Systematics and enzymatic activity of Foliar ascomycetes (Fungi) on Lepidozamia peroffskyana and Macrozamia lucida in Eastern Australia

The kingdom Fungi is deeply entangled in the evolutionary history and ecology of life on Earth. The diversity of fungi is poorly known with only 150,000 species described from at least 4 million species by most estimates. The leaf surfaces of plants shelter an extensive diversity of fungi, including filamentous, single-celled, and dimorphic forms. Many extant species may become extinct before their discovery and preservation, due to habitat destruction and a changing climate. Many plants are further under threat in their natural habitats from illegal removal because of their horticultural value. Cycads are one of these horticulturally valuable plants. Cycads are the earliest seed-bearing plants. The fungi found on cycad leaves are often subject to extreme conditions of temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet radiation, which makes them interesting candidates for bioprospecting. This thesis reports the foliar fungi found in association with the leaves of two endemic Australian cycads, Lepidozamia peroffskyana and Macrozamia lucida. Samsoniella sp. and Penicillium sp. were isolated from L. peroffskyana and represent novel species. Periconia cyperacearum was isolated from L. peroffskyana and represents a new host record. A novel species of Acrocalymma and an unidentified fungus were isolated from M. lucida. Several Cladosporium species were isolated from L. peroffskyana and M. lucida. The production of proteases, amylases, cellulases, and mannanases by these fungi was qualitatively investigated using skim milk, starch, cellulose, and galactomannan, as substrates, respectively. Acrocalymma sp. (BRIP 71369a) produced amylase. Cladosporium spp. (BRIP 71372a, BRIP 71364a and BRIP 71173c), and Samsoniella sp. (BRIP 71359b) produced protease and amylase