Cryptadelphia (Trichosphaeriales), a new genus for holomorphs with Brachysporium anamorphs and clarification of the taxonomic status of Wallrothiella

The genus Cryptadelphia (Trichosphaeriales) is described for the presumed teleomorphs of six species of the dematiaceous hyphomycete genus Brachysporium. Cryptadelphia is characterized by the production of dark, leathery perithecia with two-layered walls, cylindrical, long-stipitate asci with eight hyaline, initially aseptate but ultimately 1-septate as-cospores. Zigno?lla groenendalensis is transferred to Cryptadelphia with Wallrothiella melanostigmoides as a synonym. Five new species, i.e., Cryptadelphia abietis, C. brevior, C. obovata, C. pendulispora and C. polyseptata, with their respective Brachysporium anamorphs, are described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis of partial large subunit rDNA sequences of two species supports the monophyly of Cryptadelphia and suggests a relationship with the Trichosphaeriales. The monophyly of the Trichosphaeriaceae and the relationships between the Trichosphaeriaceae, Annula-tascaceae and the Sordariales can be questioned, but a conclusive assessment requires phylogenetic analysis of more related taxa. The genus Wallrothiella is redescribed based on new collections of W. congregata and is characterized by the production of tiny, globose ascospores in cylindrical asci. The new collection is proposed as a neotype for the genus.     

Polyancora globosa gen. sp. nov., an aeroaquatic fungus from Malaysian peat swamp forests

During an investigation of submerged leaves and twigs sampled from tropical peat swamp forests located in Peninsular Malaysia, an anamorphic fungus not attributable to a described genus was detected and isolated in pure culture. Conidial ontogeny was thoroughly studied and illustrated using both light and SEM, which revealed a unique conidial morphology. Analysis of partial nuLSU rDNA and ITS data revealed a phylogenetic position within the Xylariales (Ascomycota), but family affiliation remained unclear.     

Expansion of the Stictidaceae by the addition of the saxicolous lichen-forming genus Ingvariella

The monotypic, lichen-forming genus Ingvariella originally was segregated from Diploschistes and placed within the Thelotremataceae (Ostropales) based on aspects of exciple morphology. However, the I+ hymenium and amyloid ascus wall suggest affinities to families other than the Thelotremataceae. To assess the identity of Ingvariella and to investigate its placement within the Ostropales, we inferred phylogenetic relationships of I. bispora by comparison of mtSSU rDNA and nuLSU rDNA sequences for 59 species encompassing a broad array of ostropalean fungi by means of Bayesian, maximum likelihood and weighted maximum parsimony methods. Here we report that Ingvariella is a member of the Stictidaceae, sister to the mainly saprotrophic genus Cryptodiscus. The inclusion of the first saxicolous lichen-forming fungus within this family expands the broad ecological diversity of the Stictidaceae, where saprotrophic fungi, corticicolous lichen-forming fungi and lichenized and non-lichenized conspecific taxa have been described previously. We also present new insights into the relationships among other families within the Ostropales.     

Fruiting body-guided molecular identification of root-tip mantle mycelia provides strong indications of ectomycorrhizal associations in two species of Sistotrema (Basidiomycota)

Fruiting body guided sequence analysis of mycorrhizal root-tip mycelia is a powerful yet relatively sparsely explored method for species-level identification of mycorrhizal fungi. It is used in this study to indicate mycorrhizal associations in the corticioid (resupinate) genus Sistotrema of the cantharelloid clade through phylogenetic analysis of the ITS and nuLSU rDNA regions of two spatiotemporally co-occurring Sistotrema fruiting bodies and ectomycorrhizal root tips. The genus Sistotrema is confirmed to be polyphyletic, and the mycorrhizal species form a strongly supported monophyletic clade together with the stipitate genus Hydnum. The remaining lineages of Sistotrema may well be saprotrophic, the nutritional mode traditionally attributed to the genus, but the phylogenetic analyses show that they should be excluded from Sistotrema. The cantharelloid clade contains several mycorrhizal genera, but no symbiotic associations have previously been demonstrated for Sistotrema.     

