Analysis of sequence data

For the phylogenetic analyses, a combined matrix of nSSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 sequences was produced. The newly generated sequences were complemented with GenBank sequences of Cucurbitariaceae from Jaklitsch et al. (2018), and sequences of six taxa of Pyrenochaetopsis (Pyrenochaetopsidaceae) were added as outgroup according the results of the phylogenetic analyses of Jaklitsch et al. (2018). All alignments were produced with the server version of MAFFT (www.ebi.ac.uk/Tools/mafft), checked and refined using BioEdit v. 7.2.6 (Hall 1999). Large insertions sometimes present in the SSU and at the terminal 3′ end of the SSU of the partial SSU-ITS-LSU fragment were removed from the alignments.

The combined matrix contained 5 707 nucleotide characters, represented by 1 688 from the partial SSU-ITS-LSU, 999 from the SSU, 1 067 from rpb2, 1 258 from tef1 and 695 from tub2.

Maximum parsimony (MP) analysis was performed using a parsimony ratchet approach. For this, a nexus file was prepared using PRAP v. 2.0b3 (Müller 2004), implementing 1 000 ratchet replicates with 25 % of randomly chosen positions upweighted to 2, which was then run with PAUP v. 4.0a164 (Swofford 2002). The resulting best trees were then loaded in PAUP and subjected to heuristic search with TBR branch swapping (MULTREES option in effect, steepest descent option not in effect). Bootstrap analysis with 1 000 replicates was performed using 5 rounds of replicates of heuristic search with random addition of sequences and subsequent TBR branch swapping (MULTREES option in effect, steepest descent option not in effect) during each bootstrap replicate. In all MP analyses molecular characters were unordered and given equal weight; analyses were performed with gaps treated as missing data; the COLLAPSE command was set to minbrlen. Maximum likelihood (ML) analyses were performed with RAxML (Stamatakis 2006) as implemented in raxmlGUI 1.5 (Silvestro & Michalak 2012), using the ML + rapid bootstrap setting and the GTRGAMMA substitution model with 1 000 bootstrap replicates. The matrix was partitioned for the individual gene regions, and substitution model parameters were calculated separately for them. For evaluation and discussion of bootstrap support, values below 70 % were considered low, between 70 and 90 % medium/moderate and above 90 % high.

Taxonomy

Fenestella Tul. & C. Tul., Select. Fung. Carpol. (Paris): Xylariei-Valsei-Spaeriei 2: 207. 1863, emend.

Type species. Fenestella fenestrata (Berk. & Broome) J. Schröt.

Fenestella fenestrata (Berk. & Broome) J. Schröt., in Cohn, Krypt.-Fl. Schlesien (Breslau) 3.2(4): 435. 1897 (1908)

Basionym. Valsa fenestrata Berk. & Broome, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. III 3: 366. 1859.

Synonym. Fenestella princeps Tul. & C. Tul., Select. Fung. Carpol. (Paris) 2: 207. 1863.

Notes — See Jaklitsch et al. (2018) for description and typification of the genus and its type species. In that work it was stated that all materials of F. fenestrata available for study were more or less overmature, which made identification of the fungal host difficult. The black encasement of ascomata was interpreted as belonging to a Diaporthe sp. Considering that all other species of the genus occur on Cytospora spp. (see below), it appears probable that the stromatic encasement belonged to a Cytospora sp. having a Leucostoma sexual morph.

The second specimen given in the protologue of F. fenestrata was examined: England, Leicestershire, Orton Wood, on dead twigs of Quercus robur, Mar. 1859, A. Bloxam (K(M) 233193; as Valsa fenestrata). Although the plant host would suggest Fenestella parafenestrata (see below), the fungus in this specimen is morphologically indistinguishable from F. fenestrata: Pseudostromatic pustules are 1–4 mm diam, brown to black, outside limited by a black stromatic line, ascomata 400–770 μm diam, ostiolar areas 180–420 μm diam, asci are cylindrical and ascospores (35–)43–61(–74) × (14.5–)16.5–22.5(–27) μm, l/w (2–)2.3–3.1(–3.5) (n = 30), ellipsoid to fusoid, very dark brown, symmetric or asymmetric, with up to 16 distinct transverse and 7 longitudinal septa and up to 4 μm long hyaline apiculi. See Fig. 6b1 for the illustration of an ascospore.

