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Orbilia xanthostigma, with golden yellow to yellow-orange apothecia and O. leucostigma, with white to very pale rose-lilaceous apothecia, were described by E.M. Fries over 200 years ago. Each of the two taxa, which are not easy to interpret because type material is lacking, was proposed in the past as lectotype of the genus Orbilia. In the here presented circumscription, which follows the current usage, O. xanthostigma is among the most frequently recorded species of the genus, whereas O. leucostigma appears to be much less common. Both grow gregariously on decorticated hygric gymno- and angiosperm wood or rarely bark and show a worldwide distribution. They are characterised by minute, strongly curved, warted ascospores and a dicranidion-like anamorph. Except for apothecial colour, there are no other notable morphological differences between them, either in the teleomorph (asci, ascospores, paraphyses) or anamorph (conidiophores, conidia). Because of their strong similarities, the two taxa have often been treated as infraspecific variants (subspecies, varieties) of a single species or even as synonyms. In order to overcome the ambiguities associated with the two names, O. delicatula, a name proposed by P.A. Karsten for a collection with golden yellow apothecia, was suggested by B. Spooner as a replacement name for them. The present study reveals unexpectedly high ITS and LSU variation within a morphologically extremely homogeneous group, representing over 16 more or less invariable genotypes whenever more than one sample with a sequence was available. ITS and LSU rDNA data from European (Luxembourg, Germany, Ukraine) and Macaronesian (Tenerife) collections suggest that the two colour variants represent two distinct species with a 16.5% ITS and 3.5% LSU D1–D2 distance, but very low infraspecific variation (0.2% ITS, 0% LSU). A sample with scattered yellow apothecia from Luxembourg on a xeric branch deviates from typical European-Macaronesian O. xanthostigma by 4% (ITS) and 0.7% (LSU). Further available sequences from samples from Asia, New Zealand and North America with mainly yellow apothecia clustered in various other clades that represent further distinct genotypes. In the absence of morphological characteristics, none of these genotypes are given names pending further investigation. Only two of these genotypes are sufficiently distinct to be recognised morphologically: O. aureocrenulata from tropical, Middle and South America, with golden yellow apothecia with a crenulate margin and prominent stipe, and O. xanthoflexa from temperate, northeastern North America with yellow sessile apothecia with a smooth margin and larger, less curved, smooth-walled ascospores.

Cyttaria is a morphologically and biologically distinct genus comprising wood-inhabiting species that are biotrophic associates of trees in the genera Nothofagus sensu stricto and Lophozonia in southern South America, Australia, and New Zealand. The uniqueness of the fruit bodies and habitat of Cyttaria has led taxonomists to justify its placement in its own order, Cyttariales, in Leotiomycetes. A multilocus phylogenetic reconstruction of the class Leotiomycetes incorporating new sequence data from Cyttaria nigra shows Cyttariaceae to have an isolated position near the base of Helotiales, with weak support for a relationship with Polydesmia pruinosa (incertae sedis) and Chlorociboriaceae. Cyttariales is here proposed as a synonym of Helotiales.

There were errors in the name of author Laszlo G. Nagy and in affiliation no. 31 in the original publication. The original article has been corrected.

To resolve the polyphyletic nature of Solenopeziaceae as it was originally circumscribed, we establish a new family Tricladiaceae for those genera originally placed in Solenopeziaceae that have aquatic hyphomycetelike asexual morphs and/or a sexual morph with glabrous apothecia. These include Cudoniella, Geniculospora, Graddonia, Halenospora, Mycofalcella, Spirosphaera, and Tricladium. Solenopeziaceae is confined to the genera Lasiobelonium, Solenopezia, Trichopeziza, and Trichopezizella, all of which have a sexual morph having apothecia with smooth-walled hairs. This taxonomy is supported by a multi-gene analysis using up to 15 genes, with a few of the taxa placed on the basis of a separate ITS phylogeny. Tricladiaceae forms a monophyletic clade with a basal sister relationship to Pleuroascaceae plus Helotiaceae; Solenopeziaceae forms a monophyletic clade with a basal sister relationship to Lachnaceae.

Triblidiaceae (Rhytismatales) currently consists of two genera: Triblidium and Huangshania. Triblidium is the type genus and is characterised by melanized apothecia that occur scattered or in small clusters on the substratum, cleistohymenial (opening in the mesohymenial phase), inamyloid thin-walled asci and hyaline muriform ascospores. Before this study, only the type species, Triblidium caliciiforme, had DNA sequences in the NCBI GenBank. In this study, six specimens of Triblidium were collected from China and France and new ITS, mtSSU, LSU and RPB2 sequences were generated. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis and morphological study demonstrated three new species of Triblidium, which are formally described here: T. hubeiense, T. rostriforme and T. yunnanense. Additionally, our results indicated that Huangshania that was considered to be distinct from Triblidium because of its elongated, transversely-septate ascospores, is congeneric with Triblidium. Therefore, we have placed Huangshania in synonymy under Triblidium, rendering Triblidiaceae a monotypic family.

A leaf-spotting fungus common on Phormium tenax in New Zealand is described here as Marthamyces harakeke sp. nov. The phylogenetic analysis prepared for the description of this new species showed Marthamyces to be polyphyletic. To resolve this, three Marthamyces species from Australia and New Zealand, M. barbatus, M. dracophylli, and M. gilvus, are recombined in the new genus Ramomarthamyces. Morphologically the Ramomarthamyces species differ from Marthamyces in having paraphyses distinctly branched, rather than propoloid. A fungus common on recently fallen leaves of Metrosideros spp. in New Zealand has been previously referred to as Marthamyces emarginatus, but is recognised here as a new species, Marthamyces metrosideri. In addition, two new Marthamyces species, M. maccormackii on Metrosideros collina, and M. renga on Metrosideros collina, Vaccinium cereum, and Weinmannia samoensis, are described from the Cook Islands, and a new Ramomarthamyces species, R. tuku on Juncus sp., is described from New Zealand. Finally, Naemacyclus culmigenus is recombined in Marthamyces .

