300份玉米种质对两种灰斑病菌的抗性评价

2013～2016年,采用田间人工接种方法,评价300份玉米种质对两种灰斑病菌玉米尾孢(Cercospora zeina)和玉蜀黍尾孢(Cercospora zeae-maydis)的抗性。结果表明,对玉米尾孢表现高抗、抗和中抗的种质分别为10、100和121份,表现感和高感的种质分别为62份和7份;对玉蜀黍尾孢表现高抗、抗和中抗的种质分别为4、33和78份,表现感和高感的种质分别为137份和48份。76.99%的供试种质对玉米尾孢表现为高抗、抗或中抗,61.67%的供试种质对玉蜀黍尾孢表现为感或高感,玉米尾孢对大多数种质的致病力较玉蜀黍尾孢弱。     

Phylogenetic reassessment of Mycosphaerella spp. and their anamorphs occurring on Eucalyptus. II.

Species of Eucalyptus are widely planted as exotics in the tropics and Southern Hemisphere and to some extent in southern Europe, for timber and fibre production. Species of Mycosphaerella are commonly associated with leaves and twigs of Eucalyptus and can result in defoliation, dieback, and even tree death. In the present study, numerous isolates of Mycosphaerella species were collected from leaf litter, living leaves exhibiting leaf spot symptoms or severe Mycosphaerella leaf blotch symptoms. Isolates were compared based on DNA sequence data for the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1 & ITS2) and the 5.8S gene. These data, together with characteristics of the fungal growth on three different media, morphology of the anamorph and teleomorph structures as well as ascospore germination patterns were used to describe 21 new species.Taxonomic novelties: Colletogloeopsis stellenboschiana Crous sp. nov., Mycosphaerella davisoniellae Crous sp. nov. (anamorph Davisoniella eucalypti H.J. Swart), Mycosphaerella eucalyptorum Crous & M.J. Wingf. sp. nov. Mycosphaerella gamsii Crous sp. nov., Mycosphaerella perpendicularis Crous& M.J. Wingf. sp. nov., Mycosphaerella pluritubularis Crous & J.P. Mansilla sp. nov., Mycosphaerella pseudafricana Crous & T. Coutinho sp. nov., Mycosphaerella pseudocryptica Crous sp. nov. (anamorph Colletogloeopsis sp.), Mycosphaerella pseudoendophytica Crous & G. Hunter sp. nov. (anamorph Pseudocercosporella sp.), Mycosphaerella pseudosuberosa Crous & M.J. Wingf. sp. nov. (anamorph Trimmatostroma sp.), Mycosphaerella quasicercospora Crous & T. Coutinho sp. nov., Mycosphaerella scytalidii Crous & M.J. Wingf. sp. nov. (anamorph Stenella sp., synanamorph, Scytalidium-like.), Mycosphaerella secundaria Crous & A.C. Alfenas sp. nov., Mycosphaerella stramenti Crous & A.C. Alfenas sp. nov., Mycosphaerella stramenticola Crous & A.C. Alfenas sp. nov., Mycosphaerella sumatrensis Crous & M.J. Wingf. sp. nov., Mycosphaerella verrucosiafricana Crous & M.J. Wingf. sp. nov., Septoria eucalyptorum Crous sp. nov., Septoria provencialis Crous sp. nov., Stenella pseudoparkii Crous & M.J. Wingf. sp. nov. (teleomorph Mycosphaerella sp.), Stenella xenoparkii Crous & M.J. Wingf., sp. nov. (teleomorph Mycosphaerella sp.).     

