Taxonomy and phylogeny of dematiaceous coelomycetes

Pest categorisation of Coniella castaneicola

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to conduct a pest categorisation of Coniella castaneicola (Ellis & Everh) Sutton, following commodity risk assessments of Acer campestre, A. palmatum, A. platanoides, A. pseudoplatanus, Quercus petraea and Q. robur plants from the UK, in which C. castaneicola was identified as a pest of possible concern to the EU. When first described, Coniella castaneicola was a clearly defined fungus of the family Schizoparmaceae, but due to lack of a curated type-derived DNA sequence, current identification based only on DNA sequence is uncertain and taxa previously reported to be this fungus based on molecular identification must be confirmed. The uncertainty on the reported identification of this species translates into uncertainty on all the sections of this categorisation. The fungus has been reported on several plant species associated with leaf spots, leaf blights and fruit rots, and as an endophyte in asymptomatic plants. The species is reported from North and South America, Africa, Asia, non-EU Europe and Oceania. Coniella castaneicola is not known to occur in the EU. However, there is a key uncertainty on its presence and geographical distribution worldwide and in the EU due to its endophytic nature, the lack of systematic surveys and possible misidentifications. Coniella castaneicola is not included in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 and there are no interceptions in the EU. Plants for planting, fresh fruits and soil and other growing media associated with infected plant debris are the main pathways for its entry into the EU. Host availability and climate suitability in parts of the EU are favourable for the establishment and spread of the fungus. Based on the scarce information available, the introduction and spread of C. castaneicola in the EU is not expected to cause substantial impacts, with a key uncertainty. Phytosanitary measures are available to prevent its introduction and spread in the EU. Because of lack of documented impacts, Coniella castaneicola does not satisfy all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as potential Union quarantine pest.

Discovery of Botryosphaeria eucalypti sp. nov. from blighted Eucalyptus leaves in India

Eucalyptus spp. are undoubtedly one of the most favored plantation trees globally. Accurately identifying Eucalyptus pathogens is therefore crucial for timely disease prevention and control. Recently, symptoms of a leaf blight disease were observed on Eucalyptus trees in plantations at Jhajjar and Karnal in the state of Haryana, northern India. Asexual morphs resembling the features of the Botryosphaeriaceae were consistently isolated from the symptomatic leaves. Morphological features coupled with DNA sequence analysis confirmed a novel species, which is described and illustrated here as Botryosphaeria eucalypti sp. nov. Conidia of the new taxon are longer and wider than those of its phylogenetic neighbors. A distinct phylogenetic position for the new taxon was established through combined analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial translation elongation factor-1α (tef1) and partial β-tubulin (tub2) regions. Recombination analysis provided additional support for the new species hypothesis. The pathogenicity of the novel species was proved on Eucalyptus leaves, and Koch's postulates were fulfilled. The discovery of new Botryosphaeria species is important because it will help in understanding the species diversity, host range, possible threats and disease control in the long run.

An overview of Melanommataceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes): Current insight into the host associations and geographical distribution with some interesting novel additions from plant litter

Melanommataceous species exhibit high diversity with a cosmopolitan distribution worldwide and show a prominent saprobic lifestyle. In this study, we explored five saprobic species collected from plant litter substrates from terrestrial habitats in China and Thailand. A combination of morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses was used to determine their taxonomic classifications. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses of combined LSU, SSU, ITS and tef1-α sequence data were used to clarify the phylogenetic affinities of the species. Byssosphaeriapoaceicola and Herpotrichiazingiberacearum are introduced as new species, while three new host records, Bertiellafici, By.siamensis and Melanommapopulicola are also reported from litter of Cinnamomumverum, Citrustrifoliata and Fagussylvatica, respectively. Yet, despite the rising interest in the melanommataceous species, there is a considerable gap in knowledge on their host associations and geographical distributions. Consequently, we compiled the host-species associations and geographical distributions of all the so far known melanommataceous species.

Taxonomy and pathogenicity of fungi associated with oak decline in northern and central Zagros forests of Iran with emphasis on coelomycetous species

Oak decline is a complex disorder that seriously threatens the survival of Zagros forests. In an extensive study on taxonomy and pathology of fungi associated with oak decline in the central and northern part of Zagros forests, 462 fungal isolates were obtained from oak trees showing canker, gummosis, dieback, defoliation, and partial or total death symptoms. Based on inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) fingerprinting patterns, morphological characteristics, and sequences of ribosomal DNA (28S rDNA and ITS) and protein coding loci (acl1, act1, caM, tef-1α, rpb1, rpb2, and tub2), 24 fungal species corresponding to 19 genera were characterized. Forty percent of the isolates were placed in eight coelomycetous species from seven genera, namely, Alloeutypa, Botryosphaeria, Cytospora, Didymella, Gnomoniopsis, Kalmusia, and Neoscytalidium. Of these, four species are new to science, which are introduced here as taxonomic novelties: Alloeutypa iranensis sp. nov., Cytospora hedjaroudei sp. nov., Cytospora zagrosensis sp. nov., and Gnomoniopsis quercicola sp. nov. According to pathogenicity trials on leaves and stems of 2-year-old Persian oak (Quercus brantii) seedlings, Alternaria spp. (A. alternata, A. atra, and A. contlous), Chaetomium globosum, and Parachaetomium perlucidum were recognized as nonpathogenic. All coelomycetous species were determined as pathogenic in both pathogenicity trials on leaves and seedling stems, of which Gnomoniopsis quercicola sp. nov., Botryosphaeria dothidea, and Neoscytalidium dimidiatum were recognized as the most virulent species followed by Biscogniauxia rosacearum.

