About spirals and pores: Xylariaceae with remarkable germ loci.

Based on phylogenetic analyses of a multi-gene matrix of nuITS-LSU rDNA, RPB2 and TUB2 sequences and morphology, xylariaceous species with uni- to pauciperitheciate stromata and ascospores having a spirally coiling (helicoid) germ slit are revised and reclassified, including detailed descriptions and illustrations. The genus Helicogermslita is redefined and restricted to seven species with massive, erumpent, clypeus-like carbonaceous stromata, and Rosellinia somala is combined in Helicogermslita. Within the core Xylariaceae, the poorly known Leptomassaria simplex is shown to be closely related to Anthostoma insidiosum, for which the new genus Oligostoma is established, and Anthostoma rhenanum is demonstrated to be synonymous with O. insidiosum. The new genus Albicollum, characterised by immersed ascomata and a collar of white pseudostromatic tissues surrounding the ostioles, is established for Amphisphaeria canicollis, Anthostoma chionostomum, Sordaria (= Helicogermslita) fleischhakii and Anthostoma vincensii. Anthostoma ostropoides is synomymised with Albicollum canicolle, and Al. berberidicola, Al. longisporum and Al. novomexicanum are described as new species. Rosellinia (= Helicogermslita) gaudefroyi is transferred to the new genus Spiririma. Anthostoma amoenum and Euepixylon udum, both with a poroid germ locus, are shown to be only distantly related, and An. amoenum is reclassified within the asexual genus Digitodochium. Based on phylogeny, the genus Euepixylon is treated as a synonym of Nemania. A new species, Nemania ethancrensonii, which is closely related to the two formerly accepted Euepixylon species (E. sphaeriostomum, E. udum) but strongly deviates from the morphological concept of Euepixylon and Nemania, is described from the eastern USA. The genera Anthostomelloides, Clypeosphaeria, Digitodochium, Emarcaea, Induratia, Linosporopsis, Magnostiolata, Occultitheca and Spiririma are revealed to form a morphologically heterogeneous lineage in a basal position of Xylariaceae. Anthostoma vincensii, Quaternaria simplex and Rosellinia gaudefroyi are lectotypified, and Amphisphaeria canicollis, Anthostoma amoenum, An. rhenanum, An. vincensii, Quaternaria simplex, Rosellinia gaudefroyi and Valsa insidiosa are epitypified. Keys to uni- to pauciperitheciate xylariaceous genera with sigmoid to helicoid germ slits and to species of Albicollum are provided. Citation: Voglmayr H, Tello S, Jaklitsch WM, et al. 2022. About spirals and pores: Xylariaceae with remarkable germ loci. Persoonia 49: 58-98. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.49.02.

Multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of lophiostomatoid fungi motivates a broad concept of Lophiostoma and reveals nine new species.

Recent studies on the fungal families Lophiostomataceae and Lophiotremataceae (Pleosporales) have provided varying phylogenetic and taxonomic results concerning constituent genera and species. By adding DNA sequences of 24 new strains of Lophiostomataceae and nine new strains of Lophiotremataceae to a sequence data matrix from international databases, we provide a new understanding of the relationships within these families. Multigene analysis of the four molecular markers ITS, LSU, TEF1-α, and RPB2 reveals that the genera within Lophio-tremataceae are phylogenetically well supported. Lophiostoma myriocarpum is recognised as a species of Lophiotrema in contrast to earlier concepts. In Lophiostomataceae, we resurrect a broad generic concept of the genus Lophiostoma and reduce 14 genera to synonymy: Alpestrisphaeria, Biappendiculispora, Capulatispora, Coelodictyosporium, Guttulispora, Lophiohelichrysum, Lophiopoacea, Neopaucispora, Neotrematosphaeria, Platystomum, Pseudocapulatispora, Pseudolophiostoma, Pseudoplatystomum, and Sigarispora. Nine new species are described based on molecular data and in most cases supported by morphological characters: Antealophiotrema populicola, Atrocalyx nordicus, Lophiostoma carpini, Lophiostoma dictyosporium, Lophiostoma erumpens, Lophiostoma fusisporum, Lophiostoma jotunheimenense, Lophiostoma plantaginis, and Lophiostoma submuriforme. Lophiostoma caespitosum and Lophiotrema myriocarpum are lecto- and epitypified to stabilise their species concepts. High intraspecific variability of several morphological traits is common within Lophiostomataceae. Citation: Andreasen M, Skrede I, Jaklitsch WM, et al. 2021. Multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of lophiostomatoid fungi motivates a broad concept of Lophiostoma and reveals nine new species. Persoonia 46: 240-271. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.46.09.

Fenestelloid clades of the Cucurbitariaceae.

