Phylogeny and taxonomy of the genera of Erysiphaceae, part 5: Erysiphe (the "Microsphaera lineage" part 1)

In this contribution, we offer the fifth installment of a series focusing on the phylogeny and taxonomy of powdery mildews. This paper is the second segment evaluating the genus Erysiphe. The first treatment of Erysiphe focused on phylogenetically basal species in the "Uncinula lineage." This research presents a phylogenetic-taxonomic assessment of species that form the group previously referred to as the "Microsphaera lineage." Given the size of the group, we split the treatment of this lineage of Erysiphe species into two parts based on their phylogenetic placement. Phylogenetic trees based on ITS+28S data are supplemented by sequences of additional markers (CAM, GADPH, GS, RPB2, and TUB). Included in the analysis of the Microsphaera lineage is the "Erysiphe aquilegiae complex" (group, clade, cluster), which encompasses sequences obtained from an assemblage of Erysiphe species with insufficient resolution in rDNA analyses. Attempts have been made to resolve this group at the species level by applying a multilocus approach. A detailed discussion of the "Erysiphe aquilegiae complex" is provided. Sequences are provided for the first time for several species, particularly North American species, such as Erysiphe aggregata, E. erineophila, E. parnassiae, and E. semitosta. Ex-type sequences for Microsphaera benzoin and M. magnusii have been retrieved. Alphitomorpha penicillata, Microsphaera vanbruntiana, and M. symphoricarpi are epitypified with ex-epitype sequences. The new species Erysiphe alnicola, E. deutziana, E. cornigena, E. lentaginis, and E. sambucina are described, the new combinations E. lauracearum, E. passiflorae, and E. sambucicola are introduced, and the new name E. santali is proposed.

An expanded concept of Ceratocystis manginecans and five new species in the Latin American clade of Ceratocystis

The genus Ceratocystis contains a number of emerging plant pathogens, mostly members of the Latin American Clade (LAC), in which there are several unresolved taxonomic controversies. Among the most important are Brazilian pathogens in the C. fimbriata complex, C. manginecans and C. eucalypticola. Representatives of C. manginecans and C. eucalypticola from India and China, respectively, were shown to be fully interfertile in laboratory matings, and hybrids between the putative species were identified on Punica in India. An Indian tester strain was sexually compatible with representatives of what has been considered C. fimbriata on numerous hosts across Brazil. In this revision of the LAC, the name C. fimbriata is restricted to the widely dispersed Ipomoea strain, and C. manginecans is recognized as a Brazilian species that is important on Mangifera, Eucalyptus, and many other crops. C. mangivora and C. mangicola are also considered synonyms of C. manginecans. Based on phylogenetics and mating studies, two other Brazilian species are recognized: C. atlantica, sp. nov., and C. alfenasii, sp. nov., each with wide host ranges. Three new Caribbean species are recognized based on phylogenetics and earlier inoculation studies: C. costaricensis, sp. nov., on Coffea, C. cubensis, sp. nov., on Spathodea, and C. xanthosomatis, sp. nov., on the vegetatively propagated aroids Xanthosoma and Syngonium. Some of the other Ceratocystis species were based primarily on unique internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences, but the unreliability of rDNA sequences was demonstrated when intraspecific crossing of isolates with differing ITS sequences generated single-ascospore progeny with intragenomic variation in ITS sequences and others with new ITS sequences. Species recognition in Ceratocystis should use phenotype, including intersterility tests, to help identify which lineages are species. Although some species remain under-studied, we recognize 16 species in the LAC, all believed to be native to Latin America, the Caribbean region, or eastern USA.

Morphological and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses reveal five new hyphomycetes from freshwater habitats

During the survey on freshwater hyphomycetes in Guangxi, Guizhou and Hainan Provinces, China, five fresh collections were encountered. Based on their morphology, these five isolates were identified as belonging to Hermatomyces, Kirschsteiniothelia, Paramonodictys, Pleopunctum and Sparticola. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses were performed for each genus, which resulted in the identification of five new species, namely Hermatomyces hainanensis, Kirschsteiniothelia ramus, Paramonodictys globosa, Pleopunctum guizhouense, and Sparticola irregularis. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the morphological characteristics of these new taxa were provided. This research enriches the biodiversity of freshwater dematiaceous hyphomycetes.