Calonectria species and their Cylindrocladium anamorphs: species with clavate vesicles

The present study compares all known species of Cylindrocladium that have clavate vesicles. Several isolates were obtained from baited soils collected in various parts of the world, while others were associated with leaf litter or symptomatic plant hosts. Isolates were compared based on morphology, as well as DNA sequence data from their β-tubulin and histone gene H3 regions. Cylindrocladium australiense and Cy. ecuadoriae, are described as new species, a decision based on morphology and molecular data. A group of isolates associated with toppling disease of banana in the West Indies is identified as Cy. flexuosum. An epitype is designated for Cy. ilicicola, and a new name, Curvicladiella, proposed to replace the anamorphic genus Curvicladium, which is a homonym.Taxonomic novelties: Cylindrocladium australiense Crous& K.D. Hyde sp. nov., Cylindrocladium ecuadoriae Crous & M.J. Wingf. sp. nov., Curvicladiella Decock & Crous nom. nov., Curvicladiella cignea (Decock & Crous) Decock & Crous comb. nov.     

Pestalotioid fungi from Restionaceae in the Cape Floral Kingdom

Eight pestalotioid fungi were isolated from the Restionaceae growing in the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa. Sarcostroma restionis, Truncatella megaspora, T. restionacearum and T. spadicea are newly described. New records include Pestalotiopsis matildae, Sarcostroma lomatiae, Truncatella betulae and T. hartigii. To resolve generic affiliations, phylogenetic analyses were performed on ITS (ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2) and part of 28S rDNA. DNA data support the original generic concept of Truncatella, which encompasses Pestalotiopsis species having 3-septate conidia. The genus Sarcostroma is retained as separate from Seimatosporium.Taxonomic novelties: Pestalotiopsis matildae (Richatt) S. Lee & Crous comb. nov., Truncatella betulae (Morochk.) S. Lee& Crous comb. nov., Sarcostroma restionis S. Lee & Crous sp. nov., Truncatella megaspora S. Lee & Crous sp. nov., Truncatella restionacearum S. Lee & Crous sp. nov., Truncatella spadicea S. Lee & Crous sp. nov.     

Multigene phylogeny and mating tests reveal three cryptic species related to Calonectria pauciramosa

Calonectria pauciramosa is a pathogen of numerous plant hosts worldwide. Recent studies have indicated that it included cryptic species, some of which are identified in this study. Isolates from various geographical origins were collected and compared based on morphology, DNA sequence data of the β-tubulin, histone H3 and translation elongation factor-1α regions and mating compatibility. Comparisons of the DNA sequence data and mating compatibility revealed three new species. These included Ca. colombiana sp. nov. from Colombia, Ca. polizzii sp. nov. from Italy and Ca. zuluensis sp. nov. from South Africa, all of which had distinguishing morphological features. Based on DNA sequence data, Ca. brasiliensis is also elevated to species level.Taxonomic novelties: Calonectria brasiliensis (Bat. & Cif.) L. Lombard, M.J. Wingf. & Crous, comb. nov., Calonectria colombiana L. Lombard, Crous & M.J. Wingf., sp. nov., Calonectria polizzii L. Lombard, Crous & M.J. Wingf., sp. nov., Calonectria zuluensis L. Lombard, Crous & M.J. Wingf., sp. nov.     

Phylogeny and ecology of the ubiquitous saprobe Cladosporium sphaerospermum,with descriptions of seven new species from hypersaline environments

Saprobic Cladosporium isolates morphologically similar to C. sphaerospermum are phylogenetically analysed on the basis of DNA sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster, including the internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2, the 5.8S rDNA (ITS) and the small subunit (SSU) rDNA as well as β-tubulin and actin gene introns and exons. Most of the C. sphaerospermum-like species show halotolerance as a recurrent feature. Cladosporium sphaerospermum, which is characterised by almost globose conidia, is redefined on the basis of its ex-neotype culture. Cladosporium dominicanum, C. psychrotolerans, C. velox, C. spinulosum and C. halotolerans, all with globoid conidia, are newly described on the basis of phylogenetic analyses and cryptic morphological and physiological characters. Cladosporium halotolerans was isolated from hypersaline water and bathrooms and detected once on dolphin skin. Cladosporium dominicanum and C. velox were isolated from plant material and hypersaline water. Cladosporium psychrotolerans, which grows well at 4 °C but not at 30 °C, and C. spinulosum, having conspicuously ornamented conidia with long digitate projections, are currently only known from hypersaline water. We also newly describe C. salinae from hypersaline water and C. fusiforme from hypersaline water and animal feed. Both species have ovoid to ellipsoid conidia and are therefore reminiscent of C. herbarum. Cladosporium langeronii (= Hormodendrum langeronii) previously described as a pathogen on human skin, is halotolerant but has not yet been recorded from hypersaline environments.Taxonomic novelties: Cladosporium dominicanum Zalar, de Hoog & Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov., C. fusiforme Zalar, de Hoog& Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov., C. halotolerans Zalar, de Hoog & Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov., C. psychrotolerans Zalar, de Hoog & Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov., C. salinae Zalar, de Hoog & Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov., C. spinulosum Zalar, de Hoog & Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov., C. velox Zalar, de Hoog & Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov.     

Taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of nine species of Hypocrea with anamorphs assignable to Trichoderma section Hypocreanum

Morphological studies and phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the nuclear ribosomal gene repeat, a partial sequence of RNA polymerase II subunit (rpb2), and a partial sequence of the large exon of tef1 (LEtef1) were used to investigate the taxonomy and systematics of nine Hypocrea species with anamorphs assignable to Trichoderma sect. Hypocreanum. Hypocrea corticioides and H. sulphurea are reevaluated. Their Trichoderma anamorphs are described and the phylogenetic positions of these species are determined. Hypocrea sulphurea and H. subcitrina are distinct species based on studies of the type specimens. Hypocrea egmontensis is a facultative synonym of the older name H. subcitrina. Hypocrea with anamorphs assignable to Trichoderma sect. Hypocreanum formed a well-supported clade. Five species with anamorphs morphologically similar to sect. Hypocreanum, H. avellanea, H. parmastoi, H. megalocitrina, H. alcalifuscescens, and H. pezizoides, are not located in this clade. Protocrea farinosa belongs to Hypocrea s.s.Taxonomic novelties:Hypocrea eucorticioides Overton, nom. nov., Hypocrea victoriensis Overton, sp. nov., Hypocrea parmastoi Overton, sp. nov., Hypocrea alcalifuscescens Overton, sp. nov.     

