A newLeptographium species associated withTomicus piniperda in south-western China

Tomicus species (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) are serious pests of pines with a wide distribution in Europe, Asia and America. In Yunnan, south-western China,T. piniperda has destroyed more than 0.5 million ha ofPinus yunnanensis in the past 15 years. A blue stain fungus belonging to the genusLeptographium is associated with both the shoot-feeding and trunk-attacking stages of the beetle's life cycle. The fungus is morphologically similar to the anamorph ofOphiostoma crassivaginatum and toL. pyrinum, which are both characterised by short robust conidiophores and hyphae covered by a granular layer. Both these species have been isolated from conifers and are associated with insects. After comparing the fungus fromT. piniperda with similarLeptographium species, using light and scanning electron microscopy, we concluded that it represents a new taxon, which is described here asL. yunnanense sp. nov.     

NewLeptographium species from Indonesia and Eastern North America

Leptographium species have predominantly been described from North America, Canada and Europe. These fungi generally occur on conifers and many cause blue-stain of lumber. MostLeptographium species are also associated with insects and in particular, bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Recently, an unknown species ofLeptographium was isolated from pine infested with anIps sp. in Indonesia. In addition, two unknown species have been collected from red spruce (Picea rubra) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) roots from high elevation sites in Eastern North America. The latter isolates are unusual in that they are associated with the feeding wounds made by the conifer swift mothKorscheltellus gracilus (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), which is a habitat unique for species ofLeptographium. Comparison with knownLeptographium species has revealed that the isolates from Indonesia and those from Eastern North America represent three previously undescribed taxa. They are, therefore, described in this study asL. pineti sp. nov,L. abieticolens sp. nov. andL. peucophilum sp. nov.     

Two species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptographium</Emphasis> isolated from blue-stained sapwood of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus khasya</Emphasis> and bark beetles in Thailand

Two species of Leptographium were isolated from blue-stained sapwood of Pinus khasya and bark beetle galleries in pine trees near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Based on morphological observations, these two species were identified as L. pini-densiflorae and L. yunnanense. This is the first record of these fungi in Thailand. Leptographium yunnanense appeared to be associated with Polygraphus major. This is contribution No. 206, Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Graduate School of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba     

Ophiostomatoid fungi isolated from Japanese red pine and their relationships with bark beetles

We isolated ophiostomatoid fungi from bark beetles infesting Pinus densiflora and their galleries at 24 sites in Japan. Twenty-one ophiostomatoid fungi, including species of Ophiostoma, Grosmannia, Ceratocystiopsis, Leptographium, and Pesotum, were identified. Among these, 11 species were either newly recorded in Japan or were previously undescribed species. Some of these fungal species were isolated from several bark beetles, but other species were isolated from only a particular beetle species. Thus, it is suggested that some ophiostomatoid fungi have specific relationships with particular beetle species. In addition, fungus-beetle biplots from redundancy analysis (RDA) summarizing the effects of beetle ecological characteristics suggested that the association patterns between bark beetles and the associated fungi seemed to be related to the niches occupied by the beetles.     

Mycosphaerella buna sp. nov. with aPseudocercospora anamorph isolated from the leaves of Japanese beech

A species ofMycosphaerella with aPseudocercospora anamorph was collected on overwintered fallen leaves of Japanese beech,Fagus crenata. Based on comparison of morphology withMycosphaerella species on Fagaceae, the fungus was newly described asMycosphaerella buna. ThePseudocercospora anamorph derived from a single ascospore of the fungus was morphologically identical to an endophytic anamorph isolated from asymptomatic living leaves of Japanese beech. Contribution No. 150, Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba     

Leptographium wushanense sp. nov., associated with Tomicus armandii on Pinus armandii in Southwestern China

Leptographium wushanense sp. nov., which is associated with Tomicus armandii, is described based on molecular sequence data and morphological characters. The phylogenetic analyses based on ITS2-partial LSU rDNA region, β-tubulin and elongation factor 1-α genes showed that L. wushanense formed a well-supported clade and was closely related to L. conjunctum and L. yunnanense, and then nested within L. lundbergii complex. The species is characterized that its conidiophores were longer than those of L. yunnanense and shorter than those of L. conjunctum, while its conidia were larger than those of L. conjunctum and smaller than those of L. yunnanense. Furthermore, the colonial growth of L. wushanense is faster than those of L. conjunctum and L. yunnanense at 25 °C on 2% MEA. Both molecular data and morphological comparison confirmed the placement of the new species in genus of Leptographium.     