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Fig. 6

Fenestella parafenestrata. a–w. Sexual morph. a–c. Ascomatal groups connected by subiculum erumpent through bark fissures in face view; d. peridium in vertical section; e–g. asci (e. young, from fresh material); h–i. ascus apices (immature in h); j–w. ascospores (j–k. young; j, l–o. from fresh material); x–a1. asexual morph from CMD at 22 °C; x. pycnidia; y. phialides and conidia; z–a1. conidia; b1. ascospore of Fenestella cf. fenestrata K(M) 233193 (t, v. in 3 % KOH). a–b, d–j, l–m, p–t, v, x, a1. WU 36988/CBS 144856 (C306); c, n–o, y–z. WU 36989 (C317); k, u, w. WU 36990. — Scale bars: a = 300 μm; b–c = 500 μm; d, h–w, y, b1 = 10 μm; e–g = 30 μm; x = 200 μm; z–a1 = 5 μm.

Fenestella crataegi (Niessl) Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, comb. nov. — MycoBank MB829741; Fig. 2

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Fig. 2

Fenestella crataegi. a–v. Sexual morph. a. Horizontal section through unevenly immersed ascomata; b–c. Immature ascomata immersed at the ostiolar levels of the Cytospora morph (b) and the Valsa morph (c); d. peridium in vertical section; e. subicular hyphae below vertically sectioned peridium; f–h. asci (in f young and opening); i. ascus apex surrounded by hamathecial threads; j–v. ascospores (j–n from fresh material; germinating in s–u); w–a1. asexual morph from CMD at 22 °C; w. pycnidia with conidial drops; x. pycnidial seta; y. phialides; z–a1. conidia (greyish olivaceous in a1) (g–h, v. in 3 % KOH). a–i, m, o–a1. WU 36987/CBS 144857 (C314); j–l, n. C287. — Scale bars: a–c = 300 μm; d–e, j–v, x = 10 μm; f–i = 25 μm; w = 150 μm; y–z = 5 μm; a1 = 3 μm.

Basionym. Cucurbitaria crataegi Niessl, Verh. Naturf. Vereins Brünn 10: 199. 1872.

Holotype. Czech Republic, near Brno, on dry branches of Crataegus oxyacanthae (used at that time for C. monogyna), no date given, G. Niessl (M-0281851). Epitype, here designated: Austria, Burgenland, Purbach, Purbacher Heide, on Cytospora sp. on a branch of Crataegus monogyna, soc. Diplodia sp., 24 Mar. 2018, H. Voglmayr (WU 36987; MBT385683; ex-epitype culture CBS 144857 = C314).

Ascomata (330–)368–507(–540) μm (n = 12) diam, globose, subglobose to pyriform, immersed in groups of 0.9–2.4 mm diam or length containing usually less than 10 individuals or solitarily above Cytospora (Valsa) ascomata or conidiomata in a single or two vertical layers, and erumpent from bark; ascomata individually surrounded by shiny, pale to dark brown, thick-walled, 2–6.5 μm wide subicular hyphae connecting them and sometimes forming pseudostromatic structures. Ostiolar areas 90–180 μm diam, black, poorly differentiated from the venter and inconspicuous, less commonly papillate. Peridium c. 20–75 μm wide, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of (3.5–)5.5–10(–14.5) μm (n = 30) wide cells, dark brown outside, gradually paler, larger and thinner-walled to the inside; the innermost layer ill-defined, variably comprising hyaline or pale brown compressed cells. Hamathecium consisting of numerous branched, 1–4 μm wide, apically free paraphyses. Asci (214–)245–295(–317) × (20–)22–26.7(–28) μm (n = 22), cylindrical to oblong or narrowly clavate, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with an ocular chamber, a short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing (4–)8 ascospores in (obliquely) uniseriate, sometimes partly biseriate arrangement; unstable in water, stable in 3 % KOH. Ascospores (31–)36.5–45.5(–54.5) × (11–)15–19.5(–23) μm, l/w (2–)2.2–2.6(–3) (n = 95), ellipsoid or broadly fusoid, with 11–14(–16) transverse and 2–4 longitudinal septa, constricted at the median or nearly median primary septum with upper part often wider than lower, thick-walled, first hyaline, turning yellowish, finally medium to dark brown, in 3 % KOH blackish brown; terminal part of terminal cells hyaline and broadly or narrowly rounded, projecting to c. 3.5 μm, becoming elongate upon germination.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 4 mm after 1 wk, 21 mm after 3 wk; colony circular, thick, dense, first white, turning greyish olive, dark grey-brown and finally black, slightly zonate, becoming velvety by aerial hyphae, odour indistinct. Pycnidia developing on and around the plug submerged in the agar to superficial, globose, c. 90–300 μm diam, olivaceous to black, aggregating and confluent to large masses; peridium pseudoparenchymatous, bearing hyaline to brown hyphae and dark brown thick-walled setae 10–50 × 1.5–5 μm; releasing conidia as whitish to olivaceous turbid drops. Phialides (4.5–)5.7–8.7(–11) × (1.5–)2.2–3.5(–4.2) μm (n = 30), lageniform, ampulliform or subcylindrical, sessile or on short few-celled conidiophores; conidia also formed on lateral pegs. Conidia (3.2–)3.5–4.7(–5.6) × (1.2–)1.4–1.8(–2.1) μm, l/w (1.8–)2.2–3.2(–4.3) (n = 51), cylindrical, oblong to ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline to pale greyish olivaceous, containing 2 subterminal drops, smooth.