Palm Fungi and Their Key Role in Biodiversity Surveys: A Review

Over the past three decades, a wealth of studies has shown that palm trees (Arecaceae) are a diverse habitat with intense fungal colonisation, making them an important substratum to explore fungal diversity. Palm trees are perennial, monocotyledonous plants mainly restricted to the tropics that include economically important crops and highly valued ornamental plants worldwide. The extensive research conducted in Southeast Asia and Australasia indicates that palm fungi are undoubtedly a taxonomically diverse assemblage from which a remarkable number of new species is continuously being reported. Despite this wealth of data, no recent comprehensive review on palm fungi exists to date. In this regard, we present here a historical account and discussion of the research on the palm fungi to reflect on their importance as a diverse and understudied assemblage. The taxonomic structure of palm fungi is also outlined, along with comments on the need for further studies to place them within modern DNA sequence-based classifications. Palm trees can be considered model plants for studying fungal biodiversity and, therefore, the key role of palm fungi in biodiversity surveys is discussed. The close association and intrinsic relationship between palm hosts and palm fungi, coupled with a high fungal diversity, suggest that the diversity of palm fungi is still far from being fully understood. The figures suggested in the literature for the diversity of palm fungi have been revisited and updated here. As a result, it is estimated that there are about 76,000 species of palm fungi worldwide, of which more than 2500 are currently known. This review emphasises that research on palm fungi may provide answers to a number of current fungal biodiversity challenges.

Fossil history of fungus host-specificity: Association of conidia of fossil Asterosporium asterospermum with macro- and microremains of Fagus

Fossil staurosporous conidia almost identical to modern conidia of Asterosporium asterospermum were found from three Central European localities ranging from the Late Oligocene (Germany) to Middle/Late Miocene (Poland). Extant A. asterospermum is strictly host-specific and found only on branches or bark of various Fagus species from Europe, Asia and North America. Conspicuous association of conidia of A. asterospermum with numerous macro- and microremains of Fagus were reported from all the localities where fossil conidia of Asterosporium were found confirming the host-specificity of fossil A. asterospermum to ancient beeches. The host-specific relationship of A. asterospermum and beech was presumably established early in the history of the Fagus genus.

Pleomorphic Dematiomelanommayunnanense gen. et sp. nov. (Ascomycota, Melanommataceae) from grassland vegetation in Yunnan, China

During a survey of microfungi associated with grasslands and related vegetation types from Yunnan Province in China, various ascomycetous and coelomycetous fungi were isolated. This study reports the discovery of four strains of ascomycetous and coelomycetous fungi from dead stalks of Hypericummonogynum L. (Hypericaceae) and Rubusparvifolius L. (Rosaceae) in the Zhaotong region of Yunnan Province, China. The isolates were characterized using multi-locus phylogenetic analyses and were found to represent a new monophyletic lineage in Melanommataceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes). This new clade was named as Dematiomelanommayunnanense gen. et sp. nov. which consists of both sexual and asexual morphs. The sexual morph is characterized by globose to subglobose ascomata with a central ostiole, cylindrical asci with a pedicel and ocular chamber, and muriform, ellipsoidal to fusiform ascospores. The asexual morph has synanamorphs including both brown, muriform macroconidia and hyaline, round to oblong or ellipsoidal microconidia. These findings contribute to the understanding of fungal diversity in grasslands and related vegetation types in Yunnan Province, China.

New Species of Didymellaceae within Aquatic Plants from Southwestern China

Members of Didymellaceae have a wide geographical distribution throughout different ecosystems, and most species are associated with fruit, leaf, stem and root diseases of land plants. However, species that occur in aquatic plants are not clearly known. During a survey of the diversity of endophytes in aquatic plants in Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou provinces, we obtained 51 isolates belonging to Didymellaceae based on internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) sequences. Further, the phylogenetic positions of these isolates were determined by combined sequences composed of ITS, partial large subunit nrRNA gene (28S nrDNA; LSU), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) and partial beta-tubulin gene (tub2). Combining morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses, two new varieties belong to Boeremia and 12 new species distributed into seven genera were recognized from 51 isolates, i.e., Cumuliphoma, Didymella, Dimorphoma, Ectophoma, Leptosphaerulina, Remotididymella, and Stagonosporopsis. Among these species, only one species of Stagonosporopsis and two species of Leptosphaerulina show teleomorphic stages on OA, but have no anamorphic state. Each new species is described in detail, and the differences between new species and their phylogenetically related species are discussed here. The high frequency of new species indicates that aquatic plants may be a special ecological niche which highly promotes species differentiation. At the same time, the frequent occurrence of new species may indicate the need for extensive investigation of fungal resources in those aquatic environments where fungal diversity may be underestimated.

