Coniolariella hispanica sp. nov. and other additions to Coniolariella.

ABSTRACT

Coniolariella hispanica, isolated as an endophyte from leaves of Eryngium campestre on the Iberian Peninsula, is established as a new cleistocarpous species. The perithecial species Rosellinia limoniispora is transferred to Coniolariella on morphological and molecular evidence. R. australis is transferred to Coniolariella as a variety of C. limoniispora. The type species of Coniolariella, C. gamsii, is considered to be a variety of C. limoniispora. The taxa discussed here have soft stromata, deliquescent asci that lack an iodine-positive apical ring, and more or less symmetrical ascospores. They lack subicula in natural conditions. C. hispanica and C. limoniispora var. limoniispora have Sporothrix- or Geniculosporium-like anamorphs associated with stromata at different stages of development, but anamorphs are not usually evident in cultures. Coniolariella limoniispora var. gamsii produces the anamorph abundantly in culture. It is not known whether or not C. limoniispora var. australis possesses an anamorph. An emendation of the description of Coniolariella is necessitated by these changes.