Fungal diversity notes 1–110: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal species

Synopsis of Leptosphaeriaceae and Introduction of Three New Taxa and One New Record from China

Leptosphaeriaceae, a diverse family in the order Pleosporales, is remarkable for its scleroplectenchymatous or plectenchymatous peridium cells. Four Leptosphaeriaceae species were discovered and studied during the investigation of saprobic fungi from plant substrates in China. Novel taxa were defined using multiloci phylogenetic analyses and are supported by morphology. Based on maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses, these isolates represent three novel taxa and one new record within Leptosphaeriaceae. A new genus, Angularia, is introduced to accommodate Angularia xanthoceratis, with a synopsis chart for 15 genera in Leptosphaeriaceae. This study also revealed a new species, Plenodomus changchunensis, and a new record of Alternariaster centaureae-diffusae. These species add to the increasing number of fungi known from China.

Morpho-molecular characterisation of Arecophila, with A. australis and A. clypeata sp. nov. and A. miscanthi comb. nov

Three arecophila-like fungal samples were collected on dead culms of gramineous plants in China. Morphological studies of our new collections and the herbarium specimen of Arecophila gulubiicola (generic type) were conducted and the morphological affinity of our new collections with Arecophila was confirmed. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses using combined ITS, LSU, rpb2 and β-tubulin data from our collections revealed the phylogeny of Cainiaceae. The monospecific genus Alishanica (type species Al. miscanthi), which had been accepted in Cainiaceae, is revisited and synonymised under Arecophila. Based on morphology and phylogeny, Arecophila australis sp. nov. and A. clypeata sp. nov. are introduced as new species, while A. miscanthi is a new record for China. All the new collections are illustrated and described.

Systematic revision of the Roseinae clade of Russula, with a focus on eastern North American taxa

The Roseinae clade is a lineage of the genus Russula primarily composed of species of Russula subsect. Roseinae. Species in this morphologically distinct clade possess a white to pale cream spore print, mild taste, positive reaction to sulfovanillin, and primordial hyphae with acid-resistant crystals in the pileipellis. Here, we present a morphological and phylogenetic assessment that distinguishes seven eastern North American species of the core Roseinae lineage and a new subsection, Russula subsection Albidinae, to accommodate members of the Albida clade. We assign the previously described species R. peckii, R. rubellipes, and R. pseudopeckii to three species-level clades, and three other species, R. cardinalis, R. cordata, and R. rheubarbarina, are described as new. Comparative morphological analyses reveal differences in the conformation of terminal elements in the pileipellis, spore size, hymenial cystidia contents, and pigmentation on the stipe surface as key features to recognize species in the group. Based on the analysis of publicly available data, we recognize a potential total of nine temperate North American species within R. subsect. Roseinae, in addition to four from Central America, two from Europe, and 14 from Asia.

Comparative genomics of plant pathogenic Diaporthe species and transcriptomics of Diaporthe caulivora during host infection reveal insights into pathogenic strategies of the genus

Background

Diaporthe caulivora is a fungal pathogen causing stem canker in soybean worldwide. The generation of genomic and transcriptomic information of this ascomycete, together with a comparative genomic approach with other pathogens of this genus, will contribute to get insights into the molecular basis of pathogenicity strategies used by D. caulivora and other Diaporthe species.

Results

In the present work, the nuclear genome of D. caulivora isolate (D57) was resolved, and a comprehensive annotation based on gene expression and genomic analysis is provided. Diaporthe caulivora D57 has an estimated size of 57,86 Mb and contains 18,385 predicted protein-coding genes, from which 1501 encode predicted secreted proteins. A large array of D. caulivora genes encoding secreted pathogenicity-related proteins was identified, including carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), necrosis-inducing proteins, oxidoreductases, proteases and effector candidates. Comparative genomics with other plant pathogenic Diaporthe species revealed a core secretome present in all Diaporthe species as well as Diaporthe-specific and D. caulivora-specific secreted proteins. Transcriptional profiling during early soybean infection stages showed differential expression of 2659 D. caulivora genes. Expression patterns of upregulated genes and gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that host infection strategies depends on plant cell wall degradation and modification, detoxification of compounds, transporter activities and toxin production. Increased expression of effectors candidates suggests that D. caulivora pathogenicity also rely on plant defense evasion. A high proportion of the upregulated genes correspond to the core secretome and are represented in the pathogen-host interaction (PHI) database, which is consistent with their potential roles in pathogenic strategies of the genus Diaporthe.

Conclusions

Our findings give novel and relevant insights into the molecular traits involved in pathogenicity of D. caulivora towards soybean plants. Some of these traits are in common with other Diaporthe pathogens with different host specificity, while others are species-specific. Our analyses also highlight the importance to have a deeper understanding of pathogenicity functions among Diaporthe pathogens and their interference with plant defense activation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08413-y.

Predicting global numbers of teleomorphic ascomycetes

Sexual reproduction is the basic way to form high genetic diversity and it is beneficial in evolution and speciation of fungi. The global diversity of teleomorphic species in Ascomycota has not been estimated. This paper estimates the species number for sexual ascomycetes based on five different estimation approaches, viz. by numbers of described fungi, by fungus:substrate ratio, by ecological distribution, by meta-DNA barcoding or culture-independent studies and by previous estimates of species in Ascomycota. The assumptions were made with the currently most accepted, “2.2–3.8 million” species estimate and results of previous studies concluding that 90% of the described ascomycetes reproduce sexually. The Catalogue of Life, Species Fungorum and published research were used for data procurement. The average value of teleomorphic species in Ascomycota from all methods is 1.86 million, ranging from 1.37 to 2.56 million. However, only around 83,000 teleomorphic species have been described in Ascomycota and deposited in data repositories. The ratio between described teleomorphic ascomycetes to predicted teleomorphic ascomycetes is 1:22. Therefore, where are the undiscovered teleomorphic ascomycetes? The undescribed species are no doubt to be found in biodiversity hot spots, poorly-studied areas and species complexes. Other poorly studied niches include extremophiles, lichenicolous fungi, human pathogens, marine fungi, and fungicolous fungi. Undescribed species are present in unexamined collections in specimen repositories or incompletely described earlier species. Nomenclatural issues, such as the use of separate names for teleomorph and anamorphs, synonyms, conspecific names, illegitimate and invalid names also affect the number of described species. Interspecies introgression results in new species, while species numbers are reduced by extinctions.

