Revising the Schizoparmaceae: Coniella and its synonyms Pilidiella and Schizoparme

Temperature-Dependent Sporulation of the Fungus Coniella diplodiella, the Causal Agent of Grape White Rot

White rot, caused by the fungus Coniella diplodiella, can severely reduce grapevine yields worldwide. Currently, white rot control mainly relies on fungicides applied on a calendar basis or following hailstorms that favor disease outbreaks; however, the control achieved with this strategy is often inconsistent or otherwise unsatisfactory. Realizing more rational control requires an improved understanding of white rot epidemiology. To this end, we conducted experiments with grapevine berries of two Vitis vinifera cultivars (either injured or not before artificial inoculation with a conidial suspension of C. diplodiella) to determine the effect of temperature on the length of latency (i.e., the time between infection and onset of mature pycnidia on berries) and the production of pycnidia and conidia. Sporulation occurred between 10 and 35°C, with the optimum detected at 20°C. The latency period (LP) was shorter at 25 to 35°C than at lower temperatures; the shortest LP was 120 h at 30°C on injured berries. Affected berries produced abundant conidia at 15 to 30°C (the optimum was 20°C) for more than 2 months following inoculation. Mathematical equations were developed that fit the data, with strong associations with temperature for the LP (R2 = 0.831) and for the production dynamics of secondary conidia (R2 = 0.918). These equations may contribute to the development of a risk algorithm to predict infection periods, which can inform risk-based disease control strategies rather than calendar-based disease control strategies.

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.

Characterization of Coniella granati Isolates Causing Pomegranate Decline in Italy

Coniella granati, the causal agent of pomegranate crown rot, twig blight, and fruit decay, is an emerging worldwide pathogen with a heavy impact on pomegranate cultivation. In this study, we report the rapid spread of the fungus in Italian pomegranate orchards associated with crown rot symptoms and provide new results on fungal development, baseline sensitivity to different fungicides, and intraspecific variability by analyzing 11 isolates, representative of populations of the pathogen from comparable pomegranate orchards in different regions of Italy. In vitro assays showed that 25 to 30°C was the optimal range for both colony growth and conidial germination, corroborating the results previously obtained for Californian and Greek isolates. According to the baseline sensitivity assay on the response of colony growth and conidial germination to 10 fungicides, fludioxonil, thiophanate-methyl, tebuconazole, and cyprodinil were the most effective. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, carried out using fourteen 10-mer primers, showed very low intraspecific variability (similarity coefficient >0.95), probably as a result of the recent spread of the pathogen in Italy and the uncommon occurrence of the sexual process as a source of genetic variability. In summary, this study provides new knowledge on C. granati that will be helpful for improving pomegranate crown rot management.

Appressoria-Producing Sordariomycetes Taxa Associated with Jasminum Species

Appressoria are specialized structures formed by certain phytopathogenic fungi during the early stages of the infection process. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in understanding the formation, types, and functions of appressoria. Besides being formed primarily by fungal pathogens, many studies have reported their occurrence in other life modes such as endophytes, epiphytes, and saprobes. In this study, we observed the formation of appressoria in fungal genera that have been found associated with leaf spots and, interestingly, by a saprobic species. We used morphological descriptions and illustrations, molecular phylogeny, coalescent-based Poisson tree processes (PTP) model, inter- and intra-species genetic distances based on their respective DNA markers, and Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Recognition Analysis (GCPSR) to establish a new species (Pseudoplagiostoma jasmini), a Ciliochorella sp., and a new host record (Coniella malaysiana). The Ciliochorella sp. is reported as a saprobe, while Pseudoplagiostoma jasmini and Coniella malaysiana were found to be associated with leaf spots of Jasminum species. All three taxa produce appressoria, and this is the first study that reports the formation of appressoria by a Ciliochorella sp. and a Pseudoplagiostoma sp.

Two new fungal genera (Diaporthales) found on Dipterocarpaceae in Thailand

Diaporthales is a species-rich order of fungi that includes endophytes, saprobes, and pathogens associated with forest plants and crops. They may also occur as parasites or secondary invaders of plant tissues injured or infected by other organisms or inhabit living animal and human tissues, as well as soil. Meanwhile, some severe pathogens wipe out large-scale cultivations of profitable crops, timber monocultures, and forests. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 sequence data, generated using maximum likelihood (ML), maximum parsimony (MP), and MrBayes (BI), we introduce two new genera of Diaporthales found in Dipterocarpaceae in Thailand, namely Pulvinaticonidioma and Subellipsoidispora. Pulvinaticonidioma is characterized by solitary, subglobose, pycnidial, unilocular conidiomata with the internal layers convex and pulvinate at the base; hyaline, unbranched, septate conidiophores; hyaline, phialidic, cylindrical to ampulliform, determinate conidiogenous cells and hyaline, cylindrical, straight, unicellular, and aseptate conidia with obtuse ends. Subellipsoidispora has clavate to broadly fusoid, short pedicellate asci with an indistinct J- apical ring; biturbinate to subellipsoidal, hyaline to pale brown, smooth, guttulate ascospores that are 1-septate and slightly constricted at the septa. Detailed morphological and phylogenetic comparisons of these two new genera are provided in this study.

Pest categorisation of Coniella granati

The EFSA Plant Health Panel performed a pest categorisation of Coniella granati, a clearly defined fungus of the Order Diaporthales and the family Schizoparmaceae, described for the first time in 1876 as Phoma granatii and later named as Pilidiella granati. The pathogen mainly affects Punica granatum (pomegranate) and Rosa spp. (rose), causing fruit rot, shoot blight and cankers on crown and branches. The pathogen is present in North America, South America, as well as in Asia, Africa, Oceania and Eastern Europe and has also been reported in the EU (Greece, Hungary, Italy and Spain), where it is widespread in the major pomegranate growing areas. Coniella granati is not included in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 and there are no interceptions in the EU. This pest categorisation focused on those hosts for which the pathogen was detected and formally identified in natural conditions. Plants for planting, fresh fruits and as well as soil and other plant growing media are the main pathways for the further entry of the pathogen into the EU. Host availability and climate suitability factors occurring in parts of the EU are favourable for the further establishment of the pathogen. In the area of its present distribution, including Italy and Spain, the pathogen has a direct impact in pomegranate orchards as well as during post-harvest storage. Phytosanitary measures are available to prevent the further introduction and spread of the pathogen into the EU. Coniella granati does not satisfy the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as potential Union quarantine pest as it is present in several EU MSs.

Taxonomy and Multigene Phylogeny of Diaporthales in Guizhou Province, China

In a study of fungi isolated from plant material in Guizhou Province, China, we identified 23 strains of Diaporthales belonging to nine species. These are identified from multigene phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, rpb2, tef1, and tub2 gene sequence data coupled with morphological studies. The fungi include a new genus (Pseudomastigosporella) in Foliocryphiaceae isolated from Acer palmatum and Hypericum patulum, a new species of Chrysofolia isolated from Coriaria nepalensis, and five new species of Diaporthe isolated from Juglans regia, Eucommia ulmoides, and Hypericum patulum. Gnomoniopsis rosae and Coniella quercicola are newly recorded species for China.

