Two new classes of Ascomycota: Xylobotryomycetes and Candelariomycetes.

Phylogenetic analyses of a combined DNA data matrix containing nuclear small and large subunits (nSSU, nLSU) and mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) ribosomal RNA and the largest and second largest subunits of the RNA polymerase II (rpb1, rpb2) of representative Pezizomycotina revealed that the enigmatic genera Xylobotryum and Cirrosporium form an isolated, highly supported phylogenetic lineage within Leotiomyceta. Acknowledging their morphological and phylogenetic distinctness, we describe the new class Xylobotryomycetes, containing the new order Xylobotryales with the two new families Xylobotryaceae and Cirrosporiaceae. The two currently accepted species of Xylobotryum, X. andinum and X. portentosum, are described and illustrated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The generic type species X. andinum is epitypified with a recent collection for which a culture and sequence data are available. Acknowledging the phylogenetic distinctness of Candelariomycetidae from Lecanoromycetes revealed in previous and the current phylogenetic analyses, the new class Candelariomycetes is proposed.

Lichens or endophytes? The enigmatic genus Leptosillia in the Leptosilliaceae fam. nov. (Xylariales), and Furfurella gen. nov. (Delonicicolaceae).

Based on DNA sequence data, the genus Leptosillia is shown to belong to the Xylariales. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS-LSU rDNA sequence data and of a combined matrix of SSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, rpb1, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 reveal that the genera Cresporhaphis and Liberomyces are congeneric with Leptosillia. Coelosphaeria fusariospora, Leptorhaphis acerina, Leptorhaphis quercus f. macrospora, Leptorhaphis pinicola, Leptorhaphis wienkampii, Liberomyces pistaciae, Sphaeria muelleri and Zignoëlla slaptonensis are combined in Leptosillia, and all of these taxa except for C. fusariospora, L. pinicola and L. pistaciae are epitypified. Coelosphaeria fusariospora and Cresporhaphis rhoina are lectotypified. Liberomyces macrosporus and L. saliciphilus, which were isolated as phloem and sapwood endophytes, are shown to be synonyms of Leptosillia macrospora and L. wienkampii, respectively. All species formerly placed in Cresporhaphis that are now transferred to Leptosillia are revealed to be non-lichenized. Based on morphology and ecology, Cresporhaphis chibaensis is synonymised with Rhaphidicyrtis trichosporella, and C. rhoina is considered to be unrelated to the genus Leptosillia, but its generic affinities cannot be resolved in lack of DNA sequence data. Phylogenetic analyses place Leptosillia as sister taxon to Delonicicolaceae, and based on morphological and ecological differences, the new family Leptosilliaceae is established. Furfurella, a new genus with the three new species, F. luteostiolata, F. nigrescens and F. stromatica, growing on dead branches of mediterranean fabaceous shrubs from tribe Genisteae, is revealed to be the closest relative of Delonicicola in the family Delonicicolaceae, which is emended. ITS rDNA sequence data retrieved from GenBank demonstrate that the Leptosilliaceae were frequently isolated or sequenced as endophytes from temperate to tropical regions, and show that the genus Leptosillia represents a widely distributed component of endophyte communities of woody plants.

A preliminary account of the Cucurbitariaceae.

Fresh collections, type studies and molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multigene matrix of partial nuSSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 sequences were used to evaluate the boundaries of Cucurbitaria in a strict sense and of several related genera of the Cucurbitariaceae. Two species are recognised in Cucurbitaria and 19 in Neocucurbitaria. The monotypic genera Astragalicola, Cucitella, Parafenestella, Protofenestella, and Seltsamia are described as new. Fenestella is here included as its generic type F. fenestrata (= F. princeps), which is lecto- and epitypified. Fenestella mackenzei and F. ostryae are combined in Parafenestella. Asexual morphs of Cucurbitariaceae, where known, are all pyrenochaeta- or phoma-like. Comparison of the phylogenetic analyses of the ITS-LSU and combined matrices demonstrate that at least rpb2 sequences should be added whenever possible to improve phylogenetic resolution of the tree backbone; in addition, the tef1 introns should be added as well to improve delimitation of closely related species.

Two unusual new species of Pleosporales: Anteaglonium rubescens and Atrocalyx asturiensis.

Two new species of Pleosporales, Anteaglonium rubescens (Anteagloniaceae) and Atrocalyx asturiensis (Lophiotremataceae), are described. Phylogenetic placement was determined by combined analyses of a DNA data matrix containing ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb2, and tef1. Anteaglonium rubescens is a stromatic fungus characterized by brown didymospores disarticulating within asci, and by the production of a red-orange to pink pigment produced in nature and in artificial culture. Atrocalyx asturiensis has massive ascomatal crests and brown phragmospores.

