization with AM-fungi may promote desirable grass species, and introduces a freely accessible index of 340 K names of fungi now available on-line. The untimely death of one of Mycological Research's editors, David A. Wood, is also reported.

Amongst topics covered by the 16 research papers in this issue are PCR-based techniques for the detection of Fusarium oxysporum and Gremmeniella abietina. Tuber dryophilum shares a specific protein with T. borchii. Toxic ephrapectins occur in Tolypocladium species; the extracellular enzymes of Trichoderma strains able to grow at 5 °C are examined; nutrients favouring oxalic acid production in Aspergillus niger have been studied; and the branching of Neurospora crassa hyphae is predictive on rapid falls in temperature. Elegant colour and ultrastructural studies on the extracellular matrix of Bipolaris sorokiniana are presented. In addition to documentation of the daisy rust spread, the life-history of Chrysomyxa woroninii is elucidated and the success of Lophodermium pinastri along an altitudinal gradient discussed.

The growth of fungal partners from different lichens is compared, and cell wall polysaccharides are shown to be of taxonomic value in Fusarium and Gibberella.

Systematic papers include ones on Pyrenopezia betulicola, and microfungi on Proteaceae. New scientific names introduced are: Kabatiella proteae, Lembosia proteae, Mycosphaerella stromatosa, Perennipora najenshana, Phloeosporella protearum, Pseudocercospora stromatosa, Septoria grandicipis, Stilbospora proteae, Teratosphaeria microsporum, Trimmatostroma microsporum, and T. elginense spp. nov.; and Diplotomma rivasmartinezii (syn. Buellia rivasmartinezii) comb. nov.

Mycological Research is changing for the new millennium. The journal is the major outlet for original mycological research world-wide, reaching the desks of more mycologists than any other in the discipline. Papers in all fields of pure and applied mycology are published, including biochemistry, biocontrol, biodeterioration, biodiversity, biotechnology, ecology, evolution, food spoilage, industrial mycology, genetics, lichens, molecular biology, medical and veterinary mycology, mycorrhizas, mycotoxins, ontogeny, physiology, plant pathology, systematics, ultrastructure, and yeasts. Papers of any length will be considered, as will collections from symposia or workshops (subject to the same review process as other papers). Review articles, which have proved so popular in the past, are encouraged. The journal is available on-line as well as in hard-copy (http://www.journals.cup.org). Advance contents lists are available through the British Mycological Society's home-page(http://www.ulst.ac.uk/faculty/science/bms).

This month Mycological Research News features recent work on generic concepts in cantharelloid fungi, and ectomycorrhizal fungi raiding saprotrophic ones for nutrients. Amongst topics covered by the 18 research papers in this issue are molecular systematics of Craterellus, variation at the molecular level in Chondrostereum purpureum and Monascus, genetic exchange between Metarhizium strains, β-1,3-glucanase regulation in Trichoderma harzianum, specific isozymes in Botrytis cinerea, lipid and fat composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, PCR detection of Verticillium chlamydosporium, the storage of Erynia, destruxin production by Metarhizium strains, ultrastructure of Entomosporium mespili, utilization of various substrates by Aspergillus fumigatus, Tuber melanosporum inoculation and molecular detection, and studies on freshwater ascomycetes from Thailand and Crepidotus species in Mexico. New scientific names introduced are: Botryobasidium musaisporum, Deltosperma oblongum, Melanochaeta garethjonesii, Ophiostoma setosum, Unguiculariopsis changbaiensis, and C. damingshanica spp. nov.; and Craterellus ignicolor (syn. Cantharellus ignicolor) comb. nov.

This month Mycological Research News features the role of mitogen activated protein kinase genes in the pathogenicity of fungi, and the importance of hydrophobins.

The 16 papers in this issue cover the molecular phylogeny of Schizopora, a revision of some species in Fusarium sections Fusarium and Roseum by RFLP methods, and an investigation of the differences in the ITS regions of special forms of F. solani. Ecogeographical variation in Pleurotus eryngii is documented, and the effects of hydroxyl radical scavengers on sclerotial formation in two plant pathogens demonstrated.

Some plant pathogenic fungi are eaten by collembolans, but others are lethal to these organisms. Licuala palms prove to be rich in endophytic fungi, and cultural groups of the endophyte Phialocephala fortinii are compared by molecular methods. An isolate of Flavodon flavus with potential applications in bioremediation has been discovered, and oosporein found dominant in Beauveria brongniartii products. The behaviour of Aschersonia aleyrodis conidia on different hosts has been investigated, and two kinds of conidia have been discovered in Conidiobolus adiaeretus.

The discovery of a high α-amylase producing Aspergillus oryzae strain is reported, Melampsora larici-tremulae has been successfully cultured, and the ‘gun cells’ of Haptoglossa dickii have been investigated ultrastructurally.

The issue concludes with an obituary of Guido Pontecorvo.

The following new scientific names and introduced: Fusarium aywerte (syn. F. avenaceum subsp. aywerte), and F. nurragi (syn. F. avenaceum susbsp. nurragi) combs. nov.

A PCR assay and a hybridisation assay were developed for identification of Fusarium oxysporum. Based on sequence data from the 28S rDNA, two primers (PFO2 and PFO3) and one 20-mer probe (HFO1) were designed. These oligonucleotides were tested with 16 strains of F. oxysporum and 80 strains of 23 other Fusarium species or of eight species from other fungal genera. A PCR procedure for specific amplification of DNA from the F. oxysporum strains using primers PFO2 and PFO3 was set up. Under the conditions defined, no PCR product was obtained with these primers from the 80 other strains. The oligonucleotide probe HFO1 was labelled using a non-radioactive method and evaluated for specificity in dot blot hybridisation experiments with rDNA amplified by PCR. Under optimised conditions, the probe hybridised exclusively with DNA from F. oxysporum strains. Both PCR and hybridisation procedures were validated with 53 additional isolates of F. oxysporum representative of the populations present in four different soils. These specific assays appear to be reliable tools for the identification of F. oxysporum and may have various applications in ecological studies.

