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Summary: Ransomnema bravoae from the intestine of the endemic rhinocricid, Anadenobolus putealis , from Mexico, is redescribed. This species was originally described from the spirobolid Hiltonius carpinus from Morelos State, Mexico. A redescription is presented and a neotype proposed due to the loss of the type material. Ransomnema bravoae can be distinguished from all other described species of Ransomnema by the presence of a cervical expansion extending from the base of the buccal cone to approximately the last one-third of the muscular pharynx and is offset by a slight constriction at the termination point, the presence of broad lateral alae beginning at the cervical expansion termination and terminating at the phasmids, the size and distribution of the male caudal papillae, and the size of the spicules, the right spicule being 3-4 times longer than the left. Ransomnema bravoae resembles R. alatum and R. bursatum in the presence of lateral alae but differs markedly in their distribution along the body. The right spicule is within the size range of that of R. longispiculum. Males of R. bravoae possess the usual papillal composition of the genus and are very similar to that of R. christiei in that the last pair of papillae is arranged in tandem. It is similar to species where males possess three precloacal papillae placed on lateral protuberances, showing morphological affinities to Caribbean species R. artigasi and R. habanense from Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A new species of Aporcelinus , collected in a natural habitat of central Mexico, is described and illustrated, including molecular (D2-D3 28 S -rRNA) data. Aporcelinus zapotitlanensis sp. n. is characterised by its 1.19-1.43 mm long body, lip region offset by a deep constriction and 16.5-18.5 μ m broad, odontostyle 19.5-22 long, neck 325-368 μ m long, pharyngeal expansion 150-201 μ m long or 46-55% of the total neck length, uterus 130-167 μ m long and tripartite, V = 54-56, tail conical with finely rounded tip (30-37 μ m, c = 34-43, c′ = 1.2-1.4) lacking a distinct dorsal concavity, spicules 48-51 μ m long, and 11-12 spaced ventromedian supplements with one or two of them located within the range of the spicules. Molecular analyses confirm the monophyly of Aporcelinus and places the new species within a clade shared with A. infundibulicaudatus and A. amazonicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A molecular hypothesis of the Infraorder Rhigonematomorpha is presented. The phylogeny recovered using combined SSU and LSU markers suggests that the Rhigonematomorpha is nested within a larger clade that includes Ascaridomorpha, Spiruromorpha and Oxyuridomorpha and is strongly supported by maximum likelihood (ML) bootstrap support values (BS) and Bayesian posterior probabilities (BPP). SSU and LSU ML and Bayesian analyses recovered Rhigonematomorpha as a paraphyletic clade. In the ML and Bayesian analyses of a combined matrix of complete to partial sequences of SSU and LSU, respectively, Rhigonematomorpha is recovered as a monophyletic clade with moderate BPP but low BS. Highly supported BS and BPP of a combined SSU and LSU matrix support a hypothesis of a monophyletic Superfamily Ransomnematoidea that includes the families Carnoyidae, Hethidae, Ransomnematidae plus a Brumptaemilius, Cattiena, Insulanema clade, and a monophyletic Superfamily Rhigonematoidea that probably includes the paraphyletic families Rhigonematidae and Ichthyocephalidae. It is suggested that the future inclusion of more families and genera might help resolve the monophyly of the Infraorder Rhigonematomorpha as advanced here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil nematode abundance and MOTU diversity were estimated from a geographically broad area of Mexico that included four out of seven recognised vegetation types. Vegetation types were assessed for abundance and diversity of nematode communities and inferred ecological relationships between them. Soils were sampled from tropical rainforest, tropical dry deciduous forest, temperate coniferous forest and xerophytic shrub during 2013, 2014 and 2015. Fourteen sampling sites with ca 10-20 samples per site from 11 localities spread across Central Mexico were assessed. Altitudes sampled ranged from 113 m a.s.l. (tropical coastal plain) to 2400 m a.s.l. (Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt). Samples were drawn from conserved and cultivated plots from each sampling site covering an area of ⩾100 m². A total of 13 263 individuals from 25 identified families of nematodes were collected. Family abundance and complementarity indices between sites revealed to some extent the affinities between vegetation types. Nevertheless, statistical analyses revealed no differences between nematode family abundances between sites, only between families across all sites. Molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTU) methods were employed as a framework to assess biodiversity. From these, 77 high-quality sequences for taxonomic barcoding were recovered and later identified with morphological traits. Only six sequences matched at a 98-99% level with those reported in GenBank. Sequences amounted to a total of 41MOTU, where 100% of theMOTU from both conserved and disturbed tropical rainforest, tropical dry deciduous forest and xerophytic shrub exhibited a ⩾3% cut-off genetic identity, whilst temperate coniferous forest and disturbed temperate coniferous forest showed 73% and 70% respectively. In addition, 12.2% MOTU were shared among localities and 87.8% exhibited an apparently locality-limited distribution. The potential for a considerable diversity of nematodes, as revealed from a small sample of MOTU diversity, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carnoya cepacapitatus n. sp. and C. mexicana n. sp. from the intestine of Anadenobolus putealis from Mexico are described herein. Specific characters like the number of collars and spines set these species apart from those previously described from the Caribbean and South American regions. Males of C. cepacapitatus n. sp. can be differentiated from those of all other described species of Carnoya from the Americas by the presence of a broader cephalic annule two annules posterior to the lip region, eight transverse rows of spines linearly arranged on cervical region, finely striated regions at the midventral body section and in the region posterior to cloacal aperture, and a pair of double postcloacal papillae, females by a spherical, knob-like annule posterior to lip region, annulated neck region with fourth annule wider than the other six, and 15 spined cervical collars. Males of C. mexicana n. sp. can be differentiated from other described species by the presence of minute and irregularly distributed cervical spines placed on 11 annules, plus an elevated lip region; females bear 15 cervical collars with leaf-like spines. Carnoya cepacapitatus n. sp. closely resembles C. caputbulla, whereas C. mexicana n. sp. resembles several species of Caribbean distribution, mainly C. haiti, but differs from all of them primarily in the number, distribution and size of the cervical spined collars. Females of C. cepacapitatus n. sp. resemble Asian species that possess a knob-like cephalic region. Carnoya mexicana n. sp. resembles more closely the American species of this genus based on the form of the cephalic region in both sexes, but especially the number and distribution of the spined collars in the male. Partial sequences of SSU and LSU are presented for females of both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carnoya cepacapitatus n. sp. and C. mexicana n. sp. from the intestine of Anadenobolus putealis from Mexico are described herein. Specific characters like the number of collars and spines set these species apart from those previously described from the Caribbean and South American regions. Males of C. cepacapitatus n. sp. can be differentiated from those of all other described species of Carnoya from the Americas by the presence of a broader cephalic annule two annules posterior to the lip region, eight transverse rows of spines linearly arranged on cervical region, finely striated regions at the midventral body section and in the region posterior to cloacal aperture, and a pair of double postcloacal papillae, females by a spherical, knob-like annule posterior to lip region, annulated neck region with fourth annule wider than the other six, and 15 spined cervical collars. Males of C. mexicana n. sp. can be differentiated from other described species by the presence of minute and irregularly distributed cervical spines placed on 11 annules, plus an elevated lip region; females bear 15 cervical collars with leaf-like spines. Carnoya cepacapitatus n. sp. closely resembles C. caputbulla, whereas C. mexicana n. sp. resembles several species of Caribbean distribution, mainly C. haiti, but differs from all of them primarily in the number, distribution and size of the cervical spined collars. Females of C. cepacapitatus n. sp. resemble Asian species that possess a knob-like cephalic region. Carnoya mexicana n. sp. resembles more closely the American species of this genus based on the form of the cephalic region in both sexes, but especially the number and distribution of the spined collars in the male. Partial sequences of SSU and LSU are presented for females of both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carnoya cepacapitatus n. sp. and C. mexicana n. sp. from the intestine of Anadenobolus putealis from Mexico are described herein. Specific characters like the number of collars and spines set these species apart from those previously described from the Caribbean and South American regions. Males of C. cepacapitatus n. sp. can be differentiated from those of all other described species of Carnoya from the Americas by the presence of a broader cephalic annule two annules posterior to the lip region, eight transverse rows of spines linearly arranged on cervical region, finely striated regions at the midventral body section and in the region posterior to cloacal aperture, and a pair of double postcloacal papillae, females by a spherical, knob-like annule posterior to lip region, annulated neck region with fourth annule wider than the other six, and 15 spined cervical collars. Males of C. mexicana n. sp. can be differentiated from other described species by the presence of minute and irregularly distributed cervical spines placed on 11 annules, plus an elevated lip region; females bear 15 cervical collars with leaf-like spines. Carnoya cepacapitatus n. sp. closely resembles C. caputbulla, whereas C. mexicana n. sp. resembles several species of Caribbean distribution, mainly C. haiti, but differs from all of them primarily in the number, distribution and size of the cervical spined collars. Females of C. cepacapitatus n. sp. resemble Asian species that possess a knob-like cephalic region. Carnoya mexicana n. sp. resembles more closely the American species of this genus based on the form of the cephalic region in both sexes, but especially the number and distribution of the spined collars in the male. Partial sequences of SSU and LSU are presented for females of both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to detect the heterogeneity of diversity in seasonal, site, tree species, and soil properties' effects on structural and functional attributes of the nematode communities under smooth mesquite, Prosopis laevigata and palo brea, Cericidium praecox within the Biosphere Reserve Valle de Tehuacán-Cuicatlán. Soils under biological crusts and neighbouring exposed sites were surveyed during the dry and wet seasons of 2018. Assessment of effective diversity (D) and diversity weighted by metabolic footprint (DMFP) were calculated as they reflect taxonomic and functional diversity. Trophic group abundances and both indices showed marked seasonal variation. Soil water content and bulk density were the only physicochemical variables that showed seasonal variation whereas bulk density, total C and total N content showed significant variation between soil under biological crusts and exposed sites. DMFP seemed to have a better chance of explaining a relationship with physicochemical heterogeneity than D as shown by PCA analyses. This places DMFP as an index for measuring diversity related to ecosystem services and therefore should be used as a tool for biological integrity assessments at the soil level and a support aid in stewardship soil management policies. • Heterogeneity of desert nematode communities is related to seasonal change. • Seasonal water content determines changes in soil nematode functional diversity. • Seasonal changes were better represented by metabolic footprint indices. • Metabolic weighted diversity should be a tool for biological integrity surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heth gordae n. sp., H. xarochae n. sp. and H. tuxtlensis n. sp. from the intestine of spiroboloids from Mexico are described herein. Females of H. gordae n. sp. and H. xarochae n. sp. can be differentiated from all other described species of Heth from the Americas by the presence of two sets of lateral spines with multiple cusps with a common broad base arranged in a semilunar shape pattern. Heth gordae n. sp. exhibits a narrower pattern that resembles more a comb-like structure, whereas H. xarochae n. sp. exhibits a broader pattern. Both aforementioned species resemble H. hexaspinosum from Panamá, but the latter possesses fewer spines without a common base. Lateral spines with multiple cusps have never been previously described in the genus Heth. Females of H. tuxtlensis n. sp. resemble Asian collar lappet-species but differ from them in possessing a complete uninterrupted collar with indented single lateral lappets. Specific characters described herein set these species apart from the Caribbean Heth species, most South American, and those previously described from Mexico. The present descriptions increase the number of Heth species recorded from Mexico from three to six. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

False smut caused by Cercospora seminalis is an important disease of buffalograss (Buchloë dactyloides) affecting seed production. The pathogen prevents normal caryopsis development and causes considerable yield loss and reduced seed germination. The current taxonomic placement of the falsesmut causal pathogen in the genus Cercospora is incorrect based on its morphological characteristics and DNA phylogeny. In the present study the phylogenetic position of C. seminalis is clarified based on DNA sequence analysis of three loci namely the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, partial nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU) and partial sequences of the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2). A collection of C. seminalis isolates was made from buffalograss sites near Lincoln, Nebraska. DNA sequence data indicated that Cercospora seminalis is phylogenetically close to but distinct from species of Bipolaris and Curvularia (Pleosporaceae, Pleosporales). Cercospora seminalis morphologically had unique characteristics, namely densely aggregated and repeatedly branched conidiophores arising from a brown stroma, monotretic conidiogenous cells with inconspicuous loci, and scolecosporous conidia with distosepta, and thickened, darkened hila. Porocercospora is introduced as a new genus to accommodate the buffalograss false-smut pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The genus Alternaria includes numerous phytopathogenic species, many of which are economically relevant. Traditionally, identification has been based on morphology, but is often hampered by the tendency of some strains to become sterile in culture and by the existence of species-complexes of morphologically similar taxa. This study aimed to assess if strains of four closely-related plant pathogens, i.e., accurately Alternaria dauci (ten strains), Alternaria porri (six), Alternaria solani (ten), and Alternaria tomatophila (ten) could be identified using multilocus phylogenetic analysis and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) profiling of proteins. Phylogenetic analyses were performed on three loci, i.e., the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rRNA, and the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd) and Alternaria major antigen (Alt a 1) genes. Phylogenetic trees based on ITS sequences did not differentiate strains of A. solani, A. tomatophila, and A. porri, but these three species formed a clade separate from strains of A. dauci. The resolution improved in trees based on gpd and Alt a 1, which distinguished strains of the four species as separate clades. However, none provided significant bootstrap support for all four species, which could only be achieved when results for the three loci were combined. MALDI-TOF-based dendrograms showed three major clusters. The first comprised all A. dauci strains, the second included five strains of A. porri and one of A. solani, and the third included all strains of A. tomatophila, as well as all but one strain of A. solani, and one strain of A. porri. Thus, this study shows the usefulness of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as a promising tool for identification of these four species of Alternaria which are closely-related plant pathogens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new species of Pseudachorutes is described and illustrated from Nicaragua. Pseudachorutes nica sp. n. is very easy to distinguish from other members of this genus from Central America, because its chaetotaxy consists of macro and microsetae and a postantennal organ with multiple vesicles (close to 20). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Cladorrhinum, C. flexuosum and C. microsclerotigenum, are described and their sequences of the 5.8S and 28S ribosomal DNA and internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster analyzed. Cladorrhinum flexuosum, isolated from soil in Spain, forms fast-growing, dull yellow colonies, flexuous conidiophores and globose to dacryoid conidia. Cladorrhinum microsclerotigenum, isolated from Musa sp. in Turkey, strongly resembles Cladorrhinum phialophoroides in the production of abundant terminal phialides, ellipsoid conidia and microsclerotia in culture. It differs from C. phialophoroides in its ability to grow at 36 C and high number of intercalary phialides, which only infrequently occur in C. phialophoroides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We evaluated the efficacy of amphotericin B (1.5mg/kg/day), voriconazole (60mg/kg/day) and posaconazole (60mg/kg/day) in a murine model of systemic infection caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum. All the treatments were able to prolong survival and to reduce the tissue burden in the spleen and kidneys of infected mice. Neither voriconazole nor posaconazole improved the results achieved with amphotericin B. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study evaluated the genetic variability and in vitro susceptibility patterns of isolates of Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and Scytalidium hyalinum from different geographical origins. Partial sequences of four loci (the ITS region and D1/D2 domains of the 28S rRNA gene and the tubulin and chitin synthase genes) were analysed. Among a total of 1970bp sequenced in 24 isolates, 7 polymorphic positions (0.36%) were detected, representing five different sequence types (ST1–ST5), from which two (ST2 and ST3) were detected exclusively in isolates from plants, two (ST1 and ST5) were found only in clinical isolates and one (ST4) was observed in isolates from humans and from a mango tree. We propose