Segregation of the genus Parahypoxylon (Hypoxylaceae, Xylariales) from Hypoxylon by a polyphasic taxonomic approach.

During a mycological survey of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a fungal specimen that morphologically resembled the American species Hypoxylonpapillatum was encountered. A polyphasic approach including morphological and chemotaxonomic together with a multigene phylogenetic study (ITS, LSU, tub2, and rpb2) of Hypoxylon spp. and representatives of related genera revealed that this strain represents a new species of the Hypoxylaceae. However, the multi-locus phylogenetic inference indicated that the new fungus clustered with H.papillatum in a separate clade from the other species of Hypoxylon. Studies by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and ion mobility tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-IM-MS/MS) were carried out on the stromatal extracts. In particular, the MS/MS spectra of the major stromatal metabolites of these species indicated the production of hitherto unreported azaphilone pigments with a similar core scaffold to the cohaerin-type metabolites, which are exclusively found in the Hypoxylaceae. Based on these results, the new genus Parahypoxylon is introduced herein. Aside from P.papillatum, the genus also includes P.ruwenzoriensesp. nov., which clustered together with the type species within a basal clade of the Hypoxylaceae together with its sister genus Durotheca.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1478-1549.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Australia, Aschersonia mackerrasiae on whitefly, Cladosporium corticola on bark of Melaleuca quinquenervia, Penicillium nudgee from soil under Melaleuca quinquenervia, Pseudocercospora blackwoodiae on leaf spot of Persoonia falcata, and Pseudocercospora dalyelliae on leaf spot of Senna alata. Bolivia, Aspicilia lutzoniana on fully submersed siliceous schist in high-mountain streams, and Niesslia parviseta on the lower part and apothecial discs of Erioderma barbellatum on a twig. Brazil, Cyathus bonsai on decaying wood, Geastrum albofibrosum from moist soil with leaf litter, Laetiporus pratigiensis on a trunk of a living unknown hardwood tree species, and Scytalidium synnematicum on dead twigs of unidentified plant. Bulgaria, Amanita abscondita on sandy soil in a plantation of Quercus suber. Canada, Penicillium acericola on dead bark of Acer saccharum, and Penicillium corticola on dead bark of Acer saccharum. China, Colletotrichum qingyuanense on fruit lesion of Capsicum annuum. Denmark, Helminthosphaeria leptospora on corticioid Neohypochnicium cremicolor. Ecuador (Galapagos), Phaeosphaeria scalesiae on Scalesia sp. Finland, Inocybe jacobssonii on calcareous soils in dry forests and park habitats. France, Cortinarius rufomyrrheus on sandy soil under Pinus pinaster, and Periconia neominutissima on leaves of Poaceae. India, Coprinopsis fragilis on decaying bark of logs, Filoboletus keralensis on unidentified woody substrate, Penicillium sankaranii from soil, Physisporinus tamilnaduensis on the trunk of Azadirachta indica, and Poronia nagaraholensis on elephant dung. Iran, Neosetophoma fici on infected leaves of Ficus elastica. Israel, Cnidariophoma eilatica (incl. Cnidariophoma gen. nov.) from Stylophora pistillata. Italy, Lyophyllum obscurum on acidic soil. Namibia, Aureobasidium faidherbiae on dead leaf of Faidherbia albida, and Aureobasidium welwitschiae on dead leaves of Welwitschia mirabilis. Netherlands, Gaeumannomycella caricigena on dead culms of Carex elongata, Houtenomyces caricicola (incl. Houtenomyces gen. nov.) on culms of Carex disticha, Neodacampia ulmea (incl. Neodacampia gen. nov.) on branch of Ulmus laevis, Niesslia phragmiticola on dead standing culms of Phragmites australis, Pseudopyricularia caricicola on culms of Carex disticha, and Rhodoveronaea nieuwwulvenica on dead bamboo sticks. Norway, Arrhenia similis half-buried and moss-covered pieces of rotting wood in grass-grown path. Pakistan, Mallocybe ahmadii on soil. Poland, Beskidomyces laricis (incl. Beskidomyces gen. nov.) from resin of Larix decidua ssp. polonica, Lapidomyces epipinicola from sooty mould community on Pinus nigra, and Leptographium granulatum from a gallery of Dendroctonus micans on Picea abies. Portugal, Geoglossum azoricum on mossy areas of laurel forest areas planted with Cryptomeria japonica, and Lunasporangiospora lusitanica from a biofilm covering a biodeteriorated limestone wall. Qatar, Alternaria halotolerans from hypersaline sea water, and Alternaria qatarensis from water sample collected from hypersaline lagoon. South Africa, Alfaria thamnochorti on culm of Thamnochortus fraternus, Knufia aloeicola on Aloe gariepensis, Muriseptatomyces restionacearum (incl. Muriseptatomyces gen. nov.) on culms of Restionaceae, Neocladosporium arctotis on nest of cases of bag worm moths (Lepidoptera, Psychidae) on Arctotis auriculata, Neodevriesia scadoxi on leaves of Scadoxus puniceus, Paraloratospora schoenoplecti on stems of Schoenoplectus lacustris, Tulasnella epidendrea from the roots of Epidendrum × obrienianum, and Xenoidriella cinnamomi (incl. Xenoidriella gen. nov.) on leaf of Cinnamomum camphora. South Korea, Lemonniera fraxinea on decaying leaves of Fraxinus sp. from pond. Spain, Atheniella lauri on the bark of fallen trees of Laurus nobilis, Halocryptovalsa endophytica from surface-sterilised, asymptomatic roots of Salicornia patula, Inocybe amygdaliolens on soil in mixed forest, Inocybe pityusarum on calcareous soil in mixed forest, Inocybe roseobulbipes on acidic soils, Neonectria borealis from roots of Vitis berlandieri × Vitis rupestris, Sympoventuria eucalyptorum on leaves of Eucalyptus sp., and Tuber conchae from soil. Sweden, Inocybe bidumensis on calcareous soil. Thailand, Cordyceps sandindaengensis on Lepidoptera pupa, buried in soil, Ophiocordyceps kuchinaraiensis on Coleoptera larva, buried in soil, and Samsoniella winandae on Lepidoptera pupa, buried in soil. Taiwan region (China), Neophaeosphaeria livistonae on dead leaf of Livistona rotundifolia. Türkiye, Melanogaster anatolicus on clay loamy soils. UK, Basingstokeomyces allii (incl. Basingstokeomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Allium schoenoprasum. Ukraine, Xenosphaeropsis corni on recently dead stem of Cornus alba. USA, Nothotrichosporon aquaticum (incl. Nothotrichosporon gen. nov.) from water, and Periconia philadelphiana from swab of coil surface. Morphological and culture characteristics for these new taxa are supported by DNA barcodes. Citation: Crous PW, Osieck ER, Shivas RG, et al. 2023. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1478-1549. Persoonia 50: 158- 310. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2023.50.05.