Aecidium dispori is the aecial anamorph ofPuccinia albispora, sp. nov. (Uredinales)

Aecidium dispori forms spermogonium and aecium onDisporum sessile andD. smilacinum, which are distributed in East Asia. TheAecidium species is found to be an aecial anamorph of aPuccinia fungus, with its uredinial-telial stage being formed onCarex conica, C. dolichostachya subsp.multifolia, C. pisiformis subsp.alterniflora andC. rugata. Urediniospores of this fungus are large, colorless, thick-walled with 4–5 equatorial germ pores. The morphological characteristics of urediniospores and the spermogonial-aecial host do not fit to any set of circumscribing characters of previously described species. We consider the fungus to be a new species and propose a new name,Puccinia albispora, for the fungus.     

Mycorrhiza of the host-specific Lactarius deterrimus on the roots of Picea abies and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

The ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete species Lactarius deterrimus Gröger is considered to be a strictly host-specific mycobiont of Picea abies (L.) Karst. However, we identified arbutoid mycorrhiza formed by this fungus on the roots of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. in a mixed stand at the alpine timberline; typical ectomycorrhiza of P. abies were found in close relation. A. uva-ursi is known as an extremely unspecific phytobiont. The mycorrhizae of both associations are described and compared morphologically. The mycorrhiza formed by L. deterrimus on both A. uva-ursi and P. abies show typical ectomycorrhizal features such as a hyphal mantle and a Hartig net. The main difference between the mycorrhizal symbioses with the different phytobionts is the occurrence of intracellular hyphae in the epidermal cells of A. uva-ursi. This emphasizes the importance of the plant partner for mycorrhizal anatomy. This is the first report of a previously considered host-specific ectomycorrhizal fungus in association with A. uva-ursi under natural conditions. The advantages of this loose specificity between the fungus and plant species is discussed.     

Mycopappus quercus sp. nov., causing frosty mildew inQuercus acutissima

The causal fungus of frosty mildew inQuercus acutissima was taxonomically studied. Brown spots with conical white to yellowish tufts of the causal, fungus developed on the leaves, followed by successive defoliation. The fungus was regarded as a new species ofMycopappus, M. quercus, from the morphology of the multicellular propagules. The ascogenous stage and true conidia of the fungus were not observed, although sclerotia were formed on the fallen diseased leaves.     

New records of the carabidicolous Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) of Japan (II)

Six carabidicolous species of Laboulbeniales are reported as new for the Japanese mycoflora. They areLaboulbenia finitima, L. separata, L. borneensis, L. manubriolata, Dimeromyces caribaeus, andDixomyces ornatus. In Japan, the former three species are parasitic onMochtherus luctuosus and the latter three species onPerigona nigriceps. Laboulbenia finitima occurs on the left legs (tarsi and tibiae);L. separata on the left elytral margin:L. borneensis on the pronotum;L. manubriolata on the pronotum and elytra;Dimeromyces caribaeus on the right inferior posterior surface of the prothorax (pronotal hypomeron); andDixomyces ornatus on the outer margin of the right elytron. Comments and photographs are given for each fungus.     

Grosmannia and Leptographium spp. associated with conifer-infesting bark beetles in Finland and Russia, including Leptographium taigense sp. nov.

