<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sporidesmioides thailandica</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov. (Dothideomycetes) from northern Thailand

Sporidesmioides thailandica gen. et sp. nov., isolated from herbaceous litter in northern Thailand, is described and illustrated. The new genus is characterised by sporidesmium-like, septate, solitary, acrogenous, pale brown to brown, obclavate, conidia, which taper towards the apex and are truncate at the base and septate conidiophores similar to those of Sporidesmium species in Sporidesmiaceae (Sordariomycetes). It differs from similar genera by the presence of a stromatic base, polyblastic conidiogenous cells and a distinct, colourless sheath at the conidial apex. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU, TEF1-α and RPB2 sequence data show that the new taxon, Sporidesmioides thailandica, forms a separate, single clade with Torulaceae in Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes, and is distinct from Sporidesmiaceae (Sordariomycetes).     

The genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusariella</Emphasis>

The genus Fusariella, typified by F. atrovirens, is characterised by semi- to macronematous, mononematous conidiophores, with cylindrical, subulate or lageniform phialidic conidiogenous cells that produce catenate, septate, curved to straight, subhyaline to brown conidia. During a survey of hyaline-spored hyphomycetes from karst areas in Thailand, we collected a new species of Fusariella with curved conidia and introduce it in this paper as Fusariella curvata sp. nov. In addition, all hitherto described species of Fusariella are reviewed. The result of phylogenetic analyses, based on combined SSU, LSU, TEF and RPB2 sequence data, indicates that the genus belongs in the family Bionectriaceae (Hypocreales, Sordariomycetes).     

New hyphomycetes from Restionaceae in fynbos: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parasarcopodium ceratocaryi</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov., and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhexodenticula elegiae</Emphasis> sp. nov.

Two new hyphomycetous anamorphs were isolated from plant hosts of the Restionaceae in the fynbos of the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa. Parasarcopodium ceratocaryi gen. et sp. nov. on Ceratocaryum decipiens produces aseptate, cylindrical conidia with amorphous mucoid appendages at both ends in rows or whorls of phialides on verruculose, mononematous conidiophores. Rhexodenticula elegiae sp. nov. on Elegia capensis produces pale brown, fusiform or broadly fusiform, 3-septate conidia on denticles located in the upper part of smooth, geniculate conidiophores. The morphological characteristics of both taxa are described, illustrated, and contrasted to other morphologically similar fungi. To elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of Parasarcopodium, partial large subunit rRNA (28S) gene sequence was generated from the ex-type strain, which revealed it to be a member of the Bionectriaceae (Hypocreales).     

Myrothecium-like (Ascomycota,Hypocreales) species from tropical areas: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Digitiseta</Emphasis> gen. nov. and additions to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Inaequalispora</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parvothecium</Emphasis>

Inaequalispora and Parvothecium are two myrothecium-like, closely related genera of Hypocreales. They are also morphologically similar, sharing sporodochial conidiomata, penicillate conidiophores, fusiform to ellipsoidal conidia accumulating in a green slimy drop, and hypha-like setoid extensions emerging through the conidial mass. During a revision of myrothecium-like isolates originating from rainforest areas of South America (Ecuador, Brazil) and Southeast Asia (Singapore), multilocus phylogenetic inferences (based on DNA sequence data of ITS, partial nuc 28S, and partial tef1a, rpb2 and tub2) and morphological studies concordantly revealed the occurrence of two undescribed species of Inaequalispora (I. longiseta sp. nov. and I. cylindrospora sp. nov.) and one undescribed species of Parvothecium (P. amazonensesp. nov.). Myrothecium setiramosum, M. dimorphum, and two undescribed taxa form the base of a new lineage, sister to the current Parvothecium lineage. This lineage is recognized as Digitiseta gen. nov., typified by D. setiramosa comb. nov. Digitiseta dimorpha comb. nov. is also proposed, and the new species D. parvodigitata sp. nov. and D. multidigitata sp. nov. are described.     