New and Interesting Fungi. 5

Nine new genera, 17 new species, nine new combinations, seven epitypes, three lectotypes, one neotype, and 14 interesting new host and / or geographical records are introduced in this study. New genera: Neobarrmaelia (based on Neobarrmaelia hyphaenes), Neobryochiton (based on Neobryochiton narthecii), Neocamarographium (based on Neocamarographium carpini), Nothocladosporium (based on Nothocladosporium syzygii), Nothopseudocercospora (based on Nothopseudocercospora dictamni), Paracamarographium (based on Paracamarographium koreanum), Pseudohormonema (based on Pseudohormonema sordidus), Quasiphoma (based on Quasiphoma hyphaenes), Rapidomyces (based on Rapidomyces narthecii). New species: Ascocorticium sorbicola (on leaves of Sorbus aucuparia, Belgium), Dactylaria retrophylli (on leaves of Retrophyllum rospigliosii, Colombia), Dactylellina miltoniae (on twigs of Miltonia clowesii, Colombia), Exophiala eucalyptigena (on dead leaves of Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. viminalis supporting Idolothrips spectrum, Australia), Idriellomyces syzygii (on leaves of Syzygium chordatum, South Africa), Microcera lichenicola (on Parmelia sulcata, Netherlands), Neobarrmaelia hyphaenes (on leaves of Hyphaene sp., South Africa), Neobryochiton narthecii (on dead leaves of Narthecium ossifragum, Netherlands), Niesslia pseudoexilis (on dead leaf of Quercus petraea, Serbia), Nothocladosporium syzygii (on leaves of Syzygium chordatum, South Africa), Nothotrimmatostroma corymbiae (on leaves of Corymbia henryi, South Africa), Phaeosphaeria hyphaenes (on leaves of Hyphaene sp., South Africa), Pseudohormonema sordidus (on a from human pacemaker, USA), Quasiphoma hyphaenes (on leaves of Hyphaene sp., South Africa), Rapidomyces narthecii (on dead leaves of Narthecium ossifragum, Netherlands), Reticulascus parahennebertii (on dead culm of Juncus inflexus, Netherlands), Scytalidium philadelphianum (from compressed air in a factory, USA). New combinations: Neobarrmaelia serenoae, Nothopseudocercospora dictamni, Dothiora viticola, Floricola sulcata, Neocamarographium carpini, Paracamarographium koreanum, Rhexocercosporidium bellocense, Russula lilacina. Epitypes: Elsinoe corni (on leaves of Cornus florida, USA), Leptopeltis litigiosa (on dead leaf fronds of Pteridium aquilinum, Netherlands), Nothopseudocercospora dictamni (on living leaves of Dictamnus albus, Russia), Ramularia arvensis (on leaves of Potentilla reptans, Netherlands), Rhexocercosporidium bellocense (on leaves of Verbascum sp., Germany), Rhopographus filicinus (on dead leaf fronds of Pteridium aquilinum, Netherlands), Septoria robiniae (on leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia, Belgium). Lectotypes: Leptopeltis litigiosa (on Pteridium aquilinum, France), Rhopographus filicinus (on dead leaf fronds of Pteridium aquilinum, Netherlands), Septoria robiniae (on leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia, Belgium). Neotype: Camarographium stephensii (on dead leaf fronds of Pteridium aquilinum, Netherlands). Citation: Crous PW, Begoude BAD, Boers J, Braun U, Declercq B, Dijksterhuis J, Elliott TF, Garay-Rodriguez GA, Jurjević Ž, Kruse J, Linde CC, Loyd A, Mound L, Osieck ER, Rivera-Vargas LI, Quimbita AM, Rodas CA, Roux J, Schumacher RK, Starink-Willemse M, Thangavel R, Trappe JM, van Iperen AL, Van Steenwinkel C, Wells A, Wingfield MJ, Yilmaz N, Groenewald JZ (2022) New and Interesting Fungi. 5. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 10: 19-90. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2022.10.02.

First report of Coniella koreana causing leaf blight on Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum (Chinese Fringe Flower) in Sichuan, China

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum (Chinese Fringe Flower) is widely distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, as well as northern India. It is a popular landscape plant for its red evergreen foliage and its showy red flowers in the spring. In July 2020, This leaf blight was discovered in Chengdu city (30°42＇41＂N, 103°51＇58＂E). In June 2021, the disease incidence rate at two places in Wenjiang District of Chengdu was 76% and 64%, respectively. The symptoms began to appear from May to June, worsened from July to August, and then disappeared gradually in November. Initially, brown-edged irregular necrotic patches appeared at the leaf margins. Progressively, the patches increased in number, expanded to leaf middle, and turned grayish-white. The scattered black fruiting bodies (conidia) were appeared at patches under humid conditions. Eventually, the leaves tended to dry up and fall off. Infected tissues from five samples and collected were cut into small pieces 2×2 mm, surface sterilized for 30 s in 3% sodium hypochlorite, 60 s in 75% ethanol, rinsed three times in sterile water, placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 25℃ in the dark. A total of eight isolates were collected, five isolates exhibited similar culture characteristics while two were Nigrospora sp. and one was a Fusarium sp.. The five similar isolates produced sparse, grayish-withe mycelia with a flat elevation and curled margin. Abundant globose and yellow pycnidia were formed on the PDA surface and arranged in irregular concentric zones. Conidia were 18.20 to 22.36 × 2.64 to 3.05 μm (average 20.36 × 2.82 μm, n=50) in size, fusiform, sickle-shaped, aseptate. DNA was extracted from the representative strain (HMcj B03), and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (LSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α), and the DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2), were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced with primers ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), LR0R/LR7 (Rehner and Samuels 1994; Vilaglys and Hester 1990), 728F/986R (Carbome and Kohn 1999), and 5F2/7cR (Alvarez et al. 2016), respectively. The sequences were deposited in GenBank, viz. OL468959, OL469170, OL489770, and OL855833, respectively. BLAST analysis showed >98.7% identity with several reference sequences of Coniella koreana strain CBS 143.97 and Coniella quercicola strain CBS 904.69, deposited in GenBank. A conidial suspension (1 × 107 conidia/mL) having 0.05% Tween 80 buffer was used for foliar inoculation of 6-year-old Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum plants for pathogenicity test. Ten leaves of each plant (10 pots in total) were inoculated with spore suspensions (20 μL onto the wounded sites). An equal number of control leaves were sprayed with 0.05% Tween 80 buffer to serve as a control. The experiment was repeated three times, and all plants were incubated in a growth chamber (a 12h light and 12h dark period, 25°C, RH > 80%). Twenty days later, all the inoculated leaves showed similar symptoms as the original diseased plants, however, the controls remained asymptomatic. The C. koreana was re-isolated from the infected leaves. To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. chinense var. rubrum caused by C. koreana in China. The discovery of this new disease will provide useful information for developing effective control strategies, and prove beneficial in reducing economic losses in floral product.

