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Fungal conservation is gaining momentum globally, but many challenges remain. To advance further, more data are needed on fungal diversity across space and time. Fundamental information regarding population sizes, trends, and geographic ranges is also critical to accurately assess the extinction risk of individual species. However, obtaining these data is particularly difficult for fungi due to their immense diversity, complex and problematic taxonomy, and cryptic nature. This paper explores how citizen science (CS) projects can be leveraged to advance fungal conservation efforts. We present several examples of past and ongoing CS‐based projects to record and monitor fungal diversity. These include projects that are part of broad collecting schemes, those that provide participants with targeted sampling methods, and those whereby participants collect environmental samples from which fungi can be obtained. We also examine challenges and solutions for how such projects can capture fungal diversity, estimate species absences, broaden participation, improve data curation, and translate resulting data into actionable conservation measures. Finally, we close the paper with a call for professional mycologists to engage with amateurs and local communities, presenting a framework to determine whether a given project would likely benefit from participation by citizen scientists.

Polyporus dictyopus, with a large number of heterotypic synonyms, has been traditionally considered a species complex, characterized by wide morphological variation and geographic distribution. Thus, neotropical specimens previously identified as P. dictyopus from Amazonia, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes were studied based on detailed macro- and micromorphological examination and phylogenetic analyses, using distinct ribosomal and protein-coding genomic regions: the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS), nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nrLSU), and RNA polymerase II second subunit (RPB2). Two unrelated generic lineages, each one represented by different species, are reported: Atroporus is recovered and re-circumscribed to include A. diabolicus and A. rufoatratus comb. nov.; Neodictyopus gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate N. dictyopus comb. nov. and two new species, N. atlanticae and N. gugliottae. Our study showed that at least five distinct species were hidden under the name P. dictyopus. Detailed descriptions, pictures, illustrations, and a key are provided for Atroporus and Neodictyopus species.

In the present investigation, we employ a novel and meticulously structured database assembled by experts, encompassing macrofungi field-collected in Brazil, featuring upwards of 13,894 photographs representing 505 distinct species. The purpose of utilizing this database is twofold: firstly, to furnish training and validation for convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with the capacity for autonomous identification of macrofungal species; secondly, to develop a sophisticated mobile application replete with an advanced user interface. This interface is specifically crafted to acquire images, and, utilizing the image recognition capabilities afforded by the trained CNN, proffer potential identifications for the macrofungal species depicted therein. Such technological advancements democratize access to the Brazilian Funga, thereby enhancing public engagement and knowledge dissemination, and also facilitating contributions from the populace to the expanding body of knowledge concerning the conservation of macrofungal species of Brazil.

As public policies and conservation requirements for biodiversity evolve there is a need for a term for the kingdom Fungi equivalent to Fauna and Flora. This need is considered to be urgent in order to simplify projects oriented toward implemention of educational and conservation goals. In an informal meeting held during the IX Congreso Latinoamericano de Micología by the authors, the idea of clarifying this matter initiated an extensive search of pertinent terminologies. As a result of these discussions and reviews, we propose that the word Funga be employed as an accurate and encompassing term for these purposes. This supports the proposal of the three Fs, Fauna, Flora and Funga, to highlight parallel terminology referring to treatments of these macrorganism of particular geographical areas. Alternative terms and proposals are acknowledged and discussed.

Phlebopus bruchii is a culturally important and culinary valued fungus endemic to the Montane Chaco forests of Córdoba and San Luis, Argentina. Recently, the species has been categorized as Critically Endangered following the International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria, primarily due to habitat loss. This work aims to identify and predict its remaining suitable habitat based on citizen science collaborations, a fundamental step in developing effective conservation strategies for the species. Species Distribution Models and the collection of presence data throughout different social media platforms were carried out. The resulting habitat suitability map was analyzed considering vegetation units, current land cover, and areas affected by fires in 2024. A total of 84 occurrence records of Phlebopus bruchii were compiled from Córdoba and San Luis provinces. After removing duplicates that fell within the same raster cell, 70 unique records were retained for modeling. We first developed an initial habitat suitability model (Map 1) using 35 records. This model was then validated and updated with 35 additional records obtained in the subsequent 2024 season. The final model (Map 2) presented a high performance, with results indicating moderate to high habitat suitability in remnant patches of Montane Chaco forest in Córdoba and San Luis provinces. Approximately half of the predicted suitable habitat is located in areas still facing intense anthropogenic pressures, including intentional fires, agricultural expansion, livestock grazing, and urban development. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted conservation actions in native forest remnants and demonstrate the critical role of citizen science in documenting rare fungal species. Additionally, the conservation status of P. bruchii is reassessed, and its categorization is suggested to be kept based on new generated data.

