Taxonomic names are key links between various databases that store information on different organisms. Several global fungal nomenclural and taxonomic databases (notably Index Fungorum, Species Fungorum and MycoBank) can be sourced to find taxonomic details about fungi, while DNA sequence data can be sourced from NCBI, EBI and UNITE databases. Although the sequence data may be linked to a name, the quality of the metadata is variable and generally there is no corresponding link to images, descriptions or herbarium material. There is generally no way to establish the accuracy of the names in these genomic databases, other than whether the submission is from a reputable source. To tackle this problem, a new database (FacesofFungi), accessible at www.facesoffungi.org (FoF) has been established. This fungal database allows deposition of taxonomic data, phenotypic details and other useful data, which will enhance our current taxonomic understanding and ultimately enable mycologists to gain better and updated insights into the current fungal classification system. In addition, the database will also allow access to comprehensive metadata including descriptions of voucher and type specimens. This database is user-friendly, providing links and easy access between taxonomic ranks, with the classification system based primarily on molecular data (from the literature and via updated web-based phylogenetic trees), and to a lesser extent on morphological data when molecular data are unavailable. In FoF species are not only linked to the closest phylogenetic representatives, but also relevant data is provided, wherever available, on various applied aspects, such as ecological, industrial, quarantine and chemical uses. The data include the three main fungal groups (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Basal fungi) and fungus-like organisms. The FoF webpage is an output funded by the Mushroom Research Foundation which is an NGO with seven directors with mycological expertise. The webpage has 76 curators, and with the help of these specialists, FoF will provide an updated natural classification of the fungi, with illustrated accounts of species linked to molecular data. The present paper introduces the FoF database to the scientific community and briefly reviews some of the problems associated with classification and identification of the main fungal groups. The structure and use of the database is then explained. We would like to invite all mycologists to contribute to these web pages.

The fruit of mulberry trees (Morus sp.), mulberries, are traditionally utilised as a nutritional food and provide health benefits as well as skin nourishment in Thailand. White mulberries (Morus alba L.) from Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces were evaluated for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The antioxidant activities as well as the total phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin content of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The aqueous extracts of mulberries exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, which was associated with a higher phenolic and anthocyanin content. In testing the potent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae, the mulberry extracts proved to be quite efficient, especially following water extraction. Time-kill and antibacterial adhesion assays further indicated that aqueous mulberry extracts could inhibit bacterial growth and prevent adhesions of pathogenic enteric bacteria on intestinal epithelial cells. It thus appears that mulberries can potentially be consumed as a good source of antioxidants, containing antimicrobial properties against some pathogenic bacteria which cause gastrointestinal tract infections.

Leaves of Magnolia liliifera were selected to evaluate fungal diversity, and succession of fungi during leaf decomposition, and the effect of baiting on fungal diversity. The leaf samples were from Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Twenty-three taxa were identified on senescent leaves of M. liliifera during the decay process. Distinct fungal communities were observed with the dominant species on the leaves being different at each succession stage. The most abundant fungal species were Hyponectria sp. 1 (on 60% of leaves), Volutella sp. 1 (60%), Gliocladium sp. 3 (37.1%), Corynespora cassiicola (34.3%), Bionectria ochroleuca (25.7%), Cylindrocladium floridanum (22.8%), Phaeosphaeria sp. (17.1%), Dactylaria longidentata (11.4%) and Lasiosphaeria sp. (11.4%). Leaf bait trials did not show any noticeable effect on fungal diversity when either the upper or lower leaf surface was adjacent to the forest floor. Highest fungal diversity on leaves of M. liliifera occurred between day 4 an...

Dracaena species are widely recognized for their exceptional drought tolerance, making them ideal candidates for sustainable landscaping and ecological restoration in arid regions. Limestone outcrops hosting Dracaena are unique ecosystems characterized by extreme environmental conditions such as nutrient-poor substrates. Thus, they provide valuable opportunities for studying fungal diversity and their adaptations. Despite their ecological importance, knowledge concerning fungal communities associated with limestone-inhabiting Dracaena species remains limited, particularly within the diverse biogeographic contexts of Thailand. Microfungal samples were collected from dead wood and leaves of Dracaena species across seven provinces in Thailand (Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ratchaburi, Songkhla, and Tak). Fungal taxa were identified and characterized through detailed morphological examinations combined with multi-gene phylogenetic analyses using Actin (act), Internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA (LSU), translation elongation fac-tor 1-alpha (tef1-α), and beta-tubulin (tub) gene regions. This study documents eleven fungal taxa isolated from Dracaena substrates, belonging to seven families across five fungal orders. Three new species viz. Cladosporium dracaenae, C. dracaenicola and Torula dracaenae were described, and eight new host records were established (Bipolaris coffeana, Curvularia lunata, Lasiodiplodia bruguierae, L. lignicola, L. thailandica, Longididymella clematidis, Ochroconis musae and Zasmidium citrigriseum). Species de-scriptions, color photographic plates, phylogenetic trees and updated taxonomic notes are provided for all isolated taxa. The findings advance the current understanding of microfungal diversity associated with limestone outcrop habitats and Dracaena species, contributing to broader ecological and conservation efforts. By revealing novel fungal species and previously undocumented host-fungus interactions, this study underscores the rich but underexplored fungal biodiversity of limestone ecosystems in Thailand.

Chiang Mai Journal of Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University

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