Morphology

Preparations from cultured fungal colonies were mounted on glass slides with clear lactic acid for microscopic examination. Sections of ascomata were made by hand for examination purposes. Measurements of all taxonomically relevant parameters were made at ×1 000 magnification by Nikon NIS-Elements D3.0 Imaging software, with 30 measurements per structure where possible. Colony colours on MEA (surface and reverse) were determined using the colour charts of Rayner (1970) after 2 wk at 25 °C in the dark.

Taxonomy

Several taxonomic novelties were found that do not match any species presently described, or linked to the sequences available in GenBank. These genera and species are described as new below.

Antennariella placitae Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513839; Fig. 2

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Fig. 2

Antennariella placitae. a, b. Colony on MEA; c–f. pycnidia; g–i. conidiogenous cells; j. conidia; k–n. hyphae in culture. — Scale bars: c–f = 40 μm; g–n = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Pycnidia globosa vel subovoidea, ex ramulis erectis hypharum oriunda, intercalaria, lateralia vel terminalia, (30–)40–60(–120) × (22–)30–40(–65) μm. Cellulae conidiogenae phialidicae, subcylindraceae vel lageniformes, hyalinae, (5–)8–10(–13) × 4–5.5 μm. Conidia hyalina, aseptata, globosa vel subglobosa, (2.3–)2.5–3(–3.8) × (2–)2.5–2.8(–3.2) μm.

Etymology: Named after the host species on which it occurs, Eucalyptus placita.

Mycelium superficial or immersed, pale to medium brown, septate, branched; hyphae mostly smooth, thin-walled, septate, 3.5–5 μm wide, darker and wider when around conidiomata, 3.5–8.5 μm wide, hyphal cells regular in width, constricted at septa, wall 0.9–1.3 μm thick, with a mucilaginous outer wall layer, up to 3.5 μm thick. Conidiomata pycnidial, superficial or immersed, globose to subovoid, medium to dark grey-brown, intercalary, lateral or terminal on erect hyphal branches, meristogenous in development, pseudoparenchymatous, thin-walled, 1–2 cell layers of textura angularis, (30–)40–60(–120) × (22–)30–40(–65) μm. Ostiole absent, or not well-developed, mostly releasing conidia by means of irregular rupture. Conidiophores absent. Conidiogenous cells phialidic, subcylindrical to largeniform, hyaline, invested among mucilage, formed from the inner cells of the pycnidial wall, (5–)8–10(–13) × 4–5.5 μm. Conidia hyaline, aseptate, globose to subglobose, base subtruncate, with 1–3 minute guttules, smooth, thin-walled, (2.3–)2.5–3(–3.8) × (2–)2.5–2.8(–3.2) μm.

Culture characteristics — Colonies reaching 2 cm diam after 2 wk at 25 °C on MEA, flat, folded in the middle, with ovary-white conidial masses on the surface, and entire edge with medium to dark brownish grey woolly aerial mycelium; greyish fucous-black (reverse).

Specimen examined. Australia, New South Wales, Cessnock S 32°50’45", E 151°17’07" on Eucalyptus placita, 14 Oct. 2006, coll. B.A. Summerell, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20277 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 13706 = CBS 124785.

Notes — The genus Antennulariella is a teleomorph genus of sooty molds which has Capnodendron and Antennariella synanamorphs (Hughes 1976). Antennariella placitae resembles other Antennariella spp. which produce meristogeneous pycnidia, that are intercalary or terminal on the hyphae, and give rise to aseptate conidia. Antennariella placitae also has a characteristic hyaline mucilaginous outer hyphal wall layer, which is a typical characteristic of sooty molds (Hughes 1976). Conidia of A. placitae are globose, while those of other Antennariella spp. are more or less ellipsoidal (Hughes 1976). Phylogenetically A. placitae is closely related to the sooty molds Capnodium coffeae (DQ247800; 97 % identical), Microxyphium citri (AY004337; 96 % identical) and Fumagospora capnodioides (EU019269; 95 % identical) based on its LSU sequence data. All four taxa grow superficially on the cuticle of their plant hosts.

Bagadiella Cheewangkoon & Crous, gen. nov. — MycoBank MB513840

Cladorrhino simile, sed conidiis lunaribus, monophialibidus et conidiophoris in rosulis suprastomatalibus.

Type species. Bagadiella lunata Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov.

Etymology. Named after the standard diet enjoyed at CBS over weekends from the automated dispenser, an apple cake (B1 = Ba) and a packet of winegums (A7 = Ag).

Mycelium immersed, becoming superficial when incubated in moist chambers, pale to medium brown, consisting of septate, branched, smooth hyphae. Chlamydospores absent. Caespituli suprastomatal, pale brown, compact, arising from pseudoparenchymatal tissue in the substomatal cavity, forming a rosette with a central, basal point of attachment, giving rise to conidiophores with a slimy conidial mass, up to 110 μm high and 130 μm diam. Conidiophores micronematous, arranged in a rosette, cylindrical, mostly dichotomously branched, slightly thick-walled, medium to pale grey-brown, straight or slightly flexuous. Conidiogenous cells terminal, monophialidic, branched, subcylindrical to lageniform, at times constricted at base of conidiogenous cell, tapering toward the apex, pale brown, paler toward the apex, with a terminal, narrow, pale olivaceous, vase-shaped, flaring collarette, constricted beneath the collarette, thickened and slightly darkened at the conidiogenous regions. Conidia borne in slimy heads, lunate, curved, apex rounded, with slight taper towards the subtruncate base, hyaline.

Bagadiella lunata Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513841; Fig. 3

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Fig. 3

Bagadiella lunata. a. Caespituli on leaf; b. pseudoparenchymatal tissue in substomatal cavity; c, d. rosette of conidiophores; e. conidia; f–i. conidia, conidiophores and conidiogenous cells, showing collarates. — Scale bars: a = 300 μm; b–d = 30 μm; e–i = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Conidiophora in rosulis compactis suprastomatalibus, ad 110 μm alta, 80–130 μm diam. Cellulae conidiogenae plerumque terminales, monophialidicae, ramosae, subcylindraceae vel lageniformes, (8.5–)11–13(–15) × 2.5–3.3 μm. Conidia in capitulis mucosis, curvata, apice rotundato, basi obconice truncata, hyalina, (15–)16–18(–22) × (1.3–)1.5(–1.7) μm.

Etymology. Named after the characteristic lunate shape of its conidia.

Mycelium immersed, becoming superficial upon incubation in moist chambers, pale to medium brown, consisting of septate, branched, smooth, 2–4 μm wide hyphae. Chlamydospores absent. Caespituli pale brown (appearing whitish under the stereo microscope when young), suprastomatal, pseudoparenchymatal cells in substomatal cavity giving rise to a compact rosette of conidiophores, attached via a central, basal point, with a slimy conidial mass on top, up to 110 μm high, 80–130 μm diam. Conidiophores micronematous, cylindrical, mostly dichotomously branched in apical region, slightly thick-walled, pale to medium grey-brown, straight or slightly flexuous, up to 115 μm long, 2.5–4 μm wide. Conidiogenous cells predominantly terminal, monophialidic, branched, subcylindrical to lageniform, (8.5–)11–13(–15) × 2.5–3.3 μm, at times constricted at the base, pale brown, paler toward the apex, with a hyaline, vase-shaped, flaring collarette that is constricted at the base, 1.5–2.5(–5) × 1.5–2 μm, thickened and slightly darkened at the conidiogenous region. Conidia borne in slimy heads, lunate, curved, with a rounded apex, tapering toward a subtruncate base, hyaline, (15–)16–18(–22) × (1.3–)1.5(–1.7) μm. Conidia mostly fail to germinate, but when they do, it happens via an appressorium-like structure forming in the centre of the conidium.

Culture characteristics — Colonies reaching 5 cm diam on MEA after 1 wk at 25 °C, flat, irregular, greenish grey, with sparse aerial mycelium, slightly folded at the centre, olivaceous-grey to buff (surface), with white margin, yellow-brown (reverse).

Specimens examined. Australia, Tasmania, Mount Wellington Park S 42°55’0", E 147°15’0" on Eucalyptus delegatensis, 10 Oct. 2006, coll. B.A. Summerell, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20281 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 13655, CPC 13656 = CBS 124762; New South Wales, Paddy’s River, S 34°37’47.2", E 150°10’06.2", on E. dives, 23 Mar. 2009, coll. B.A. Summerell, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20308, cultures CPC 16622–16624, CBS 124763; New South Wales, Paddy’s River, S 34°37’45", E 150°10’00", on E. dives, 24 Mar. 2009, B.A. Summerell, CBS H-20306; New South Wales, Southern Highlands, S 34°29’54.9", E 150°20’29.3", on E. dives, 23 Mar. 2009, B.A. Summerell, CBS H-20307; New South Wales, North Washpool State Forest, S 29°06’50.6", E 150°25’08.6", on E. campanulata, B.A. Summerell, 23 Mar. 2009, CBS H-20309.

Notes — The genus Bagadiella is similar to the genus Cladorrhinum in having pigmented hyphae and a pustular-like aggregation of conidiophores (Mouchacca & Gams 1993). Bagadiella can be distinguished from Cladorrhinum species by its lunate conidia, those of Cladorrhinum species being dactyroid to ellipsoid (Mouchacca & Gams 1993), its monophialides, and conidiophores which form in suprastomatal rosettes. The genus Cladorrhinum has teleomorphs in Apiosordaria, which is related to, but not congeneric with, Bagadiella. Based on several bp differences observed the ITS DNA sequence data of CPC 16622 and 13655, these collections appear to represent a different taxon to that typified by the ex-type strain.

Blastacervulus eucalypti H.J. Swart, Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 90: 289. 1988 — Fig. 4

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Fig. 4

Blastacervulus eucalypti. a. Leaf spot; b. cross section of sporodochium; c–f. conidiogenous cells and conidia; g–i. conidia in chains, developing on leaves incubated in moist chambers. — Scale bars: a = 150 μm; b = 100 μm; c–i = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Leaf lesions prominent on leaf tips, amphigenous, subcircular to irregular, discrete to influent, up to 2 mm diam, medium brown at the middle, darker at the border, with a red-purple margin, with amphigenous, dark conidiomata at the margin, surrounded by indistinct border, not vein-limited. Mycelium immersed, rarely superficial, visible below the cuticular layer, septate, branched, medium brown, thick-walled, ≤ 0.8 μm wide, somewhat constricted at septa, 2.5–5 μm wide. Conidiomata acervular, single, 5–15 per lesion, developing subcuticular or between the epidermal cells, becoming erumpent with age, often surrounded by remnants of the epidermis, circular to slightly oblong, containing 1–2 cell layers of textura angularis, up to 80 μm high and 280 μm diam, producing masses of medium to dark brown conidia. Conidiophores absent. Conidiogenous cells formed from the upper stromatic cells, determinate, short-subcylindrical to ampulliform or subglobose, pale brown to hyaline, slightly verruculose, thin-walled, mostly monoblastic, 3.5–5.5 × 4.5–8.5 μm. Conidia pale to medium brown, aseptate, 5–7 × 5–8 μm, mostly subglobose to broadly ovoid, slightly obtuse to truncate at the base, thick-walled, 1–1.5 μm, forming branched chains of acropetal conidia; ramoconidia with up to three hila, ≤ 1 μm wide.

Culture characteristics — Colonies reaching 1 cm diam after 3 wk at 25 °C; erumpent with moderate reddish brown aerial mycelium and paler in the outer region; margins smooth, regular; reverse olivaceous-black; colonies fertile.

Specimen examined. Australia, New South Wales, Mullion Creek, S 33°06’48", E 149°08’45", on Eucalyptus robertsonii subsp. hemisphaerica, 1 Jan. 2007, coll. B.A. Summerell, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20278, culture CPC 13956 = CBS 124759.

Notes — The present collection closely matches Blastacervulus eucalypti, which is the only member of the genus known to date (Swart 1988). Based on its DNA phylogeny, it appears closely related to Alysidiella parasitica and some ‘Heteroconium’ species with catenulate, multiseptate conidia (Crous et al. 2006b, 2007c, Summerell et al. 2006).

Cladoriella paleospora Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513842; Fig. 5

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Fig. 5

Cladoriella paleospora. a. Caespituli on leaf; b. colony on SNA; c–g. conidial chain, conidiogenous cells and conidiophores; h. conidia. — Scale bars: a = 120 μm; c–h = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Cladoriellae eucalypti similis, sed conidiis minoribus, 6–10 × 3.5–4 μm, in cultura sine pigmento.

Etymology. Named after its pale brown conidia.

Mycelium pale to medium brown, smooth to finely verruculose, branched, septate, (1.5–)2.2–3(–3.5) μm wide, thin-walled to somewhat thickened, sterile hyphae usually paler and narrower. Conidiophores micro- to macronematous, arising from creeping mycelium, solitary, erect, cylindrical, sometimes reduced to conidiogenous cells, straight to slightly curved, medium to dark brown, somewhat thick-walled, smooth, finely verruculose, at times produced on swollen hyphal cells, (10–)18–25(–87) × 3–3.5(–4) μm. Conidiogenous cells terminal, cylindrical, tapering to a truncate apex, not denticulate, dark to medium brown, paler towards the apex, (15–)20–25(–35) × 3.3–4 μm, with 1–3 conspicuous loci, with thickened, slightly darkened scars, 1.5–2 μm wide. Conidia catenulate, in simple to loosely branched chains that frequently remain attached; ramoconidia cylindrical to subfusoid, 12–15(–18) × 3.5–4.2 μm, tapering to both truncate ends, 0–1-septate, unconstricted at septa, smooth to finely verruculose, pale brown; intercalary conidia cylindrical, ellipsoid to fusoid, 11–15 × 3.3–4 μm, pale brown, 0–1-septate, tapering towards both truncate ends; terminal conidia obovoid, pale brown, paler towards the apex, aseptate, with truncate ends, 6–10 × 3.5–4 μm; scars thickened along the rim, reflective, somewhat darkened, not protruding, 1.5–2 μm wide.

Culture characteristics — Colonies on MEA reaching 15 mm diam after 3 wk, irregular, erumpent in the centre, folded, with moderate iron-grey aerial mycelium, and irregular margins; olivaceous-grey (surface); dark greenish olivaceous (reverse).

Specimen examined. Australia, New South Wales, Menai, S 34°00’38", E 151°00’57", on Eucalyptus oblonga, 22 Sept. 2007, coll. B.A. Summerell, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20280 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 14646 = CBS 124761, CPC 14647, 14648.

Notes — Cladoriella paleospora is morphologically similar to C. eucalypti and C. rubrigena, having brown conidiophores with relatively few conidial loci that are thickened, darkened and reflective, giving rise to long conidial chains that frequently remain attached (Crous et al. 2006e). Cladoriella paleospora is distinct from C. eucalypti and C. rubrigena in having smaller conidia, and by not producing any pigment in culture. Phylogenetically the three species form a well supported clade (Fig. 1).

Cladoriella rubrigena Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513843; Fig. 6

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Fig. 6

Cladoriella rubrigena. a, b. Colony on MEA; c, d. conidial chains; e. conidiophores and conidiogenous cells. — Scale bars: a = 20 mm; c–e = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Cladoriellae eucalypti similis, sed conidiophoris brevioribus, saepe in cellulis conidiogenis reductis.

Etymology. Named after the diffuse red pigment that this species forms in culture.

Mycelium pale to medium brown, thick-walled, smooth to finely verruculose, branched, septate, (1.5–)2–3(–3.5) μm wide, sterile hyphae usually paler and narrower. Conidiophores mononematous, separate, erect, subcylindrical, straight, medium to dark brown, smooth to finely verruculose, thick-walled, 0–1-septate, frequently reduced to conidiogenous cells, 5–10 × 3.5–4.8 μm. Conidiogenous cells terminal, monotretic, subcylindrical, dark to medium brown, with a truncate apex, (12–)14–16(–18) × (3.4–)4(–4.7) μm, with a single, terminal conspicuous scar, 1.5–2 μm wide, darkened, refractive, and thickened along the rim. Conidia subcylindrical to fusoid, 0–1-septate, slightly constricted at the middle, guttulate, medium brown, thick-walled, finely verruculose, apical conidium with rounded apex and truncate, not protruding base; conidia frequently remaining attached in long acropetal chains (–15), which are simple or branched, (11–)14–17(–20) × 3.5–4.2 μm; hila darkened, slightly thickened along the rim.

Culture characteristics — Colonies on MEA reaching 13 mm diam after 2 wk, producing a diffuse pigment that changes the colour of the media to orange-red; colonies irregular, erumpent in the middle, folded, with sparse aerial mycelium, and irregular margins; brown to greenish grey (surface); brownish green (reverse).

Specimen examined. Australia, Tasmania, Bruny Island, Adventure Bay Beach, S 43°20’55.3", E 147°19’21.8" on Eucalyptus globulus, 10 Nov. 2006, coll. B.A. Summerell, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20279 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 13751 = CBS 124760.

Notes — Cladoriella rubrigena is similar to Cladoriella eucalypti in conidial dimensions, and both produce a red pigment in agar (Crous et al. 2006e). They can be distinguished, however, based on their conidiophores and conidiogenous cells. Cladoriella rubrigena has short conidiophores which are usually reduced to conidiogenous cells, whereas conidiophores of C. eucalypti can be up to 60 μm tall, and are slightly wider (5–7 μm). Phylogenetically C. rubrigena clusters with C. eucalypti, but differs by 12 nucleotides in the ITS region.

Cyphellophora eucalypti Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513844; Fig. 7

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Fig. 7

Cyphellophora eucalypti. a. Colony on MEA; b–e. conidial bundles on conidiogenous cells; f–j. conidiogenous cells conidiogenous cells giving rise to conidia, with visible collarattes; k–l. conidia. — Scale bars = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Cyphellophorae indicae similis, sed conidiis 1–3-septatis, plus minusve 15–20 μm longis.

Etymology. Named after the host genus on which it was collected, Eucalyptus.

Mycelium dense, superficial, partly immersed, smooth, loosely septate, predominantly thin-walled, branched, hyaline to pale brown, 1.5–2.5 μm wide. Conidiophores absent. Conidiogenous cells intercalary or terminal on erect hyphal branches, solitary, subcylindrical to pyriform or lageniform, straight to slightly curved, widest in the lower third or in the middle, (5–)7–10(–12) × 3–5 μm, pale to medium brown, thick-walled, smooth, proliferating percurrently, with 1–2 annellations, and funnel-shaped collarettes, 2.5–4.5 μm long and 2.5–3.5 μm wide, constricted and somewhat darkened and thickened below the collarette. Conidia clavate and 1-septate when young, becoming slightly sigmoid-fusiform, 1–3-septate, hyaline to pale brown, apex obtusely rounded, base minutely truncate or slightly protruding, 0.5–0.8 μm wide, thin-walled, slightly thickened along the rim, refractive, aggregating in a slimy mass, (8–)15–20(–25) × 2–2.5(–3) μm.

Culture characteristics — Colonies reaching 4 cm diam after 2 wk at 25 °C in the dark, circular, flat, medium to dark brown; margin entire, consisting of dense, immersed mycelium; aerial mycelium loose, cottony, pale grey-brown (surface), appearing minutely orange-brown due to slimy conidial masses on mycelium, medium yellowish brown (reverse).

Specimen examined. Australia, Kuranda Kennedy Highway, Queensland, on Eucalyptus sp., 26 Aug. 2006, P.W. Crous, CBS H-20282 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 13412 = CBS 124764, CPC 13413, 13414.

Notes — Cyphellophora eucalypti has dark colonies and forms large, flared collarettes on well-developed phialides, which are characteristic of the genus Cyphellophora (Decock et al. 2003, Crous et al. 2007d, 2009a). Using the key of Crous et al. (2009a), C. eucalypti is most similar to C. indica and C. pluriseptata, but is distinct in having 1–3-septate conidia, with an average length of 15–20 μm. Phylogenetically it is also closely related to C. laciniata (EU035416 (ITS), 91 % identical and (LSU), 97 % identical) (Fig. 1).

Elsinoë eucalypticola Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513845; Fig. 8

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Fig. 8

Elsinoë eucalypticola. a, b. Lesions on leaf; c. colony on MEA; d–g. asci; h–l. ascospores. — Scale bars: b = 10 mm; d–l = 10 μm.

Anamorph. Sphaceloma sp.

Elsinoes eucalyptorum et E. eucalypti similes, sed amplitudine conidiorum intermedia, 20–28 × 7–8 μm.

Etymology. Named after the host genus on which it occurs, Eucalyptus.

Leaf spot amphigenous, separate, subcircular to ellipsoidal, white-grey, with raised dark definite border, occasionally surrounded by an irregular red-purple margin, ≤ 1.5 mm diam, becoming long-irregular when confluent with 2–4 spots; with 1–3 minute, black ascomata erupting through host tissue in the middle of the lesion. Ascomata scattered, separate, pulvinate, subcuticular; wall composed of dark brown to black pseudoparenchymatic textura angularis, 150–200 × 55–65 μm. Asci distributed irregularly throughout the ascomata, subglobose to broadly obovoid, thick-walled, 8-spored, sessile, hyaline, 30–47 × 24–30 μm. Ascospores hyaline to pale brown, broadly ellipsoid with rounded ends, with more prominent taper towards the base, with 4-transverse septa, and 0–3 vertical septa, and sometimes with oblique septa; mostly slightly constricted at the median septum, (16–)17–18(–20) × (6.5–)7–8 μm. Sphaceloma state not observed.

Culture characteristics — Colonies reaching up to 1.5 cm diam on MEA after 1 mo at 25 °C in the dark, almost circular, high convex, becoming 3–4 mm high in the middle, with raised, concave edge, and slightly lobate edge, frequently folded, with ruptures on the colony surface, yellow-brown, with sparse pale grey aerial mycelium.

Specimen examined. Australia, Queensland, Cairns, Eucalyptus sp., 26 Sept. 2006, P.W. Crous, CBS H-20283 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 13318 = CBS 124765, CPC 13319, 13320.

Notes — Presently there are two species of Elsinoë that have been recorded on Eucalyptus, namely E. eucalypti and E. eucalyptorum. Ascospores of E. eucalypticola (16–20 × 6.5–8 μm) are intermediate in size between those of E. eucalyptorum (11–15 × 4–6 μm) (Summerell et al. 2006) and E. eucalypti (20–28 × 7–8 μm) (Park et al. 2000). Both E. eucalypti and E. eucalyptorum form larger leaf spots than those associated with E. eucalypticola. Phylogenetically E. eucalypticola is closely related to E. centrolobi (Fig. 1), which has smaller ascospores (12–15 × 4–6 μm) (Bitancourt & Jenkins 1949).

Foliocryphia Cheewangkoon & Crous, gen. nov. — MycoBank MB513846

Differt a generibus diversis familiae (Cryphonectriaceae) stromatibus purpurascentibus in 3 % KOH vel acido lactario nullis et phylogenetice manifeste divergenti.

Type species. Foliocryphia eucalypti Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov.

Etymology. Folium (L.) = leaf, crypho (Greek) = hidden; referring to its foliicolous habit and inconspicuous or hidden nature.

Conidiomata eustromatic, amphigenous, separate, subsuperficial, pulvinate, subglobose, with or without ostiole; stromatic tissue of textura angularis, pale to medium brown, with convoluted inner surface, uni- to multilocular. Conidiophores consisting of basal subglobular to angular cells, that branch irregularly, becoming cylindrical, transversely septate. Conidiogenous cells enteroblastic, determinate, integrated or decrete, phialidic, cylindrical, tapering to a thinner apical part, with visible collarette and periclinal thickening. Conidia hyaline, aseptate, smooth, ellipsoid, straight to irregularly curved.

Foliocryphia eucalypti Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov.— MycoBank MB513847; Fig. 9

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Fig. 9

Foliocryphia eucalypti. a. Pycnidia on OA; b. cross section of conidioma; c–e. conidiophores and conidiogenous cells; f. conidia. — Scale bars: a = 450 μm; b = 100 μm; c–f = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Conidiomata foliicola, eustromatica, amphigena, subglobosa vel horizontaliter late ellipsoidea, 300–370 × 320–590 μm, interdum multilocularia. Cellulae conidiogenae enteroblasticae, determinatae, integratae vel discretae, phialidicae, cylindricae, (7.5–)12–15.5(–20) × 2.8–3.8 μm. Conidia hyalina, aseptata, ellipsoidea, recta vel irregulariter curvata, apice obtuso, basi abrupte attenuata in hilis protrusis, cicatricibus, laevia, tenuitunicata, (8.5–)9–10(–11.5) × 3.3–4.2 μm.

Etymology. Named after the host genus on which it was collected, Eucalyptus.

Colonies on OA effuse, yellowish brown, with dark grey-brown margin, producing numerous umber to dark brown or fucous-black conidiomata. Mycelium mostly immersed, aerial mycelium sparse, whitish, 1.5–2.3 μm wide. Conidiomata eustromatic, amphigenous on leaf, separate, subsuperficial, pulvinate, subglobose to horizontally broadly ellipsoid, 300–370 × 320–590 μm, with or without ostiole; stromatic tissue of textura angularis, pale to medium brown, somewhat darker and thicker-walled at the outer region; covered with pale brown mycelium as outer layer; conidiomata with convoluted inner surface, occasionally multilocular. Conidiophores consisting of basal subglobular to angular cells, formed from the inner cells of the locular walls, hyaline to medium brown, slightly thick-walled, irregularly branched, transversely septate, forming cylindrical cells, 7–16(–22) × 3–4.5 μm. Conidiogenous cells enteroblastic, determinate, integrated or decrete, phialidic, cylindrical, tapering to a narrowly cylindrical part in the apical region, (7.5–)12–15.5(–20) × 2.8–3.8 μm; collarette tubular, with visible periclinal thickening. Conidia hyaline, aseptate, ellipsoid, straight to irregularly curved, apex obtuse, base abruptly tapered to a flat protruding scar, which can be basal or somewhat off-centre, smooth, thin-walled, (8.5–)9–10(–11.5) × 3.3–4.2 μm.

Culture characteristics — Colonies on OA reaching 5 cm after 2 wk at 25 °C in the dark, subcircular, effuse, yellowish brown, with dark grey-brown, even margin; aerial mycelium sparse, producing numerous umber to dark brown or fucous-black semi-immersed conidiomata.

Specimen examined. Australia, Tasmania, on Eucalyptus coccifera, 1 Feb. 2007, coll. C. Mohammed, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20299 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 12494 = CBS 124779, CPC 12495, 12496.

Notes — Phylogenetically Foliocryphia resides within the Cryphonectriaceae clade, but appears to not fit into any presently circumscribed genus of this family. Foliocryphia produces aseptate conidia in eustromatic conidiomata as do other Cryphonectriaceae members. However, Foliocryphia lacks the main characteristics of the Cryphonectriaceae, namely that its stromata do not turn purple in 3 % KOH, or yellow in lactic acid (Gryzenhout et al. 2006). Based on its distinct morphological characteristics and DNA phylogeny, Foliocryphia is described here as a new foliicolous genus within the Cryphonectriaceae.

Leptoxyphium madagascariense Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513848; Fig. 10

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Fig. 10

Leptoxyphium madagascariense. a. Colony on MEA; b–d. synemata; e, f. conidiogenous cells; g. conidia; h–j. hyphae and chlamydospores in culture. — Scale bars: a = 500 μm; b–d = 50 μm; e–j = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Differt a speciebus diversis Leptoxyphii conidiis 4.5–5 × 3–3.5 μm.

Etymology. Named after Madagascar, the island from which it was collected.

Mycelium in vitro superficial and immersed, dark grey-brown, septate, constricted at septa, loosely branched, smooth to slightly verruculose, thick-walled, ≤ 1 μm wide, frequent septate and wider in hyphae around conidiomata, irregular in width, 3–6 μm wide, with prominent mucilaginous outer hyphal layer, 2–4.5 μm wide. Conidiomata determinate synnematal, superficial, arising from hyphal ropes; stipe composed of unbranched, parallel synnematous hyphae, sometimes with a helical twist, or not enclosed in mucilage, or occasionally producing 2–3 synnemata on a single hyphal rope; cylindrical part (200–)250(–300) μm high, (8–)10–12(–15) μm wide, expanding to a funnel-shaped hyphal apex, 35–50 μm high, 35–60 μm wide. Conidiophores cylindrical, subulate, septate, slightly thick-walled, consisting of several aggregated, synnematous hyphae that diverge close to the apex; hyphae 3–4.5 μm wide, flaring in apical part, appearing like a terminal hyphal fringe, terminating in rounded apices. Conidiogenous cells integrated, formed from the inner cell surface, intercalary, never terminal, monophialidic, denticle-like, with a truncate apex, ≤ 1 μm high and up to 2.8 μm wide. Chlamydospores subglobose to subsphaerical, multiseptate, dark grey-brown, thick-walled, formed on the lateral side of hyphae, not enclosed in a mucilaginous layer, or in a very thin layer if present, 25–30 × 25–35 μm. Conidia rod-shape, with rounded ends, 1-celled, 1–3 guttules, 4.5–5 × 3–3.5 μm, gathered in a slimy mass at the apex of synnemata; conidia not becoming pigmented, anastomosed or septate at maturation.

Culture characteristics — Colonies becoming up to 2.5 cm diam at 25 °C on MEA after 5 d in the dark; colonies flat, with entire edge, and sparse, medium to dark brownish grey aerial mycelium; producing numerous, superficial, dark synnemata with ovary-white apical conidial masses.

Specimen examined. Madagascar, Morondavo, on leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Aug. 2007, coll. M.J. Wingfield, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20284 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 14623, CPC 14624 = CBS 124766.

Notes — Leptoxyphium madagascariense has elongated synnemata with a stout base, a long, narrow neck and a terminal conidiogenous zone. It produces conidia from phialidic openings on the inner surface of its conidiogenous hyphae. These characteristics are typical of the genus Leptoxyphium (Hughes 1976). Leptoxyphium madagascariense can be distinguished with other known Leptoxyphium species by its conidial dimensions (Batista & Ciferri 1963). It does not produce any conidial pigment or septation during conidial maturation, unlike many other Leptoxyphium species (Batista & Ciferri 1963, Hughes 1976). Phylogenetically it is also clusters in the Capnodiales (Schoch et al. 2006) with other sooty mould species such as Microxyphium citri (AY004337; 98 % identical), Leptoxyphium fumago (AB441707; 98 % identical), Capnodium coffeae (DQ247800; 96 % identical) and Fumagospora capnodioides (EU019269; 93 % identical) (Fig. 1).

Minimedusa obcoronata (B. Sutton, Kuthub. & Muid) Diederich, Lawrey & Heylen, Mycol. Progr. 6: 76. 2007 — Fig. 11

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Fig. 11

Minimedusa obcoronata. a. Sporodochia on leaf; b–d. conidia, conidiogenous cells and conidiophores; e, f, h, i. conidia (underneath); g, j. conidia (surface). — Scale bars: a = 100 μm; b–j = 10 μm.

Basionym. Pneumatospora obcoronata B. Sutton, Kuthub. & Muid, Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 83: 423. 1984.

