Annulatascus aquatorba sp. nov., a lignicolous freshwater ascomycete from Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest, Narathiwat, Thailand

As part of a long term study of fungi colonizing submerged wood in freshwater streams a new Annulatascus species, A. aquatorba, is described and illustrated from Erythrophleum teysmannii test blocks from Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest, southern Thailand. It differs from other species in the genus in ascospore measurements, thickness of the cell wall, 1-3-septate, fusoid to lunate shape, with central brown cells and subhyaline end cells and without a mucilaginous sheath. Asci are cylindrical, pedicellate, with a distinct, wedge-shaped and non-amyloid apical ring. Phylogenetic relationships of this species, based on the combined partial 18S and 28S rDNA, place it in the same clade as A. velatisporus (type species), A. hongkongensis and A. nilensis.     

Three new species of Annulatascus (Ascomycetes) from Hong Kong freshwater habitats

 Annulatascus joannae, A. lactus, and A. tropicalis are described and illustrated from decaying woody substrata in freshwater habitats in Hong Kong. Annulatascus joannae is distinguished by ellipsoidal and thick-walled ascospores whereas A. lacteus has milky ascomata and A. tropicalis has relatively large, fusiform, 1–3-septate ascospores. Annulatascus biatriisporus is reported as a new record in Hong Kong. A key to and a synoptic table of Annulatascus species are provided. Received: December 14, 2001 / Accepted: July 5, 2002 Acknowledgments C.K.M. Tsui and V.M. Ranghoo are grateful to The University of Hong Kong for the award of postgraduate studentships. A.Y.P. Lee, M.H. Ng, and M.Y. Chan are thanked for photographic and technical assistance. Correspondence to:C.K.M. Tsui     

Hybridization and Rorippa austriaca (Brassicaceae) invasion in Germany

Introgressive hybridization between the invasive Rorippa austriaca and the native R. sylvestris in Germany has been studied using chloroplast DNA (trnL intron) and amplified fragment length polymorphism. Three hybrid zones between the invasive and native species were located in the Ruhr Valley (Mülheim) and at the River Main near Würzburg (Randersacker, Winterhausen). In each hybrid zone hybridization was indicated by additivity of region-specific amplified fragment length polymorphism markers proving independent hybridization events. The hybrids were either morphologically intermediate (R. x armoracioides) or were close to R. sylvestris. The trnL intron of R. austriaca is characterized by a species-specific deletion. This diagnostic chloroplast marker of R. austriaca was detected in three individuals of R. sylvestris providing evidence for introgression of the invasive chloroplast into the native species. Bidirectional introgression of R. austriaca markers into R. sylvestris and of R. sylvestris markers into R. austriaca was detected in the amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis. Some of the invasive R. austriaca populations showed high within-population variation. A possible association among introgression, within-population variation and invasion success is discussed. The morphologically intermediate hybrid R. x armoracioides is currently spreading in northern Germany. It forms large populations without its parent species R. austriaca and R. sylvestris. It is concluded that hybridization between invasive R. austriaca and native R. sylvestris may lead to the evolution of a new invasive species R. x armoracioides.     

Phylogeny of selected Sepiidae (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) based on 12S, 16S, and COI sequences, with comments on the taxonomic reliability of several morphological characters

Phylogenetic relationships among 11 species of sepiids from Japanese waters and Sepia officinalis from Mediterranean were studied using partial sequences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I genes. These three genes had been analyzed in an Atlantic species S. elagans and was obtained from database. In the two-gene set analysis (16S+COI), sequence data of another 4 species were added from database. We also studied morphological characters of radulae, tentacular clubs, and cuttlebones. The molecular phylogeny was not congruent with relationships detected by the number of rows in radulae and the arrangement of suckers on the tentacular club. As to the cuttlebone shape, the molecular phylogeny suggests the separation of two groups, Doratosepion species with a lanceolate cuttlebone and the others with a broad cuttlebone. Our molecular phylogenetic study revealed these sepiids are separated into four clades. The first clade includes Sepia officinalis, S. hierrendda, S. bertheloti, S. pharaonis and Sepiella japonica. The second clade consists of S. latimanus and Metasepia tullbergi from sub-tropical waters. The third clade includes Sepia esculenta, S. madokai, S. aculeata and S. lycidas, which have a cuttlebone with a prominent spine. The fourth clade consists of Doratosepion species complex, S. kobiensis, S. lorigera, S. pardex, S. peterseni, and S. sp., which are characterized by a narrow cuttlebone with a distinct outer cone at the posterior end. The lack of membranous structures in the cuttlebone is a synapomorphy for this clade. S. elegans did not clearly belong to any of these clades and might represent the fifth clade.     

Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the Neotropical cichlid fish tribe Cichlasomatini (Teleostei: Cichlidae: Cichlasomatinae)

We have conducted the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the tribe Cichlasomatini including all valid genera as well as important species of questionable generic status. To recover the relationships among cichlasomatine genera and to test their monophyly we analyzed sequences from two mitochondrial (16S rRNA, cytochrome b) and one nuclear marker (first intron of S7 ribosomal gene) totalling 2236 bp. Our data suggest that all genera except Aequidens are monophyletic, but we found important disagreements between the traditional morphological relationships and the phylogeny based on our molecular data. Our analyses support the following conclusions: (a) Aequidens sensu stricto is paraphyletic, including also Cichlasoma (CA clade); (b) Krobia is not closely related to Bujurquina and includes also the Guyanan Aequidens species A. potaroensis and probably A. paloemeuensis (KA clade). (c) Bujurquina and Tahuantinsuyoa are sister groups, closely related to an undescribed genus formed by the 'Aequidens'pulcher-'Aequidens'rivulatus groups (BTA clade). (d) Nannacara (plus Ivanacara) and Cleithracara are found as sister groups (NIC clade). Acaronia is most probably the sister group of the BTA clade, and Laetacara may be the sister group of this clade. Estimation of divergence times suggests that the divergence of Cichlasomatini started around 44Mya with the vicariance between coastal rivers of the Guyanas (KA and NIC clades) and remaining cis-andean South America, followed by evolution of the Acaronia-Laetacara-BTA clade in Western Amazon, and the CA clade in the Eastern Amazon. Vicariant divergence has played importantly in evolution of cichlasomatine genera, with dispersal limited to later range extension of species within genera.     

Systematics of Halosarpheia based on morphological and molecular data

The genus Halosarpheia (Halosphaeriales) was established for marine ascomycetes with obpyriform to sub-globose, coriaceous, brown to black ostiolate ascomata with long necks; hamathecia of catenophyses; thin-walled, unitunicate, persistent asci with thick-walled apices; and ellipsoid, one septate, hyaline ascospores equipped with coiled, threadlike apical appendages that unfurl in water. Emphasis on ascospore appendage morphology has led to the inclusion in the genus of morphologically disparate fungi from a variety of marine and freshwater habitats. To better understand the evolutionary relationships of Halosarpheia species, phylogenetic analyses were conducted on 16 Halosarpheia species, 13 other species of Halosphaeriales and representatives of the Microascales, Hypocreales, Sordariales and Xylariales using 18S and 28S rDNA sequence data. All of the Halosarpheia species occurred on the Halosphaeriales clade. The type species of the genus, H. fibrosa, occurred on a well-supported clade with two morphologically similar species, H. trullifera and H. unicellularis. This clade, which phylogenetically was distant from the clades of other Halosarpheia species, represents the genus Halosarpheia sensu stricto. The other Halosarpheia species were distributed among eight other well-supported clades clearly separated from one another based on molecular data. New generic names are established for six of these clades, one new species is described, and one species is transferred to Aniptodera. A table (Table I) comparing the morphology, habitat, substrate and distribution of the genera of aquatic ascomycetes with coiled, threadlike apical appendages treated in this study is provided, along with a key for their identification.     

Phylogeny of the Neotropical cichlid fish tribe Cichlasomatini (Teleostei: Cichlidae) based on morphological and molecular data, with the description of a new genus

