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.     

European species of Hypocrea: Part I. The green-spored species

At present 75 species of Hypocrea have been identified in temperate Europe. Nineteen green-spored species and their Trichoderma asexual states are here described in detail. Extensive searches for Hypocrea teleomorphs in 14 European countries, with emphasis on Central Europe, yielded more than 620 specimens within five years. The morphology of fresh and dry stromata was studied. In addition, available types of species described from Europe were examined. Cultures were prepared from ascospores and used to study the morphology of cultures and anamorphs, to determine growth rates, and to extract DNA that was used for amplification and sequencing of three genetic markers. ITS was used for identification, while RNA polymerase II subunit b (rpb2) and translation elongation factor 1 alpha (tef1) were analyzed for phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus.Several unexpected findings resulted from this project: 1) The previous view that only a small number of Trichoderma species form a teleomorph is erroneous. 2) All expectations concerning the number of species in Europe are by far exceeded. Seventy-five species of Hypocrea, two species of Protocrea, and Arachnocrea stipata, are herein identified in temperate Europe, based on the ITS identification routine using fresh material, on species described earlier without molecular data and on species recently described but not collected during this project. 3) Current data suggest that the biodiversity of Hypocrea / Trichoderma above soil exceeds the number of species isolated from soil. 4) The number of Trichoderma species forming hyaline conidia has been considered a small fraction. In Europe, 26 species of those forming teleomorphs produce hyaline conidia, while 42 green-conidial species are known. Three of the detected Hypocrea species do not form an anamorph in culture, while the anamorph is unknown in four species, because they have never been cultured.This work is a preliminary account of Hypocrea and their Trichoderma anamorphs in Europe. Of the hyaline-spored species, H. minutispora is by far the most common species in Europe, while of the green-spored species this is H. strictipilosa.General ecology of Hypocrea is discussed. Specific associations, either with host fungi or trees have been found, but the majority of species seems to be necrotrophic on diverse fungi on wood and bark.The taxonomy of the genus will be treated in two parts. In this first part 19 species of Hypocrea with green ascospores, including six new teleomorph and five new anamorph species, are described in detail. All green-spored species belong to previously recognised clades, except H. spinulosa, which forms the new Spinulosa Clade with two additional new species, and H. fomiticola, which belongs to the Semiorbis Clade and forms effuse to large subpulvinate stromata on Fomes fomentarius, a trait new for species with green ascospores. Anamorph names are established prospectively in order to provide a basis for possible policy alterations towards their use for holomorphs.Taxonomic novelties: Hypocrea aeruginea Jaklitsch, Trichoderma aerugineum Jaklitsch, T. dacrymycellum Jaklitsch, H. danica Jaklitsch, H./T. fomiticola Jaklitsch, H. longipilosa Jaklitsch, H./T. parepimyces Jaklitsch, H. parestonica Jaklitsch, T. parestonicum Jaklitsch.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Phylogenetic lineages in the Botryosphaeriaceae

