Symbiotaphrina | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Xylonomycetes |
Order: | Symbiotaphrinales |
Family: | Symbiotaphrinaceae |
Genus: | Symbiotaphrina Kühlw. & Jurzitza ex W.Gams & Arx (1980) |
Type species | |
Symbiotaphrina buchneri Gräbner ex W.Gams & Arx (1980)
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Symbiotaphrina is a genus including seven species of fungi in the monotypic family Symbiotaphrinaceae Baral & E. Weber and the monotypic order Symbiotaphrinales Baral & E. Weber.[1]
The family and order were published in 2018 to contain the genus.[2]
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.[2]
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.[3] A few species also have mycelial asexual states with conidium-producing pores ("phialides") in somatic hyphae.[2]
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.[4]
Symbiotic Symbiotaphrina species can be isolated in axenic culture by aseptically dissecting beetle guts, spreading them onto agar, with incubation at 26 °C (79 °F).[5]
As accepted by Species Fungorum;[6]