Symbiotaphrina

Taxonomy

Sexual states of Symbiotaphrina species (formerly included in the discomycete genus Tromeropsis) are black disk-shaped apothecia with multi-spored asci, and one-celled, unpigmented ascospores. The apothecia can be revived for several years after they have been dry.

The asexual states of Symbiotraphrina species are yeast-like endosymbionts of Anobiid beetles (e.g. the cigarette beetle Lasioderma and the related Stegobium). The ellipsoidal yeast cells have monopolar budding. A few species also have mycelial asexual states with conidium-producing pores ("phialides") in somatic hyphae.

Ecology and physiology

Symbiotaphrina species can be found on dry, decayed wood. A few live in Anobiid beetles in a specialized structure (a "mycetome") between the fore- and mid-gut. Cells are transmitted between host generations when adults rub them onto egg surfaces eaten by hatched larvae. These fungi assist beetles with B-vitamin biosynthesis, fatty acid and sterol metabolism, and break down flavonoids and other toxins.

Symbiotic Symbiotaphrina species can be isolated in axenic culture by aseptically dissecting beetle guts, spreading them onto agar, with incubation at 26 C.

Species

As accepted by Species Fungorum;

• Symbiotaphrina buchneri Gräbner ex W.Gams & Arx (1980)
• Symbiotaphrina desertorum Baral, G.Marson, E.Weber & Quijada (2017)
• Symbiotaphrina kochii Jurzitza ex W.Gams & Arx (1980)
• Symbiotaphrina larreae Baral, G.Marson & E. Weber (2017)
• Symbiotaphrina lignicola (L.J.Hutchison, Sigler & Y.Hirats.) E.Weber & Baral (2017)
• Symbiotaphrina microtheca (P.Karst.) Baral, E.Weber & G.Marson (2017)
• Symbiotaphrina sanguinea (C.Ramírez) Baral & E.Weber (2017)

References

References

1. (1964). "Studien an der symbiose der anobiiden". Archiv für Mikrobiologie.
2. (1991). "Detoxification spectrum of the cigarette beetle symbiont ''Symbiotaphrina kochii'' in culture". Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata.
3. (1996). "Phylogenetic position of yeastlike endosymbionts of anobiid beetles". Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
4. "Species Fungorum - Search Page - Symbiotaphrina".
5. (2018). "A new connection between wood saprobism and beetle endosymbiosis: the rarely reported saprobic discomycete ''Tromeropsis'' is congeneric with the symbiotic yeast ''Symbiotaphrina'' (Symbiotaphrinales, Xylonomycetes) and two asexual morphs misplaced in ''Hyphozyma''". Mycological Progress.
6. (2022). "Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa – 2021". Mycosphere.