Three species of Hypomyces growing on basidiomata of Stereaceae

Of the eight species of Hypomyces that occur on basidiomata of Stereum species, only H. sympodiophorus grows exclusively on members of this genus. Morphologically similar fungi were found on species of Xylobolus, a genus closely related to Stereum. These are described as two new species of Hypomyces: H. thailandicus, collected on Xylobolus cf. illudens in Thailand; and H. xyloboli, on X. frustulatus and X. subpileatus in the eastern United States. These three species are unusual in Hypomyces because of their almost indistinguishable anamorphs. In parsimony analysis of LSU nuclear rDNA sequences, the three species growing only on Stereaceae do not form a monophyletic group but their constrained monophyly is not rejected either. A morphologically similar anamorphic species, Sibirina gamsii, included in the study, is transferred to the genus Cladobotryum.     

A new fungal genus, Teracosphaeria, with a phialophora-like anamorph (Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota)

The new genus and species Teracosphaeria petroica is described for a perithecial ascomycete and its anamorph occurring on decayed wood collected in New Zealand. The fungus produces immersed, non-stromatic ceratosphaeria-like perithecia in nature, with hyaline, septate ascospores produced in unitunicate, non-amyloid asci. The anamorph produced in vitro is phialophora-like with lightly pigmented phialides terminating in flaring, deep collarettes that are often noticeably brown with conspicuous periclinal thickening. Phylogenetic analysis of LSU rDNA sequence data indicates that this fungus is distinct from morphologically similar fungi classified in the Chaetosphaeriales, the Trichosphaeriales or the Magnaporthaceae. It forms a monophyletic group with recently described, chaetosphaeria-like ascomycetes, such as the pyrenomycete genus Mirannulata, and shows affinity with the anamorphic species Dictyochaeta cylindrospora. The usefulness of describing anamorph genera for morphologically reduced anamorphs, when anamorph characteristics are actually part of the holomorph diagnosis, is discussed. An apparently contradictory example of the so-called Cordana and Pseudobotrytis anamorphs of Porosphaerella spp. is also discussed.     

A phylogenetic study of ubiquinone Q-8 species of the genera Candida,Pichia, and Citeromyces based on 18S ribosomal DNA sequence divergence

To clarify phylogenetic relationships among species of the anamorphic ascomycetous genus Candida with ubiquinone Q-8, we determined complete sequences of 18S ribosomal RNA genes (18S rDNAs) from the type strains of 20 species of the genus Candida and 7 of the teleomorphic ascomycetous genera Pichia and Citeromyces, which have Q-8 as the major ubiquinone. Q-8-forming Candida species were divided into six clusters and were phylogenetically distant from a group of Candida species that included the type species of the genus. One Q-8-forming species from each of the genera Pichia, Citeromyces, or Clavispora was included in five of six clusters. Cluster 1 comprised C. ishiwadae, C. ernobii, C. karawaiewii, C. anatomiae, C. populi, and Pichia holstii. Cluster 2 comprised C. globosa and its teleomorph, Citeromyces matritensis. Cluster 3 comprised C. molischiana and Pichia capsulata. Cluster 4 comprised C. silvanorum, C. sequanensis, C. fennica, C. entomophila, C. homilentoma, C. rhagii, C. gotoi, and Pichia burtonii. Cluster 5 comprised C. fructus, C. musae, and C. lusitaniae (anamorph of Clavispora lusitaniae). Cluster 6 comprised C. stellata, C. lactiscondensi, C. galacta, and C. incommunis and was a heterogeneous group with large interspecific divergence. Pichia pastoris was quite divergent and phylogenetically distant from other Pichia species examined. Pichia methanolica and its synonym, P. cellobiosa, which have both Q-7 and Q-8 as major ubiquinones, were closely associated with Q-7-forming Williopsis salicorniae. Based on this comparative analysis of 18S rDNA sequences, it is evident that Q-8 Candida species and Q-8 Pichia species are polyphyletic.     

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.     