= Tricellulortus peponiformis (‘pepoformis’) Matsush., in Matsushima, Matsushima Mycological Memoirs 8: 39. 1995.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Mycelium superficial, consisting of septate, branched, pale brown to hyaline, 2.5–6 μm wide hyphae. Conidiophores macronematous, consisting of three cylindrical hyphae with swollen base (L-shaped), pale brown to hyaline, smooth, erect, closely gathered and parallel to each other, elongating outwards; an additional central core hypha was formed laterally during sporulation; septa appearing due to maturation, 0–2 (mostly 1 median) septum. Conidiogenous cells integrated, composite, determinate, cylindrical, 5–7 × (11–)15–25(–28) μm, up to 8.5 μm wide at the base. Conidia solitary, a single propagule formed from the four hyphae composing the conidiophore, smooth or finely verruculose, orange-brown, pumpkin-shaped, 15–30 μm wide × 8–13 μm high (excluding basal projection), consisting of two layers; a central hexagonal cell, surrounded by six peripheral cells in each layer, with additional four connecting cells which formed between the lower layer and the conidiogenous cells; three exterior connecting cells finally become spike-like cells after enlarging and detaching from the conidiogenous cells; base 7–10 μm wide × 10–15 μm long.

Specimen examined. Thailand, Thatakiab, Chachoengsao, on Eucalyptus camaldulensis, 1 Jan. 2006, coll. W. Himaman, isol. P.W. Crous, culture CBS 120605 = CPC 13495, CPC 13496, 13497.

Notes — Pneumatospora and Tricellulortus were transferred to the genus Minimedusa based on the conical bulbil-like structures observed on their conidia (Diederich & Lawrey 2007). DNA sequence data of the LSU region support this decision, confirming the close relationship to Minimedusa obcoronata (Lawrey et al. 2007), and placing the genus in the Cantharellales.

Neofabraea eucalypti Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513849; Fig. 12

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Fig. 12

Neofabraea eucalypti. a, b. Ascomata on pine needle agar; c. pycnidia on OA; d–f. paraphyses, asci and setae-like structures (arrows); f. basal stroma; g. asci; h. ascospores. — Scale bars: a–c = 100 μm; d–h = 10 μm.

Anamorph. Unknown.

Differt a speciebus diversis Neofabraeae ascis brevioribus, (35–)40–45(–52) × 10–12 μm, et ascosporis brevioribus, 10–14 × 4–6 μm.

Etymology. Named after the host genus it was collected from, Eucalyptus.

Ascomata apothecial, sessile to subsessile, short-stalked, gregarious, sometimes confluent, clustering on a basal stroma, partly immerged, with 3–12 apothecia per group, merged into irregular complexes, up to 0.3 mm high and 0.5 mm diam, medium to dark brown, with soft flesh, lacking a pseudoparenchymatous ectal excipulum; disc becoming turbinate, bearing filamentous, sparse white aerial mycelium at the base of apothecia, 2–3 μm wide, up to 200 μm long; producing pale brown; rigid pale brown setae-like structures surrounding the apothecia, cylindrical, up to 6 μm wide, 45–60 μm long, 2–3-septate, straight or very slightly curved, slightly enlarged at the truncate apex. Basal stroma subsuperficial, up to 50 μm thick, partly immersed in host tissue, composed of irregular, pale to medium brown cells. Asci clavate to cylindrical-clavate, apex rounded, short pedicellate, base truncate, hyaline to very pale brown, 8-spored, ascospores discharging through apical pore, (35–)40–45(–52) × 10–12 μm. Paraphyses mostly 2.5 μm wide, up to 65 μm high, cylindrical, slender, wider at the base, 2–3(–5)-septate, apex round, hyaline to pale brown, flexuous, numerous. Ascospores fusoid to ellipsoid, aseptate, hyaline, ends rounded, unequal, straight or slightly curved, thin-walled, guttulate, 10–14 × 4–6 μm.

Culture characteristics — Colonies on OA reaching 3 cm after 2 wk at 25 °C in the dark, subcircular, raised, with even margin and slightly folded surface, with dense, white aerial mycelium, partly submerged, buff to white. Apothecia formed after about 4 wk, mostly on the agar surface, black, asci and ascospores mostly similar in shape and size to those formed on PNA (Crous et al. 2006d).

Specimen examined. Australia, Otway, on Eucalyptus globulus, 15 Feb. 2007, coll. I. Smith, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20285 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 13755 = CBS 124810, CPC 13756, 13757.

Notes — Neofabraea eucalypti is morphologically similar to species of Neofabraea and Pezicula. Both genera have apothecia that develop from an immersed stroma, and a similar ascal shape, and 1-celled ascospores (Verkley 1999). However, Neofabraea eucalypti is better accommodated in Neofabraea as revealed by its characteristic fused apothecial discs (Verkley 1999). This species is different from other known species based on its shorter asci and distinct ascospore dimensions. Phylogenetically it is also well supported as a species of Neofabraea, but does not match any presently described species.

Parasympodiella elongata Crous, M.J. Wingf. & W.B. Kendr., Canad. J. Bot. 73: 228. 1995 — Fig. 13

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Fig. 13

Parasympodiella elongata. a. Colony on OA; b. conidiogenous cells and conidia; c. conidia; d. Stylaspergillus sp. synanamorph on Parasympodiella conidiophores; e–h. conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidia of Stylaspergillus sp.; i, j. chlamydospores. — Scale bars: a = 400 μm; b–j = 10 μm.

Synanamorph. Stylaspergillus sp.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Colonies on OA effuse, brownish grey. Mycelium superficial or submerged, consisting of branched, septate, smooth, pale to dark brown, (2.5–)4–6 μm wide hyphae. Conidiophores solitary, micro- to macronematous, cylindrical, unbranched; sterile part with semi-thickened walls, medium to dark grey-brown, 7–10 μm wide, up to 700 μm long, with up to 17 septa; fertile part with thinner walls, pale brown, becoming paler toward the apex, up to 500 μm long, comprising up to 9 conidiogenous cells. Conidiogenous cells holoblastic, terminal and intercalary, integrated, indeterminate, proliferating sympodially, smooth, pale grey-brown, becoming hyaline toward the apex, 35–50 × 6–10 μm. Conidia thallic-arthric, hyaline to pale brown, dry, smooth, guttulate, thin-walled, cylindrical, (35–)40–50(–65) × 6–8 μm, (0–)1(–2)-septate, apex and base of intercalary conidia truncate, with a punctiform septal plug at each end, apical conidia with obtuse or rounded apex, occurring in unbranched conidial chains. Chlamydospores formed in vegetative hyphae, terminal or intercalary, solitary or in chains, dark brown, sphaerical, limoniform or fusiform, thin-walled, smooth, guttulate, (25–)30–40(–45) × (15–)20–35(–45) μm. Stylaspergillus state. Conidiophores micro- or macronematous, formed directly from submersed mycelium, or as lateral branch from the same conidiophore giving rise to the Parasympodiella state, medium to dark brown, thin-walled, 70–100(–180) μm tall, 9–10 μm diam, with a clavate to subglobose versicle-like apical cell, 14–17 × 15–20 μm, occasionally giving rise to secondary conidiophores from these apical cells. Conidiogenous cells 6–9 × 5–7 μm, formed terminally on the vesicle-like apical cell, supported by one short metula-like structure, rarely branched, ampulliform, lageniform or subcylindrical, uniseriate, with tubular collarettes. Conidia subulate, aseptate, hyaline, curved, tapening towards the apex, with a slightly truncate base, thickened, (9–)12–17(–22) × 1–1.7 μm; produced in mucoid masses.

Specimens examined. Australia, Queensland, Cairns, on Eucalyptus sp., 26 Aug. 2006, P.W. Crous, CBS H-20287, culture CPC 13285–13287, CBS 124768; Queensland, Cairns, on Eucalyptus sp., 26 Aug. 2006, P.W. Crous, CPC 13288, 13289; Queensland, Cairns, on Eucalyptus sp., 26 Aug. 2006, P.W. Crous, CPC 13498 — South Africa, Mpumalanga, Sabie, on leaves of Syzygium cordatum, Nov. 1992, coll. M.J. Wingfield, isol. P.W. Crous, holotype PREM 5190, ex-type cultures CPC 553 = CBS 522.93.

Notes — The Australian collections had conidia similar to P. elongata, though slightly longer than those originally reported for this species (20–40 × 6–12 μm) (Crous et al. 1995b), and with punctiform septal plugs at each end. Furthermore, isolates produced a previously unreported Stylaspergillus state in culture. The Stylaspergillus state of P. elongata differs from S. laxus by having branched conidiophores, metula-like structures, shorter conidia, and less dense conidiogenous cells on its apical vesicle. However, only isolate CPC 13285 and CPC 13288 produced the Stylaspergillus synanamorph in culture. Phylogenetically these collections are identical to P. elongata, and closely related to P. laxa and P. eucalypti (Fig. 1).

Parasympodiella eucalypti Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513850; Fig. 14

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Fig. 14

Parasympodiella eucalypti. a, b. Conidiogenous cells; c. conidial chain; d. conidia; e. Stylaspergillus sp. synanamorph on Parasympodiella conidiophore; f–i. conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidia of Stylaspergillus sp. — Scale bars = 10 μm.

Synanamorph. Stylaspergillus sp.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Parasympodiellae elongatae similis, sed conidiis longioribus, (25–)40–50(–65) × 8–11 μm, et conidiophoris brevioribus, ad 700 μm longis.

Etymology. Named after the host genus it was collected from, Eucalyptus.

Colonies on OA effuse, medium to dark grey, chlamydospores absent. Mycelium immersed and superficial, consisting of branched, septate, smooth, hyaline to pale brown, (3–)5–7 μm wide hyphae. Conidiophores solitary, micro- to macronematous, cylindrical, unbranched; sterile part thicker walled, medium to dark grey-brown, 5–8 μm wide, up to 700 μm long, with up to 20 septa; fertile part thinner walled, pale grey-brown at basal region, paler toward the apex, up to 500 μm long, comprising up to 6 conidiogenous cells. Conidiogenous cells holoblastic, terminal and intercalary, integrated, indeterminate, proliferating sympodially, with one conidiogenous locus per cell, smooth, pale grey-brown, becoming hyaline toward the apex, (35–)45–65 × 8–12 μm. Conidia thallic-arthric, hyaline to very pale brown, dry, smooth, guttulate, thin-walled, cylindrical, (25–)40–50(–65) × 8–11 μm, (0–)1(–2) septate, somewhat swollen in the apical cells, up to 14 μm wide, apex and base of intercalary conidia truncate, with a punctiform septal plug at each end, apical conidia with obtuse or rounded apex; conidia occurring in unbranched conidial chains. Stylaspergillus state. Conidiophores macro- or mononematous, mostly formed as a lateral branch from the same conidiophore giving rise to the Parasympodiella state, medium to dark brown, thin-walled, branched, 50–70(–100) μm high, 6–8 μm wide, with a clavate to subglobose vesicle-like apical cell, variable in length, narrower than the main conidiophores, 10–14 × 12–17 μm. Conidiogenous cells terminal or intercalary, thin-walled, smooth, medium to dark brown, slightly paler toward the apex, formed terminally on half of the vesicle-like apical cell or intercalary, ampulliform, lageniform or subcylindrical, forming loosely, with uniseriate phialides, and a tubular collarette, 5–8 × 4–6 μm. Conidia subulate, aseptate, hyaline, curved, with an attenuated end, and slightly truncate base, thickened, (8–)10–12(–15) × 0.8–1.2 μm, produced in mucoid masses.

