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Atronectria thelotrematis, a lichenicolous pyrenomycete growing on Thelotrema lepadinum, is described as new to science from Chile. The species is characterized by black perithecioid ascomata; a brown, not changing color in K and lactic acid, N+ reddish orange exciple resembling textura angularis or textura epidermoidea; 0-4-septate periphyses; a I-, K/I-hymenium with rather rare lipid droplets; the absence of distinct interascal filaments; inoperculate, unitunicate, cylindrical, 8-spored, I-, K/I- asci; and hyaline to occasionally light brown, smooth to mostly finely verruculose, 1-septate, homopolar ascospores, uniseriate in the ascus. A key to ten species of lichenicolous fungi known to occur on Thelotrema is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylobotrum portentosum (Mont.) Pat. is a striking Neotropical fungal species but it has been reported only a few times from Southern Brazil (States of Paraná and Santa Catarina), found in remnants of Atlantic Forest. Herein we report the species for the first time from the Southeastern Region of Brazil (State of São Paulo). A brief description and color photographs of the fresh specimen are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European species of the genus Dendrostoma (Erythrogloeaceae, Diaporthales) occurring on Castanea sativa and Quercus spp. based on freshly collected material are presented. Using a matrix of sequences from ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tef1, five species are recognized, and their phylogenetic positions are determined. Four species are added to the 14 described species of Dendrostoma. Dendrostoma atlanticum on Castanea sativa, D. creticum on Quercus coccifera and D. istriacum on Q. ilex are described as new species, Valsa castanea is combined in Dendrostoma, and D. leiphaemia is redescribed and illustrated. A key to the European species of Dendrostoma is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on DNA sequence data, the genus Leptosillia is shown to belong to the Xylariales. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS-LSU rDNA sequence data and of a combined matrix of SSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, rpb1, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 reveal that the genera Cresporhaphis and Liberomyces are congeneric with Leptosillia. Coelosphaeria fusariospora, Leptorhaphis acerina, Leptorhaphis quercus f. macrospora, Leptorhaphis pinicola, Leptorhaphis wienkampii, Liberomyces pistaciae, Sphaeria muelleri and Zignoëlla slaptonensis are combined in Leptosillia, and all of these taxa except for C. fusariospora, L. pinicola and L. pistaciae are epitypified. Coelosphaeria fusariospora and Cresporhaphis rhoina are lectotypified. Liberomyces macrosporus and L. saliciphilus, which were isolated as phloem and sapwood endophytes, are shown to be synonyms of Leptosillia macrospora and L. wienkampii, respectively. All species formerly placed in Cresporhaphis that are now transferred to Leptosillia are revealed to be non-lichenized. Based on morphology and ecology, Cresporhaphis chibaensis is synonymised with Rhaphidicyrtis trichosporella, and C. rhoina is considered to be unrelated to the genus Leptosillia, but its generic affinities cannot be resolved in lack of DNA sequence data. Phylogenetic analyses place Leptosillia as sister taxon to Delonicicolaceae, and based on morphological and ecological differences, the new family Leptosilliaceae is established. Furfurella, a new genus with the three new species, F. luteostiolata, F. nigrescens and F. stromatica, growing on dead branches of mediterranean fabaceous shrubs from tribe Genisteae, is revealed to be the closest relative of Delonicicola in the family Delonicicolaceae, which is emended. ITS rDNA sequence data retrieved from GenBank demonstrate that the Leptosilliaceae were frequently isolated or sequenced as endophytes from temperate to tropical regions, and show that the genus Leptosillia represents a widely distributed component of endophyte communities of woody plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic analyses of a combined DNA data matrix containing nuclear small and large subunits (nSSU, nLSU) and mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) ribosomal RNA and the largest and second largest subunits of the RNA polymerase II (rpb1, rpb2) of representative Pezizomycotina revealed that the enigmatic genera Xylobotryum and Cirrosporium form an isolated, highly supported phylogenetic lineage within Leotiomyceta. Acknowledging their morphological and phylogenetic distinctness, we describe the new class Xylobotryomycetes, containing the new order Xylobotryales with the two new families Xylobotryaceae and Cirrosporiaceae. The two currently accepted species of Xylobotryum, X. andinum and X. portentosum, are described and illustrated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The generic type species X. andinum is epitypified with a recent collection for which a culture and sequence data are available. Acknowledging the phylogenetic distinctness of Candelariomycetidae from Lecanoromycetes revealed in previous and the current phylogenetic analyses, the new class Candelariomycetes is proposed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Arthrinium