Phylogenetic and morphotaxonomic revision of Ramichloridium and allied genera

The phylogeny of the genera Periconiella, Ramichloridium, Rhinocladiella and Veronaea was explored by means of partial sequences of the 28S (LSU) rRNA gene and the ITS region (ITS1, 5.8S rDNA and ITS2). Based on the LSU sequence data, ramichloridium-like species segregate into eight distinct clusters. These include the Capnodiales (Mycosphaerellaceae and Teratosphaeriaceae), the Chaetothyriales (Herpotrichiellaceae), the Pleosporales, and five ascomycete clades with uncertain affinities. The type species of Ramichloridium, R. apiculatum, together with R. musae, R. biverticillatum, R. cerophilum, R. verrucosum, R. pini, and three new species isolated from Strelitzia, Musa and forest soil, respectively, reside in the Capnodiales clade. The human-pathogenic species R. mackenziei and R. basitonum, together with R. fasciculatum and R. anceps, cluster with Rhinocladiella (type species: Rh. atrovirens, Herpotrichiellaceae, Chaetothyriales), and are allocated to this genus. Veronaea botryosa, the type species of the genus Veronaea, also resides in the Chaetothyriales clade, whereas Veronaea simplex clusters as a sister taxon to the Venturiaceae (Pleosporales), and is placed in a new genus, Veronaeopsis. Ramichloridium obovoideum clusters with Carpoligna pleurothecii (anamorph: Pleurothecium sp., Chaetosphaeriales), and a new combination is proposed in Pleurothecium. Other ramichloridium-like clades include R. subulatum and R. epichloës (incertae sedis, Sordariomycetes), for which a new genus, Radulidium is erected. Ramichloridium schulzeri and its varieties are placed in a new genus, Myrmecridium (incertae sedis, Sordariomycetes). The genus Pseudovirgaria (incertae sedis) is introduced to accommodate ramichloridium-like isolates occurring on various species of rust fungi. A veronaea-like isolate from Bertia moriformis with phylogenetic affinity to the Annulatascaceae (Sordariomycetidae) is placed in a new genus, Rhodoveronaea. Besides Ramichloridium, Periconiella is also polyphyletic. Thysanorea is introduced to accommodate Periconiella papuana (Herpotrichiellaceae), which is unrelated to the type species, P. velutina (Mycosphaerellaceae).Taxonomic novelties: Myrmecridium Arzanlou, W. Gams & Crous, gen. nov., Myrmecridium flexuosum (de Hoog) Arzanlou, W. Gams& Crous, comb. et stat. nov., Myrmecridium schulzeri (Sacc.) Arzanlou, W. Gams & Crous var. schulzeri, comb. nov., Myrmecridium schulzeri var. tritici (M.B. Ellis) Arzanlou, W. Gams & Crous, comb. nov., Periconiella arcuata Arzanlou, S. Lee & Crous, sp. nov., Periconiella levispora Arzanlou, W. Gams& Crous, sp. nov., Pleurothecium obovoideum (Matsush.) Arzanlou& Crous, comb. nov., Pseudovirgaria H.D. Shin, U. Braun, Arzanlou& Crous, gen. nov., Pseudovirgaria hyperparasitica H.D. Shin, U. Braun, Arzanlou & Crous, sp. nov., Radulidium Arzanlou, W. Gams& Crous, gen. nov., Radulidium epichloës (Ellis & Dearn.) Arzanlou, W. Gams & Crous, comb. nov., Radulidium subulatum (de Hoog) Arzanlou, W. Gams & Crous, comb. nov., Ramichloridium australiense Arzanlou & Crous, sp. nov., Ramichloridium biverticillatum Arzanlou & Crous, nom. nov., Ramichloridium brasilianum Arzanlou & Crous, sp. nov., Ramichloridium strelitziae Arzanlou, W. Gams & Crous, sp. nov., Rhinocladiella basitona (de Hoog) Arzanlou & Crous, comb. nov., Rhinocladiella fasciculata (V. Rao & de Hoog) Arzanlou & Crous, comb. nov., Rhinocladiella mackenziei (C.K. Campb. & Al-Hedaithy) Arzanlou & Crous, comb. nov., Rhodoveronaea Arzanlou, W. Gams & Crous, gen. nov., Rhodoveronaea varioseptata Arzanlou, W. Gams & Crous, sp. nov., Thysanorea Arzanlou, W. Gams& Crous, gen. nov., Thysanorea papuana (Aptroot) Arzanlou, W. Gams & Crous, comb. nov., Veronaea japonica Arzanlou, W. Gams& Crous, sp. nov., Veronaeopsis Arzanlou & Crous, gen. nov., Veronaeopsis simplex (Papendorf) Arzanlou & Crous, comb.nov.     

Hypocrea rufa/Trichoderma viride: a reassessment,and description of five closely related species with and without warted conidia

The type species of the genus Hypocrea (Hypocreaceae, Hypocreales, Ascomycota, Fungi), H. rufa, is re-defined and epitypified using a combination of phenotype (morphology of teleomorphs and anamorphs, and characteristics in culture) and phylogenetic analyses of the translation-elongation factor 1α gene. Its anamorph, T. viride, the type species of Trichoderma, is re-described and epitypified. Eidamia viridescens is combined as Trichoderma viridescens and is recognised as one of the most morphologically and phylogenetically similar relatives of T. viride. Its teleomorph is newly described as Hypocrea viridescens. Contrary to frequent citations of H. rufa and T. viride in the literature, this species is relatively rare. Although both T. viride and T. viridescens have a wide geographic distribution, their greatest genetic diversity appears to be in Europe and North America. Hypocrea vinosa is characterised and its anamorph, T. vinosum sp. nov., is described. Conidia of T. vinosum are subglobose and warted. The new species T. gamsii is proposed. It shares eidamia-like morphology of conidiophores with T. viridescens, but it has smooth, ellipsoidal conidia that have the longest L/W ratio that we have seen in Trichoderma. Trichoderma scalesiae, an endophyte of trunks of Scalesia pedunculata in the Galapagos Islands, is described as new. It only produces conidia on a low-nutrient agar to which filter paper has been added. Additional phylogenetically distinct clades are recognised and provisionally delimited from the species here described. Trichoderma neokoningii, a T. koningii-like species, is described from a collection made in Peru on a fruit of Theobroma cacao infected with Moniliophthora roreri.Taxonomic novelties:Hypocrea viridescens Jaklitsch & Samuels sp.nov., Trichoderma viridescens (A.S. Horne & H.S. Williamson) Jaklitsch & Samuels comb.nov., T. gamsii Samuels & Druzhinina sp.nov., T. vinosum Samuels sp.nov., T. neokoningii Samuels & Soberanis sp.nov., T. scalesiae Samuels & H.C. Evans sp.nov.     