Fresh collections and their ascospore and conidial isolates backed up by type studies and molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multigene matrix of partial nuSSU-, complete ITS, partial LSU rDNA, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 sequences were used to evaluate the boundaries and species composition of Fenestella and related genera of the Cucurbitariaceae. Eight species, of which five are new, are recognised in Fenestella s.str., 13 in Parafenestella with eight new species and two in the new genus Synfenestella with one new species. Cucurbitaria crataegi is combined in Fenestella, C. sorbi in Synfenestella, Fenestella faberi and Thyridium salicis in Parafenestella. Cucurbitaria subcaespitosa is distinct from C. sorbi and combined in Neocucurbitaria. Fenestella minor is a synonym of Valsa tetratrupha, which is combined in Parafenestella. Cucurbitaria marchica is synonymous with Parafenestella salicis, Fenestella bavarica with S. sorbi, F. macrospora with F. media, and P. mackenziei is synonymous with P. faberi, and the latter is lectotypified. Cucurbitaria sorbi, C. subcaespitosa and Fenestella macrospora are lecto- and epitypified, Cucurbitaria crataegi, Fenestella media, F. minor and Valsa tetratrupha are epitypified in order to stabilise the names in their phylogenetic positions. A neotype is proposed for Thyridium salicis. A determinative key to species is given. Asexual morphs of fenestelloid fungi are phoma-like and do not differ from those of other representatives of the Cucurbitariaceae. The phylogenetic structure of the fenestelloid clades is complex and can only be resolved at the species level by protein-coding genes, such as rpb2, tef1 and tub2. All fungal species studied here occur, as far as has been possible to determine, on members of Diaporthales, most frequently on asexual and sexual morphs of Cytospora.

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.

Juglanconis gen. nov. on Juglandaceae, and the new family Juglanconidaceae (Diaporthales).

Molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS-LSU rDNA sequence data demonstrate that Melanconis species occurring on Juglandaceae are phylogenetically distinct from Melanconis s.str., and therefore the new genus Juglanconis is described. Morphologically, the genus Juglanconis differs from Melanconis by light to dark brown conidia with irregular verrucae on the inner surface of the conidial wall, while in Melanconis s.str. they are smooth. Juglanconis forms a separate clade not affiliated with a described family of Diaporthales, and the family Juglanconidaceae is introduced to accommodate it. Data of macro- and microscopic morphology and phylogenetic multilocus analyses of partial nuSSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, cal, his, ms204, rpb1, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 sequences revealed four distinct species of Juglanconis. Comparison of the markers revealed that tef1 introns are the best performing markers for species delimitation, followed by cal, ms204 and tub2. The ITS, which is the primary barcoding locus for fungi, is amongst the poorest performing markers analysed, due to the comparatively low number of informative characters. Melanconium juglandinum (= Melanconis carthusiana), M. oblongum (= Melanconis juglandis) and M. pterocaryae are formally combined into Juglanconis, and J. appendiculata is described as a new species. Melanconium juglandinum and Melanconis carthusiana are neotypified and M. oblongum and Diaporthe juglandis are lectotypified. A short description and illustrations of the holotype of Melanconium ershadii from Pterocarya fraxinifolia are given, but based on morphology it is not considered to belong to Juglanconis. A key to all treated species of Juglanconis is provided.

Corynespora, Exosporium and Helminthosporium revisited - New species and generic reclassification.

Molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multigene matrix of partial nuSSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, rpb2 and tef1 sequences were performed to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of Corynespora, Exosporium and Helminthosporium species. Based on phylogenetic analyses and morphology, the genus Exosporium is synonymised with Helminthosporium, and the genus Corynespora is revealed as polyphyletic. Corynespora smithii is confirmed to be closely related to the generic type C. cassiicola and its morphology is described and illustrated. Exosporium tiliae, Corynespora caespitosa, C. endiandrae, C. leucadendri and C. olivacea are recognised in Helminthosporium, and Splanchnonema quercicola and S. kalakadense are combined in Helminthosporium. Based on pure culture studies and DNA sequence data, Massaria heterospora and Massarinula italica are shown to be the sexual morphs of Helminthosporium tiliae and H. microsorum, respectively. European accessions of Splanchnonema quercicola are recognised to differ from the North American type and are described as Helminthosporium quercinum. The sexual morph of H. oligosporum is recorded and described for the first time. The generic type of Helminthosporium, H. velutinum, is epitypified with a recent collection from the type host, Fagus sylvatica. Based on sequence data, Helminthosporium genistae is recognised as a distinct species. Several species for which subperidermal stromata have been reported are shown to be fungicolous on Diaporthales, the "stromata" representing aborted and transformed host stromata or conidiomata: H. caespitosum, H. microsorum, H. quercicola and H. quercinum on Coryneum spp.; H. hispanicum on conidiomata of Juglanconis juglandina; H. juglandinum on conidiomata of Diaporthe sp.; H. oligosporum and H. tiliae on Hercospora tiliae. The newly described H. austriacum is fungicolous on Amphisphaeria cf. millepunctata (Xylariales).