Habitat — On Cytospora sp. (sexual and asexual morphs) on branches and twigs of Crataegus monogyna.

Distribution — Central Europe (Czech Republic, Austria).

Other materials examined. Austria, Burgenland, Purbach am See, Purbacher Heide, on branch of Crataegus monogyna, 4 Feb. 2017, H. Voglmayr (culture C287; specimen lost); Niederösterreich, Wolfsthal, grid square 7868/3, on corticated twigs of Crataegus monogyna, 1 Apr. 2000, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 1434 (WU 37020).

Notes — There are two specimens of Niessl labelled Cucurbitaria crataegi in M. Specimen M-0281852 contains a Parafenestella with ascospores (25–)26–30(–31) × (11.8–)12.3–14(–14.3) μm, recognised as P. austriaca (see below). It was collected in Rosenthal near Hütteldorf (Vienna, Austria), thus it cannot be type material. Specimen M-0281851 was collected at the type locality and contains a Diplodia (plus its botryosphaeriaceous sexual morph) in excess and a Massarina sp. (s.lat.) with bicellular hyaline ascospores. Also present are a few pycnidia on subiculum, containing rod-like unicellular hyaline conidia (3–)3.3–4(–4.4) × (1.2–)1.3–1.6(–1.8) μm, l/w 2.1–2.9(–3.7) (n = 30), on lageniform to subcylindrical phialides. This is presumably the asexual morph of C. crataegi. As the sexual morph is apparently used up and the specimen is depauperate, epitypification is essential. Von Niessl’s (1872) measurements of ascospores lies at the lower end of our measurements, but his illustrations strongly suggest that our material represents this taxon, therefore we stabilise this name by epitypification rather than describing a new species. He compared his fungus with C. acervata, of which he had not seen authentic material.

Fenestella gardiennetii Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829742; Fig. 3

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Fig. 3

Fenestella gardiennetii (WU 36986, CBS 144859 = FM). a–o. Sexual morph. a. Ascomata in face view; b. vertical section of ascoma on a Cytospora pseudostroma; c. peridium in vertical section; d. subicular hyphae; e. ascus apex; f–h. asci; i–o. ascospores (i. initial stage); p. conidia from CMD at 22 °C; (n–o. in 3 % KOH). — Scale bars: a = 300 μm; b = 500 μm; c–d, f–h = 25 μm; e, i–o = 10 μm; p = 5 μm.

Etymology. Named after its collector Alain Gardiennet.

Holotype. France, 21, Longvic, Arboretum, on Cytospora sp. on twigs of Acer saccharum, soc. Diplodia sp., 27 June 2013, A. Gardiennet (WU 36986; ex-type culture CBS 144859 = FM).