The Trichoderma koningii aggregate species

The morphological concept of Trichoderma koningii is found to include several species that differ from each other in details of phenotype (including conidium morphology, growth rate) and biogeography. Phylogenetic analysis utilizing partial sequences of the translation-elongation factor 1 alpha (tef1), as well as fragments of actin and calmodulin genes, indicate that phenotypic characters typical of T. koningii evolved independently in three well-separated main lineages. Combined molecular and phenotype data lead to the development of a taxonomy with the recognition of twelve taxonomic species and one variety within the three lineages. These lineages include: (1) T. koningii and T. ovalisporum and the new species T. caribbaeum var. caribbaeum, T. caribbaeum var. aequatoriale, T. dorotheae, T. dingleyae, T. intricatum, T. koningiopsis, T. petersenii and T. taiwanense; (2) the new species T. rogersonii and T. austrokoningii, and (3) the new anamorph T. stilbohypoxyli.Trichoderma koningii s. str. is an uncommon species restricted to Europe and eastern North America; T. caribbaeum var. aequatoriale, T. koningiopsis, and T. ovalisporum were isolated as endophytes of trunks of Theobroma species in tropical America, and T. ovalisporum from the woody liana Banisteropsis caapi in Ecuador; T. koningiopsis is common in tropical America but was isolated also from natural substrata in East Africa, Europe and Canada, and from ascospores in eastern North America, and as an endophyte in Theobroma species; T. stilbohypoxyli, originally described as a parasite of Stilbohypoxylon species in Puerto Rico, is found to be more common in the tropics, besides an endophytic isolate from Fagus in U.K. The additional new species are known almost exclusively from their teleomorphs. Isolates of T. ovalisporum and T. koningiopsis may have biological control potential. A morphophenetic key and a set of tools for molecular species identification were developed.Taxonomic novelties:Trichoderma austrokoningii/Hypocrea austrokoningii Samuels & Druzhinina sp.nov., T. caribbaeum var caribbaeum/H. caribbaea Samuels& Schroers sp.nov., T. caribbaeum var. aequatoriale Samuels & H.C. Evans var.nov., T. dingleyae/H. dingleyae Samuels & Dodd sp.nov., T. dorotheae/H. dorotheae Samuels & Dodd sp.nov., T. intricatum/H. intricata Samuels & Dodd sp.nov., T. koningiopsis/H. koningiopsis Samuels, C. Suarez& H.C. Evans sp.nov., T. petersenii/H. petersenii Samuels, Dodd & Schroers sp.nov., T. rogersonii/H. rogersonii Samuels sp.nov., T. stilbohypoxyli Samuels & Schroers sp.nov., T. taiwanense/H. taiwanensis Samuels & M.L. Wu sp.nov.     