arundinis is a common pathogen in nature, although its molecular taxonomic status has never been reported. Herein, we described the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of A. arundinis , which is a circular DNA molecule with 48,975 bp in length; its A + T content is 72.04%. The mitogenome2, 23 tRNAs comprising 14 amino acids, 9 genes coding for proteins related to oxidative phosphorylation [nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (nad) 1–5, nad4L , cytochrome b (cob), and cytochrome oxidase (cox) 1–2)], 3 ATP synthase subunits (atp6 , atp8 , and atp9), and 7 hypothetical proteins (orf73 , orf143 , orf252 , orf266 , orf328 , orf341 , and orf372). Phylogenetic analyses indicated that A. arundinis clustered with the members of the order Xylariales. Genome structure analyses showed that there are three blocks located in the mitogenome, including rns – rnl , nad2 – nad5 , and cob – atp6. The A. arundinis mitogenome presented features different from those of species in Xylariales, especially for the regions coding trns (trnR – trnY). In addition, comparison of the gene orders from species in Sordariomycetes revealed that although all coding regions are located on the same strand in most Sordariomycetes mitogenomes, several genes from A. arundinis presented reversed positions and co-localization of genes (i.e., nad1 , nad4 , and cox1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two species of lignicolous fungal genus Hypoxylon are reported from South Bohemia (the Czech Republic) for the first time. Both species are restricted to Fraxinus and seems to be expanding in past few years in the Czech Republic. Data on circumstances of the first record and short discussion on taxonomy, ecology and distribution of both species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic analyses of a combined DNA data matrix containing ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tub2 sequences of representative Xylariales revealed that the genus Barrmaelia is a well-defined monophylum, as based on four of its described species (B. macrospora, B. moravica, B. oxyacanthae, B. rhamnicola) and the new species B. rappazii. The generic type of Entosordaria, E. perfidiosa, is revealed as the closest relative of Barrmaelia, being phylogenetically distant from the generic type of Clypeosphaeria, C. mamillana, which belongs to Xylariaceae sensu stricto. Entosordaria and Barrmaelia are highly supported and form a distinct lineage, which is recognised as the new family Barrmaeliaceae. The new species E. quercina is described. Barrmaelia macrospora, B. moravica and B. rhamnicola are epitypified and E. perfidiosa is lecto- and epitypified. Published sequences of Anthostomella and several Anthostomella-like species from the genera Alloanthostomella, Anthostomelloides, Neoanthostomella, Pseudoanthostomella and Pyriformiascoma are evaluated, demonstrating the necessity of critical inspection of published sequence data before inclusion in phylogenies. Verified isolates of several species from these genera should be re-sequenced to affirm their phylogenetic affinities. In addition, the generic type of Anthostomella should be sequenced before additional generic re-arrangements are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents ihe localities of pyrenomycelous and coelomycetous fungi. Forty three are reported as new to the mycoflora of Lithuania, among them are Discosia faginea, D. strobilina, Eutypa astroidea, Gibbera cassandrae, Gloeosporium saponariae, Hypoxylon atropurpureum, H. mammafum, Myxoeyclus polycistis, Mycosphaerella pontederiae, Phyllosticta coryli, P. lantanae, P. pirina. Microfungi have been collected on 62 species of host plants.

Several coelomycete and pyrenomycete fungi from the Białowieża National Park are presented in this paper. All with descriptions and illustrations: Myxocyclus polycistis, Diplodia carmentorum, Zythiostroma pinastri, Slilbospora maccrosperma. Phomatospora angemae, Diaporthe larseniana, Lasiosphaeria punctata, Coniochaeta malacotricha and Nitschkia parasitans. Five species are new to Poland.

Background: Bat flies (Streblidae and Nycteribiidae) are among the most specialized families of the order Diptera. Members of these two related families have an obligate ectoparasitic lifestyle on bats, and they are known disease vectors for their hosts. However, bat flies have their own ectoparasites: fungi of the order Laboulbeniales. In Europe, members of the Nycteribiidae are parasitized by four species belonging to the genus Arthrorhynchus. We carried out a systematic survey of the distribution and fungus-bat fly associations of the genus in central Europe (Hungary, Romania). Results: We encountered the bat fly Nycteribia pedicularia and the fungus Arthrorhynchus eucampsipodae as new country records for Hungary. The following bat-bat fly associations are for the first time reported: Nycteribia kolenatii on Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis blythii, Myotis capaccinii and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum; Penicillidia conspicua on Myotis daubentonii; and Phthiridium biarticulatum on Myotis capaccinii. Laboulbeniales infections were found on 45 of 1,494 screened bat flies (3.0%). We report two fungal species: Arthrorhynchus eucampsipodae