Taxonomy of an anamorphic xylariaceous fungus from a termite nest found together with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xylaria angulosa</Emphasis>

Two xylariaceous fungi were isolated from a nest of a termite, Odontotermes formosanus, that was incubated in a laboratory after collecting from Iriomote Is., Okinawa Pref., in Japan. One of the two fungi was identified as Xylaria angulosa on the basis of the morphology of branched stroma produced on medium, tiny asci, and ascospores having a germ slit. Another fungus is an anamorphic fungus that produces synnemata up to 50 mm long from which dendritic conidiophores branch out. Unicellular conidia are holoblastically produced on a sympodially proliferating conidiogenous cell. Such morphological characters resemble those of the genus Geniculosporium. However, its distinctive synnema formation and dendritic conidiophores do not assign the fungus to Geniculosporium or other known genera and warrant establishment of a new genus. The phylogenetic tree based on the ITS regions of rDNA shows that the fungus is nested in the cluster of the genus Nemania (Xylariaceae), whose species have mainly Geniculosporium-like anamorphs. We describe here the present anamorphic fungus as Geniculisynnema termiticola gen. et sp. nov., and discuss its phylogenetic and ecological relationships to xylariaceous fungi, especially termiticolous species.     

New species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clohiesia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraniesslia</Emphasis> collected from freshwater habitats in China

Two fungi collected from submerged woody debris were found to represent hitherto undescribed species of the ascomycete genera Clohiesia and Paraniesslia. They are described as Clohiesia curvispora sp. nov. and Paraniesslia aquatica sp. nov. based on morphological characters. Clohiesia curvispora is characterized by immersed ascomata under a clypeus, and unitunicate, cylindrical asci containing one-celled, curved, elongate-fusiform ascospores. Paraniesslia aquatica is characterized by small, superficial, setose ascomata, and unitunicate, clavate asci containing verrucose, brown ascospores. Each species is illustrated with light micrographs and compared with similar taxa in this article.     

Aquatic fungi from peat swamp palms: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Unisetosphaeria penguinoides</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov., and three new <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dactylaria</Emphasis> species

Unisetosphaeria penguinoides gen. et sp. nov. and three new species of Dactylaria are described from dead petioles and rhachides of the palms Eleiodoxa conferta and Nenga pumila (Arecaceae) collected in Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest, southern Thailand. Unisetosphaeria (Ascomycota) is compared with similar genera, and its placement at the family level is considered. The three new Dactylaria species (anamorphic fungi) are compared with similar species in the genus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capitulocladosporium clinodiplosidis</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov., a hyphomyceteous ustilaginomycete from midge

A hyphomyceteous fungus producing light-colored ramoconidia was isolated from midge (Clinodiplosis sp.) in southern China. In this study, this fungus was compared with 16 morphologically similar Cladosporium-like genera, but could not be assigned to any of them due to its distinct morphological characteristics, namely absence of sympodial conidiogenous cells and presence of swollen head-like conidiogenous regions. Moreover, on the basis of phylogenetic analyses of 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), 5.8S rDNA, and 28S rDNA, as well as genes for the RNA polymerase II subunit and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha, this fungus was identified as a member of the Ustilaginomycetes in Basidiomycota. Therefore, Capitulocladosporium clinodiplosidis gen. et sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate the new taxon, and its morphology is described and illustrated herein. The new genus is placed in Ustilaginomycetes but without further specification on order and family level (incertae sedis), since its teleomorph and lifestyle are currently unclear.     

The coelomycetous genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chaetomella</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pilidium</Emphasis> represent a newly discovered lineage of inoperculate discomycetes

The coelomycetous genera Chaetomella and Pilidium were determined to be closely related to each other, yet are recognized as distinct genera based on both morphological observations and rDNA sequence analyses. Analyses of the SSU and LSU of the nuclear ribosomal RNA genes suggest that Chaetomella and Pilidium along with Sphaerographium tenuirostrum and Synchaetomella lunatospora constitute a distinct lineage within the ascomycetes that is allied with the Leotiomycetes. Chaetomella and Pilidium both produce black pycnidia generally opening by a raphe, acropleurogenous conidiogenous cells, and non-septate, hyaline, usually fusiform to falcate, rarely ellipsoid, conidia. Pycnidia of Pilidium are smooth while those of Chaetomella have setae of various types. A Hainesia sporodochial synanamorph was observed in cultures of C. oblonga and C. raphigera similar to H. lythri, the synanamorph of P. concavum. Specimens of C. oblonga, type species of Chaetomella, C. acutiseta, C. circinoseta, C. raphigera, Pilidium acerinum, type species of Pilidium, and P. concavum were examined. Diagnoses and illustrations are provided for these species along with a key to the accepted species in both genera. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.     

Novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Collophorina</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coniochaeta</Emphasis> species from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euphorbia polycaulis</Emphasis>, an endemic plant in Iran

During a study on the biodiversity of yeasts and yeast-like ascomycetes from wild plants in Iran, four strains of yeast-like filamentous fungi were isolated from a healthy plant of Euphorbia polycaulis in the Qom Province, Iran (IR. of). All four strains formed small hyaline one-celled conidia from integrated conidiogenous cells directly on hyphae and sometimes on discrete phialides, as well as by microcyclic conidiation. Two strains additionally produced conidia in conidiomata that open by rupture. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences suggested the placement of these strains in the genera Collophorina (Leotiomycetes) and Coniochaeta (Sordariomycetes), respectively. Blast search results on NCBI GenBank and phylogenetic analyses of ITS, the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and the translation elongation factor 1α (EF-1α) sequences, and the nuclear large subunit ribosomal gene (LSU), partial actin (ACT), and β-tubulin (TUB) sequences, respectively, revealed the isolates to belong to three new species, that are described here as Collophorina euphorbiae, Coniochaeta iranica, and C. euphorbiae. All three species are characterised by morphological, physiological, and molecular data.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium matuoi</Emphasis> sp. nov. and its teleomorph <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cosmospora matuoi</Emphasis> sp. nov.

A group of Fusarium isolates from slime flux similar to F. aquaeductuum produced unique, strongly curved, aseptate, C-shaped conidia. They were found to be identical to F. splendens nom. nud. Dried specimens from which F. splendens was originally isolated were reexamined and characterized as a new species of Cosmospora. Cosmospora matuoi sp. nov. is proposed for the teleomorph, and Fusarium matuoi sp. nov. is proposed for its anamorph.     

Revision of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Entactinosphaera</Emphasis> Foreman, 1963 and the new genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Retientactinosphaera</Emphasis> gen. nov. (Paleozoic radiolaria)

The genus Entactinosphaera Foreman, 1963 is revised; it is shown to combine seven different genera, which are distinguished by morphological characters and belong to three orders of two radiolarian classes: the class Sphaerellaria, order Entactiniata (Bientactinosphaera, Entactinosphaera, Helioentactinia, Radiobisphaera), and class Spumellaria, orders Cancelliata (Retientactinosphaera, Magnisphaera) and Spongiata (Spongentactinia). New radiolarian taxa from the Middle Frasnian-Lower Famennian of the Timan-Pechora Basin and from the Lower Famennian of the Polar Ural Mountains, Russia, are described: Retientactinosphaera gen. nov., R. magnifica sp. nov., and R. clavata sp. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rovnoecus</Emphasis>, a new genus of digger wasps (Hymenoptera,Crabronidae, Pemphredoninae) from the Rovno amber

A new fossil digger wasp Rovnoecus klesovicus gen. et sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae, Pemphredoninae, Pemphredonini) is described from the Upper Eocene Rovno amber. The genus Rovnoecus gen. nov. is characterized by an incomplete occipital carina, partly reduced second discoidal cell, and the presence of spines on all tibiae. Rovnoecus gen. nov. is most similar to the fossil genus Eoxyloecus Budrys, 1993 from the Baltic amber. The two genera form a monophyletic group that is a sister group to the group formed by the genera Passaloecus Shuckard, 1837 and Eopinoecus Budrys, 1993. This indirectly corroborates the hypothesis of the geographically different origin of the Rovno and Baltic ambers.     

Phylogenetic evaluation of anamorphic species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cirrenalia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cumulospora</Emphasis> with the description of eight new genera and four new species

Four new helicoid anamorphic fungi collected from marine habitats in Egypt and Japan are described. Three marine and one terrestrial Cirrenalia species along with two Cumulospora species and the four new fungi were sequenced for LSU and SSU rDNA. Phylogenetic analyses of the generated sequences, along with those from GenBank, confirmed the polyphyly of the genera Cirrenalia and Cumulospora, and new genera are erected to accommodate the displaced species. Eight new genera, four new species and six new combinations are made: 1. Halazoon anam.-gen. nov. (Halazoon melhae sp. nov., H. fuscus for Cirrenalia fusca), 2. Moheitospora anam.-gen. nov. (Moheitospora fruticosae sp. nov., M. adarca for Cirrenalia adarca), 3. Moleospora anam.-gen nov. (Moleospora maritima sp. nov.), and 4. Glomerulispora anam.-gen. nov. (Glomerulispora mangrovis sp. nov); Cirrenalia pygmea, Cirrenalia tropicale and Cumulospora varius are transferred to the new genera, 5. Hydea anam.-gen. nov, 6. Matsusporium anam.-gen. nov., and 7. Moromyces anam.-gen. nov., respectively. These genera can be assigned to the order Lulworthiales, TBM (Torpedospora/Bertia/Melanospora) clade, while Cirrenalia macrocephala is nested within the order Halosphaeriales. Few morphological characters delineate the genera and species assigned to the Lulworthiales and this aspect is discussed in relation to the molecular data. The phylogenetic position of the terrestrial species, Cirrenalia japonica, shows that it is a member of the order Pleosporales, and a new genus, 8. Hiogispora anam.-gen. nov. is proposed for the fungus.     