Two new species of Acervus (Pezizales) with a key to species of the genus

Studies on the genus Acervus from China are reviewed briefly. Six of the seven known species of the genus are currently recorded in this country. Acervus beijingense and A. changchunense are described as new based on morphological features and molecular data, and A. flavidus with minor emendation is added to the Chinese fungus flora. Phylogenetic relationships among four of the seven species of the genus are investigated based on the 28S rDNA sequence analysis. Species of the genus formed a single clade with high bootstrap support. The sequences of A. epispartius forma epispartius and that of A. flavidus obtained from materials in different geographical regions together formed a group with 100% bootstrap support. Ascospore size and shape are important criteria in the taxonomy of the genus and are phylogenetically informative. A dichotomous key to all described species of the genus is provided.     

Kohninia linnaeicola, a new genus and species of the Sclerotiniaceae pathogenic to Linnaea borealis

A new genus and species is described to accommodate a newly discovered fungus pathogenic to Linnaea borealis. The fungus forms true sclerotia on stems and leaves of its host and apothecia arise singly or gregariously on the surface of ripe sclerotia. The new fungus was collected together with a stromatic conidiomal fungus that occurred on the same host. A putative teleomorph-anamorph connection of the observed taxa was ruled out by sequence comparison of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer DNA sequences (ITS rDNA). Based on morphology and pathogenicity, the new fungus belongs in the family Sclerotiniaceae, Helotiales, Ascomycota. A phylogenetic analysis of ITS rDNA sequences from 26 taxa of the family Sclerotiniaceae was performed to conclude on the systematic position of the new fungus. The small tuberoid sclerotia, brownish subsessile to substipitate apothecia, four-spored asci, ellipsoid to isthmoid ascospores, inability to grow on PDA culture media and a number of ITS rDNA sequence autapomorphies characterize and distinguish the fungus from other taxa of the Sclerotiniaceae.     

Halosarpheia japonica sp. nov. (Halosphaeriales, Ascomycota) from marine habitats in Japan

A new Halosarpheia species, collected from driftwood from Hakkeijima beach, Yokohama, Japan, is described and illustrated and is compared with other species of the genus. The new fungus was growing together with its anamorph on a piece of decaying wood. SSU and LSU rDNA sequences for both morphs were 99% similar. Phylogenetic analyses of SSU and LSU rDNA sequences of the both morphs confirm their anamorph–teleomorph relationship and placed the new fungus in the Halosarpheia sensu stricto clade with high statistical support. Halosarpheia japonica is characterized by its polar appendage that is initially enclosed in a cellular sheath and dissolves in water, the appendage then swells to form a huge tree-like structure. The other three species currently included in Halosarpheia sensu stricto differ from H. japonica by having two polar appendages that uncoil in water to form long filaments.     

Erysiphe corylopsidis sp. nov., a new powdery mildew fungus found on Corylopsis spicata and C. pauciflora

A powdery mildew fungus occurring on leaves of Corylopsis pauciflora and C. spicata in Japan is described as a new species, Erysiphe corylopsidis. This species is characterized by fewer than 15 appendages on a chasmothecium, primary branches of the appendages occasionally elongated, and a relatively small number (2–5) of ascospores per ascus. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on rDNA ITS and 28S rDNA sequences indicate that this fungus forms an independent lineage in the genus Erysiphe.     

<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.     

Ochropsora staphyleae,a new rust pathogen of Japanese bladdernut,found in central Japan

Japanese bladdernut shrub, Staphylea bumalda (Staphyleaceae), was found infected by a fungus in Prefectures of Ibaraki and Tochigi, central Japan. The fungus produced telia beneath the host epidermis and basidiospores on metabasidia emerging from the sori on the abaxial leaf surface. Probasidia were single-celled, sessile, short-cylindrical, thin-walled, and laterally free. A four-celled metabasidium arose from a probasidium by apical elongation. Apparent biotrophic nature and the basidium morphology of the Staphylea fungus suggested its taxonomic affinity to the rust genus Ochropsora. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of D1/D2 region of LSU rDNA showed that two collections of the fungus were grouped with Ochropsora ariae (type species of the genus) and O. nambuana but formed an independent clade. The fungus under consideration was, therefore, classified in Ochropsora, and a new name, O. staphyleae, was proposed for it.     