Production of Non-Volatile Metabolites from Sooty Molds and Their Bio-Functionalities

In the current study, eleven sooty mold isolates were collected from different tropical host plants. The isolates were identified under Capnodium, Leptoxyphium and Trichomerium, based on morphology and phylogeny. For the secondary metabolite analysis, the isolates were grown on Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB). The well-grown mycelia were filtered and extracted over methanol (MeOH). The metabolites in the growth medium (or filtrate) were extracted over ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The antifungal activities of each crude extract were tested over Alternaria sp., Colletotrichum sp., Curvularia sp., Fusarium sp. and Pestalotiopsis sp. The metabolites were further tested for their total phenolic, flavonoid and protein content prior to their antioxidant and anti-fungal potential evaluation. The MeOH extracts of sooty molds were enriched with proteins and specifically inhibited Curvularia sp. The total phenolic content and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) activity was largely recovered from the filtrate corresponding to the inhibition of Alternaria sp.; while the flavonoid and free radical reduction suggested a relative induction of growth of the Fusarium sp., Colletotrichum sp. and Pestalotiopsis sp. Hence, this study reveals the diversity of sooty molds in Thailand by a modern phylogenetic approach. Furthermore, the preliminary screening of the isolates reveals the potential of finding novel compounds and providing insights for the future research on secondary metabolites of bio-trophic fungi and their potential usage on sustainable agriculture.

Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Novel and Extant Taxa in Pleosporales Associated with Mangifera indica from Yunnan, China (Series I)

Pleosporales is the largest fungal order with a worldwide distribution in terrestrial and aquatic environments. During investigations of saprobic fungi associated with mango (Mangifera indica) in Baoshan and Honghe, Yunnan, China, fungal taxa belonging to pleosporales were collected. Morphological examinations and phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb2 and tef1-α loci were used to identify the fungal taxa. A new genus, Mangifericomes; four new species, namely Mangifericomes hongheensis, Neomassaria hongheensis, Paramonodictys hongheensis, and Paramonodictys yunnanensis; and six new host and country records, namely Byssosphaeria siamensis, Crassiparies quadrisporus, Paradictyoarthrinium aquatica, Phaeoseptum mali, Torula fici, and Vaginatispora amygdali, are introduced. Photoplates, full descriptions, and phylogenetic trees to show the placement of new and known taxa are provided.

Morpho-Molecular Characterization of Five Novel Taxa in Parabambusicolaceae (Massarineae, Pleosporales) from Yunnan, China

Parabambusicolaceae is a well-studied family in Massarineae, Pleosporales, comprising nine genera and approximately 16 species. The family was introduced to accommodate saprobic bambusicola-like species in both freshwater and terrestrial environments that mostly occur on bamboos and grasses but are also found on different host substrates. In the present study, we surveyed and collected ascomycetes from bamboo and submerged grass across Yunnan Province, China. A biphasic approach based on morphological characteristics and multigene phylogeny demonstrated five new taxa in Parabambusicolaceae. A novel genus Scolecohyalosporium is introduced as a monotypic genus to accommodate S. submersum sp. nov., collected from dead culms of grass submerged in a freshwater stream. The genus is unique in forming filiform ascospores, which differ from other known genera in Parabambusicolaceae. Multigene phylogeny showed that the genus has a close relationship with Multiseptospora. Moreover, the novel monotypic genus Neomultiseptospora, isolated from bamboo, was introduced to accommodate N. yunnanensis sp. nov. Neomultiseptospora yunnanensis formed a separated branch basal to Scolecohyalosporium submersum and Multiseptospora thailandica with high support (100% ML, 1.00 PP). Furthermore, the newly introduced species, Parabambusicola hongheensis sp. nov. was also isolated from bamboo in terrestrial habitats. Parabambusicola hongheensis clustered with the other three described Parabambusicola species and has a close relationship with P. bambusina with significant support (88% ML, 1.00 PP). Parabambusicola hongheensis was reported as the fourth species in this genus. Detailed description, illustration, and updated phylogeny of Parabambusicolaceae were provided.

Fungal diversity notes 1512-1610: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungal taxa

This article is the 14th in the Fungal Diversity Notes series, wherein we report 98 taxa distributed in two phyla, seven classes, 26 orders and 50 families which are described and illustrated. Taxa in this study were collected from Australia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Cyprus, Egypt, France, French Guiana, India, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Mexico, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. There are 59 new taxa, 39 new hosts and new geographical distributions with one new combination. The 59 new species comprise Angustimassarina kunmingense, Asterina lopi, Asterina brigadeirensis, Bartalinia bidenticola, Bartalinia caryotae, Buellia pruinocalcarea, Coltricia insularis, Colletotrichum flexuosum, Colletotrichum thasutense, Coniochaeta caraganae, Coniothyrium yuccicola, Dematipyriforma aquatic, Dematipyriforma globispora, Dematipyriforma nilotica, Distoseptispora bambusicola, Fulvifomes jawadhuvensis, Fulvifomes malaiyanurensis, Fulvifomes thiruvannamalaiensis, Fusarium purpurea, Gerronema atrovirens, Gerronema flavum, Gerronema keralense, Gerronema kuruvense, Grammothele taiwanensis, Hongkongmyces changchunensis, Hypoxylon inaequale, Kirschsteiniothelia acutisporum, Kirschsteiniothelia crustaceum, Kirschsteiniothelia extensum, Kirschsteiniothelia septemseptatum, Kirschsteiniothelia spatiosum, Lecanora immersocalcarea, Lepiota subthailandica, Lindgomyces guizhouensis, Marthe asmius pallidoaurantiacus, Marasmius tangerinus, Neovaginatispora mangiferae, Pararamichloridium aquisubtropicum, Pestalotiopsis piraubensis, Phacidium chinaum, Phaeoisaria goiasensis, Phaeoseptum thailandicum, Pleurothecium aquisubtropicum, Pseudocercospora vernoniae, Pyrenophora verruculosa, Rhachomyces cruralis, Rhachomyces hyperommae, Rhachomyces magrinii, Rhachomyces platyprosophi, Rhizomarasmius cunninghamietorum, Skeletocutis cangshanensis, Skeletocutis subchrysella, Sporisorium anadelphiae-leptocomae, Tetraploa dashaoensis, Tomentella exiguelata, Tomentella fuscoaraneosa, Tricholomopsis lechatii, Vaginatispora flavispora and Wetmoreana blastidiocalcarea. The new combination is Torula sundara. The 39 new records on hosts and geographical distribution comprise Apiospora guiyangensis, Aplosporella artocarpi, Ascochyta medicaginicola, Astrocystis bambusicola, Athelia rolfsii, Bambusicola bambusae, Bipolaris luttrellii, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Chlorophyllum squamulosum, Colletotrichum aeschynomenes, Colletotrichum pandanicola, Coprinopsis cinerea, Corylicola italica, Curvularia alcornii, Curvularia senegalensis, Diaporthe foeniculina, Diaporthe longicolla, Diaporthe phaseolorum, Diatrypella quercina, Fusarium brachygibbosum, Helicoma aquaticum, Lepiota metulispora, Lepiota pongduadensis, Lepiota subvenenata, Melanconiella meridionalis, Monotosporella erecta, Nodulosphaeria digitalis, Palmiascoma gregariascomum, Periconia byssoides, Periconia cortaderiae, Pleopunctum ellipsoideum, Psilocybe keralensis, Scedosporium apiospermum, Scedosporium dehoogii, Scedosporium marina, Spegazzinia deightonii, Torula fici, Wiesneriomyces laurinus and Xylaria venosula. All these taxa are supported by morphological and multigene phylogenetic analyses. This article allows the researchers to publish fungal collections which are important for future studies. An updated, accurate and timely report of fungus-host and fungus-geography is important. We also provide an updated list of fungal taxa published in the previous fungal diversity notes. In this list, erroneous taxa and synonyms are marked and corrected accordingly.