Appendage-Bearing Sordariomycetes from Dipterocarpus alatus Leaf Litter in Thailand

Leaf litter is an essential functional aspect of forest ecosystems, acting as a source of organic matter, a protective layer in forest soils, and a nurturing habitat for micro- and macro-organisms. Through their successional occurrence, litter-inhabiting microfungi play a key role in litter decomposition and nutrient recycling. Despite their importance in terrestrial ecosystems and their abundance and diversity, information on the taxonomy, diversity, and host preference of these decomposer taxa is scarce. This study aims to clarify the taxonomy and phylogeny of four saprobic fungal taxa inhabiting Dipterocarpus alatus leaf litter. Leaf litter samples were collected from Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Fungal isolates were characterized based on morphology and molecular phylogeny of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS, LSU) and protein-coding genes (tub2, tef1-α, rpb2). One novel saprobic species, Ciliochorella dipterocarpi, and two new host records, Pestalotiopsis dracontomelon and Robillarda australiana, are introduced. The newly described taxa are compared with similar species, and comprehensive descriptions, micrographs, and phylogenetic trees are provided.

Additions to hyphomycetes from Yungui Plateau, China with three new species (Ascomycota, Sordariomycetes)

Background

Yungui Plateau is rich in fungal diversity. Hyphomycetes, growing on submerged wood, can promote the degradation of organisms and the reuse of rotten wood energy. During an investigation of hyphomycetes in this region, 19 species of dematiaceous hyphomycetes were collected in Yungui Plateau.

New information

Both morphological identification and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of ITS, tef1 and LSU sequences supported Coryneumsevenseptatis as a new species. Phaeoisariaguizhouensis and Pleurotheciumyunanensis were introduced, based on morphology. Morphological descriptions and illustrations of the new species were detailed. Known species are listed with notes.

Plant-Associated Novel Didymellaceous Taxa in the South China Botanical Garden (Guangzhou, China)

The South China Botanical Garden (SCBG), one of the largest and oldest botanical gardens in China, conserves important plant germplasms of endangered species. Therefore, ensuring tree health and studying the associated mycobiome of the phyllosphere is essential to maintaining its visual aesthetics. During a survey of plant-associated microfungal species in SCBG, we collected several coelomycetous taxa. Phylogenetic relationships were evaluated based on the analyses of ITS, LSU, RPB2, and β-tubulin loci. The morphological features of the new collections were compared with those of existing species, emphasizing close phylogenetic affinities. Based on the morphological comparisons and multi-locus phylogeny, we introduce three new species. These are Ectophoma phoenicis sp. nov., Remotididymella fici-microcarpae sp. nov., and Stagonosporopsis pedicularis-striatae sp. nov. In addition, we describe a new host record for Allophoma tropica in the Didymellaceae. Detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided along with notes comparing allied species.

Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal a New Species of Genus Monochaetia Belonging to the Family Sporocadaceae in Korea

The fungal strain belonging to the genus Monochaetia of the family Sporocadaceae was isolated from hairy long-horned toad beetle (Moechotypa diphysis) during the screening of microfungi associated with insects from Gangwon Province, Korea. The strain KNUF-6L2F produced white, light brown to dirty black surface, and olivaceous green colonies with the higher growth, while the closest strain M. ilicis KUMCC 15-0520^T were light brown to brown, and M. schimae SAUCC 212201^T light brown to brown toward center. The strain KNUF-6L2F produced shorter (5.7-14.0 μm) apical appendages than M. ilicis (6.0-24.0 μm), but similar to M. schimae (7.0-12.5 μm). Three median cells of KNUF-6L2F were light brown to olivaceous green, whereas brown and olivaceous cells were observed from M. ilicis and M. schimae, respectively. And the strain KNUF-6L2F produced larger conidiogenous cells than M. ilicis and M. schimae. Additionally, phylogenetic analyses based on molecular datasets of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1α), and β-tubulin (TUB2) genes corroborated the strain's originality. Thus, the strain is different from other known Monochaetia species, according to molecular phylogeny and morophology, hence we suggested the new species Monochaetia mediana sp. nov. and provided a descriptive illustration.

Diversity of Sporocadaceae (pestalotioid fungi) from Rosa in China

Rosa (Rosaceae) is an important ornamental and medicinal plant genus worldwide, with several species being cultivated in China. Members of Sporocadaceae (pestalotioid fungi) are globally distributed and include endophytes, saprobes but also plant pathogens, infecting a broad range of host plants on which they can cause important plant diseases. Although several Sporocadaceae species were recorded to inhabit Rosa spp., the taxa occurring on Rosa remain largely unresolved. In this study, a total of 295 diseased samples were collected from branches, fruits, leaves and spines of eight Rosa species (R. chinensis, R. helenae, R. laevigata, R. multiflora, R. omeiensis, R. rugosa, R. spinosissima and R. xanthina) in Gansu, Henan, Hunan, Qinghai, Shaanxi Provinces and the Ningxia Autonomous Region of China. Subsequently 126 strains were obtained and identified based on comparisons of DNA sequence data. Based on these results 15 species residing in six genera of Sporocadaceae were delineated, including four known species (Pestalotiopsis chamaeropis, Pes. rhodomyrtus, Sporocadus sorbi and Spo. trimorphus) and 11 new species described here as Monochaetia rosarum, Neopestalotiopsis concentrica, N. subepidermalis, Pestalotiopsis tumida, Seimatosporium centrale, Seim. gracile, Seim. nonappendiculatum, Seim. parvum, Seiridium rosae, Sporocadus brevis, and Spo. spiniger. This study also represents the first report of Pes. chamaeropis, Pes. rhodomyrtus and Spo. sorbi on Rosa. The overall data revealed that Pestalotiopsis was the most prevalent genus, followed by Seimatosporium, while Pes. chamaeropis and Pes. rhodomyrtus were the two most prevalent species. Analysis of Sporocadaceae abundance on Rosa species and plant organs revealed that spines of R. chinensis had the highest species diversity. Citation: Peng C, Crous PW, Jiang N, et al. 2022. Diversity of Sporocadaceae (pestalotioid fungi) from Rosa in China. Persoonia 49: 201-260. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.49.07.