Species of Grosmannia with Leptographium anamorphs include important forest pathogens and agents of blue stain in timber. They are commonly found in association with forest pests, such as bark beetles. During a survey of ophiostomatoid fungi in eastern parts of Finland and neighboring Russia, species belonging to the genus Grosmannia were isolated from 12 different bark beetle species infesting Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris, the most economically important conifers in the region. Identification of these fungi was based on morphology, DNA sequence comparisons for three gene regions and phylogenetic analyses. A total of ten taxa were identified. These belonged to six different species complexes in Grosmannia. The phylogenetic analyses provided an opportunity to redefine the G. galeiformis-, L. procerum-, L. lundbergii-, G. piceiperda-, G. olivacea- and G. penicillata-complexes, and to consider the species emerging from the survey within the context of these complexes. The species included G. galeiformis, G. olivacea, L. chlamydatum, L. lundbergii, L. truncatum and a novel taxon, described here as L. taigense sp. nov. In addition, species closely related to G. cucullata, G. olivaceapini comb. nov., G. piceiperda and L. procerum were isolated but their identity could not be resolved. The overall results indicate that the diversity of Grosmannia species in the boreal forests remains poorly understood and that further studies are needed to clarify the status of several species or species complexes.     

Phylogenetic relationships among Puccinia hemerocallidis, P. funkiae, and P. patriniae (Uredinales) inferred from ITS sequence data

Puccinia hemerocallidis and P. funkiae resemble each other morphologically; however, they are biologically and taxonomically distinct, with telia of the former being restricted to species of Hemerocallis and the latter to Hosta species. However, both fungi share a macrocyclic and heteroecious life cycle with Patrinia villosa as the spermogonial and aecial host. An additional microcyclic rust fungus, P. patriniae, is also known on P. villosa. This microcyclic fungus is similar to the two macrocyclic fungi in its telial structure and teliospore morphology. These similarities in morphology and host relationships suggest the three fungi may also share a close evolutionary relationship. To determine the phylogenetic relationships of the three species, a portion of the nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat encoding the ITS and 5.8S subunit regions was amplified by PCR, sequenced, and analyzed. The resulting phylogenetic trees showed that P. hemerocallidis and P. funkiae share a recent common ancestor and that P. patriniae is closely allied with P. hemerocallidis. The results suggest a possible evolutionary derivation of microcyclic P. patriniae from macrocyclic heteroecious P. hemerocallidis, which fits the evolutionary interpretation of correlated species known as Tranzschel's law.     

Mycosphaerella chaenomelis sp. nov.: The teleomorph ofCercosporella sp., the causal fungus of frosty mildew inChaenomeles sinensis, and its role as the primary infection source

A leaf spot disease called frosty mildew was observed onChaenomeles sinensis throughout Japan. Small brown spots with white tufts occurred followed by successive defoliation. On the fallen leaves, minute black dots are formed. The causal fungus was regarded as a new species ofMycosphaerella, M. chaenomelis, andCercosporella chaenomelis in anamorph. Pathogenicity of the fungus was confirmed only inC. sinensis by inoculation experiments. Colonies of the fungus grew well on potato sucrose agar, and grew at 10–30°C with an optimum temperature of 25°C. The fungus overwintered on the fallen diseased leaves in the form of pseudothecia, and ascospores served as the primary infection source from April to June.     

Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with the northern spruce engraver, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ips perturbatus</Emphasis>, in western Canada

A number of ophiostomatoid fungi were isolated from the spruce-infesting bark beetle, Ips perturbatus and its galleries collected from felled spruce trees and logs in northern BC and the Yukon Territory. Isolates were identified to species using morphological characteristics, nuclear ribosomal DNA and partial β-tubulin gene sequences. Thirteen morphological and phylogenetic species were identified among the isolates. Leptographium fruticetum, Leptographium abietinum, Ophiostoma bicolor, Ophiostoma manitobense, O. piceaperdum, and eight undescribed species of the genus Ophiostoma and the anamorph genera Leptographium, Hyalorhinocladiella, Ambrosiella and Graphium. A number of these species, i.e. L. fruticetum, Hyalorhinocladiella sp. 2, O. bicolor and O. manitobense, were isolated repeatedly from I. perturbatus, while others, i.e. Graphium sp. 1 and O. piceaperdum, seemed to be␣sporadic associates. Among all the isolates, L. fruticetum had the highest relative dominance in this survey. A high frequency of occurrence of this species with the beetle may indicate a specific relationship between the two partners.     