Ascomata (390–)405–565(–630) μm (n = 12) diam, depressed subglobose to globose, immersed in valsoid groups or in lines c. 0.7–2 mm long, also solitarily or in pairs, on and surrounded by subiculum on effete Cytospora sp.; ascoma apex mostly flat, black, sometimes partly covered by brown subiculum. Ostioles 55–150 μm diam, central, papillate to conical, black, periphysate. Subiculum consisting of subhyaline to dark brown, thick-walled, 2–6 μm wide hyphae. Peridium 20–75 μm, apically to 110 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of thick-walled, dark brown cells (5–)7.5–14(–17) μm (n = 45) diam becoming gradually lighter towards the interior, sometimes terminated inside by pale brown compressed cells. Hamathecium consisting of richly branched 1–3.5 μm wide threads in a gel matrix. Asci (176–)202–243(–263) × (20.5–)21–25.5(–30) μm (n = 25), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with an ocular chamber, a usually short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 4–8 ascospores in (obliquely) uniseriate, sometimes partly biseriate arrangement. Ascospores (34–)36.5–45(–49) × (13.5–)15–19(–22.5) μm, l/w (1.9–)2.2–2.6(–2.8) (n = 50), broadly ellipsoid to clavate, thick-walled, first hyaline with 1–4 main transverse septa, usually distinctly asymmetric with submedian primary septum and smaller lower part, developing additional septa and turning dark brown, when mature with 11–16 distinct transverse and 3–5 longitudinal septa, distinctly constricted at the primary septum; surface verruculose; ends of terminal cells concolorous or hyaline, often narrowed and projecting as 1–2 μm long apiculi; in 3 % KOH ascospores turning blackish brown when mature, apiculi remaining hyaline.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Ascospores germinating simultaneously from many cells. Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 10 mm after 1 wk, 35 mm after 4 wk; colony circular, thick and dense, first white, turning dull olivaceous brown to brownish grey from the centre, zonate; aerial hyphae forming loose greyish mesh; reverse dark grey to black; odour indistinct. Pycnidia formed after 4 d, mostly remaining submerged in agar and densely aggregated on and around the inoculation plug, globose, 120–210 μm diam, greenish, turning black; peridium pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of isodiametric cells with irregularly distributed dark brown pigment, surrounded by brown hyphae. Conidia amassing in pale greyish mucous drops, (3.3–)3.5–4.5(–5) × (1.1–)1.2–1.5(–1.7) μm, l/w (2–)2.5–3.4(–4.4) (n = 30), cylindrical, straight to slightly curved, 1-celled, smooth, containing 2 minute guttules.

Habitat — On Cytospora sp. (sexual and asexual morphs) on Acer saccharum.

Distribution — Europe (France), only known from the type locality; possibly occurring also in North America.

Notes — Fenestella gardiennetii may have travelled on its host from North America and may thus occur also there. It is closely related to F. granatensis, which occurs on Acer granatense and differs from the former by more distinctly clavate ascospores that are surrounded by a mucous sheath.

Fenestella granatensis Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829743; Fig. 4

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Fig. 4

Fenestella granatensis. a–r. Sexual morph (WU 36985). a. Cytospora (Valsa) pseudostroma with laterally inserted ascoma; b. vertical section of 3 ascomata sitting on a Cytospora (Valsa) ascoma; c. peridium in vertical section; d. subicular hyphae; e. free end of a paraphysis with sheath; f. apex of immature ascus; g–h. asci (immature in g); i–r. ascospores (i. initial stage; j–l. young; r. compressed); s–x. asexual morph (CBS 144854 (C279) from CMD at 22 °C); s. pycnidia; t–u. phialides; v–x. conidia (d, h, k–l. in 3 % KOH). — Scale bars: a = 500 μm; b = 300 μm; c–d, f, i–r = 10 μm; e, t–u = 5 μm; g–h = 20 μm; s = 150 μm; v–x = 3 μm.

Etymology. Referring to the place of its occurrence, Granada, and its host Acer granatense.

Holotype. Spain, Andalusia, Granada, La Zubia, Cerro del Trevenque, near the Jardín Botanico de la Cortijuela, elev. 1600 m, on Cytospora sp. on twig of Acer granatense, soc. Dictyoporthe sp., a melanommataceous fungus, and Myriangium durieui, 14 May 2014, W. Jaklitsch & S. Tello (WU 36985; ex-type culture CBS 144854 = C279).

