The Swamp Wallaby 'Wallabia bicolor': a generalist browser as a key mycophagist

Mammal-macrofungal interactions are integral to ecosystem function in landscapes dominated by ectomycorrhizal (EM) plants. EM fungi, critical symbiont's with forest plants, produce sporocarps (fruit bodies) which are an important food resource for a variety of mammals. These mammals in turn play an important dispersal role, particularly for truffle-like (below-ground fruiting or hypogeous basidiomycetes) sporocarpic fungi that do not actively discharge their spores (sequestrate). This thesis examines interactions between truffle-like fungi and a non-specialist, mycophagous marsupial, the swamp wallaby 'Wallabia bicolor'. The availability of truffle-like fungi sporocarps as a food resource for mycophagous (fungus-feeding) mammals, the macrofungal diet of the swamp wallaby, and gut-retention and potential dispersal of macrofungal spores by swamp wallaby are examined

Molecular identification of mycorrhizal Russulaceae fungi

The Russulaceae is a family of basidiomycetous fungi found in a variety of habitats around the world. While reasonably common in Australian temperate forests, little work has been conducted on this group, with the result that many taxa are undescribed or poorly documented. The aim of this research project is to improve this situation. The identification of Russulaceae fruiting bodies to species level has many challenges and is predominantly based on characteristics that are highly subjective, changeable, require specialised chemicals, and specialised equipment. A certain amount of expertise is also required. However, even this is no guarantee of consistently obtaining a positive species identification. Molecular analysis potentially offers a non-subjective method of identification. In particular, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of fungal DNA has been proposed as the primary standard molecular benchmark for identification of fungi. Coupled with access to millions of sequences held in databases such as GenBank, it would seem that molecular identification offers a useful opportunity to streamline and improve the identification of the Russulaceae. However, this is not always the case, and in sequencing the ITS region of numerous specimens from this family a number of issues have arisen. This presentation will examine some of the difficulties experienced in the molecular identification of Australian Russulaceae species and discuss some of the potential solutions

Six simple guidelines for introducing new genera of fungi

We formulate five guidelines for introducing new genera, plus one recommendation how to publish the results of scientific research. We recommend that reviewers and editors adhere to these guidelines. We propose that the underlying research is solid, and that the results and the final solutions are properly discussed. The six criteria are: (1) all genera that are recognized should be monophyletic; (2) the coverage of the phylogenetic tree should be wide in number of species, geographic coverage, and type species of the genera under study; (3) the branching of the phylogenetic trees has to have sufficient statistical support; (4) different options for the translation of the phylogenetic tree into a formal classification should be discussed and the final decision justified; (5) the phylogenetic evidence should be based on more than one gene; and (6) all supporting evidence and background information should be included in the publication in which the new taxa are proposed, and this publication should be peer-reviewed

Gain and loss of TASK3 channel function and its regulation by novel variation cause KCNK9 imprinting syndrome

Background: Genomics enables individualized diagnosis and treatment, but large challenges remain to functionally interpret rare variants. To date, only one causative variant has been described for KCNK9 imprinting syndrome (KIS). The genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of KIS has yet to be described and the precise mechanism of disease fully understood. Methods: This study discovers mechanisms underlying KCNK9 imprinting syndrome (KIS) by describing 15 novel KCNK9 alterations from 47 KIS-affected individuals. We use clinical genetics and computer-assisted facial phenotyping to describe the phenotypic spectrum of KIS. We then interrogate the functional effects of the variants in the encoded TASK3 channel using sequence-based analysis, 3D molecular mechanic and dynamic protein modeling, and in vitro electrophysiological and functional methodologies. Results: We describe the broader genetic and phenotypic variability for KIS in a cohort of individuals identifying an additional mutational hotspot at p.Arg131 and demonstrating the common features of this neurodevelopmental disorder to include motor and speech delay, intellectual disability, early feeding difficulties, muscular hypotonia, behavioral abnormalities, and dysmorphic features. The computational protein modeling and in vitro electrophysiological studies discover variability of the impact of KCNK9 variants on TASK3 channel function identifying variants causing gain and others causing loss of conductance. The most consistent functional impact of KCNK9 genetic variants, however, was altered channel regulation. Conclusions: This study extends our understanding of KIS mechanisms demonstrating its complex etiology including gain and loss of channel function and consistent loss of channel regulation. These data are rapidly applicable to diagnostic strategies, as KIS is not identifiable from clinical features alone and thus should be molecularly diagnosed. Furthermore, our data suggests unique therapeutic strategies may be needed to address the specific functional consequences of KCNK9 variation on channel function and regulation

An investigation of the effectiveness of a home-school intervention involving Direct Behavior Ratings to decrease disruptive behavior in preschoolers

The need to address problem behaviors early in childhood has been clearly established, and the benefits of involving home-school collaboration in intervention have been demonstrated. However, limited empirical research has been directed toward examination of specific behavioral interventions that involve a home-school collaboration component for preschool populations. Given the acceptability and effectiveness of Direct Behavior Rating (DBR) as an intervention tool in elementary and secondary schools, a downward extension of the DBR to preschool age children is of interest. This study investigated the effectiveness of a home school intervention involving DBRs to decrease disruptive behavior in preschoolers. A sample of four preschool aged children, classroom teachers, and parents participated. During the intervention phase of the study, the classroom teacher rated behavior for each participant using a DBR. Ratings were shared daily with the student and parent, and positive reinforcement was provided for display of appropriate behavior. ^ A multiple baseline across-participants AB design was used to assess results. Overall results indicate DBR, as part of a home-school intervention package, to be an effective method for decreasing classroom problems behaviors in a preschool setting. Through visual analyses and effect size calculation, a positive effect of the DBR intervention is clearly defined (e.g., percent of non-overlapping data ranges from 85%–100%) across all four participants. In addition, high usability ratings and high integrity of implementation were found. This investigation offers empirical support for the downward extension of a behavior intervention previously shown to be effective for older students. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of incorporating home-school collaboration, data-driven methods, positive recognition for appropriate behavior, and simple behavior expectations, into the management of problem behavior in the preschool classroom.

Truffle consumption by New Guinea forest wallabies

Although the fungal diet of Australian mammals, including macropodids (kangaroos and wallabies), is reasonably well understood, no work has been done on mycophagy among New Guinea mammals. We examined stomach samples from the black forest wallaby, 'Dorcopsis atrata' (one sample), greater forest wallaby, 'Dorcopsis hageni' (two samples), lesser forest wallaby, 'Dorcopsulus vanheurni' (five samples), and the dusky pademelon, 'Thylogale brunii' (one sample), for the presence of spores of epigeous (mushroom-like) and hypogeous (truffle-like) macrofungi. All wallaby species were found to have consumed a range of fungal taxa as part of their diet, including those taxa that form symbiotic relationships with forest trees and produce truffle-like fruit-bodies. This is the first record of truffle consumption of fungi by mammals in New Guinea. Our work suggests that forest wallabies are important dispersers of fungi, and may play a significant role in maintaining mycorrhizal communities and healthy forest ecosystems in New Guinea