Morphology, Phylogeny, and Pathogenicity of Pestalotioid Species on Camellia oleifera in China

Tea-oil tree (Camellia oleifera) is an important edible oil woody plant with a planting area of over 3,800,000 hectares in southern China. Pestalotioid fungi are associated with a wide variety of plants worldwide along with endophytes, pathogens, and saprobes. In this study, symptomatic leaves of C. oleifera were collected from Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan, and Jiangsu Provinces and pestalotioid fungi are characterized based on combined sequence data analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), beta tubulin (tub2), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef-1α) coupled with morphological characteristics. As a result, seven species were confirmed, of which five species are described as new viz. N. camelliae-oleiferae, P. camelliae-oleiferae, P. hunanensis, P. nanjingensis, P.nanningensis, while the other two are reported as known species, viz., N. cubana and N. iberica. Pathogenicity assays showed that all species except for P. nanjingensis developed brown lesions on healthy leaves and P. camelliae-oleiferae showed stronger virulence.

Fungal diversity notes 1387-1511: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungal taxa

This article is the 13th contribution in the Fungal Diversity Notes series, wherein 125 taxa from four phyla, ten classes, 31 orders, 69 families, 92 genera and three genera incertae sedis are treated, demonstrating worldwide and geographic distribution. Fungal taxa described and illustrated in the present study include three new genera, 69 new species, one new combination, one reference specimen and 51 new records on new hosts and new geographical distributions. Three new genera, Cylindrotorula (Torulaceae), Scolecoleotia (Leotiales genus incertae sedis) and Xenovaginatispora (Lindomycetaceae) are introduced based on distinct phylogenetic lineages and unique morphologies. Newly described species are Aspergillus lannaensis, Cercophora dulciaquae, Cladophialophora aquatica, Coprinellus punjabensis, Cortinarius alutarius, C. mammillatus, C. quercoflocculosus, Coryneum fagi, Cruentomycena uttarakhandina, Cryptocoryneum rosae, Cyathus uniperidiolus, Cylindrotorula indica, Diaporthe chamaeropicola, Didymella azollae, Diplodia alanphillipsii, Dothiora coronicola, Efibula rodriguezarmasiae, Erysiphe salicicola, Fusarium queenslandicum, Geastrum gorgonicum, G. hansagiense, Helicosporium sexualis, Helminthosporium chiangraiensis, Hongkongmyces kokensis, Hydrophilomyces hydraenae, Hygrocybe boertmannii, Hyphoderma australosetigerum, Hyphodontia yunnanensis, Khaleijomyces umikazeana, Laboulbenia divisa, Laboulbenia triarthronis, Laccaria populina, Lactarius pallidozonarius, Lepidosphaeria strobelii, Longipedicellata megafusiformis, Lophiotrema lincangensis, Marasmius benghalensis, M. jinfoshanensis, M. subtropicus, Mariannaea camelliae, Melanographium smilaxii, Microbotryum polycnemoides, Mimeomyces digitatus, Minutisphaera thailandensis, Mortierella solitaria, Mucor harpali, Nigrograna jinghongensis, Odontia huanrenensis, O. parvispina, Paraconiothyrium ajrekarii, Parafuscosporella niloticus, Phaeocytostroma yomensis, Phaeoisaria synnematicus, Phanerochaete hainanensis, Pleopunctum thailandicum, Pleurotheciella dimorphospora, Pseudochaetosphaeronema chiangraiense, Pseudodactylaria albicolonia, Rhexoacrodictys nigrospora, Russula paravioleipes, Scolecoleotia eriocamporesi, Seriascoma honghense, Synandromyces makranczyi, Thyridaria aureobrunnea, Torula lancangjiangensis, Tubeufia longihelicospora, Wicklowia fusiformispora, Xenovaginatispora phichaiensis and Xylaria apiospora. One new combination, Pseudobactrodesmium stilboideus is proposed. A reference specimen of Comoclathris permunda is designated. New host or distribution records are provided for Acrocalymma fici, Aliquandostipite khaoyaiensis, Camarosporidiella laburni, Canalisporium caribense, Chaetoscutula juniperi, Chlorophyllum demangei, C. globosum, C. hortense, Cladophialophora abundans, Dendryphion hydei, Diaporthe foeniculina, D. pseudophoenicicola, D. pyracanthae, Dictyosporium pandanicola, Dyfrolomyces distoseptatus, Ernakulamia tanakae, Eutypa flavovirens, E. lata, Favolus septatus, Fusarium atrovinosum, F. clavum, Helicosporium luteosporum, Hermatomyces nabanheensis, Hermatomyces sphaericoides, Longipedicellata aquatica, Lophiostoma caudata, L. clematidis-vitalbae, Lophiotrema hydei, L. neoarundinaria, Marasmiellus palmivorus, Megacapitula villosa, Micropsalliota globocystis, M. gracilis, Montagnula thailandica, Neohelicosporium irregulare, N. parisporum, Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum, Phaeoisaria aquatica, Poaceascoma taiwanense, Saproamanita manicata, Spegazzinia camelliae, Submersispora variabilis, Thyronectria caudata, T. mackenziei, Tubeufia chiangmaiensis, T. roseohelicospora, Vaginatispora nypae, Wicklowia submersa, Xanthagaricus necopinatus and Xylaria haemorrhoidalis. The data presented herein are based on morphological examination of fresh specimens, coupled with analysis of phylogenetic sequence data to better integrate taxa into appropriate taxonomic ranks and infer their evolutionary relationships.

The fungus Kalmusia longispora is able to cause vascular necrosis on Vitis vinifera

Fungal diseases in agronomically important plants such as grapevines result in significantly reduced production, pecuniary losses, and increased use of environmentally damaging chemicals. Beside the well-known diseases, there is an increased interest in wood-colonizing fungal pathogens that infect the woody tissues of grapevines. In 2015, a traditional isolation method was performed on grapevine trunks showing symptoms of trunk diseases in Hungary. One isolate (T15142) was identified as Kalmusia longispora (formerly Dendrothyrium longisporum) according to morphological and phylogenetic analyses. To evaluate the pathogenicity of this fungus on grapevines, artificial infections were carried out under greenhouse and field conditions, including the CBS 824.84 and ex-type CBS 582.83 strains. All isolates could be re-isolated from inoculated plants; however, varying virulence was observed among them in terms of the vascular necrosis caused. The incidence and severity of this symptom seemed to be congruent with the laccase-producing capabilities of the isolates. This is the first report on the ability of Kalmusia longispora to cause symptoms on grapevines, and on its possible dependence on laccase secretion.