Postharvest Rot of Pomegranate Fruit in Southern Italy: Characterization of the Main Pathogens

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an emerging crop in Italy and particularly in southern regions, such as Apulia, Basilicata, and Sicily, due to favorable climatic conditions. The crop is affected by several pathogenic fungi, primarily in the field, but also during postharvest phases. The most important postharvest fungal diseases in pomegranate are gray and blue molds, black heart and black spot, anthracnose, dry rot, and various soft rots. The limited number of fungicides allowed for treatment in the field and the lack of postharvest fungicides make it difficult to control latent, quiescent, and incipient fungal infections. Symptomatic pomegranates from southern Italy were sampled and isolated fungi were morphologically and molecularly characterized. The data obtained revealed that various species of Penicillium sensu lato (including Talaromyces genus), Alternaria spp., Coniella granati, and Botrytis cinerea were the principal etiological agents of postharvest pomegranate fruit diseases; other relevant pathogens, although less represented, were ascribable to Aspergillus sect. nigri, Colletotrichum acutatum sensu stricto, and Cytospora punicae. About two thirds of the isolated pathogens were responsible for latent infections. The results obtained may be useful in planning phytosanitary control strategies from the field to storage, so as to reduce yield losses.

First report of Coniella granati causing leaf spot of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in Hungary

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), the hystoric fruit and ornamental crop native to Iran and North India is widely planted in the Mediterranean and became popular in the house gardens of northest parts of Europe (Fernandez et al. 2014) including Hungary. In August 2020 necrotic black lesions and serious defoliation were observed on 60% of 1-3 year old pomegranate trees (cv. Wonderful) in a horticultural nursery near Gödöllő, Hungary (47°36'00.9"N 19°21'26.5"E). Symptoms started as small irregular dark brown spots on the leaves, which later increased in size (2.6 ± 0.9 mm). Ultimately, the entire leaf turned yellow, defoliation resulted in damage on (6) - 8 - (15)% of the leaves. Then, black pycnidia with unicelled, elliptical to fusiform, colourless conidia (Avg. 50 conidia: 2.4 - (3.6) - 3.9 × 10.2 - (13,1) - 17.9 µm) developed on the surface. These morphological features matched those described earlier by Van Niekerk et al. (2004) and Alvarez et al. (2016) for C. granati. Conidia from pycnidia were directly transferred to potato dextrose agar (PDA) by sterile needle. The plates were incubated at 24°C in the dark. Light yellow colonies with whitish aerial mycelia and later black globose pycnidia were observed. Mass of conidia oozed from pycnidia after 15 days of incubation. Pathogenicity tests were carried out on 1-year-old potted P. granatum trees (cv. Wonderful) with 5 replicates in the greenhouse. Ten, randomly selected leaves were inoculated per plant. 7-mm mycelial plugs from the edge of 10-day-old colonies were placed directly on disinfested (2% NaOCl solution, than sterile distilled water) leaves. The plants were covered with plastic film for 3 days after inoculation (26±3°C and 87±3% relative humidity). Pathogenicity was also tested on nonwounded, surface-disinfested fruits by mycelial plugs in 3 × 3 replicates. Inoculated fruits were placed in large grass vessels for 15 days (24±2°C and 80±5% relative humidity). Uncolonized, sterile PDA plugs were used as controls in both cases. Dark brown legions developed after 9-12 days on the plants in the greenhouse. On pomegranate fruits, the fungus colonized the fruit after 7-8 days, followed by fruit rot. In some cases, after 2 weeks pycnidia developed on the skin surface. No decay were present on control leaves or fruits. The pathogen was reisolated from all infected tissues and identified as C. granati, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. For molecular identification, total genomic DNA of the isolate was extracted from the growing margins of colonies on PDA and partial sequence of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) were amplified by PCR using primers described by Alvarez et al. (2016). Sequence data of the Hungarian isolate of the ITS region (GenBank acc. no. MW581953) showed 99.8% identity (559 bp out of 560 bp) with C. granati sequences deposited in GeneBank (Acc. nos. MH860368, MH855389 and KX833582). Considering tef1 sequence of the Hungarian isolate (OM908764) obtained had complete identity with other published C. granati isolates (KX833676, KX833682). C. granati has been previously reported on pomegranate from Europe (Palou et al. 2010, Pollastro et al. 2016). Based on morphological and molecular studies, this is the first record of C. granati in Hungary. The economic importance of this disease in currently limited in Hungary due to pomegranate is rather an ornamental crop, however, the first cultivation trials have been already started. There is a risk that the spread of the pathogen began with the infected propagating material, as a result the disease may outbreak anywhere in the country.

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.

Effects of Temperature and Wetness Duration on Infection by Coniella diplodiella, the Fungus Causing White Rot of Grape Berries

Grapevine white rot, caused by Coniella diplodiella, can severely damage berries during ripening. The effects of temperature and wetness duration on the infection severity of C. diplodiella were investigated by artificially inoculating grape berries through via infection pathways (uninjured and injured berries, and through pedicels). The effect of temperature on incubation was also studied, as was that of inoculum dose. Injured berries were affected sooner than uninjured berries, even though 100% of the berries inoculated with C. diplodiella conidia became rotted whether injured or not; infection through pedicels was less severe. On injured berries, the disease increased as the inoculum dose increased. Irrespective of the infection pathway, 1 h of wetness was sufficient to cause infection at any temperature tested (10–35 °C); with the optimal temperature being 23.8 °C. The length of incubation was shorter for injured berries than for uninjured ones, and was shorter at 25–35 °C than at lower temperatures; the shortest incubation period was 14 h for injured berries at 30 °C. Mathematical equations were developed that fit the data, with R² = 0.93 for infection through any infection pathway, and R² = 0.98 for incubation on injured berries, which could be used to predict infection period and, therefore, to schedule fungicide applications.

Micromelanconis kaihuiae gen. et sp. nov., a new diaporthalean fungus from Chinese chestnut branches in southern China

Melanconis-like fungi are distributed in several families of Diaporthales, mainly Juglanconidaceae, Melanconidaceae, Melanconiellaceae and Pseudomelanconidaceae. A new Melanconis-like genus of Pseudomelanconidaceae was discovered on branches of Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) in southern China, which was confirmed by both morphology and phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, LSU, tef1a and rpb2 sequences. The new genus Micromelanconis is characterized by two types of conidia from natural substrate and manual media of PDA, respectively. Conidia from Chinese chestnut branches are pale brown, ellipsoid, multiguttulate, aseptate with hyaline sheath. While conidia from PDA plates are pale brown, long dumbbell-shaped, narrow at the middle and wide at both ends, multiguttulate, aseptate, and also with hyaline sheath. All Pseudomelanconidaceae species were only reported on tree branches in China until now. More interesting taxa may be discovered if detailed surveys on tree-inhabiting fungi are carried out in East Asia in the future.

Identification and Characterization of Leaf-Inhabiting Fungi from Castanea Plantations in China

Two Castanea plant species, C. henryi and C. mollissima, are cultivated in China to produce chestnut crops. Leaf spot diseases commonly occur in Castanea plantations, however, little is known about the fungal species associated with chestnut leaf spots. In this study, leaf samples of C. henryi and C. mollissima were collected from Beijing, Guizhou, Hunan, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces, and leaf-inhabiting fungi were identified based on morphology and phylogeny. As a result, twenty-six fungal species were confirmed, including one new family, one new genus, and five new species. The new taxa are Pyrisporaceae fam. nov., Pyrispora gen. nov., Aureobasidium castaneae sp. nov., Discosia castaneae sp. nov., Monochaetia castaneae sp. nov., Neopestalotiopsis sichuanensis sp. nov. and Pyrispora castaneae sp. nov.

