The psychrophilic fungi Coprinus psychromorbidus and Typhula ishikariensis produced unique antifreeze proteins (AFPs) in the extracellular space. Molecular masses of purified fungal AFPs of C. psychromorbidus and T. ishikariensis were approximately 22 and 23 kDa, respectively. Cloned genes of AFPs from T. ishikariensis do not have any similarity with known proteins. Purified fungal AFPs from cultural filtrate of T. ishikariensis and recombinant fungal AFP from methylotrophic yeast formed specific ice crystals resembling "Stone Age knives". These observations indicate that fungal AFPs do not form proper hexagonal ice crystals to inhibit their growth and that fungal AFPs can probably bind to surfaces of ice crystals in an irregular manner.Key words: antifreeze protein, snow mold fungi, Coprinus psychromorbidus, Typhula ishikariensis.

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Typhula maritima on coastal dunes in Ishikari and Yoichi, Hokkaido, northern Japan, is illustrated as a new species on the basis of morphology and molecular evidence. The sclerotia in the sand had mycelial strands that extended upward to support basidiocarps. Mycelial strands also connected sclerotia with plant tissues of the dunegrass Eylmus mollis Trin. Typhula maritima is psychrotrophic and halotrophic, and sclerotia fl oated on seawater for 1 week. These physiological characteristics are important factors for adaptation to the coastal dune environment. Inoculation tests indicated that T. maritima could grow on living E. mollis, but it was not pathogenic. The results suggested that this fungus was, at least, not an active pathogen in the coastal dune ecosystem. Ex-holotype is TH-AIST-Tm-1 (= NBRC 104266).

Typhula maritima, a new species of Typhula collected from coastal dunes in Hokkaido, northern Japan fertile clavulae and distinct, fi liform stipes arising from sclerotia or directly from mycelia (Remsberg 1940); this genus includes more than 50 species mainly in cool temperate and frigid regions (Corner 1950; Berthier 1976). Most species are saprophytic and psychrotrophic or psychrophilic, and several species [Typhula incarnata Lasch ex Fr., T. ishikariensis S. Imai, T. japonica Terui, T. phacorrhiza (Reichardt) Fr., T. trifoli Rostr., and T. variabilis Riess] are phytopathogens in grasslands from cool temperate regions to the Arctic (Hsiang et al. 1999;Matsumoto et al. 2001;Hoshino 2005).We have been surveying the biodiversity of macrofungi in a coastal dune area, Ishikarihama, Ishikari-shi, Ishikari Province, Hokkaido, northern Japan, since 2004 Takehashi et al. 2007). Several taxa of macrofungi belonging to ascomycetes and basidiomycetes have been found in coastal sandy dunes in cool temperate to frigid regions in Europe, including Nordic countries (Andersson 1950) and northern Scotland (Watling and Rotheroe 1989). However, no species with spathulate or clavate basidiocarps resembling Typhula spp. have been listed in these checklists or in monographs on Typhula and related genera (Remsberg 1940;Corner 1950;Parmasto 1965; Berthier 1976). In this article, we describe the taxonomic characteristics as well as physiological and ecological traits of Typhula sp., indicating adaptations to the coastal dune environment. Materials and methods CollectionThe specimens of Typhula sp. were collected from coastal dunes in Ishikarihama, Kotan, and Muenhama, Ishikari-shi, Ishikari Province, and Yoichihama, Yoichi-cho, Shiribeshi Province, Hokkaido, Japan (Fig. 1). Dates of collection are shown below. These specimens were kept in the mycological herbaria of National Museum of Nature and Science,