Biodiversity of the genus Cladophialophora

Cladophialophora is a genus of black yeast-like fungi comprising a number of clinically highly significant species in addition to environmental taxa. The genus has previously been characterized by branched chains of ellipsoidal to fusiform conidia. However, this character was shown to have evolved several times independently in the order Chaetothyriales. On the basis of a multigene phylogeny (nucLSU, nucSSU, RPB1), most of the species of Cladophialophora (including its generic type C. carrionii) belong to a monophyletic group comprising two main clades (carrionii- and bantiana-clades). The genus includes species causing chromoblastomycosis and other skin infections, as well as disseminated and cerebral infections, often in immunocompetent individuals. In the present study, multilocus phylogenetic analyses were combined to a morphological study to characterize phenetically similar Cladophialophora strains. Sequences of the ITS region, partial Translation Elongation Factor 1-α and β-Tubulin genes were analysed for a set of 48 strains. Four novel species were discovered, originating from soft drinks, alkylbenzene-polluted soil, and infected patients. Membership of the both carrionii and bantiana clades might be indicative of potential virulence to humans.Taxonomic novelties: Cladophialophora samoënsis Badali, de Hoog & Padhye, sp. nov., Cladophialophora subtilis Badali & de Hoog, sp. nov., Cladophialophora mycetomatis Badali, de Hoog & Bonifaz, sp. nov., Cladophialophora immunda Badali, Satow, Prenafeta-Boldú, Padhye & de Hoog, sp. nov.     

Drought meets acid: three new genera in a dothidealean clade of extremotolerant fungi

Fungal strains isolated from rocks and lichens collected in the Antarctic ice-free area of the Victoria Land, one of the coldest and driest habitats on earth, were found in two phylogenetically isolated positions within the subclass Dothideomycetidae. They are here reported as new genera and species, Recurvomyces mirabilis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Elasticomyces elasticus gen. nov., sp. nov. The nearest neighbours within the clades were other rock-inhabiting fungi from dry environments, either cold or hot. Plant-associated Mycosphaerella-like species, known as invaders of leathery leaves in semi-arid climates, are also phylogenetically related with the new taxa. The clusters are also related to the halophilic species Hortaea werneckii, as well as to acidophilic fungi. One of the latter, able to grow at pH 0, is Scytalidium acidophilum, which is ascribed here to the newly validated genus Acidomyces. The ecological implications of this finding are discussed.Taxonomic novelties: Recurvomyces Selbmann & de Hoog, gen. nov.; Recurvomyces mirabilis Selbmann & de Hoog, sp. nov.; Elasticomyces Zucconi & Selbmann, gen. nov.; Elasticomyces elasticus Zucconi & Selbmann, sp. nov.; Acidomyces Selbmann, de Hoog & De Leo, gen. nov.; Acidomyces acidophilus (Sigler & J.W. Carmich.) Selbmann, de Hoog & De Leo, comb. nov.     

Opportunistic,human-pathogenic species in the Herpotrichiellaceae are phenotypically similar to saprobic or phytopathogenic species in the Venturiaceae

