Endophytic Xylariaceae from the forests of Western Ghats, southern India: distribution and biological activities

A study of the Western Ghats' forests revealed that endophytic fungi from the Xylariaceae family, found in 49 tree species across dry thorn and stunted montane evergreen habitats, exhibit dual life strategies. These fungi thrive as both endophytes within leaves and saprotrophs on plant litter, producing enzymes like cellulase, laccase, and lipase. Molecular analysis identified most isolates as belonging to Xylaria or Nemania, while their extracts showed inhibitory effects against fungi, bacteria, and algae, suggesting competitive advantages in forest floor ecosystems. The study highlights the potential of these fungi for biotechnological applications due to their unique ecological roles.

Govinda Rajulu, M. B., Thirunavukkarasu, N., Babu, A. G., Aggarwal, A., Suryanarayanan, T. S., & Reddy, M. S. (2013). Endophytic Xylariaceae from the forests of Western Ghats, southern India: distribution and biological activities. Mycology, 4(1), 29–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/21501203.2013.776648