Use of holomorph characters to delimit Microascus nidicola and M. soppii sp. nov., with notes on the genus Pithoascus

Several isolates of a perithecial microascaceous ascomycete having falcate ascospores and a Scopulariopsis anamorph were obtained from rotting wood in the boreal forest of Alberta, Canada. Additional isolates appeared conspecific based on anamorphic characters, but failed to produce a teleomorph. These isolates showed similarities to Microascus nidicola (type species of the genus Pithoascus) and Scopulariopsis flava. Sexual compatibility systems were investigated to establish holomorph concepts for these taxa. The teleomorph obtained in mating trials among anamorphic isolates was identical to that of self-fertile isolates. The new heterothallic species M. soppii is described. The anamorph is S. soppii. Single ascospore isolates derived from M. nidicola demonstrated homothallism and lacked an anamorph. Scopulariopsis flava (basionym Acaulium flavum) is considered a nomen dubium. Generic concepts of Pithoascus are evaluated and the genus is treated as a synonym of Microascus. Pithoascus stoveri is transferred as M. stoveri comb. nov.     

Candida dajiaensis sp. nov., Candida yuanshanicus sp. nov., Candida jianshihensis sp. nov., and Candida sanyiensis sp. nov., four anamorphic, ascomycetous yeast species isolated from soil in Taiwan

Nine anamorphic, ascomycetous yeast strains belonging to the Pichia anomala clade were recovered from forest soil in 2006 in Taiwan. The nine yeast strains represent four novel yeast species based on the sequences of their D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and their physiological characteristics. The scientific names of Candida dajiaensis sp. nov., Candida yuanshanicus sp. nov., Candida jianshihensis sp. nov., and Candida sanyiensis sp. nov. are proposed for these novel yeast species. The type strains are C. dajiaensis SM11S03(T) (=CBS 10590(T)=BCRC 23099(T)), C. yuanshanicus SY3S02(T) (=CBS 10589(T)=BCRC 23100(T)), C. jianshihensis SM8S04(T) (=CBS 10591(T)=BCRC 23096(T)), and C. sanyiensis SA1S06(T) (=CBS 10592(T)=BCRC 23094(T)). Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 of the LSU rRNA gene revealed that the three species, C. dajiaensis, C. yuanshanicus and Pichia onychis, shared a separate branch in the phylogenetic tree, C. jianshihensis is phylogenetically related to Candida ulmi and Pichia alni, and the phylogenetically closest relative of C. sanyiensis is Pichia populi.     

Ribosomal RNA sequence phylogeny is not congruent with ascospore morphology among species in Ceratocystis sensu stricto

The genus Ceratocystis sensu stricto includes important fungal pathogens of woody and herbaceous plants. This genus is distinguished from species in Ceratocystis sensu lato by the presence of Chalara anamorphs. Ascospore shape has been used extensively in delineating Ceratocystis taxa, which show a large variety of ascospore shapes. Sequence analysis of one region of he 18S ribosomal RNA subunit and two regions of the 28S ribosomal RNA subunit showed that there was a majority of multiple substitutions at nucleotide sites and that there was a low transition/transversion ratio, T = 0.72. Both of these results suggest that these are well established, old species. Ascospore morphology, for the most part, was not congruent with the molecular phylogeny, and the use of morphological characters may be misleading in the taxonomy of these species.      

Ceratocystis pirilliformis, a new species from Eucalyptus nitens in Australia

Several species of Ceratocystis have been recorded on Eucalyptus. These include C. fimbriata, C. eucalypti, C. moniliformis and C. moniliformopsis. Of these, only C. fimbriata is known as a pathogen; it recently has been found causing serious wilt diseases in Uganda, Congo and Brazil. This study was undertaken to collect Ceratocystis species, including C. eucalypti, from artificially induced wounds on Eucalyptus nitens near Canberra in southeastern Australia. Trees were wounded in October 2000, and wounds were examined approximately one month later. Ascomata characteristic of a Ceratocystis species were found covering the wounds, and this fungus also was isolated from the wood using carrot baiting. This species of Ceratocystis has hat-shaped ascospores similar to those of C. fimbriata, but it differs from C. fimbriata and all other species of Ceratocystis in that it possesses ascomata with a pyriform base. Comparison of DNA sequences from the ITS and 5.8S rRNA operon confirmed that the fungus from E. nitens in Australia is unique, and we describe it here as a new species, C. pirilliformis.     