Phylogeny and taxonomy of three species of Blastospora (Pucciniales) from East Asia

Three species of the rust fungus genus Blastospora, Bl. betulae, Bl. itoana, and Bl. smilacis, have been reported in East Asia. Although their morphological characteristics and life cycles have been investigated, their phylogenetic positions have not been clarified sufficiently. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these three species were included into Zaghouaniaceae of Pucciniales. However, Bl. betulae was phylogenetically distinct from Bl. itoana and Bl. smilacis and different from other genera. Based on this result, and applying recent International Code of Nomenclature decisions/recommendations/requirements, Botryosorus, gen. nov., and Bo. deformans,, comb. nov., were applied for Bl. betulae. Two new combinations, Bl. radiata for Bl. itoana and Bl. makinoi for Bl. smilacis, were also applied. Their host plants and distribution were described based on literature records. Zaghouania yunnanensis, comb. nov., was proposed for Cystopsora yunnanensis as a result of this analysis.

Novelties in Microthyriaceae (Microthyriales): Two New Asexual Genera with Three New Species from Freshwater Habitats in Guizhou Province, China

Microthyriaceae is typified by the sexual genus Microthyrium, with eight asexual genera. Three interesting isolates were collected during our investigation of freshwater fungi from the wetlands in Guizhou Province, southwest China. Three new asexual morphs are identified. Phylogenetic analyses using ITS and LSU gene regions revealed the placement of these isolates in Microthyriaceae (Microthyriales, Dothideomycetes). Based on the morphology and phylogenetic evidence, two new asexual genera, Paramirandina and Pseudocorniculariella, and three new species, Pa. aquatica, Pa. cymbiformis, and Ps. guizhouensis, are introduced. Descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa are provided, with a phylogenetic tree of Microthyriales and related taxa.

Russulaceae of the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana. IV. New species forming a distinct lineage of Lactarius subg. Plinthogalus

The Neotropics have recently emerged as an important region for studies of tropical ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. Specific neotropical areas with high ECM host tree densities have ECM fungal diversities rivaling those of higher-latitude forests. Some forests of the Guiana Shield are dominated by endemic ECM trees of the Fabaceae, including species of Dicymbe (subfam. Detarioideae), Aldina (subfam. Papilionoideae), and Pakaraimaea (Cistaceae). One of the most species-rich ECM fungal families present in each of these systems is Russulaceae. Long-term sampling in forests in Guyana's Pakaraima Mountains has revealed a number of species of the Russulaceae genera Lactarius, Lactifluus, and Russula. In this study, we document a previously unknown, distinct lineage of Lactarius subg. Plinthogalus containing eight species from the Guiana Shield. Here, we describe five of these species from Guyana as new to science: Lactarius humiphilus, Lactarius mycenoides, Lactarius guyanensis, Lactarius dicymbophilus, and Lactarius aurantiolamellatus. Morphological descriptions, habit, habitat, and known distribution are provided for each new species. Sequence data for the barcode internal transcribed spacer (ITS) locus are provided for types and most other collections of the new taxa, and a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS, 28S, and RPB2 (second-largest subunit of the RNA polymerase II) loci across the genus Lactarius corroborates their morphology-based infrageneric placement. The discovery of this lineage changes our insights into the biogeography and evolutionary history of Lactarius subg. Plinthogalus.

New species of Tulasnella associated with Australian terrestrial orchids in the subtribes Megastylidinae and Thelymitrinae

Tulasnella (Tulasnellaceae) is a genus of fungus that can form mycorrhizal associations with orchids (Orchidaceae). Here we used molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics of pure cultures across four different media to support the description of five new Tulasnella species associated with commonly occurring and endangered Australian orchids. Tulasnella nerrigaensis associates with Calochilus; T. subasymmetrica and T. kiataensis with Thelymitra; and T. korungensis and T. multinucleata with Pyrorchis and Rimacola respectively. The newly described species were primarily delimited by analyses of five loci: nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS), C14436 (adenosine triphosphate [ATP] synthase), C4102 (glutamate synthase), C3304 (ATP helicase), and mt large subunit 16S rDNA (mtLSU). Tulasnella subasymmetrica is introduced for some isolates previously identified as T. asymmetrica, and this latter species is characterized from multilocus sequencing of a new isolate that matches ITS sequences from the ex-type culture. Morphological differences between the new species are slight. Tulasnella multinucleata has 6-12 nuclei per hyphal compartment which is the first instance of multinucleate rather than binucleate or trinucleate hyphal compartments in Tulasnella. The formal description of these species of Tulasnella will aid in future evolutionary and ecological studies of orchid-fungal interactions.