A new study of Nagrajomyces: with two new species proposed and taxonomic status inferred by phylogenetic methods

Nagrajomyces (incertae sedis, Ascomycota) is a monotypic genus with a previously unknown systematic position. In this report, two new species are proposed, Nagrajomycesfusiformis and Nagrajomyceslaojunshanensis. These new taxa are proposed based on morphological characteristics evident via light microscopy and molecular data. Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (ITS rDNA, nrLSU rDNA, RPB2, and TEF1-α) show that specimens recently collected in Yunnan Province, China are closely related to Gnomoniaceae. Both new species and known species were discovered repeatedly in their asexual developmental form exclusively on twigs of Rhododendron spp. (Ericaceae). This indicates a host specificity of Nagrajomyces spp. for species of Rhododendron.

A Novel Seimatosporium and Other Sporocadaceae Species Associated with Grapevine Trunk Diseases in Cyprus

Besides well-known grapevine trunk disease (GTD)-related pathogens, there is an increased interest in wood-colonizing fungi that infect grapevines. During 2017-2018, a survey was conducted in Cyprus and wood samples were collected from vines exhibiting typical GTD symptoms. Based on morphological and multilocus phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, bt2, tef1-a), four species in the Sporocadaceae family were described and typified; two in the genus of Seimatosporium: Seim. cyprium sp. nov. and Seim. vitis-viniferae and two in Sporocadus: Spo. kurdistanicus and Spo. rosigena. The teleomorph of Seim. cyprium sp. nov. was also described. Pathogenicity trials with representative isolates of each species were performed on woody stems of two-year-old potted grapevines for 12 months under field conditions. All isolates were pathogenic, causing dark brown to black vascular discoloration, extending upward and downward from the inoculation point. Sporocadus isolates were significantly more aggressive than Seimatosporium with lesion lengths ranging from 9.24 to 6.90 and 4.13 to 4.00 cm, respectively. Successful re-isolations were also evident for all species and isolates. Seim. cyprium sp. nov. is a newly described species, while Spo. kurdistanicus and Spo. rosigena are reported for the first time in Europe on Vitis vinifera, suggesting the potential role of Sporocadaceae in the GTDs complex.

Anamorphic chaetosphaeriaceous fungi from China

Chaetosphaeriaceae is one of the largest families in Sordariomycetes with its members commonly found on decaying leaf, fruit, branch, bark and wood in both terrestrial and submerged environment in nature. This paper reports our research result of diversity, taxonomy and phylogeny of anamorphic Chaetosphaeriaceae in China, which is based on a systematic study with an integrated approach of morphological observation and phylogenetic analysis for a large collection (> 1300 herbarium specimens and 1100 living strains). The family Chaetosphaeriaceae is expanded to accommodate 89 accepted genera, including 22 new genera and 10 newly assigned genera. Most of these genera (except for Chaetosphaeria and several other relatively large genera) are delimitated as monophyletic genera with well-defined diagnostic characters in morphology. The phylogenetic connection of non-phialidic Sporidesmium-like fungi is further confirmed and expanded to 10 different genera. The polyphyletic Codinaea/Dictyochaeta/Tainosphaeria complex is further resolved with a taxonomic framework of 28 monophyletic genera by redelimitation of Codinaea and Dictyochaeta with narrower concept, acceptance of the 16 established genera, and finally introduction of 10 new genera. Chloridium is phylogenetically redefined as monophyletic genus with narrower concept as typified by the type species, but a systematic review in both generic and species level is still needed. For biodiversity of chaetosphaeriaceous fungi, a total of 369 species in 76 genera, including 119 new species, 47 new combinations, and one new name, are documented. The identification keys are provided for most genera, especially the large genera such as Codinaea s. str., Codinaeella, Stilbochaeta, Cryptophiale, Thozetella, Dinemasporium and Pseudolachnella. In addition, ten known species were excluded from the family and reclassified. Systematic revision of several relatively large polyphyletic genera should be conducted in future studies, including Bahusutrabeeja, Ellisembia, Stanjehughesia, Cacumisporium, Chaetosphaeria, Chloridium, Craspedodidymum, Cryptophiale, Cryptophialoidea, Dictyochaetopsis, Minimidochium, and many published species of Codinaea and Dictyochaeta.