Informative characteristics of 12 divergent domains in complete large subunit rDNA sequences from the harmful dinoflagellate genus, Alexandrium (Dinophyceae)

The genus Alexandrium includes organisms of interest, both for the study of dinoflagellate evolution and for their impacts as toxic algae affecting human health and fisheries. Only partial large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences of Alexandrium and other dinoflagellates are available, although they contain much genetic information. Here, we report complete LSU rDNA sequences from 11 strains of Alexandrium, including Alexandrium affine, Alexandrium catenella, Alexandrium fundyense, Alexandrium minutum, and Alexandrium tamarense, and discuss their segmented domains and structure. Putative LSU rRNA coding regions were recorded to be around 3,400 bp long. Their GC content (about 43.7%) is among the lowest when compared with other organisms. Furthermore, no AT-rich regions were found in Alexandrium LSU rDNA, although a low GC content was recorded within the LSU rDNA. No intron-like sequences were found. The secondary structure of the LSU rDNA and parsimony analyses showed that most variation in LSU rDNA is found in the divergent (D) domains with the D2 region being the most informative. This high D domain variability can allow members of the diverse Alexandrium genus to be categorized at the species level. In addition, phylogenetic analysis of the alveolate group using the complete LSU sequences strongly supported previous findings that the dinoflagellates and apicomplexans form a clade.     

Hypocrea atroviridis sp. nov., the teleomorph of Trichoderma atroviride

A new species, Hypocrea atroviridis, is described for the teleomorph of Trichoderma atroviride. Based on sequences of ITS-1, 5.8S, and ITS-2 regions of the rDNA complex and translation-elongation factor (EF-1α), T. atroviride and H. atroviridis form a well-supported clade within Trichoderma sect. Trichoderma. The conserved anamorphic phenotype of T. atroviride, observed for both conidial and ascospore derived cultures, was only found within that clade. In contrast, the teleomorph phenotype of H. atroviridis was morphologically indistinguishable from H. rufa, the teleomorph of T. viride. This Hypocrea phenotype may, therefore, be considered to be plesiomorphic within Trichoderma sect. Trichoderma, suggesting that genes controlling the expression of the teleomorph and anamorph evolve at different rates and that the genes controlling expression of the teleomorph are more conserved than are those controlling the expression of the anamorph.     

Classification of the guava wilt fungus Myxosporium psidii, the palm pathogen Gliocladium vermoesenii and the persimmon wilt fungus Acremonium diospyri in Nalanthamala

Psidium guajava wilt is known from South Africa, Malaysia and Taiwan. The fungus causing this disease, Myxosporium psidii, forms dry chains of conidia on surfaces of pseudoparenchymatous sporodochia, which develop in blisters on bark. Similar sporodochia are characteristic of Nalanthamala madreeya, the type species of Nalanthamala. Nalanthamala, therefore, is the appropriate anamorph genus for Myxosporium psidii, while Myxosporium is a nomen nudum (based on M. croceum). For M. psidii the combination Nalanthamala psidii is proposed. Nalanthamala psidii, the palm pathogen Gliocladium (Penicillium) vermoesenii, another undescribed anamorphic species from palm, two species of Rubrinectria and the persimmon pathogen Acremonium diospyri are monophyletic and belong to the Nectriaceae (Hypocreales) based on partial nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA) analyses. Rubrinectria, therefore, is the teleomorph of Nalanthamala, in which the anamorphs are classified as N. vermoesenii, N. diospyri or Nalanthamala sp. Nalanthamala squamicola, the only other Nalanthamala species, has affinities with the Bionectriaceae and is excluded from this group. Rubrinectria/Nalanthamala species form dimorphic conidiophores and conidia in culture. Fusiform, cylindrical, or allantoid conidia arise in colorless liquid heads on acremonium-like conidiophores; ovoidal conidia with somewhat truncated ends arise in long, persistent, dry chains on penicillate conidiophores. No penicillate but irregularly branched conidiophores were observed in N. diospyri. Conidia of N. psidii that are held in chains are shorter than those of N. madreeya, of which no living material is available. Nalanthamala psidii and N. diospyri are pathogenic specifically to their hosts. They form pale yellow to pale orange or brownish orange colonies, respectively, and more or less white conidial masses. Most strains of Rubrinectria sp., Nalanthamala sp. and N. vermoesenii originate from palm hosts, form mostly greenish or olive-brown colonies and white-to-salmon conidial masses. They form a monophyletic clade to which Nalanthamala psidii and N. diospyri are related based on analyses of the internal transcribed spacer regions and 5.8S rDNA (ITS rDNA), LSU rDNA, and partial beta-tubulin gene. Few polymorphic sites in the ITS rDNA and beta-tubulin gene indicate that Nalanthamala psidii comprises two lineages, one of which has been detected only in South Africa.     

