Melanoxa, a new genus in the Urocystidales (Ustilaginomycotina)

A smut fungus, Melanotaenium oxalidis, forming dark-coloured spores in the leaves of Oxalis oregana (Oxalidaceae) was collected a few times in the USA. A similar smut fungus on Oxalis acetosella was recently collected in Slovenia. Teliospores, hyphal septations, cellular interactions and ITS and LSU rDNA sequences of these two smuts on Oxalis were examined and the results obtained were compared with each other and with findings in other members of the Ustilaginomycotina. The data show that the specimen from Slovenia is very close to Melanotaenium oxalidis, but represents a new species, and that the two Melanotaenium species occurring on Oxalis are members of the Urocystidaceae. Among the Urocystidaceae, they are morphologically very similar to Flamingomyces, Melanustilospora and Vankya species, but differ from them, and from all other Urocystidaceae, by their multilamellate teliospore walls. In addition, molecular phylogenetic analyses indicated good separation of the Melanotaenium species from Flamingomyces, Melanustilospora and Vankya. Accordingly, a new genus, Melanoxa, and a new species, M. oxalidiellae, are described, and a new combination, Melanoxa oxalidis, is proposed for Melanotaenium oxalidis.     

Stictyosiphon arcticus (Fucophyceae, Stictyosiphonaceae) a new species from Greenland, North Norway, and Baffin Island

A new species of Stictyosiphon from the North Atlantic is decribeci. Morphologically it resembles a densely branched Chordaria flagelliformis or an aberrant Dictyosiphon foeniculaceus. It disagrees with known species of Stictyosiphon by a loosely constructed cortex which develops in connection with formation of plurilocular sporangia. We, therefore, consider this a new species for which the name Stictyosiphon arcticus is proposed.     

Kroswia,a new genus in the Pannariaceae (lichenized ascomycetes)

Abstract:A characteristic, sterile lichen genus with homoiomerous thallus containing terpenoids is described, with one subtropical species, Kroswia crystalliferum sp. nov., occurring scattered in Africa from Kenya south to the Cape, southern India (with Sri Lanka) and Taiwan. Another temperate species, Kroswia gemmascens (Nyl.) comb. nov., is restricted to Eastern Asia. In spite of its gelatinous, homoiomerous thallus, the genus appears to belong to thePannariaceae .     

Neoholmesia,a new genus of the delesseriaceae (Rhodophyta)

A new genus,Neoholmesia, is established on the basis ofHolmesia japonica (Okamura) Okamura. Neoholmesia that is distributed in the Northern Honshu and Hokkaido, Japan, should be placed in theMembranoptera group described by Kylin because of its apical segmentation of the thallus, and because it differs from the genusHolmesia in that tetrasporangia are found scattered randomly over the surface of the main thallus, and in that it bears carposporangia in chains. Dedicated to Prof. Shoichiro Usami celebrating his sexagenary birthday.     

Balliella,a new genus of ceramiaceae (Rhodophyta)

Detailed studies of various aspects of the morphology and reproduction ofAntithamnion subcorticatum Itono andAntithamnion crouanioides Itono show that these species are incorrectly referred to as the genusAntithamnion. To include these species, a new genus,Balliella, is proposed. In addition, some other algae possibly referable to this genus are briefly discussed. The genusBalliella is here recognized as a member of the new tribeDelesseriopsieae which is most nearly related to the tribe Antithamnieae in the Ceramiaceae. The tribe Delesseriopsieae is now recognized to include the two genera, i.e.,Delesseriopsis andBalliella.     

Harleyodendron,a new genus of leguminosae (Swartzieae)

A monotypic new genus,Harleyodendron, is described from the relict coastal rainforest of eastern Brazil. Gross morphology, wood and leaf anatomy, and pollen morphology are considered.     

Aurantiosporium,a new genus forUstilago subnitens (Ustilaginales)

A new genus,Aurantiosporium Piepenbring, Vánky & Oberwinkler (Ustilaginales), is proposed for the smut speciesUstilago subnitens Schröter & Hennings onScleria melaleuca Reichb. The soral morphology, teliospore development, the ultrastructure of the teliospore wall and teliospore germination ofAurantiosporium subnitens, studied on collections from Costa Rica, are described for the first time. The character set ofA. subnitens including intercellular teliospore development, spores in irregular groups and light coloured spore walls with numerous layers in TEM is neither known fromUstilago norCintractia nor any other smut species.Part 113 in the series Studies inHeterobasidiomycetes from the Botanical Institute, University of Tübingen.     

Kirschsteiniothelia, a new genus for the Microthelia incrustans-group (Dothideales)

The new generic name Kirschsteiniothelia is introduced for the group of species close to Microthelia incrustans. The genus belongs to the Dothideales and is referred to the Pleosporaceae. Six species are accepted: K. acerina, K. aethiops (anamorph: Dendryphiopsis alra), K. maritima, K. recessa, K. striatispora and K. thujina. A key to the species is provided and illustrations showing the variations in ascomatal development and ascospore sizes and shapes are included. In a review of the nomenclature of Microthelia it has been found necessary to provide a lectotype for Amphisphaerina and A. texensis is referred to Arthopyrenia.     

Aschistanthera, a monotypic new genus for Vietnam (Melastomataceae)

The new genus Aschistanthera and its only species, Aschistanthera cristanthera , are described. Characteristics additional to the diagnosis are emphasized and parts of flowers and fruits and its distribution are illustrated.     