New contributions to Diatrypaceae from karst areas in China

In this study, fungal specimens of the family Diatrypaceae were collected from karst areas in Guizhou, Hainan and Yunnan Provinces, China. Morpho-molecular analyses confirmed that these new collections comprise a new genus Pseudodiatrype, three new species (Diatrypelancangensis, Diatrypellapseudooregonensis and Eutypacerasi), a new combination (Diatrypellaoregonensis), two new records (Allodiatrypethailandica and Diatrypellavulgaris) from China and two other known species (Neoeutypellabaoshanensis and Paraeutypellacitricola). The new taxa are introduced, based on multi-gene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, β-tubulin), as well as morphological analyses. The new genus Pseudodiatrype is characterised by its wart-like stromata with 5-20 ascomata immersed in one stroma and the endostroma composed of thin black outer and inner layers of large white cells with thin, powdery, yellowish cells. These characteristics separate this genus from two similar genera Allodiatrype and Diatrype. Based on morphological as well as phylogenetic analyses, Diatrypelancangensis is introduced as a new species of Diatrype. The stromata of Diatrypelancangensis are similar to those of D.subundulata and D.undulate, but the ascospores are larger. Based on phylogenetic analyses, Diatrypeoregonensis is transferred to the genus Diatrypella as Diatrypellaoregonensis while Diatrypellapseudooregonensis is introduced as a new species of Diatrypella with 8 spores in an ascus. In addition, multi-gene phylogenetic analyses show that Eutypacerasi is closely related to E.lata, but the ascomata and asci of Eutypacerasi are smaller. The polyphyletic nature of some genera of Diatrypaceae has led to confusion in the classification of the family, thus we discuss whether the number of ascospores per asci can still be used as a basis for classification.

Morphological and phylogenetic appraisal of Ophioceras (Ophioceraceae, Magnaporthales)

Ophioceras is accommodated in the monotypic family Ophioceraceae (Magnaporthales, Sordariomycetes), and the genus is delimited based on molecular data. During an ongoing survey of bambusicolous fungi in southwest China, we collected a submerged decaying branch of bamboo from Sichuan Province, China and an Ophioceras species occurring on this substrate was observed and isolated. An Ophioceras taxon was delimited based on morphological characteristics and combined LSU, RPB1 and ITS sequence analyses and is described as Ophioceras sichuanense sp. nov. The species formed a well-supported clade basal to Ophioceras (100% ML, 1.00 PP). Based on the updated phylogenetic tree of Magnaporthales, Ceratosphaerella castillensis (generic type) and C. rhizomorpha formed a clade within Ophioceras and morphologically resemble Ophioceras. Therefore, Ceratosphaerella is synonymized under Ophioceras. The phylogenetic relationships of Ophioceras are discussed in relation to morphological similarities of genera in Magnaporthales. The generic circumscription of Ophioceras is emended.

Fungal Biodiversity in Salt Marsh Ecosystems

This review brings together the research efforts on salt marsh fungi, including their geographical distribution and host association. A total of 486 taxa associated with different hosts in salt marsh ecosystems are listed in this review. The taxa belong to three phyla wherein Ascomycota dominates the taxa from salt marsh ecosystems accounting for 95.27% (463 taxa). The Basidiomycota and Mucoromycota constitute 19 taxa and four taxa, respectively. Dothideomycetes has the highest number of taxa, which comprises 47.12% (229 taxa), followed by Sordariomycetes with 167 taxa (34.36%). Pleosporales is the largest order with 178 taxa recorded. Twenty-seven genera under 11 families of halophytes were reviewed for its fungal associates. Juncus roemerianus has been extensively studied for its associates with 162 documented taxa followed by Phragmites australis (137 taxa) and Spartina alterniflora (79 taxa). The highest number of salt marsh fungi have been recorded from Atlantic Ocean countries wherein the USA had the highest number of species recorded (232 taxa) followed by the UK (101 taxa), the Netherlands (74 taxa), and Argentina (51 taxa). China had the highest number of salt marsh fungi in the Pacific Ocean with 165 taxa reported, while in the Indian Ocean, India reported the highest taxa (16 taxa). Many salt marsh areas remain unexplored, especially those habitats in the Indian and Pacific Oceans areas that are hotspots of biodiversity and novel fungal taxa based on the exploration of various habitats.

Insight into the Systematics of Novel Entomopathogenic Fungi Associated with Armored Scale Insect, Kuwanaspis howardi (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in China

This study led to the discovery of three entomopathogenic fungi associated with Kuwanaspis howardi, a scale insect on Phyllostachys heteroclada (fishscale bamboo) and Pleioblastus amarus (bitter bamboo) in China. Two of these species belong to Podonectria: P. kuwanaspidis X.L. Xu & C.L. Yang sp. nov. and P. novae-zelandiae Dingley. The new species P. kuwanaspidis has wider and thicker setae, longer and wider asci, longer ascospores, and more septa as compared with similar Podonectria species. The morphs of extant species P. novae-zelandiae is confirmed based on sexual and asexual morphologies. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 sequence data provide further evidence for the validity of the two species and their placement in Podonectriaceae (Pleosporales). The second new species, Microcera kuwanaspidis X.L. Xu & C.L. Yang sp. nov., is established based on DNA sequence data from ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1-α, rpb1, rpb2, acl1, act, cmdA, and his3 gene regions, and it is characterized by morphological differences in septum numbers and single conidial mass.

The genus Paraconiothyrium: species concepts, biological functions, and secondary metabolites

The genus Paraconiothyrium has worldwide distribution with diverse host habitats and exhibits potential utilisation as biocontrol agent, bioreactor and antibiotic producer. In this review, we firstly comprehensively summarise the current taxonomic status of Paraconiothyrium species, including their category names, morphological features, habitats, and multigene phylogenetic relationships. Some Paraconiothyrium species possess vital biological functions and potential applications in medicine, agriculture, industry, and environmental protection. A total of 147 secondary metabolites have been reported so far from Paraconiothyrium, among which 95 are novel. This paper serves to provide an overview of their diverse structures with chemical classification and biological activities. To date, 27 species of Paraconiothyrium have been documented; however, only seven have been investigated for their secondary metabolites or biological functions. Our review is expected to draw more attention to this genus for providing a taxonomic reference, discovering extensive biological functions, and searching in-depth for new bioactive natural products.