The genus Podocrella and its nematode-killing anamorph Harposporium

Several genera are described in the literature as having morphology similar to the clavicipitaceous genus Podocrella, viz. Atricordyceps, Ophiocordyceps, Wakefieldiomyces and "Cordyceps" peltata. These genera have capitate-stipitate stromata that gradually expand into a horizontally flattened fertile head that is dark, has strongly protruding perithecia and asci containing eight multiseptate filiform ascospores. These ascospores disarticulate at the middle septum to form two lanceolate multiseptate part-as-cospores. In this study several specimens of the above-mentioned genera, including the types, were examined to determine whether they are congeneric with Podocrella. This study also reveals the connection of Podocrella to its anamorph genus, Harposporium, and its relationship to several other clavicipitaceous genera, based on cultural data and large subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA (LSU) sequences. Nematode predation of the Harposporium anamorph of P. peltata is demonstrated. The results show Podocrella and selected Harposporium LSU sequences form a monophyletic group and that this clade is closely related to Aschersonia. A new species of Podocrella from Costa Rica, P fusca, is described, new combinations made for P. peltata and P. harposporifera, and a key to the known species is presented.     

The anamorphic genus Calcarisporiella is a new member of the Mucoromycotina

The phylogenetic position of the anamorphic genus Calcarisporiella was investigated. Three isolates of Calcarisporiella, including an authentic strain and a newly obtained isolate, were analyzed phylogenetically using rDNA sequences. The result indicated that Calcarisporiella, which was classified as an ascomycetous anamorph, is a member of Mucoromycotina. It formed an independent clade separated from the other known orders of this subphylum.     

Emendation of Dioszegia with redescription of Dioszegia hungarica and two new combinations,Dioszegia aurantiaca and Dioszegia crocea

During phylogenetic analyses of hymenomycetous yeasts based on 18S rDNA sequences, we found that Bullera armeniaca showed an extremely close phylogenetic relationship to Cryptococcus hungaricus. The analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the two yeasts and the phylogenetically related species, Bullera aurantiaca and Bullera crocea, showed that B. armeniaca and C. hungaricus had identical sequences, indicating that these were conspecific. B. aurantiaca and B. crocea also showed high sequence similarity, 97.1% for ITS1, 100% for ITS2, and 98.7% for overall ITS regions. A DNA-DNA reassociation experiment revealed that B. armeniaca and C. hungaricus were conspecific and B. aurantiaca and B. crocea were two distinct species. These species occurred at a phylogenetically different lineage from that of Bulleromyces albus (anamorph: Bullera alba, type species of Bullera) and Filobasidiella neoformans (anamorph: Cryptococcus neoformans, neotype species of Cryptococcus). Based on these results, we emend the genus Dioszegia to include both ballistoconidium-forming and non-ballistoconidium-forming yeasts and redescribe the species Dioszegia hungarica. B. aurantiaca and B. crocea are also transferred to Dioszegia as Dioszegia aurantiaca comb. nov. and Dioszegia crocea comb. nov.     

Savoryellales (Hypocreomycetidae, Sordariomycetes): a novel lineage of aquatic ascomycetes inferred from multiple-gene phylogenies of the genera Ascotaiwania, Ascothailandia, and Savoryella

The taxonomic placement of freshwater and marine Savoryella species has been widely debated, and the genus has been tentatively assigned to various orders in the Sordariomycetes. The genus is characterized as possessing paraphyses that deliquesce early, elongate, clavate to cylindrical asci with a poorly developed apical ring and versicolored, three-septate ascospores. We performed two combined phylogenetic analyses of different genes: (i) partial small subunit rRNA (SSU), large subunit rRNA (LSU), DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II largest subunit (rpb2) dataset and (ii) SSU rDNA, LSU rDNA, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II largest subunit (rpb1 and rpb2), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), the 5.8S ribosomal DNA (5.8S rDNA) dataset. Our results indicate that Savoryella species formed a monophyletic group within the Sordariomycetes but showed no affinity to the Hypocreales, Halosphaeriales (now Microascales), Sordariales and Xylariales, despite earlier assignments to these orders. Savoryella, Ascotaiwania and Ascothailandia (and its anamorph, Canalisporium) formed a new lineage that has invaded both marine and freshwater habitats, indicating that these genera share a common ancestor and are closely related. Because they show no clear relationship with any named order we erect a new order Savoryellales in the subclass Hypocreomycetidae, Sordariomycetes. The genera Savoryella and Ascothailandia are monophyletic, while the position of Ascotaiwania is unresolved. All three genera are phylogenetically related and form a distinct clade similar to the unclassified group of marine ascomycetes comprising the genera Swampomyces, Torpedospora and Juncigera (TBM clade: Torpedospora/Bertia/Melanospora) in the Hypocreomycetidae incertae sedis.     