on Nycteribia schmidlii, and A. nycteribiae on N. schmidlii, Penicillidia conspicua, and P. dufourii. Penicillidia conspicua was infected with Laboulbeniales most frequently (25%, n = 152), followed by N. schmidlii (3.1%, n = 159) and P. dufourii (2.0%, n = 102). Laboulbeniales seem to prefer female bat fly hosts to males. We think this might be due to a combination of factors: female bat flies have a longer life span, while during pregnancy female bat flies are significantly larger than males and accumulate an excess of fat reserves. Finally, ribosomal DNA sequences for A. nycteribiae are presented. Conclusions: We screened ectoparasitic bat flies from Hungary and Romania for the presence of ectoparasitic Laboulbeniales fungi. Arthrorhynchus eucampsipodae and A. nycteribiae were found on three species of bat flies. This study extends geographical and host ranges of both bat flies and Laboulbeniales fungi. The sequence data generated in this work contribute to molecular phylogenetic studies of the order Laboulbeniales. Our survey shows a complex network of bats, bat flies and Laboulbeniales fungi, of which the hyperparasitic fungi are rare and species-poor. Their host insects, on the other hand, are relatively abundant and diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh material, type studies and molecular phylogeny were used to clarify phylogenetic relationships of the nine genera Acrocordiella, Blogiascospora, Clypeosphaeria, Hymenopleella, Lepteutypa, Pseudapiospora, Requienella, Seiridium and Strickeria. At first sight, some of these genera do not seem to have much in common, but all were found to belong to the Xylariales, based on their generic types. Thus, the most peculiar finding is the phylogenetic affinity of the genera Acrocordiella, Requienella and Strickeria, which had been classified in the Dothideomycetes or Eurotiomycetes, to the Xylariales. Acrocordiella and Requienella are closely related but distinct genera of the Requienellaceae. Although their ascospores are similar to those of Lepteutypa, phylogenetic analyses do not reveal a particularly close relationship. The generic type of Lepteutypa, L. fuckelii, belongs to the Amphisphaeriaceae. Lepteutypa sambuci is newly described. Hymenopleella is recognised as phylogenetically distinct from Lepteutypa, and Hymenopleella hippophaëicola is proposed as new name for its generic type, Sphaeria (= Lepteutypa) hippophaës. Clypeosphaeria uniseptata is combined in Lepteutypa. No asexual morphs have been detected in species of Lepteutypa. Pseudomassaria fallax, unrelated to the generic type, P. chondrospora, is transferred to the new genus Basiseptospora, the genus Pseudapiospora is revived for P. corni, and Pseudomassaria carolinensis is combined in Beltraniella (Beltraniaceae). The family Clypeosphaeriaceae is discontinued, because the generic type of Clypeosphaeria, C. mamillana, is a member of the Xylariaceae. The genus Seiridium, of which the sexual morph Blogiascospora is confirmed, is unrelated to Lepteutypa, as is Lepteutypa cupressi. The taxonomy of the cypress canker agents is discussed. The family Sporocadaceae is revived for a large clade of the Xylariales that contains Hymenopleella, Seiridium and Strickeria among a number of other genera. Neotypes are proposed for Massaria fuckelii and Sphaeria hippophaës. Didymella vexata, Seiridium marginatum, Sphaeria corni, Sphaeria hippophaës, Sphaeria seminuda are epitypified, Apiosporina fallax, Massaria occulta, Sphaeria mamillana and Strickeria kochii are lecto- and epitypified. We also provide DNA data for Broomella vitalbae, Cainia desmazieri and Creosphaeria sassafras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Anthostomella is heterogeneous and recent DNA based studies have shown that species are polyphyletic across Xylariaceae. In this study, we present a morphology based, taxonomic treatment, coupled with a molecular phylogenetic reassessment of relationships within Anthostomella. This has resulted in the establishment of two new genera, eight new combinations and three new species among anthostomella-like taxa. Seventeen strains from 16 anthostomella-like species have been revisited. A re-description of morphological characters among these taxa suggests that Anthostomella can be circumscribed based on immersed ascomata, cylindrical asci with short pedicels and pigmented, equilateral ascospores with germ slits, while Anthostomelloides is characterized by oblong-ellipsoidal ascospores lacking germ slits. Anthostomella brabeji, A. forlícesenica, A. leucospermi and A. proteae are transferred to Anthostomelloides. Pseudoanthostomella gen. nov., possesses solitary ascomata, as well as asci with apical rings and is closely related to Neoanthostomella, but can be distinguished based on a combination of characters, such as multiple ascomata and asci completely lacking apical rings. Anthostomella conorum, A. delitescens and A. sepelibilis are reallocated to Pseudoanthostomella with two new species, P. pini-nigrae and P. senecionicola. Neoanthostomella viticola sp. nov. is added to the previously monotypic genus Neoanthostomella. Alloanthostomella gen. nov is introduced to accommodate Anthostomella rubicola. The only anthostomella-like genus diagnosed with hyaline ascospores so far, is Alloanthostomella