Phylogenetic relationships among cichlasomatine cichlids were studied using an extensive taxon sampling and both morphological and molecular data sets. A new genus, Andinoacara n. gen. with six species ( A. pulcher-rivulatus group of previous authors) from trans-andean South America and NW cis-andean South America, is described based on results of phylogenetic and diagnosability analyses and tests of alternative topologies Our results demonstrate that cichlasomatine cichlid diversity is divided into five principal lineages composed of eleven genera and three suprageneric clades: the [( Bujurquina , Tahuantinsuyoa ), ( Andinoacara ) (BAT) clade; the ( Cleithracara , ( Nannacara , Ivanacara )] clade (NIC) plus Laetacara and 'Aequidens' hoehnei ; and the ( Aequidens , Cichlasoma ) clade, where Aequidens is paraphyletic to Cichlasoma . Two former Aequidens species are additionally transferred into Krobia ( K. potaroensis , K. paloemeuensis ). 'Aequidens' hoehnei probably represents a unique evolutionary lineage and would thus qualify for a separate generic status. Molecular data are yet not available for this species and its generic status requires further study. Relationships between the three suprageneric clades and between Acaronia and Krobia could not be convincingly resolved with our data set of two mitochondrial (16S and cyt b ) and two nuclear (S7 and RAG1) molecular markers and 96 morphological characters.     

A revision and phylogenetic analysis of Stapeliopsis (Apocynaceae)

A survey of morphological characters is carried out for Stapeliopsis . The information obtained from this is combined with molecular data from the plastid trn L-F DNA region and ITS1 of the nuclear encoded 18S−26S rRNA cistron, to obtain a hypothesis of the evolutionary relationships among the species. It is shown that Stapeliopsis is monophyletic in a combined molecular and morphological analysis. Stapeliopsis is sister to a clade containing Huernia , Orbea and Tromotriche . The species of Stapeliopsis group into two clades. One contains S. khamiesbergensis , S. neronis and S. urniflora , and this is highly supported. The remaining species fall into an unsupported clade in which S. exasperata is sister to the others. The genera Hermanschwartzia Plowes and Neopectinaria Plowes are rejected. It is shown that a synapomorphy for Stapeliopsis is the laterally flattened inner corona-lobes, which touch the anthers only at their bases. Eight species of Stapeliopsis are recognized, with no subgeneric divisions.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 148 , 125–155.     

Systematic relationships within the dasyurid marsupial tribe Sminthopsini--a multigene approach.

We report analyses of complete DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (1146 bp), 12S rRNA (974 bp), partial control region (371 bp) loci, and the nuclear protamine P1 (616 bp) gene from all but one species (Sminthopsis butleri) of the dasyurid marsupial tribe Sminthopsini, as well as several outgroups. Parsimony analyses of combined nuclear and mitochondrial data suggest that Antechinomys is sister to a clade consisting of Sminthopsis and Ningaui. Parsimony, maximum-likelihood, and mixed-model distance analyses consistently resolve several species groups within Sminthopsis. The Macroura group includes S. macroura, S. virginiae, S. douglasi, and S. bindi; S. butleri is also included here on the basis of partial 12S rRNA sequences. S. crassicaudata is resolved as sister to the Macroura clade. The Murina group includes S. murina, S. leucopus, S. gilberti, S. dolichura, and S. archeri. S. griseoventer and S. aitkeni are resolved as a clade, and there is moderate support for a group consisting of the genetically divergent species S. psammophila, S. hirtipes, S. youngsoni, and S. ooldea (possibly along with S. longicaudata and S. granulipes). Compositions of species groups are partially congruent with clades previously proposed on the basis of morphological data. Radiations within Sminthopsini appear to be coincident with major environmental changes since the mid-Miocene.     

Phylogenetic relationships of russuloid basidiomycetes with emphasis on aphyllophoralean taxa

Many homobasidiomycetes are characterized by a combination of gloeocystidia and amyloid basidiospores. They display a great variation in basidioma morphology, including erect and effused forms and gilled and nongilled forms. Earlier studies have shown these taxa to be related, and the group has been named the russuloid clade. Phylogenetic relationships among russuloid basidiomycetes were investigated using sequence data from the nuclear 5.8S, ITS2 and large-subunit rDNA genes. A dataset including 127 ingroup sequences representing 43 genera and ca 120 species were analyzed by maximum-parsimony and neighbor-joining methods. The sampling of taxa had an emphasis on nongilled taxa and two-thirds of the species possessed corticioid basidiomata. Thirteen major well-supported clades were identified within the russuloid clade. All clades except one include corticioid species. Ten characters from basidioma morphology and cultured mycelium were observed and evaluated. Results suggest that gloeocystidia are a synapomorphy for taxa within the russuloid clade while the amyloidity of spores is inconsistent. The ornamentation of spores and type of nuclear behavior seems to be informative characters at genus level. The agaricoid genera Lactarius and Russula are nested in a clade with corticioid species at the basal position. The new combinations Boidinia aculeata, Gloeodontia subasperispora, Gloeocystidiopsis cryptacantha and Megalocystidium wakullum are proposed.     