This is the first genomic description for Phellinotus piptadeniae . This basidiomycete is found across a broad range of climates and ecosystems in South America, including regions threatened by extensive agriculture. This fungus is also relevant considering its pathotrophic-saprotrophic association with Piptadenia goanocantha , which we began to understand with these new results that locate this species among biotrophic and necrotrophic fungi.

Trindade Island is a unique volcanic environment in the South Atlantic, characterized by acidic soils, rich organic matter and a high diversity of micro- and macroorganisms. Such diversity can represent a range of ecological niches and functions, potentially offering valuable ecosystem services. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the current knowledge of the island’s microbial communities, focusing on their ecological roles and biotechnological potential. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search of the scientific literature was conducted to identify studies that performed DNA sequencing of samples collected on Trindade Island, Brazil. The selected studies used approaches, such as shotgun metagenomics and marker gene sequencing, including samples from microcosm experiments and culture-dependent samples. A total of eight studies were selected, but only six provided detailed taxonomic information, from which more than 850 genera of Bacteria, Archaea, and Fungi were catalogued. Soil communities were dominated by Actinobacteriota, Acidobacteriota, and Ascomycota (Fungi) while marine and coral environments showed high diversity of Pseudomonadota and Cyanobacteria. Microcosm experiments revealed adaptive responses to hydrocarbon contamination, mainly for Alcanivorax and Mortierella (Fungi). Compared to other ecosystems, such as the oligotrophic Galapagos Islands and the sea-restricted Cuatro Cienegas Basin, Cyanobacteria were shown to be more adaptive.

The rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, is a neotropical Amazonian species. Despite its high economic value and fungi associated with native individuals, in its original area in Brazil, it has been scarcely investigated and only using culture-dependent methods. Herein, we integrated in silico approaches with novel field/experimental approaches and a case study of shotgun metagenomics and small RNA metatranscriptomics of an adult individual. Scientific literature, host fungus, and DNA databases are biased to fungal taxa, and are mainly related to rubber tree diseases and in non-native ecosystems. Metabarcoding retrieved specific phyllospheric core fungal communities of all individuals, adults, plantlets, and leaves of the same plant, unravelling hierarchical structured core mycobiomes. Basidiomycotan yeast-like fungi that display the potential to produce antifungal compounds and a complex of non-invasive ectophytic parasites (Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck fungi) co-occurred in all samples, encompassing the strictest core mycobiome. The case study of the same adult tree (previously studied using culture-dependent approach) analyzed by amplicon, shotgun metagenomics, and small RNA transcriptomics revealed a high relative abundance of insect parasite-pathogens, anaerobic fungi and a high expression of Trichoderma (a fungal genus long reported as dominant in healthy wild rubber trees), respectively. Altogether, our study unravels new and intriguing information/hypotheses of the foliar mycobiome of native H. brasiliensis, which may also occur in other native Amazonian trees.

Ophiocordyceps australis (Ascomycota, Hypocreales, Ophiocordycipitaceae) is a classic entomopathogenic fungus that parasitizes ants (Hymenoptera, Ponerinae, Ponerini). Nonetheless, according to our results, this fungal species also exhibits a complete set of genes coding for plant cell wall degrading Carbohydrate-Active enZymes (CAZymes), enabling a full endophytic stage and, consequently, its dual ability to both parasitize insects and live inside plant tissue. The main objective of our study was the sequencing and full characterization of the genome of the fungal strain of O. australis (CCMB661) and its predicted secretome. The assembled genome had a total length of 30.31 Mb, N50 of 92.624 bp, GC content of 46.36%, and 8,043 protein-coding genes, 175 of which encoded CAZymes. In addition, the primary genes encoding proteins and critical enzymes during the infection process and those responsible for the host–pathogen interaction have been identified, including proteases (Pr1, Pr4), aminopeptidases, chitinases (Cht2), adhesins, lectins, lipases, and behavioral manipulators, such as enterotoxins, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases (PTPs), and Glycoside Hydrolases (GHs). Our findings indicate that the presence of genes coding for Mad2 and GHs in O. australis may facilitate the infection process in plants, suggesting interkingdom colonization. Furthermore, our study elucidated the pathogenicity mechanisms for this Ophiocordyceps species, which still is scarcely studied.