Verrucocephalum,a new nematophagous genus in the Helicocephalidaceae (Zoopagales)

A new genus Verrucocephalum is proposed for a fungus which was found from bat dung collected in a limestone cave. The type species, V. latericorvinisporum has darkly pigmented spores and aseptic hyphae that branch and capture nematodes by means of appressoria. These morphological characteristics match the definition for the family Helicocephalidaceae (Zoopagales, Zoopagomycotina). The genus can be distinguished from three previously known genera in the family by its broad-based tapering sporophores with darkly pigmented verrucose spores born on short lateral branchlets. The branchlets may be homologous to the papillae seen in genus Rhopalomyces.     

Struttura e periodismo dei popolamenti a Cystoseira(Fucophyceae,Fucales) del Mediterraneo

Abstract

News on both the structure and the periodism of the communities with Cystoseira from the Mediterranean Sea based on literature data, are presented.

In order to a better knowledge of such communities, the opportunity of a standardized methodology based on a preliminary study of the qualitative minimal area, on monthly samples to be carried out throughout a year as well as on observations on the vertical distribution of species within the community, is suggested.     

Oletheriostrigula,a new genus for Massarina papulosa (Fungi,Ascomycetes)

A new genus, Oletheriostrigula, is erected for Massarina papulosa. The fungus is redescribed and illustrated, additional synonymy is given, and its relationships within the Ascomycetes are discussed.     

A new species and a new combination in the genus Eucrosia (Amaryllidaceae)

Eucrosia dodsonii is described from Ecuador andLeperiza eucrosioides Baker is combined withEucrosia asE. brachyandra.     

Mycopteris,a new neotropical genus of grammitid ferns (Polypodiaceae)

Mycopteris, a new genus of grammitid ferns, is described and combinations are made for the species that belong to it. Mycopteris is diagnosed by castaneous rhizome scales with turgid cells, usually pectinate laminae, blackish petioles and rachises, blackish pinna costae and veins, reddish setae, cretaceous hydathodes, glabrous sporangia, and the presence of Acrospermum ascomes. It is entirely neotropical, ranging from Mexico east into the West Indies and south to Bolivia. Mycopteris is one of two genera of grammitid ferns that are consistently associated with Acrospermum, an epibiotic ascomycete that produces black clavate fruiting bodies. Seventeen species of Mycopteris are recognized here, including one new species (M. longipilosa) and one elevated from the rank of variety to species (M. costaricensis). The following additional combinations are made here: M. alsopteris, M. amphidasyon, M. attenuatissima, M. cretata, M. grata, M. leucolepis, M. leucostica, M. longicaulis, M. pirrensis, M. praeceps, M. semihirsuta, M. steyermarkii, M. subtilis, M. taxifolia, and M. zeledoniana. Lectotypes are chosen for Ctenopteris leucosticta, Polypodium amphidasyon, and Polypodium pectinatum var. hispidum. For each accepted species, full synonymy and geographical range are provided. Taxonomic discussion is provided for species not widely recognized in previous treatments.     

Tuthillia, a new Neotropical psyllid genus (Homoptera: Psylloidea)

Tuthillia gen.n. (Homoptera: Psylloidea) is erected for four Neotropical species: canabina sp.n. (the type-species from Belize and Panama), cognata sp.n. (Brazil), latipennis sp.n. (Panama) and iuncta sp.n. (Brazil). It is suggested that Tuthillia forms a monophyletic group with the ciriacremine genera Ciriacremum, Kleiniella and Pal-mapenna. However, only iuncta possesses an R-M cross vein in the forewing, a character which has been used to define the ciriacremines in the past. It seems, therefore, that this character is unstable and alternative synapomorphies are discussed. The genital morphology of Tuthillia is similar to that found in both Ciriacreminae and Diaphorininae (Aphalaridae). It is speculated that these subfamilies represent previously unrecognized sister groups defined using the genital characters as synapomorphies.     

Williamsocoris, a new genus of Schizopteridae (Heteroptera) from Argentina

A new genus and species, Williamsocoris ornatus (Schizopteridae: Hypselosomatinae), is described from Argentina. This is the first record of the subfamily in South America. The particular structures of the rostrum of this new taxon are unique in the family.     

Experimental field studies on the ecology of Scytosiphon lomentaria (Fucophyceae, Scytosiphonales) in Denmark

Experimental field studies on the ecology of Scytosiphon lomentaria have been carried out in two types of Danish localities during 1981 and 1982: a sheltered and shallow fiord with a scanty vegetation, and a more exposed locality with a rather dense vegetation. Colonization experiments have been made by depositing artificial substrates several times during spring and autumn in both localities. These showed that Scytosiphon lomentaria is able to colonize and develop, i.e. produce prostrate systems with erect thalli under long–day as well as under short–day conditions, and even to become fertile. Transplantation experiments between the two localities have been made in both directions in spring and autumn. These proved that the transplanted prostrate systems are able to sprout into erect thalli in accordance with the normal seasonal distribution in the new locality. The difference in seasonal occurrence is thus environmentally determined.
Quantitative culture studies have confirmed that erect thalli develop independently of daylength.     

Agouticarpa, a new neotropical genus of Tribe Gardenieae (Rubiaceae)

Agouticarpa, a new genus of the informalAlibertia group (Rubiaceae), is described and illustrated. It comprises six species, and occurs from Costa Rica to Bolivia. Three species are here described as new:Agouticarpa grandistipula, A. hirsuta, andA. velutina. Additionally, three new combinations are made:A. curvifolia andA. williamsii (previously inGenipa) andA. isernii (previously inAlibertia). Agouticarpa is characterized by being dioecious, having elliptic to abovate, membranaceous stipules, male flowers in a branched dichasial or thyrse-like inflorescence, a poorly developed cup-shaped calyx, pollen grains with 3–7 apertures, and large globose fruits.