Genome Assembly and Transcriptome Analysis of the Fungus Coniella diplodiella During Infection on Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

Grape white rot caused by Coniella diplodiella (Speg.) affects the production and quality of grapevine in China and other grapevine-growing countries. Despite the importance of C. diplodiella as a serious disease-causing agent in grape, the genome information and molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenicity are poorly understood. To bridge this gap, 40.93 Mbp of C. diplodiella strain WR01 was de novo assembled. A total of 9,403 putative protein-coding genes were predicted. Among these, 608 and 248 genes are potentially secreted proteins and candidate effector proteins (CEPs), respectively. Additionally, the transcriptome of C. diplodiella was analyzed after feeding with crude grapevine leaf homogenates, which reveals the transcriptional expression of 9,115 genes. Gene ontology enrichment analysis indicated that the highly enriched genes are related with carbohydrate metabolism and secondary metabolite synthesis. Forty-three putative effectors were cloned from C. diplodiella, and applied for further functional analysis. Among them, one protein exhibited strong effect in the suppression of BCL2-associated X (BAX)-induced hypersensitive response after transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. This work facilitates valuable genetic basis for understanding the molecular mechanism underlying C. diplodiella-grapevine interaction.

Conidial heat resistance of various strains of the food spoilage fungus Paecilomyces variotii correlates with mean spore size, spore shape and size distribution

Contamination by spores is often the cause of fungal food spoilage. Some distinct strains of the food spoilage fungus Paecilomyces variotii are able to produce airborne conidia that are more heat-resistant than similar species. These ellipsoid asexual spores can vary in size between strains, but also within strains. Here, we compared four measurement techniques to measure conidia size and distribution of five heat-sensitive and five heat-resistant P. variotii strains. Light microscopy (LM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Coulter Counter (CC) were used to measure and compare the spherical equivalent diameter, while CC and flow cytometry were used to study spore size distributions. The flow cytometry data was useful to study spore size distributions, but only relative spore sizes were obtained. There was no statistic difference between the method used of spore size measurement between LM, SEM and CC, but spore size was significantly different between strains with a 2.4-fold volume difference between the extremes. Various size distribution and shape parameters were correlated with conidial heat resistance. We found significant correlations in mean spore size, aspect ratio, roundness and skewness in relation to heat resistance, which suggests that these parameters are indicative for the conidial heat resistance of a P. variotii strain.

The phoma-like dilemma

Species of Didymellaceae have a cosmopolitan distribution and are geographically widespread, occurring in diverse ecosystems. The family includes several important plant pathogenic fungi associated with fruit, leaf, stem and root diseases on a wide variety of hosts, as well as endophytic, saprobic and clinically relevant species. The Didymellaceae was recently revised based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses of ex-type strains subjected to DNA sequencing of partial gene data of the LSU, ITS, rpb2 and tub2 loci. Several poly- and paraphyletic genera, including Ascochyta, Didymella and Phoma were redefined, along with the introduction of new genera. In the present study, a global collection of 1 124 Didymellaceae strains from 92 countries, 121 plant families and 55 other substrates, including air, coral, human tissues, house dust, fungi, insects, soil, and water were examined via multi-locus phylogenetic analyses and detailed morphological comparisons, representing the broadest sampling of Didymellaceae to date. Among these, 97 isolates representing seven new genera, 40 new species and 21 new combinations were newly introduced in Didymellaceae. In addition, six epitypes and six neotypes were designated to stabilise the taxonomy and use of older names. A robust, multi-locus reference phylogenetic tree of Didymellaceae was generated. In addition, rpb2 was revealed as the most effective locus for the identification of Didymellaceae at species level, and is proposed as a secondary DNA marker for the family.

Reevaluating Cryphonectriaceae and allied families in Diaporthales

The Diaporthales (Sordariomycetes) includes many important families of plant pathogenic fungi, such as the notorious Cryphonectriaceae. The aim of the present study was to reevaluate this family, along with other families in Diaporthales. Based on phylogenetic analyses using combined sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, large subunit of the nrDNA (28S), and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α) and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) genes, Cryphonectriaceae is separated into two subclades, comprising 21 genera and 55 species. Foliocryphiaceae, fam. nov., is morphologically and phylogenetically its closest relative but is distinct due to its phylogeny and dimorphic conidia. Mastigosporellaceae, fam. nov., is distinguished from other families in Diaporthales by owning apical conidial appendages. Neocryphonectria, gen. nov., within the family Foliocryphiaceae, with two species associated with Carpinus canker in China, is characterized by fusoid, aseptate macroconidia. Additionally, two new combinations are proposed, namely, Cryphonectria citrine, based on Chromendothia citrine, and Cytospora viridistroma, based on Endothia viridistoma. Based on results obtained in this study, 31 families are accepted into Diaporthales.

Dwiroopa punicae sp. nov. (Dwiroopaceae fam. nov., Diaporthales), associated with leaf spot and fruit rot of pomegranate (Punica granatum)

During a survey of diseases affecting pomegranate in the southeastern USA we identified a unique species of Diaporthales causing leaf spotting and fruit rot. Objectives of this study were to provide a morphological description of the putative new species, use DNA sequence data of three gene loci (LSU, ITS and rpb2) to accurately place the fungus within the Diaporthales, and to prove Koch's postulates. Morphological and phylogenetic comparisons confirmed the fungus to represent a new species and family, for which the names Dwiroopa punicae sp. nov. and Dwiroopaceae fam. nov. are proposed. This is the first report of a species of Dwiroopa being pathogenic to Punica granatum.

Diaporthalean fungi associated with canker and dieback of trees from Mount Dongling in Beijing, China

Diaporthales is a fungal order comprising important plant pathogens, saprobes and endophytes on a wide range of woody hosts. It is often difficult to differentiate the pathogens in this order, since both the morphology and disease symptoms are similar among the various species. In the current study, we obtained 15 representative diaporthalean isolates from six tree hosts belonging to plant families Betulaceae, Fagaceae, Juglandaceae, Rosaceae, and Ulmaceae from Mount Dongling in China. Six species were identified residing in four families of Diaporthales (Diaporthaceae, Erythrogloeaceae, Juglanconidaceae and Melanconidaceae). Based on morphological comparison and the phylogenetic analyses of partial ITS, LSU, cal, his3, rpb2, tef1-α and tub2 gene sequences, we identified five known species (Diaporthe betulina, D. eres, D. rostrata, Juglamconis oblonga and Melanconis stilbostoma) and one novel species (Dendrostoma donglinensis). These results represent the first study of diaporthalean fungi associated with canker and dieback symptoms from Mount Dongling in Beijing, China.