A New Species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhytisma</Emphasis> Causes Tar Spot on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Comarostaphylis arbutoides</Emphasis> (Ericaceae) in Panama

A fungus causing tar spots on leaves of Comarostaphylis arbutoides (Ericaceae) in Panama is described as a new species, Rhytisma panamense. The fungus forms gregarious black stromata on pale yellow spots on the adaxial side of leaves. Its ascomata develop from unilocular or multilocular stromata. An analysis of a combined dataset of DNA sequences from LSU to ITS rDNA supports the placement of the species in the genus Rhytisma.     

A new Amazonian species of Calocera with dendroid and multi-headed basidiocarp

During a biodiversity survey of Amazonian jelly fungi, we collected a unique dacrymycetous fungus. This fungus is characterized by stipitate, branched and multi-headed basidiocarps with fascicled marginal hyphae on the sterile parts of the basidiocarps and narrow cylindrical to navicular basidiospores. No dacrymycetous species with these morphological characteristics has been reported. Based on phylogenetic analysis of 28S rDNA sequences, the new specimens belong into the Dacrymycetaceae lineage. As an appropriate genus cannot be inferred from the phylogeny, we describe this fungus as a new species, Calocera arborea, based on its morphological characters.     

Aquatic fungi from peat swamp palms: Phruensis brunneispora gen. et sp. nov. and its hyphomycete anamorph

Phruensis brunneispora is a new genus and species occurring on decaying trunks of the palm Licuala longecalycata in Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest, Thailand. We compare the genus with other aquatic ascomycetes with falcate septate ascospores: Pseudohalonectria and Ophioceras. Ascospores differ from species in these genera in being brown with lighter end cells. Also, the ascus pore is subapical, with a channel leading to the apex. Lollipopaia minuta differs from Phruensis brunneispora in that the ascomata are borne in a stroma, asci have an apical pore and the ascospores are hyaline. No genus was found to accommodate the new species. Molecular analysis of rDNA ribosomal 18S confirmed the exclusion of the new species from Pseudohalonectria, and Ophioceras and Lollipopaia minuta formed a sister group with it. Phruensis brunneispora and Lollipopaia minuta grouped in the Diaporthales with 100% bootstrap support. Therefore, both morphological and molecular evidence supports erecting a new genus to accommodate this taxon. A hyaline Phialophora-like anamorph was formed when single ascospores were plated out on agar. The taxon is described and illustrated with light micrographs.     

A new species of Leptobacillim,L. symbioticum,isolated from mites and sori of soybean rust

A verticillium-like fungus forming a whitish colony and mainly solitary phialides that produced fusiform to cylindrical conidia in chains was isolated from uredinia of Phakopsora pachyrhizi, a causal agent of soybean rust. In addition, two similar looking isolates were obtained from Prostigmata mites. Our taxonomic study based on morphology and phylogenetic analysis using ITS rDNA and LSU rDNA D1/D2 region sequences revealed that the three isolates were the same species and assigned to the genus Leptobacillium. These isolates represent a new species, morphologically and phylogenetically distinguished from the type species, L. leptobactrum, and we propose L. symbioticum sp. nov. In addition, Simplicillium chinense and S. coffeanum are assigned to the genus Leptobacillium.     

Pyrenochaeta keratinophila sp. nov., isolated from an ocular infection in Spain

The new coelomycete Pyrenochaeta keratinophila, isolated from corneal scrapings of a case of keratitis in Spain, is described and illustrated. This fungus is morphologically characterized by grey-olivaceous to greenish olivaceous colonies, scarce pycnidial setae placed mainly near the ostiole and production of phialoconidia from the aerial mycelium. The latter feature is unknown in any other species of the genus Pyrenochaeta. Sequencing of the ITS rDNA region of this clinical strain confirmed this proposal and revealed its close genetic relationship with the Leptosphaeriaceae.     

