Explore the vast range of titles available.

Two species of Pluteus, namely P. brunneoalbus and P. sepiicolor, from China are reported and illustrated. Pluteus brunneoalbus is described as a new species in P. sect. Celluloderma. This species is characterized by a shallowly depressed pileus, a white stipe, ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores 6–7 × 5–6.5 µm, the presence of few scattered cheilocystidia, the presence of mostly clavate pleurocystidia, and a cutis type pileipellis. In the phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), the new species appears as sister to P. hirtellus and P. squarrosus. In addition to the new species, another species, P. sepiicolor, is reported here as a new record for China. Molecular data support its conspecificity with a collection from Russia. Detailed morphological descriptions including illustrations of the two species from China, and their comparisons with the related taxa of Pluteus are also provided with phylogenetic placement.

Ocean warming and acidification can cause deleterious effects on marine biota, which may be potentialized when associated with metal pollution. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of pH decrease, temperature increase and lead contamination on fertility rate and embryo-larval development of Echinometra lucunter. Gametes and embryos were exposed at pH 8.2 (control) and 7.5; at 26°C (control) and 28°C; and at lead concentrations of 0 (control), 125, 250 and 500 μg/L. These conditions were tested individually and in combination. The fertilization rate of E. lucunter was only significantly reduced in the treatments where temperature was increased and in the treatment where pH decreased. However, the development rate of the pluteus larvae was significantly affected in the majority of treatments: metal contamination in the higher concentration; decreased pH in all metal concentrations; increased temperature in the highest metal concentration; decreased pH and increased temperature and all variables combined, which is decreased pH, increased temperature and metal contamination in relation to the control group (C). The development test was shown to be more sensitive than the fertilization test in all the studied scenarios. In general, the present study suggests that pH decrease, temperature increase and metal pollution may have a significant impact on E. lucunter reproductive cycle.

A review of the nomenclatural type specimens of Pluteus basionyms is presented as part of the monographic study of the genus in Mexico carried out by the author. In this paper, 19 type materials are reviewed, of the 33 taxa cited from Mexico. Corrections and comments are provided for some type species of the original descriptions, and Pluteus veraecrucis is synonymized as P. horridus. Se presenta una revisión de los especímenes tipo nomenclaturales de basiónimos de Pluteus como parte del estudio monográfico del género en México realizado por la autora. En este artículo se revisan 19 materiales tipo, de los 33 taxones citados en México. Se aportan correcciones y comentarios para algunas especies tipo de las descripciones originales, y se sinonimiza a Pluteus veraecrucis como P. horridus.

We studied the taxonomy of Pluteus insidiosus and similar species using morphological and molecular (nrITS, TEF1-α) data, including a detailed study of the type collection of P. insidiosus. Based on our results, we recognize five species in this group: P. insidiosus sensu stricto and four other taxa: P. assimilatus; P. farensis; P. flavostipitatus; and P. pseudoinsidiosus; described here as new. All these taxa are distinct from each other based on molecular data, but some of them are semi-cryptic based on morphology and co-occur in the Palaearctic region. An additional molecular lineage, phylogenetically separates from the P. insidiosus complex, but with many morphological similarities, was recognized in the molecular phylogenies. Based on the revision of available type collections, the name Pluteus reisneri Velen., was adopted for this Clade. Pluteus reisneri was validly published in 1921, but it has barely been used since its original description. A modern epitype, with molecular data, was selected for P. reisneri.

Psychotropic drugs and benzodiazepines are nowadays among the primary substances of abuse. This results in a large and constant release into aquatic environments where they have potentially harmful effects on non-target organisms and, eventually, human health. In the last decades, evidence has been collected on the possible interference of benzodiazepines with reproductive processes, but data are few and incomplete. In this study, the possible negative influence of delorazepam on fertilization and embryo development has been tested in Paracentrotus lividus, a key model organism in studies of reproduction and embryonic development. Sperm, eggs, or fertilized eggs have been exposed to delorazepam at three concentrations: 1 μg/L (environmentally realistic), 5 μg/L, and 10 μg/L. Results indicate that delorazepam reduces the fertilizing capacity of male and female gametes and interferes with fertilization and embryo development. Exposure causes anatomical anomalies in plutei, accelerates/delays development, and alters the presence and distribution of glycoconjugates such as N-Acetyl-glucosamine, α-linked fucose, and α-linked mannose in both morulae and plutei. These results should attract attention to the reproductive fitness of aquatic species exposed to benzodiazepines and pave the way for further investigation of the effects they may exert on human fertility. The presence of benzodiazepines in the aquatic environment raises concerns about the reproductive well-being of aquatic species. Additionally, it prompts worries regarding potential impacts on human fertility due to the excessive use of anxiolytics.

Transgenerational plasticity (TGP) may be an important mechanism for marine organisms to acclimate to climate change stressors including ocean warming (OW) and ocean acidification (OA). Conversely, environmental stress experienced by one generation may have detrimental latent effects on subsequent generations. We examined TGP in the embryos and larvae of the pan-tropical sea urchin, Tripneustes gratilla, in response to OA (pH 7.77), OW (+2 °C), or both OA and OW, OAW (+2 °C, pH 7.77) using a parent (F0) generation reared in treatments from the early juvenile to the mature adult, incorporating gonadogenesis and germline differentiation. Embryos and larvae of acclimated parents were reared in all four treatments to the 2-day-old pluteus stage. Larvae from OA and OAW parents were resilient to the effects of acidification, while larvae from OW and OAW parents were more tolerant to warmer temperature (29 °C). Parental acclimation, however, had predominantly negative effects on the size of offspring with reductions in larval arm lengths by as much as 21.4%, while eggs were up to 21.8% smaller in females raised at 29 °C. We highlight the complexity and trade-offs of TGP in this first transgenerational climate change study on a marine macroinvertebrate where the F0 generation was acclimated over their reproductive life.

