''Microdochium phragmitis'' is a newly recovered species that mycologists are still distinguishing from other ''

Microdochium ''Microdochium'' is a genus of ascomycete fungi, which contains several plant pathogens. The teleomorph is ''Monographella''. The genus was circumscribed by German mycologist Hans Sydow in 1924. Species As accepted by GBIF; * '' Microdochium al ...

'' species. This fungus has a regular ''Microdochium'' shape that can only be seen microscopically. There is no fruiting mushroom body, so finding it in the field can be difficult. It is categorized as an

ascomycetous Ascomycota is a phylum of the kingdom Fungi that, together with the Basidiomycota, forms the subkingdom Dikarya. Its members are commonly known as the sac fungi or ascomycetes. It is the largest phylum of Fungi, with over 64,000 species. The de ...

fungal plant pathogen.

Taxonomy

This genus was first documented by Sydow (1924) on the plant '' Phragmites australis'' in Germany. ''M. phragmitis'' is commonly designated as an epitype because some conclusive features for identification are missing. The genus has approximately 20-48 species, but only a few are well known and have been studied. The species is typically classified as phytopathogenic and saprobic. There have yet to be ''chlamydospores'' observed in this genus, although it is a common characteristic in ''microdochium'' species.

Description

The overall structure of the fungi is globose or oblong with some variation. One common trait between organisms is they almost always contain curved truncate bases and apices. The septa are usually 1-2 μm wide. It also contains hyaline cells, conoid conidiogenous cells, and solitary fusiform or subfalcate hyaline conidia. The structure is made up of conidiophores with conidogenous cells, hyaline cells, and relatively small septa. Conidia of the species are usually small apical structures brightly orange-colored and have leaf-like stroma. The small papillate conidiogenous cells have been visualized in many varying structure shapes including lageniform, cylindrical, terminal, sympodial, annedllidic, clavate, and even navicular. Similarly, conidia arise holoblastically and are usually solitary, fusiform, and dry.

Ecology

''Microdochium phragmitis'' is an endophyte fungus that has only been documented as living within '' Phragmites australis''. As such, the host usually does not feel any negative symptoms associated with the apparent disease. The fungus colonizes the living roots of the common reed without causing harm, but can also be pathogenic to plants. More research is needed to learn about the pathogenic properties and diseases caused by the fungus. One thing researchers have shown is the ability of the fungus to participate in niche partitioning with ''

Microdochium bolleyi ''Microdochium bolleyi'' is a fungal plant pathogen that causes root rot in flax Flax, also known as common flax or linseed, is a flowering plant, ''Linum usitatissimum'', in the family Linaceae. It is cultivated as a food and fiber crop i ...

'' on the colonized ''P. australis''. There is a possibility of the fungus playing a role in an additional Spatio-temporal niche partitioning. Research has documented that the conidia are holoblastic in character, but the mechanics of the relationship are weakly defined in the literature.

Habitat and geographical distribution

''Microdochium phragmitis'' was first recovered in Poland on ''P. australis''. Since then it has been found in other locations in Poland, Germany, and across the world. This genus is unique from other ''Microdochium'' species because it thrives on the roots in flooded habitats. It can still function on stems, leaves, or in dry conditions, just not as well as the former habitat type. This species flourishes in the colder months when the temperature stays at 20 degrees C or less. However, the fungus can survive in the warmer spring and summer months, but not at such a high rate.

Importance

''Microdochium phragmitis'' can't be found on cultivated plants, but it can be cultured in the lab. This specific ''microdochium'' specie is not pathogenic. However, the genus has many pathogenic species including the popular

snow mold Snow mold is a type of fungus and a turf disease that damages or kills grass after snow melts, typically in late winter. Its damage is usually concentrated in circles three to twelve inches in diameter, although yards may have many of these circles ...

plant pathogen. It also is closely related to fungal isolates obtained from salmon eggs (''

Verticillium dahliae ''Verticillium dahliae'' is a fungal plant pathogen. It causes verticillium wilt in many plant species, causing leaves to curl and discolor. It may cause death in some plants. Over 400 plant species are affected by ''Verticillium'' complex. M ...

'', a plant pathogen). Significant research has not been completed yet as to the potential medicinal drug uses of the fungi, but it showed some cytotoxic activity in a human tumoral cell.

Similar species

''Microdochium phragmitis'' is often used as the baseline comparison for species of similar morphology and DNA sequences, however, there are no synonyms for this fungi. Until recently, ''M. phragmitis'' was undistinguished from the rest of the ''Microdochium'' species. Additionally, ''M. lycopodinum'' is presented as a sister clade. The two were differentiated after comparing the morphology and DNA sequences of the conidia spores in cell cultures.

References

Fungal plant pathogens and diseases Xylariales Fungus species Taxa named by Hans Sydow Taxa named by Paul Sydow {{fungus-plant-disease-stub