New mycoparasitic species in the genera Niveomyces and Pseudoniveomycesgen. nov. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), with sporothrix-like asexual morphs, from Thailand.

Four new species of the genus Niveomyces are described from Thailand. They were found as mycoparasites on: Ophiocordyceps infecting flies (Diptera) for Niveomyces albus; ants (Hymenoptera) for N. formicidarum; and leafhoppers (Hemiptera) for N. hirsutellae and N. multisynnematus. A new genus, Pseudoniveomyces with two species: Pseudoniveo. blattae (type species), parasitic on Ophiocordyceps infecting cockroaches, and Pseudoniveo. arachnovorum, found on a spider egg sac, are also described. These fungi share a common feature which is a sporothrix-like asexual morph. Based on our molecular data, Sporothrix insectorum is shown to be affiliated to the genus Niveomyces, and thus a new combination N. insectorum comb. nov. is proposed. Niveomyces coronatus, N. formicidarum and N. insectorum formed the N. coronatus species complex found on ant-pathogenic Ophiocordyceps from different continents. Pseudoniveomyces species are distinguished from Niveomyces spp. based on the presence of fusoid macroconidia in culture and a red pigment diffused in the medium, resembling to Gibellula and Hevansia. The molecular phylogenetic analyses also confirmed its generic status. The host/substrates associated with the genera within Cordycipitaceae were mapped onto the phylogeny to demonstrate that mycoparasitism also evolved independently multiple times in this family. Citation: Kobmoo N, Tasanathai K, Araújo JPM, Noisripoom W, Thanakitpipattana D, Mongkolsamrit S, Himaman W, Houbraken J, Luangsa-ard JJ (2023). New mycoparasitic species in the genera Niveomyces and Pseudoniveomyces gen. nov. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), with sporothrix-like asexual morphs, from Thailand. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 12: 91-110. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2023.12.07.

Multi-locus phylogeny unmasks hidden species within the specialised spider-parasitic fungus, Gibellula (Hypocreales, Cordycipitaceae) in Thailand.

