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Karst formations represent a unique eco-environment. Research in the microfungi inhabiting this area is limited. During an ongoing survey of ascomycetous microfungi from karst terrains in Guizhou Province, China, we discovered four new species, which are introduced here as Hypoderma paralinderae , Terriera karsti , T. meitanensis and T. sigmoideospora placed in Rhytismataceae , based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological characters. Molecular analyses, based on concatenated LSU-ITS-mtSSU sequence data, were used to infer phylogenetic affinities. Detail descriptions and comprehensive illustrations of these new taxa are provided and relationships with the allied species are discussed, based on comparative morphology and molecular data.

Two strains, representing trichocladium-like species, were collected from a freshwater lake in Guizhou Province, China. Based on the morphological characters, they were well identified as Trichocladium constrictum who lacked molecular data. In the phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, ITS and SSU sequence data, the collections cluster together with Cirrenalia iberica within Halosphaeriaceae but formed a distinct clade to the type of Cirrenalia (Halosphaeriaceae) and Trichocladium (Chaetomiaceae). The significant long conidiophores of Trichocladium constrictum differ from those of other Trichocladium species. The straight conidia of Cirrenalia iberica is distinguished from curved conidia of other Cirrenalia species. In line with the morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses, Cucurbitinus gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate Trichocladium constrictum and Cirrenalia iberica as Cucurbitinus constrictus comb. nov. and Cucurbitinus ibericus comb. nov. Descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa are provided with discussion of the reclassification.

Members of Botryosphaeria encompass important plant pathogens, saprobes and endophytes on a wide range of woody hosts worldwide. Botryosphaeria species are difficult to differentiate due to the overlapping morphological characteristics and the molecular data analyses are necessary recently when species identification is carried out. In this study, 28 Botryosphaeria isolates were obtained from decaying woody hosts in six nature reserves in Guizhou province, China. Based on both morphological characteristics and molecular analysis of combined ITS and tef1-α sequence data, four known species (Botryosphaeria dothidea, B. minutispermatia, B. sinensia and B. wangensis) are identified and one new species B. guttulata is introduced. Botryosphaeria sinensia (32% of the isolates obtained from various hosts) is the abundant species, followed by B. dothidea (28.5% of the isolates), B. guttulata (28.5% of the isolates), B. minutispermatia (7% of the isolates) and B. wangensis (4% of the isolates). These results represent the first study of Botryosphaeria species associated with woody hosts from nature reserves in Guizhou province, China. Our findings indicate that there is a potential of Botryosphaeria species remain to be discovered in this unique landform (Karst formations) in Guizhou province, China.

Paphiopedilum is known as “slipper orchids”, which has a high ornamental value and can be used as household bonsai and garden plants. Paphiopedilum is also one of the most beautiful plants in the world due to their exotic and unique flowers. An asexual fungus was collected from diseased leaves of Paphiopedilum sp. from Guizhou Province, China, is described and illustrated on the basis of morphological characters and molecular evidence. The morphologies of Curvicladiella paphiopedili sp. nov. were characterized by penicillate conidiophores with a stipe, dull, tapering towards the apex and the curved stipe extension, cylindrical conidia. In the phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, cmdA, his3, ITS, tef1 and tub2 sequence data, this taxon was clustered as sister to Curvicladiella cignea within Nectriaceae.

During a survey of freshwater fungi in Guizhou Province, China, a collection from a submerged decaying twig in Baihua Lake was identified as a new species of Sporidesmium sensu lato based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU, ITS, TEF1α and RPB2 sequence data. Phylogenetic analyses supported its placement in Sordariomycetes but the fungus grouped distant from Sporidesmium sensu stricto, and its ordinal or familial position within the class remained inconclusive. Sporidesmium guizhouense sp. nov. is introduced with an illustrated account and notes on its taxonomy, phylogeny and systematic position are provided.

An Ascomycetous species was found from decaying woody stems in Guizhou, China. Morphologically, the fungus can be assigned well in Tremateia in having immersed ascomata, cellular pseudoparaphyses and muriform ascospores, but it differs from other species in having the 3–7 transverse septa ascospores surrounded by a gelatinous sheath. Phylogenetic analyses based on a concatenated dataset of ITS, LSU, SSUand TEF1-α sequence data indicated that the fungus belongs to the genus Tremateia, Didymosphaeriaceae, four taxa formed a monophyletic clade and represent the genus Tremateia with well supported. The new collection formed a distinct lineage and can be recognized as a new species. Therefore, a new species Tremateia murispora is introduced with detailed description and illustration, the notes on its morphologically and phylogenetically related taxa is provided.