gen. nov. This study represents a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study based on four independent molecular markers (ITS, 28S rDNA, RPB2 and β-tubulin) with a broad taxon sampling across Anthostomella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Rosellinia convexa from China is illustrated and described. Phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (including ITS1, 5.8S rRNA gene and ITS2), β-tubulin gene, α-actin gene and Polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) gene sequence data confirmed that it differed from other species in this genus. On the basis of evidence from morphology, it differs from other Rosellinia species in having brown ascospores with convex umbilical ends and a larger ascal apical apparatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a Korean mushroom diversity survey from 2011 to 2014, we found one new Xylaria species (X. ripicola sp. nov.) and one Xylaria species that had not been previously observed in Korea (X. tentaculata). To confirm the phylogenetic placement of the new species, we conducted a phylogenetic investigation based on internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA sequences. Additionally, the new species, X. ripicola, was subsequently analyzed for RNA polymerase II subunit sequences. We also evaluated the macroscopic and microscopic features of this species. Herein, X. ripicola is described as a new species that was collected from a natural beach habitat and X. tentaculata is formally reported as newly found in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tagosodes orizicolus Muir (Homoptera: Delphacidae), the endemic delphacid species of tropical America carries yeast-like symbiotes (YLS) in the abdominal fat bodies and the ovarial tissues, like other rice planthoppers of Asia. These YLS are obligate symbiotes, which are transmitted transovarially, and maintain a mutualistic relationship with the insect host. This characteristic has made in vitro culture and classification of YLS rather difficult using conventional methods. Nevertheless, microorganisms of similar characteristics have been successfully classified by using molecular taxonomy. In the present work, the YLS of Tagosodes orizicolus(YLSTo) were purified on Percoll® gradients, and specific segments of 18S rDNA were amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. Sequences were aligned by means of the CLUSTAL V (DNASTAR) program; phylogenetic trees were constructed with the Phylogeny Inference Package (PHYLIP), showing that YLSTo belong to the fungi class Pyrenomycetes, phylum Ascomycota. Similarities between 98% and 100% were observed among YLS of the rice delphacids Tagosodes orizicolus, Nilaparvata lugens, Laodelphax striatellus and Sogatella furcifera, and between 89.8% and 90.8% when comparing the above to YLS of the aphid Hamiltonaphis styraci. These comparisons revealed that delphacid YLS are a highly conserved monophyletic group within the Pyrenomycetes and are closely related to Hypomyces chrysospermus. Rev. Biol. Trop. 52(3): 777-785. Epub 2004 Dic 15.Tagosodes orizicolus Muir (Homoptera: Delphacidae) es una especie endémica de América tropical que al igual que otros saltahojas de Asia, tiene simbiontes levaduriformes (YLS, por sus siglas en Inglés) en los cuerpos grasos del abdomen y en los tejidos de los ovarios. Los YLS son simbiontes obligados que se transmiten transovarialmente y que mantienen relaciones mutualística con el insecto hospedero. Esta característica ha hecho muy difícil su cultivo in vitro y por ende su clasificación utilizando métodos convencionales. Sin embargo, otros microorganismos de características similares se han clasificado con éxito utilizando taxonomía molecular. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo caracterizar los YLS del delfácido Tagosodes orizicolus (YLSTo). Para ello se purificaron los YLSTo en gradientes de Percoll® y el ADN extraído se amplificó por PCR utilizando iniciadores específicos para secuencias parciales del ADN ribosomal 18S. Dichos fragmentos se clonaron y secuenciaron posteriormente. Las secuencias se alinearon mediante el programa CLUSTAL V DNASTAR) y se construyeron árboles filogenéticos con el programa Phylogeny Inference Package (PHYLIP). Se encontró que los YLSTo pertenecen a la clase de hongos Pyrenomycetes, phylum Ascomycota. Se observaron índices de similaridad entre 98% y 100% entre los YLS de Tagosodes orizicolus, Nilaparvata lugens, Laodelphax striatellus and Sogatella furcifera (todos delfácidos de arroz), e índices de similaridad entre 89.8% y 90.8% al compararse con los YLS del áfido Hamiltonaphis styraci. Estas comparaciones revelaron que los YLS de los delfácidos constituyen un grupo monofilético altamente conservado dentro de los Pyrenomycetes y que se relacionan cercanamente con Hypomyces chrysospermus.