Multigene Phylogeny and Morphology Reveal Three Novel Species and a Novel Record of Agaricus From Northern Thailand

Agaricus is a saprophytic mushroom genus widely distributed throughout the world. In this study, a survey of the Agaricus species carried out around Chiang Mai University in northern Thailand from 2018 to 2019 yielded 12 collections. Morphological characteristics and phylogenic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and a fragment of the large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA), and a fragment of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) genes were investigated. The results revealed that these collections belong to six species including Agaricus erectosquamosus, Agaricus pallidobrunneus, Agaricus subrufescens, and three new species. Agaricus thailandensis sp. nov. was found to belong to Agaricus sect. Minores, which is placed in Agaricus subg. Minores. Aagricus pseudoerectosquamosus sp. nov. was placed in Agaricus sect. Brunneopicti within Agaricus subg. Pseudochitonia. Furthermore, Agaricus lannaensis remains an incertae sedis in Agaricus subg. Pseudochitonia. Additionally, this study was proposed that A. pallidobrunneus was discovered in Thailand for the first time. Full descriptions, color photographs, illustrations, and phylogenetic trees are provided.

Gaeumannomyces nanograminis, sp. nov., a hyphopodiate fungus identified from diseased roots of ultradwarf bermudagrass in the United States

The genus Gaeumannomyces (Magnaporthaceae, Magnaporthales, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) includes root-infecting pathogens, saprobes, and endophytes. Morphological, biological, and phylogenetic analyses were employed to identify fungal isolates derived from turfgrass roots colonized with ectotrophic, dark runner hyphae. Phylogenetic trees for partial sequences of the 18S nuc rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer, and 28S nuc rDNA regions and of the minichromosome maintenance complex 7 (MCM7), largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) genes were obtained via maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. Our isolates consistently formed a distinct and highly supported clade within Gaeumannomyces. Common and distinctive biological and morphological characters reinforced these findings. Additionally, we conducted pathogenicity evaluations and demonstrated the ability of this fungus to colonize roots of ultradwarf bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davey), its native host, via ectotrophic, dark runner hyphae, causing disease symptoms including root discoloration and reduced root and shoot mass. Altogether, our discoveries enabled recognition and description of a new species, Gaeumannomyces nanograminis, associated with rotted roots of ultradwarf bermudagrass.

The Hidden Diversity of Diatrypaceous Fungi in China

In this study, we investigated the diversity of diatrypaceous fungi from six regions in China based on morpho-molecular analyses of combined ITS and tub2 gene regions. We accept 23 genera in Diatrypaceae with 18 genera involved in the phylogram, and the other five genera are lacking living materials with sequences data. Eleven species included in four genera (viz. Allocryptovalsa, Diatrype, Diatrypella, and Eutypella) have been isolated from seven host species, of which nine novel species (viz. Allocryptovalsa castaneae, A. castaneicola, Diatrype betulae, D. castaneicola, D. quercicola, Diatrypella betulae, Da. betulicola, Da. hubeiensis, and Da. shennongensis), a known species of Diatrypella favacea, and a new record of Eutypella citricola from the host genus Morus are included. Current results show the high diversity of Diatrypaceae which are wood-inhabiting fungi in China.

Multigene Phylogeny Reveals Haploanthostomella elaeidis gen. et sp. nov. and Familial Replacement of Endocalyx (Xylariales, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota)

During our investigation of palm fungi in Thailand, two interesting taxa from Elaeis guineensis and Metroxylon sagu (Arecaceae) were collected. Based on phylogenetic analyses of a combined dataset of ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tub2 nucleotide sequences as well as unique morphological characteristics, we introduce the new genus Haploanthostomella within Xylariales, and a new species Endocalyx metroxyli. Additionally, in our study, the genus Endocalyx is transferred to the family Cainiaceae based on its brown conidia and molecular phylogenetic evidence.

Reappraisal of Immotthia in Dictyosporiaceae, Pleosporales: Introducing Immotthia bambusae sp. nov. and Pseudocyclothyriella clematidis comb. et gen. nov. Based on Morphology and Phylogeny

Immotthia is a poorly known genus, and currently, no DNA sequence data are available to ascertain its proper phylogenetic placement and evolutionary relationships with other bitunicate fungi. To date, there are only two species accepted in the genus. During our ongoing research study of bambusicolous fungi in southwest China and Thailand, a fungus associated with stromata of Hypoxylon sp. was found on dead bamboo culms in Loei Province, Thailand. Preliminary morphological identification revealed that the fungal collection belongs to Immotthia. A novel species, Immotthia bambusae, is introduced herein based on a comparison of morphological characteristics with the type specimen of I. hypoxylon (≡ Amphisphaeria hypoxylon Ellis and Everh.), a synonym of I. atrograna (Cooke and Ellis) M. E. Barr. Phylogenetic analyses of a concatenated ITS, LSU, SSU, and TEF1-α DNA sequence matrix showed that Immotthia belongs to Dictyosporiaceae, Pleosporales. Despite I. bambusae strains constituting a supported subclade, they are nested with the genus Pseudocoleophoma. Pseudocoleophoma clematidis is morphologically different from all other Pseudocoleophoma species, while its conidial characteristics are similar to Cyclothyriella. Multigene phylogenetic analyses showed that P. clematidis formed a clade basal to Immotthia, separated from Pseudocoleophoma with strong statistical support. Therefore, we introduce a monotypic genus, Pseudocyclothyriella Phukhams. and Phookamsak, gen. nov. to accommodate the single species, Pseudocyclothyriella clematidis (Phukhams. and K. D. Hyde) Phukhams. and Phookamsak, comb. nov. Detailed descriptions, color micrographs, and phylogenetic trees to show the placement of the new taxa are provided. In addition, an updated taxonomic treatment of the genera Immotthia and Pseudocyclothyriella is also provided based on the study of the type materials and phylogeny generated from DNA sequence data.

Introducing a new pleosporalean family Sublophiostomataceae fam. nov. to accommodate Sublophiostoma gen. nov

Collections of microfungi on bamboo and grasses in Thailand revealed an interesting species morphologically resembling Lophiostoma, but which can be distinguished from the latter based on multi-locus phylogeny. In this paper, a new genus, Sublophiostoma is introduced to accommodate the taxon, S. thailandica sp. nov. Phylogenetic analyses using combined ITS, LSU, RPB2, SSU, and TEF sequences demonstrate that six strains of the new species form a distinct clade within Pleosporales, but cannot be assigned to any existing family. Therefore, a new family Sublophiostomataceae (Pleosporales) is introduced to accommodate the new genus. The sexual morph of Sublophiostomataceae is characterized by subglobose to hemisphaerical, ostiolate ascomata, with crest-like openings, a peridium with cells of textura angularis to textura epidermoidea, cylindric-clavate asci with a bulbous or foot-like narrow pedicel and a well-developed ocular chamber, and hyaline, fusiform, 1-septate ascospores surrounded by a large mucilaginous sheath. The asexual morph (coelomycetous) of the species are observed on culture media.