Specimen examined. Venezuela, on Eucalyptus camaldulensis, 1 Jan. 2006, coll. M.J. Wingfield, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20286 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 13397 = CBS 124810.

Notes — Parasympodiella eucalypti is most similar to P. elongata, but it has longer conidia and shorter conidiophores (Crous et al. 1995b). In culture P. eucalypti forms a typical Stylaspergillus synanamorph. The Stylaspergillus state of P. elongata differs from S. laxus by its branched conidiophores, metula-like structures, shorter conidia, and less dense conidiogenous cells on its apical vesicle. Phylogenetically it clusters close to Parasympodiella laxa and P. eucalypti (Fig. 1).

Parasympodiella laxa (Subram. & Vittal) Ponnappa, Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 64: 344. 1975 — Fig. 15

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Fig. 15

Parasympodiella laxa. a, b. Conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidia; c. conidia; d. conidiophores and conidiogenous cells of Stylaspergillus laxus synanamorph; e. Stylaspergillus laxus synanamorph on Parasympodiella conidiophores. — Scale bars = 10 μm.

Synanamorph. Stylaspergillus laxus B. Sutton, Alcorn & P.J. Fisher, Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Mycelium on PNA superficial, consisting of branched, septate, smooth, hyaline to pale brown hyphae, 6–10 μm wide. Conidiophores micro- to macronematous, scattered, erect, solitary, unbranched, cylindrical; sterile part dark brown, with a somewhat thickened wall, 8–10 μm wide, up to 500 μm long, with up to 8 septa; swollen base 12–17 μm wide; fertile part grey-brown, later becoming paler toward the apex, up to 500 μm long, comprising up to 8 conidiogenous cells. Conidiogenous cells holoblastic, terminal and intercalary, integrated, indeterminate, with sympodial proliferation, and one conidiogenous locus per cell, smooth, pale grey-brown, becoming hyaline toward the apex, 35–50(–75) × 8–12 μm between conidiogenous loci. Conidia thallic-arthric, forming in loose chains, hyaline to pale brown, dry, smooth, guttulate, thin-walled, cylindrical, (25–)35–50(–60) × 8–9 μm, (0–)3(–7)-septate, apex and base of intercalary conidia truncate, with a punctiform septal plug at each end, apical conidia with obtuse or rounded apex, occurring in unbranched conidial chains. Stylaspergillus state. Conidiophores macro- or mononematous, formed as a lateral branch or intercalary from the same conidiophores giving rise to the Parasympodiella state, or arising separately from the same mycelium, medium to dark brown, generally branched, sometimes giving rise to 2 apical branches, 60–80(–120) μm high, 6–9 μm wide, with a clavate apical cell, 10–12 × 10–18 μm. Conidiogenous cells terminal or intercalary, crowded in the upper half of the apical cell, ampulliform or lageniform, phialidic, inwardly curved, thin-walled, smooth, pale brown, slightly paler toward the apex, 5–9 × 4–6 μm. Conidia subulate, aseptate, hyaline, curved, with an attenuated end and slightly truncate base, thickened, (12–)15–20(–25) × 0.8–1.8 μm, produced in mucoid masses.

Specimen examined. New Zealand, Auckland, on Camellia japonica, C.F. Hill, CBS 102698.

Notes — The present isolate closely matches the original description of Parasympodiella laxa based on its conidial morphology and that of its reported synanamorph, S. laxus (Sutton et al. 1982). Phylogenetically it clusters close to P. longispora and P. elongata (Fig. 1).

Penidiella corymbia Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513851; Fig. 16

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Fig. 16

Penidiella corymbia. a–h. Conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidial chains; i–l. chlamydospores; m–o. conidiogenous cells with prominent scars; p–r. hyphae; s, t. conidia. — Scale bars = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Differt a speciebus diversis Penidiellae hyphis manifeste constrictis et conidiis septatis.

Etymology. Named after its host genus, Corymbia.

Mycelium consisting of branched, septate, smooth to slightly verruculose, pale to dark brown, 2–3 μm wide hyphae, swollen cells up to 6.5 μm wide, with semi-thickened walls; hyphae becoming constricted at septa, darker and thicker-walled in wider hyphae. Conidiophores micronematous to semi-macronematous, arising from creeping mycelium, mostly from narrow hyphae, solitary, erect, cylindrical, somewhat constricted at septa, straight to slightly curved, medium to dark brown, slightly thick-walled, smooth to finely verruculose, (15–)25–35(–40) × 3–3.5(–4) μm. Conidiogenous cells terminal, rarely intercalary, cylindrical, tapering to a flattened apical region, finely verruculose, medium brown, paler toward the apex, (8.5–)13–20(–25) × 3–3.5 μm, with up to two conidiogenous loci, often apical, sometimes situated on small lateral shoulders, loci truncate, not denticulate; scars slightly thickened, darkened, 2.5–3 μm wide, visible as small dark circles when viewed directly from above. Ramoconidia subcylindrical or obovoid, 0–2-septate, base subtruncate to slightly rounded, but not coronate, mostly with 2 apical hila, pale to medium brown, finely verruculose, slightly thick-walled, ≤ 1 μm, (7–)10–12(–14) × 2.5–3 μm; scars thickened and darkened, minute marginal frill present on basal end of some conidia; basal hila 2.5–3 μm wide, apical hila 1.5–2 μm wide. Conidia in branched acropetal chains, broadly fusiform to obovoid, 0–1-septate, pale to medium brown, 7–9(–12.5) × 2.5–3(–3.5) μm; terminal conidia obovoid, aseptate, pale brown, paler towards the apex, mostly smooth, base truncate, 4.5–6.5 × 2–3 μm. Microcyclic conidiation observed, original conidia become swollen, darker and thick-walled, constricted at septa, up to 5 μm wide; wall 1–1.5 μm thick. Chlamydospores globose to subovoid, dark brown, thin-walled, 7–9 × 7–9(–14) μm, terminal or intercalary, mostly 1-celled, rarely septate (up to 3 horizontal septa), produced from narrow hyphae.

Culture characteristics — Colonies on MEA reaching 1.5 cm diam after 10 d at 25 °C in the dark; margin feathery, colonies erumpent, spreading, with moderate aerial mycelium. Surface pale brown to olivaceous, reverse olivaceous-black.

Specimen examined. Australia, Northern Territory, Emerald Springs, S 13°37’13.3", E 131°36’40", on Corymbia foelscheana, 22 Sept. 2007, coll. B.A. Summerell, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20288 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 14640 = CBS 124769, CPC 14641, 14642.

Notes — Penidiella corymbia is a typical member of the genus Penidiella in having solitary conidiophores with a branching system consisting of ramoconidia, intercalary and terminal conidia, and lacking a rachis (Crous et al. 2007a, Cheewangkoon et al. 2008). Penidiella corymbia is different from most other Penidiella species by having prominently constricted hypha and septate conidia. It is similar to P. rigidophora based on its macronematous conidiophores and conidial dimensions. Phylogenetically it clusters with other members of Penidiella (Fig. 1), but is distinct from all other species known to date based on ITS sequence data (Table 1).

Polyscytalum algarvense Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513852; Fig. 17

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Fig. 17

Polyscytalum algarvense. a–c. Sporodochia on OA; d–f. conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidial chains; g–i. conidia; j. conidiogenous cell; k. creeping hyphae. — Scale bars: a = 300 μm; b = 200 μm; c = 150 μm; d–k = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Polyscytalo fuegiano simile, sed conidiis brevioribus et latioribus, 11–13.5(–15) × 2–2.5 μm.

Etymology. Named after the Algarve Province in Portugal, where this fungus was collected.

Colonies on OA. Conidiomata consisting of a dark brown, submerged, sclerotium-like structure, which give rise to white, blush-like caespituli consisting of conidiophores and conidial chains, up to 200 μm tall and 380 μm diam. Mycelium immersed, dense, subcylindrical, medium to dark brown, thick-walled, frequently somewhat constricted at septa, up to 6 μm wide; aerial mycelium hyaline, smooth, ≤ 2 μm wide. Conidiophores erect, solitary, cylindrical, hyaline, straight to slightly flexuous, simple or with two lateral branches, smooth, 45–60(–90) × 3–3.5 μm, up to 5-septate, thickened at septa, usually swollen and slightly brown at the base. Conidiogenous cells terminal, integrated, cylindrical, slightly tapering to a flat apex, or short and broad denticles, hyaline, 13–16(–23) × 2–2.5 μm, with 1–2(–4) conidiogenous loci; scars thickened and slightly refractive, 1.5–2 μm wide. Conidia elongating acropetally, or branching di- or trichotomously, forming long conidial chains that remain attached, cylindrical, with slight taper towards both ends, smooth, hyaline, with minute guttulates, aseptate, 11–13.5(–15) × 2–2.5 μm, with two conidiogenous loci in ramoconidia; scars flat to slightly rounded, thickened, slightly refractive, 1.5–2 μm wide.

Culture characteristics — Colonies obtaining 3 cm diam on MEA after 1 wk at 25 °C in the dark; flat, with sparse aerial mycelium, and entire margins; yellow-buff (surface), and similar in reverse. Colonies on OA flat, appearing dark brown, with moderate, white aerial mycelium, and irregular margins.

Specimen examined. Portugal, Faro, Algarve, on Eucalyptus sp., 24 Jan. 2007, P.W. Crous, CBS H-20289 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 14936 = CBS 124770, CPC 14937, 14938.

Notes — Polyscytalum algarvense closely resembles other members of the genus Polyscytalum in forming conidiophores on swollen hyphal cells, cylindrical, polyblastic conidiogenous cells with denticles, and catenate, acropetal chains of cylindrical, hyaline conidia (Ellis 1971). Three species of Polyscytalum have thus far been reported from Eucalyptus, namely P. gracilisporum (Sutton & Hodges 1977, Crous & van der Linde 1993), P. hareae (Sutton 1978, Kirk 1981) and P. truncatum (Sutton & Hodges 1977), which differ in conidium and conidiophore morphology. Polyscytalum algarvensense is morphologically most similar to P. fuegianum (Gamundí et al. 1977), in mostly producing simple conidiophores, conidiogenous cells with only a few terminal loci, and aseptate conidia. However, P. algarvensense has shorter and wider conidia in vivo than that of P. fuegianum (15.4–19.2 × 1.4–2 μm). Phylogenetically P. algarvensense is allied to P. fecundissimum (GenBank EU035441) (Fig. 1).

Pseudocercospora palleobrunnea Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513853; Fig. 18

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Fig. 18

Pseudocercospora palleobrunnea. a. Sporodochium; b–e. conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidia; f. conidia. — Scale bars: a = 35 μm; b–f = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Differt a speciebus Pseudocercosporae myrtacearum conidiis subcylindraceis, 1–6-septatis, (35–)40–55(–85) × (2.5–)3–4(–4.5) μm.

Etymology. Named after its pale brown conidia.

Mycelium internal and external, pale brown, consisting of septate, branched, smooth hyphae, 4–6 μm wide. Caespituli pale to medium brown, 80–130 μm high and up to 230 μm wide. Conidiophores fasciculate, densely aggregated, arising from the upper cells of a well-developed sub-superficial stroma; stroma dark brown, up to 70 μm high and 180 μm wide; conidiophores medium brown, paler toward the apex, slightly verruculose, 2–4-septate, subcylindrical, straight or slightly sinuous, rarely branched, (40–)50–65(–80) × 3–4.5 μm. Conidiogenous cells terminal, unbranched, mono- to polyblastic, sympodial, subcylindrical, pale brown, slightly verruculose to smooth, terminating in truncate or bluntly rounded loci, (6–)10–15(–22) × (2.7–)3–4(–4.8) μm. Conidia solitary, subcylindrical, tapering to a bluntly rounded apex and truncate base, thick-walled, subhyaline to pale brown, guttulate, curved, mostly widest above the middle, 1–6-septate, (35–)40–55(–85) × (2.5–)3–4(–4.5) μm; hila 2–3 μm wide, not darkened, but slightly thickened along the rim.

Culture characteristics — Colonies reaching 17 mm diam on MEA after 1 mo at 25 °C in the dark; colonies circular, convex, with entire margin and medium aerial mycelium; pale greenish grey (surface), fuscous-black (reverse).

Specimen examined. Australia, Queensland, Moubray Park, on Syzygium sp., 27 Aug. 2006, P.W. Crous, CBS H-20290 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 13387 = CBS 124771, CPC 13388, 13389.

Notes — Several cercosporoid species have been recorded on Myrtaceae (Crous & Wingfield 1997, Sutton & Crous 1997, Crous 1998, 1999, Braun 2001, Braun & Dick 2002, Crous et al. 2004b, 2006f, 2007e, Hunter at al. 2006a, Carnegie et al. 2007). Of these, P. palleobrunnea resembles P. syzygii-cumini (conidia 1–6-septate, subcylindrical to obclavate, 25–60 × 2–3.5 μm), P. syzygiicola (conidia cylindrical, 1–11-septate, 40–80 × 2–3 μm), and P. syzygiigena (conidia 1–5-septate, subcylindrical-filiform, 15–60 × 1.5–3 μm), but can be distinguished from them based on its conidial shape, septation and dimensions. Based on ITS sequence data (Table 1) P. palleobrunnea is phylogenetically closely related to Mycosphaerella fori, the Pseudocercospora state of which is quite distinct, having conidia that are 1–3-septate, 50–100 × 2–3.5 μm (Hunter et al. 2006b).

Pseudoramichloridium Cheewangkoon & Crous, gen. nov. — MycoBank MB513854

Ramichlorodio simile, sed coloniis in cultura (MEA) atro-olivaceis et tarde crescentibus, cicatricibus et hilis leviter incrassatis, fuscatis et refractivis.

Type species. Pseudoramichloridium henryi Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov.

Etymology. Named after its morphological similarity to the genus Ramichloridium.

Mycelium consisting of submerged and aerial hyphae; submerged hyphae pale to medium olivaceous-brown, thin- to slightly thick-walled; aerial hyphae smooth or verrucose, narrower and darker than the submerged hyphae. Conidiophores unbranched, slightly thick-walled, darker than the subtending hyphae, arising vertically from submerged or creeping aerial hyphae, with additional thin septa. Conidiogenous cells integrated, terminal, proliferating sympodially, giving rise to a long rachis with crowded, polyblastic scars that are protruding, somewhat prominent, thickened along the rim, slightly reflective, somewhat darkened. Conidia obovoid to fusiform, thin-walled, smooth to verruculose, aseptate, pale brown, solitary, aseptate, subhyaline to pale brown, smooth to slightly verruculose, with truncate base; hilum thickened, slightly reflective, somewhat darkened; conidial secession schizolytic. Colonies are dark olivaceous and slow-growing on MEA, and exophiala-like states are absent.

Pseudoramichloridium henryi Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513855; Fig. 19

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Fig. 19

Pseudoramichloridium henryi. a. Colony on MEA; b. colony on SNA; c, d. conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidia; e, f. conidia. — Scale bars = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown, Teratosphaeriaceae.

Pseudoramochloridio brasiliano simile, sed conidiis longioribus, 6–8(–9) × (2–)2.5–3 μm.

Etymology. Named after the host species on which it occurs, Corymbia henryi.

Mycelium consisting of submerged and aerial hyphae; narrow hyphae submerged, hyaline to subhyaline, thin-walled, smooth to slightly verruculose, 2–3 μm wide; fertile hyphae submerged, partly erumpent, become wider, thicker and darker-walled, up to 5 μm wide, constricted at septa, forming an erumpent, darkened stroma; aerial hyphae mostly produced on setae-like structures among conidiophores, smooth to slightly verruculose, thick-walled, pale to medium brown, becoming thinner-walled and paler toward the apex, 80–120(–150) × 2.5–3 μm. Conidiophores mono- and macronematous, produced on stroma-like structures, not on creeping hyphae, or arising from thickened, darkened hyphae, not swollen at the base, cylindrical, straight, unbranched, thick-walled, medium brown, up to 90 μm long, 2.5–3 μm wide, 3–8-septate. Conidiogenous cells integrated, terminal, polyblastic, smooth, thick-walled, medium to pale brown, thinner and paler toward the apex, apical part subhyaline, proliferating sympodially, straight, with conspicuous conidiogenous loci, (5–)10–15(–20) × 2.5–3 μm; scars scattered, somewhat thickened and slightly pigmented, flat, 0.5–0.8 μm wide, sometimes prominent denticles, up to 1.5 μm high. Conidia solitary, aseptate, hyaline to very pale brown, smooth, thin-walled, obovoid to ellipsoidal, with truncate base, 6–8(–9) × (2–)2.5–3 μm; hilum prominently thickened along the rim, slightly reflective, somewhat darkened, 1–1.2 μm wide.

Culture characteristics — Colonies on MEA reaching 15 mm diam after 14 d at 25 °C; circular, convex, with a slightly undulate, smooth margin, and moderate aerial mycelium; pale greenish grey to pale olivaceous-grey (surface); olivaceous-black (reverse).

Specimen examined. Australia, New South Wales, on Corymbia henryi, 16 Feb. 2006, coll. A.J. Carnegie, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20293 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 13121 = CBS 124775, CPC 13122, 13123.

Notes — Morphologically Pseudoramichloridium (Teratophaeriaceae) resembles the genus Ramichloridium (Mycosphaerellaceae) by having well-differentiated, pigmented, unbranched, sympodially proliferating rachi producing aseptate, pigmented conidia, and lacking exophiala-like states (de Hoog 1977, Arzanlou et al. 2007). Pseudoramichloridium can be distinguished from Ramichloridium by having colonies that are dark olivaceous and slow-growing on MEA, and conidial scars and hila that are faintly thickened, darkened and somewhat refractive. Conidia of Pseudoramichloridium henryi are longer, 6–8(–9) × (2–)2.5–3 μm, than those of Pseudoramichloridium brasilianum, (4–)5–6(–8.5) × 2–2.5(–3) μm.

Pseudoramichloridium brasilianum (Arzanlou & Crous) Cheewangkoon & Crous, comb. nov. — MycoBank MB513586

Basionym. Ramichloridium brasilianum Arzanlou & Crous, Stud. Mycol. 58: 72. 2007.

Description and illustrations — Arzanlou et al. (2007).

Quambalaria simpsonii Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513857; Fig. 20

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Fig. 20

Quambalaria simpsonii. a. Colony on MEA; b–i. hyphae, conidiogenous cells and conidia; j. conidia. — Scale bars = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Quambalariae coyrecup similis, sed coloniis in cultura (MEA et PDA) constanter albidis.

Etymology. Named after the Australian mycologist, Dr J.A. Simpson, who introduced the genus Quambalaria.

Mycelium superficial, partly immersed; aerial hyphae hyaline, smooth, thin-walled, loosely septate, branched, 1.5–2.2 μm wide. Conidiogenous cells scattered, cylindrical, similar to hyphae, terminal or integrated in short side branches, (9–)18–40(–53) × (1.5–)1.8–2(–2.2) μm, widest at swollen apex, which forms conidia via sympodial growth, 2–3.5(–4.2) μm wide, often elongating, giving rise to another conidiogenous cell at a higher level; conidiogenous loci denticulate, inconspicuous, pointed or flattened. Conidia aseptate, hyaline, smooth, thin-walled, continuous; ramoconidia fusiform or ellipsoid, with tapered base, (4.6–)5.5–8.5(–10.4) × (2.5–)3(–3.5) μm, usually giving rise to one or several obovoid to fusiform secondary conidia, (2.5–)3–4.5(–6.2) × (1.7–)2–2.5(–2.9) μm, sometimes giving rise to 1–4 obovoid, tertiary conidia, (2–)2.5(–3.4) × (1.3–)1.5–1.8(–2.3) μm.

Culture characteristics — Colonies on MEA reaching up to 25 mm diam after 7 d, finely floccose, becoming powdery, white (surface), yellow-brown (reverse), with an odour reminiscent of ripe bananas.

Specimens examined. Australia, Northern Territory, Edith Falls S 14°05’20", E 132°05’12"E, on Eucalyptus tintinnans, 1 Jan. 2007, coll. B.A. Summerell, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20291 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 14499 = CBS 124772, CPC 14500, 14501. — Thailand, Ban Hong, Lamphoon, Eucalyptus sp., 26 June 2007, R. Cheewangkoon, CBS 124773.