Molecular and morphological characterization of Leveillula (Ascomycota: Erysiphales) on monocotyledonous plants

Leveillula on monocotyledonous plants have been recorded as L. taurica by several authors, whereas the fungus on Allium has been described as an independent species, namely L. allii, by some authors. We sequenced ca 600 bp of the rDNA ITS region for two Leveillula specimens from Allium and Polianthes (both from monocotyledons) and compared them with several already published sequences from Leveillula isolates from dicotyledons. Pair-wise percentages of sequence divergences were calculated for all Leveillula isolates. The ITS sequence of the Polianthes isolate was identical to L. taurica on Helianthus and Vicia. The sequence of the Allium isolate was 99.5 % identical to L. taurica on Euphorbia, Haplophylum, Peganum, etc. These results suggest close relationships between monocot and dicot pathogenic Leveillula species. The identity between two monocot isolates was 98.4 %. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the two monocot isolates do not group into a clade together. This result suggests that Leveillula acquired parasitism to monocots at least twice independently.     

Aplopsora corni sp. nov. onCornus controversa from Hokkaido,Japan

Aplopsora corni sp. nov. is proposed for a rust fungus whose uredinial and basidial stage occurs onCornus controversa (Cornaceae) in Hokkaido. This new species is separated by its larger urediniospores and probasidia from the morphologically closely relatedA. nyssae onNyssa aquatica andN. sylvatica (Cornaceae) distributed in southern North America.     

Didymella fagi sp. nov. and its anamorphAscochyta fagi, causing the yellow leaf spot disease ofFagus crenata andQuercus mongolica var.grosseserrata in Japan

AnAscochyta fungus was obtained during a survey of leaf spot diseases ofFagus crenata in the mountains of Aomori prefecture in 1995. The pathogenicity of the fungus toF. crenata was confirmed by inoculation. Its teleomorph was first found on artificially infected leaves after the leaves were placed in an incubator at 5°C with a 12-h photoperiod (approximately 500lx, daylight strip lamps) for 4 mo. The fungus was found to be the causal agent of yellow leaf spots ofF. crenata andQuercus mongolica var.grosseserrata in the field. Comparison with similar fungi so far described from Fagaceae indicated that the anamorph isAscochyta fagi and the teleomorph is an undescribed species ofDidymella. The nameDidymella fagi is introduced for the teleomorph. Correlation between the two morphs has been proved by cultural, morphological and pathological studies.     

Caeoma tsukubaense n. sp., a rhododendron rust fungus of Japan and southern Asia, and its relationship to Chrysomyxa rhododendri

A rust fungus found in Japan on Rhododendron kaempferi, R. kiusianum, and R. dauricum has previously been identified as Chrysomyxa rhododendri. Light and scanning electron microscopy of fresh and herbarium materials of the rust fungus, however, show that the spore surface morphology differs from the urediniospores of C. rhododendri, and the spores are slightly smaller. Furthermore, the DNA sequence of the 5′-end of the large subunit of ribosomal DNA differs from that of C. rhododendri by 3%. Telia have not been found; therefore, it is redescribed as a new anamorphic species, Caeoma tsukubaense. Several specimens from North Korea, Tibet, and Nepal bearing a similar rust fungus are also included in the species.Contribution no.193 from the Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan     

Monilinia jezoensis sp. nov. in the Sclerotiniaceae, causing leaf blight and mummy fruit disease of Rhododendron kaempferi in Hokkaido, northern Japan

A new leaf blight and mummy fruit disease caused by a species of Monilinia was first found on Rhododendron kaempferi at the lakeside of Shikotsu-ko, Hokkaido, northern Japan, in 2002. Studies on morphology, life cycle, cultural characters, and gene analyses of the causal fungus enabled us to conclude that it is a new species of the genus. It is named M. jezoensis. Rhododendron is a new host genus for Monilinia fungi in Japan.     

Monilinia ssiori sp. nov. in the Sclerotiniaceae, causing leaf blight and young fruit rot of Prunus ssiori in Japan

The leaf blight and mummy fruit disease fungus of Prunus ssiori in northern Japan is newly named M. ssiori, as a fourth member in the M. padi group of section Disjunctoriae of the genus Monilinia (Sclerotiniaceae). It has been misidentified with Monilinia kusanoi, but recent studies show it is different from M. kusanoi as well as other related species on prunaceous hosts in respect to host relation, pathogenicity, morphology, and gene analysis.