Mycobiota Associated with the Vascular Wilt of Poplar

In 2017, a 560-ha area of hybrid poplar plantation in northern Poland showed symptoms of tree decline. The leaves appeared smaller, yellow-brown, and were shed prematurely. Twigs and smaller branches died without distinct cankers. Trunks decayed from the base. The phloem and xylem showed brown necrosis. Ten percent of the trees died 1–2 months after the first appearance of the symptoms. None of these symptoms were typical for known poplar diseases. The trees’ mycobiota were analysed using Illumina sequencing. A total of 69 467 and 70 218 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained from the soil and wood. Blastocladiomycota and Chytridiomycota occurred only in the soil, with very low frequencies (0.005% and 0.008%). Two taxa of Glomeromycota, with frequencies of 0.001%, occurred in the wood. In the soil and wood, the frequencies of Zygomycota were 3.631% and 0.006%, the frequencies of Ascomycota were 45.299% and 68.697%, and the frequencies of Basidiomycota were 4.119% and 2.076%. At least 400 taxa of fungi were present. The identifiable Zygomycota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota were represented by at least 18, 263 and 81 taxa, respectively. Many fungi were common to the soil and wood, but 160 taxa occurred only in soil and 73 occurred only in wood. The root pathogens included species of Oomycota. The vascular and parenchymal pathogens included species of Ascomycota and of Basidiomycota. The initial endophytic character of the fungi is emphasized. Soil, and possibly planting material, may be the sources of the pathogen inoculum, and climate warming is likely to be a predisposing factor. A water deficit may increase the trees’ susceptibility. The epidemiology of poplar vascular wilt reminds grapevine trunk diseases (GTD), including esca, black foot disease and Petri disease.

Insight into the Systematics of Microfungi Colonizing Dead Woody Twigs of Dodonaea viscosa in Honghe (China)

Members of Dodonaea are broadly distributed across subtropical and tropical areas of southwest and southern China. This host provides multiple substrates that can be richly colonized by numerous undescribed fungal species. There is a severe lack of microfungal studies on Dodonaea in China, and consequently, the diversity, phylogeny and taxonomy of these microorganisms are all largely unknown. This paper presents two new genera and four new species in three orders of Dothideomycetes gathered from dead twigs of Dodonaea viscosa in Honghe, China. All new collections were made within a selected area in Honghe from a single Dodonaea sp. This suggests high fungal diversity in the region and the existence of numerous species awaiting discovery. Multiple gene sequences (non-translated loci and protein-coding regions) were analysed with maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. Results from the phylogenetic analyses supported placing Haniomyces dodonaeae gen. et sp. in the Teratosphaeriaceae family. Analysis of Rhytidhysteron sequences resulted in Rhytidhysteron hongheense sp. nov., while analysed Lophiostomataceae sequences revealed Lophiomurispora hongheensis gen. et sp. nov. Finally, phylogeny based on a combined dataset of pyrenochaeta-like sequences demonstrates strong statistical support for placing Quixadomyceshongheensis sp. nov. in Parapyrenochaetaceae. Morphological and updated phylogenetic circumscriptions of the new discoveries are also discussed.

Assessment of Cytospora Isolates From Conifer Cankers in China, With the Descriptions of Four New Cytospora Species

Cytospora species are widely distributed and often occur as endophytes, saprobes or phytopathogens. They primarily cause canker and dieback diseases of woody host plants, leading to the growth weakness or death of host plants, thereby causing significant economic and ecological losses. In order to reveal the diversity of Cytospora species associated with canker and dieback diseases of coniferous trees in China, we assessed 11 Cytospora spp. represented by 28 fungal strains from symptomatic branches or twigs of coniferous trees, i.e., Juniperus procumbens, J. przewalskii, Picea crassifolia, Pinus armandii, P. bungeana, Platycladus orientalis in China. Through morphological observations and multilocus phylogeny of ITS, LSU, act, rpb2, tef1-α, and tub2 gene sequences, we focused on four novel Cytospora species (C. albodisca, C. discostoma, C. donglingensis, and C. verrucosa) associated with Platycladus orientalis. This study represented the first attempt to clarify the taxonomy of Cytospora species associated with canker and dieback symptoms of coniferous trees in China.

Delimitation and phylogeny of Dictyochaeta, and introduction of Achrochaeta and Tubulicolla, genera nova

Dictyochaeta (Chaetosphaeriaceae) is a phialidic dematiaceous hyphomycete with teleomorphs classified in Chaetosphaeria. It is associated with significant variability of asexual morphological traits, which led to its broad delimitation. In the present study, six loci: nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS barcode), nuc 18S rDNA (18S), nuc 28S rDNA (28S), DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene (RPB2), translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1-α), and β-tubulin (TUB2), along with comparative morphological and cultivation studies, are used to reevaluate the concept of Dictyochaeta and establish species boundaries. Based on revised species, morphological characteristics of conidia (shape, septation, absence or presence of setulae), collarettes (shape), and setae (presence or absence) and an extension of the conidiogenous cell proved to be important at the generic level. The dual DNA barcoding using ITS and TEF1-α, together with TUB2, facilitated accurate identification of Dictyochaeta species. Thirteen species are accepted, of which seven are characterized in this study; an identification key is provided. It was revealed that D. fuegiana, the type species, is a complex of three distinct species including D. querna and the newly described D. stratosa. Besides, a new species, D. detriticola, and two new combinations, D. callimorpha and D. montana, are proposed. An epitype of D. montana is selected. Dictyochaeta includes saprobes on decaying wood, bark, woody fruits, and fallen leaves. Dictyochaeta is shown to be distantly related to the morphologically similar Codinaea, which is resolved as paraphyletic. Chaetosphaeria talbotii with a Dictyochaeta anamorph represents a novel lineage in the Chaetosphaeriaceae; it is segregated from Dictyochaeta, and a new genus Achrochaeta is proposed. Multigene phylogenetic analysis revealed that D. cylindrospora belongs to the Vermiculariopsiellales, and a new genus Tubulicolla is introduced.