Notes — Of the Quambalaria species known to date (Walker & Bertus 1971, de Hoog & de Vries 1973, Wingfield et al. 1993, Braun 1998, Simpson 2000, de Beer et al. 2006), Q. simpsonii closely resembles Q. coyrecup in conidial dimensions (Paap et al. 2008). However, colonies of Q. simpsonii remain white, whereas those of Q. coyrecup are reported as turning yellowish white or pale orange on MEA and PDA (Paap et al. 2008). Phylogenetically Q. simpsonii is more closely related to Q. cyanescens and Q. eucalypti than Q. coyrecup based on LSU and ITS sequences (Fig. 1, Table 1).

Rachicladosporium americanum Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513858; Fig. 21

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Fig. 21

Rachicladosporium americanum. a–e. Conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidia; f. conidiogenous cells with prominent scars. — Scale bars = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Rachicladosporio luculiae simile, sed conidiis longioribus.

Etymology. Named after the USA, where it was collected.

Mycelium septate, not constricted at septa, which are not thickened nor darkened; hyphae smooth, slightly verruculose, pale to medium brown, loosely branched, walls semi-thickened, 4.5–6(–7.5) μm wide. Conidiophores arising laterally from creeping hyphae, micronematous to semi-macronematous, erect, straight to slightly flexuous, cylindrical, neither geniculate nor nodulose, occasionally short-branched, up to 95 μm long, 5–6.5 μm wide, 4–11-septate, pale to medium brown, smooth to slightly verruculose, walls slightly thickened. Conidiogenous cells integrated, mostly terminal, sometimes intercalary, cylindrical, 4–6.5 × (7.5–)9.5–12(–15) μm, conidiogenesis holoblastic, proliferation sympodial, with a single or up to three conidiogenous loci, often at the apex, sometimes situated on small lateral shoulders, loci truncate, not denticulate, 1.5–2.5 μm wide, thickened and darkened, visible as small dark circles when viewed directly from above. Ramoconidia cylindrical, (13–)16–18(–23) × (3–)3.5–4 μm, 1–2-septate, slightly constricted at septa, concolorous with conidiophores, walls semi-thickened, smooth to slightly verruculose, apically with up to 3 truncate hila, 2–2.5 μm wide, thickened and darkened, not refractive. Conidia catenate, in loosely branched chains, ellipsoid, fusiform to subcylindrical, tapering towards both ends, (10–)12–16(–18) × (3–)3.5–4 μm, walls semi-thickened, 0–1-septate, mostly with 1-median septum, slightly constricted at septum; hila truncate, 1–2 μm wide, thickened, somewhat darkened, not refractive; terminal conidia ellipsoid, paler towards apex, with rounded apex, thin-walled, 0–1-septate, 8–11 × 3–3.5 μm; base with truncate hilum that is thickened, darkened, but not refractive.

Culture characteristics — Colonies on MEA reaching 2 cm diam after 10 d at 25 °C in the dark, flat, elevated at centre; colonies felty, with dense sporulation and sparse aerial mycelium; brownish olivaceous in the centre, grey-olivaceous at the margin (surface), dark brown (reverse).

Specimen examined. USA, Virginia, Fort Royal, on leaf litter of unknown host, 1 May 2007, P.W. Crous, CBS H-20292 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 14045 = CBS 124774, CPC 14046, CPC 14047.

Notes — Using the key to cladosporioid genera provided by Crous et al. (2007b), R. americanum is a typical member of the genus Rachicladosporium, except that it lacks an apical rachis (though this feature is not considered diagnostic, and hence not used in the key). Morphologically, R. americanum can also be distinguished from R. luculiae by its longer conidia. Phylogenetically the two species cluster together, suggesting that the rachis observed in the type species, R. luculiae, is probably not a feature of generic importance.

Selenophoma australiensis Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513859; Fig 22

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Fig. 22

Selenophoma australiensis. a. Colony on SNA; b, c. hyphae; d–i. conidia produced from hyphal cells; j, k. endoconidia; l. chlamydospores; m. cross section through pycnidium on canation leaf agar; n, o. conidiogenous cells; p. conidia. — Scale bars: a = 200 μm; b–p = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Selenophomae eucalypti similis, sed conidiis minoribus, (5.5–)6–6.5(–7) × 3–3.5 μm.

Etymology. Named after its country of origin, Australia.

Selenophoma state. Conidiomata on CLA pycnidial, dark brown, subepidermal to erumpent, globose, 70–110 × 80–110 μm; wall consisting of 2–3 layers of medium to dark brown textura angularis, thick-walled. Conidiophores not uniform, short, barrel-shaped or subobovoid, simple, medium brown, thick-walled, composed of 1–3 cells, tapering toward the conidiogenous cell, occasionally reduced to conidiogenous cells, 7–10 × 5–7 μm. Conidiogenous cells subglobose, obpyriform or obovoid, phialidic, with apical periclinal thickening, (5–)6–7.5 × (4–)6–7(–8) μm. Conidia aseptate, hyaline, ellipsoidal to obovoid, thin-walled, guttulate, (5.5–)6–6.5(–7) × 3–3.5 μm. Hormonema state. Mycelium immersed and superficial; hyphae hyaline, thin-walled, smooth to slightly verruculose, loosely septate; brown hyphae (type 1) thick-walled, slightly verruculose, densely septate, mostly constricted at septa, phialides integrated in hyphal cells, loci ≤ 1.5 μm wide, producing hyaline, aseptate conidia, 4–5.5 μm wide; brown hyphae (type 2), thin-walled, smooth, loosely septate, not constricted at septa, producing endoconidia, 5–8 μm wide, aggregating in masses in the centre of colonies. Conidiogenous cells undifferentiated from creeping hyphae, intercalary or terminal on brown hyphae, 4–5 × 5–6(–8) μm, producing 1–2 conidia basipetally, with prominent loci, and visible collarette after conidial seccession, apex 1–1.5 μm wide. Conidia producing synchronously, along hyphae and on short lateral branches, aseptate, hyaline, ellipsoid to obovoid, smooth, tapering to ≤ 1.5 μm wide truncate base, slightly thick-walled, turning brown and thicker walled when mature, occasionally becoming 1-medianly septate, slightly constricted at septum, (2.7–)3–3.5(–4) × (5.5–)7–8(–8.5) μm. Arthroconidia ellipsoid, medium brown, thick-walled, medianly septate, or with slightly longer basal cell, conspicuously constricted at septum, with broadly rounded ends; hilum with 1–2 μm wide; conidia 4.8–5.5 × (8.5–)9–10(–11.5) μm, sometimes producing secondary conidia via microcyclic conidiation, 7–7.5 × 3.5–4.5 μm. Endoconidia produced in thick- and thin-walled hyphae, 0–2-septate, ellipsoidal, constricted at septa, thick-walled. Chlamydospores multiseptate, brown, composed of subglobose cells, thick-walled, constrict at septa, irregular in shape, 10–17 × 10–13 μm.

Specimen examined. Australia, Northern Territory, Edith Falls S 14°05’20", E 132°05’12", on Eucalyptus mineata, 22 Sept. 2007, coll. B.A. Summerell, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20294 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 14582 = CBS 124776, CPC 14583, 14584.

Notes — Considerable confusion surrounds the delimitation of Aureobasidium and Hormonema, complicating species identification in these genera (see discussion under Sydowia eucalypti below). For this reason, we prefer to name the current species in Selenophoma, which possesses a similar yeast synanamorph as observed in S. eucalypti (Crous et al. 1995a).

Sphaceloma tectificae Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513860; Fig. 23

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Fig. 23

Sphaceloma tectificae. a. Colony on MEA; b–h. Sporotrichum synanamorph; b–f. conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidia; g. Sporotrichum producing from Sphaceloma conidial anastomosis; h, i. Sphaceloma sp. — Scale bars: a = 2 cm; b–i = 20 μm.

Synanamorph. Sporotrichum sp.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Cellulae conidiogenae phialidicae, hyalinae, laeviae, non ramosae, ex hyphis lateraliter oriundae, obclavatae vel cylindraceae, (4–)8–10 × 2.5–3(–5) μm. Conidia hyalina, acrogena, ellipsoidea vel brevicylindracea vel obovoidea, aseptata, 4–4.5 × 2–2.5 μm.

Etymology. Named after the host species on which it occurs, Eucalyptus tectifica.

Sphaceloma state. Acervular conidiomata not observed in culture. Conidiogenous cells phialidic, hyaline, smooth, unbranched, occurring as lateral tips on hyphae, sometime with one basal supporting cell, obclavate to cylindrical, tapering sharply to a truncate apex, (4–)8–10 × 2.5–3(–5) μm. Conidia acrogenous, ellipsoid to short cylindrical or obovoid, aseptate, 4–4.5 × 2–2.5 μm, hyaline, minutely guttulate, hila slightly rounded to subtruncate; germinating conidia become slightly elongated and swollen, thicker walled, guttulate, but remain hyaline. Sporotrichum synanamorph. Mycelium consisting of branched, septate, smooth, hyaline to pale brown hyphae, minutely guttulate, occasionally constricted at septa, 2–3(–5) μm wide, somewhat aggregated in bundles, densely septate. Conidiophores macronematous, arising from creeping mycelium, sometimes reduced to conidiogenous cells, pale brown, darker towards conidiogenous cells, cylindrical, simple or branched, 0–4-septate, (12–)20–30(–40) × 2–2.5 μm. Conidiogenous cells terminal, integrated, smooth to slightly verruculose, thin-walled, straight or geniculate, somewhat swollen to irregular, (7–)15–20(–30) × (3–)4–5(–6) μm, with crowded conidiogenous loci in an apical rachis, denticles ≤ 1 μm high, flat tipped, with minutely thickened and reflective scars, visible as a circle when viewed from directly above, 1–1.3 μm diam. Conidia in short, branched chains; ramoconidia cylindrical to ellipsoid, tapering toward both ends, sometimes swollen at the crowded conidiogenous loci, aseptate, thin-walled, smooth to slightly verruculose, pale to medium brown, 7–9(–11) × 2.5–3(–4) μm; hila thickened along the rim, refractive, not darkened; intercalary conidia ellipsoid to fusiform, aseptate, pale to medium brown, 6–8(–9.5) × 2.2–3.3 μm; terminal conidia obovoid, pale brown, paler toward the apex, (2.5–)3.5–5 × 2–2.5 μm. Chlamydospores globose to subglobose, thin-walled, 0–multicellular, hyaline, muriformly septate, 5–8 × 8–10 μm. Microcyclic conidiation present.