Botryosphaeria is a species-rich genus with a cosmopolitan distribution, commonly associated with dieback and cankers of woody plants. As many as 18 anamorph genera have been associated with Botryosphaeria, most of which have been reduced to synonymy under Diplodia (conidia mostly ovoid, pigmented, thick-walled), or Fusicoccum (conidia mostly fusoid, hyaline, thin-walled). However, there are numerous conidial anamorphs having morphological characteristics intermediate between Diplodia and Fusicoccum, and there are several records of species outside the Botryosphaeriaceae that have anamorphs apparently typical of Botryosphaeria s.str. Recent studies have also linked Botryosphaeria to species with pigmented, septate ascospores, and Dothiorella anamorphs, or Fusicoccum anamorphs with Dichomera synanamorphs. The aim of this study was to employ DNA sequence data of the 28S rDNA to resolve apparent lineages within the Botryosphaeriaceae. From these data, 12 clades are recognised. Two of these lineages clustered outside the Botryosphaeriaceae, namely Diplodia-like anamorphs occurring on maize, which are best accommodated in Stenocarpella (Diaporthales), as well as an unresolved clade including species of Camarosporium/Microdiplodia. We recognise 10 lineages within the Botryosphaeriaceae, including an unresolved clade (Diplodia/Lasiodiplodia/Tiarosporella), Botryosphaeria s.str. (Fusicoccum anamorphs), Macrophomina, Neoscytalidium gen. nov., Dothidotthia (Dothiorella anamorphs), Neofusicoccum gen. nov. (Botryosphaeria-like teleomorphs, Dichomera-like synanamorphs), Pseudofusicoccum gen. nov., Saccharata (Fusicoccum- and Diplodia-like synanamorphs),“ Botryosphaeria” quercuum (Diplodia-like anamorph), and Guignardia (Phyllosticta anamorphs). Separate teleomorph and anamorph names are not provided for newly introduced genera, even where both morphs are known. The taxonomy of some clades and isolates (e.g. B. mamane) remains unresolved due to the absence of ex-type cultures.Taxonomic novelties: Neofusicoccum Crous, Slippers & A.J.L. Phillips gen. nov., Neofusicoccum andinum (Mohali, Slippers& M.J. Wingf.) Mohali, Slippers & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., Neofusicoccum arbuti (D.F. Farr & M. Elliott) Crous, Slippers& A.J.L. Phillips comb. nov., Neofusicoccum australe (Slippers, Crous & M.J. Wingf.) Crous, Slippers & A.J.L. Phillips comb. nov., Neofusicoccum eucalypticola (Slippers Crous & M.J. Wingf.) Crous, Slippers & A.J.L. Phillips comb. nov., Neofusicoccum eucalyptorum (Crous, H. Smith & M.J. Wingf.) Crous, Slippers & A.J.L. Phillips comb. nov., Neofusicoccum luteum (Pennycook & Samuels) Crous, Slippers & A.J.L. Phillips comb. nov., Neofusicoccum macroclavatum (Burgess, Barber & Hardy) Burgess, Barber & Hardy comb. nov., Neofusicoccum mangiferae (Syd. & P. Syd.) Crous, Slippers & A.J.L. Phillips comb. nov., Neofusicoccum parvum (Pennycook & Samuels) Crous, Slippers & A.J.L. Phillips comb. nov., Neofusicoccum protearum (Denman & Crous) Crous, Slippers & A.J.L. Phillips comb. nov., Neofusicoccum ribis (Slippers, Crous& M.J. Wingf.) Crous, Slippers & A.J.L. Phillips comb. nov., Neofusicoccum viticlavatum (Niekerk & Crous) Crous, Slippers& A.J.L. Phillips comb. nov., Neofusicoccum vitifusiforme (Niekerk & Crous) Crous, Slippers & A.J.L. Phillips comb. nov., Neoscytalidium Crous & Slippers gen. nov., Neoscytalidium dimidiatum (Penz.) Crous & Slippers comb. nov., Pseudofusicoccum (Mohali, Slippers & M.J. Wingf.) Mohali, Slippers & M.J. Wingf. gen. nov., Pseudofusicoccum stromaticum (Mohali, Slippers & M.J. Wingf.) Mohali, Slippers & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov.     

A monograph of the entomopathogenic genera Hypocrella,Moelleriella, and Samuelsia gen. nov. (Ascomycota,Hypocreales, Clavicipitaceae), and their aschersonia-like anamorphs in the Neotropics

The present taxonomic revision deals with Neotropical species of three entomopathogenic genera that were once included in Hypocrella s. l.: Hypocrella s. str. (anamorph Aschersonia), Moelleriella (anamorph aschersonia-like), and Samuelsia gen. nov (anamorph aschersonia-like). Species of Hypocrella, Moelleriella, and Samuelsia are pathogens of scale insects (Coccidae and Lecaniidae, Homoptera) and whiteflies (Aleyrodidae, Homoptera) and are common in tropical regions. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from nuclear ribosomal large subunit (28S), translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF 1-α), and RNA polymerase II subunit 1 (RPB1) and analyses of multiple morphological characters demonstrate that the three segregated genera can be distinguished by the disarticulation of the ascospores and shape and size of conidia. Moelleriella has filiform multi-septate ascospores that disarticulate at the septa within the ascus and aschersonia-like anamorphs with fusoid conidia. Hypocrella s. str. has filiform to long-fusiform ascospores that do not disarticulate and Aschersonia s. str. anamorphs with fusoid conidia. The new genus proposed here, Samuelsia, has filiform to long-fusiform ascospores that do not disarticulate and aschersonia-like anamorphs with small allantoid conidia. In addition, the present study presents and discusses the evolution of species, morphology, and ecology in Hypocrella, Moelleriella, and Samuelsia based on multigene phylogenetic analyses.Taxonomic novelties: New genus: Samuelsia. New species: Hypocrella disciformis, H. hirsuta, Moelleriella basicystis, M. boliviensis, M. cornuta, M. evansii, M. madidiensis, M. umbospora, S. chalalensis, S. geonomis, S. intermedia, S. rufobrunnea, and S. sheikhii. New combinations: M. castanea, M. colliculosa, M. disjuncta, M. epiphylla, M. gaertneriana, M. globosa, M. guaranitica, M. javanica, M. libera, M. macrostroma, M. ochracea, M. palmae, M. phyllogena, M. rhombispora, M. sloaneae, M. turbinata, and M. zhongdongii.     

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.     

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.     

Celoporthe dispersa gen. et sp. nov. from native Myrtales in South Africa

In a survey for Cryphonectria and Chrysoporthe species on Myrtales in South Africa, a fungus resembling the stem canker pathogen Chrysoporthe austroafricana was collected from native Syzygium cordatum near Tzaneen (Limpopo Province), Heteropyxis canescens near Lydenburg (Mpumalanga Province) and exotic Tibouchina granulosa in Durban (KwaZulu-Natal Province). The fungus was associated with dying branches and stems on S. cordatum, H. canescens and T. granulosa. However, morphological differences were detected between the unknown fungus from these three hosts and known species of Chrysoporthe. The aim of this study was to characterise the fungus using DNA sequence comparisons and morphological features. Pathogenicity tests were also conducted to assess its virulence on Eucalyptus (ZG 14 clones), H. natalensis and T. granulosa. Plants of H. canescens were not available for inoculation. Results showed distinct morphological differences between the unknown fungus and Chrysoporthe spp. Phylogenetic analysis showed that isolates reside in a clade separate from Chrysoporthe and other related genera. Celoporthe dispersa gen. et sp. nov. is, therefore, described to accommodate this fungus. Pathogenicity tests showed that C. dispersa is not pathogenic to H. natalensis, but that it is a potential pathogen of Eucalyptus and Tibouchina spp.Taxonomic novelties: Celoporthe Nakab., Gryzenh., Jol. Roux& M.J. Wingf. gen. nov., Celoporthe dispersa Nakab., Gryzenh., Jol. Roux & 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.     

Multi-gene phylogenies define Ceratocystiopsis and Grosmannia distinct from Ophiostoma

Ophiostoma species have diverse morphological features and are found in a large variety of ecological niches. Many different classification schemes have been applied to these fungi in the past based on teleomorph and anamorph features. More recently, studies based on DNA sequence comparisions have shown that Ophiostoma consists of different phylogenetic groups, but the data have not been sufficient to define clear monophyletic lineages represented by practical taxonomic units. We used DNA sequence data from combined partial nuclear LSU and β-tubulin genes to consider the phylogenetic relationships of 50 Ophiostoma species, representing all the major morphological groups in the genus. Our data showed three well-supported, monophyletic lineages in Ophiostoma. Species with Leptographium anamorphs grouped together and to accommodate these species the teleomorph-genus Grosmannia (type species G. penicillata), including 27 species and 24 new combinations, is re-instated. Another well-defined lineage includes species that are cycloheximide-sensitive with short perithecial necks, falcate ascospores and Hyalorhinocladiella anamorphs. For these species, the teleomorph-genus Ceratocystiopsis (type species O. minuta), including 11 species and three new combinations, is re-instated. A third group of species with either Sporothrix or Pesotum anamorphs includes species from various ecological niches such as Protea infructescences in South Africa. This group also includes O. piliferum, the type species of Ophiostoma, and these species are retained in that genus. Ophiostoma is redefined to reflect the changes resulting from new combinations in Grosmannia and Ceratocystiopsis. Our data have revealed additional lineages in Ophiostoma linked to morphological characters. However, these species are retained in Ophiostoma until further data for a larger number of species can be obtained to confirm monophyly of the apparent lineages.Taxonomic novelties: Ceratocystiopsis manitobensis (J. Reid& Hausner) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., Cop. parva (Olchow. & J. Reid) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., Cop. rollhanseniana (J. Reid, Eyjólfsd. & Hausner) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., Grosmannia abiocarpa (R.W. Davidson) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. aenigmatica (K. Jacobs, M.J. Wingf. & Yamaoka) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. americana (K. Jacobs& M.J. Wingf.) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. aurea (R.C. Rob. & R.W. Davidson) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. cainii (Olchow. & J. Reid) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. clavigera (R.C. Rob. & R.W. Davidson) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. crassivaginata (H.D. Griffin) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. cucullata (H. Solheim) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. davidsonii (Olchow. & J. Reid) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. dryocoetidis (W.B. Kendr.& Molnar) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. europhioides (E.F. Wright & Cain) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. francke-grosmanniae (R.W. Davidson) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. galeiformis (B.K. Bakshi) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. grandifoliae (R.W. Davidson) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. huntii (R.C. Rob.) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. laricis (K. van der Westh., Yamaoka & M.J. Wingf.) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. leptographioides (R.W. Davidson) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. olivacea (Math.-Käärik) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer& M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. pseudoeurophioides (Olchow. & J. Reid) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. radiaticola (J.-J. Kim, Seifert, & G.-H. Kim) Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. robusta (R.C. Rob. & R.W. Davidson) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. sagmatospora (E.F. Wright & Cain) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. vesca (R.W. Davidson) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov., G. wageneri (Goheen & F.W. Cobb) Zipfel, Z.W. de Beer & M.J. Wingf. comb. nov.     

