Gloeosporidina platani sp. nov., the spermatial state of the anthracnose fungus Apiognomonia veneta (Sacc. & Speg.) Höhn.

A new species of the coelomycetous genus Gloeosporidina found on leaves of Platanus × hispanica in Germany is described and illustrated. Culture trials and RAPD patterns demonstrate that the fungus is a part of the developmental cycle of Apiognomonia veneta, the cause of sycamore anthracnose. The relationship between Gloeosporidina moravica and Apiognomonia quercina on oak and between Gloeosporidina sp. and Apiognomonia errabunda on beech is described. The maintenance of the Apiognomonia spp. discussed as separate species is warranted because of differences in spermatial size among the Gloeosporidina states.