Arthriniumhas a widespread distribution occurring in various substrates (e.g., air, soil debris, plants, lichens, marine algae and even human tissues). It is characterized by the basauxic conidiogenesis in the asexual morph, with apiospores in the sexual morph. In this study, seventeen isolates ofArthriniumwere collected in China. Based on their morphology and phylogenetic characterization, four new species (A. biseriale,A. cyclobalanopsidis,A. gelatinosum, andA. septatum) are described and seven known species (A. arundinis,A. garethjonesii,A. guizhouense,A. hydei,A. neosubglobosa,A. phyllostachiumandA. psedoparenchymaticum) are identified, of which the sexual morph of three species (A. guizhouense,A. phyllostachiumandA. psedoparenchymaticum) and asexual morph ofA. garethjonesiiare reported for the first time. The detailed descriptions, illustrations and comparisons with related taxa of these new collections are provided. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, TUB2, and TEF sequence data support their placements in the genusArthriniumand justify the new species establishments and identifications of known species.

During a survey of freshwater fungi in China and Thailand, seven fresh collections representing four species in Chaetosphaeriaceae are described and illustrated based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU and ITS sequence data. Cryptophiale udagawae, Cryptophialoidea fasciculata and Nawawia filiformis were re-collected and are reported with the first sequence data. Two collections of Phialosporostilbe from China and Thailand are identified and introduced as a new species named P. scutiformis with the first sequence data for the genus. A new genus Neonawawia is introduced to accommodate Ne. malaysiana. New combinations are proposed for the genera Neonawawia and Phialosporostilbe. Descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa and identified species are provided. Reference specimens of Cryptophiale udagawae, Cryptophialoidea fasciculata and Nawawia filiformis are designated in this study. Phylogenetic placements of the genera Cryptophiale, Cryptophialoidea, Nawawia, Neonawawia and Phialosporostilbe are discussed.

Phylogenetic analyses of multi-gene (LSU, SSU, TEF1α, RPB2 and ITS) sequence data support the placement of several Sporidesmium-like species within Sordariomycetes. The taxa collected in the present study were from unidentified submerged twigs in a stream in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phang Nga Provinces, Thailand and Guizhou Province, China. Morphological examination and phylogenetic analyses provide evidence for several taxonomic novelties, including a new genus (Pseudostanjehughesia) and five novel species (Distoseptispora guttulata, D. phangngaensis, D. suoluoensis, Pseudostanjehughesia aquitropica and Sporidesmium gyrinomorphum). The collections also comprised three previously described species (Distoseptispora multiseptata, Sporidesmium thailandense and S. tropicale). Descriptions and illustrations of the above taxa are provided and their systematic placement is discussed. The description of Distoseptispora is emended.

A survey of freshwater fungi in Thailand resulted in the discovery of two new species in Fuscosporellaceae, herein described as Fuscosporella aquatica and Mucispora phangngaensis. Fuscosporella aquatica has sporodochial colonies, irregular ellipsoidal and dark brown conidia with vesicular conidiogenous cells. Mucispora phangngaensis has macronematous, solitary conidiophores with percurrent proliferations and dark brown obovoid conidia. Phylogenetic analysis based on combined LSU and ITS sequence data support their placement in Fuscosporella and Mucispora (Fuscosporellaceae, Fuscosporellales). Both species formed distinct clades from their type species and present as the second species in each genus. Descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa are provided. DNA sequence data of Parafuscosporella mucosa (from ex-type strain) are provided in this study, and confirmed its phylogenetic placement.

A survey of freshwater ascomycetes conducted in Thailand yielded a number of aquatic hyphomycetes. In this study, fresh collections of three chaetosphaeriaceous species from submerged wood in freshwater are characterized based on morphology and molecular phylogeny. Dictyochaeta siamensis sp. nov. and Tainosphaeria siamensis sp. nov. are introduced based on morphological and molecular data. A detailed description of Menisporopsis theobromae from the new collection is presented and the first molecular data for this genus are provided. Phylogenetic analysis of combined LSU and ITS sequence data was carried out to determine the phylogenetic placement of these species within the family Chaetosphaeriaceae. Menisporopsis theobromae showed a close phylogenetic relationship with Rattania, but has significantly different morphology; D. siamensis clustered together with Codinaeopsis, Menispora, and Zignoella; while T. siamensis clustered together with T. crassiparies but presented as a distinct clade. The phylogenetic relationship between the new taxa and their relatives are compared and discussed.

