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Pure Appl. Chem., Vol. 70, No. 11,
pp. 2123, 1998
The Xylariaceae: A case study in biological
and chemical diversity*
A.J.S. Whalley1and R.L. Edwards2
1. School of Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores
University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, U.K.
2. School of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University
of Bradford, Bradford, U.K.
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The Xylariaceae is a large family of ascomycete
fungi with worldwide distribution but exhibiting a far greater representation
in the tropics. A total of 40 or more genera are considered likely
and these are represented by perhaps as many as a thousand species.
During our studies over the past 25 years we have investigated secondary
metabolites produced in liquid, static culture by members of the
Xylariaceae representing over 100 species from 14 genera. Taking
a biological viewpoint the Xylariaceae are taxonomically a difficult
family because of extreme variation in morphological form and a
general lack of modern studies on the tropical genera. However over
the past 10 years Rogers and his coworkers in the USA have made
considerable progress on the systematics of the family whilst here
in South East Asia studies by Khun Surang Thienhirun in conjunction
with the authors have resulted in the recognition of many new species
in Thailand. We now believe that current models showing a biodiversity
index difference of over 2:1 (for the Xylariaceae) between the neotropics
and Thailand is likely to be greatly exaggerated since between 30%
and 50% of the xylariaceous taxa from Thailand appear to be new.
Taking a chemical viewpoint there are exciting
prospects for the discovery of novel chemicals associated with these
new taxa since the track record for new metabolite discovery from
members of the Xylariaceae is impressive. To date dihydroisocoumarins,
succinic acid derivatives, butyrolactones, cytochalasins, punctaporonis,
griseofulvin and derivatives, and naphthalene derivatives have been
characterised, with many proving to be novel structures. Examination
of xylariaccous endophytes from teak leaves has revealed a series
of species producing previously unknown compounds. Since the Xylariaceae
are known to be prominent endophytes of tropical plants and since
only a small proportion of the likely 1000 species have been investigated
the future certainly looks promising.
Download full text (11
pages) - PDF file (110KB)
* Invited lecture presented at the International
Conference on Bioversity and Bioresources: Conservation and
Utilization, 23-37 November 1997, Phuket, Thailand.
Page last modified 16 April 1999.
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