Wood-rotting fungi have the ability to degrade lignin by secreting ligninases, a promising enzyme for degradation of environmental pollutants. Nine basidiomycete strains collected just outside the city of São José do Rio Preto, upstate São Paulo, Brazil, were evaluated for their manganese peroxidase (MnP), lignin peroxidase (LiP) and laccase production by solid-state fermentation on wheat bran. Datronia caperata SP381992, Polyporus tenuiculus SP381977 and Pycnoporus sanguineus SP381968 were the highest producers of laccase, while Polyporus tenuiculus SP381971, Datronia caperata SP381992, Coriolopsis polyzona SP381989 and Hexagonia hirta SP382026 produced the most MnP and LiP activity. The majority of strains secreted laccase with optimum activity at 70 °C and, when maintained at 60 °C, in the absence of substrate, the crude enzymes preserved 100% of their initial activity for periods of 30 min up to 8 h. Enzymes from D. caperata SP381992, P. tenuiculus SP381977, P. sanguineus SP381968 and H. hirta SP382026 were tested for activity on the azo dye orange II and afforded 96-100% decolourisation of the dye in 1 to 48 h. Since this reaction depended on the presence of ABTS and there was no decolourisation when H 2 O 2 or MnSO 4 was present, it was attributed to the laccase activity.

An updated checklist of xylophilous Agaricomycetes from the Brazilian Cerrado showed 127 species, 22 families and nine orders (Agaricales, Atheliales, Auriculariales, Corticiales, Gloeophyllales, Hymenochaetales, Polyporales, Russulales, and Thelephorales). The new list includes new specimens collected between 2009 and 2011 in Reserva Biológica de Mogi-Guaçu, São Paulo State, Brazil, and a revision of material previously known from Cerrado. Twelve species are mentioned for the first time for Brazil and 51 are recorded as new for the Cerrado.

This study was carried out aiming at determining whether the following factors are related to the diversity of wood-decay fungi: cerrado physiognomies, vegetation diversity (availability of substrates), preservation status of the area and its management backgrounds, and the existence of rivers nearby (humidity). 796 specimens were collected in four areas: one in the cerrado sensu stricto, one in the semi-deciduous forest and two in the riparian forest (one more preserved and the other less preserved). A total of 92 species of fungi were identified. Eleven species are common in the four areas sampled and 30 species occurred only once during the two-year sampling. Higher richness and abundance were observed in the more preserved area of riparian forest. This study showed that in the same macroclimate, the Agaricomycetes diversity is influenced by the vegetation’s physiognomy and diversity related to the soil characteristics, humidity, and conservation level of the area.

Two interesting species found during a survey of polypore fungi in northwestern São Paulo State, Southeast Brazil, are described and illustrated. Inonotus multisetifer is proposed as a new species characterized by resupinate basidiomata with round to angular pores, 6–9 per mm, acute setal hyphae embedded in trama, subulate hymenial setae, and globose to subglobose basidiospores. Trametes cingulata constitutes a first record from Brazil.

-(Polyporoid (Basidiomycota) in forest fragments of São José do Rio Preto urban perimeter, São Paulo, Brazil). A survey of polyporoid fungi from forest fragments of São José do Rio Preto urban perimeter (20°49'12" S, 49°22'44" W), São Paulo state, Brazil was carried out. Eighteen taxa belonging to 11 genera of Agaricales (Schizophyllaceae), Hymenochaetales (Hymenochaetaceae) and Polyporales (Ganodermataceae, Gloeophyllaceae, Meruliaceae and Polyporaceae) were identifi ed: