Acremonium boreale n.sp., a sclerotial, low-temperature-tolerant, snow mold antagonist

A previously undescribed, sclerotial, low-temperature-tolerant fungus with orange sclerotia, is common on a wide range of plant species and substrates in Western Canada. It is often associated with snow mold complexes. It has also been found in eastern Canada and Norway, indicating a circumpolar distribution. It is described as Acremonium boreale n.sp. Some isolates were antagonistic towards common snow molds, viz. Fusarium nivale, Sclerotica borealis, Typhula ishikariensis var. ishikariensis and var. canadensis, and the nonsclerotial low-temperature basidiomycete in culture at low temperatures. Although it was weakly parasitic towards two grass species, its main ecological importance seems to be as an invasive primary saprophyte on a wide range of substrates. It may play a significant role in determining the nature and intensity of damage in snow mold complexes.