Three former taxa of Cucurbitaria and considerations on Petrakia in the Melanommataceae.

Based on phylogenetic analyses of an ITS-LSU-SSU-rpb2-tef1 sequence data matrix three taxa once classified in Cucurbitaria are referred to the Melanommataceae. Cucurbitaria rhododendri, also known as Melanomma rhododendri, is not congeneric with the generic type of Melanomma, M. pulvis-pyrius and thus classified in the new genus Alpinaria. Cucurbitaria piceae, known as Gemmamyces piceae, the cause of the Gemmamyces bud blight of Picea spp., belongs also to the Melanommataceae. The name Gemmamyces is conserved. For Cucurbitaria obducens, also known as Teichospora obducens, the new genus Praetumpfia is described, as it cannot be accommodated in any known genus. All species are redescribed and epitypified. Based on sequence data and morphology, Blastostroma, Mycodidymella and Xenostigmina are synonyms of Petrakia. The genus Petrakia is emended. We also provide sequences of additional markers for Beverwykella pulmonaria, Melanomma pulvis-pyrius, Petrakia echinata and Pseudotrichia mutabilis.

Resolution of morphology-based taxonomic delusions: Acrocordiella, Basiseptospora, Blogiascospora, Clypeosphaeria, Hymenopleella, Lepteutypa, Pseudapiospora, Requienella, Seiridium and Strickeria.

Fresh material, type studies and molecular phylogeny were used to clarify phylogenetic relationships of the nine genera Acrocordiella, Blogiascospora, Clypeosphaeria, Hymenopleella, Lepteutypa, Pseudapiospora, Requienella, Seiridium and Strickeria. At first sight, some of these genera do not seem to have much in common, but all were found to belong to the Xylariales, based on their generic types. Thus, the most peculiar finding is the phylogenetic affinity of the genera Acrocordiella, Requienella and Strickeria, which had been classified in the Dothideomycetes or Eurotiomycetes, to the Xylariales. Acrocordiella and Requienella are closely related but distinct genera of the Requienellaceae. Although their ascospores are similar to those of Lepteutypa, phylogenetic analyses do not reveal a particularly close relationship. The generic type of Lepteutypa, L. fuckelii, belongs to the Amphisphaeriaceae. Lepteutypa sambuci is newly described. Hymenopleella is recognised as phylogenetically distinct from Lepteutypa, and Hymenopleella hippophaëicola is proposed as new name for its generic type, Sphaeria (= Lepteutypa) hippophaës. Clypeosphaeria uniseptata is combined in Lepteutypa. No asexual morphs have been detected in species of Lepteutypa. Pseudomassaria fallax, unrelated to the generic type, P. chondrospora, is transferred to the new genus Basiseptospora, the genus Pseudapiospora is revived for P. corni, and Pseudomassaria carolinensis is combined in Beltraniella (Beltraniaceae). The family Clypeosphaeriaceae is discontinued, because the generic type of Clypeosphaeria, C. mamillana, is a member of the Xylariaceae. The genus Seiridium, of which the sexual morph Blogiascospora is confirmed, is unrelated to Lepteutypa, as is Lepteutypa cupressi. The taxonomy of the cypress canker agents is discussed. The family Sporocadaceae is revived for a large clade of the Xylariales that contains Hymenopleella, Seiridium and Strickeria among a number of other genera. Neotypes are proposed for Massaria fuckelii and Sphaeria hippophaës. Didymella vexata, Seiridium marginatum, Sphaeria corni, Sphaeria hippophaës, Sphaeria seminuda are epitypified, Apiosporina fallax, Massaria occulta, Sphaeria mamillana and Strickeria kochii are lecto- and epitypified. We also provide DNA data for Broomella vitalbae, Cainia desmazieri and Creosphaeria sassafras.

Valsaria and the Valsariales.

