New Resource: Introducing strains with loosely fungal-algal interactions

2026/04/01

Fungi are associated with various organisms, such as higher plants, animals, bacteria, and other fungi. Symbiosis with green algae is one of such interaction. Fungal-green algal interactions are best known from lichens, but commensalistic or parasitic interactions are also known.
Moriyama et al. (2025) discovered Monascostroma sphagnophilum (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) within algal mats on the surface of Leucobryum sp. (Bryophyta). They observed interactions between M. sphagnophilum with the co-existing Coccomyxa sp. (Chlorophyta) through both field sample observations and co-culture experiments. Their findings revealed for the first time that fungal hyphae invade and colonize through the thick extracellular matrix formed by algal colonies.
Another important contribution of this study is that it presents an experimental system that can reproduce field-observed phenomena on algal mats using co-cultures. Since fungal and algal strains are available as culture resources, this system is expected to enable quantitative verification of invasion and colonization processes while manipulating extracellular matrix properties and environmental conditions. JCM has released the symbiotic fungal strain isolated by Mr. Moriyama (Kyoto University).

Monascostroma sphagnophilum JCM 39663, JCM 39664
Coccomyxa sp. JCM 39665, JCM 39666

Reference:
Moriyama, T., et al. 2025. Ecological and phylogenetic re-assessment of the bryophilous ascomycete Monascostroma sphagnophilum revealed a new style of fungus-alga interaction in the order Capnodiales.
Symbiosis 96: 305–319.
DOI: 10.1007/s13199-025-01079-6

Co-culture of Monascostroma sphagnophilum (JCM 39664) and Coccomyxa sp. (JCM 39666). The arrow indicates the fungal hyphae attached to the surface of algal cell, with short branches.

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