Foliar pathogens of eucalypts

Species of eucalypts are commonly cultivated for solid wood and pulp products. The expansion of commercially managed eucalypt plantations has chiefly been driven by their rapid growth and suitability for propagation across a very wide variety of sites and climatic conditions. Infection of foliar fungal pathogens of eucalypts is resulting in increasingly negative impacts on commercial forest industries globally. To assist in evaluating this threat, the present study provides a global perspective on foliar pathogens of eucalypts. We treat 110 different genera including species associated with foliar disease symptoms of these hosts. The vast majority of these fungi have been grown in axenic culture, and subjected to DNA sequence analysis, resolving their phylogeny. During the course of this study several new genera and species were encountered, and these are described. New genera include: Lembosiniella (L. eucalyptorum on E. dunnii, Australia), Neosonderhenia (N. eucalypti on E. costata, Australia), Neothyriopsis (N. sphaerospora on E. camaldulensis, South Africa), Neotrichosphaeria (N. eucalypticola on E. deglupta, Australia), Nothotrimmatostroma (N. bifarium on E. dalrympleana, Australia), Nowamyces (incl. Nowamycetaceae fam. nov., N. globulus on E. globulus, Australia), and Walkaminomyces (W. medusae on E. alba, Australia). New species include (all from Australia): Disculoides fraxinoides on E. fraxinoides, Elsinoe piperitae on E. piperita, Fusculina regnans on E. regnans, Marthamyces johnstonii on E. dunnii, Neofusicoccum corticosae on E. corticosa, Neotrimmatostroma dalrympleanae on E. dalrympleana, Nowamyces piperitae on E. piperita, Phaeothyriolum dunnii on E. dunnii, Pseudophloeospora eucalyptigena on E. obliqua, Pseudophloeospora jollyi on Eucalyptus sp., Quambalaria tasmaniae on Eucalyptus sp., Q. rugosae on E. rugosa, Sonderhenia radiata on E. radiata, Teratosphaeria pseudonubilosa on E. globulus and Thyrinula dunnii on E. dunnii. A new name is also proposed for Heteroconium eucalypti as Thyrinula uruguayensis on E. dunnii, Uruguay. Although many of these genera and species are commonly associated with disease problems, several appear to be opportunists developing on stressed or dying tissues. For the majority of these fungi, pathogenicity remains to be determined. This represents an important goal for forest pathologists and biologists in the future. Consequently, this study will promote renewed interest in foliar pathogens of eucalypts, leading to investigations that will provide an improved understanding of the biology of these fungi.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 868-950

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Australia, Chaetomella pseudocircinoseta and Coniella pseudodiospyri on Eucalyptus microcorys leaves, Cladophialophora eucalypti, Teratosphaeria dunnii and Vermiculariopsiella dunnii on Eucalyptus dunnii leaves, Cylindrium grande and Hypsotheca eucalyptorum on Eucalyptus grandis leaves, Elsinoe salignae on Eucalyptus saligna leaves, Marasmius lebeliae on litter of regenerating subtropical rainforest, Phialoseptomonium eucalypti (incl. Phialoseptomonium gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus grandis × camaldulensis leaves, Phlogicylindrium pawpawense on Eucalyptus tereticornis leaves, Phyllosticta longicauda as an endophyte from healthy Eustrephus latifolius leaves, Pseudosydowia eucalyptorum on Eucalyptus sp. leaves, Saitozyma wallum on Banksia aemula leaves, Teratosphaeria henryi on Corymbia henryi leaves. Brazil, Aspergillus bezerrae, Backusella azygospora, Mariannaea terricola and Talaromyces pernambucoensis from soil, Calonectria matogrossensis on Eucalyptus urophylla leaves, Calvatia brasiliensis on soil, Carcinomyces nordestinensis on Bromelia antiacantha leaves, Dendryphiella stromaticola on small branches of an unidentified plant, Nigrospora brasiliensis on Nopalea cochenillifera leaves, Penicillium alagoense as a leaf endophyte on a Miconia sp., Podosordaria nigrobrunnea on dung, Spegazzinia bromeliacearum as a leaf endophyte on Tilandsia catimbauensis, Xylobolus brasiliensis on decaying wood. Bulgaria, Kazachstania molopis from the gut of the beetle Molops piceus. Croatia, Mollisia endocrystallina from a fallen decorticated Picea abies tree trunk. Ecuador, Hygrocybe rodomaculata on soil. Hungary, Alfoldia vorosii (incl. Alfoldia gen. nov.) from Juniperus communis roots, Kiskunsagia ubrizsyi (incl. Kiskunsagia gen. nov.) from Fumana procumbens roots. India, Aureobasidium tremulum as laboratory contaminant, Leucosporidium himalayensis and Naganishia indica from windblown dust on glaciers. Italy, Neodevriesia cycadicola on Cycas sp. leaves, Pseudocercospora pseudomyrticola on Myrtus communis leaves, Ramularia pistaciae on Pistacia lentiscus leaves, Neognomoniopsis quercina (incl. Neognomoniopsis gen. nov.) on Quercus ilex leaves. Japan, Diaporthe fructicola on Passiflora edulis × P. edulis f. flavicarpa fruit, Entoloma nipponicum on leaf litter in a mixed Cryptomeria japonica and Acer spp. forest. Macedonia, Astraeus macedonicus on soil. Malaysia, Fusicladium eucalyptigenum on Eucalyptus sp. twigs, Neoacrodontiella eucalypti (incl. Neoacrodontiella gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus urophylla leaves. Mozambique, Meliola gorongosensis on dead Philenoptera violacea leaflets. Nepal, Coniochaeta dendrobiicola from Dendriobium lognicornu roots. New Zealand, Neodevriesia sexualis and Thozetella neonivea on Archontophoenix cunninghamiana leaves. Norway, Calophoma sandfjordenica from a piece of board on a rocky shoreline, Clavaria parvispora on soil, Didymella finnmarkica from a piece of Pinus sylvestris driftwood. Poland, Sugiyamaella trypani from soil. Portugal, Colletotrichum feijoicola from Acca sellowiana. Russia, Crepidotus tobolensis on Populus tremula debris, Entoloma ekaterinae, Entoloma erhardii and Suillus gastroflavus on soil, Nakazawaea ambrosiae from the galleries of Ips typographus under the bark of Picea abies. Slovenia, Pluteus ludwigii on twigs of broadleaved trees. South Africa, Anungitiomyces stellenboschiensis (incl. Anungitiomyces gen. nov.) and Niesslia stellenboschiana on Eucalyptus sp. leaves, Beltraniella pseudoportoricensis on Podocarpus falcatus leaf litter, Corynespora encephalarti on Encephalartos sp. leaves, Cytospora pavettae on Pavetta revoluta leaves, Helminthosporium erythrinicola on Erythrina humeana leaves, Helminthosporium syzygii on a Syzygium sp. bark canker, Libertasomyces aloeticus on Aloe sp. leaves, Penicillium lunae from Musa sp. fruit, Phyllosticta lauridiae on Lauridia tetragona leaves, Pseudotruncatella bolusanthi (incl. Pseudotruncatellaceae fam. nov.) and Dactylella bolusanthi on Bolusanthus speciosus leaves. Spain, Apenidiella foetida on submerged plant debris, Inocybe grammatoides on Quercus ilex subsp. ilex forest humus, Ossicaulis salomii on soil, Phialemonium guarroi from soil. Thailand, Pantospora chromolaenae on Chromolaena odorata leaves. Ukraine, Cadophora helianthi from Helianthus annuus stems. USA, Boletus pseudopinophilus on soil under slash pine, Botryotrichum foricae, Penicillium americanum and Penicillium minnesotense from air. Vietnam, Lycoperdon vietnamense on soil. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.