Over 80 species of hypocrealean fungi are reported as pathogens of spiders and harvestmen. Among these fungi, the genus Gibellula is highly regarded as a specialised spider-killer that has never been reported to infect other arthropods. While more than 20 species of Gibellula are known, few attempts to identify the infected spiders have been made despite the fact that the host specificity can help identify the fungal species. Here, we morphologically describe and illustrate eight new species of Gibellula and three new records from Thailand of known species along with the multi-gene phylogeny that clearly showed the segregation among the proposed species. Examination of the Gibellula-infected spider hosts identified Oxyopidae, Uloboridae and, for the first time, the ant-mimicking genus Myrmarachne. Taxonomic novelties: New species: Gibellula brevistipitata Kuephadungphan, Tasanathai & Luangsa-ard, G. longicaudata Tasanathai, Kuephadungphan & Luangsa-ard, G. longispora Kuephadungphan & Luangsa-ard, G. nigelii Kuephadungphan, Tasanathai & Luangsa-ard, G. parvula Kuephadungphan, Tasanathai & Luangsa-ard, G. pilosa Kuephadungphan, Tasanathai & Luangsa-ard, G. solita Kuephadungphan, Tasanathai & Luangsa-ard, G. trimorpha Tasanathai, Khonsanit, Kuephadungphan & Luangsa-ard. Citation: Kuephadungphan W, Petcharad B, Tasanathai K, Thanakitpipattana D, Kobmoo N, Khonsanit A, Samson RA, Luangsa-ard JJ (2022). Multi-locus phylogeny unmasks hidden species within the specialised spider-parasitic fungus, Gibellula (Hypocreales, Cordycipitaceae) in Thailand. Studies in Mycology 101: 245-286. doi: 10.3114/sim.2022.101.04.

New species in Aciculosporium, Shimizuomyces and a new genus Morakotia associated with plants in Clavicipitaceae from Thailand.

Three new fungal species in the Clavicipitaceae (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) associated with plants were collected in Thailand. Morphological characterisation and phylogenetic analyses based on multi-locus sequences of LSU, RPB1 and TEF1 showed that two species belong to Aciculosporium and Shimizuomyces. Morakotia occupies a unique clade and is proposed as a novel genus in Clavicipitaceae. Shimizuomyces cinereus and Morakotia fusca share the morphological characteristic of having cylindrical to clavate stromata arising from seeds. Aciculosporium siamense produces perithecial plates and occurs on a leaf sheath of an unknown panicoid grass.

The integrative taxonomy of Beauveria asiatica and B. bassiana species complexes with whole-genome sequencing, morphometric and chemical analyses.

Fungi are rich in complexes of cryptic species that need a combination of different approaches to be delimited, including genomic information. Beauveria (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) is a well-known genus of entomopathogenic fungi, used as a biocontrol agent. In this study we present a polyphasic taxonomy regarding two widely distributed complexes of Beauveria: B. asiatica and B. bassiana s.lat. Some of the genetic groups as previously detected within both taxa were either confirmed or fused using population genomics. High levels of divergence were found between two clades in B. asiatica and among three clades in B. bassiana, supporting their subdivision as distinct species. Morphological examination focusing on the width and the length of phialides and conidia showed no difference among the clades within B. bassiana while conidial length was significantly different among clades within B. asiatica. The secondary metabolite profiles obtained by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) allowed a distinction between B. asiatica and B. bassiana, but not between the clades therein. Based on these genomic, morphological, chemical data, we proposed a clade of B. asiatica as a new species, named B. thailandica, and two clades of B. bassiana to respectively represent B. namnaoensis and B. neobassiana spp. nov. Such closely related but divergent species with different host ranges have potential to elucidate the evolution of host specificity, with potential biocontrol application. Citation: Kobmoo N, Arnamnart N, Pootakham W, et al. 2021. The integrative taxonomy of Beauveria asiatica and B. bassiana species complexes with whole-genome sequencing, morphometric and chemical analyses. Persoonia 47: 136-150. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.04.

The integrative taxonomy of Beauveria asiatica and B. bassiana species complexes with whole-genome sequencing, morphometric and chemical analyses.

Fungi are rich in complexes of cryptic species that need a combination of different approaches to be delimited, including genomic information. Beauveria (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) is a well-known genus of entomopathogenic fungi, used as a biocontrol agent. In this study we present a polyphasic taxonomy regarding two widely distributed complexes of Beauveria: B. asiatica and B. bassiana s.lat. Some of the genetic groups as previously detected within both taxa were either confirmed or fused using population genomics. High levels of divergence were found between two clades in B. asiatica and among three clades in B. bassiana, supporting their subdivision as distinct species. Morphological examination focusing on the width and the length of phialides and conidia showed no difference among the clades within B. bassiana while conidial length was significantly different among clades within B. asiatica. The secondary metabolite profiles obtained by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) allowed a distinction between B. asiatica and B. bassiana, but not between the clades therein. Based on these genomic, morphological, chemical data, we proposed a clade of B. asiatica as a new species, named B. thailandica, and two clades of B. bassiana to respectively represent B. namnaoensis and B. neobassiana spp. nov. Such closely related but divergent species with different host ranges have potential to elucidate the evolution of host specificity, with potential biocontrol application. Citation: Kobmoo N, Arnamnart N, Pootakham W, et al. 2021. The integrative taxonomy of Beauveria asiatica and B. bassiana species complexes with whole-genome sequencing, morphometric and chemical analyses. Persoonia 47: 136-150. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.04.