Parmelina quercina (Parmeliaceae, Lecanorales) includes four phylogenetically supported morphospecies

Morphological and phylogenetic relationships of the worldwide Mediterranean lichen forming fungus, Parmelina quercina , have been studied. Specimens from western Europe, western North America and southern Australia were analysed using molecular data (nuITS rDNA, nuLSU rDNA and mtSSU rDNA) and selected morphological features (upper cortex maculae, scanning electron microscopy examination of the epicortex, ascospores and conidia shape and size, and amphithecial retrorse rhizines). The results conclusively reveal that: (1) there is not one single species but four separate species in the Mediterranean or sub Mediterranean areas of the world. Parmelina quercina and Parmelina carporrhizans (Euroasiatic species), Parmelina coleae sp. nov. (North America) and Parmelina elixia sp. nov. (Australia); (2) largely debated P. carporrhizans is not a synonym of P. quercina but supported as a valid species circumscribed to Macaronesic relict sites; (3) the geographical isolation of the Australian population is correlated with a large genetic distance; (4) morphological characters (ascospores and conidial variability and thallus epicortex) correlate with the phylogenetic hypothesis; (5) the new or revalidated species within Parmelina quercina are not cryptic species but morphologically recognizable taxa.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 91 , 455–467.     

Revision and reclassification of three Plasmopara species based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic data

Based on the results of morphological and DNA sequence (partial D1–D3/D7–D8 nuLSU and partial nuSSU-ITS1-5.8S rDNA) data, three species of Plasmopara are revised and reclassified. A species of Plasmopara parasitic on Scorzonera, invalidly published several times, is assigned to a new genus and species under Novotelnova scorzonerae. Plasmopara euphrasiae sp. nov. is segregated from P. densa, and P. centaureae-mollis is revised and relegated to synonymy of Bremia centaureae. All taxa are described and illustrated.     

Studies on keratinophilic fungi. Ix: Neoarachnotheca gen. nov. and a new species of Nannizziopsis

Neoarachnotheca is proposed as a new genus of Onygenales. The outstanding generic characteristics are white, spherical ascomata with a wall formed by a network of hyphae and spherical, subhyaline ascospores with an irregular sheath. Nt. keratinophila, the type species, characterized by wavy peridial hyphae has been isolated from marine and river sediments and Myriodontium keratinophilum is its anamorph. Nannizziopsis tropicalis is proposed as a new species based on a strain isolated from soil in Burundi. RFLPs analysis of ITS and 5.8S rDNA support these proposals. The differences with related genera are discussed.     

Remototrachyna, a newly recognized tropical lineage of lichens in the Hypotrachyna clade (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota), originated in the Indian subcontinent

Biogeographical studies of lichens used to be complicated because of the large distribution ranges of many species. Molecular systematics has revitalized lichen biogeography by improving species delimitation and providing better information about species range limitations. This study focuses on the major clade of tropical parmelioid lichens, which share a chemical feature, the presence of isolichenan in the cell wall, and a morphological feature, microscopic pores in the uppermost layer. Our previous phylogenetic studies revealed that the largest genus in this clade, Hypotrachyna, is polyphyletic with a clade mainly distributed in South and East Asia clustering distant from the core of the genus. To divide the Hypotrachyna clade into monophyletic groups and to reevaluate morphological and chemical characters in a phylogenetic context, we sampled ITS, nuclear large subunit (nuLSU) and mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) rDNA sequences from 77 species. We are erecting the new genus Remototrachyna for a core group of 15 former Hypotrachyna species. The segregation of Remototrachyna from Hypotrachyna receives support from morphological and chemical data, as well from maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of the DNA. We used a likelihood approach to study the geographic range evolution of Remototrachyna and Bulbothrix, which are sister groups. This analysis suggests that the ancestral range of Remototrachyna was restricted to India and that subsequent long-distance dispersal is responsible for the pantropical occurrence of two species of Remototrachyna.     

Vittatispora, a new melanosporaceous genus from Indian soil

Vittatispora coorgii gen. sp. nov., isolated from soil in India, is described and illustrated. The fungus has morphological characteristics of the genera Melanospora, Sphaerodes and Syspastospora. The most striking feature is the presence of a thick hyaline ridge along the vertical axis of the lemon-shaped ascospores wall. Perithecia also have a long neck composed of adhering hyphae, similar to that of Syspatospora. Phylogenetic studies on the 28S rDNA indicate it is closely related to Melanospora and Sphaerodes and belongs in the Ceratostomataceae. The new genus is based on the distinctive morphology and phylogenetic analyses. The fungus grew in culture only conjointly with a sterile fungus which a BLAST analysis suggested was close to Tetracladium marchalianum.