Ascomata (330–)358–636(–900) μm (n = 20) diam, globose, depressed subglobose to subpyriform, immersed and erumpent through bark fissures, in valsoid groups of 1–10 typically around ostiolar necks of Cytospora (Valsa) ascomata, forming pustules 0.9–2 mm diam; individually surrounded by whitish to dark brown subiculum consisting of thick-walled, 2–7 μm wide hyphae. Ostiolar structures short-cylindrical, hardly noticeable on the surface or appearing as black dots 75–170(–210) μm diam; interior periphysate. Peridium c. 30–65 μm, apically to 100 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of thick-walled, dark brown cells (4.5–)6–11.5(–16) μm (n = 40) diam becoming gradually lighter towards the interior, sometimes terminated inside by pale brown compressed cells. Hamathecium consisting of numerous, richly branched, 1–3 μm wide, apically free paraphyses in a dense matrix. Asci (195–)222–265(–284) × (28.5–)31–34(–34.5) μm (n = 15), cylindrical, oblong or clavate, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with an ocular chamber, a usually short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 4–8 ascospores in (obliquely) uni- to biseriate arrangement. Ascospores (36.5–)43–53.5(–60) × (13–)17–22.5(–28.5) μm, l/w (1.9–)2.2–2.7(–3.4) (n = 100), clavate, fusoid to subellipsoid with the upper part always wider than the lower, when young hyaline to yellowish and with 1–7 transverse and 1–2 longitudinal septa, eventually dark brown, with 12–17 transverse and 4–5 longitudinal septa; usually slightly constricted at the nearly median primary septum; tips of end cells slightly lighter or concolorous; cells filled with oil drops, surface warted and appearing fissured; surrounded by a bipartite, 1–2 μm wide gelatinous sheath swelling in water and terminally fraying out at as variably shaped, appendage-like distortions or protuberances; in 3 % KOH blackish brown, primary septum appearing more distinct, other septa becoming less distinct, sheath swelling indefinitely. Pycnidia of the presumed asexual morph with minute rod-like hyaline unicellular conidia on lageniform to subulate phialides on filiform conidiophores also present between ostiolar necks of the Cytospora (Valsa) host.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 10–13 mm after 1 wk, 33 mm after 3 wk; colony circular, thick, dense, first white to yellowish, later turning dark olivaceous brown to dark grey, reverse black; aerial hyphae forming a dense brownish mat; odour indistinct. Pycnidia appearing after 4 d in the colony centre, numerous, separate or aggregating to larger complexes, globose, 150–270 μm diam, first hyaline to greenish, turning olivaceous to black; conidia becoming released in whitish turbid drops. Phialides sessile or formed terminally on cylindrical to globose intercalary cells, (2.7–)5–9(–11.3) × (1.5–)2.3–4(–5) μm (n = 20), lageniform, ampulliform to subglobose with a long neck. Conidia formed on phialides and lateral pegs, (3–)3.5–4.8(–6) × (1.4–)1.6–2.1(–2.7) μm, l/w (1.5–)2–2.7(–3.1) (n = 25), oblong, allantoid or narrowly ellipsoid, 1-celled, with usually 2 subterminal drops, smooth.

Habitat — On Cytospora sp. (sexual and asexual morphs) on Acer granatense.

Distribution — Europe (Spain), only known from the type locality.

Notes — Fenestella granatensis is easily recognisable by its clavate pleomassariaceous ascospores having a gelatinous sheath and by its host, Acer granatense. As with several other species of the fenestelloid clades, a few pycnidia are present on the fungal host; always discrete, globose and collapsing cupulate.

Fenestella media Tul. & C. Tul., Select. Fung. Carpol. (Paris) 2: 208. 1863. — Fig. 5

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Fig. 5

Fenestella media. a–m1. Sexual morph. a–c. Pseudostromatic pustules in face view (obliquely sectioned to expose ascomata in c); d–e. ascomata in vertical section (e. above peripheral Cytospora (Valsa) ascomata); f–h. peridium in vertical section; i. subicular hyphae; j–l. asci (j–k. young); m. apex of young ascus; n. section of hamathecium; o–m1. ascospores (o–u. initial and young stages; v–x. from fresh material; g1. germinating); n1–o1. asexual morph from CMD at 22 °C; n1. pycnidia; o1. conidia (f–g, j1–m1 in 3 % KOH). a, j, n, q. WU 36970 (FCO); b, h1. WU 36972 (FP3); c, f, i, l, s, e1, j1. lectotype of F. macrospora (G 00127659); d, v, w, c1, i1, k1, l1, n1, o1. WU 31641/CBS 144860 (FP); e, z, d1, g1. WU 36967; g, o, t, f1. holotype of F. media (PC 0706651); h, p. WU 15513; k, m, u. WU 36974 (FP10); r, m1. WU 36971 (FP1); x. WU 36973 (FP7); y. WU15069; a1. WU 36969; b1. WU 36968. — Scale bars: a–c = 500 μm; d–e = 300 μm; f–i = 20 μm; j–l = 25 μm; m–m1 = 10 μm; n1 = 100 μm; o1 = 5 μm.

Synonym. Fenestella macrospora Fuckel, Jahrb. Nassauischen Vereins Naturk. 25–26: 313. 1871.

Typification. Holotype of Fenestella media. France, Meudon (close to Versailles; in the protologue: circa Versalias), Mar. 1860, parasitizing the Cytospora state of Valsa salicis (as Cytospora fagaci (Bull.), salicicola) on Salix alba (PC 0706651); donated by L.R. Tulasne to PC in 1873. Another specimen extant in PC (PC 0706650) was collected in 1892, i.e., after its first description. The material of the holotype contains numerous effete Cytospora pseudostromata in bark and only few are infected by the Fenestella with small pustules containing c. 1–4 ascomata. Lectotype of Fenestella macrospora, here designated: Germany, Hessen, Oestrich-Winkel, Reichartshausen, on twigs of Corylus avellana, L. Fuckel (G 00127659, from Herbier Barbey-Boissier, Herbier Fuckel 1894; distributed as Fungi Rhenani 2328; MBT385684). Epitype of Fenestella media and F. macrospora, here designated: Austria, Kärnten, St. Margareten im Rosental, shrubs between the village and Stariwald, grid square 9452/4, on Cytospora sp. on Corylus avellana, soc. Fenestella subsymmetrica, 10 Jan. 2011, W. Jaklitsch (WU 31641; MBT385685, MBT385686; ex-epitype culture CBS 144860 = FP).

Pseudostromatic pustules 0.6–3.6 mm diam or long, with circular, elliptic or oblong outline, lenticular, subglobose or pulvinate, erumpent from bark and projecting to c. 0.6 mm, sometimes confluent to rows of up to 10 mm, often compact; surface convex, plane or with sunken centre, typically with a brittle, pale brown, less commonly yellow- or dark brown disc or crust due to condensed subiculum. Ascomata (330–)450–665(–780) μm (n = 40) diam, globose, subglobose to pyriform or distorted by mutual pressure, loosely or densely aggregated in one or two layers, connected by subiculum, also solitary on conidiomata or ascomata of the Cytospora host. Subiculum dense or scant, present at bases, sides and/or surface of ascomata, consisting of hyaline to dark brown, thick-walled, c. 2.5–6 μm wide hyphae merging into pseudoparenchyma of the outer peridium. Ostioles (90–)110–210(–270) μm (n = 47) diam, indistinct at the surface, sometimes discoid or papillate with plane or convex top and more or less circular outline, dark brown to black, often only visible upon injury showing the whitish interior; sometimes mixed with ostioles of the host. Peridium 20–90(–120) μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of a dark brown narrow outer and a highly variable glassy hyaline inner layer, the latter often thickened in upper regions particularly when young; cells more or less isodiametric, thick-walled, (4.5–)6–12(–19) μm (n = 110) diam; outermost layer darkening in 3 % KOH. Hamathecium consisting of often rather sparse, 1.5–2.5(–3) μm wide, branched and anastomosing ?paraphyses. Asci (185–)207–294(–328) × (18–)21–26.5(–28) μm (n = 32), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with an ocular chamber, a usually short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 8 ascospores in (obliquely) uniseriate, sometimes partly biseriate arrangement. Ascospores (30–)34.5–43.5(–53.5) × (12–)14–18(–21) μm, l/w (1.9–)2.2–2.7(–3.3) (n = 304), ellipsoid or broadly fusoid, thick-walled, first hyaline to yellowish with 1–5 transverse septa, asymmetric with submedian primary septum, developing additional septa, turning yellowish brown, when mature with often indistinct, 11–18 transverse and 3–6(–7) longitudinal septa, yellow- to golden brown when fresh, medium to dark brown when dried; surface verruculose; often upper part wider than lower; terminal cells concolorous or hyaline, often narrowed and projecting as 1–2 μm long apiculi, becoming longer (3–4 μm) when old; germinating from apiculi; in 3 % KOH ascospores turning olivaceous when young and dark to blackish brown when mature, apiculi remaining hyaline.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Ascospores germinating simultaneously from many cells. Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 23 mm after 4 wk; colony thick, dense, aerial hyphae forming dense white to pale grey mat on pale brown mycelium, sometimes turning citrine and citrine pigment diffusing into agar, centre turning black by crowded pycnidia amassing from 4 days, eventually entire colony brown, reverse grey, slightly zonate; odour indistinct. On MEA colony soon turning brown, numerous pycnidia formed. Pycnidia when formed usually covered by aerial hyphae, 120–210 μm diam, more or less globose, greyish brown to black, discrete, crowded, later fusing and forming clusters or irregular stromatic masses. Conidia forming whitish to brown turbid drops, (2.2–)3–4(–4.6) × (1–)1.3–1.6(–2) μm, l/w (1.4–)1.8–2.8(–3.9) μm (n = 70), oblong to narrowly ellipsoid, hyaline, 1-(rarely 2-)celled, smooth, with 1–2 subapical guttules.