Molecular phylogeny of the Australian frog genera Crinia, Geocrinia, and allied taxa (Anura: Myobatrachidae).

We present a mitochondrial gene tree for representative species of all the genera in the subfamily Myobatrachinae, with special emphasis on Crinia and Geocrinia. This group has been the subject of a number of long-standing taxonomic and phylogenetic debates. Our phylogeny is based on data from approximately 780 bp of 12S rRNA and 676 bp of ND2, and resolves a number of these problems. We confirm that the morphologically highly derived monotypic genera Metacrinia, Myobatrachus, and Arenophryne are closely related, and that Pseudophryne forms the sister group to these genera. Uperoleia and the recently described genus Spicospina are also part of this clade. Our data show that Assa and Geocrinia are reciprocally monophyletic and together they form a well-supported clade. Geocrinia is monophyletic and the phylogenetic relationships with the genus are fully resolved with two major species groups identified: G. leai, G. victoriana, and G. laevis; and G. rosea, G. alba, and G. vitellina (we were unable to sample G. lutea). We confirm that Taudactylus forms the sister group to the other myobatrachine genera, but our data are equivocal on the phylogenetic position of Paracrinia. The phylogenetic relationships among Crinia species are well resolved with strong support for a number of distinct monophyletic clades, but more data are required to resolve relationships among these major Crinia clades. Crinia tasmaniensis and Bryobatrachus nimbus form the sister clade to the rest of Crinia. Due to the lack of generic level synapomorphies for a Bryobatrachus that includes C. tasmaniensis, we synonymize Bryobatrachus with Crinia. Crinia georgiana does not form a clade distinct from other Crinia species and so our data do not support recognition of the genus Ranidella for other Crinia species. Crinia subinsignifera, C. pseudinsignifera, and C. insignifera are extremely closely related despite differences in male advertisement call. A preliminary investigation of phylogeographic substructure within C. signifera revealed significant divergence between samples from across the range of this species.     

Biology, general ecology and behaviour of the snake, Coronella austriaca Laurenti

The general characteristics of the colubrid snake Coronella austriaca are described from observations made on populations examined in England. An account of the population ecology, breeding ecology, habitat preferences and general behaviour of this species is based on records collected at three study sites over a period of three years.
Level of recruitment to the populations is probably low because: 1, females do not breed usually until in their fourth year (three years old); 2, mortality of young seems to be high; 3, while gestation normally lasts about six or seven months it seems that some females may mate in alternative years. It is suggested that the location and density of C. austriaca populations is determined primarily by the topography and nature of the plant communities on the site, acting via the thermal requirements of the snakes. The abundance and location of prey species (young of small mammals and of other reptiles) may also effect the population density and local movements of this snake. The distribution of Vipera berus and C. austriaca on the study sites did not greatly overlap indicating that ecological competition may exist between these two species.
In view of the rare status of this snake, suggestions are put forward for its management and conservation, and areas of future research are outlined.     

Influences of area, isolation and habitat features on distribution of snakes in Mediterranean fragmented woodlands

The effects of isolation-related and vegetational parameters on presence and relative abundance of snakes in patchy forested fragments of Mediterranean central Italy are studied. The most abundant species was Coluber viridiflavus (accounting for 47.7% of the total snake sample observed) followed by Vipera aspis (22%), Elaphe longissima (21.5%), Natrix natrix (7.7%), and Coronella austriaca (1.1%). There was a clear trend for bigger species to be less distributed among the various forest fragments than the smaller species. Presence of Coluber viridiflavus, Coronella austriaca and Natrix natrix was not influenced by woodland area, whereas that of Vipera aspis and Elaphe longissima was positively influenced by woodland area. Woodland isolation parameters did not influence the presence of Coluber viridiflavus, Coronella austriaca and Natrix natrix, but of Vipera aspis and Elaphe longissima. Discriminant stepwise analysis suggested that specific environmental features influenced the occurrence and abundance of the various snake species, Vipera aspis being the taxon more affected by isolation-related parameters. Some conservation implications of our observations are also discussed.     