Micraspis acicola was described more than 50 years ago to accommodate a phacidium-like fungus that caused a foliar disease of Picea mariana. After its publication, two more species were added, M. strobilina and M. tetraspora, all of them growing on Pinaceae in the Northern Hemisphere, but each species occupying a unique type of host tissue (needles, cones or wood). Micraspis is considered to be a member of class Leotiomycetes, but was originally placed in Phacidiaceae (Phacidiales), later transferred to Helotiaceae (Helotiales) and recently returned to Phacidiales but in a different family (Tympanidaceae). The genus remains poorly sampled, and hence poorly understood both taxonomically and ecologically. Here, we use morphology, cultures and sequences to provide insights into its systematic position in Leotiomycetes and its ecology. Our results show that the genus should not be included in Tympanidaceae or Phacidiaceae, and support the erection of a new family and order with a unique combination of morphological features supported by molecular data.

Sphaeropezia leucocheila is described as a new species from New Zealand. Known from a single specimen, its fruiting bodies were consistently associated with a patch of dead and dying leaves in a liverwort colony that included several species of Lepidoziaceae. A phylogenetic analysis places this fungus in Sphaeropezia, a genus that includes several putative parasites of liverworts and mosses from the Northern Hemisphere.

A leaf-spotting fungal pathogen common on Metrosideros excelsa in New Zealand is described here as Blastacervulus metrosideri sp. nov. It has previously been identified in the New Zealand literature as Leptomelanconium sp. and as Staninwardia breviuscula. The choice of genus for this new species is supported by a phylogeny based on ITS and LSU sequences. It is phylogenetically close to several morphologically similar Eucalyptus leaf spotting pathogens.

The new genus Aotearoamyces is proposed to accommodate a single species that was repeatedly collected on fallen wood in Nothofagaceae forests of New Zealand and was previously misidentified as a Claussenomyces species. This monotypic genus belongs to Tympanidaceae, a recently erected family in Phacidiales. Aotearoamyces is differentiated from other Tympanidaceae by phragmospores that do not form conidia either in or outside the asci, an exciple of textura intricata with hyphae widely spaced and strongly gelatinized (plectenchyma), and apically flexuous. partly helicoid paraphyses. The asexual morph was studied in pure culture. Phylogenetic analyses of combined SSU, ITS and LSU sequences strongly support a sister relationship between the sexually typified Aotearoamyces and the asexually typified “Collophorina” paarla characterized morphologically by forming endoconidia, a feature not found in the genetically distinct type species of Collophorina. Based on our molecular results, we place the genus Epithamnolia in the Mniaecia lineage within Phacidiales.

A second genus in Chlorociboriaceae is described here as Brahmaculusgen. nov. Macroscopically distinctive, all species have bright yellow apothecia with several apothecial cups held on short branches at the tip of a long stipe. The genus is widely distributed across the Southern Hemisphere; the four new species described here include two from Chile (B. magellanicussp. nov., B. osornoensissp. nov.) and one each from New Zealand (B. moonlighticussp. nov.) and Australia (B. packhamiaesp. nov.). They differ from species referred to Chlorociboria, the only other genus in Chlorociboriaceae, in their terrestrial habitat and ascomata that are noticeably more hairy than the known Chlorociboria species, most of which have apothecia with short, macroscopically indistinct hair-like elements. Based on our analyses, Chlorociboria as accepted here is paraphyletic. Additional study is needed to clarify where alternative, monophyletic generic limits should be drawn and how these genera may be recognised morphologically. Also described here are three new Chlorociboria spp. from New Zealand (C. metrosiderisp. nov., C. solandrisp. nov., C. subtilissp. nov.), distinctive in developing on dead leaves rather than wood and in two of them not forming the green pigmentation characteristic of most Chlorociboria species. New Zealand specimens previously incorrectly identified as Chlorociboria argentinensis are provided with a new name, C. novae-zelandiaesp. nov.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Cladosporium arenosum from marine sediment sand. Argentina, Kosmimatamyces alatophylus (incl. Kosmimatamyces gen. nov.) from soil. Australia, Aspergillus banksianus, Aspergillus kumbius, Aspergillus luteorubrus, Aspergillus malvicolor and Aspergillus nanangensis from soil, Erysiphe medicaginis from leaves of Medicago polymorpha, Hymenotorrendiella communis on leaf litter of Eucalyptus bicostata, Lactifluus albopicri and Lactifluus austropiperatus on soil, Macalpinomyces collinsiae on Eriachne benthamii, Marasmius vagus on soil, Microdochium dawsoniorum from leaves of Sporobolus natalensis, Neopestalotiopsis nebuloides from leaves of Sporobolus elongatus, Pestalotiopsis etonensis from leaves of Sporobolus jacquemontii, Phytophthora personensis from soil associated with dying Grevillea mccutcheonii. Brazil, Aspergillus oxumiae from soil, Calvatia baixaverdensis on soil, Geastrum calycicoriaceum on leaf litter, Greeneria kielmeyerae on leaf spots of Kielmeyera coriacea. Chile, Phytophthora aysenensis on collar rot and stem of Aristotelia chilensis. Croatia, Mollisia gibbospora on fallen branch of Fagus sylvatica. Czech Republic, Neosetophoma hnaniceana from Buxus sempervirens. Ecuador, Exophiala frigidotolerans from soil. Estonia, Elaphomyces bucholtzii in soil. France, Venturia paralias from leaves of Euphorbia paralias. India, Cortinarius balteatoindicus and Cortinarius ulkhagarhiensis on leaf litter. Indonesia, Hymenotorrendiella indonesiana on Eucalyptus urophylla leaf litter. Italy, Penicillium taurinense from indoor chestnut mill. Malaysia, Hemileucoglossum kelabitense on soil, Satchmopsis pini on dead needles of Pinus tecunumanii. Poland, Lecanicillium praecognitum on insects' frass. Portugal, Neodevriesia aestuarina from saline water. Republic of Korea, Gongronella namwonensis from freshwater. Russia, Candida pellucida from Exomias pellucidus, Heterocephalacria septentrionalis as endophyte from Cladonia rangiferina, Vishniacozyma phoenicis from dates fruit, Volvariella paludosa from swamp. Slovenia, Mallocybe crassivelata on soil. South Africa, Beltraniella podocarpi, Hamatocanthoscypha podocarpi, Coleophoma podocarpi and Nothoseiridium podocarpi (incl. Nothoseiridium gen. nov.)from leaves of Podocarpus latifolius, Gyrothrix encephalarti from leaves of Encephalartos sp., Paraphyton cutaneum from skin of human patient, Phacidiella alsophilae from leaves of Alsophila capensis, and Satchmopsis metrosideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros excelsa. Spain, Cladophialophora cabanerensis from soil, Cortinarius paezii on soil, Cylindrium magnoliae from leaves of Magnolia grandiflora, Trichophoma cylindrospora (incl. Trichophoma gen. nov.) from plant debris, Tuber alcaracense in calcareus soil, Tuber buendiae in calcareus soil. Thailand, Annulohypoxylon spougei on corticated wood, Poaceascoma filiforme from leaves of unknown Poaceae. UK, Dendrostoma luteum on branch lesions of Castanea sativa, Ypsilina buttingtonensis from heartwood of Quercus sp. Ukraine, Myrmecridium phragmiticola from leaves of Phragmites australis. USA, Absidia pararepens from air, Juncomyces californiensis (incl. Juncomyces gen. nov.) from leaves of Juncus effusus, Montagnula cylindrospora from a human skin sample, Muriphila oklahomaensis (incl. Muriphila gen. nov.)on outside wall of alcohol distillery, Neofabraea eucalyptorum from leaves of Eucalyptus macrandra, Diabolocovidia claustri (incl. Diabolocovidia gen. nov.)from leaves of Serenoa repens, Paecilomyces penicilliformis from air, Pseudopezicula betulae from leaves of leaf spots of Populus tremuloides. Vietnam, Diaporthe durionigena on branches of Durio zibethinus and Roridomyces pseudoirritans on rotten wood. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.

Deterministic and stochastic factors interact to generate biogeographic patterns in fungal communities, challenging efforts to predict which fungal assemblages will develop in association with introduced plants. The coastal dune grass Ammophila arenaria has been moved around the world. We sampled A. arenaria roots in its native range in the United Kingdom, and in Australia and New Zealand where it is invasive. The co-occurring native dune grass Leymus arenarius was also sampled in the United Kingdom, and the native dune grass Spinifex sericeus was sampled in Australia and New Zealand. A. arenaria associates with root fungal communities in its invasive range that are richer than those in the United Kingdom, and richer than those in co-occurring native grasses, demonstrating that exotic plants are not necessarily depauperate in fungal associates. Most of the dominant OTUs associating with A. arenaria were shared among all three geographic regions. However, community composition varied among regions, with differences in temperature, nitrogen and pH correlating with community change. Within regions, community composition varied among dunes, although the majority of sequences obtained were in OTUs that were detected in multiple dunes. Host plant species identity influenced fungal community composition, although the majority of the data were in OTUs that were shared between hosts. While the roots sampled appeared healthy, many of the dominant fungi recovered are potentially pathogenic. This study demonstrates that many fungi are widely dispersed, and that introduced plants are likely to associate with functionally diverse fungal communities that include species from their native ranges. However root-associated fungal community composition is variable, even at regional and local scales in a common plant in a common environment.

Fungal taxonomy and classification, and fungal identification tools, are increasingly based on DNA sequencing technologies. In contrast, many historical records of fungi are based on morphologically identified specimens. Scientific collections of specimens or living cultures provide a resource to enable these early records to be genetically validated using modern techniques. This project uses a set of cultures deposited prior to 2008 in the International Collection of Microorganisms from Plants (ICMP) culture collection as Phoma, a genus of high biosecurity importance that is notoriously difficult to identify accurately using morphological characters. Of the 265 cultures sequenced, 23% had been misidentified. These misidentifications mean that six species previously thought to be present in New Zealand probably do not occur there. Fifty specimens had not previously been identified to species level; amongst these were eight species newly reported from New Zealand. Genetic validation projects such as this, using existing scientific collections, are essential for maintaining a robust global biosecurity system.

Lauriomyces is an anamorphic genus comprising nine species, found growing on terrestrial leaf litter and wood in tropical habitats. The genus is characterized by solitary or synnematous, pigmented conidiophores bearing acropetal chains of unicellular, hyaline conidia.Amultigene (SSU, LSU & 5.8S) analysis of Lauriomyces strains reveal three cryptic new species, which are described, illustrated, and published here: L. acerosus, L. basitruncatus, and L. glumateus spp. nov. Lauriomyces glumateus is characterized by narrowly oval conidia while conidia of L. acerosus are cylindrical with acute ends and those of L. basitruncatus are cylindrical with truncate base. The nine Lauriomyces species sampled form a monophyletic clade in the Leotiomycetes, with high molecular support and all with a morphology typical for the genus. The new combination Dematioscypha catenata is made for Haplographium catenatum in compliance with the one name protocol.

Dacrymycetes, sister to Agaricomycetes, is a noteworthy lineage for studying the evolution of wooddecaying basidiomycetes; however, its species diversity and phylogeny are largely unknown. Species of Dacrymycetes previously used in molecular phylogenetic analyses are mainly derived from the Northern Hemisphere, thus insufficient knowledge exists concerning the Southern Hemisphere lineages. In this study, we investigated the species diversity of Dacrymycetes in New Zealand. We found 11 previously described species, and eight new species which were described here: Calocera pedicellata, Dacrymyces longistipitatus, D. pachysporus, D. stenosporus, D. parastenosporus, D. cylindricus, D. citrinus, and D. cyrtosporus. These eight newly described species and seven of the known ones, namely, Calocera fusca, C. cf. guepinioides, C. lutea, Dacrymyces flabelliformis, D. intermedius, D. subantarcticensis, and Heterotextus miltinus, have rarely or never been recorded from the Northern Hemisphere. In a molecular-based phylogeny, these New Zealand strains were scattered throughout the Dacrymycetaceae clade. Sequences obtained from specimens morphologically matching C. guepinioides were separated into three distant clades. Because no obvious morphological differences could be discerned between the specimens in each clade and no sequence exists from the type specimen, a C. guepinioides s.str. clade could not be determined. This survey of dacrymycetous species in the Southern Hemisphere has increased taxon sampling for phylogenetic analyses that can serve as a basis for the construction of a stable classification of Dacrymycetes.

This is the first comprehensive survey of the species diversity of Trichoderma for a region within the temperate Southern Hemisphere. New Zealand makes an ideal target for such a survey because of the extensive historical collections of this genus from both native and human-modified ecosystems. From the 320 Trichoderma strains sequenced for the translation elongation factor-1α (tef1α) gene, in addition to the names associated with voucher specimens at the New Zealand Fungarium (PDD, Landcare Research), we recognise 71 Trichoderma species as present in New Zealand. Thirty-two species are reported for the first time from New Zealand and 14 of these appear to represent undescribed taxa. The New Zealand species are positioned across most Trichoderma clades, with terminal lineages related to T. viride, T. koningii and T. harzianum well represented. Of the 14 undescribed species, Trichoderma sp. “atroviride B”, a sister species to T. atroviride s.s., was the most commonly recovered species. Records of several species known only from fungarium specimens could not be confirmed by DNA analysis. Populations of Trichoderma in New Zealand are likely to represent a mixture of ancient indigenous lineages, more recent natural introductions, and species introduced as a result of human-mediated dispersal. Twenty-three Trichoderma species have been reported only from New Zealand or other Southern Hemisphere locations. The diversity of Trichoderma species in New Zealand, their phylogenetic relationships, distribution, ecology, and possible origins are discussed in this paper.

Fungi in the class Leotiomycetes are ecologically diverse, including mycorrhizas, endophytes of roots and leaves, plant pathogens, aquatic and aero-aquatic hyphomycetes, mammalian pathogens, and saprobes. These fungi are commonly detected in cultures from diseased tissue and from environmental DNA extracts. The identification of specimens from such character-poor samples increasingly relies on DNA sequencing. However, the current classification of Leotiomycetes is still largely based on morphologically defined taxa, especially at higher taxonomic levels. Consequently, the formal Leotiomycetes classification is frequently poorly congruent with the relationships suggested by DNA sequencing studies. Previous class-wide phylogenies of Leotiomycetes have been based on ribosomal DNA markers, with most of the published multi-gene studies being focussed on particular genera or families. In this paper we collate data available from specimens representing both sexual and asexual morphs from across the genetic breadth of the class, with a focus on generic type species, to present a phylogeny based on up to 15 concatenated genes across 279 specimens. Included in the dataset are genes that were extracted from 72 of the genomes available for the class, including 10 new genomes released with this study. To test the statistical support for the deepest branches in the phylogeny, an additional phylogeny based on 3156 genes from 51 selected genomes is also presented. To fill some of the taxonomic gaps in the 15-gene phylogeny, we further present an ITS gene tree, particularly targeting ex-type specimens of generic type species. A small number of novel taxa are proposed: Marthamycetales ord. nov., and Drepanopezizaceae and Mniaeciaceae fams. nov. The formal taxonomic changes are limited in part because of the ad hoc nature of taxon and specimen selection, based purely on the availability of data. The phylogeny constitutes a framework for enabling future taxonomically targeted studies using deliberate specimen selection. Such studies will ideally include designation of epitypes for the type species of those genera for which DNA is not able to be extracted from the original type specimen, and consideration of morphological characters whenever genetically defined clades are recognized as formal taxa within a classification. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s43008-019-0002-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are components of coastal dune ecosystems around the globe where they provide a range of benefits to plants. The diversity and structure of AMF communities within these ecosystems, however, are poorly known. This study presents the first report of an AMF community in a New Zealand dune. Root samples were collected from the grass Spinifex sericeus R. Br., which dominates dunes of the North Island of New Zealand, along a 90 m transect at Anawhata Beach. Spores were also collected from here. The AMF community within the roots was surveyed using 454 sequencing of the SSU gene region. Spores were identified by their morphology, and sequenced. The 22 operational taxonomic units recognised following the high throughput sequencing formed a phylogenetically diverse community, including at least 7 genera across the Glomerales and Diversisporales, with an additional genus detected by the spore investigation. Some root and spore derived sequences generated close BLAST matches to AMF from distant countries while others represent previously unknown biodiversity. Spore morphology also suggests undescribed AMF are present. High diversity was found within the genera Rhizophagus and Racocetra, and within a clade with no matches to a described genus. Spatial heterogeneity was observed, with taxonomic composition changing over distances of only 30 m.

In advancing to one scientific name for fungi, this paper treats genera competing for use in the phylogenetically defined class Leotiomycetes except for genera of Erysiphales. Two groups traditionally included in the so-called "inoperculate discomycetes" have been excluded from this class and are also not included here, specifically Geoglossomycetes and Orbiliomycetes. A recommendation is made about the generic name to use in cases in which two or more generic names are synonyms or taxonomically congruent along with the rationale for the recommendation. In some cases the recommended generic name does not have priority or is based on an asexual type species, thus needs to be protected and ultimately approved according to Art. 57.2 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (ICN). A table is presented listing all competing generic names and their type species noting the recommended generic name. New combinations are introduced for the oldest epithet in the recommended genus including Ascocalyx berenice, Ascoconidium purpurascens, Ascocoryne albida, A. trichophora, Blumeriella filipendulae, B. ceanothi, Botrytis arachidis, B. fritillariae-pallidoflori, Calloria urticae, Calycellina aspera, Dematioscypha delicata, Dermea abietinum, D. boycei, D. stellata, Diplocarpon alpestre, D. fragariae, Godroniopsis peckii, Grovesinia moricola, Heterosphaera sublineolata, Hyphodiscus brachyconium, H. brevicollaris, H. luxurians, Leptotrochila campanulae, Monilinia polystroma, Neofabraea actinidae, N. citricarpa, N. vagabunda, Oculimacula aestiva, O. anguioides, Pezicula brunnea, P. californiae, P. cornina, P. diversispora, P. ericae, P. melanogena, P. querciphila, P. radicicola, P. rhizophila, Phialocephala piceae, Pilidium lythri, Rhabdocline laricis, Streptotinia streptothrix, Symphyosirinia parasitica, S. rosea, Unguiculariopsis caespitosa, and Vibrissea laxa.

Cabarroi Hernandez M., Johnston P. R. & Minter D. W.: Rhytismataceae (Ascomycota) in Cuba. — Willdenowia 44: 65–75. 14 March 2014. — Version of record published online ahead of inclusion in April 2014 issue; ISSN 1868-6397; © 2014 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.44.44110 Knowledge of Rhytismataceae (Ascomycota) in Cuba is inadequate; many specimens have been collected and identified by foreign specialists and many types are mostly preserved in reference collections of other countries. Following extensive field and herbarium studies, nine species of Rhytismataceae are reported, discussed and illustrated from Cuba, of which three: Coccomyces leptosporus, C. tesselatus and Lophodermium mangiferae are new for this country. Six other species: Coccomyces clusiae, C. limitatus, Lophodermium australe, L. platyplacum, Marthamyces quadrifidus and Terriera minor, which had been reported previously, are now confirmed. New host records for some species are also presented. Fruit bodies an...

Bryoclaviculus campylopi, a tiny, beautiful inoperculate discomycete fungus found only in association with the moss Campylopus acuminatus, is described as a new genus and species from New Zealand. Phylogenetically it has a sister relationship with the northern hemisphere moss-associated species Bryoglossum gracile. It is distinguished macroscopically from Bryoglossum by its cup-shaped fruit body and microscopically by features of the asci and paraphyses.

The behaviour and risk associated with wood-inhabiting saprobic fungi introduced through trade is poorly understood. We used the cosmopolitan species Schizophyllum commune, considered a biosecurity risk in New Zealand, as a case study to test the potential for naturalization of alien strains/populations of wood-inhabiting saprobic fungi to occur. Phylogenetic analysis of the intergenic spacer 1 region was undertaken to determine the origin of New Zealand samples and one Cook Islands sample from the three known globally geographically distinct clades: North/Central America (NAM); South America (SAM); European/Asia/Australia (EAS). All New Zealand S. commune sequences fall within the EAS clade in two distinct groups with four haplotypes (Ia, Ib, IIb and IIa), with no evidence of naturalization of individuals from the NAM and SAM clades. The diversity of the haplotypes can be explained by two natural dispersal events in pre-human times. Ensuring timber is sufficiently treated will prevent alien populations p...

Species- and population-specific differences in fungicide resistance and aggressiveness within Botrytis makes basic data on genetic diversity important for understanding disease caused by this fungus. Genetic diversity of Botrytis was surveyed between 2008 and 2012 from grapes from five New Zealand wine-growing regions. A total of 1226 isolates were gathered from symptomless flower buds at the start of the growing season and 1331 isolates from diseased fruit at harvest. Two species were found, B. cinerea and B. pseudocinerea. Botrytis pseudocinerea was common in both Auckland vineyards sampled, and infrequent elsewhere. However, even in Auckland, it was rarely isolated from diseased fruit. The presence of the Boty and Flipper transposons was assessed. Isolates with all four transposon states (Boty only, Flipper only, both Boty and Flipper, no transposons) were found for both species. Both vineyards in the Auckland region had high numbers of Flipper-only isolates at flowering; both vineyards from the Waipara region had high numbers of Boty-only isolates at flowering. Most isolates from diseased fruit at harvest contained both transposons. These observations suggest that B. pseudocinerea, and isolates with one or both of the transposons missing, may be less aggressive than B. cinerea, or than isolates with both transposons present. Two clades were resolved within B. pseudocinerea, only one of which has been reported from European vineyards. Phylogenetic diversity within B. cinerea in New Zealand was similar to that known from Europe, including isolates that appear to match Botrytis ‘Group S’. The taxonomic implications of this genetic diversity are discussed.

With the change to one scientific name for fungal species, numerous papers have been published with recommendations for use or protection of competing generic names in major groups of ascomycetes. Although genera in each group of fungi were carefully considered, some competing generic names were overlooked. This paper makes recommendations for additional competing genera not considered in previous papers. Chairs of relevant Working Groups of the ICTF were consulted in the development of these recommendations. A number of generic names need protection, specifically Amarenographium over Amarenomyces, Amniculicola over Anguillospora, Balansia over Ephelis, Claviceps over Sphacelia, Drepanopeziza over Gloeosporidiella and Gloeosporium, Golovinomyces over Euoidium, Holwaya over Crinium, Hypocrella over Aschersonia, Labridella over Griphosphaerioma, Metacapnodium over Antennularia, and Neonectria over Cylindrocarpon and Heliscus. The following new combinations are made: Amniculicola longissima, Atichia maunauluana, Diaporthe columnaris, D. liquidambaris, D. longiparaphysata, D. palmicola, D. tersa, Elsinoe bucidae, E. caricae, E. choisyae, E. paeoniae, E. psidii, E. zorniae, Eupelte shoemakeri, Godronia myrtilli, G. raduloides, Sarcinella mirabilis, S. pulchra, Schizothyrium jamaicense, and Trichothallus niger. Finally, one new species name, Diaporthe azadirachte, is introduced to validate an earlier name, and the conservation of Discula with a new type, D. destructiva, is recommended.

Novel associations between plants and pathogens can have serious impacts on managed and natural ecosystems world-wide. The introduction of alien plants increases the potential for biogeographically novel plant-pathogen associations to arise when pathogens are transmitted from native to alien plant species and vice versa. We quantified biogeographically novel associations recorded in New Zealand over the last 150 yr between plant pathogens (fungi, oomycetes and plasmodiophorids) and vascular plants. We examined the extent to which taxonomic similarity, pathogen traits, contact opportunity and sampling effort could explain the number of novel associates for host and pathogen species. Novel associations were common; approximately one-third of surveyed plants and pathogens were recorded with at least one biogeographically novel associate. Native plants had more alien pathogens than vice versa. Taxonomic similarity between the native and alien flora and the total number of recorded associations (a measure of sampling effort) best explained the number of novel associates among species. The frequency of novel associations and the importance of sampling effort as an explanatory variable emphasize the need for effective monitoring and risk assessment tools to mitigate the potential environmental and economic impact of novel pathogen associations.

A review is provided of the current state of understanding of Colletotrichum systematics, focusing on species-level data and the major clades. The taxonomic placement of the genus is discussed, and the evolution of our approach to species concepts and anamorph-teleomorph relationships is described. The application of multilocus technologies to phylogenetic analysis of Colletotrichum is reviewed, and selection of potential genes/loci for barcoding purposes is discussed. Host specificity and its relation to speciation and taxonomy is briefly addressed. A short review is presented of the current status of classification of the species clusters that are currently without comprehensive multilocus analyses, emphasising the orbiculare and destructivum aggregates. The future for Colletotrichum biology will be reliant on consensus classification and robust identification tools. In support of these goals, a Subcommission on Colletotrichum has been formed under the auspices of the International Commission on Taxonomy of Fungi, which will administer a carefully curated barcode database for sequence-based identification of species within the BioloMICS web environment.

Rhytismatales (Leotiomycetes, Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota) are an order of mostly plant-associated ascomycetes with a global distribution. Well known taxa include the Rhytisma tar spots on Acer spp. and several needle-cast pathogens in genera Lophodermium and Meloderma. Critical studies are lacking at all taxonomic ranks from order to species, and in particular the genus taxonomy in the order has been criticized for being unnatural. We used nuclear LSU and mitochondrial SSU sequences in Bayesian phylogenetic analyses to define a core clade of Rhytismatales sensu stricto. Some of the genera traditionally placed within the Rhytismatales, Ascodichaena, Marthamyces, Mellitiosporium, Potebniamyces, Propolis and Pseudophacidium, are shown to be phylogenetically distinct, all related to various other taxa at present placed in the polyphyletic Helotiales. Within the core clade only Cudonia, Spathularia and Terriera are supported as monophyletic. The large genera Coccomyces, Hypoderma and Lophodermium all are polyphyletic as are a few smaller genera. The traditionally used characters of ascoma and spore shape are shown to be unreliable for the delimitation of monophyletic genera but in some cases can be useful when combined with other characters. In this study we provide 72 new nrLSU and 64 new mtSSU sequences. Together with publicly available sequences data for 103 specimens representing 91 species of Rhytismatales are now available. Despite this taxon sampling intensity is still too low to propose an alternative generic taxonomy.

The diversity and distribution of fungal endophytes in the leaves of four podocarps (Dacrydium cupressinum, Prumnopitys ferruginea, Dacrycarpus dacrydioides, and Podocarpus totara, all Podocarpaceae) and an angiosperm (Kunzea ericoides, Myrtaceae) occurring in close stands were studied. The effects of host species, locality, and season on endophyte assemblages were investigated. Host species was the major factor shaping endophyte assemblages. The spatial separation of sites and seasonal differences played significant but lesser roles. The mycobiota of each host species included both generalist and largely host-specialised fungi. The host-specialists were often observed at low frequencies on some of the other hosts. There was no clear evidence for family-level specialisation across the Podocarpaceae. Of the 17 species found at similar frequencies on several of the podocarp species, 15 were found also on Kunzea. Many of the endophytes isolated appear to represent species of fungi not previously recognised from New Zealand.

We present a 6-gene, 420-species maximum-likelihood phylogeny of Ascomycota, the largest phylum of Fungi. This analysis is the most taxonomically complete to date with species sampled from all 15 currently circumscribed classes. A number of superclass-level nodes that have previously evaded resolution and were unnamed in classifications of the Fungi are resolved for the first time. Based on the 6-gene phylogeny we conducted a phylogenetic informativeness analysis of all 6 genes and a series of ancestral character state reconstructions that focused on morphology of sporocarps, ascus dehiscence, and evolution of nutritional modes and ecologies. A gene-by-gene assessment of phylogenetic informativeness yielded higher levels of informativeness for protein genes (RPB1, RPB2, and TEF1) as compared with the ribosomal genes, which have been the standard bearer in fungal systematics. Our reconstruction of sporocarp characters is consistent with 2 origins for multicellular sexual reproductive structures in Ascomycota, once in the common ancestor of Pezizomycotina and once in the common ancestor of Neolectomycetes. This first report of dual origins of ascomycete sporocarps highlights the complicated nature of assessing homology of morphological traits across Fungi. Furthermore, ancestral reconstruction supports an open sporocarp with an exposed hymenium (apothecium) as the primitive morphology for Pezizomycotina with multiple derivations of the partially (perithecia) or completely enclosed (cleistothecia) sporocarps. Ascus dehiscence is most informative at the class level within Pezizomycotina with most superclass nodes reconstructed equivocally. Character-state reconstructions support a terrestrial, saprobic ecology as ancestral. In contrast to previous studies, these analyses support multiple origins of lichenization events with the loss of lichenization as less frequent and limited to terminal, closely related species.

Species in the Botryosphaeriaceae are common plant pathogens and saprobes found on a variety of mainly woody hosts. Teleomorphs typically have hyaline, aseptate ascospores. However, some have been reported with brown ascospores and their taxonomic status is uncertain. A multi-gene approach (SSU, ITS, LSU, EF1-alpha and beta-tubulin) was used to resolve the correct phylogenetic position of the dark-spored 'Botryosphaeria' teleomorphs and related asexual species. Neodeightonia and Phaeobotryon are reinstated for species with brown ascospores that are either 1-septate (Neodeightonia) or 2-septate (Phaeobotryon). Phaeobotryosphaeria is reinstated for species with brown, aseptate ascospores that bear an apiculus at either end. The status of Sphaeropsis is clarified and shown to be the anamorph of Phaeobotryosphaeria. Two new genera, namely Barriopsis for species having brown, aseptate ascospores without apiculi and Spencermartinsia for species having brown, 1-septate ascospores with an apiculus at either end are introduced. Species of Dothiorella have brown, 1-septate ascospores and differ from Spencermartinsia in the absence of apiculi. These six genera can also be distinguished from one another based on morphological characters of their anamorphs. Although previously placed in the Botryosphaeriaceae, Dothidotthia, was shown to belong in the Pleosporales, and the new family Dothidotthiaceae is introduced to accommodate it.

Hypocreopsis amplectens is distinguished from other Hypocreopsis species by its 3–4‐spored asci and multiseptate, rough‐walled ascospores. As the asci mature it is common for one spore to abort or for adjacent spores to fuse. This fungus has been referred to as Hypocreopsis sp. and Hypocreopsis sp. ‘Nyora’ in the Australian literature. In Victoria, Australia, H. amplectens has been classified as “vulnerable” under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, and the Nyora Flora and Fauna Reserve was created partly because of its occurrence there. Despite intensive surveys it is still known from only three sites in Australia. In New Zealand it is known from a single collection made more than 20 years ago in Nothofagus forest at a site visited regularly by mycologists. Its status as a rare fungus makes it eligible for inclusion on national threat status lists in Australia and New Zealand.

A cleistothecial fungus, known only from the shells of giant land snails of the family Rhytidae, is described as a new genus and species within Onygenales, Harorepupu aotearoa gen. sp. nov. Known only from the sexual morph, this fungus is characterized morphologically by a membranous ascoma with no appendages and ascospores with a sparse network of ridges. Ribosomal DNA sequences place the new species within Onygenales, but comparison with the known genetic diversity within the order linked it to no existing genus or family. It is the first species of Onygenales reported from the shells of terrestrial snails. This fungus has been listed as Critically Endangered in New Zealand and has been previously referred to as ‘Trichocomaceae gen. nov.’ in those threat lists.

The B trichothecene toxin-producing clade (B clade) of Fusarium includes the etiological agents of Fusarium head blight, crown rot of wheat and barley and stem and ear rot of maize. B clade isolates also have been recovered from several wild and cultivated grasses, including Dactylis glomerata (orchard grass or cock's foot), one of the world's most important forage grasses. Two isolates from the latter host are formally described here as F. dactylidis. Phenotypically F. dactylidis most closely resembles F. ussurianum from the Russian Far East. Both species produce symmetrical sporodochial conidia that are similar in size and curved toward both ends. However, conidia of F. ussurianum typically end in a narrow apical beak while the apical cell of F. dactylidis is acute. Fusarium dactylidis produced nivalenol mycotoxin in planta as well as low but detectable amounts of the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone in vitro. Results of a pathogenicity test revealed that F. dactylidis induced mild head blight on wheat.

Phylogenetic relationships of one of the largest nonlichen-forming ascomycetous groups, the Leotiomycetes, were inferred from genes encoding three rDNA regions (SSU+LSU+5.8S rDNA). A dataset was prepared with rDNA sequences data from 108 isolates, among which we sampled 85 taxa representing four orders and 16 families in the Leotiomycetes. Equally weighted parsimony and Bayesian analyses were performed. Bootstrap proportion and Bayesian posterior probability under the GTR+gamma+iota model were estimated along the branches. Based on our results the Leotiomycetes is relatively well defined as a class and it includes the Cyttariales, Erysiphales, Helotiales, Rhytismatales and two families of uncertain position, Myxotrichaceae and Pseudeurotiaceae. The placements of the Thelebolales and Ascocorticiaceae are not examined and are accepted as tentative in the Leotiomycetes. Our results agree with previous studies to remove the Geoglossaceae, including Geoglossum, Trichoglossum and Sarcoleotia, from the Leotiomycetes. Positions of the Erysiphales and Rhytismatales in the Leotiomycetes are confirmed. The Helotiales and Myxotrichaceae are paraphyletic. Close relationships are supported strongly among the Hemiphacidiaceae, Rutstroemiaceae and Sclerotiniaceae, among Loramycetaceae, the northern hemisphere Vibrisseaceae, the Dark Septate Endophyte fungus Phialocephala fortinii and Mollisia cinerea, and between species of Bulgaria and Phadidiopycnis. Sequence data of rDNA regions are not adequate to resolve the relationships among major groups of the Leotiomycetes.

The highly divergent characters of morphology, ecology, and biology in the Helotiales make it one of the most problematic groups in traditional classification and molecular phylogeny. Sequences of three rDNA regions, SSU, LSU, and 5.8S rDNA, were generated for 50 helotialean fungi, representing 11 out of 13 families in the current classification. Data sets with different compositions were assembled, and parsimony and Bayesian analyses were performed. The phylogenetic distribution of lifestyle and ecological factors was assessed. Plant endophytism is distributed across multiple clades in the Leotiomycetes. Our results suggest that (1) the inclusion of LSU rDNA and a wider taxon sampling greatly improves resolution of the Helotiales phylogeny, however, the usefulness of rDNA in resolving the deep relationships within the Leotiomycetes is limited; (2) a new class Geoglossomycetes, including Geoglossum, Trichoglossum, and Sarcoleotia, is the basal lineage of the Leotiomyceta; (3) the Leotiomycetes, including the Helotiales, Erysiphales, Cyttariales, Rhytismatales, and Myxotrichaceae, is monophyletic; and (4) nine clades can be recognized within the Helotiales.

An annotated list is provided of 450 taxa of fungi (including oomycetes and myxomycetes) that have been recorded in New Zealand in close association with teatree, that is, species of Kunzea and Leptospermum. Nearly all records refer to fungi growing with K. ericoides (kanuka) or L. scoparium (manuka), as ectomycorrhizal mycobionts, endophytes, pathogens, or as saprobes causing decay of wood and leaves. The only records of fungi specific to another taxon are those of the mycorrhizal genus Pisolithus, which grows in association with K. ericoides var. microflora in the central North Island thermal areas. The list has been compiled from data associated with specimens held in the New Zealand Fungal Herbarium (PDD) and in Herbarium NZ‐FRI‐M, and from the literature. Comments on the distribution of individual fungi within New Zealand, or on the occurrence of fungi on other plant substrata in New Zealand, are supported by information in the New Zealand Fungi website. Communities dominated by teatree are ...

A brief account of the fungi found in New Zealand on cabbage trees (Cordyline spp.) and New Zealand flaxes (Phormium spp.) is followed by an annotated listing of all fungi known to grow on living or dead parts of these endemic monocotyledonous plants. Records have been gleaned mainly from the New Zealand Fungal Herbarium (PDD) and its associated database, and from the literature. The fungi include parasites and saprobes. A total of 72 named species of fungi and 15 species identified only to genus, distributed within 72 genera, have been recorded on Cordyline. The corresponding figures for Phormium are 59 named species of fungi and 15 species identified only to genus, distributed within 54 genera. Thirteen species have been described from New Zealand with Cordyline as the type substratum and 17 with Phormium. Of these, 27 species are endemic and known only on Cordyline or Phormium. The three exceptions are Sphaeria tenacis (= Anthostomella tenacis) and Poria cordylines (= Protomerulius caryae), wh...

Fifteen species of Chlorociboria are reported for New Zealand, including 13 new species and one new subspecies. All occur on decorticated wood and all are associated with blue‐green staining of that wood. Some species are consistently associated with soft, rotten wood, while others are consistently associated with fallen wood that remains hard and appears more or less intact. The range of morphological variation accepted in the genus is broader than has previously been described, especially with respect to ascospore size and shape. Two of the species have filiform ascospores that coil on release from the asci. Species are distinguished on the basis of variation in ascospore size and shape, the presence or absence of either smooth‐walled or rough‐walled tomentum hyphae, and on macroscopic appearance. The validity of the generic and species concepts was tested using rDNA ITS sequences. Of species previously reported for New Zealand, only C. argentinensis is accepted.

A new rust fungus, Puccinia embergeriae sp. nov., on Embergeria grandifolia (Sonchus grandifolia) from the Chatham Islands, New Zealand, is described. It is compared with other rust fungi known on Sonchus spp. A recent upsurge of Miyagia pseudosphaeria on Sonchus spp. in New Zealand is discussed, and attributed to the possible introduction of a new pathogenic race of the rust.

A brief account of fungi associated with nikau (Rhopalostylis sapida and R. baueri var. cheesemanii), in New Zealand is followed by an annotated listing of all fungi known to grow on living or dead parts of these endemic palms. Records have been gleaned mainly from the New Zealand Fungal Collection (PDD) and its associated database, and from the literature. The fungi include only a few pathogens. Most fungi associated with Rhopalostylis are saprobes found on dead and fallen leaves, especially on the large leaf sheath. A total of 147 named species of fungi and 50 species identified only to genus, distributed within 134 genera, have been recorded. Many of the fungi are commonly found on other plant substrata within New Zealand, or elsewhere. Twenty‐four species have been described with R. sapida as the type substratum, and of these 17 are known only on R. sapida, including the corticioid, monotypic genus, Mycothele.