Fungal pathogens occurring on Orthopterida in Thailand.

Two new fungal genera and six species occurring on insects in the orders Orthoptera and Phasmatodea (superorder Orthopterida) were discovered that are distributed across three families in the Hypocreales. Sixty-seven sequences generated in this study were used in a multi-locus phylogenetic study comprising SSU, LSU, TEF, RPB1 and RPB2 together with the nuclear intergenic region (IGR). These new taxa are introduced as Metarhizium gryllidicola, M. phasmatodeae, Neotorrubiella chinghridicola, Ophiocordyceps kobayasii, O. krachonicola and Petchia siamensis. Petchia siamensis shows resemblance to Cordyceps mantidicola by infecting egg cases (ootheca) of praying mantis (Mantidae) and having obovoid perithecial heads but differs in the size of its perithecia and ascospore shape. Two new species in the Metarhizium cluster belonging to the M. anisopliae complex are described that differ from known species with respect to phialide size, conidia and host. Neotorrubiella chinghridicola resembles Torrubiella in the absence of a stipe and can be distinguished by the production of whole ascospores, which are not commonly found in Torrubiella (except in Torrubiella hemipterigena, which produces multiseptate, whole ascospores). Ophiocordyceps krachonicola is pathogenic to mole crickets and shows resemblance to O. nigrella, O. ravenelii and O. barnesii in having darkly pigmented stromata. Ophiocordyceps kobayasii occurs on small crickets, and is the phylogenetic sister species of taxa in the 'sphecocephala' clade.

Phylogeny- and morphology-based recognition of new species in the spider-parasitic genus Gibellula (Hypocreales, Cordycipitaceae) from Thailand.

Thailand is known to be a part of what is called the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, hosting a vast array of organisms across its diverse ecosystems. This is reflected by the increasing number of new species described over time, especially fungi. However, a very few fungal species from the specialized spider-parasitic genus Gibellula have ever been reported from this region. A survey of invertebrate-pathogenic fungi in Thailand over several decades has led to the discovery of a number of fungal specimens with affinities to this genus. Integration of morphological traits into multi-locus phylogenetic analysis uncovered four new species: G. cebrennini, G. fusiformispora, G. pigmentosinum, and G. scorpioides. All these appear to be exclusively linked with torrubiella-like sexual morphs with the presence of granulomanus-like asexual morph in G. pigmentosinum and G. cebrennini. A remarkably high host specificity of these new species towards their spider hosts was revealed, and for the first time, evidence is presented for manipulation of host behavior in G. scorpioides.

Phylogenetic and Chemotaxonomic Studies Confirm the Affinities of Stromatoneurospora phoenix to the Coprophilous Xylariaceae.

The genus Stromatoneurospora was erected in 1973 by Jong and Davis to accommodate the pyrophilic pyrenomycete Sphaeria phoenix and has traditionally been placed in the family Xylariaceae based on morphological features. However, no living culture of this genus has so far been available in the public domain. Molecular data were restricted to an internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence that only confirmed the familial position, and was generated from a strain that is not deposited in a public culture collection. We have recently collected fresh material and were able to culture this fungus from Thailand. The secondary metabolites of this strains were analysed after fermentation in multiple media. The the prominent components of these fermentation were purified, using preparative chromatography. Aside from two new eremophilane sesquiterpenoids named phoenixilanes A-B (1-2), four other components that are known from species of the xylariaceous genera Xylaria and Poronia were identified by spectral methods (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high resolution mass spectrometry). Notably, (-)-(R)-6-hydroxy-3-methyl-4-dihydroisocoumarin-5-carboxylic acid (6) has not been reported as a natural product before. Moreover, DNA sequences of Stromatoneurospora phoenix clustered with members of the genera Poronia and Podosordaria in a multi-locus molecular phylogeny. These results confirmed that the genus belongs to the same evolutionary lineage as the coprophilic Xylariaceae. The results also suggest that this lineage has evolved independently from the plant-inhabiting saprotrophs and endophytes that are closely related to the genus Xylaria. These findings are discussed in relation to some theories about the endophytic vs. the pyrophilic/coprophilic fungal life style.

Revisiting Metarhizium and the description of new species from Thailand.

Over the last two decades the molecular phylogeny and classification of Metarhizium has been widely studied. Despite these efforts to understand this enigmatic genus, the basal lineages in Metarhizium are still poorly resolved. In this study, a phylogenetic framework is reconstructed for the Clavicipitaceae focusing on Metarhizium through increased taxon-sampling using five genomic loci (SSU, LSU, tef, rpb1, rpb2) and the barcode marker ITS rDNA. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses and morphological characterisation of green-spored entomopathogenic Metarhizium isolates from Thailand and soil isolates of M. carneum and M. marquandii reveal their ecological, genetic and species diversity. Nineteen new species are recognised in the Metarhizium clade with narrow host ranges: two new species are found in the M. anisopliae complex - M. clavatum on Coleoptera larvae and M. sulphureum on Lepidoptera larvae; four new species are found in the M. flavoviride complex - M. biotecense and M. fusoideum on brown plant hoppers (Hemiptera), M. culicidarum on mosquitoes, M. nornnoi on Lepidoptera larvae; three new species M. megapomponiae, M. cicadae, M. niveum occur on cicadas; five new species M. candelabrum, M. cercopidarum, M. ellipsoideum, M. huainamdangense M. ovoidosporum occur on planthoppers, leafhoppers and froghoppers (Hemiptera); one new species M. eburneum on Lepidoptera pupae; and four new species M. phuwiangense, M. purpureum, M. purpureonigrum, M. flavum on Coleoptera . Of these 19 new species, seven produce a sexual morph (M. clavatum, M. eburneum, M. flavum, M. phuwiangense, M. purpureonigrum, M. purpureum, and M. sulphureum) and asexual morphs are found in the remaining new species and also in M. sulphureum, M. purpureonigrum and M. purpureum. Metarhizium blattodeae, M. koreanum and M. viridulum are new records for Thailand. An alternative neotype for Metarhizium anisopliae is proposed based on multi-gene and 5'tef analyses showing that CBS 130.71 from Ukraine is more suitable, being from a much closer geographical location to Metchnikoff's Metarhizium anisopliae. This isolate is distinct from the neotype of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae proposed by M. Tulloch from Ethiopia (ARSEF 7487). Six new genera are established for monophyletic clades subtending the core Metarhizium clade, including Keithomyces, Marquandomyces, Papiliomyces, Purpureomyces, Sungia, and Yosiokobayasia. Metarhizium carneum, M. aciculare, and M. neogunnii are combined in Keithomyces and one new combination for M. marquandii in Marquandomyces is proposed. Purpureomyces is introduced for species producing purple stromata including a new combination for M. khaoyaiense and two new species P. maesotensis and P. pyriformis. Papiliomyces contains two new combinations for M. liangshanense and Metacordyceps shibinensis. The genus Sungia is proposed for the Korean species M. yongmunense on Lepidoptera pupa and Yosiokobayasia for the Japanese species M. kusanagiense also on Lepidoptera pupa. A synoptic and dichotomous key to the accepted taxa is provided together with tables listing distinguishing morphological characters between species, host preferences, and geography.

Diversity of Akanthomyces on moths (Lepidoptera) in Thailand.

Akanthomyces is a genus of invertebrate-pathogenic fungi from the family Cordycipitaceae (Ascomycota, Hypocreales). Its species occurs on two different types of hosts, spiders and insects, and in the latter case specifically Lepidoptera adults. Three new species of Akanthomyces, A. noctuidarum, A. pyralidarum, and A. tortricidarum occurring on adult moths from Thailand are proposed based on the differences of their morphological characteristics and molecular data. Phylogenetic analyses using a combined dataset, including the internal transcribed spacer regions, the large subunit of the ribosomal DNA, translation elongation factor 1-α, the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, support the delimitation of these new species in Akanthomyces.

Viridistratins A-C, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Benzo[j]fluoranthenes from Stromata of Annulohypoxylon viridistratum (Hypoxylaceae, Ascomycota).

During the course of our search for novel biologically active metabolites from tropical fungi, we are using chemotaxonomic and taxonomic methodology for the preselection of interesting materials. Recently, three previously undescribed benzo[j]fluoranthenes (1-3) together with the known derivatives truncatones A and C (4, 5) were isolated from the stromata of the recently described species Annulohypoxylon viridistratum collected in Thailand. Their chemical structures were elucidated by means of spectral methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). The new compounds, for which we propose the trivial names viridistratins A-C, exhibited weak-to-moderate antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities in cell-based assays.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1112-1181.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Australia, Austroboletus asper on soil, Cylindromonium alloxyli on leaves of Alloxylon pinnatum, Davidhawksworthia quintiniae on leaves of Quintinia sieberi, Exophiala prostantherae on leaves of Prostanthera sp., Lactifluus lactiglaucus on soil, Linteromyces quintiniae (incl. Linteromyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Quintinia sieberi, Lophotrichus medusoides from stem tissue of Citrus garrawayi, Mycena pulchra on soil, Neocalonectria tristaniopsidis (incl. Neocalonectria gen. nov.) and Xyladictyochaeta tristaniopsidis on leaves of Tristaniopsis collina, Parasarocladium tasmanniae on leaves of Tasmannia insipida, Phytophthora aquae-cooljarloo from pond water, Serendipita whamiae as endophyte from roots of Eriochilus cucullatus, Veloboletus limbatus (incl. Veloboletus gen. nov.) on soil. Austria, Cortinarius glaucoelotus on soil. Bulgaria, Suhomyces rilaensis from the gut of Bolitophagus interruptus found on a Polyporus sp. Canada, Cantharellus betularum among leaf litter of Betula, Penicillium saanichii from house dust. Chile, Circinella lampensis on soil, Exophiala embothrii from rhizosphere of Embothrium coccineum. China, Colletotrichum cycadis on leaves of Cycas revoluta. Croatia, Phialocephala melitaea on fallen branch of Pinus halepensis. Czech Republic, Geoglossum jirinae on soil, Pyrenochaetopsis rajhradensis from dead wood of Buxus sempervirens. Dominican Republic, Amanita domingensis on litter of deciduous wood, Melanoleuca dominicana on forest litter. France, Crinipellis nigrolamellata (Martinique) on leaves of Pisonia fragrans, Talaromyces pulveris from bore dust of Xestobium rufovillosum infesting floorboards. French Guiana, Hypoxylon hepaticolor on dead corticated branch. Great Britain, Inocybe ionolepis on soil. India, Cortinarius indopurpurascens among leaf litter of Quercus leucotrichophora. Iran, Pseudopyricularia javanii on infected leaves of Cyperus sp., Xenomonodictys iranica (incl. Xenomonodictys gen. nov.) on wood of Fagus orientalis. Italy, Penicillium vallebormidaense from compost. Namibia, Alternaria mirabibensis on plant litter, Curvularia moringae and Moringomyces phantasmae (incl. Moringomyces gen. nov.) on leaves and flowers of Moringa ovalifolia, Gobabebomyces vachelliae (incl. Gobabebomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Vachellia erioloba, Preussia procaviae on dung of Procavia capensis. Pakistan, Russula shawarensis from soil on forest floor. Russia, Cyberlindnera dauci from Daucus carota. South Africa, Acremonium behniae on leaves of Behnia reticulata, Dothiora aloidendri and Hantamomyces aloidendri (incl. Hantamomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Aloidendron dichotomum, Endoconidioma euphorbiae on leaves of Euphorbia mauritanica, Eucasphaeria proteae on leaves of Protea neriifolia, Exophiala mali from inner fruit tissue of Malus sp., Graminopassalora geissorhizae on leaves of Geissorhiza splendidissima, Neocamarosporium leipoldtiae on leaves of Leipoldtia schultzii, Neocladosporium osteospermi on leaf spots of Osteospermum moniliferum, Neometulocladosporiella seifertii on leaves of Combretum caffrum, Paramyrothecium pituitipietianum on stems of Grielum humifusum, Phytopythium paucipapillatum from roots of Vitis sp., Stemphylium carpobroti and Verrucocladosporium carpobroti on leaves of Carpobrotus quadrifolius, Suttonomyces cephalophylli on leaves of Cephalophyllum pilansii. Sweden, Coprinopsis rubra on cow dung, Elaphomyces nemoreus from deciduous woodlands. Spain, Polyscytalum pini-canariensis on needles of Pinus canariensis, Pseudosubramaniomyces septatus from stream sediment, Tuber lusitanicum on soil under Quercus suber. Thailand, Tolypocladium flavonigrum on Elaphomyces sp. USA, Chaetothyrina spondiadis on fruits of Spondias mombin, Gymnascella minnisii from bat guano, Juncomyces patwiniorum on culms of Juncus effusus, Moelleriella puertoricoensis on scale insect, Neodothiora populina (incl. Neodothiora gen. nov.) on stem cankers of Populus tremuloides, Pseudogymnoascus palmeri from cave sediment. Vietnam, Cyphellophora vietnamensis on leaf litter, Tylopilus subotsuensis on soil in montane evergreen broadleaf forest. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.

Genera of phytopathogenic fungi: GOPHY 3.

This paper represents the third contribution in the Genera of Phytopathogenic Fungi (GOPHY) series. The series provides morphological descriptions, information about the pathology, distribution, hosts and disease symptoms for the treated genera, as well as primary and secondary DNA barcodes for the currently accepted species included in these. This third paper in the GOPHY series treats 21 genera of phytopathogenic fungi and their relatives including: Allophoma, Alternaria, Brunneosphaerella, Elsinoe, Exserohilum, Neosetophoma, Neostagonospora, Nothophoma, Parastagonospora, Phaeosphaeriopsis, Pleiocarpon, Pyrenophora, Ramichloridium, Seifertia, Seiridium, Septoriella, Setophoma, Stagonosporopsis, Stemphylium, Tubakia and Zasmidium. This study includes three new genera, 42 new species, 23 new combinations, four new names, and three typifications of older names.