This paper briefly discusses the history of fungal taxonomy and contributes to the concepts and the importance of ranking genera, families and orders. We propose recommendations for introducing species into appropriate ranks such as genera, families and orders, as well as the rationale to maintain species in one genus or segregate one genus into several genera. Various ways to rank fungi have commonly been based on morphological and phylogenetic species concepts. More recently, the use of molecular clocks, coupled with estimates of divergence times, has provided insights into how to assign species and support their establishment at different taxonomic hierarchical levels. Case studies are given from the order Botryosphaeriales and Pleosporales, and the genera Camarosporium, Colletotrichum, Diaporthe, Pestalotiopsis, Lophiostoma and Agaricus to demonstrate taxonomic ambiguities and the subjectivity in classification of fungi.

Aquapteridospora lignicola gen. et sp. nov. was found on wood submerged in a freshwater stream in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis of LSU sequence data placed the isolate in Diaporthomycetidae, genera incertae sedis. Aquapteridospora is a hyphomycete with polyblastic conidiogenous cells with several sympodial proliferations, bearing tiny, protuberant, circular scars and fusiform conidia, with pale to dark brown central cells and subhyaline end cells, sometimes with a conspicuous sheath. Aquapteridospora is compared to Pleurophragmium and Minimelanolocus which share some similar characters. A new genus and species is introduced to accommodate this new lineage with notes on its taxonomy and phylogeny.

A survey of freshwater fungi on submerged wood in China and Thailand resulted in the collection of three species in Dictyocheirospora and four species in Dictyosporium including two new species in the latter genus. Morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU and TEF1α sequence data support their placement in Dictyocheirospora and Dictyosporium (Dothideomycetes). An updated backbone tree is provided for the family Dothideomycetes. Descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa and re-collections are provided. Four new combinations are proposed for Dictyocheirospora.

Leptosphaeriaceae is a family in the order Pleosporales comprising economically important plant pathogens. Species may also be endophytes or saprobes on various host plants. In recent classifications Alternariaster, Leptosphaeria, Neophaeosphaeria, Paraleptosphaeria, Heterospora, Subplenodomus and Plenodomus were included in the family. The taxonomy of genera and species in Leptosphaeriaceae has been problematic due to the lack of understanding of the importance of morphological characters used to distinguish taxa, as well as the lack of reference strains. In order to establish evolutionary relationships and to provide a backbone tree for Leptosphaeria and allied genera, we sequenced the 18S nrDNA, 28S nrDNA, ITS, RPB2, TEF and ACT gene regions of Leptosphaeriaceae species and analysed this data. Multi-locus phylogenies together with morphology robustly support the monophyletic nature of Leptosphaeriaceae among the other families in Pleosporales, and the inclusion of the genera Alternariaster, Heterospora, Leptosphaeria, Paraleptosphaeria, Sphaerellopsis, Subplenodomus, Plenodomus and three novel genera Alloleptosphaeria, Neoleptosphaeria and Pseudoleptosphaeria. Five new species, Alternariaster centaureae-diffusae, Leptosphaeria cichorium, Paraleptosphaeria rubi, Plenodomus guttulatus and P. salviae are introduced. An account of sexual morph of Alternariaster centaureae-diffusae is provided, and the sexual morph of Leptosphaeria doliolum is re-described and illustrated using modern concepts from fresh collections. A novel family Neophaeosphaeriaceae is established to accommodate the genus Neophaeosphaeria and its species.

— A new taxon of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with Arrhenatherum and Dactylis was collected in Italy. Single ascospore isolates were obtained and formed asexual morphs in culture. Multi-gene phylogenetic analysis was carried out using ITS, LSU nrDNA and EF1-α sequence data and the resulting phylogenetic tree showed that new species clustered in Botryosphaeriaceae together with Tiarosporella species with high bootstrap support. The new species is introduced as a sexual morph of Tiarosporella and detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided. A discussion of the asexual morphs of Tiarosporella is provided.