Habitat — On Cytospora spp. (sexual and asexual morphs) on various deciduous trees and shrubs, particularly common on Corylus avellana.

Distribution — Europe, possibly North America; locally common in winter.

Other materials examined (all on Cytospora spp. on corticated twigs and branches): Austria, Kärnten, St. Margareten im Rosental, shrubs between the village and Stariwald, grid square 9452/4, on Corylus avellana, partly overgrown by Exidia sp., 24 Feb. 1992, W. Jaklitsch (WU 15069); ibid., on stem of Rubus idaeus, soc. ?Neocucurbitaria sp. (possibly on Apioporthe vepris), 31 Dec. 1994, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 412 (WU 36965); ibid., on Corylus avellana, 31 Dec. 1994, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 413 (WU 36966); ibid., on Corylus avellana, 7 Jan. 1994, W. Jaklitsch (WU 15513); ibid., on Corylus avellana, 24 Oct. 1993, W. Jaklitsch (WU 15786); ibid., on Acer pseudoplatanus, soc. Thyridaria sp. s.lat., 28 Dec. 2013, W. Jaklitsch (WU 36972; culture FP3); St. Margareten im Rosental, Gupf, grid square 9452/4, on Corylus avellana, soc. Massarina s.lat., 15 Apr. 1995, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 564 (WU 36967); Gupf, grid square 9452/2, on Corylus avellana, soc. Fenestella subsymmetrica, 8 Nov. 2013, W. Jaklitsch (WU 36971; culture FP1); Niederösterreich, Maissau, grid square 7460/2, on Corylus avellana, 26 Oct. 1995, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 764 (WU 36968); Mauerbach, close to the cemetery, grid square 7763/1, on Carpinus betulus, 28 Sept. 1996, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 964 (WU 36969); Oberösterreich, Schärding, Raab, Rothmayrberg, grid square 7648/1, on Corylus avellana, mostly immature, 5 Sept. 2009, H. Voglmayr (WU 32630); Wetzlbach, on Tilia cordata, 13 Aug. 2017, H. Voglmayr (WU 36971; culture FP10); Steiermark, Steinberg, on Castanea sativa, 3 Nov. 2015, H. Voglmayr & W. Jaklitsch (WU 36970; culture FP7). – Croatia, Istrija, NE Pula, near Krnica, on Carpinus orientalis, 25 Sept. 2010, H. Voglmayr (WU 36970; culture FCO).