CONSPECIFICITY AND INDO-PACIFIC DISTRIBUTION OF SYMBIODINIUM GENOTYPES (DINOPHYCEAE) FROM GIANT CLAMS

We previously reported the occurrence of genetically‐diverse symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) within and between 7 giant clam species (Tridacnidae) from the Philippines based on the algal isolates' allozyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns. We also reported that these isolates all belong to clade A of the Symbiodinium phylogeny with identical 18S rDNA sequences. Here we extend the genetic characterization of Symbiodinium isolates from giant clams and propose that they are conspecific. We used the combined DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1, 5.8S rDNA, and ITS2 regions (rDNA‐ITS region) because the ITS1 and ITS2 regions evolve faster than 18S rDNA and have been shown to be useful in distinguishing strains of other dinoflagellates. DGGE of the most variable segment of the rDNA‐ITS region, ITS1, from clonal representatives of clades A, B, and C showed minimal intragenomic variation. The rDNA‐ITS region shows similar phylogenetic relationships between Symbiodinium isolates from symbiotic bivalves and some cnidarians as does 18S rDNA, and that there are not many different clade A species or strains among cultured zooxanthellae (CZ) from giant clams. The CZ from giant clams had virtually identical sequences, with only a single nucleotide difference in the ITS2 region separating two groups of isolates. These data suggest that there is one CZ species and perhaps two CZ strains, each CZ strain containing individuals that have diverse allozyme and RAPD genotypes. The CZ isolated from giant clams from different areas in the Philippines (21 isolates, 7 clam species), the Australian Great Barrier Reef (1 isolate, 1 clam species), Palau (8 isolates, 7 clam species), and Okinawa, Japan (1 isolate, 1 clam species) shared the same rDNA‐ITS sequences. Furthermore, analysis of fresh isolates from giant clams collected from these geographical areas shows that these bivalves also host indistinguishable clade C symbionts. These data demonstrate that conspecific Symbiodinium genotypes, particularly clade A symbionts, are distributed in giant clams throughout the Indo‐Pacific.     

Cataractispora receptaculorum, a new freshwater ascomycete from Hong Kong

A new species of Cataractispora, C. receptaculorum, is described from freshwater habitats. This species is characterized by triseptate verruculose ascospores and polar appendages that unfurl in water. The ascospores lack polar chambers that enclose the appendages as in C. bipolaris and C. viscosa. An ultrastructural study of this species revealed that the ascus wall and apical ring of this species is typical of the Annulatascaceae, while the ascospore wall with verruculose ornamentations and the ontogeny of the ascospore polar appendages are similar to the other species of Cataractispora. Cataractispora receptaculorum is illustrated with interference light, scanning and transmission electron micrographs.     

A taxonomic study of phlebioid fungi (Basidiomycota)

The genus Phlebia has long been regarded as a polyphyletic or paraphyletic taxon, including distinct groups of more closely related species. Consequently, the delimitation of the genus has been given different interpretations and several rearrangements have been proposed by various authors. In the present study, DNA sequences (25S, rDNA) were obtained for twenty species of the genus Phlebia and a phylogenetic analysis was performed. Because of the presumably paraphyletic nature of the genus, different outgroups were used for different sets of taxa. A core group of species, including the type Ph. radiata , is well distinguished. For the delimitation of the genus, however, the wider scope of a more weakly supported clade is proposed. This clade also includes Phlebiopsis gigantea and its combination in Phlebia is reaffirmed. Two species, Ph. griseoflavescens and Ph. tristis , are distinctly separated from this clade and should be removed from the genus. Morphological characters were used in a separate phylogenetic analysis but the result did not conform with analysis from sequence data.     

