Taxonomic revision of the genus Alternanthera (Amaranthaceae) in Italy

A taxonomic revision of the genus Alternanthera (Amaranthaceae) in Italy is here presented. Field surveys were carried out during the period 2007–2013. Thirty-six herbaria (both European and American) were consulted as well as extensive literature was analyzed. Four taxa are recognized, all of them to be considered aliens native to South America. Information about nomenclature (accepted names, main synonyms, and types), morphology, chromosome number, alien status (at national and regional levels), occurrence in Italy (at regional and provincial scale), ecology (preferential habitat, phenology, and elevation), taxonomical notes, and Italian vernacular names were provided for each taxon. A diagnostic key was given. For the nomenclatural purposes the generic name Alternanthera and its type was discussed, and the names A. paronychioides and A. pungens were studied and typified (lecto- and neotype, respectively) on specimens preserved at PH and P.     

Colipila, a new genus in the Helotiales

Colipila, a new member of the Helotiales, is erected for two previously undescribed lignicolous species resembling Dasyscyphella and Lachnum by macroscopy. Species of Colipila are characterized by their long, entirely smooth, hyaline, thin-walled, multiseptate, subulate to basally fusoid hairs that tend to be curved on the stipe and lower flanks, and dimorphic, partly strongly protruding paraphyses which closely resemble the hairs. The type species, C. masduguana, is recorded repeatedly in southern France on rotten decorticated branches and trunks of Castanea sativa on the moist forest floor in sub-Mediterranean regions with siliceous soils, but also once on Quercus robur in a temperate forest with calcareous soil. The second species, C. pilatensis, was found on wood of an unidentified member of Rosaceae in a calcareous region of the Northern Alps and is known only from the holotype. The phylogenetic position of C. masduguana within the Helotiales was not resolved based on the analysis of nuclear LSU ribosomal DNA sequences. A key to the species of Colipila is provided.     

Halteromyces,a new genus in the Mucorales

Halteromyces radiatus is described as a new genus and species in the order Mucorales. The genus is referred to the family Mucoraceae and has close affinities to the genusAbsidia. The fungus grows readily in pure culture. The asexual structures are described; no sexual structures have been found despite extensive contrasts with members of the genusAbsidia andGongronella.     

Heterorepetobasidium, a new genus in the Auriculariales

A new genus, Heterorepetobasidium, is proposed to accommodate two new species, H. subglobosum and H. ellipsoideum, recently collected in Taiwan. These species have apically, partially septate basidia, strongly swollen sterigmata, and repetobasidia. The systematics of the new taxa and related ones, inclusive of Ceratobasidium and the Ceratobasidiaceae, are reinterpreted.     

Siepmannia, a new genus in the Mucoraceae

A new genus Siepmannia of the Mucoraceae family is described. Siepmannia pineti sp. nov. and S. lariceti sp. nov. were isolated from forest soils in Poland. The species were differentiated on the basis of morphology and ITS1/2 rDNA sequencing. Siepmannia pineti and S. lariceti are identical in some aspects. Both show distinct morphological dimorphism in culture depending on conditions of growth and exhibit distinct mycotrophism manifested by sporulation in the presence of other fungi. Their morphological elements are minute. The phylogenetic grouping of Siepmannia with Absidia parricia and A. zychae leads to the creation of two new combinations, S. parricida and S. zychae.     

Utriascus, a new ascomycetous genus in the Sordariales

The new monotypic genus Utriascus is described from wood of Ulmus glabra in the ?umava Mts. National Park, Czech Republic. It is characterized by superficial, setose ascomata, unitunicate, saccate, and long-pedunculate asci that lack any discharge mechanism in the apex and one-celled, dark pigmented ascospores enclosed in a hyaline ornamented sheath. Utriascus is classified in the Sordariales.     

Endomelanconiopsis, a new anamorph genus in the Botryosphaeriaceae

A new lineage is discovered within the Botryosphaeriaceae (Ascomycetes, Dothideomycetes, incertae sedis). Consistent with current practice of providing generic names for independent lineages, this lineage is described as Endomelanconiopsis gen. nov., with the anamorphic species E. endophytica sp. nov. and E. microspora comb. nov. (= Endomelanconium microsporum). Endomelanconiopsis is characterized by eustromatic conidiomata and holoblastically produced, brown, nonapiculate, unicellular conidia, each with a longitudinal germ slit. Phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences of LSU, ITS and translation elongation factor 1 alpha (tef1) indicate that E. endophytica is sister of E. microspora and that they are nested within the Botryosphaeriaceae. However because there is no support for the "backbone" of the Botryosphaeriacae we are not able to see the interrelationships among the many genera in the family. Neither species is known to have a teleomorph. Endomelanconiopsis differs from Endomelanconium because conidia of the type species of Endomelanconium, E. pini, are papillate at the base, conidiogenous cells proliferate sympodially and the pycnidial wall is thinner; we postulate that the teleomorph of E. pini as yet unknown is an inoperculate discomycete. Endomelanconiopsis endophytica was isolated as an endophyte from healthy leaves of Theobroma cacao (cacao, Malvaceae) and Heisteria concinna (Erythroplaceae) in Panama. Endomelanconiopsis microspora was isolated from soil in Europe.     

Punctelia, a new lichen genus in the Parmeliaceae

The genus Punctelia Krog gen. nov., comprising subgen. Punctelia (the Parmelia borreri group) and subgen. Flavopunctelia Krog subgen. nov. (the Parmelia flaventior group), is here segregated from Parmelia s. str. The main differences between the two genera lie in the development of the pseudocyphellae, the chemical properties of the medulla, and the centres of distribution. Parmelia s. str. has its highest number of species in East Asia and the Australian region, Punctelia in the Americas and Africa.     

Taiwanoporia, a new aphyllophoralean genus

A new genus, Taiwanoporia, is proposed to accommodate a new species, T. amylospora, recently collected in Taiwan. This species has a monomitic hyphal system with simple septa, and amyloid, hyaline, smooth, subglobose basidiospores.     

Johnkarlingia,a new genus of the synchytriaceae

A chytridiaceous fungous species was found parasitic in the roots of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) in the heavy soil fields of Varanasi, U.P. The morphology of resting sporangia and life cycle of the pathogen revealed that no fungus species has hitherto been described befitting its developmental pattern. A new genus Johnkarlingia Pavgi & Singh has been proposed to accommodate the fungus with Johnkarlingia brassicae Singh & Pavgi as its type species. The taxonomy and affinities of the genus are discussed.     

Rodaucea, a new genus of the Laboulbeniales

The new genus Rodaucea is created for a new species of Laboulbeniales parasitic on carrion beetles from Ecuador. The new genus is characterized by the presence of two unequal secondary receptacles flanking cell II on opposite sides. The perithecia have the wall cells arranged in four tiers distinctly unequal in height and the antheridia are phialid-like structures borne terminally on branches of primary and secondary appendages.     

Wingea,a new genus of the Saccharomycetaceae

The yeast species previously described asPichia robertsii v. d. Walt has been transferred to the new genusWingea. The diagnosis for the genus is given.     

Stellatospora,a new genus of the Sordariaceae

In the course of study of fungi from soil, a new genus and species,Stellatospora terricola, was isolated. The fungus is distinguished from other known genera in having star- or comfit-shaped ascospores with a distinct germ pore. The morphological characters of the genus are considered to resemble those of the Sordariaceae in Ascomycotina.