Culture characteristics — Colonies on MEA reaching 15 mm diam after 15 d at 25 °C in the dark; colonies irregular, centre strongly folded, convoluted, with sparse, pale, orange-grey aerial mycelium, turning greenish grey and woolly when sporulating; margin feathery, producing a diffuse pigment that changes the colour of the media to reddish orange.

Specimen examined. Australia, Northern Territory, road to Robin Falls, S 14°10’20", E 131°07’15" on Eucalyptus tectifica, 23 Sept. 2007, coll. B.A. Summerell, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20296 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 14594 = CBS 124777, CPC 14595, 14596.

Notes — Sphaceloma tectificae produces both a Sphaceloma and Sporotrichum state in culture, as illustrated by Doidge & Butler (1924) for the anamorphs of Elsinoë fawcettii, confirming that these genera are actually synanamorphs. Although S. tectificae is phylogenetically closely related to E. fawcettii, they still differ in 45 nucleotides based on their ITS sequence data (Table 1). Morphologically S. tectificae produces smaller conidia than E. fawcettii, and its Sporotrichum synanamorph also has larger and more densely branched conidiophores. Phylogenetically S. tectificae clusters apart from E. eucalyptorum (Summerell et al. 2006) and E. eucalypticola.

Strelitziana australiensisCheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513861; Fig. 24

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Fig. 24

Strelitziana australiensis. a. Colony on MEA; b–e. conidiogenous cells and conidia; f. conidiogenous cells; g. young conidia arising from conidiogenous cells; h. chlamydospores; i. connection cells on conidiogenous cells; j. apical conidial mucilaginous appendage; k. conidia and microcyclic conidiation. — Scale bars: b–e, h, i, k = 20 μm; f, g, j = 40 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Strelitzianae africanae similis, sed conidiis ad apicem cum appendice mucosa.

Etymology. Named after its country of origin, Australia.

Mycelium superficial, partly immersed, hyaline to pale brown, septate, branched, smooth, 2.8–4 μm wide, constricted at septa, which tend to be more frequent closer to the conidiogenous cells. Chlamydospores mostly subglobose or ellipsoid, medium to dark brown, thick-walled, 1–4-septate, somewhat constrict at septa, (8–)10–14(–18) × 7–11 μm. Conidiophores mostly reduced to conidiogenous cells, rarely 1–2-septate, subcylindrical, with an apical conidiogenous cell. Conidiogenous cells irregular in shape, subglobose to obovoid, somewhat curved, (5–)7–10 × (3.5–)7–11 μm, intercalary, rarely terminal, polyphialidic, conidial succession rhexolytic, with remnants of the separating cell visible on conidiogenous cells, collarettes 1.5–2 × 1.5–4 μm, appearing as open denticles, up to 12 per conidiogenous cell. Conidia cylindrical, rounded apex, smooth, hyaline to very pale brown, minutely guttulate, 4–8-septate, (30–)50–60(–73) × 2.8–3.2 μm, with a small, globose, hyaline, apical mucilaginous appendage, 4.5–5.5 μm; base obconically subtruncate; sometimes remnants of the separating cell remain attached to the conidial hilum as a minute marginal frill, up to 1 μm long, 1.5–2 μm wide; microcyclic conidiation observed in culture.

Culture characteristics — Colonies reaching up to 2.5 cm diam on MEA after 2 wk at 25 °C in the dark; colonies irregular, flat, raised at the middle, slightly folded, with irregular margin, and sparse, smoky-grey aerial mycelium; medium to dark brown (surface); dark brown (reverse).

Specimen examined. Australia, Queensland, Kennedy Highway, on Eucalyptus sp., 26 Aug. 2006, P.W. Crous, CBS H-20297 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 13421 = CBS 124778, CPC 13422, CPC 13423.

Notes — Strelitziana australiensis can be classified in Strelitziana based on its rhexolytic conidiation, polyphialides, pigmented structures, and unthickened conidial scars (Arzanlou & Crous 2006). Although S. africana is presently the only member of this genus, it has similar conidial dimensions to S. australiensis. However, S. africana lacks an apical mucilaginous appendage, chlamydospores and has obclavate conidia, making it easy to distinguish from S. africana. Phylogenetically, the two species also cluster together in Strelitziana (Fig. 1).

Sydowia eucalypti (Verwoerd & du Plessis) Crous, Sydowia 55: 143. 2003 — Fig. 25

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Fig. 25

Sydowia eucalypti. a. Conidiomata giving rise to spore masses on host leaf; b. conidia of Selenophoma; c. colony on MEA; d. colony on pine needle agar; e, f. conidia of Coniothyrium-like synanamorph; g. conidiogenous cell; h–j. asci and ascospores. — Scale bars: a, f, g = 10 mm; b, e = 20 μm; d = 100 μm; h–j = 40 μm.

Basionym. Sphaerulina eucalypti Verwoerd & du Plessis, S. Afr. J. Sci. 28: 296. 1931.

Anamorph. Selenophoma eucalypti Crous, C.L. Lennox & B. Sutton, Mycol. Res. 99: 648. 1995.

Synanamorphs. Coniothyrium-like and Hormonema-like.

Descriptions — Verwoerd & du Plessis (1931), Crous et al. (1995a, 2003).

Coniothyrium-like synanamorph on PNA: Conidiomata pycnidial to avervular, dark brown, semi-thick-walled, up to 120 μm diam and 200 μm high. Conidiophores reduced to conidiogenous cells, annellidic, integrated, indeterminate, formed from the inner cells of the conidiomatal wall, hyaline to pale brown, smooth, slightly thick-walled, short-cylindrical to narrowly ampulliform, slightly tapered toward the apex, (2.5–)3.5–5.5 × 1.8–3.3. Conidia aseptate, medium brown to olivaceous-brown, ellipsoid to ovoid, not guttulate, thin-walled, 6–8(–10) × (2.3–)3–5.5.

Specimens examined. Australia, New South Wales, on Eucalyptus sp., 1 Mar. 2007, coll. B. Wiecek, isol. P.W. Crous, H-20295, culture CPC 14028 = CPC 14029–14030. – Portugal, Algarve, Faro, on Eucalyptus sp., 22 Jan. 2008, P.W. Crous, CPC 14927 = CPC 14928, 14929.

Notes — Morphologically, Sydowia eucalypti (anamorph Selenophoma eucalypti) has characteristics of Aureobasidium and Hormonema in culture (de Hoog & Yurlova 1994, Crous et al. 1995a, 2003, Bills et al. 2004, Zalar et al. 2008). However, the connection between Aureobasidium and Selenophoma was commented on by Ramaley (1992). Thus far only Sydowia polyspora and Hormonema dematioides have been suggested as representing a potential anamorph–teleomorph relationship (Robak 1952, Butin 1964). Several other genera in the Dothideomycetes (Sydowia, Pringsheimia, Dothidea, Dothiora) produce hormonema-like anamorphs in culture (Froidevaux 1972, Sivanesan 1984). The taxonomic status of Aureobasidium and Hormonema remains controversial, however, as these two genera are not well-differentiated using molecular techniques and physiological characteristics (de Hoog & Yurlova 1994, Yurlova et al. 1996). Phylogenetically Selenophoma eucalypti clusters with species of Aureobasidium and Hormonema. The coniothyrium-like synanamorph reported here for Sydowia eucalypti is frequently isolated from Eucalyptus leaves in nature, leading to confusion when a yeast-like growth appears in culture. We therefore hope that this relationship between the Sydowia teleomorph, Selenophoma anamorph, coniothyrium-like synanamorph and the Hormonema yeast has now been clarified.

Zeloasperisporium eucalyptorum Cheewangkoon & Crous, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB513862; Fig. 26

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Fig. 26

Zeloasperisporium eucalyptorum. a. Colony on pine needle agar; b–f. conidia on conidiogenous cells; g. microcyclic conidiation; h, i. conidia; j, k. micronematous conidiogenous cells. — Scale bars: a = 200 μm; b–f = 15 μm; g–k = 10 μm.

Teleomorph. Unknown.

Zeloasperisporio hyphopodioidi simile, sed conidiis latioribus et brevioribus, (15–)17–22(–25) × 4.5–6(–7) μm.

Etymology. Named after the host genus on which it was collected, Eucalyptus.

Mycelium internal to superficial, consisting of sparingly branched, loosely septate, pale brown, smooth or minutely verru-culose, thin-walled, (1.5–)2.5–3.5 μm wide hyphae. Conidiophores reduced to conidiogenous cells, micronematous, arising as lateral hyphal branches, erect, straight, subcylindrical or conical, not geniculate, unbranched, (17–)20–25(–31) × 3–3.5(–4.5) μm, tapering towards the apex, pale to medium brown, smooth or minutely verruculose, slightly thick-walled, somewhat constricted at the apex below the conidiogenous loci. Conidial proliferation sympodial, with one to several subdenticulate to flat conidiogenous loci, mostly crowded at the apex, protuberant; conidial scars thickened-refractive, appearing as thickened circles when viewed from directly above, ≤ 1 μm wide. Conidia solitary, straight to curved, fusiform, tapered towards the apex, 1-septate, distinctly constricted at the median septum, pale to medium brown, verruculose, somewhat thick-walled, (15–)17–22(–25) × 4.5–6(–7) μm; apex subhyaline, thinner and smoother than the rest of the conidial body, at times forming a globose, apical mucoid appendage; base truncate or slightly rounded, tapering toward a protruding scar, which is somewhat thickened and darkened-refractive, 0.8–1.2 μm wide; microcyclic conidiation observed in culture. Micronematous synanamorph. Conidiogenous cells short-cylindrical, brown, smooth, as lateral pegs on hyphae, 2–4 × 1.5 μm, with minute apical scars. Conidia not observed.

Culture characteristics — Colonies reaching up to 15 mm diam on MEA after 2 wk at 25 °C in the dark; subcircular to irregular, convex, with a slightly folded, undulate surface, and pale brownish grey aerial mycelium; surface pale brownish olivaceous-grey; reverse dark olivaceous-brown.

Specimen examined. Australia, Northern Territory, road to Robin Falls, S 14°10’20", E 131°07’15", on Eucalyptus tectifica, 23 Sept. 2007, coll. B.A. Summerell, isol. P.W. Crous, CBS H-20298 holotype, culture ex-type CPC 14603 = CBS 124809, CPC 14604, 14605.

Notes — Zeloasperisporium eucalyptorum is very similar to Z. hyphopodioides in conidiogenesis and conidial shape (Castañeda et al. 1996, Crous et al. 2007d), but conidia of Z. eucalyptorum are wider and shorter. Phylogenetically Z. eucalyptorum clusters close to Z. hyphopodioides (ITS region 93 % identical), but the two species still differ by 40 nucleotides (Fig. 1).