The Effect of Cytochalasans on the Actin Cytoskeleton of Eukaryotic Cells and Preliminary Structure⁻Activity Relationships.

In our ongoing search for new bioactive fungal metabolites, two new cytochalasans were isolated from stromata of the hypoxylaceous ascomycete Hypoxylon fragiforme. Their structures were elucidated via high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Together with 23 additional cytochalasans isolated from ascomata and mycelial cultures of different Ascomycota, they were tested on their ability to disrupt the actin cytoskeleton of mammal cells in a preliminary structure⁻activity relationship study. Out of all structural features, the presence of hydroxyl group at the C7 and C18 residues, as well as their stereochemistry, were determined as important factors affecting the potential to disrupt the actin cytoskeleton. Moreover, reversibility of the actin disrupting effects was tested, revealing no direct correlations between potency and reversibility in the tested compound group. Since the diverse bioactivity of cytochalasans is interesting for various applications in eukaryotes, the exact effect on eukaryotic cells will need to be determined, e.g., by follow-up studies involving medicinal chemistry and by inclusion of additional natural cytochalasans. The results are also discussed in relation to previous studies in the literature, including a recent report on the anti-Biofilm activities of essentially the same panel of compounds against the pathogenic bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus.

Genera of phytopathogenic fungi: GOPHY 2.

This paper represents the second contribution in the Genera of Phytopathogenic Fungi (GOPHY) series. The series provides morphological descriptions and information regarding the pathology, distribution, hosts and disease symptoms for the treated genera. In addition, primary and secondary DNA barcodes for the currently accepted species are included. This second paper in the GOPHY series treats 20 genera of phytopathogenic fungi and their relatives including: Allantophomopsiella, Apoharknessia, Cylindrocladiella, Diaporthe, Dichotomophthora, Gaeumannomyces, Harknessia, Huntiella, Macgarvieomyces, Metulocladosporiella, Microdochium, Oculimacula, Paraphoma, Phaeoacremonium, Phyllosticta, Proxypiricularia, Pyricularia, Stenocarpella, Utrechtiana and Wojnowiciella. This study includes the new genus Pyriculariomyces, 20 new species, five new combinations, and six typifications for older names.

Multigene phylogenetics of Polycephalomyces (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales), with two new species from Thailand.

Polycephalomyces (Ophiocordycipitaceae) species are found in subtropical regions and are parasitic or hyperparasitic on insects. Two new species, P. aurantiacus and P. marginaliradians, parasitic on Ophiocordyceps barnesii and larva of Cossidae respectively, are introduced in this paper. Morphological comparison with extant species and DNA based phylogenies from analyses of a multigene dataset support the establishment of the new taxa. Polycephalomyces aurantiacus, exhibiting a hyperparasitic lifestyle on Ophiocordyceps barnesii, differs from other species in producing orange conidia in mass and have longer ß-phialides in culture. Polycephalomyces marginaliradians differs from other Ophiocordyceps species by producing single stromata with a stipe, smaller perithecia and branched α-phialides and catenate α-conidia and is parasitic on Cossidae. A combined nrSSU, nrLSU, ITS, tef-1a, rpb1 and rpb2 sequence data was analysed phylogenetically including Ophiocordyceps and Polycephalomyces taxa. The new species described herein are clearly distinct from other species in Polycephalomyces. We provide a key to the species of Polycephalomyces and discuss relevant interspecies relationships.

Novel and interesting Ophiocordyceps spp. (Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) with superficial perithecia from Thailand.