Molecular phylogenetics of Pleosporales: Melanommataceae and Lophiostomataceae re-circumscribed (Pleosporomycetidae,Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota)

The classification of Pleosporales has posed major challenges due to the lack of clear understanding of the importance of the morphological characters used to distinguish between different groups in the order. This has resulted in varied taxonomic treatments of many families in the group including Melanommataceae and Lophiostomataceae. In this study we employ two nuclear DNA gene markers, nuclear ribosomal large subunit DNA and translation elongation factor 1-alpha in order to examine the molecular phylogenetics of Pleosporales with strong emphasis on the families Melanommataceae and Lophiostomataceae. Phylogenetic analyses recovered Melanommataceae, Lophiostomataceae, Hypsostromataceae, and a few others as strongly supported clades within the Pleosporales. Melanommataceae as currently circumscribed was found to be polyphyletic. The genera Byssosphaeria, Melanomma, and Pseudotrichia were recovered within the family, while others such as Ostropella and Xenolophium nested outside in a weakly supported group along with Platystomum compressum and Pseudotrichia guatopoensis that may correspond to the family Platystomaceae. The genus Byssosphaeria was recovered as a strongly supported group within the Melanommataceae while Melanomma was weakly supported with unclear relationships among the species. The genera Herpotrichia and Bertiella were also found to belong in the Melanommataceae. Lophiostomataceae occurs as a strongly supported group but its concept is here expanded to include a new genus Misturatosphaeria that bears morphology traditionally not known to occur in the family. The strongly supported clade of Misturatosphaeria contains nine species that have gregarious, papillate ascomata with lighter coloured apices and plugged ostioles and that vary in ascospore morphology from 1- to 3-septate to muriform. Along with a strongly supported Lophiostoma clade, also within the family are Thyridaria macrostomoides based on new sequences from Kenyan collections and Massariosphaeria triseptata, M. grandispora, Westerdykella cylindrica and Preussia terricola based on GenBank sequences. The family Hypsostromataceae was recovered as a strongly supported monophyletic group nested within the Pleosporales.Taxonomic novelties: Misturatosphaeria Mugambi & Huhndorf, gen. nov., M. aurantonotata Mugambi & Huhndorf, sp. nov., M. claviformis Mugambi & Huhndorf, sp. nov., M. cruciformis Mugambi & Huhndorf, sp. nov., M. kenyensis Mugambi & Huhndorf, sp. nov., M. minima Mugambi, A.N. Mill. & Huhndorf, sp. nov., M. tennesseensis Mugambi, A.N. Mill. & Huhndorf, sp. nov., M. uniseptata Mugambi, A.N. Mill. & Huhndorf, sp. nov., M. uniseriata Mugambi, A.N. Mill. & Huhndorf, sp. nov.     

Species of Cercospora associated with grey leaf spot of maize

Grey leaf spot is a serious yield-reducing disease of maize (Zea mays) in many parts of the world where this crop is cultivated. The causal organism associated with the disease is Cercospora zeae-maydis. Two potential sibling species have been recognized as Groups I and II. The DNA sequences for the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 & ITS2), the 5.8S rRNA gene, elongation factor 1-α, histone H3, actin and calmodulin gene regions suggest that Groups I and II are two distinct species. Furthermore, Cercospora zeae-maydis (Group I) can be distinguished from C. zeina sp. nov. (Group II) by its faster growth rate on artificial media, the ability to produce cercosporin, longer conidiophores, and broadly fusiform conidia. A PCR-based test that distinguishes the two species was developed using species-specific primers designed from the histone H3 gene.Taxonomic novelties: Cercospora zeina Crous & U. Braun sp. 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.     

Eucalyptus microfungi known from culture. 1. Cladoriella and Fulvoflamma genera nova,with notes on some other poorly known taxa

A study of microfungi associated with living Eucalyptus leaves and leaf litter revealed several novel and interesting taxa. Cladoriella eucalypti gen. et sp. nov. is described as a Cladosporium-like genus associated with litter collected in South Africa, while Fulvoflamma eucalypti gen. et. sp. nov. is newly described from leaf litter collected in Spain. Beta-conidia are newly reported for species of Pestalotiopsis, namely Pestalotiopsis disseminata in New Zealand, and a Pestalotiopsis sp. from Colombia. Satchmopsis brasiliensis is reported from litter in Colombia and Indonesia, while Torrendiella eucalypti is reported from leaf litter in Indonesia, and shown to have a Sporothrix-like anamorph. Leptospora rubella is reported from living Eucalyptus leaves in Colombia, where it is associated with leaf spots of Mycosphaerella longibasalis, while Macrohilum eucalypti is reported from leaf spots of Eucalyptus in New Zealand.Taxonomic novelties: Cladoriella eucalypti Crous gen. et sp. nov., Fulvoflamma eucalypti Crous gen. et sp. nov.