Phylogenetic relationships of Phaeochorella parinarii and recognition of a new family, Phaeochorellaceae (Diaporthales)

Species of Phaeochorella are biotrophic leaf parasites with a tropical distribution, traditionally accepted in the family Phyllachoraceae, Phyllachorales in classifications based on morphological characters. Phylogenetic evidence presented here resolves the relationship of Phaeochorella within the Sordariomycetes, based on a multilocus analysis of partial nuc rDNA large subunit (28S) and internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS), the DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), and the translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1-α) gene. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Phaeochorella belongs to the Diaporthales rather than the Phyllachorales. Phaeochorella parinarii, the type species of the genus, present on native hosts from the Brazilian Cerrado, forms a unique clade with a species of Phaeoappendicospora with high support. Thus, a new family, Phaeochorellaceae, Diaporthales, including both genera, is herein proposed. With the exception of P. parinarii and P. zonata, all other species in Phaeochorella (P. artocarpi, P. ciliata, P. machaerii) were excluded from the genus.

The genus Juglanconis (Diaporthales) on Pterocarya

Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multigene matrix of partial nuSSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, cal, his, ms204, rpb1, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 sequences, recent European and Iranian collections of Melanconium pterocaryae from the type host, Pterocarya fraxinifolia, are shown to be distinct from the Japanese Melanconis pterocaryae from Pterocarya rhoifolia, and both are confirmed as closely related members of the recently described genus Juglanconis. Therefore, the new name Juglanconis japonica is proposed for Melanconis pterocaryae. As no type collection could be traced, Melanconium pterocaryae (syn. J. pterocaryae) is neotypified, described and illustrated, and it is recorded for Europe for the first time. During field surveys in natural stands of P. fraxinifolia in Guilan province (Iran), Juglanconis pterocaryae was consistently isolated from tissues affected by branch and trunk cankers, twig dieback and wood necrosis, indicating that it is the causal agent of these diseases. The external and internal symptoms associated with these trunk diseases are described and illustrated.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 785-867

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Angola, Gnomoniopsis angolensis and Pseudopithomyces angolensis on unknown host plants. Australia, Dothiora corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora, Neoeucasphaeria eucalypti (incl. Neoeucasphaeria gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus sp., Fumagopsis stellae on Eucalyptus sp., Fusculina eucalyptorum (incl. Fusculinaceae fam. nov.) on Eucalyptus socialis, Harknessia corymbiicola on Corymbia maculata, Neocelosporium eucalypti (incl. Neocelosporium gen. nov., Neocelosporiaceae fam. nov. and Neocelosporiales ord. nov.) on Eucalyptus cyanophylla, Neophaeomoniella corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora, Neophaeomoniella eucalyptigena on Eucalyptus pilularis, Pseudoplagiostoma corymbiicola on Corymbia citriodora, Teratosphaeria gracilis on Eucalyptus gracilis, Zasmidium corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora. Brazil, Calonectria hemileiae on pustules of Hemileia vastatrix formed on leaves of Coffea arabica, Calvatia caatinguensis on soil, Cercospora solani-betacei on Solanum betaceum, Clathrus natalensis on soil, Diaporthe poincianellae on Poincianella pyramidalis, Geastrum piquiriunense on soil, Geosmithia carolliae on wing of Carollia perspicillata, Henningsia resupinata on wood, Penicillium guaibinense from soil, Periconia caespitosa from leaf litter, Pseudocercospora styracina on Styrax sp., Simplicillium filiforme as endophyte from Citrullus lanatus, Thozetella pindobacuensis on leaf litter, Xenosonderhenia coussapoae on Coussapoa floccosa. Canary Islands (Spain), Orbilia amarilla on Euphorbia canariensis. Cape Verde Islands, Xylodon jacobaeus on Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Chile, Colletotrichum arboricola on Fuchsia magellanica. Costa Rica, Lasiosphaeria miniovina on tree branch. Ecuador, Ganoderma chocoense on tree trunk. France, Neofitzroyomyces nerii (incl. Neofitzroyomyces gen. nov.) on Nerium oleander. Ghana, Castanediella tereticornis on Eucalyptus tereticornis, Falcocladium africanum on Eucalyptus brassiana, Rachicladosporium corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora. Hungary, Entoloma silvae-frondosae in Carpinus betulus-Pinus sylvestris mixed forest. Iran, Pseudopyricularia persiana on Cyperus sp. Italy, Inocybe roseascens on soil in mixed forest. Laos, Ophiocordyceps houaynhangensis on Coleoptera larva. Malaysia, Monilochaetes melastomae on Melastoma sp. Mexico, Absidia terrestris from soil. Netherlands, Acaulium pannemaniae, Conioscypha boutwelliae, Fusicolla septimanifiniscientiae, Gibellulopsis simonii, Lasionectria hilhorstii, Lectera nordwiniana, Leptodiscella rintelii, Parasarocladium debruynii and Sarocladium dejongiae (incl. Sarocladiaceae fam. nov.) from soil. New Zealand, Gnomoniopsis rosae on Rosa sp. and Neodevriesia metrosideri on Metrosideros sp. Puerto Rico, Neodevriesia coccolobae on Coccoloba uvifera, Neodevriesia tabebuiae and Alfaria tabebuiae on Tabebuia chrysantha. Russia, Amanita paludosa on bogged soil in mixed deciduous forest, Entoloma tiliae in forest of Tilia × europaea, Kwoniella endophytica on Pyrus communis. South Africa, Coniella diospyri on Diospyros mespiliformis, Neomelanconiella combreti (incl. Neomelanconiellaceae fam. nov. and Neomelanconiella gen. nov.) on Combretum sp., Polyphialoseptoria natalensis on unidentified plant host, Pseudorobillarda bolusanthi on Bolusanthus speciosus, Thelonectria pelargonii on Pelargonium sp. Spain, Vermiculariopsiella lauracearum and Anungitopsis lauri on Laurus novocanariensis, Geosmithia xerotolerans from a darkened wall of a house, Pseudopenidiella gallaica on leaf litter. Thailand, Corynespora thailandica on wood, Lareunionomyces loeiensis on leaf litter, Neocochlearomyces chromolaenae (incl. Neocochlearomyces gen. nov.) on Chromolaena odorata, Neomyrmecridium septatum (incl. Neomyrmecridium gen. nov.), Pararamichloridium caricicola on Carex sp., Xenodactylaria thailandica (incl. Xenodactylariaceae fam. nov. and Xenodactylaria gen. nov.), Neomyrmecridium asiaticum and Cymostachys thailandica from unidentified vine. USA, Carolinigaster bonitoi (incl. Carolinigaster gen. nov.) from soil, Penicillium fortuitum from house dust, Phaeotheca shathenatiana (incl. Phaeothecaceae fam. nov.) from twig and cone litter, Pythium wohlseniorum from stream water, Superstratomyces tardicrescens from human eye, Talaromyces iowaense from office air. Vietnam, Fistulinella olivaceoalba on soil. Morphological and culture characteristics along with DNA barcodes are provided.

Allelochaeta (Sporocadaceae): pigmentation lost and gained

The appendaged coelomycete genus Seimatosporium (Sporocadaceae, Sordariomycetes) and some of its purported synonyms Allelochaeta, Diploceras and Vermisporium are re-evaluated. Based on DNA data for five loci (ITS, LSU, rpb2, tub2 and tef1), Seimatosporium is shown to be paraphyletic. The ex-type species of Allelochaeta, Discostromopsis and Vermisporium represent a distinct sister clade to which the oldest name Allelochaeta is applied. These genera were traditionally separated based on a combination of conidial pigmentation, septation, and the nature of their conidial appendages. Allelochaeta is revealed to include taxa with both branched or solitary appendages, that could be cellular or continuous, with conidia being (2-)3(-5)-septate, hyaline, or pigmented, concolourous or versicolourous. This suggests that these characters should be applied at species, and not at the generic level. Conidial pigmentation appears to have been lost or gained several times during the evolution of species within Allelochaeta. In total, 25 new species, 15 new combinations, and 10 new epitypifications are proposed.