The effects of three relevant organic pollutants: chlorpyrifos (CPF), a widely used insecticide, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), employed as flame retardant and as plastic additive, and bisphenol A (BPA), used primarily as plastic additive, on sea urchin ( Paracentrotus lividus ) larvae, were investigated. Experiments consisted of exposing sea urchin fertilized eggs throughout their development to the 4-arm pluteus larval stage. The antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT), the phase II detoxification enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST), and the neurotransmitter catabolism enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were assessed in combination with responses at the individual level (larval growth). CPF was the most toxic compound with 10 and 50% effective concentrations (EC 10 and EC 50 ) values of 60 and 279 μg/l (0.17 and 0.80 μM), followed by TPHP with EC 10 and EC 50 values of 224 and 1213 μg/l (0.68 and 3.7 μM), and by BPA with EC 10 and EC 50 values of 885 and 1549 μg/l (3.9 and 6.8 μM). The toxicity of the three compounds was attributed to oxidative stress, to the modulation of the AChE response, and/or to the reduction of the detoxification efficacy. Increasing trends in CAT activity were observed for BPA and, to a lower extent, for CPF. GR activity showed a bell-shaped response in larvae exposed to CPF, whereas BPA caused an increasing trend in GR. GST also displayed a bell-shaped response to CPF exposure and a decreasing trend was observed for TPHP. An inhibition pattern in AChE activity was observed at increasing BPA concentrations. A potential role of the GST in the metabolism of CPF was proposed, but not for TPHP or BPA, and a significant increase of AChE activity associated with oxidative stress was observed in TPHP-exposed larvae. Among the biochemical responses, the GR activity was found to be a reliable biomarker of exposure for sea urchin early-life stages, providing a first sign of damage. These results show that the integration of responses at the biochemical level with fitness-related responses (e.g., growth) may help to improve knowledge about the impact of toxic substances on marine ecosystems.

Pluteus aurantiorugosus, var. aurantiovelatus var. nov., is described from Italy based on both morphological and ITS rDNA data. This taxon is characterized by an ornamented stipe provided with reddish orange remnants of a partial veil. The occurrence of the partial veil in Pluteus also is discussed.

Background Atrazine is one of the most widespread chlorinated herbicides, leaving large bulks in soils and groundwater. The biodegradation of atrazine by bacteria is well described, but many aspects of the fungal metabolism of this compound remain unclear. Thus, we investigated the toxicity and degradation of atrazine by 13 rainforest basidiomycete strains. Results In liquid medium, Pluteus cubensis SXS320, Gloelophyllum striatum MCA7, and Agaricales MCA17 removed 30, 37, and 38%, respectively, of initial 25 mg L − 1 of the herbicide within 20 days. Deficiency of nitrogen drove atrazine degradation by Pluteus cubensis SXS320; this strain removed 30% of atrazine within 20 days in a culture medium with 2.5 mM of N, raising three metabolites; in a medium with 25 mM of N, only 21% of initial atrazine were removed after 40 days, and two metabolites appeared in culture extracts. This is the first report of such different outcomes linked to nitrogen availability during the biodegradation of atrazine by basidiomycetes. The herbicide also induced synthesis and secretion of extracellular laccases by Datronia caperata MCA5, Pycnoporus sanguineus MCA16, and Polyporus tenuiculus MCA11. Laccase levels produced by of P. tenuiculus MCA11 were 13.3-fold superior in the contaminated medium than in control; the possible role of this enzyme on atrazine biodegradation was evaluated, considering the strong induction and the removal of 13.9% of the herbicide in vivo. Although 88% of initial laccase activity remained after 6 h, no evidence of in vitro degradation was observed, even though ABTS was present as mediator. Conclusions This study revealed a high potential for atrazine biodegradation among tropical basidiomycete strains. Further investigations, focusing on less explored ligninolytic enzymes and cell-bound mechanisms, could enlighten key aspects of the atrazine fungal metabolism and the role of the nitrogen in the process.

Foraging for edible and medicinal mushrooms is a cultural and social practice both globally and in the United States. Determining the toxic and nutrient element concentrations of edible and medicinal mushrooms is needed to ensure the safe consumption of this food source. Our research examined wild, foraged mushrooms in New England, USA to assess nutrient (Ca, K, Mg, P) and toxic (As, Hg, Pb, Cd) element relationships between mushrooms, substrates, and soils. We examined a gradient in nutrient and toxic elements from more rural Mountain and Hill Zones in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire to more developed and urban Valley and Coastal Zones in Connecticut. Substrates and mineral soils were moderate to weak predictors of mushroom tissue concentrations. We found significant differences in nutrient and toxic element concentration among the five common genera: Ganoderma , Megacollybia , Pluteus , Pleurotus , and Russula . In particular, Pluteus had consistently higher toxic element concentrations while Pleurotus and Russula had the highest Bioaccumulation Factors (BAFs). We found that the urban areas of the Valley and Coastal zones of Connecticut had Cd Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values and ΣTHQ values > 1.0, indicating potential non-carcinogenic health hazard. However, the trend was largely driven by the > 2.0 Cd THQ for Pluteus . Our results suggest that foraging in more urban areas can still yield mushrooms with safe concentrations of toxic elements and abundant nutrients. Further research of this kind needs to be conducted within this region and globally to ensure humans are consuming safe, foraged mushrooms.