Exploring the genomic diversity of black yeasts and relatives (Chaetothyriales, Ascomycota).

The order Chaetothyriales (Pezizomycotina, Ascomycetes) harbours obligatorily melanised fungi and includes numerous etiologic agents of chromoblastomycosis, phaeohyphomycosis and other diseases of vertebrate hosts. Diseases range from mild cutaneous to fatal cerebral or disseminated infections and affect humans and cold-blooded animals globally. In addition, Chaetothyriales comprise species with aquatic, rock-inhabiting, ant-associated, and mycoparasitic life-styles, as well as species that tolerate toxic compounds, suggesting a high degree of versatile extremotolerance. To understand their biology and divergent niche occupation, we sequenced and annotated a set of 23 genomes of main the human opportunists within the Chaetothyriales as well as related environmental species. Our analyses included fungi with diverse life-styles, namely opportunistic pathogens and closely related saprobes, to identify genomic adaptations related to pathogenesis. Furthermore, ecological preferences of Chaetothyriales were analysed, in conjuncture with the order-level phylogeny based on conserved ribosomal genes. General characteristics, phylogenomic relationships, transposable elements, sex-related genes, protein family evolution, genes related to protein degradation (MEROPS), carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), melanin synthesis and secondary metabolism were investigated and compared between species. Genome assemblies varied from 25.81 Mb (Capronia coronata) to 43.03 Mb (Cladophialophora immunda). The bantiana-clade contained the highest number of predicted genes (12 817 on average) as well as larger genomes. We found a low content of mobile elements, with DNA transposons from Tc1/Mariner superfamily being the most abundant across analysed species. Additionally, we identified a reduction of carbohydrate degrading enzymes, specifically many of the Glycosyl Hydrolase (GH) class, while most of the Pectin Lyase (PL) genes were lost in etiological agents of chromoblastomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis. An expansion was found in protein degrading peptidase enzyme families S12 (serine-type D-Ala-D-Ala carboxypeptidases) and M38 (isoaspartyl dipeptidases). Based on genomic information, a wide range of abilities of melanin biosynthesis was revealed; genes related to metabolically distinct DHN, DOPA and pyomelanin pathways were identified. The MAT (MAting Type) locus and other sex-related genes were recognized in all 23 black fungi. Members of the asexual genera Fonsecaea and Cladophialophora appear to be heterothallic with a single copy of either MAT-1-1 or MAT-1-2 in each individual. All Capronia species are homothallic as both MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 genes were found in each single genome. The genomic synteny of the MAT-locus flanking genes (SLA2-APN2-COX13) is not conserved in black fungi as is commonly observed in Eurotiomycetes, indicating a unique genomic context for MAT in those species. The heterokaryon (het) genes expansion associated with the low selective pressure at the MAT-locus suggests that a parasexual cycle may play an important role in generating diversity among those fungi.

Hidden diversity in Thyridaria and a new circumscription of the Thyridariaceae.

A multigene analysis of a combined ITS-LSU-SSU-rpb2-tef1 sequence data matrix was applied to infer the phylogenetic position of the genus Thyridaria in the Pleosporales. The generic type of Thyridaria, T. broussonetiae (syn. T. incrustans), is situated in a clade currently named Roussoellaceae, which becomes a synonym of Thyridariaceae. However, Thyridaria rubronotata does not belong to this clade, but is here recognised as Cyclothyriella rubronotata in its own family Cyclothyriellaceae. The Thyridariaceae contain the genera Thyridaria, Roussoella, Roussoellopsis, Neoroussoella and the new genus Parathyridaria. Roussoella acaciae is combined in Thyridaria and Roussoella percutaenea in Parathyridaria. Ohleria modesta and an additional new thyridaria-like genus, Hobus, are found to represent isolated lineages with unresolved phylogenetic affinites within the Pleosporales. For Ohleria the new family Ohleriaceae is established. Melanomma fuscidulum belongs to Nigrograna, and three new species are described in this genus. A strain named Biatriospora marina clusters with Nigrograna. Based on the newly recognised species in Nigrograna, morphology and ecology do in no way correlate among these genera, therefore we erect the new family Nigrogranaceae for Nigrograna and recommend to discontinue the use of the family name Biatriosporaceae until fresh material of B. marina becomes available for sequencing.