Although morphologically similar, species of Cladophialophora (Herpotrichiellaceae) were shown to be phylogenetically distinct from Pseudocladosporium (Venturiaceae), which was revealed to be synonymous with the older genus, Fusicladium. Other than being associated with human disorders, species of Cladophialophora were found to also be phytopathogenic, or to occur as saprobes on organic material, or in water, fruit juices, or sports drinks, along with species of Exophiala. Caproventuria and Metacoleroa were confirmed to be synonyms of Venturia, which has Fusicladium (= Pseudocladosporium) anamorphs. Apiosporina, based on A. collinsii, clustered basal to the Venturia clade, and appears to represent a further synonym. Several species with a pseudocladosporium-like morphology in vitro represent a sister clade to the Venturia clade, and are unrelated to Polyscytalum. These taxa are newly described in Fusicladium, which is morphologically close to Anungitea, a heterogeneous genus with unknown phylogenetic affinity. In contrast to the Herpotrichiellaceae, which were shown to produce numerous synanamorphs in culture, species of the Venturiaceae were morphologically and phylogenetically more uniform. Several new species and new combinations were introduced in Cladophialophora, Cyphellophora (Herpotrichiellaceae), Exophiala, Fusicladium, Venturia (Venturiaceae), and Cylindrosympodium (incertae sedis).Taxonomic novelties: Cladophialophora australiensis Crous& A.D. Hocking, sp. nov., Cladophialophora chaetospira (Grove) Crous & Arzanlou, comb. nov., Cladophialophora hostae Crous, U. Braun & H.D. Shin, sp. nov., Cladophialophora humicola Crous& U. Braun, sp. nov., Cladophialophora potulentorum Crous & A.D. Hocking, sp. nov., Cladophialophora scillae (Deighton) Crous, U. Braun & K. Schub., comb. nov., Cladophialophora sylvestris Crous& de Hoog, sp. nov., Cylindrosympodium lauri Crous & R.F. Castañeda, sp. nov., Cyphellophora hylomeconis Crous, de Hoog& H.D. Shin, sp. nov., Exophiala eucalyptorum Crous, sp. nov., Fusicladium africanum Crous, sp. nov., Fusicladium amoenum (R.F. Castañeda & Dugan) Crous, K. Schub. & U. Braun, comb. nov., Fusicladium brevicatenatum (U. Braun & Feiler) Crous, U. Braun & K. Schub., comb. nov., Fusicladium fagi Crous & de Hoog, sp. nov., Fusicladium intermedium (Crous & W.B. Kendr.) Crous, comb. nov., Fusicladium matsushimae (U. Braun & C.F. Hill) Crous, U. Braun & K. Schub., comb. nov., Fusicladium pini Crous& de Hoog, sp. nov., Fusicladium ramoconidii Crous & de Hoog, sp. nov., Fusicladium rhodense Crous & M.J. Wingf., sp. nov., Venturia hystrioides (Dugan, R.G. Roberts & Hanlin) Crous & U. Braun, comb. nov.     

Delimiting Cladosporium from morphologically similar genera

The genus Cladosporium is restricted to dematiaceous hyphomycetes with a coronate scar type, and Davidiella teleomorphs. In the present study numerous cladosporium-like taxa are treated, and allocated to different genera based on their morphology and DNA phylogeny derived from the LSU nrRNA gene. Several species are introduced in new genera such as Hyalodendriella, Ochrocladosporium, Rachicladosporium, Rhizocladosporium, Toxicocladosporium and Verrucocladosporium. A further new taxon is described in Devriesia (Teratosphaeriaceae). Furthermore, Cladosporium castellanii, the etiological agent of tinea nigra in humans, is confirmed as synonym of Stenella araguata, while the type species of Stenella is shown to be linked to the Teratosphaeriaceae (Capnodiales), and not the Mycosphaerellaceae as formerly presumed.Taxonomic novelties: Devriesia americana Crous & Dugan, sp. nov., Hyalodendriella Crous, gen. nov., Hyalodendriella betulae Crous sp. nov., Ochrocladosporium Crous & U. Braun, gen. nov., Ochrocladosporium elatum (Harz) Crous & U. Braun, comb. nov., Ochrocladosporium frigidarii Crous & U. Braun, sp. nov., Rachicladosporium Crous, U. Braun & Hill, gen. nov., Rachicladosporium luculiae Crous, U. Braun & Hill, sp. nov., Rhizocladosporium Crous & U. Braun, gen. nov., Rhizocladosporium argillaceum (Minoura) Crous & U. Braun, comb. nov., Toxicocladosporium Crous & U. Braun, gen. nov., Toxicocladosporium irritans Crous & U. Braun, sp. nov., Verrucocladosporium K. Schub., Aptroot & Crous, gen. nov., Verrucocladosporium dirinae K. Schub., Aptroot & Crous, sp. nov.     

Multi-gene phylogeny for Ophiostoma spp. reveals two new species from Protea infructescences

Ophiostoma represents a genus of fungi that are mostly arthropod-dispersed and have a wide global distribution. The best known of these fungi are carried by scolytine bark beetles that infest trees, but an interesting guild of Ophiostoma spp. occurs in the infructescences of Protea spp. native to South Africa. Phylogenetic relationships between Ophiostoma spp. from Protea infructescences were studied using DNA sequence data from the β-tubulin, 5.8S ITS (including the flanking internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2) and the large subunit DNA regions. Two new species, O. phasma sp. nov. and O. palmiculminatum sp. nov. are described and compared with other Ophiostoma spp. occurring in the same niche. Results of this study have raised the number of Ophiostoma species from the infructescences of serotinous Protea spp. in South Africa to five. Molecular data also suggest that adaptation to the Protea infructescence niche by Ophiostoma spp. has occurred independently more than once.Taxonomic novelties: Ophiostoma phasma Roets, Z.W. de Beer& M.J. Wingf. sp. nov., Ophiostoma palmiculminatum Roets, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. sp. nov.     