Fungi associated with dead branches of Magnolia grandiflora: A case study from Qujing, China

As a result of an ongoing survey of microfungi associated with garden and ornamental plants in Qijing, Yunnan, China, several saprobic fungal taxa were isolated from Magnolia grandiflora. Both morphological and combined SSU, LSU, ITS, tef1, and rpb2 locus phylogenetic analyses (maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses) were carried out to identify the fungal taxa. Three new species are introduced in Pleosporales, viz., Lonicericola qujingensis (Parabambusicolaceae), Phragmocamarosporium magnoliae, and Periacma qujingensis (Lentitheciaceae). Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diplodia mutila, and Diplodia seriata (in Botryosphaeriaceae) are reported from Magnolia grandiflora for the first time in China. Angustimassarina populi (Amorosiaceae) is reported for the first time on M. grandiflora from China, and this is the first report of a member of this genus outside Europe. Shearia formosa is also reported for the first time on M. grandiflora from China.

Morpho-Molecular Characterization of Microfungi Associated with Phyllostachys (Poaceae) in Sichuan, China

In the present study, we surveyed the ascomycetes from bamboo of Phyllostachys across Sichuan Province, China. A biphasic approach based on morphological characteristics and multigene phylogeny confirmed seven species, including one new genus, two new species, and five new host record species. A novel genus Paralloneottiosporina is introduced to accommodate Pa. sichuanensis that was collected from leaves of Phyllostachys violascens. Moreover, the newly introduced species Bifusisporella sichuanensis was isolated from leaves of P. edulis, and five species were newly recorded on bamboos, four species belonging to Apiospora, viz. Ap. yunnana, Ap. neosubglobosa, Ap. jiangxiensis, and Ap. hydei, and the last species, Seriascoma yunnanense, isolated from dead culms of P. heterocycla. Morphologically similar and phylogenetically related taxa were compared. Comprehensive descriptions, color photo plates of micromorphology are provided.

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal two new species of Sporocadaceae from Hainan, China

Species of Sporocadaceae have often been reported as plant pathogens, endophytes or saprophytes and are commonly isolated from a wide range of plant hosts. The isolated fungi were studied through a complete examination, based on multilocus phylogenies from combined datasets of ITS/tub2/tef1, in conjunction with morphological characteristics. Nine strains were isolated from Ficusmicrocarpa, Ilexchinensis and Schimasuperba in China which represented four species, viz., Monochaetiaschimaesp. nov., Neopestalotiopsishaikouensissp. nov., Neopestalotiopsispiceana and Pestalotiopsislicualicola. Neopestalotiopsispiceana was a new country record for China and first host record from Ficusmacrocarpa. Pestalotiopsislicualicola was first report from Ilexchinensis in China.

Insight into the Taxonomic Resolution of the Pleosporalean Species Associated with Dead Woody Litter in Natural Forests from Yunnan, China

In the course of investigating the systematics of woody litter micromycete associates in Yunnan Province, China, we found one new species in Phaeoseptaceae, one new genus and three new species in Sulcatisporaceae from 16 specimens collected (ten collections of ascomycetous teleomorphs, four collections of hyphomycetous and two collections of coelomycetes anamorphs) from Ailaoshan, Chuxiong, Diqing, Honghe, Kunming, Lancang, Mengla and Yuxi in Yunnan Province. These taxonomic novelties were recognized with the aid of morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses of multiple gene sequences (non-translated loci and protein-coding regions). Pleopunctum menglaense sp. nov. is accommodated in Phaeoseptaceae (Pleosporales) based on its hyphomycetous anamorph, which is characterized by superficial sporodochia on the host surface, macronematous, mononematous, cylindrical, unbranched, aseptate, hyaline and smooth-walled conidiophores, monoblastic, terminal, hyaline conidiogenous cells, hyaline, muriform α conidia, and brown, muriform β conidia with tri-lobed wing like basal cells. Kazuakitanaka gen. nov. (type: K. yuxiensis) is introduced in Sulcatisporaceae (Massarineae, Pleosporales) for a saprobic ascomycete with teleomorphic and anamorphic (coelomycetous) features. The teleomorph possesses globose to subglobose ascomata with acentric ostiole, a peridial wall of textura angularis to textura prismatica, cylindric-clavate, pedicellate asci with an ocular chamber, and 1–2-septate, hyaline, fusiform, guttulate ascospores with a distinct mucilaginous sheath. The anamorph features pycnidial conidiomata, phialidic, ampulliform to cylindrical, hyaline conidiogenous cells and ampulliform to cylindrical, one-to-three-septate, hyaline, guttulate conidia. Loculosulcatispora was known only from its anamorph of L. thailandica. We observed the teleomorph of Loculosulcatispora hongheensis sp. nov. and amended the generic description of Loculosulcatispora accordingly. Loculosulcatispora hongheensis is characterized by globose to subglobose ascomata with a central ostiole, a peridial wall of textura angularis to globosa, branched, septate, pseudoparaphyses, clavate asci with a short pedicel and a minute ocular chamber and hyaline, fusiform, 1-septate ascospores with a thick irregular mucilaginous sheath. This study provides some insights into the diversity of fungi on dead woody litter in terrestrial habitats.

Mucor septatiphorus nom. nov. and other Mucor species recorded from the Brazilian upland forest

During a survey of mucoralean diversity in three different fragments of upland forest located in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco, Brazil, 14 species of Mucor were recorded; twelve of them reported for the first time from upland forest areas. We propose a replacement name for Mucor septatus nom. illeg. and present detailed descriptions and illustrations of the specimens isolated.