More than 100 recent collections of Valsaria sensu lato mostly from Europe were used to elucidate the species composition within the genus. Multigene phylogeny based on SSU, LSU, ITS, rpb2 and tef1 sequences revealed a monophyletic group of ten species within the Dothideomycetes, belonging to three morphologically similar genera. This group could not be accommodated in any known family and are thus classified in the new family Valsariaceae and the new order Valsariales. The genus Valsaria sensu stricto comprises V. insitiva, V. robiniae, V. rudis, V. spartii, V. lopadostomoides sp. nov. and V. neotropica sp. nov., which are phylogenetically well-defined, but morphologically nearly indistinguishable species. The new monotypic genus Bambusaria is introduced to accommodate Valsaria bambusae. Munkovalsaria rubra and Valsaria fulvopruinata are combined in Myrmaecium, a genus traditionally treated as a synonym of Valsaria, which comprises three species, with M. rubricosum as its generic type. This work is presented as a basis for additional species to be detected in future.

The rise and fall of Sarawakus (Hypocreaceae, Ascomycota).

Species of Sarawakus are rarely encountered. Their teleomorphs resemble sexual stages of Trichoderma, formerly called Hypocrea, but differ from that genus by unicellular ascospores. The two green-spored species S. britannicus and the type species of Sarawakus, S. lycogaloides, recently were collected, compared with their types and cultured. We redescribe and illustrate these species and transfer them to Trichoderma, based on phylogenetic analysis of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha encoding gene (tef1), containing the two last introns and exon, and a part of the rpb2 gene, encoding the second largest RNA polymerase subunit. Trichoderma lycogaloides, was found to cluster with Hypocrea sulawesensis, an unusual species of Trichoderma, while T. britannicum is closely related to T. aerugineum of the Spinulosa clade. The anamorphs of the two examined species are characterized by (odd) verticillium-like conidiophores, large cylindrical phialides and conidia, which belong to the largest of those species forming green conidia, oval to subglobose in T. lycogaloides and oblong in T. britannicum. All species currently recognized in Sarawakus are transferred to Trichoderma, introducing the new combinations T. fragile, T. hexasporum, T. izawae, T. sordidum, T. subtrachycarpum, T. succisum and T. trachycarpum and the new name T. rosellum. Trichoderma trachycarpum is redescribed and illustrated from an isotype.

Phylogenetic and taxonomic revision of Lopadostoma.

The genus Lopadostoma (Xylariaceae, Xylariales) is revised. Most species formerly assigned to Lopadostoma do not belong to the genus. Twelve species are herein recognised, of which two are only known from morphology. Ten species, of which six (L. americanum, L. fagi, L. insulare, L. lechatii, L. meridionale and L. quercicola) are newly described, are characterised by both morphology and DNA phylogeny using LSU, ITS and rpb2 sequences. Morphologically, ecologically and phylogenetically Lopadostoma is a well-defined genus comprising exclusively species with pustular pseudostroma development in bark of angiospermous trees. Phaeosperma ailanthi, Phaeosperma dryophilum and Sphaeria linosperma are combined in Lopadostoma. Lopadostoma gastrinum is neotypified and L. turgidum is lecto- and epitypified. Species with asci and ascospores similar to those of Lopadostoma but having perithecia immersed in wood, particularly those of Lopadostoma subg. Anthostomopsis have been determined to be unrelated to the genus. DNA data confirm that Anthostoma is unrelated to Lopadostoma. Its type and currently only confirmed species Anthostoma decipiens belongs to Diatrypaceae. DNA data also show that L. pouzarii and Barrmaelia macrospora are unrelated to Lopadostoma. A commentary is provided for names in Lopadostoma and those names in Anthostoma that may be putative species of Lopadostoma based on their protologues. Anthostoma insidiosum is an older name for Anthostomella (Diatrype) adusta.

Persistent hamathecial threads in the Nectriaceae, Hypocreales: Thyronectria revisited and re-instated.

Based on type studies and freshly collected material we here re-instate the genus Thyronectria (Nectriaceae, Hypocreales). Species of this genus were recently for the most part classified in the genera Pleonectria (Nectriaceae) or Mattirolia (Thyridiaceae), because Thyronectria and other genera had been identified as members of the Thyridiaceae due to the presence of paraphyses. Molecular phylogenies based on several markers (act, ITS, LSU rDNA, rpb1, rpb2, tef1, tub) revealed that the Nectriaceae contain members whose ascomata are characterised by long, more or less persistent, apical paraphyses. All of these belong to a single genus, Thyronectria, which thus has representatives with hyaline, rosy, green or even dark brown and sometimes distoseptate ascospores. The type species of Thyronectria, T. rhodochlora, syn. T. patavina, syn. T. pyrrhochlora is re-described and illustrated. Within the Nectriaceae persistent, apical paraphyses are common in Thyronectria and rarely also occur in Nectria. The genus Mattirolia is revised and merged with Thyronectria and also Thyronectroidea is regarded as a synonym of Thyronectria. The three new species T. asturiensis, T. caudata and T. obscura are added to the genus. Species recently described in Pleonectria as well as some species of Mattirolia are combined in the genus, and a key to Thyronectria is provided. Five species are epitypified. The type species of the genus Thyridium (Thyridiaceae), T. vestitum, is included in phylogenetic analyses to illustrate the phylogenetic distance of Thyronectria from the Thyridiaceae.