Neonectria liriodendri sp. nov., the main causal agent of black foot disease of grapevines

Black foot disease is a serious disease of grapevine crops in most areas where vines are grown. Mainly two species of Cylindrocarpon, C. destructans and C. macrodidymum, are associated with this disease. Recent studies have revealed a tremendous molecular variation within the former but only slight molecular variation within the latter, indicating that C. destructans presents a complex of several species The present study elucidates the taxonomic status of C. destructans-like isolates associated with black foot disease of grapevines. Grapevine isolates were studied morphologically, subjected to DNA analyses of their ITS and partialβ -tubulin genes, and were mated in all combinations in vitro. Cylindrocarpon destructans strains isolated from grapevines in Europe and South Africa appeared morphologically and genetically identical, and had identical ITS and partial β-tubulin gene sequences. Phylogenetic analyses placed these strains in a clade closely related but clearly distinct from other clades with C. destructans-like anamorphs obtained from various herbaceous or woody hosts. Only the ex-type strain of Cylindrocarpon liriodendri had identical sequences to strains isolated from grapevines, and could also not be distinguished by morphological characters. The grapevine isolates are therefore reidentified here as Cylindrocarpon liriodendri. Cylindrocarpn liriodendri formed perithecia in heterothallic conditions and the holomorph of this species is described as Neonectria liriodendri sp. nov. Neonectria liriodendri is genetically distinct from the ex-type strain of Neonectria radicicola, which originated from Cyclamen in Sweden. Both ex-type strains also differ from at least two other clades comprising additional C. destructans-like strains. Many of these strains originated from Panax sp., which is the host of the type of C. destructans. Our phylogenetic analyses indicate that C. destructans is not the anamorph of N. radicicola and that N. liriodendri, N. radicicola and several C. destructans-like taxa may have evolved independently within the same phylogenetic species complex.Taxonomic novelty: Neonectria liriodendri Halleen, Rego& Crous sp. nov.     

Multi-gene phylogenies and phenotypic characters distinguish two species within the Colletogloeopsis zuluensis complex associated with Eucalyptus stem cankers

Colletogloeopsis zuluensis, previously known as Coniothyrium zuluense, causes a serious stem canker disease on Eucalyptus spp. grown as non-natives in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. This stem canker disease was first reported from South Africa and it has subsequently been found on various species and hybrids of Eucalyptus in other African countries as well as in countries of South America and South-East Asia. In previous studies, phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequence data of the ITS region suggested that all material of C. zuluensis was monophyletic. However, the occurrence of the fungus in a greater number of countries, and analyses of DNA sequences with additional isolates has challenged the notion that a single species is involved with Coniothyrium canker. The aim of this study was to consider the phylogenetic relationships amongst C. zuluensis isolates from all available locations and to support these analyses with phenotypic and morphological comparisons. Individual and combined phylogenies were constructed using DNA sequences from the ITS region, exons 3 through 6 of the β-tubulin gene, the intron of the translation elongation factor 1-α gene, and a partial sequence of the mitochondrial ATPase 6 gene. Both phylogenetic data and morphological characteristics showed clearly that isolates of C. zuluensis represent at least two taxa. One of these is C. zuluensis as it was originally described from South Africa, and we provide an epitype for it. The second species occurs in Argentina and Uruguay, and is newly described as C. gauchensis. Both fungi are serious pathogens resulting in identical symptoms. Recognising them as different species has important quarantine consequences.Taxonomic novelty: Colletogloeopsis gauchensis M.-N. Cortinas, Crous & M.J. Wingf. sp. nov.