Five Novel Freshwater Ascomycetes Indicate High Undiscovered Diversity in Lotic Habitats in Thailand

An investigation of freshwater fungi in Thailand resulted in the collection of one new monotypic genus, Neoxylomyces, and a novel species each in Camposporium, Brunneofusispora, Rattania, Neoxylomyces, and Phaeoacremonium. Camposporium dulciaquae resembles C. septatum in conidial morphology and number of septa but differs in conidial sizes. Brunneofusispora hyalina is similar to B. sinensis in conidiogenesis and conidial shape but differs in the sizes of conidiomata and conidiogenous cells. Rattania aquatica is the second species in Rattania, while Phaeoacremonium thailandense is the third species recorded from freshwater habitats. A new genus, Neoxylomyces, typified by N. multiseptatus, is similar to Xylomyces giganteus, but differs in the number of septa, chlamydospore measurements, and absence of a mucilaginous coating around the chlamydospores. These novel taxa form an independent lineage distinct from other species based on multi-loci phylogenetic analyses. Descriptions, illustrations, and notes are provided for each taxon. These new freshwater ascomycetes add to the increasing number of fungi known from Thailand and it is now evident that there are numerous novel taxa awaiting to be described as new freshwater habitats are explored. An update of newly discovered taxa in the widely studied freshwater habitats of Thailand over the last five years is also provided.

Morphology Characterization, Molecular Phylogeny, and Pathogenicity of Diaporthe passifloricola on Citrus reticulata cv. Nanfengmiju in Jiangxi Province, China

The Nanfengmiju (Citrus reticulata cv. Nanfengmiju), a high-quality local variety of mandarin, is one of the major fruit crops in Jiangxi Province, China. Citrus melanose and stem-end rot, two common fungal diseases of Nanfengmiju, are both caused by Diaporthe spp. (syn. Phomopsis spp.). Identification of the Diaporthe species is essential for epidemiological studies, quarantine measures, and management of diseases caused by these fungi. Melanose disease was observed on Nanfengmiju fruit in Jiangxi Province of China in 2016. Based on morphological characterization and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses, three out of 39 isolates from diseased samples were identified as D. passifloricola. Since these three isolates did not cause melanose on citrus fruit in the pathogenicity tests, they were presumed to be endophytic fungi present in the diseased tissues. However, our results indicate that D. passifloricola may persist as a symptom-less endophyte in the peel of citrus fruit, yet it may cause stem-end if it invades the stem end during fruit storage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of D. passifloricola as the causal agent of the stem-end rot disease in Citrus reticulata cv. Nanfengmiju.

Freshwater Dothideomycetes

Freshwater Dothideomycetes are a highly diverse group of fungi, which are mostly saprobic in freshwater habitats worldwide. They are important decomposers of submerged woody debris and leaves in water. In this paper, we outline the genera of freshwater Dothideomycetes with notes and keys to species. Based on multigene analyses and morphology, we introduce nine new genera, viz. Aquimassariosphaeria, Aquatospora, Aquihelicascus, Fusiformiseptata, Neohelicascus, Neojahnula, Pseudojahnula, Purpureofaciens, Submersispora; 33 new species, viz. Acrocalymma bipolare, Aquimassariosphaeria kunmingensis, Aquatospora cylindrica, Aquihelicascus songkhlaensis, A. yunnanensis, Ascagilis submersa, A. thailandensis, Bambusicola aquatica, Caryospora submersa, Dictyocheirospora thailandica, Fusiformiseptata crocea, Helicosporium thailandense, Hongkongmyces aquaticus, Lentistoma aquaticum, Lentithecium kunmingense, Lindgomyces aquaticus, Longipedicellata aquatica, Neohelicascus submersus, Neohelicomyces dehongensis, N. thailandicus, Neohelicosporium submersum, Nigrograna aquatica, Occultibambusa kunmingensis, Parabambusicola aquatica, Pseudoasteromassaria aquatica, Pseudoastrosphaeriella aquatica, Pseudoxylomyces aquaticus, Purpureofaciens aquatica, Roussoella aquatica, Shrungabeeja aquatica, Submersispora variabilis, Tetraploa puzheheiensis, T. yunnanensis; 16 new combinations, viz. Aquimassariosphaeria typhicola, Aquihelicascus thalassioideus, Ascagilis guttulaspora, A. queenslandica, A. seychellensis, A. sunyatsenii, Ernakulamia xishuangbannaensis, Neohelicascus aquaticus, N. chiangraiensis, N. egyptiacus, N. elaterascus, N. gallicus, N. unilocularis, N. uniseptatus, Neojahnula australiensis, Pseudojahnula potamophila; 17 new geographical and habitat records, viz. Aliquandostipite khaoyaiensis, Aquastroma magniostiolata, Caryospora aquatica, C. quercus, Dendryphiella vinosa, Ernakulamia cochinensis, Fissuroma neoaggregatum, Helicotruncatum palmigenum, Jahnula rostrata, Neoroussoella bambusae, N. leucaenae, Occultibambusa pustula, Paramonodictys solitarius, Pleopunctum pseudoellipsoideum, Pseudocapulatispora longiappendiculata, Seriascoma didymosporum, Shrungabeeja vadirajensis and ten new collections from China and Thailand, viz. Amniculicola guttulata, Aquaphila albicans, Berkleasmium latisporum, Clohesyomyces aquaticus, Dictyocheirospora rotunda, Flabellascoma fusiforme, Pseudoastrosphaeriella bambusae, Pseudoxylomyces elegans, Tubeufia aquatica and T. cylindrothecia. Dendryphiella phitsanulokensis and Tubeufia roseohelicospora are synonymized with D. vinosa and T. tectonae, respectively. Six orders, 43 families and 145 genera which belong to freshwater Dothideomycetes are reviewed. Of these, 46 genera occur exclusively in freshwater habitats. A world map illustrates the distribution of freshwater Dothideomycetes.

Refined families of Dothideomycetes: orders and families incertae sedis in Dothideomycetes

Numerous new taxa and classifications of Dothideomycetes have been published following the last monograph of families of Dothideomycetes in 2013. A recent publication by Honsanan et al. in 2020 expanded information of families in Dothideomycetidae and Pleosporomycetidae with modern classifications. In this paper, we provide a refined updated document on orders and families incertae sedis of Dothideomycetes. Each family is provided with an updated description, notes, including figures to represent the morphology, a list of accepted genera, and economic and ecological significances. We also provide phylogenetic trees for each order. In this study, 31 orders which consist 50 families are assigned as orders incertae sedis in Dothideomycetes, and 41 families are treated as families incertae sedis due to lack of molecular or morphological evidence. The new order, Catinellales, and four new families, Catinellaceae, Morenoinaceae Neobuelliellaceae and Thyrinulaceae are introduced. Seven genera (Neobuelliella, Pseudomicrothyrium, Flagellostrigula, Swinscowia, Macroconstrictolumina, Pseudobogoriella, and Schummia) are introduced. Seven new species (Acrospermum urticae, Bogoriella complexoluminata, Dothiorella ostryae, Dyfrolomyces distoseptatus, Macroconstrictolumina megalateralis, Patellaria microspora, and Pseudomicrothyrium thailandicum) are introduced base on morphology and phylogeny, together with two new records/reports and five new collections from different families. Ninety new combinations are also provided in this paper.