Tirisporella beccariana, a monotypic marine ascomycete, commonly occurs on the lower base of fronds and rhizomes of the brackish water palm, Nypa fruticans. This fungus has globose to subglobose ascomata, immersed to superficial, ostiolate and periphysate, three layered peridium. It has cylindrical bitunicate-like asci, short peduncle, thick-walled, brown ascospores, 4-7 septate, falcate to lunate, verrucose, apical cell appendaged, hyaline basal cell pointed. Taxonomically it was originally assigned to the Dothideomycetes incertae sedis based on the bitunicate-like asci. During on-going investigations of mangrove fungi in Thailand, the fungus was found in intertidal regions in Trang and Trat provinces, Thailand. Maximum parsimony, likelihood and Bayesian analyses using partial SSU and LSU rDNA sequences place T. beccariana in the Diaporthales, Sordariomycetidae, Sordariomycetes; however, the familial level relationship was unidentified. This genus forms a distinct clade with Thailandiomyces bisetulosus isolated from senescent trunks of the palm Licuala longicalycata in Sirindhorn peat swamp forest, with a high statistical support, although they share few morphological features in common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 100 recent collections of Valsaria sensu lato mostly from Europe were used to elucidate the species composition within the genus. Multigene phylogeny based on SSU, LSU, ITS, rpb2 and tef1 sequences revealed a monophyletic group of ten species within the Dothideomycetes, belonging to three morphologically similar genera. This group could not be accommodated in any known family and are thus classified in the new family Valsariaceae and the new order Valsariales. The genus Valsaria sensu stricto comprises V. insitiva, V. robiniae, V. rudis, V. spartii, V. lopadostomoides sp. nov. and V. neotropica sp. nov., which are phylogenetically well-defined, but morphologically nearly indistinguishable species. The new monotypic genus Bambusaria is introduced to accommodate Valsaria bambusae. Munkovalsaria rubra and Valsaria fulvopruinata are combined in Myrmaecium, a genus traditionally treated as a synonym of Valsaria, which comprises three species, with M. rubricosum as its generic type. This work is presented as a basis for additional species to be detected in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erysiphe aquilegiae on Thalictrum tuberiferum and Trollius hondoensis , E. cf. aquilegiae on Aconitum grossedentatum , E. huayinensis on Isodon umbrosus var. excisinflexus , E. liriodendri on Liriodendron tulipifera , E. mayorii var. japonica on Cirsium shinanense and Ci. nipponicum var. incomptum , E. sedi on Sedum bulbiferum , E. trifoliorum on Trifolium dubium , and Pseudoidium cf. neolycopersici on Corchoropsis tomentosa are described and illustrated. Of the host species listed, eight, viz. Th. tuberiferum , Tro. hondoensis , A. grossedentatum , I. umbrosus var. excisinflexus , Ci. shinanense , Ci. nipponicum var. incomptum , Tri. dubium , and Co. tomentosa , are new hosts of powdery mildews in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earliest pre-Linnaean fungal genera are briefly discussed here with special emphasis on the nomenclatural connection with the genus Cordyceps Fr. Since its valid publication under the basidiomycetous genus Clavaria Vaill. ex L. (Clavaria militaris L. Sp. PI. 2:1182, 1753), the genus Cordyceps has undergone nomenclatural changes in the post-Linnaean era, but has stood firmly for approximately 200 years. Synonyms of Cordyceps were collected from different literature sources and analyzed based on the species they represent. True synonyms of Cordyceps Fr. were defined as genera that represented species of Cordyceps Fr. emend. C. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, FHywel-Jones & Spatafora. The most common synonyms o f Cordyceps observed were Clavaria and Sphaeria Flail, reported in the 18th and in the first half of the 19th century, respectively. Cordyceps, the oldest genus in the Cordyceps s. s. clade of Cordycipitaceae, is the most preferred name under the "One Fungus = One Name" principle on priority bases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of Sarawakus are rarely encountered. Their teleomorphs resemble sexual stages of Trichoderma, formerly called Hypocrea, but differ from that genus by unicellular ascospores. The two green-spored species S. britannicus and the type species of Sarawakus, S. lycogaloides, recently were collected, compared with their types and cultured. We redescribe and illustrate these species and transfer them to Trichoderma, based on phylogenetic analysis of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha encoding gene (tef1), containing the two last introns and exon, and a part of the rpb2 gene, encoding the second largest RNA polyrnerase subunit. Trichoderma lycogaloides, was found to cluster with Hypocrea sulawesensis, an unusual species of Trichoderma, while T. britannicum is closely related to T. aerugineum of the Spinulosa clade. The anamorphs of the two examined species are characterized by (odd) verticillium-like conidiophores, large cylindrical phialides and conidia, which belong to the largest of those species forming green conidia, oval to subglobose in T. lycogaloides and oblong in T. britannicum. All species currently recognized in Sarawakus are transferred to Trichoderma, introducing the new combinations T. fragile, T. hexasporum, T. izawae, T. sordidum, T. subtrachycarpum, T. succisum and T. trachycarpum and the new name T. rosellum. Trichoderma trachycarpum is redescribed and illustrated from an isotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries are widely used in map-based cloning of plant genes. Eastern filbert