Phylogeny and taxonomy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cladosporium</Emphasis>-like hyphomycetes,including <Emphasis Type="Italic">Davidiella</Emphasis> gen. nov., the teleomorph of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cladosporium s. str.</Emphasis>

A phylogenetic study employing sequence data from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1, ITS2) and 5.8S gene, as well as the 18S rRNA gene of various Cladosporium-like hyphomycetes revealed Cladosporium s. lat. to be heterogeneous. The genus Cladosporium s. str. was shown to represent a sister clade to Mycosphaerella s. str., for which the teleomorph genus Davidiella is proposed. The morphology, phylogeny and taxonomy of the cladosporioid fungi are discussed on the basis of this phylogeny, which consists of several clades representing Cladosporium-like genera. Cladosporium is confined to Davidiella (Mycosphaerellaceae) anamorphs with coronate conidiogenous loci and conidial hila. Pseudocladosporium is confined to anamorphs of Caproventuria (Venturiaceae). Cladosporium-like anamorphs of the Venturia (conidia catenate) are referred to Fusicladium. Human-pathogenic Cladosporium species belong in Cladophialophora (Capronia, Herpotrichiellaceae) and Cladosporium fulvum is representative of the Mycosphaerella/Passalora clade (Mycosphaerellaceae). Cladosporium malorum proved to provide the correct epithet for Pseudocladosporium kellermanianum (syn. Phaeoramularia kellermaniana, Cladophialophora kellermaniana) as well as Cladosporium porophorum. Based on differences in conidiogenesis and the structure of the conidiogenous loci, further supported by molecular data, C. malorum is allocated to Alternaria.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lignincola</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nais</Emphasis>, polyphyletic genera of the Halosphaeriales (Ascomycota)

The taxonomic status of the genera Lignincola and Nais was re-evaluated by phylogenetic analysis of the partial large subunit ribosomal DNA sequence. Both Lignincola and Nais are inferred to be polyphyletic genera. Lignincola laevis and L. longirostris are phylogenetically related taxa but they are not monophyletic. Nais inornata, the type species of the genus, has a close relationship with Aniptodera (A. chesapeakensis) while N. glitra forms a well-supported clade with Halosarpheia abonnis and H. ratnagiriensis. Neptunella gen. nov. is introduced to accommodate L. longirostris and Saagaromyces gen. nov. to accommodate H. abonnis, H. ratnagiriensis and N. glitra.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cortinarius</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orellani</Emphasis> from Japan

Cortinarius breviradicatus sp. nov., found in deciduous forests, is described and illustrated from Niigata, Japan. It is characterized by its medium-sized to large dark brown basidiocarp, acutely conical pileus, and rooting stipe, and by subglobose to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores. In addition, the extracting solution from its basidiocarps exhibits a strong fluorescence around 400–430 nm in ultraviolet radiation (250 nm), which was observed in a species of Cortinarius sect. Orellani. The new species belongs to the section Orellani. The differences between the new taxon and similar species are briefly discussed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraliparis adustus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraliparis bullacephalus</Emphasis>: two new snailfish species (Teleostei: Liparidae) from Alaska

Paraliparis adustus sp. nov., a snailfish species from the Bering Sea near the Aleutian Island Archipelago, Alaska, is described based on a single mesopelagic specimen. This new species is clearly distinguished by a combination of several morphological features and meristic counts, including long pointed gill rakers with 0–3 spinules at or near the tip, anus positioned forward near the pectoral symphysis, and color uniform brown. Paraliparis bullacephalus sp. nov. from Shelikof Strait, Gulf of Alaska, is also described. This new species is very similar in meristic characters and general body shape and size to P. holomelas Gilbert, but differs primarily in morphological features of the head, particularly in the shape of the dorsal contour of the head, snout, and opercular flap, mouth size, and eye position.