Current Insight into Traditional and Modern Methods in Fungal Diversity Estimates

Fungi are an important and diverse component in various ecosystems. The methods to identify different fungi are an important step in any mycological study. Classical methods of fungal identification, which rely mainly on morphological characteristics and modern use of DNA based molecular techniques, have proven to be very helpful to explore their taxonomic identity. In the present compilation, we provide detailed information on estimates of fungi provided by different mycologistsover time. Along with this, a comprehensive analysis of the importance of classical and molecular methods is also presented. In orderto understand the utility of genus and species specific markers in fungal identification, a polyphasic approach to investigate various fungi is also presented in this paper. An account of the study of various fungi based on culture-based and cultureindependent methods is also provided here to understand the development and significance of both approaches. The available information on classical and modern methods compiled in this study revealed that the DNA based molecular studies are still scant, and more studies are required to achieve the accurate estimation of fungi present on earth.

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.

Two New Species and Three New Records of Ascomycetes in Korea

During a survey of plant-inhabiting fungi and water niches from Korea, noteworthy fungi were collected; among them, two new species, Paracamarosporium noviaquum sp. nov. and Phyllosticta gwangjuensis sp. nov., are described based on morphology and multi-gene phylogenies. Paracamarosporium noviaquum was characterized by its production of 1-celled and 2-celled conidia, forming conidiomata on only potato dextrose agar medium. Phyllosticta gwangjuensis was characterized by conidia hyaline, ovoid to ellipsoid shape, rounded at both ends, containing numerous guttulae or with a single large central guttule. Additional species were identified as Cosmospora lavitskiae, Monochaetia cameliae, and Roussoella doimaesalongensis, which are reported as new record species from Korea. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of these taxa are provided herein.

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.

Verrucoccum (Dothideomycetes, Dictyosporiaceae), a new genus of lichenicolous fungi on Lobaria s. lat. for the Dothidea hymeniicola species complex

Two lichenicolous fungi, one growing on the thallus of Lobaria pulmonaria in the United Kingdom (Scotland) and the other in apothecia of Lobaria linita and L. oregana in northwestern North America (Alaska and British Columbia) and northeast Asia (Russian Far East, Khabarovsk Krai), show similarities to the species originally described as Dothidea hymeniicola (later transferred to Polycoccum s. lat and Endococcus) from a Lobaria s. lat. species in Central America. Critical morphological comparison showed that, despite the superficial resemblance between Alaskan, Canadian, Russian, and Scottish collections and the holotype of Dothidea hymeniicola, they can be distinguished by detailed microscopic analyses. Using three molecular markers, sequences of the nuc 18S, 28S, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA regions of the recent Scottish and Alaskan collections were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed separation of the species and revealed them as a new lineage in Pleosporales, for which the new generic name Verrucoccum is introduced for the three species: V. coppinsii, sp. nov., V. hymeniicola, comb. nov. (syn. Dothidea hymeniicola), and V. spribillei, sp. nov.

Mycosands: Fungal diversity and abundance in beach sand and recreational waters - Relevance to human health

The goal of most studies published on sand contaminants is to gather and discuss knowledge to avoid faecal contamination of water by run-offs and tide-retractions. Other life forms in the sand, however, are seldom studied but always pointed out as relevant. The Mycosands initiative was created to generate data on fungi in beach sands and waters, of both coastal and freshwater inland bathing sites. A team of medical mycologists and water quality specialists explored the sand culturable mycobiota of 91 bathing sites, and water of 67 of these, spanning from the Atlantic to the Eastern Mediterranean coasts, including the Italian lakes and the Adriatic, Baltic, and Black Seas. Sydney (Australia) was also included in the study. Thirteen countries took part in the initiative. The present study considered several fungal parameters (all fungi, several species of the genus Aspergillus and Candida and the genera themselves, plus other yeasts, allergenic fungi, dematiaceous fungi and dermatophytes). The study considered four variables that the team expected would influence the results of the analytical parameters, such as coast or inland location, urban and non-urban sites, period of the year, geographical proximity and type of sediment. The genera most frequently found were Aspergillus spp., Candida spp., Fusarium spp. and Cryptococcus spp. both in sand and in water. A site-blind median was found to be 89 Colony-Forming Units (CFU) of fungi per gram of sand in coastal and inland freshwaters, with variability between 0 and 6400 CFU/g. For freshwater sites, that number was 201.7 CFU/g (0, 6400 CFU/g (p = 0.01)) and for coastal sites was 76.7 CFU/g (0, 3497.5 CFU/g). For coastal waters and all waters, the median was 0 CFU/ml (0, 1592 CFU/ml) and for freshwaters 6.7 (0, 310.0) CFU/ml (p < 0.001). The results advocate that beaches should be monitored for fungi for safer use and better management.

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.

