e-ISSN: 3107-6203

Authors: Prabha Pant Upadhyay 1, Suresh Chandra Sati 1, Kandikere Ramaiah Sridhar 2, * 

1 Department of Botany, Dev Singh Bisht Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India; 

2 Central Research Laboratory, NITTE (Deemed to be University), K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore, Karnataka, India, 

*E-mail: kandikeremanasa@gmail.com

Abstract

Endophytic fungi include a diverse group that differ in plant-associated lifestyles, mutualistic associations and ecological functions in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Freshwater hyphomycetes are a unique group of mitosporic fungi that best thrive in submerged debris (leaf and woody litter) in running freshwater habitats. These are abundant in aquatic and semi-aquatic ecosystems as saprophytes (decomposition and nutrient turnover), epiphytes (plant or tree organ surfaces) and endophytes (internal regions of live plant tissues). Recent research advocates for the occurrence of endophytic aquatic hyphomycetes (EAHs) outside their usual ecosystems (e.g., lentic, terrestrial and tree canopy). The convergence of evolution might be responsible for their adaptation and functions in multiple ecological niches. The root-associated EAHs are diverse, widely distributed and known to produce a wide range of metabolites. Various metabolites of EAHs degrade detritus, help promote plant growth, protect against climate change, evade anthropogenic pressure and show antimicrobial effects. In the Indian subcontinent, the diversity, ecology and bioprospecting of EAHs have been carried out mainly in the Western Himalayas and the Western Ghats. From the ecological and industrial perspective, the present study envisages the diversity, distribution, ecosystem services, and secondary metabolites of EAHs.

Keywords: Bioprospecting, Diversity, Himalayas, Mutualism, Riparian plant roots, Streams, Western Ghats.

Document Type: Review Article

Citation: Upadhyay, P.P., Sati, S.C., & Sridhar, K.R. (2025). Insights into endophytic aquatic hyphomycetes of the Indian subcontinent. Mycological Spectrum, 1(2):01-29.

Received: 17 June 2025 | Accepted: 17 July 2025 | Published: 29 July 2025.

Handling Editor: Dr. Belle Damodara Shenoy | Reviewer: Dr. Huzefa Raja and Dr. K. Manjusha.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64993/MS.1.2.1