Sydowia japonica, a new name for Leptosphaerulina japonica based on morphological and molecular data

We examined the taxonomic position of Leptosphaerulina japonica, a parasitic fungus on male strobili of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) using morphology and molecular phylogeny. Because neither specimens nor illustrations were designated in the original paper, this name is neotypified with a fresh specimen collected from the type locality, Yamagata, Japan. Leptosphaerulina japonica has asci produced in a broad layer arising from the entire base of the locule, stipitate acervuli, and a hormonema-like synanamorph. These characteristics are not typical of the genus Leptosphaerulina (Didymellaceae, Pleosporales). In a molecular phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences, L. japonica was placed into the Dothideaceae/Dothioraceae, Dothideales. Although muriform ascospores and an anamorph with long stipitate acervuli have not been reported for species in Sydowia, the other morphology and phylogeny support placement of L. japonica in that genus. Thus, a new combination, Sydowia japonica, is proposed.