Impacts of Sodium Arsenite on Wood Microbiota of Esca-Diseased Grapevines

Although sodium arsenite was widely used in Europe until its ban in 2003, its effects on microorganisms is not clearly understood. To improve our understanding of sodium arsenite curative effect on GTDs, grapevines displaying esca-foliar symptoms from different French regions (Alsace, Champagne, Languedoc) were treated or not with sodium arsenite, and analyzed for their wood microbiota. Using metabarcoding, we identified the fungal and bacterial taxa composition of microbiota colonizing woody trunk tissues. Large differences in fungal microbiota composition between treated and untreated grapevines were observed while no major impacts were observed on bacteria microbiota. The main fungal species detected in untreated necrotic woody tissues was Fomitiporia mediterranea (63-94%), a fungal pathogen associated with esca. The relative abundance of this fungal species significantly decreased after sodium arsenite treatment in the three vineyards, in particular in white-rot necrotic tissues and their borders (-90%). F. mediterranea was the most sensitive to sodium arsenite among fungi from grapevine woody tissues. These results strongly suggest that the effect of sodium arsenite on GTDs is due to its ability to efficiently and almost specifically eliminate F. mediterranea from white-rot necrotic tissues, allowing saprobic fungi to colonize the tissues previously occupied by this pathogenic fungus.

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.

Morpho-molecular characterization of Discosia ravennica sp. nov. and a new host record for Sporocadus rosigena

Collections of fungal samples from two dead leaf specimens from Italy were subjected to morphological examination and phylogenetic analyses. Two coelomycetous taxa belonging to two different genera in Xylariomycetidae, Sordariomycetes, namely Discosia and Sporocadus, were identified. The Discosia taxon is revealed as a new species and is herein introduced as Discosia ravennica sp. nov. while the Sporocadus taxon is identified as Sporocadus rosigena. Multi-locus phylogeny based on DNA sequence data of the large subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal genes, β-tubulin (β-tub) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) showed that D. ravennica is related to D. neofraxinea but it forms an independent lineage that supports its new species status. The new taxon also differs from other Discosia species by its unilocular to bilocular, superficial and applanate conidiomata with basal stroma composed of cells of textura angularis, elongate-ampulliform conidiogenous cells and conidia smaller in size. Sporocadus rosigena is here reported as a new host record from Quercus ilex from Italy. Descriptions, illustrations and molecular data for both species are provided in this paper.

Morpho-Phylo Taxonomy of Novel Dothideomycetous Fungi Associated With Dead Woody Twigs in Yunnan Province, China

Within the field of mycology, macrofungi have been relatively well-studied when compared to microfungi. However, the diversity and distribution of microfungi inhabiting woody material have not received the same degree of research attention, especially in relatively unexplored regions, such as Yunnan Province, China. To help address this knowledge gap, we collected and examined fungal specimens from different plants at various locations across Yunnan Province. Our investigation led to the discovery of four species that are clearly distinct from extant ones. These taxonomic novelties were recognized based on morphological comparisons coupled with phylogenetic analyses of multiple gene sequences (non-translated loci and protein-coding regions). The monotypic genus Neoheleiosa gen. nov. (type: N. lincangensis) is introduced in Monoblastiaceae (Monoblastiales) for a woody-based saprobic ascomycete that possesses globose to subglobose or obpyriform ascomata with centric or eccentric, papillate ostioles, an ascomatal wall with thin-walled cells of textura globulosa, cylindric, pedicellate asci with an ocular chamber, and 1-septate, brown, guttulate, longitudinally striated, bicellular ascospores. Neoheleiosa has a close phylogenetic affinity to Heleiosa, nevertheless, it is morphologically dissimilar by its peridium cells and ornamented ascospores. Acrocalymma hongheense and A. yuxiense are described and illustrated as new species in Acrocalymmaceae. Acrocalymma hongheense is introduced with sexual and asexual (coelomycetous) features. The sexual morph is characterized by globose to subglobose, ostiolate ascomata, a peridium with textura angularis cells, cylindric-clavate asci with a furcate to truncate pedicel and an ocular chamber, hyaline, fusiform, 1-septate ascospores which are surrounded by a thick, distinct sheath, and the asexual morph is featured by pycnidial conidiomata, subcylindrical, hyaline, smooth, annelledic, conidiogenous cells, hyaline, guttulate, subcylindrical, aseptate conidia with mucoid ooze at the apex and with a rounded hilum at the base. Acrocalymma yuxiense is phylogenetically distinct from other extant species of Acrocalymma and differs from other taxa in Acrocalymma in having conidia with three vertical eusepta. Magnibotryascoma kunmingense sp. nov. is accommodated in Teichosporaceae based on its coelomycetous asexual morph which is characterized by pycnidial, globose to subglobose, papillate conidiomata, enteroblastic, annelledic, discrete, cylindrical to oblong, hyaline conidiogenous cells arising from the inner layer of pycnidium wall, subglobose, oval, guttulate, pale brown and unicelled conidia.

Cryptic diversity found in Didymellaceae from Australian native legumes

Ascochytakoolunga (Didymellaceae, Pleosporales) was first described in 2009 (as Phomakoolunga) and identified as the causal agent of Ascochyta blight of Pisumsativum (field pea) in South Australia. Since then A.koolunga has not been reported anywhere else in the world, and its origins and occurrence on other legume (Fabaceae) species remains unknown. Blight and leaf spot diseases of Australian native, pasture and naturalised legumes were studied to investigate a possible native origin of A.koolunga.