New genus of trichomatous coelomycete on Myrcia fenzliana from the Brazilian Cerrado

Megacoelomyces (type species: Megacoelomyces sanchezii), an ascomycete asexual morph infecting Myrcia fenzliana (Myrtaceae) from the Brazilian Cerrado, is described as a new genus in the Phaeosphaeriaceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota), based on multilocus phylogeny (three nuclear ribosomal DNA and two protein-coding genes) in addition to morphological (light and scanning electron microscopy) and ecological data.

The Ambrosia Beetle Sueus niisimai (Scolytinae: Hyorrhynchini) is Associated with the Canker Disease Fungus Diatrypella japonica (Xylariales)

Ambrosia beetles in the subtribe Hyorrhynchini are one example of an entire ambrosia beetle lineage whose fungi have never been studied. Here, we identify one dominant fungus associated with a widespread Asian hyorrhynchine beetle Sueus niisimai. This fungus was consistently isolated from beetle galleries from multiple collections. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS rDNA and β-tubulin sequences identified the primary fungal symbiont as Diatrypella japonica Higuchi, Nikaido & Hattori (Diatrypaceae, Xylariales, Sordariomycetes), which was recently described as a pathogen of sycamore (Platanus spp.) in Japan. To assess the invasion potential of this beetle-fungus interaction into the U.S., we have investigated the pathogenicity of two D. japonica strains on four species of healthy landscape trees native to the southeastern United States. Only Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) responded with lesions significantly greater than the control inoculations, but there was no observable dieback or tree mortality. Although disease symptoms were not as prominent as in previous studies of the same fungus in Japan, routine reisolation from the inoculation point suggests that this species is capable of colonizing healthy sapwood of several tree species. Our study shows that the geographical area of its distribution is broader in Asia and potentially includes many hosts of its polyphagous vector. We conclude that the Sueus-Diatrypella symbiosis has high invasion potential but low damage potential, at least on young trees during the growing season.

Delimitation, new species and teleomorph-anamorph relationships in Codinaea, Dendrophoma, Paragaeumannomyces and Striatosphaeria (Chaetosphaeriaceae)

The Chaetosphaeriaceae are a diverse group of pigmented, predominantly phialidic hyphomycetes comprised of several holomorphic genera including Chaetosphaeria, the most prominent genus of the family. Although the morphology of the teleomorphs of the majority of Chaetosphaeria is rather uniform, their associated anamorphs primarily exhibit the variability and evolutionary change observed in the genus. An exception from the morphological monotony among Chaetosphaeria species is a group characterised by scolecosporous, hyaline to light pink, multiseptate, asymmetrical ascospores and a unique three-layered ascomatal wall. Paragaeumannomyces sphaerocellularis, the type species of the genus, exhibits these morphological traits and is compared with similar Chaetosphaeria with craspedodidymum- and chloridium-like synanamorphs. Morphological comparison and phylogenetic analyses of the combined ITS-28S sequences of 35 isolates and vouchers with these characteristics revealed a strongly-supported, morphologically well-delimited clade in the Chaetosphaeriaceae containing 16 species. The generic name Paragaeumannomyces is applied to this monophyletic clade; eight new combinations and five new species, i.e. P. abietinus sp. nov., P. elegans sp. nov., P. granulatus sp. nov., P. sabinianus sp. nov. and P. smokiensis sp. nov., are proposed. A key to Paragaeumannomyces is provided. Using morphology, cultivation studies and phylogenetic analyses of ITS and 28S rDNA, two additional new species from freshwater and terrestrial habitats, Codinaea paniculata sp. nov. and Striatosphaeria castanea sp. nov., are described in the family. A codinaea-like anamorph of S. castanea forms conidia with setulae at each end in axenic culture; this feature expands the known morphology of Striatosphaeria. A chaetosphaeria-like teleomorph is experimentally linked to Dendrophoma cytisporoides, a sporodochial hyphomycete and type species of Dendrophoma, for the first time.

Molecular Phylogeny and Morphology of Amphisphaeria (= Lepteutypa) (Amphisphaeriaceae)

Amphisphaeriaceous taxa (fungi) are saprobes on decaying wood in terrestrial, mangrove, and freshwater habitats. The generic boundaries of the family have traditionally been based on morphology, and the delimitation of genera has always been challenging. Amphisphaeria species have clypeate ascomata and 1-septate ascospores and a coelomycetous asexual morph. Lepteutypa is different from Amphisphaeria in having eutypoid stromata and more than 1-septate ascospores. These main characters have been used for segregation of Lepteutypa from Amphisphaeria for a long time. However, the above characters are overlapping among Amphisphaeria and Lepteutypa species. Therefore, here we synonymized Lepteutypa under Amphisphaeria based on holomorphic morphology and multigene phylogeny. Further, our cluster analysis reveals the relationship between seven morphological traits among Amphisphaeria/Lepteutypa species and suggests those morphologies are not specific to either genus. Three new species (i.e., Amphisphaeria camelliae, A. curvaticonidia, and A. micheliae) are introduced based on morphology and LSU-ITS-RPB2-TUB2 phylogenies. Furthermore, the monotypic genus Trochilispora, which had been accepted in Amphisphaeriaceae, is revisited and synonymized under Hymenopleella and placed in Sporocadaceae.

Sphaeropsis sapinea and fungal endophyte diversity in twigs of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in Germany

Sphaeropsis sapinea is the causal fungal agent of Diplodia tip blight disease of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and other coniferous trees of relevance to forestry in Germany. In this study, the distribution and occurrence of S. sapinea and accompanying endophytic fungi in twigs of healthy and diseased Scots pine was investigated on a spatial and temporal scale. Sampling of 26,000 twig segments from trees in 105 temperate coniferous forest stands in Germany resulted in isolation of 33,000 endophytic fungi consisting of 103 species identified based on morphological and ITS-DNA sequence analyses. Approximately 98% of the sample was represented by fungi in the Ascomycota, with only two species (Peniophora pini and Coprinellus sp.) belonging to the Basidiomycota. Four species were detected in a frequency greater than 10% (Sphaeropsis sapinea, Sydowia polyspora, Microsphaeropsis olivacea, and Truncatella conorum-piceae) from the collective sample. A typical inhabitant of Scots pine twigs Desmazierella acicola was isolated and additionally typical hardwood colonizers like Biscogniauxia spp. were detected. S. sapinea, an endophytic plant pathogen with saprobic capabilities, was isolated from more than 80% of the studied pine trees, but the majority of trees sampled showed no symptoms of Diplodia tip blight. No invasive, pathogenic quarantine fungi for Germany were isolated from healthy or diseased Scots pines. Advantages and disadvantages of isolation-based endophyte studies over studies using direct DNA-isolation are discussed. Knowledge of the fungal endophyte communities in twigs of Scots pine allowed for identification S. sapinea and other potential pathogens of pines and other forest trees that may possibly contribute to increased disease under repeated periods of drought and heat stress in the future.