Phylogenetic analysis reveals the new genus Amoenoboletus from Asia and New Zealand

The Asia-Pacific region is renowned to harbor nearly half of the global hot spots of biodiversity. Accordingly, many endemic species of boletes have already been recorded from this geographic region. However, the majority of the specific descriptions of reported boletoid species follow classical concepts of taxonomy, and by comparison only a few taxa have been corroborated by modern molecular techniques. In this study, we focused on specimens in a new clade uncovered by our previous studies. By careful reexamination of macroscopic and microscopic characters of Boletus granulopunctatus, originally described from Japan, and Xerocomus mcrobbii, originally described from New Zealand, we discovered a new genus and species Amoenoboletus miraculosus from Sabah, Malaysia. In addition, three new combinations in Amoenoboletus are proposed, and a dichotomous key to species in the genus is provided. The phylogenetically close relationship among Amoenoboletus species suggests a tight geographic correlation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses reveal two new genera and three new species of ophiostomatalean fungi from termite fungus combs

The Ophiostomatales (Ascomycota) accommodates more than 300 species characterized by similar morphological adaptations to arthropod dispersal. Most species in this order are wood-inhabiting fungi associated with bark or ambrosia beetles. However, a smaller group of species occur in other niches such as in soil and Protea infructescences. Recent surveys of Termitomyces fungus gardens (fungus combs) of fungus-growing termites led to the discovery of characteristic ophiostomatalean-like fruiting structures. In this study, these ophiostomatalean-like fungi were identified using morphological characteristics, conventional molecular markers, and whole genome sequencing. In addition, the influence of the extracts derived from various parts of Termitomyces combs on the growth of these fungi in culture was considered. Based on phylogenomic analyses, two new genera (Intubia and Chrysosphaeria) were introduced to accommodate these ophiostomatalean species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the isolates resided in three well-supported lineages, and these were described as three new species (Intubia macrotermitinarum, I. oerlemansii, and Chrysosphaeria jan-nelii). Culture-based studies showed that these species do not depend on the Termitomyces comb material for growth.

Additions to the knowledge of hydnoid Steccherinaceae: Cabalodontia, Etheirodon, Metuloidea, and Steccherinum

The family Steccherinaceae includes genera with smooth, hydnoid, and poroid hymenophores, monomitic to dimitic hyphal systems, and generative hyphae with clamps or simple septa. Steccherinum is the largest genus in the family, with a worldwide distribution, and is characterized mainly by a dimitic hyphal system and presence of thick-walled encrusted cystidia. Species traditionally included in Steccherinum, however, have been transferred to other genera based on results of molecular phylogenetic analyses. Even though knowledge of Steccherinaceae has increased in the past few years, very little is known about the hydnoid species of the family, especially from the Neotropics. In this study, we present morphological and phylogenetic analyses on hydnoid specimens of Steccherinaceae collected in the Neotropics. Molecular data of nuc internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS rDNA (ITS) and portions of nuc 28S rDNA (28S), translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1), and the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb1) were obtained from Brazilian collections. Types and original collections were studied for morphological comparison. Samples we studied grouped in four different genera of Steccherinaceae: Cabalodontia, Etheirodon, Metuloidea, and Steccherinum. Three new neotropical species, Cabalodontia delicata, Etheirodon purpureum, and Steccherinum larssonii, are described. In addition, the new combinations Cabalodontia albofibrillosa and Metuloidea reniformis are proposed. The four genera presented in this study are compared and discussed in detail.

Novel Fusarium mutualists of two Euwallacea species infesting Acacia crassicarpa in Indonesia

Several species in the Euwallacea fornicatus complex have emerged as important pests of woody plants globally, particularly in habitats where they are invasive aliens. These beetles live in obligate symbioses with fungi in the genus Fusarium. In this study, we identified Euwallacea spp. and their fungal mutualists that have emerged as pests of planted Acacia crassicarpa in Riau, Indonesia. Morphological identification and phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) gene confirmed that E. similis and E. perbrevis are the most abundant beetles infesting these trees. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses of their fungal mutualists revealed their nonspecific association with six Fusarium species. These included F. rekanum and five novel Fusarium mutualists within the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC), four of which reside in the Ambrosia Fusarium Clade (AFC). These new species are described here as F. akasia, F. awan, F. mekan, F. variasi, and F. warna.