An interesting hyphomycetous taxon was collected on submerged wood in a freshwater stream in Trat Province, Thailand. It is morphologically similar to endophragmiella-like taxa, characterized by macronematous, mononematous conidiophores, monoblastic, enteroblastic conidiogenous cells and clavate to obovoid, septate brown conidia. The unique feature of this taxon is that the mature conidium often bears a young new conidial primordium which develops percurrently from a lower semi-transparent cell and they secede simultaneously. Phylogenetic analyses of a combined LSU, SSU and RPB2 sequence data support the placement of this fungus together with Platytrachelon and close to the family Papulosaceae within Diaporthomycetidae, Sordariomycetes. A new genus is introduced to accommodate the new taxon as Aquimonospora. The novel species Aquimonospora tratensis is described and illustrated and is compared with other morphologically similar taxa.

Thirty-six strains of endophytic Colletotrichum species were isolated from leaves of Bletilla ochracea Schltr. (Orchidaceae) collected from 5 sites in Guizhou, China. Seventeen different species, including 7 new species (namely C. bletillum, C. caudasporum, C. duyunensis, C. endophytum, C. excelsum-altitudum and C. guizhouensis and C. ochracea), 8 previously described species (C. boninense, C. cereale, C. destructivum, C. karstii, C. liriopes, C. miscanthi, C. parsonsiae and C. tofieldiae) and 2 sterile mycelia were identified. All of the taxa were identified based on morphology and phylogeny inferred from multi-locus sequences, including the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, partial genes of β-tubulin (TUB2), actin (ACT) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Comprehensive morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided for new species. Our investigation indicates a high diversity of Colletotrichum species in B. ochracea.

We combined morphological and combined ITS, TUB and TEF sequence data to infer the phylogeny of the recently introduced genus Pseudopestalotiopsis. Two new species from China, Ps. camelliae from blighted leaves of Camellia sinensis and Ps. ignota from an undetermined host in China, are introduced with illustrated accounts and compared with similar taxa. Grey blight disease of tea appears to be caused by a group of fungi that constitutes a species complex. A new combination is proposed to emend the monophyly of Pseudopestalotiopsis and a species comparison is provided for taxa in the genus.

Nine Colletotrichum strains were isolated from diseased and dead stalks of Hemerocallis species (daylilies) from Guizhou, Guangxi, and Liaoning provinces in China. Morphological characteristics and multilocus phylogenetic analysis of ACT, CHS I, GPDH, ITS, and TUB 2 indicate that these strains represent four taxa. Colletotrichum hemerocallidis is a new species that is described, illustrated, and compared with similar species. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, C. liriopes, and C. spaethianum are also recorded on Hemerocallis species.

Twenty-two strains of Colletotrichum, representing eight species, were isolated from eight genera of Orchidaceae in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in China. Fourteen strains were from lesions and are pathogens, four were from fallen/dead flowers or stems and four were isolated as endophytes. The strains are characterized through morphological studies and multilocus phylogenetic analysis (ACT, Tub 2, CAL, CHS I, GPDH and ITS). Colletotrichum orchidearum and the new species Colletotrichum karstii are described and illustrated, based on morphological characters and multilocus sequence data. Collections of the other Colletotrichum species are reported with notes.

During fungal diversity studies on ascomycetes from karst landforms in southwest China, two taxa were collected and morphologically identified as Lophiotrema species based on their immersed ascomata, crest-like ostioles, cylindrical, short pedicellate asci and fusiform ascospores. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses based on a combined LSU-TEF1-α-SSU-ITS - RPB2 sequence data also confirmed their phylogenetic placement within the family Lophiotremataceae, where they clustered with reported Lophiotrema species with strong statistical support. Lophiotrema hydei sp. nov . is introduced and the species forms a distinct lineage which is sister to L. neohysterioides. Morphologically, Lophiotrema hydei differs from L. neohysterioides by its unique appearance of ascomata and different ascospore ornamentation. Another species is identified as L. neohysterioides based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic data, and it is reported as the new record from China.

Several species of the genus Seiridium (Amphisphaeriaceae) are important phytopathogens on plants in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. In this paper we introduce and illustrate a new species of Seiridium from Yunnan Province, China. The novelty is supported by phenotypic analyses of conidial characters and by ITS and beta-tubulin gene sequence data. Seiridium venetum (Sacc.) Nag Raj is also redescribed from fresh material collected from Cornus mas in Italy, and is designated as a reference specimen.

