The previously uncultured AL6 clade has now been isolated and named Feramyces. More details can be found in the associated published article, which you can find here.
And then there was nine…..
A new anaerobic fungal genus - Pecoramyces - has just been described, and the corresponding paper can be found here. The type strain, Pecoramyces ruminantium C1A (formerly known as Orpinomyces sp. C1A), has already had its genome and transcriptome sequenced.
What they do best…
Anaerobic fungi are very effective at breaking down complex lignocellulosic substrates, using both physical penetration and enzymatic degradation. Their enzymes are some of the most potent in the known biological world!
How many genera?
Six genera of anaerobic fungi are currently recognised, but recent studies have shown there is at least ten more that are likely to exist! One of the latest papers on this topic is: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0091928
A case of mistaken identity…..
Did you know that despite the discovery of anaerobic fungal zoospores in the rumen being first reported back in 1910, it wasn't until the ground breaking work of Colin Orpin in the 1970's that they were recognised as fungi. They had been mistakenly identified as flagellated protozoa for over 60 years!