Four mycangium types and four genera of ambrosia fungi suggest a complex history of fungus farming in the ambrosia beetle tribe Xyloterini

Ambrosia beetles farm fungal cultivars (ambrosia fungi) and carry propagules of the fungal mutualists in storage organs called mycangia, which occur in various body parts and vary greatly in size and complexity. The evolution of ambrosia fungi is closely tied to the evolution and development of the mycangia that carry them. The understudied ambrosia beetle tribe Xyloterini included lineages with uncharacterized ambrosia fungi and mycangia, which presented an opportunity to test whether developments of different mycangium types in a single ambrosia beetle lineage correspond with concomitant diversity in their fungal mutualists. We collected representatives of all three Xyloterini genera (Trypodendron, Indocryphalus, and Xyloterinus politus) and characterized their ambrosia fungi in pure culture and by DNA sequencing. The prothoracic mycangia of seven Trypodendron species all yielded Phialophoropsis (Microascales) ambrosia fungi, including three new species, although these relationships were not all species specific. Indocryphalus mycangia are characterized for the first time in the Asian I. pubipennis. They comprise triangular prothoracic cavities substantially smaller than those of Trypodendron and unexpectedly carry an undescribed species of Toshionella (Microascales), which are otherwise ambrosia fungi of Asian Scolytoplatypus (Scolytoplatypodini). Xyloterinus politus has two different mycangia, each with a different ambrosia fungus: Raffaelea cf. canadensis RNC5 (Ophiostomatales) in oral mycangia of both sexes and Kaarikia abrahamsonii (Sordariomycetes, genus incertae sedis with affinity for Distoseptisporaceae), a new genus and species unrelated to other known ambrosia fungi, in shallow prothoracic mycangia of females. In addition to their highly adapted mycangial mutualists, Trypodendron and X. politus harbor a surprising diversity of facultative symbionts in their galleries, including Raffaelea. A diversity of ambrosia fungi and mycangia suggest multiple ancestral cultivar captures or switches in the history of tribe Xyloterini, each associated with unique adaptations in mycangium anatomy. This further supports the theory that developments of novel mycangium types are critical events in the evolution of ambrosia beetles and their coadapted fungal mutualists.

Commelinaceomyces, gen. nov., for four clavicipitaceous species misplaced in Ustilago that infect Commelinaceae

A fungus causing false smut in the flowers of Murdannia keisak (Commelinaceae, Commelinales, Monocots) in Japan was morphologically identical to Ustilago aneilematis. The fungus infected ovaries of most flowers of host plants. Infected flowers were filled with yellow to orange thick-walled conidia that became olivaceous green at maturity. However, multilocus phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences (18S, 28S, translation elongation factor 1α [TEF], the largest [RPB1] and the second largest [RPB2] subunit of RNA polymerase II) showed that the fungus belonged to the tribe Ustilaginoideae (Clavicipitaceae, Hypocreales, Ascomycota). Microscopic examination showed that the fungus developed conidia at the apex of conidiogenous cells, in contrast to other species in the Ustilaginoideae that develop conidia pleurogenously. A new genus, Commelinaceomyces, is formally proposed in the Ustilaginoideae to accommodate this fungus. Four species previously misplaced in Ustilago (Ustilaginales, Basidiomycota) are transferred to Commelinaceomyces, including the type of the genus, C. aneilematis, on Murdannia keisak. This is the first report of a clavicipitaceous species infecting host plants in the Commelinaceae.