Molecular phylogeny of Boliniales (Sordariomycetes) with an assessment of the systematics of Apiorhynchostoma, Endoxyla and Pseudovalsaria.

The systematics of the ascomycete genera Apiorhynchostoma, Endoxyla and Pseudovalsaria are reevaluated based on the comparison of cultural characteristics, teleomorph morphology and DNA sequence data. Analyses of sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA operon and the large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA gene resolve Boliniales as a robustly supported lineage comprising Apiorhynchostoma, Camarops, Camaropella, Cornipulvina, Endoxyla and Pseudovalsaria. Within Boliniales, species of Endoxyla form a strongly supported lineage. Apiorhynchostoma curreyi and Pseudovalsaria ferruginea group with Cornipulvina ellipsoides. Species of Camarops are paraphyletic and comprise two clades, one of which includes Camaropella. Boliniaceae is emended, Endoxyla mallochii is described as new and Apiorhynchostoma trabicola is considered a synonym of Apiorhynchostoma altipetum. We also propose the combinations Endoxyla occulta, Endoxylina luteobasis and Jobellisia peckii. Keys to genera included in the Boliniaceae and to species of Apiocamarops, Apiorhynchostoma and Endoxyla are provided.

New combinations in Trichoderma (Hypocreaceae, Hypocreales).

Unitary nomenclature demands the use of a single name for pleomorphic fungi determined according to priority. For this reason combinations in Trichoderma are here provided for 46 species for which such a combination is lacking. Although many more such species are known, only those are included here that are dealt with in more recent papers and where some DNA data are available in GenBank, even if erroneous; for other species it is strongly recommended to consult databases like Index Fungorum or MycoBank. Information on types is provided for most species, and representative cultures, GenBank accessions for tef1 and rpb2, and important references are given for all species.

Three new Xylaria species (Xylariaceae, Xylariales) on fallen leaves from Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park.

Three new species of Xylaria on fallen leaves in Hainan Province of China are described and illustrated, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Xylariahedyosmicola is found on fallen leaves of Hedyosmumorientale and featured by thread-like stromata with a long sterile filiform apex. Phylogenetically, X.hedyosmicola is closely related to an undescribed Xylaria sp. from Hawaii Island, USA and morphologically similar to X.vagans. Xylarialindericola is found on fallen leaves of Linderarobusta and characterised by its subglobose stromata and a long filiform stipe. It is phylogenetically closely related to X.siculaf.major. Xylariapolysporicola is found on fallen leaves of Polysporahainanensis, it is distinguished by upright or prostrate stromata and ascospores sometimes with a slimy sheath or non-cellular appendages. Xylariapolysporicola is phylogenetically closely related to X.amphithele and X.ficicola. An identification key to the ten species on fallen leaves in China is given.

The genus Melanconis (Diaporthales).

The genus Melanconis (Melanconidaceae, Diaporthales) in the strict sense is here re-evaluated regarding phylogenetic structure, taxonomy, distribution and ecology. Using a matrix of sequences from ITS, LSU, ms204, rpb2, tef1 and tub2, eight species are recognised and their phylogenetic positions are determined. Based on phylogenetic, morphological and geographical differentiation, Melanconis marginalis is subdivided into four subspecies. Melanconis italica is reduced to a subspecies of Melanconis marginalis. The two species Melanconis larissae from Betula sp. and M. pacifica from Alnus rubra are described as new. Melanconis alni and M. stilbostoma are lectotypified and M. alni, M. marginalis and M. stilbostoma are epitypified. All GenBank sequences deposited as Melanconis alni are shown to actually represent M. marginalis and those as M. marginalis belong to the newly described M. pacifica. Currently, Alnus and Betula are the sole host genera of Melanconis. All species and subspecies are (re-)described and illustrated. In addition, the neotypification of Melanconium pterocaryae is here validated.

European species of Dendrostoma (Diaporthales).