A further phylogenetic study of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate genus, Protoperidinium (Dinophyceae) based on small and large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences

The heterotrophic marine dinoflagellate genus Protoperidinium is the largest genus in the Dinophyceae. Previously, we reported on the intrageneric and intergeneric phylogenetic relationships of 10 species of Protoperidinium, from four sections, based on small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences. The present paper reports on the impact of data from an additional 5 species and, therefore, an additional two sections, using the SSU rDNA data, but now also incorporating sequence data from the large subunit (LSU) rDNA. These sequences, in isolation and in combination, were used to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the genus. The LSU rDNA trees support a monophyletic genus, but the phylogenetic position within the Dinophyceae remains ambiguous. The SSU, LSU and SSU + LSU rDNA phylogenies support monophyly in the sections Avellana, Divergentia, Oceanica and Protoperidinium, but the section Conica is paraphyletic. Therefore, the concept of discrete taxonomic sections based on the shape of 1′ plate and 2a plate is upheld by molecular phylogeny. Furthermore, the section Oceanica is indicated as having an early divergence from other groups within the genus. The sections Avellana and Excentrica and a clade combining the sections Divergentia/Protoperidinium derived from Conica‐type dinoflagellates independently. Analysis of the LSU rDNA data resulted in the same phylogeny as that obtained using SSU rDNA data and, with increased taxon sampling, including members of new sections, a clearer idea of the evolution of morphological features within the genus Protoperidinium was obtained. Intraspecific variation was found in Protoperidinium conicum (Gran) Balech, Protoperidinium excentricum (Paulsen) Balech and Protoperidinium pellucidum Bergh based on SSU rDNA data and also in Protoperidinium claudicans (Paulsen) Balech, P. conicum and Protoperidinium denticulatum (Gran et Braarud) Balech based on LSU rDNA sequences. The common occurrence of base pair substitutions in P. conicum is indicative of the presence of cryptic species.     

Systematic reappraisal of species in Phoma section Paraphoma, Pyrenochaeta and Pleurophoma

Sequence data from the 18S nrDNA (SSU) and 28S nrDNA (LSU) regions of isolates of Phoma section Paraphoma were compared with those of representative isolates of the morphologically similar anamorph genera Pleurophoma and Pyrenochaeta and of the type species of Phoma sections Phoma, Pilosa and Plenodomus. Phoma section Paraphoma was found to be highly polyphyletic within the Pleosporales and only distantly related to Phoma section Phoma. The genus Paraphoma, which is based on Paraphoma radicina, is reintroduced in the Phaeosphaeriaceae with two additional taxa. The new genera Setophoma and Neosetophoma, type species Setophoma terrestris comb. nov. and Neosetophoma samarorum comb. nov., are introduced and represent species that are closely related to Paraphoma but differ based on morphological characters and molecular phylogeny. Phoma coonsii is transferred to genus Chaetosphaeronema that also belongs to the Phaeosphaeriaceae. Pyrenochaetopsis gen. nov. is introduced to accommodate the type species Pyrenochaetopsis leptospora comb. nov., as well as several other species formerly accommodated in Phoma and Pyrenochaeta. Pyrenochaetopsis is closely related to Pyrenochaeta and classified in the Cucurbitariaceae. Pleurophoma cava is transferred to genus Pyrenochaeta. The new genera elucidate the confusing taxonomy of species in genera Phoma, Pyrenochaeta and Pleurophoma and recognize monophyletic genera with distinct teleomorph affinities.     

Hypocrea peltata: a mycological Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?

Hypocrea peltata (Pezizomycotina, Hypocreales, Hypocreaceae) is a common, widespread essentially subtropical species, with an uncharacteristically large stroma and asci containing four large and four small bicellular ascospores. Its only anamorph consists of indehiscent aleuriospores; it does not form a Trichoderma anamorph, which is typical of most Trichoderma/Hypocrea species. Hypocrea peltata grows very well at 37 C. The large stromata and failure to form a Trichoderma anamorph could lead one to doubt its generic placement. However sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), 28S nuclear large subunit (LSU) of rDNA and RNA polymerase subunit II (rpb2) regions indicate that it represents a unique lineage within Trichoderma/Hypocrea. ITS and rbp2 sequences derived from cultures of H. peltata are identical to the "unidentified Hypocreaceae" reported in the literature as being isolated from lung of a patient with non-fatal pulmonary fibrosis.