The issue of Mycological Research News pays tribute to R. W. G. Dennis on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday. The importance of permanent microscopic mounts is also featured.

This month's Mycological Research includes the text of the British Mycological Society's Benefactors' Lecture presented by J. D. Rogers in April and which concerns tropical Xylariaceae. In addition, studies of fungi growing in the most radioactive situation in which they have previously been investigated, inside the damaged reactor building at Chernobyl, are reported.

Molecular studies included concern the detection of Tricholoma matsutake, and variation in isolates of Scytalidium thermophilum. Effects of high frequency aneuploidy mutants in Aspergillus nidulans have been examined. Sclertotial inhibitors have been tested for effects against Coniothyrium mintans, and the responses of VA-mycorrhizal fungi to different exudates compared. Mangrove forest plant endophytes, and fungi decaying camphor trees (Ocotea usambarensis), have been isolated and studied in vitro.

Ultrastructural studies on septal pore caps in genera of Hymenochaetaceae and Lachnocladiaceae, and on conidiogenesis in Cercosporella ugandensis and Pseudocercspora musae are presented. The ecology and world distribution of Barbeyella minutisma is also documented.

Two new species are described: Leptographium sibiricum and Melanconiopsis microspora spp. nov.

The taxonomy of Metarhizium has been reassessed using sequence data and RAPD patterns from 123 isolates recognised as M. anisopliae, M. flavoviride or M. album. A high level of genetic diversity was found which was best resolved at the species/variety level by sequence data from the ITS and 28S rDNA D3 regions. RAPD patterns correlated closely with the sequence data and revealed a much greater degree of diversity useful for distinguishing strains within a variety. Ten distinct clades were revealed by the cladogram based on the combined sequence data set. Several major evolutionary lines were revealed, but the taxonomic relationships at the base of the tree are poorly resolved. The data support the monopoly of the M. anisopliae group, and recognise four clades within it. Two correspond with M. anisopliae var. anisopliae and M. anisopliae var. majus. The other two are described as new varieties based on their distinctive ITS sequence data: M. anisopliae var. lepidiotum and M. anisopliae var. acridum vars nov. M. album, M. flavoviride var. flavoviride and M. flavoviride var. minus are recognised and redefined according to ITS sequence data. Three clades represent two new varieties, M. flavoviride var. novazealandicum and M. flavoviride var. pemphigum vars nov., based on their distinct ITS sequence data. The third, with two isolates, has not been named pending further data.

Hybrids of Melampsora medusae and M. occidentalis are herein described as M. ×columbiana. This hybrid taxon is characterized by isolates that generally exhibit morphological intermediacy in uredinial and telial traits, and mixed virulence/avirulence on Populus trichocarpa and P. deltoides, the natural hosts of M. occidentalis and M. medusae, respectively. Hybrids frequently contain ribosomal ITS sequences from both Melampsora species, but discordant isolates were also found, like M. medusae in having a urediniospore equatorial smooth spot, and like M. occidentalis in spine density, and intermediate in urediniospore length. Isolates with hybrid urediniospore morphology but homozygous for ITS sequences from M. medusae or M. occidentalis were also found, suggesting that the primary F1 hybrids have produced F2 and/or backcross progeny. In a 1997 survey of the leaf rust population on hybrid poplar in the Pacific Northwest, this ‘new population’ of Melampsora ×columbiana was the only taxon found. Specimens from nearly a century ago indicate that an older hybrid population is of wide distribution in North America. This ‘older population ‘of Melampsora ×columbiana was found on specimens of all species of Populus in sections Aigeiros and Tacamahaca, and on many of their hybrids, in areas outside the type localities of M. occidentalis and M. medusae. These three Melampsora taxa, M. medusae, M. occidentalis, and M. ×columbiana, are the only ones that occur naturally on sections Aigeiros and Tacamahaca of Populus in North America.

The retirement of David Moore from the position of Executive Editor of Mycological Research brings to a conclusion a period during which the journal has consolidated its role as the leading international publication in fungal biology, serving the needs of professional mycologists and a host of other research workers in many related fields.

Dr Moore was first appointed as an editor of the then Transactions of the British Mycological Society in January 1985 at a time when its Editorial Board consisted of about fourteen British members.

Experimental preparations (alginate granules and mycelial mats) of the entomopathogenic Erynia neoaphidis were assessed for their capacity to cause infections in populations of Macrosiphum euphorbiae on pepper plants, in a greenhouse trial performed over 14 d. The dried preparations contained hyphal cells, which upon rehydration produced conidiophores and ejected ballistospores. Applications of alginate granules and mycelial mats on soil were more rapid in causing infections in the host population compared with foliar applications. On the last sample date, infection rates of 10–14% were obtained with foliar applications of E. neoaphidis as alginate granules and mycelial mats, respectively. With soil applications of E. neoaphidis granules and mats, infections were 23–36% after 14 d. From all sample dates, 183 cadavers were found on pepper plants treated with E. neoaphidis and 37 (= 20%) exhibited external sporulation after overnight incubation.

Comparisons were also made with single foliar sprays of Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol WP®) and the systemic insecticide pymetrozine (Chess WP®), the latter being the only treatment to significantly reduce aphid numbers during the trial period. Treatment with B. bassiana resulted in good initial infection rates (50–60%) which declined over the period and reached the same infection level as E. neoaphidis treatments at the end of the trial. With B. bassiana, a total of 81 cadavers were found, of which 62 (= 77%) sporulated.