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Pestalotioid fungi associated with grapevine wood diseases in France are regularly found in vine growing regions, and research was conducted to identify these fungi. Many of these taxa are morphologically indistinguishable, but sequence data can resolve the cryptic species in the group. Thirty pestalotioid fungi were isolated from infected grapevines from seven field sites and seven diseased grapevine varieties in France. Analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial β-tubulin (TUB) and partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) sequence data revealed several species of Neopestalotiopsis, Pestalotiopsis and Truncatella associated with the symptoms. Three Neopestalotiopsis spp. and one Pestalotiopsis sp. are reported for the first time associated with wood diseases in grapevine in France and worldwide, and include Neopestalotiopsis asiatica, N. javaensis, Neopestalotiopsis sp. and Pestalotiopsis biciliata. The sequence data indicate that Truncatella angustata was also associated with wood grapevine diseases in France; this species was previously reported on grapevine in Iran. The importance of controlling Pestalotioid fungi associated with wood grapevine diseases is discussed, which was previously considered of minor importance. These fungi are isolated from plants in nurseries before marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During survey of freshwater fungi in Haute Garonne in the Pyrenees (southern France), we collected a remarkable species that is most comparable to the maritime fungus Mauritiana rhizophorae. The maritime genera Halotthia, Pontoporeia and Mauritiana as well as our newly collected species form a monophyletic clade in phylograms generated from LSU rDNA sequence analyses. This clade has undetermined familial status, and our new species is not congeneric with Halotthia, Pontoporeia or Mauritiana. A new monotypic genus, Phaeoseptum (represented by Ph. aquaticum sp. nov), therefore is introduced to accommodate the newly collected freshwater taxon. A new family, Halotthiaceae, is introduced to accommodate the four aquatic genera Halotthia, Mauritiana, Phaeoseptum and Pontoporeia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quintaria microsporum sp. nov., found on submerged wood of Fraxinus excelsior in the bed of a stream in Ariège, Rimont, Peyrau, France, is described, illustrated and compared with similar taxa. It is unique in Quintaria in having small ascospores and asci. A key to species of Quintaria is provided. This is the first record of a Quintaria species from a freshwater environment in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agaricus subrufescens is a cultivated edible and medicinal mushroom. Its known geographical distribution encompasses the Americas, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. The objective of this study was to assess mating compatibility and interfertility of strains originating from Brazil, France, and Thailand. Progeny of each strain were analyed with codominant molecular markers. Multilocus genotype tests revealed that the three strains were amphithallic with percentages of heterokaryotic single spore progenies of 75% for the Thai strain and around 40% for the Brazilian and French strains. In mating tests A. subrufescens had a multiallelic unifactorial system of sexual incompatibility. The three parent strains were interfertile based on experimental pairings of single-spore isolates, the recovery of hybrid heterokaryons from compatible matings, and the ability of hybrids to produce mushrooms and fertile spores. This biological approach supports the inclusion of the European strains within the species and the extension of the geographical distribution range to Asia. Our data should help to develop breeding strategies and to better manage and exploit the diversity existing in A. subrufescens., (Copyright © 2014 The British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A collection of submerged wood samples in the Pyrénées, France, led to the discovery of a new freshwater Dothideomycetes genus. Amniculicola lignicola gen sp. nov, is described and illustrated. In addition, rDNA and RPB2 gene sequences are analysed phylogenetically to investigate its ordinal and familial placement. Morphologically, Amniculicola resembles species of Ostropella and Xenolophium in having subglobose ascomata with prominent lips surrounding a slit-like ostiole. However, it is readily distinguished from Ostropella and Xenolophium by ascus shape and in having a short pedicle and thin peridium. Phylogenetic analyses based on 28S rDNA sequences also indicated that A. lignicola and O. albocincta (type species of Ostropella) are phylogenetically distinct. Morphological characters indicate that Amniculicola belongs in the Pleosporales and this is supported by molecular data. Sequences analyses from three loci suggest that it is closely related to anamorphic fungi, such as Anguillospora longissima, Spirosphaera cupreorufescens, and Repetophragma ontariense; however, its affinities with known Dothideomycetes and its familial placement are still unresolved.