blight (EFB), caused by the pyrenomycete Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Müller, is a devastating disease of European hazelnut ( Corylus avellana L.) in the Pacific Northwest. A dominant allele at a single locus from the obsolete pollenizer 'Gasaway' confers complete resistance. Our map-based cloning efforts use a BAC library for 'Jefferson' hazelnut, which is heterozygous for resistance. Screening the library with primer pairs designed from RAPD markers closely linked to the EFB resistance locus identified 38 BACs. We sequenced 28 of these BACs using Illumina technology, by multiplexing with barcoded adapters. De novo sequence assembly using the programs Velvet and SOPRA and further alignment using CodonCode Aligner generated contigs whose length ranged from 393 to 108,194 bp. The number of contigs per BAC ranged from 1 to 19, and estimated coverage of assembled BACs ranged from 64 % to 100 %. Preliminary analysis of the sequences identified 779 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), from which we developed 23 markers. Of these, 17 were assigned to linkage group 6 adjacent to the disease resistance locus, five were placed on other linkage groups, and one could not be assigned to a linkage group. The BAC sequences and new SSR markers will be useful for our efforts at map-based cloning of the disease resistance gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pycnidial fungi belonging to the genus Ampelomyces are comm intracellular mycoparasites of powdery mildews worldwide. Some strains have already been developed as commercial biocontrol agents (BCAs) of Eo'siphe necator and other powdery mildew species infecting important crops. One of the basic, and still debated, questions concerning the tritrophic relationships between host plants, powdery mildew fungi, and Ampelomyces mycoparasites is whether Ampelomyces strains isolated from certain species of the Erysiphales are narrowly specialized to their original mycohosts or are generalist mycoparasites of many powdery mildew fungi. This is also important for the use of Ampelomyces strains as BCAs. To understand this relationship, the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial actin gene (actl) sequences of 55 Ampelomyces strains from E. necator were analyzed together with those of 47 strains isolated from other powdery mildew species. These phylogenetic analyses distinguished five major clades and strains from E. necator that were present in all but one clade. This work was supple- mented with the selection of nine inter-silnple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers for strain-specific identification of Ampelomyces mycoparasites to monitor the environmental fate of strains applied as BCAs. The genetic distances among strains calculated based on ISSR patterns have also highlighted the genetic diversity of Ampelomyces mycoparasites naturally occurring in grapevine powdery mildew. Overall, this work showed that Ampelomyces strains isolated from E. necator are genetically diverse and there is no indication of strict mycohost associations in these strains. However, these results cannot rule out a certain degree of quantitative association between at least some of the Aml)elomyces lineages identified in this work and their original mycohosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new genus Rodaucea is created for a new species of Laboulbeniales parasitic on carrion beetles from Ecuador. The new genus is characterized by the presence of two unequal secondary receptacles flanking cell II on opposite sides. The perithecia have the wall cells arranged in four tiers distinctly unequal in height and the antheridia are phialid-like structures borne terminally on branches of primary and secondary appendages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper three ascomycete species, Capronia nigerrima, Kalmusia clivensis and Sillia ferruginea, are reported for the first time in Lithuania. The fungi were found on old stromata of pyrenomycetes, bark of dead branch of Corylus avellana and dead stems of Rubus idaeus in the alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa of the southern, northeastern and eastern Lithuania. Morphological descriptions, comments and illustrations of the species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Counts of dispersed spores of the pyrenomycete dung-fungus Sporormiella have recently gained prominence as a technique to examine the end-Pleistocene mass extinction. Early investigations were able to identify Sporormiella occurrence on the dung of extinct species, including squirrel and mammoth. These early studies also noted an important trend in Sporormiella abundance over time in North America, such that spore abundances were high during the late Pleistocene, low for most of the Holocene, and again prominent with the introduction of large grazing animals by early explorers. In more recent studies, changes in the abundance of spores of this fungus in sediments have been used as a proxy to define megafaunal population presence, decline, and extinction during the late Pleistocene, and a number of sites in the northeastern USA show a similar pattern of Sporormiella abundance over time. It is our opinion that some critical taxonomic and taphonomic investigations have not