Ascochytakoolunga was not detected on native, naturalised or pasture legumes that had leaf spot symptoms, in any of the studied regions in southern Australia, and only one isolate was recovered from P.sativum. However, we isolated five novel species in the Didymellaceae from leaf spots of Australian native legumes from commercial field pea regions throughout southern Australia. The novel species were classified on the basis of morphology and phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region and part of the RNA polymerase II subunit B gene region. Three of these species, Nothophomagarlbiwalawardasp. nov., Nothophomanaiawusp. nov. and Nothophomangayawangsp. nov., were isolated from Sennaartemisioides. The other species described here are Epicoccumdjirangnandirisp. nov. from Swainsonagalegifolia and Neodidymelliopsistinkyukukusp. nov. from Hardenbergiaviolacea. In addition, we report three new host-pathogen associations in Australia, namely Didymellapinodes on S.artemisioides and Viciacracca, and D.lethalis on Lathyrustingitanus. This is also the first report of Didymellaprosopidis in Australia.

Integrating Different Lines of Evidence to Establish a Novel Ascomycete Genus and Family (Anastomitrabeculia, Anastomitrabeculiaceae) in Pleosporales

A novel genus, Anastomitrabeculia, is introduced herein for a distinct species, Anastomitrabeculia didymospora, collected as a saprobe on dead bamboo culms from a freshwater stream in Thailand. Anastomitrabeculia is distinct in its trabeculate pseudoparaphyses and ascospores with longitudinally striate wall ornamentation. A new family, Anastomitrabeculiaceae, is introduced to accommodate Anastomitrabeculia. Anastomitrabeculiaceae forms an independent lineage basal to Halojulellaceae in Pleosporales and it is closely related to Neohendersoniaceae based on phylogenetic analyses of a combined LSU, SSU and TEF1α dataset. In addition, divergence time estimates provide further support for the establishment of Anastomitrabeculiaceae. The family diverged around 84 million years ago (MYA) during the Cretaceous period, which supports the establishment of the new family. The crown and stem age of Anastomitrabeculiaceae was also compared to morphologically similar pleosporalean families.

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.

Remotididymella ageratinae sp. nov. and Remotididymella anemophila sp. nov., two novel species isolated from the invasive weed Ageratina adenophora in PR China

To determine if Ageratina adenophora can accumulate diverse pathogens from surrounding native plants, we intensively sampled fungal communities, including endophytes, leaf spot pathogens and canopy air fungi, associated with Ag. adenophora as well as native plants in its invasive range. In total, we collected 4542 foliar fungal strains from 10 geographic sites, including 1340 from healthy leaves of Ag. adenophora, 2051 from leaf spots of Ag. adenophora and 1151 from leaf spots of 56 species of native plants and crops. Taxonomically, the common fungal genera included Colletotrichum, Diaporthe, Alternaria, Nemania, Xylaria, Neofusicoccum, Nigrospora, Epicoccum, Gibberella, Pestalotiopsis, Irpex, Schizophyllum and Clonostachys. We also isolated the cultivable fungi from 12 air samples collected from six areas in Yunnan Province, PR China. Among the total of 1255 air fungal isolates, the most common genera were Cladosporium, Trichoderma and Epicoccum. Among them, two new Remotididymella species, Remotididymella ageratinae from leaf spot of Ag. adenophora and Remotididymella anemophila from canopy air of Ag. adenophora were found. The two species showed both asexual and sexual reproductive structures. The conidia of R. ageratinae and R. anemophila are larger than those of R. anthropophila and R. destructiva. The size of ascospores of R. ageratinae and R. anemophila also differ from R. bauhiniae. Phylogenetic analysis of the combined ITS, LSU rRNA, rpb2 and tub2 sequences showed that R. ageratinae and R. anemophila each formed a distinct clade, separated from all species previously described in Remotididymella and confirmed them as new species belonging to Remotididymella. Full descriptions of R. ageratinae and R. anemophila are provided in this study.

Mycosphaerangium and Neomelanconium (Cenangiaceae) are closest relatives: phylogenetic relationships, morphology and a new species

Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multigene matrix of partial nuSSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, RPB1, RPB2 and TEF1 sequences and by morphological evidence, the genus Mycosphaerangium is shown to be the closest relative of Neomelanconium, and confirmed to be a member of the Cenangiaceae (Leotiomycetes). While Mycosphaerangium and Neomelanconium share many traits like similar conidia, conidiogenesis, asci and ascospores, their apothecia differ particularly in excipular features and are therefore recognized as distinct genera. Mycosphaerangium tiliae, described from North America, is excluded from the genus but shown to represent the sexual morph of the European Neomelanconium gelatosporum, and it is therefore synonymized with the latter. Based on morphology, Neomelanconium deightonii is assumed to be congeneric with Neomelanconium gelatosporum, and it is lectotypified. Dermatea tetraspora and Phaeangium magnisporum, the basionyms of Mycosphaerangium tetrasporum and M. magnisporum, respectively, are lectotypified as well, and for M. tetrasporum, the asexual morph is recorded for the first time. Mycosphaerangium quercinum sp. nov. is described as a new species from various Quercus hosts in Europe, where it is shown to be widely distributed. It morphologically and ecologically closely resembles the North American M. tetrasporum, but differs in paraphysis and ascospore morphology and by croziers at its ascus base. The three accepted species of Mycosphaerangium and the two of Neomelanconium are described and illustrated. Mycosphaerangium magnisporum, M. quercinum and M. tetrasporum are recorded to be constantly associated with species of Coryneum, indicating a fungicolous habit, but no evidence for fungal associations has been found in Neomelanconium deightonii and N. gelatosporum.