New species and records of Coryneum from China

Following the abandonment of dual nomenclature and the implementation of single-name nomenclature for pleomorphic fungi, Coryneum was considered to have priority over Pseudovalsa and was recommended for use. Currently, Coryneum is the only genus in the family Coryneaceae (Diaporthales). However, DNA sequence data are lacking for most Coryneum species, and no detailed phylogenetic analyses of the genus are yet available. In the present study, fresh Coryneum samples were collected from chestnut (Castanea) and oak (Quercus) trees in China and morphologically compared with accepted Coryneum species. Based on morphological characteristics, they were identified as one known species, Coryneum castaneicola, and three novel species described here as C. gigasporum, C. sinense, and C. suttonii. Conidial dimensions and host association were considered major characters for species distinction. The previously unknown sexual morph of C. castaneicola is reported and described. A phylogenetic analysis of nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) and large subunit (28S) sequence data of a representative matrix of Diaporthales confirmed Coryneaceae to represent a monophyletic clade. A phylogenetic analysis of a combined sequence matrix containing the ITS-28S rDNA, the translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1α), and the second largest subunit of the RNA polymerase II (RPB2) of the four Chinese and four additional European Coryneum species was performed, confirming the distinctness of these novel species.

Families and genera of diaporthalean fungi associated with canker and dieback of tree hosts

In this study we accept 25 families in Diaporthales based on phylogenetic analyses using partial ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tef1-α gene sequences. Four different families associated with canker and dieback of tree hosts are morphologically treated and phylogenetically compared. These include three new families (Diaporthostomataceae, Pseudomelanconidaceae, Synnemasporellaceae), and one new genus, Dendrostoma (Erythrogloeaceae). Dendrostoma is newly described from Malus spectabilis, Osmanthusfragrans and Quercusacutissima having fusoid to cylindrical, bicellular ascospores, with three new species namely D. mali, D. osmanthi and D. quercinum. Diaporthostomataceae is characterised by conical and discrete perithecia with bicellular, fusoid ascospores on branches of Machilus leptophylla. Pseudomelanconidaceae is defined by conidiogenous cells with apical collarets and discreet annellations, and the inconspicuous hyaline conidial sheath when mature on Carya cathayensis, compared to morphologically similar families Melanconidaceae and Juglanconidaceae. Synnemasporellaceae is proposed to accommodate fungi with synnematous conidiomata, with descriptions of S. toxicodendri on Toxicodendron sylvestre and S. aculeans on Rhus copallina.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 625-715

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica: Cadophora antarctica from soil. Australia: Alfaria dandenongensis on Cyperaceae, Amphosoma persooniae on Persoonia sp., Anungitea nullicana on Eucalyptus sp., Bagadiella eucalypti on Eucalyptus globulus, Castanediella eucalyptigena on Eucalyptus sp., Cercospora dianellicola on Dianella sp., Cladoriella kinglakensis on Eucalyptus regnans, Cladoriella xanthorrhoeae (incl. Cladoriellaceae fam. nov. and Cladoriellales ord. nov.) on Xanthorrhoea sp., Cochlearomyces eucalypti (incl. Cochlearomyces gen. nov. and Cochlearomycetaceae fam. nov.) on Eucalyptus obliqua, Codinaea lambertiae on Lambertia formosa, Diaporthe obtusifoliae on Acacia obtusifolia, Didymella acaciae on Acacia melanoxylon, Dothidea eucalypti on Eucalyptus dalrympleana, Fitzroyomyces cyperi (incl. Fitzroyomyces gen. nov.) on Cyperaceae, Murramarangomyces corymbiae (incl. Murramarangomyces gen. nov., Murramarangomycetaceae fam. nov. and Murramarangomycetales ord. nov.) on Corymbia maculata, Neoanungitea eucalypti (incl. Neoanungitea gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus obliqua, Neoconiothyrium persooniae (incl. Neoconiothyrium gen. nov.) on Persoonia laurina subsp. laurina, Neocrinula lambertiae (incl. Neocrinulaceae fam. nov.) on Lambertia sp., Ochroconis podocarpi on Podocarpus grayae, Paraphysalospora eucalypti (incl. Paraphysalospora gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus sieberi, Pararamichloridium livistonae (incl. Pararamichloridium gen. nov., Pararamichloridiaceae fam. nov. and Pararamichloridiales ord. nov.) on Livistona sp., Pestalotiopsis dianellae on Dianella sp., Phaeosphaeria gahniae on Gahnia aspera, Phlogicylindrium tereticornis on Eucalyptus tereticornis, Pleopassalora acaciae on Acacia obliquinervia, Pseudodactylaria xanthorrhoeae (incl. Pseudodactylaria gen. nov., Pseudodactylariaceae fam. nov. and Pseudodactylariales ord. nov.) on Xanthorrhoea sp., Pseudosporidesmium lambertiae (incl. Pseudosporidesmiaceae fam. nov.) on Lambertia formosa, Saccharata acaciae on Acacia sp., Saccharata epacridis on Epacris sp., Saccharata hakeigena on Hakea sericea, Seiridium persooniae on Persoonia sp., Semifissispora tooloomensis on Eucalyptus dunnii, Stagonospora lomandrae on Lomandra longifolia, Stagonospora victoriana on Poaceae, Subramaniomyces podocarpi on Podocarpus elatus, Sympoventuria melaleucae on Melaleuca sp., Sympoventuria regnans on Eucalyptus regnans, Trichomerium eucalypti on Eucalyptus tereticornis, Vermiculariopsiella eucalypticola on Eucalyptus dalrympleana, Verrucoconiothyrium acaciae on Acacia falciformis, Xenopassalora petrophiles (incl. Xenopassalora gen. nov.) on Petrophile sp., Zasmidium dasypogonis on Dasypogon sp., Zasmidium gahniicola on Gahnia sieberiana.Brazil: Achaetomium lippiae on Lippia gracilis, Cyathus isometricus on decaying wood, Geastrum caririense on soil, Lycoperdon demoulinii (incl. Lycoperdon subg. Arenicola) on soil, Megatomentella cristata (incl. Megatomentella gen. nov.) on unidentified plant, Mutinus verrucosus on soil, Paraopeba schefflerae (incl. Paraopeba gen. nov.) on Schefflera morototoni, Phyllosticta catimbauensis on Mandevilla catimbauensis, Pseudocercospora angularis on Prunus persica, Pseudophialophora sorghi on Sorghum bicolor, Spumula piptadeniae on Piptadenia paniculata.Bulgaria: Yarrowia parophonii from gut of Parophonus hirsutulus. Croatia: Pyrenopeziza velebitica on Lonicera borbasiana.Cyprus: Peziza halophila on coastal dunes. Czech Republic: Aspergillus contaminans from human fingernail. Ecuador: Cuphophyllus yacurensis on forest soil, Ganoderma podocarpense on fallen tree trunk. England: Pilidium anglicum (incl. Chaetomellales ord. nov.) on Eucalyptus sp. France: Planamyces parisiensis (incl. Planamyces gen. nov.) on wood inside a house. French Guiana: Lactifluus ceraceus on soil. Germany: Talaromyces musae on Musa sp. India: Hyalocladosporiella cannae on Canna indica, Nothophoma raii from soil. Italy: Setophaeosphaeria citri on Citrus reticulata, Yuccamyces citri on Citrus limon.Japan: Glutinomyces brunneus (incl. Glutinomyces gen. nov.) from roots of Quercus sp. Netherlands (all from soil): Collariella hilkhuijsenii, Fusarium petersiae, Gamsia kooimaniorum, Paracremonium binnewijzendii, Phaeoisaria annesophieae, Plectosphaerella niemeijerarum, Striaticonidium deklijnearum, Talaromyces annesophieae, Umbelopsis wiegerinckiae, Vandijckella johannae (incl. Vandijckella gen. nov. and Vandijckellaceae fam. nov.), Verhulstia trisororum (incl. Verhulstia gen. nov.). New Zealand: Lasiosphaeria similisorbina on decorticated wood. Papua New Guinea: Pseudosubramaniomyces gen. nov. (based on Pseudosubramaniomyces fusisaprophyticus comb. nov.). Slovakia: Hemileucoglossum pusillum on soil. South Africa: Tygervalleyomyces podocarpi (incl. Tygervalleyomyces gen. nov.) on Podocarpus falcatus.Spain: Coniella heterospora from herbivorous dung, Hymenochaete macrochloae on Macrochloa tenacissima, Ramaria cistophila on shrubland of Cistus ladanifer.Thailand: Polycephalomyces phaothaiensis on Coleoptera larvae, buried in soil. Uruguay: Penicillium uruguayense from soil. Vietnam: Entoloma nigrovelutinum on forest soil, Volvariella morozovae on wood of unknown tree. Morphological and culture characteristics along with DNA barcodes are provided.