European species of the genus Dendrostoma (Erythrogloeaceae, Diaporthales) occurring on Castanea sativa and Quercus spp. based on freshly collected material are presented. Using a matrix of sequences from ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tef1, five species are recognized, and their phylogenetic positions are determined. Four species are added to the 14 described species of Dendrostoma. Dendrostoma atlanticum on Castanea sativa, D. creticum on Quercus coccifera and D. istriacum on Q. ilex are described as new species, Valsa castanea is combined in Dendrostoma, and D. leiphaemia is redescribed and illustrated. A key to the European species of Dendrostoma is provided.

Barrmaelia and Entosordaria in Barrmaeliaceae (fam. nov., Xylariales) and critical notes on Anthostomella -like genera based on multigene phylogenies.

Phylogenetic analyses of a combined DNA data matrix containing ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tub2 sequences of representative Xylariales revealed that the genus Barrmaelia is a well-defined monophylum, as based on four of its described species (B. macrospora, B. moravica, B. oxyacanthae, B. rhamnicola) and the new species B. rappazii. The generic type of Entosordaria, E. perfidiosa, is revealed as the closest relative of Barrmaelia, being phylogenetically distant from the generic type of Clypeosphaeria, C. mamillana, which belongs to Xylariaceae sensu stricto. Entosordaria and Barrmaelia are highly supported and form a distinct lineage, which is recognised as the new family Barrmaeliaceae. The new species E. quercina is described. Barrmaelia macrospora, B. moravica and B. rhamnicola are epitypified and E. perfidiosa is lecto- and epitypified. Published sequences of Anthostomella and several Anthostomella-like species from the genera Alloanthostomella, Anthostomelloides, Neoanthostomella, Pseudoanthostomella and Pyriformiascoma are evaluated, demonstrating the necessity of critical inspection of published sequence data before inclusion in phylogenies. Verified isolates of several species from these genera should be re-sequenced to affirm their phylogenetic affinities. In addition, the generic type of Anthostomella should be sequenced before additional generic re-arrangements are proposed.

Xylobotryum portentosum (Mont.) Pat. (Xylobotryomycetes, Ascomycota): a rare fungal species newly found in Southeastern Brazil / Xylobotryum portentosum (Mont.) Pat. (Xylobotryomycetes, Ascomycota): uma espécie rara de fungo encontrada na Região Sudeste do Brasil

Abstract Xylobotrum portentosum (Mont.) Pat. is a striking Neotropical fungal species but it has been reported only a few times from Southern Brazil (States of Paraná and Santa Catarina), found in remnants of Atlantic Forest. Herein we report the species for the first time from the Southeastern Region of Brazil (State of São Paulo). A brief description and color photographs of the fresh specimen are presented.

Resumo Xylobotrum portentosum (Mont.) Pat. é uma espécie notável de fungo neotropical que foi registrada apenas poucas vezes para a Região Sul do Brasil (Paraná e Santa Catarina), encontrada em remanescentes de Mata Atlântica. Neste trabalho a espécie é reportada pela primeira vez para a Região Sudeste do Brasil (Estado de São Paulo). São apresentadas uma breve descrição e fotografias coloridas do espécime fresco.

Phylogenetic position of the yeast-like symbiotes of Tagosodes orizicolus (Homoptera: Delphacidae) based on 18S ribosomal DNA partial sequences

Tagosodes orizicolus Muir (Homoptera: Delphacidae), the endemic delphacid species of tropical America carries yeast-like symbiotes (YLS) in the abdominal fat bodies and the ovarial tissues, like other rice planthoppers of Asia. These YLS are obligate symbiotes, which are transmitted transovarially, and maintain a mutualistic relationship with the insect host. This characteristic has made in vitro culture and classification of YLS rather difficult using conventional methods. Nevertheless, microorganisms of similar characteristics have been successfully classified by using molecular taxonomy. In the present work, the YLS of Tagosodes orizicolus (YLSTo) were purified on Percoll gradients, and specific segments of 18S rDNA were amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. Sequences were aligned by means of the CLUSTAL V (DNASTAR) program; phylogenetic trees were constructed with the Phylogeny Inference Package (PHYLIP), showing that YLSTo belong to the fungi class Pyrenomycetes, phylum Ascomycota. Similarities between 98% and 100% were observed among YLS of the rice delphacids Tagosodes orizicolus, Nilaparvata lugens, Laodelphax striatellus and Sogatella fur cifera, and between 89.8% and 90.8% when comparing the above to YLS of the aphid Hamiltonaphis styraci. These comparisons revealed that delphacid YLS are a highly conserved monophyletic group within the Pyrenomycetes and are closely related to Hypomyces chrysospermus.