been completed for Sporormiella, and because of this, there are complications in interpreting the Sporormiella spore abundance data. We constructively evaluate this analytical technique and propose supporting studies that could enhance its potential as an indicator of megaherbivore extinction and its use as a proxy for the end-Pleistocene extinction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Five species of the Laboulbeniales, including two unrecorded species are reported from South Korea. They are as follows; Dioicomyces anthici Thaxter on Anthicus confucii Marseul, Laboulbenia melanaria Thaxter on Anisodacthius tricuspidatus Morawitz, L. philonthi Thaxter on Philonthus wuesthoffi Bernhauer, Peyritschiella japonicus Terada on Philonthus japonicus Sharp, and Scaphidiomyces baeocerae Thaxter on Scaphisoma unicolor Achard. Among these species, L. melanaria Thaxter, S. baeocerae Thaxter and the male thallus of D. anthici Thaxter are newly described from South Korea. L. Philonthi Thaxter and P. japonicus Terada are newly collected in some places where were unlike with the examined region ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity and ecological aspects of pyrenomycetes and loculoascomycetes from deciduous forest in Pavilniai Regional Park were studied. A total of 83 species of pyrenomycetes and loculoascomycetes, belonging to 14 orders were identified. Eleven fungal species were recorded for the first time in Lithuania. The studied fungi were found on various types of substrate of 17 woody plant species in three forest communities: Alno incanae-Fraxinetum excelsioris, Pruno padi-Alnetum incanae and Querco-Ulmetum campestris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The myrmecophilous fungi Rickia wasmannii Cavara, 1899 and Laboulbenia camponoti S. W. T. Batra, 1963 (Ascomycota: Laboulbeniales) are reported for the first time from Bulgaria. Rickia wasmannii was found on Myrmica scabrinodis Nylander, 1846 ant workers (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in South-eastern Bulgaria near to the Black Sea coast. This is the easternmost record of Rickia wasmannii in Europe. Laboulbenia camponoti was found in six different localities in Bulgaria on the carpenter ants Camponotus aethiops (Latreille, 1798), C. universitatis Forel, 1890 and C. pilicornis (Roger, 1859). Camponotus aethiops and C. universitatis are new hosts for the fungus. For both fungi species the known distribution and host ranges summarized. This is the first record of the ant species Camponotus pilicornis for the Bulgarian fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern filbert blight (EFB), caused by the pyrenomycete Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Müller, is a devastating disease of European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) in the Pacific Northwest. Host genetic resistance from 'Gasaway' has been used extensively for breeding hazelnuts at Oregon State University. Concern over the durability of this single-gene resistance prompted a search for new sources of resistance. In this study, 86 accessions from 11 countries were evaluated for their response to greenhouse inoculation with the pathogen. Nine accessions showed complete resistance, including one from Chile ('Amarillo Tardio'), two from Serbia ('Crvenje' and 'Uebov'), one from southern Russia (OSU 495.072) and five from Moscow, Russia. These new sources of EFB resistance have geographically diverse origins and will broaden the genetic base of EFB-resistant hazelnut germplasm. The previously reported resistance of 'Grand Traverse' from Michigan and the susceptibility of 'Closca Molla' from Spain were confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological nature of some symbioses is unclear because it is often not easy to discern whether the symbiont's obtain any benefits from the association. Mastodia tessellata, a symbiosis between a leafy green alaga and a fungus of uncertain phylogenetic position, is among the most investigated, controversial, and poorly understood associations. Because it has been difficult to determine whether this association is mutually beneficial or parasitic, not all scientists accept M. tessellata as a true lichen symbiosis. Mastodia tessellata is thus an interesting model to illustrate the interactions and processes that occur in fungal – algal symbioses. To improve our understanding of this association, we address the phylogenetic positions of the bionts involved and examine their interactions at the ultrastructural level, Examining the nuLSU and nuSS gene regions of the mycobiont and the rbcL gene region of the photobiont, we found the fungus to be related to a group of marine species in the genus Verrucaria. Family Verrucariaceae, despite its present ascription to the family Mastodiaceae, In addition, the photobiont of the symbiosis emerged as closely related to the North American species Prasiola borealis. Our electron microscopy observations provide new information on the process of fungal colonization of the alagal thalli, as well as on relationships between the symbionts during different stages of colonization. The special features of this lichen symbiosis are discussed and compared with other examples of fungal symbioses in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hypoxylon