Six Phyllosticta strains were isolated from diseased leaves of Musa species in Chongqing and Guizhou provinces, China. Morphological and molecular analysis of LSU and combined ITS, ACT, TEF-1, and GPDH gene sequences, identified these strains as P. capitalensis (3 strains), P. musarum (1 strain) and two isolates were distinct from known Phyllosticta species. The latter is herein introduced as Phyllosticta musaechinensis sp. nov. A description and illustrations are provided, and the new species is compared with other species from Musa in this paper.

The relationship between teleomorphs of Cordyceps spp. and their presumed anamorphs have been investigated by analysis of 5.8S and ITS rDNA sequences. The morphological and sequence data confirm that Paecilomyces hawkesii is the anamorph of Cordyceps gunnii, while Cordyceps hawkesii is a synonym of C. gunnii, and P. gunnii is a synonym of P. hawkesii. The following presumed connections are also confirmed: Beauveria brongniartii is the anamorph of C. brongniartii, Metarhizium anisopliae var. majus is the anamorph of C. brittlebankisoides, Beauveria sobolifera is the anamorph of C. sobolifera, Mariannaea pruinosa is the anamorph of C. pruinosa, Paecilomyces militaris is the anamorph of C. militaris, and Hirsutella sinensis is the anamorph of C. sinensis. The other isolates sequenced are unlikely to be anamorphs of the teleomorphs from which they were isolated because the sequences from the culture and the teleomorph are quite different. 5.8S and ITS sequences provide useful information for establishing anamorph-teleomorph connections and assisting in the delimitation of species within Cordyceps.

Periconia thailandica is a new hyphomycetous species found on bamboo culms collected in Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand. We herein introduce P. thailandica based on morphological characters and molecular analysis. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU and SSU sequence data place the new species in Periconia (Pleosporales) where it forms a distinct clade in the genus. The new species is characterized by brown, 4−7-septate conidiophores with terminal, polyblastic, acropetally proliferating, globose conidiogenous cells, and light to dark brown, globose, verrucose conidia. The morphological comparisons between P. thailandica and other known Periconia species are discussed. The new species is introduced to accommodate this taxon with a detailed description and morphological illustrations.

A survey of saprobic fungi yielded two new ascomycetes, Dyfrolomyces maolanensis and D. thamplaensis , which were isolated from dead branches collected from karst landforms of China and Thailand respectively. Both of them are characterized by immersed, clypeate, papillate ascomata, long cylindrical, short-pedicellate asci and fusiform, guttulate, 3-septate ascospores. Molecular analysis of combined LSU, SSU and TEF1-a sequence data placed them in the family Dyfrolomycetaceae with good support. Morphologically, they differ from other species of Dyfrolomyces by their ascospores, which are normally 3-septate, fusiform with acute or angular ends. And those reported Dyfrolomyces species were collected aquatic habitats, while our new species in this study were collected from terrestrial habitats. Saccardoella aquatica shares the similar morphology with these two new taxa, but can be distinguished in having its smaller asci and ascospores. Therefore, we introduce D thamplaensis and D. maolanensis here as new species and also transfer S. aquatica to Dyfrolomyces based on its similar morphological characters, as well as the molecular evidence of above two new taxa.

Cordyceps sinensis , the caterpillar fungus in traditional Chinese medicine, has been intensively collected from nature in recent years. As a result, the establishment of the anamorph of this species has become important for large-scale culture to meet increasing demand for medicinal use and to ease exploitation of natural populations. To establish a reliable connection between the teleomorph and anamorph stages, the ITS nrDNA sequences were sequenced from both the stroma of the telemorph and cultures of the anamorph. Observations of microcyclic conidiation were also made on germinated ascospores and compared with the anamorph in culture. Hirsutella sinensis was confirmed as the anamorph of C. sinensis by both DNA sequences and microcyclic conidiation. Two recently described species, C. multiaxialis and C. nepalensis , were shown to share identical or almost identical ITS sequences with C. sinensis . These minor variations were considered to be within the range of variation exhibited within a species, but representing different populations. Sequences from other Cordyceps species included in this study exhibited considerable differences from each other. Therefore, these three entities are probably conspecific, and the names should be regarded as synonymous. The morphological characters used in the description of the two new species are discussed. It is suggested that ITS sequences provided useful information on establishing the anamorph—telemorph connection and assisting in the delimitation of species within Cordyceps .