Purple haze: Cryptic purple sequestrate Cortinarius in New Zealand

CORTINARIUS

is a species-rich ectomycorrhizal genus containing taxa that exhibit agaricoid or sequestrate basidiome morphologies. In New Zealand, one of the most recognizable and common Cortinarius species is the purple sequestrate fungus, C. porphyroideus. We used genome skimming of the almost 100-y-old type specimen from C. porphyroideus to obtain the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS barcode) and partial nuc rDNA 28S (28S) sequences. The phylogenetic position of C. porphyroideus was established, and we found that it represents a rarely collected species. Purple sequestrate Cortinarius comprise multiple cryptic species in several lineages. We describe four new species of Cortinarius with strong morphological similarity to C. porphyroideus: Cortinarius diaphorus, C. minorisporus, C. purpureocapitatus, and C. violaceocystidiatus. Based on molecular evidence, Thaxterogaster viola is recognized as Cortinarius violaceovolvatus var. viola. These species are associated with Nothofagus (southern beech) and have very similar morphology to C. porphyroideus but are all phylogenetically distinct based on molecular data.

Taxonomic study of Endogonaceae in the Japanese islands: New species of Endogone, Jimgerdemannia, and Vinositunica, gen. nov

Species of Endogonaceae (Endogonales, Mucoromycotina) are characterized by the formation of relatively large sporocarps and zygosporangia. Numerous species in this family remain undescribed or have unclear phylogenetic positions. In Asia specifically, the species diversity of this family is almost completely unknown. However, many mycobionts of bryophytes belonging to several novel clades in Endogonaceae have recently been identified phylogenetically. Therefore, establishing a robust taxonomic system for this family is essential. We obtained numerous sporocarps of undescribed Endogonaceae-like species from the Japanese islands. Morphological observation and multilocus phylogenetic analysis of nuc 18S rDNA (18S), nuc 28S rDNA (28S), and portions of two nuclear protein-coding regions-translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) and RNA polymerase II large subunit (rpb1)-from these species resulted in the description of one new species each of Endogone and Jimgerdemannia and two new species of Vinositunica, gen. nov. Because Vinositunica is characterized by purplish sporocarps and red-wine-colored chlamydospores up to 700 μm in diameter, we emended the definition of Endogonaceae.

New species of Hohenbuehelia, with comments on the Hohenbuehelia atrocoerulea - Nematoctonus robustus species complex

Four new species of Hohenbuehelia (Fungi: Pleurotaceae) are described in the group of Hohenbuehelia atrocoerulea and Hohenbuehelia grisea. Hohenbuehelia algonquinensis, found on Pinus in Ontario, Canada, may be distinguished macroscopically from bluish collections of H. atrocoerulea and watery grey-brown collections of H. grisea by its coal-black pileus. Hohenbuehelia canadensis, on or associated with Pinus in both Ontario and Alberta, Canada, and Hohenbuehelia nimueae, on Salix in Ontario and Abies in Wyoming, USA, have similarly dark fruiting bodies and were previously misidentified as H. approximans (which we treat as a synonym of H. grisea), H. atrocoerulea, H. mustialensis or H. nigra. The latter species is shown to be a member of Resupinatus, despite the presence of prominent metuloid cystidia in its hymenium. Hohenbuehelia carlothornii has been found in Costa Rica; collections of the sexual fruiting bodies were previously identified as H. grisea and isolates from soil nematodes were identified by the anamorph name Nematoctonus robustus. That name has been treated as a synonym of H. atrocoerulea but, given the genetic and geographic variation within this complex, we transfer it to Hohenbuehelia as a distinct species. Sequences of the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), the D1/D2 variable region of the large subunit gene, and a portion of the translation elongation factor (TEF1) gene provide good separation and support for these new species. A key to the dimidiate species of Hohenbuehelia of North America and Europe is provided.

Phylogeny and global diversity of Porodaedalea, a genus of gymnosperm pathogens in the Hymenochaetales

Porodaedalea is a polypore genus of the Hymenochaetales that encompasses pathogens of conifer trees. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive study of the phylogeny and diversity of Porodaedalea based on collections and isolates from Europe, North America, North Africa, and Asia. Phylogenetic analysis of a two-gene data set, nuc ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), shows that 20 terminal clades that correspond to phylogenetic species well supported within Porodaedalea. Based on morphological evidence, five new species, P. alpicola, P. indica, P. kesiyae, P. microsperma, and P. yunnanensis, are described and illustrated. In addition, four still unnamed lineages are detected in North America and East Asia.