Molecular systematics and Holarctic phylogeography of cestodes of the genus Anoplocephaloides Baer, 1923 s. s. (Cyclophyllidea,Anoplocephalidae) in lemmings (Lemmus,Synaptomys)

The present molecular systematic and phylogeographic analysis is based on sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) (mtDNA) and 28S ribosomal DNA and includes 59 isolates of cestodes of the genus Anoplocephaloides Baer, 1923 s. s. (Cyclophyllidea, Anoplocephalidae) from arvicoline rodents (lemmings and voles) in the Holarctic region. The emphasis is on Anoplocephaloides lemmi (Rausch 1952) parasitizing Lemmus trimucronatus and Lemmus sibiricus in the northern parts of North America and Arctic coast of Siberia, and Anoplocephaloides kontrimavichusi (Rausch 1976) parasitizing Synaptomys borealis in Alaska and British Columbia. The cox1 data, 28S data and their concatenated data all suggest that A. lemmi and A. kontrimavichusi are both non‐monophyletic, each consisting of two separate, well‐defined clades, that is independent species. As an example, the sister group of the clade 1 of A. lemmi, evidently representing the ‘type clade’ of this species, is the clade 1 of A. kontrimavichusi. For A. kontrimavichusi, it is not known which one is the type clade. There is also fairly strong evidence for the non‐monophyly of Anoplocephaloides dentata (Galli‐Valerio, 1905)‐like species, although an earlier phylogeny suggested that this multispecies assemblage may be monophyletic. The results suggest a deep phylogenetic codivergence of Lemmus spp. and A. lemmi, primarily separating the two largely allopatric host and parasite species at the Kolyma River in east Siberia. There are also two allopatric sublineages within each main clade/species of A. lemmi and Lemmus, but the present distributions of the sublineages within the eastern L. trimucronatus and clade 1 of A. lemmi are not concordant. This discrepancy may be most parsimoniously explained by an extensive westward distributional shift of the easternmost parasite subclade. The results further suggest that the clade 1 of A. kontrimavichusi has diverged through a host shift from the precursor of L. trimucronatus to S. borealis.     

Systematics of Mesocestoides (Cestoda: Mesocestoididae): evaluation of molecular and morphological variation among isolates

A hypothesis-based framework was used to test if 3 genetic strains of Mesocestoides (clades A, B, and C) are distinct evolutionary lineages, thereby supporting their delimitation as species. For comparative purposes, 3 established cestode species, Taenia pisiformis, Taenia serialis, and Taenia crassiceps were assessed using the same methods. Sequence data from mitochondrial rDNA (12S) and the second internal transcribed spacer of nuclear rDNA (ITS-2) revealed derived (autapomorphic) characters for lineages representing clade A (n = 6 autapomorphies), clade B (n = 4), and clade C (n = 9) as well as T. pisiformis (n = 15) and T. serialis (n = 12). Furthermore, multivariate analysis of morphological data revealed significant differences among the 3 genetic strains of Mesocestoides and between T. pisiformis and T. serialis. The level of phenotypic variation within evolutionary lineages of Mesocestoides and Taenia spp. tapeworms was similar. Results from this study support recognizing Mesocestoides clades A, B, and C as separate species, and provide evidence that clade B and Mesocestoides vogae are conspecific.     

Evolutionary relationships within Aspergillus section Flavi based on sequences of the intergenic transcribed spacer regions and the 5.8S rRNA gene

Sequences of the intergenic transcribed spacer regions and the 5.8S rRNA gene (455 nucleotides) of type strains or representative isolates of 23 species and subspecies either currently assigned to Aspergillus subgenus Circumdati section Flavi or other closely related sections, were analyzed. Parsimony analysis of sequence data indicated that species of Aspergillus section Flavi form distinct clades. The three main clades identified based on sequence data could also be distinguished based on colony color, and their ubiquinone systems. The 'A. flavus' clade includes species characterized with Q-10(H(2)) as their main ubiquinone, conidial colors in shades of green, and dark sclerotia. The 'A. tamarii' clade involves species with ubiquinone system Q-10(H(2)), and conidia in shades of olive to brown, while the 'A. alliaceus' clade consists of species with Q-10 ubiquinone system, and conidia in shades of ocher. The synnematous species A. coremiiformis was found to be closely related to species in the 'A. tamarii' clade. A. thomii and A. terricola var. americana were found to be related to the 'A. flavus' clade in spite of producing brownish colonies. Three species, A. nomius, A. avenaceus, and A. leporis were found to form separate lineages not closely related to any of the main clades identified. It is suggested that A. clavatoflavus and A. zonatus be excluded from Aspergillus section Flavi. Phylogenetic analysis of partial 26S rRNA gene sequences (564 nucleotides) supported our findings.