Collections of submerged wood in streams in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand yi e lded three sporoschisma-like taxa . Morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis of LSU sequence data support the separation of two isolates as new species ( S. palauense and S. longicatenatum ) and the other as collection of S. hemipsila. The sexual morph ( Melanochaeta ) is again linked to the asexual genus Sporoschisma by molecular data. The new species are introduced with descriptions and illustrations and compared with the most similar species.

During an assessment of biodiversity of ascomycetous fungi in the South China Karst area in Guizhou Province, China, a novel species of Prosthemium was collected. We isolated the taxon and sequenced the ITS, LSU and TUB gene regions. The novel taxon is characterized by immersed, globose or depressed globose ascomata, flattened, papillate ostioles, cellular pseudoparaphyses, broadly cylindrical to broadly cylindro-clavate asci, narrowly oblong, muriform ascospores and a prosthemium-like asexual morph produced in culture. The result of phylogenetic analysis based on combined ITS, LSU and TUB sequence data indicate that the species belongs to the genus Prosthemium and formed a separate clade within the genus. The new fungus is most similar to Prosthemium betulinum, Pr. intermedium, Pr. neobetulinum and Pr. stellare, from which it differs in the overall smaller size and morphology of sexual morph and asexual morph, as well as phylogeny. Thus new fungus is described and illustrated herein as Prosthemium sinense.

Lophiostomataceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes) is a ubiquitous family that includes saprobic species associated with a wide variety of substrates in various habitats. DNA based studies have shown numerous genera can be determined within the family Lophiostomataceae that do not always connect to species based on morphological characteristics. An undescribed ascomycete, similar to species of Lophiostomataceae, was collected from dead wood in the South China karst area in Guizhou Province. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS, SSU, LSU and EF1α sequence data revealed that the new taxon nested in the genus Alpestrisphaeria in Lophiostomataceae, thus the novel taxon is introduced as Alpestrisphaeria jonesii. Diagnostic features are erumpent, coriaceous to carbonaceous, subglobose ascomata, a slit-like ostiole with periphyses, filiform pseudoparaphyses, fissitunicate, cylindrical asci and filamentous, 10–15-euseptate, hyaline ascospores. Alpestrisphaeria jonesii can be readily distinguished from the generic type of Alpestrisphaeria, A. terricola by the shape of its asci and ascospores.

Botryosphaeria is a species rich genus of plant saprobes, pathogens and endophytes, with a global distribution, on a wide variety of mainly woody hosts. Recent studies have discovered a wide-ranging diversity of species in Botryosphaeria. This work adds to this increasing body of knowledge on the genus, by introducing a new species of Botryosphaeria occurring on dead wood in a terrestrial habitat in Guizhou Province, of the south China Karst region. Analysis of a combined ITS and EF1-α sequence data matrix was applied to infer the phylogenetic position of the new species in Botryosphaeria and B. minutispermatia is described and illustrated based on morphology and phylogeny. The new species is characterized by erumpent, botryose, clustered, ostiolate ascomata, bitunicate, clavate asci, filiform, rarely branched pseudoparaphyses, fusiform, hyaline ascospores and a fusicoccum-like asexual morph produced in culture and formed a distinct clade within the genus Botryosphaeria.

A new ascomycete species, inhabiting decaying bamboo culms, is introduced in this paper based on morphology and molecular evidence. Analyses of partial LSU sequence data place the taxon in a monophyletic clade within the order Pleosporales . Morphological characters of the taxon are also distinct from other members of Pleosporales . Ligninsphaeria jonesii gen. et sp. nov. is therefore introduced to accommodate the new taxon, which is characterized by its clypeate, scattered, deeply immersed ascomata, with a slit-like opening, long ostioles, cellular pseudoparaphyses, clavate asci containing broad-fusiform and 1-septate ascospores surrounded by a gelatinous cap at both ends. The phylogenetic analyses show that the new taxon is phylogenetically close but distinct from the families Amniculicolaceae and Testudinaceae , and forms a distinct clade from other taxa in Pleosporales . The new taxon is described and compared with similar taxa. A new genus Ligninsphaeria (Pleosporales, incertae sedis ) is introduced to accommodate this distinct lineage.

Shiraia bambusicola is an economically important medicinal fungus on bamboo. In this paper we re-describe the holotype and designate an epitype based on fresh specimens collected from Zhejiang Province in China. Morphological characters agree with those of the holotype and phylogenies based on combined partial LSU-rDNA, EF and RPB gene sequence data from the epitype, suggest that it is a new family of Pleosporales. The new family is introduced and the holotype and epitype are both illustrated.