A new yellow fleshed kiwifruit Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis ‘Hort16A’ grown commercially in New Zealand is susceptible to infection by several fungi. The symptoms are mainly apparent after a period in coolstorage although preharvest symptoms do occur. Botryosphaeria dothidea, Cryptosporiopsis sp., Diaporthe spp., Cylindrocarpon cf. candidum, Phoma exigua, and Botrytis cinerea have most commonly been isolated from a range of symptoms on fruit including side, distal end and stem end rots, and fungal pitting. In addition, wounds caused by postharvest fruit handling can become infected. During trials to establish the best methods of postharvest handling and storage, identifications of fungi associated with fruit rots were made. This paper outlines the observations of several years of study on diseases of ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit and describes the symptoms and the fungi associated with them.

Five species are described in the new discomycete genus Hispidula. The genus is characterised by very long excipular hairs (the walls of which are dextrinoid in Melzer's reagent) aggregated into large, tapering, tooth‐like appendages, and a two‐layered ectal excipulum. The outer layer of the ectal excipulum is confined to the lower half of the receptacle and comprises angular to brick‐shaped cells with thickened, gelatinous walls, in rows at a high angle to the surface of the receptacle. The inner layer extends to the edge of the disc, and its cylindric to long‐cylindric cells also have thickened, gelatinous walls. The presence of dextrinoid excipular hairs suggests a relationship with genera such as Hyalopeziza and Unguicularia. The genus is known only from Australia and New Zealand, three species from Dracophyllum (Epacridaceae), one from tree ferns (described previously as Cyathicula dicksoniae), and one from Acmena (Myrtaceae).

A diverse collection of isolates identified as Colletotrichum acutatum, including a range of fruit-rot and foliar pathogens, was examined for mtDNA RFLPs and RFLPs and sequence variation of a 900-bp intron of the glutamine synthetase (GS) gene and a 200-bp intron of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) gene. RFLPs of mtDNA, RFLPs of the 900-bp GS intron and sequence analysis of each intron identified the same seven distinct molecular groups, or clades, within C. acutatum sensu lato. Sequence analysis produced highly concordant tree topologies with definitive phylogenetic relationships within and between the clades. The clades might represent phylogenetically distinct species within C. acutatum sensu lato. Mating tests also were conducted to assess sexual compatibility with tester isolates known to outcross to form the teleomorph Glomerella acutata. Mating compatibility was identified within one clade, C, and between two phylogenetically distinct clades, C and J4. The C clade represented isolates from a wide range of hosts and geographic origins. J4 clade contained isolates from Australia or New Zealand recovered from fruit rot and pine seedlings with terminal crook disease. That isolates in two phylogenetically distinct clades were capable of mating suggests that genetic isolation occurred before reproductive isolation. No other isolates were sexually compatible with the mating testers, which also were in groups C and J4. Certain clades identified by mtDNA and intron analysis (D1, J3 and J6) appeared to represent relatively host-limited populations. Other clades (C1, F1 and J4) contained isolates from a wide range of hosts. Isolates described as C. acutatum f. sp. pineum were clearly polyphyletic.

A brief account of fungi associated with kauri (Agathis australis) in New Zealand is followed by an annotated listing of all fungi known to grow on living or dead parts of this endemic tree. Records have been gleaned mainly from the New Zealand Fungal Herbarium (PDD), Herbarium of Forest Research (NZFRI(M)), and the literature. The fungi include few pathogens, mainly Phytophthora spp., and few agarics, as Agathis does not form ectomycorrhizae. Most fungi associated with A. australis are saprobes found on dead and fallen wood and litter. A total of 189 named species of fungi and 75 species identified only to genus, distributed within 199 genera, have been recorded. Many of the fungi are commonly found on other plant substrata within New Zealand, or elsewhere. Nineteen species have been described with A. australis as the type substratum. These species are saprobes and, apart from the Australasian endemic, Heterobasidion araucariae, all are currently considered to be endemic to New Zealand. Of these...

The type species of Clypeostroma, C. spilomeum, was re‐examined. It was found to be distinct from another Hebe leaf pathogen described from the subantarctic, C. hemisphaericum. C. spilomeum has ascomata with several pseudothecia covered by a common clypeus, fissitunicate asci, 2‐celled ascospores with pale brown walls, and no paraphyses. Although clearly a bitunicate ascomyc‐ete, its relationship amongst these fungi remains uncertain. C. hemisphaericum probably belongs in a different genus, but more material is required before its position can be resolved.

Three leaf‐inhabiting discomycetes common in New Zealand forests are described as new species in the genus Moellerodiscus. Two of the species occur on fallen leaves of Coprosma—M. coprosmae is found throughout the country, most commonly on C. robusta; M. microcoprosmae is found from Greymouth northward, only on C. grand‐ifolia. The third species, M. griseliniae, is found on fallen leaves of Griselinia littoralis from Wellington southward. Rutstroemia macrospora (= Ciboria peckiana) is reported from New Zealand for the first time. A short discussion is provided on generic concepts amongst Sclerotiniaceae and Rutstroemiaceae.

Botrytis populations in vineyards often show seasonal differences. Early season populations tend to be less pathogenic than those at harvest. This change probably reflects differences in competitive ability in winter versus summer conditions. Such a seasonal pattern was observed in a Waipara vineyard from 2008 to 2012. The population at owering was dominated by a Botrytis cinerea low pathogenicity haplotype; the population at harvest was dominated by a high pathogenicity haplotype. Since the 2013/2014 season, there has been a sudden change in this dynamic, with the high pathogenicity haplotype now dominant at both owering and harvest. This change in the seasonal dynamic was confirmed using microsatellite analysis. A possible explanation for the change in behaviour of the Botrytis populations was a change in management practice, with the addition over the past 2-3 seasons of a winter GelSeal spray for control of vascular pathogens. GelSeal is a trizole fungicide effective against Botrytis. The change to the vineyard spray programme may have disrupted the competitive advantage the low-pathogenicity population previously enjoyed over winter. The possible impact of this change on levels of disease will be discussed in relation to similar seasonal changes in European grape powdery mildew populations, where there is a strong relationship between early season populations and disease at harvest.