Ophiocordyceps is a heterogeneous, species-rich genus in the order Hypocreales (Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) that includes invertebrate-pathogenic taxa. In this study, seven new species in Ophiocordyceps producing superficial perithecia infecting various insect hosts (Lepidoptera, Hemiptera) are described from Thailand - Ophiocordyceps brunneinigra, O. brunneiperitheciata, O. geometridicola, O. multiperitheciata, O. pauciovoperitheciata, O. pseudoacicularis and O. spataforae. Phylogenetic analyses based on multigene loci comprising the large subunit of the ribosomal DNA (LSU), partial sequences of elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) and the largest and second largest subunit of the RNA polymerase (RPB1, PRB2) strongly support these new species of Ophiocordyceps in the Ophiocordycipitaceae. They differ from species previously described species Ophiocordyceps acicularis, O. atewensis, O. cochlidiicola, and O. crinalis, in the shape and sizes of distinguishing characters such as perithecia, ascospores and conidia. We also report a new record of O. macroacicularis in Thailand.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 785-867.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Angola, Gnomoniopsis angolensis and Pseudopithomyces angolensis on unknown host plants. Australia, Dothiora corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora, Neoeucasphaeria eucalypti (incl. Neoeucasphaeria gen. nov.) on Eucalyptus sp., Fumagopsis stellae on Eucalyptus sp., Fusculina eucalyptorum (incl. Fusculinaceae fam. nov.) on Eucalyptus socialis, Harknessia corymbiicola on Corymbia maculata, Neocelosporium eucalypti (incl. Neocelosporium gen. nov., Neocelosporiaceae fam. nov. and Neocelosporiales ord. nov.) on Eucalyptus cyanophylla, Neophaeomoniella corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora, Neophaeomoniella eucalyptigena on Eucalyptus pilularis, Pseudoplagiostoma corymbiicola on Corymbia citriodora, Teratosphaeria gracilis on Eucalyptus gracilis, Zasmidium corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora. Brazil, Calonectria hemileiae on pustules of Hemileia vastatrix formed on leaves of Coffea arabica, Calvatia caatinguensis on soil, Cercospora solani-betacei on Solanum betaceum, Clathrus natalensis on soil, Diaporthe poincianellae on Poincianella pyramidalis, Geastrum piquiriunense on soil, Geosmithia carolliae on wing of Carollia perspicillata, Henningsia resupinata on wood, Penicillium guaibinense from soil, Periconia caespitosa from leaf litter, Pseudocercospora styracina on Styrax sp., Simplicillium filiforme as endophyte from Citrullus lanatus, Thozetella pindobacuensis on leaf litter, Xenosonderhenia coussapoae on Coussapoa floccosa. Canary Islands (Spain), Orbilia amarilla on Euphorbia canariensis. Cape Verde Islands, Xylodon jacobaeus on Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Chile, Colletotrichum arboricola on Fuchsia magellanica. Costa Rica, Lasiosphaeria miniovina on tree branch. Ecuador, Ganoderma chocoense on tree trunk. France, Neofitzroyomyces nerii (incl. Neofitzroyomyces gen. nov.) on Nerium oleander. Ghana, Castanediella tereticornis on Eucalyptus tereticornis, Falcocladium africanum on Eucalyptus brassiana, Rachicladosporium corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora. Hungary, Entoloma silvae-frondosae in Carpinus betulus-Pinus sylvestris mixed forest. Iran, Pseudopyricularia persiana on Cyperus sp. Italy, Inocybe roseascens on soil in mixed forest. Laos, Ophiocordyceps houaynhangensis on Coleoptera larva. Malaysia, Monilochaetes melastomae on Melastoma sp. Mexico, Absidia terrestris from soil. Netherlands, Acaulium pannemaniae, Conioscypha boutwelliae, Fusicolla septimanifiniscientiae, Gibellulopsis simonii, Lasionectria hilhorstii, Lectera nordwiniana, Leptodiscella rintelii, Parasarocladium debruynii and Sarocladium dejongiae (incl. Sarocladiaceae fam. nov.) from soil. New Zealand, Gnomoniopsis rosae on Rosa sp. and Neodevriesia metrosideri on Metrosideros sp. Puerto Rico, Neodevriesia coccolobae on Coccoloba uvifera, Neodevriesia tabebuiae and Alfaria tabebuiae on Tabebuia chrysantha. Russia, Amanita paludosa on bogged soil in mixed deciduous forest, Entoloma tiliae in forest of Tilia × europaea, Kwoniella endophytica on Pyrus communis. South Africa, Coniella diospyri on Diospyros mespiliformis, Neomelanconiella combreti (incl. Neomelanconiellaceae fam. nov. and Neomelanconiella gen. nov.) on Combretum sp., Polyphialoseptoria natalensis on unidentified plant host, Pseudorobillarda bolusanthi on Bolusanthus speciosus, Thelonectria pelargonii on Pelargonium sp. Spain, Vermiculariopsiella lauracearum and Anungitopsis lauri on Laurus novocanariensis, Geosmithia xerotolerans from a darkened wall of a house, Pseudopenidiella gallaica on leaf litter. Thailand, Corynespora thailandica on wood, Lareunionomyces loeiensis on leaf litter, Neocochlearomyces chromolaenae (incl. Neocochlearomyces gen. nov.) on Chromolaena odorata, Neomyrmecridium septatum (incl. Neomyrmecridium gen. nov.), Pararamichloridium caricicola on Carex sp., Xenodactylaria thailandica (incl. Xenodactylariaceae fam. nov. and Xenodactylaria gen. nov.), Neomyrmecridium asiaticum and Cymostachys thailandica from unidentified vine. USA, Carolinigaster bonitoi (incl. Carolinigaster gen. nov.) from soil, Penicillium fortuitum from house dust, Phaeotheca shathenatiana (incl. Phaeothecaceae fam. nov.) from twig and cone litter, Pythium wohlseniorum from stream water, Superstratomyces tardicrescens from human eye, Talaromyces iowaense from office air. Vietnam, Fistulinella olivaceoalba on soil. Morphological and culture characteristics along with DNA barcodes are provided.