Coniella vitis sp. nov. Is the Common Pathogen of White Rot in Chinese Vineyards

Grape white rot is a common disease and causes considerable yield losses in many grape-growing regions when environmental conditions are favorable. We surveyed grape white rot in five provinces in China and collected 27 isolates from diseased grape tissues. Multigene phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2), the 28S large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA (LSU), partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (TEF 1-α), and partial histone 3 gene (HIS), coupled with genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition and morphological observations, revealed that Coniella vitis sp. nov. and C. diplodiella are the causal agents of grape white rot in China. Koch's postulates were performed on Vitis vinifera cv. Summer Black in a greenhouse. These results confirmed the pathogenicity on grapes, as symptoms were reproduced, and also indicated significant variations in the virulence among C. vitis isolates. This work provides evidence that C. vitis is the main pathogen of grape white rot in China and also provides an optimized multigene backbone for resolving Coniella species.

Nutrient and acetate amendment leads to acetoclastic methane production and microbial community change in a non-producing Australian coal well

Coal mining is responsible for 11% of total anthropogenic methane emission thereby contributing considerably to climate change. Attempts to harvest coalbed methane for energy production are challenged by relatively low methane concentrations. In this study, we investigated whether nutrient and acetate amendment of a non-producing sub-bituminous coal well could transform the system to a methane source. We tracked cell counts, methane production, acetate concentration and geochemical parameters for 25 months in one amended and one unamended coal well in Australia. Additionally, the microbial community was analysed with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing at 17 and 25 months after amendment and complemented by metagenome sequencing at 25 months. We found that cell numbers increased rapidly from 3.0 × 10⁴ cells ml^-1 to 9.9 × 10⁷ in the first 7 months after amendment. However, acetate depletion with concomitant methane production started only after 12-19 months. The microbial community was dominated by complex organic compound degraders (Anaerolineaceae, Rhodocyclaceae and Geobacter spp.), acetoclastic methanogens (Methanothrix spp.) and fungi (Agaricomycetes). Even though the microbial community had the functional potential to convert coal to methane, we observed no indication that coal was actually converted within the time frame of the study. Our results suggest that even though nutrient and acetate amendment stimulated relevant microbial species, it is not a sustainable way to transform non-producing coal wells into bioenergy factories.

Families of Diaporthales based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence

Diaporthales is an important ascomycetous order comprising phytopathogenic, saprobic, and endophytic fungi, but interfamilial taxonomic relationships are still ambiguous. Despite its cosmopolitan distribution and high diversity with distinctive morphologies, this order has received relativelyiaceae, Macrohilaceae, Melanconidaceae, Pseudoplagiostomaceae, Schizoparmaceae, Stilbosporaceae and Sydowiellaceae. Taxonomic uncertainties among genera are also clarified and recurrent discrepancies in the taxonomic position of families within the Diaporthales are discussed. An updated outline and key to families and genera of the order is presented.

Genera of phytopathogenic fungi: GOPHY 1

Genera of Phytopathogenic Fungi (GOPHY) is introduced as a new series of publications in order to provide a stable platform for the taxonomy of phytopathogenic fungi. This first paper focuses on 21 genera of phytopathogenic fungi: Bipolaris, Boeremia, Calonectria, Ceratocystis, Cladosporium, Colletotrichum, Coniella, Curvularia, Monilinia, Neofabraea, Neofusicoccum, Pilidium, Pleiochaeta, Plenodomus, Protostegia, Pseudopyricularia, Puccinia, Saccharata, Thyrostroma, Venturia and Wilsonomyces. For each genus, a morphological description and information about its pathology, distribution, hosts and disease symptoms are provided. In addition, this information is linked to primary and secondary DNA barcodes of the presently accepted species, and relevant literature. Moreover, several novelties are introduced, i.e. new genera, species and combinations, and neo-, lecto- and epitypes designated to provide a stable taxonomy. This first paper includes one new genus, 26 new species, ten new combinations, and four typifications of older names.

Families, genera, and species of Botryosphaeriales

Members of Botryosphaeriales are ecologically diverse, but most commonly associated with leaf spots, fruit and root rots, die-back or cankers of diverse woody hosts. Based on morphology and DNA sequence data, the Botryosphaeriales have to date been shown to contain eight families, with an additional two, Endomelanconiopsisaceae (Endomelanconiopsis) and Pseudofusicoccumaceae (Pseudofusicoccum) being newly described in this study. Furthermore, Oblongocollomyces is introduced as new genus, while Spencermartinsia is reduced to synonymy under Dothiorella. Novel species include Diplodia pyri (Pyrus sp., the Netherlands), Diplodia citricarpa (Citrus sp., Iran), Lasiodiplodia vitis (Vitis vinifera, Italy), L. sterculiae (Sterculia oblonga, Germany), Neofusicoccum pistaciarum (Pistacia vera, USA), N. buxi (Buxus sempervirens, France), N. stellenboschiana (Vitis vinifera, South Africa), and Saccharata hawaiiensis (Protea laurifolia, Hawaii). New combinations are also proposed for Camarosporium pistaciae (associated with fruit rot of Pistacia vera) in Neofusicoccum, and Sphaeria gallae (associated with galls of Quercus) in Diplodia. The combination of large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (LSU)-rpb2 proved effective at delineating taxa at family and generic level. Furthermore, rpb2 also added additional resolution for species delimitation, in combination with ITS, tef1 and tub2. In this study we analysed 499 isolates, and produce an expanded phylogenetic backbone for Botryosphaeriales, which will help to delimit novelties at species, genus and family level in future.