aeruginosum (Xylariaceae), an infrequently encountered predominantly tropical pyrenomycete, of which two varieties are known to science, is characterised by having a cyan blue stromatal surface or subsurface. In the course of our ongoing chemotaxonomic evaluation of the Xylariaceae, specific profiles of H. aeruginosum were observed by high performance liquid chromatography, coupled with diode array detection and mass spectrometry (hplc-DAD/MS). By comparison with an authentic standard, lepraric acid and several yet unidentified metabolites with similar hplc-DAD/MS characteristics were detected in the stromata of the type material and other specimens of this species. Interestingly, lepraric acid was hitherto only known from lichenised ascomycetes. Hypoxylon aeruginosum, which is here reported first from Africa and Asia, contained none of the metabolites that were previously detected in other Xylariaceae, except for stromata growing hyperparasitically on other Hypoxylon species. A different lepraric acid derivative was also detected in the type specimen of Chlorostroma subcubisporum, which differs from H. aeruginosum by having a green stromatal surface, cuboid ascospores, and in lacking an amyloid ascal apical apparatus. A second species of Chlorostroma, which showed essentially the same metabolite profile as H. aeruginosum, is described from Thailand. We conclude that Chlorostroma and H. aeruginosum are closely related. However, no taxonomic conclusions are drawn from these findings because no cultures have so far become available to study their anamorphic morphology, their secondary metabolites in culture, and their molecular phylogeny. Taxonomic novelty: Chlorostroma cyaninum Læssøe, Srikitikulchai & J. Fournier, sp. nov. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The biological nature of some symbioses is unclear because it is often not easy to discern whether the symbiont's obtain any benefits from the association. Mastodia tessellata, a symbiosis between a leafy green alaga and a fungus of uncertain phylogenetic position, is among the most investigated, controversial, and poorly understood associations. Because it has been difficult to determine whether this association is mutually beneficial or parasitic, not all scientists accept M. tessellata as a true lichen symbiosis. Mastodia tessellata is thus an interesting model to illustrate the interactions and processes that occur in fungal – algal symbioses. To improve our understanding of this association, we address the phylogenetic positions of the bionts involved and examine their interactions at the ultrastructural level, Examining the nuLSU and nuSS gene regions of the mycobiont and the rbcL gene region of the photobiont, we found the fungus to be related to a group of marine species in the genus Verrucaria. Family Verrucariaceae, despite its present ascription to the family Mastodiaceae, In addition, the photobiont of the symbiosis emerged as closely related to the North American species Prasiola borealis. Our electron microscopy observations provide new information on the process of fungal colonization of the alagal thalli, as well as on relationships between the symbionts during different stages of colonization. The special features of this lichen symbiosis are discussed and compared with other examples of fungal symbioses in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogeny and taxonomic placement of three species currently placed in the genus Pertusaria with gyalectoid ascomata were studied using maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis of four molecular loci (mitochondrial SSU, nuclear LSU rDNA and the protein-coding, nuclear RPB1 and MCM7 genes). A total of 40 new sequences were generated for this study and aligned with 84 sequences retrieved from Genbank. Our results show that the gyalectoid Pertusaria species are only distantly related to Pertusaria s.str. They form a strongly supported sister-group relationship to Coccotrema. Consequently, the new genus Gyalectaria Schmitt, Kalb & Lumbsch is described in Coccotremataceae to accommodate these species and the new combinations G. diluta (C. Bjork, G. Thor & T. Wheeler) Schmitt, T. Sprib. & Lumbsch, G. gyalectoides (Vezda) Schmitt, Kalb & Lumbsch, and G. jamesii (Kantvilas) Schmitt, Kalb & Lumbsch are proposed. The order Pertusariales is reduced to synonymy with Agyriales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascomata of 10 species assigned to family Nitschkiaceae were examined with a scanning electron microscope to reveal their distinctive features. These observations, along with biogeographical considerations of the 10 species, form the basis for a revised interpretation of the concepts used for those nitschkiaceous taxa in the Russian Far East. Four genera instead of five are recognized as a result of the unification of Nitschkia and Calyculosphaeria, whereas Calyculosphaeria grevillei is replaced by Nitschkia grevillei. The name Fracchiaea subcongregata is now applied to the entity formerly recognized as Fracchiaea broomeiana, and the species recorded originally as Nitschkia cupularis is now identified as Nitschkia parasitans. Two new species, Fracchiaea seticoronata and Nitschkia modesta, are described and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]