Studies in the Stypella vermiformis group (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota)

Stypella vermiformis is a heterobasidiomycete producing minute gelatinous basidiocarps on rotten wood of conifers in the Northern Hemisphere. In the current literature, Stypella papillata, the genus type of Stypella (described from Brazil), is treated as a taxonomic synonym of S. vermiformis. In the present paper, we revise the type material of S. papillata and a number of specimens addressed to S. vermiformis. As a result, the presumed synonymy of S. papillata and S. vermiformis is rejected and the genus Stypella is restricted to the single species S. papillata. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies of specimens from the Northern Hemisphere corresponding to the current concept of S. vermiformis uncovered three species from two newly described genera. S. vermiformis s.str. is distributed in temperate Europe and has small-sized basidia and basidiospores, and it is placed in a new genus, Mycostilla. Another genus, Stypellopsis, is created for two other species, the North American Stypellopsis farlowii, comb. nov., and the North European Stypellopsis hyperborea, sp. nov. Basidia and basidiospores of Stypellopsis spp. are larger than in Mycostilla vermiformis but other morphological characters are very similar. In addition, Spiculogloea minuta (Spiculogloeomycetes, Pucciniomycotina) is reported as new to Norway, parasitising basidiocarps of M. vermiformis and Tulasnella spp.

A global view of Gyroporus: molecular phylogenetics, diversity patterns, and new species

Gyroporus (Gyroporaceae, Boletales) is a highly diverse genus of poroid ectomycorrhizal mushrooms with a nearly worldwide distribution. Previous attempts to unravel the diversity within this genus proved difficult due to the presence of semicryptic species and ambiguous results from analysis of ribosomal RNA markers. In this study, we employ a combined morphotaxonomic and phylogenetic approach to delimit species and elucidate geographic and evolutionary patterns in Gyroporus. For phylogenetic analyses, the protein-coding genes atp6 (mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate [ATP] synthase subunit 6) and rpb2 (nuclear second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II) were selected based on their utility in studies of Boletales. We infer several distinct clades, most notably one corresponding to G. castaneus as a speciose Northern Hemisphere group, another unifying G. cyanescens and like entities, and a third group unifying G. longicystidiatus and a New World sister species. Also notable is the recovery of a sister relationship between the cyanescens and longicystidiatus clades. We formally describe five new species of Gyroporus, outline a number of provisional species, and briefly discuss distributional patterns. This study provides an important scaffold for future work on this well-known but poorly understood genus of fungi.

Novel diversity in Lactifluus section Gerardii from Asia: five new species with pleurotoid or small agaricoid basidiocarps

The ectomycorrhizal milkcap genus Lactifluus (Russulaceae) is commonly found in tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia. During several sampling expeditions in Thailand, multiple collections of Lactifluus (Lf.) species with pleurotoid or small agaricoid basidiocarps were found. A molecular study was combined with a morphological study, in which the collections were compared with herbarium material. The molecular study indicated that four Thai collections belonged to undescribed species within Lactifluus section Gerardii, as was also the case for herbarium collections of a pleurotoid species from Nepal. One other collection from Thailand appeared closely related to Lf. uyedae, known only from Japan. Five species are described as new in the genus: Lf. auriculiformis, Lf. gerardiellus, Lf. bhandaryi, Lf. pulchrellus, and Lf. raspei.

The diversity of Trichoderma species from soil in South Africa, with five new additions

Fourteen Trichoderma (Hypocreales) species were identified during a survey of the genus in South Africa. These include T. afroharzianum, T. asperelloides, T. asperellum, T. atrobrunneum, T. atroviride, T. camerunense, T. gamsii, T. hamatum, T. koningii, T. koningiopsis, T. saturnisporum, T. spirale, T. virens, and T. viride. Ten of these species were not known to occur in South Africa prior to this investigation. Five additional species were novel and are described here as T. beinartii, T. caeruleimontis, T. chetii, T. restrictum, and T. undulatum. These novel Trichoderma species display morphological traits that are typical of the genus. Based on molecular identification using calmodulin, endochitinase, nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2), RNA polymerase II subunit B, and translation elongation factor 1-α gene sequence data, T. beinartii, T. caeruleimontis, and T. chetii were found to belong to the Longibrachiatum clade, whereas T. restrictum is a member of the Hamatum clade. Trichoderma undulatum occupies a distinct lineage distantly related to other Trichoderma species. Strains of T. beinartii and T. chetii were isolated previously in Hawaii and Israel; however, T. caeruleimontis, T. restrictum, and T. undulatum are so far known only from South Africa.