subordinating S. hyalinum as a variety of N. dimidiatum. Amphotericin B was the most active drug, but low minimum inhibitory concentrations were also detected for voriconazole, terbinafine and anidulafungin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Helminthosporium is a polyphyletic genus in Massarinaceae (Pleosporales). Species of Helminthosporium are characterized by having septate and erect conidiophores, acro-pleurogenous and distoseptate conidia with a ring-shaped scar at the base. During a survey of fungal diversity in Sichuan Province, China, six Helminthosporium-like isolates were collected from dead branches of unknown trees. Five barcodes, including ITS (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2), SSU, LSU, TEF1, and RPB2 were amplified and sequenced. Morphological examination and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses revealed two new Helminthosporium species (H. chengduense sp. nov., and H. chinense sp. nov.), a new genus (Synhelminthosporium gen. nov.) with a type species Synhelminthosporium synnematoferum sp. nov., and two known species (Helminthosporium submersum and H. velutinum) within Massarinaceae. The new genus Synhelminthosporium differs from the phylogenetically closest genus Helminthosporium by producing synnematous conidiophores. This work expands our understanding of the diversity of Helminthosporium-like taxa in Sichuan Province, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Epicoccum sorghinum isolates from sorghum grain grown in Brazil were characterized using a polyphasic approach based on morphological, genetic and physiologic features. A considerable intraspecific variability was observed. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the 53 isolates studied formed four distinct clades, and their morphological features revealed a high variability in culture. The four clades could not be distinguished clearly by morphology or enzyme production patterns. The tenuazonic acid (TeA) production capability of 11 isolates was also determined and revealed a good agreement with the phylogeny results. All of the 11 isolates were revealed as TeA producers, indicating a potential toxicological risk to sorghum crops. This is the first study to provide a detailed morphological description of E. sorghinum isolates from sorghum grains in Brazil and it clearly confirms the wide genetic and phenotypic variability previously reported for this species in other countries. Highlights • Polyphasic characterization of an important sorghum grain mold fungus • Intraspecific variability was found in Epicoccum sorghinum isolated from Brazil. • High levels of tenuazonic acid were produced by E. sorghinum isolates. • E. sorghinum may play a role in TeA contamination on sorghum grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two interesting fungi belonging to the genus Cordana have been isolated recently in Spain from plant debris. Both are proposed here as new species, described and illustrated. Cordana mercadiana sp. nov. produces 0-1-septate conidia, with a prominent basal scar. Cordana verruculosa sp. nov. differs from the other species of the genus by its unique combination of aseptate, verruculose and small conidia. Both species are compared morphologically with other species of Cordana and their identities supported by the analysis of rDNA sequences. LSU sequence analysis revealed the congeneric relationship of Cordana and Pseudobotrytis-, the members of both genera are in a well supported monophyletic lineage that appears to be related to the Coniochaetales but remains incertae sedis within the Sordariomycetes. To establish nomenclatural stability of the genus Cordana, an isolate of C. pauciseptata is designed here as epitype and the two species of Pseudobotrytis are transferred to Cordana. A dichotomous key is provided to identify the currently accepted species of Cordana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The in vitro antifungal susceptibility of a set of 99 clinical isolates of Curvularia was tested against 9 drugs using a reference microdilution method. The isolates had been identified previously to species level by comparing their ITS rDNA and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene sequences with those of reference strains. We were able to reliably identify 73.2% of the isolates, the most frequent species being Curvularia aeria, Curvularia geniculata/Curvularia senegalensis, Curvularia lunata, Curvularia inaequalis, Curvularia verruculosa, and Curvularia borreriae. Most of these isolates had been recovered from nasal sinus, which is generally considered one of the most frequent sites of infection by these fungi. In addition, at least 3 phylogenetic species that have not yet been formally described were detected. The most active drugs were the echinocandins, amphotericin B, and posaconazole, whereas voriconazole and itraconazole showed poor activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]