Notes — This is one of three cryptic species difficult to identify morphologically. Characteristic for F. media is the asymmetric ascospore septation. See also notes under F. subsymmetrica and F. viburni. As the fungus is not specific for the plant host, we use a specimen on Corylus for epitypification. Fructifications of F. media can be found particularly in winter, after the Cytospora has become old. Size and development of pseudostromata vary considerably. The largest pseudostromata occur on Corylus and may be locally very common. In contrast to Barr (1990), who considered F. macrospora as a synonym of F. fenestrata (as F. princeps), F. macrospora is clearly a synonym of F. media. Nonetheless, morphological identification of some older, non-cultured and non-sequenced specimens here included under examined specimens is not always easy and therefore at least in part, tentative.

Fenestella parafenestrata Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829744; Fig. 6

Etymology. Referring to the close relationship with Fenestella fenestrata.

Holotype. Austria, Oberösterreich, Raab, Wetzlbach, on Cytospora (Valsa) sp. on a branch of Quercus robur, 24 Feb. 2018, H. Voglmayr (WU 36988; ex-type culture CBS 144856 = C306).

Ascomata (420–)460–610(–690) μm (n = 15) diam, globose, subglobose to pyriform, immersed in and erumpent from bark, solitary or in small groups of usually less than 10 individuals forming pustules 0.5–2.2 mm diam on and connected by subiculum on or associated with conidiomata or ascomata of Cytospora (Valsa) sp. in the ostiolar region of the latter. Pustule surface brownish by compacted subiculum or blackened by spore deposits. Ostiolar areas 90–240(–270) μm diam, dark brown, flat or convex disc-like or irregular, sometimes slightly papillate. Subiculum consisting of thick-walled, hyaline to greyish or dark brown, 2–7 μm wide hyphae merging with the outer peridial layer. Peridium 20–75 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of (5–)7.5–14(–16.5) μm (n = 37) wide cells, dark brown, gradually paler toward the interior, at the ostiole to 100 μm wide and paler with (sub-)hyaline cells toward the interior; inside compressed brownish cells present. Hamathecium consisting of numerous richly branched, 1–3 μm wide ?paraphyses. Asci (216–)241–320(–342) × (21–)23–27(–28) μm (n = 20), cylindrical, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with an ocular chamber, a usually short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 6–8 ascospores in (obliquely) uniseriate arrangement; unstable in water; biseriate rearrangement and long stipes generated by pressure. Ascospores (32–)41.5–52.5(–61) × (13–)15–19(–23) μm, l/w (2.1–)2.4–3.1(–3.6) (n = 100), ellipsoid with upper part usually broader than lower, constricted at the median to submedian primary septum, thick-walled, hyaline to yellowish and with 3–5(–8) transverse septa and 1 longitudinal septum when young, turning yellow-brown to dark brown and with 11–16(–20) transverse and 2–4 longitudinal septa; terminal cells concolorous or hyaline at the tips and often with 1–4 μm long acute apiculi; smooth, containing minute guttules; in 3 % KOH mature spores turning blackish brown. Pycnidia of the presumed asexual morph sometimes associated with ascomata on the natural host.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 8 mm after 1 wk, 26 mm after 4 wk; colony thick, dense, slightly zonate, white, turning cream to pale brownish, releasing bright yellow pigment diffusing into surrounding agar, centre turning olivaceous to dark brown due to pycnidia, surface velvety by a white to pale greyish or brownish mat of aerial hyphae; reverse yellow-brown, dark brown in the centre; odour indistinct to pleasant or leathery. Pycnidia appearing after 4 d below white aerial hyphae, (90–)150–330 μm diam, globose, black, first hyaline to greenish, turning olivaceous and eventually black, surrounded by brown hyphal appendages, numerous, tightly aggregated and fusing into stromatic masses to c. 2 mm diam with many ostioles releasing conidia as turbid whitish to olivaceous drops; peridium thin, pseudoparenchymatous. Phialides (4–)4.5–6.3(–6.6) × (1.8–)2–3.5(–4) μm (n = 12), sessile, subglobose to ampulliform to conical. Conidia (2.5–)3–4(–4.7) × (1–)1.1–1.5(–2) μm, l/w (1.9–)2.4–3.2(–3.9) (n = 65), cylindrical, oblong to suballantoid or narrowly ellipsoid, smooth, with 1–2 subterminal guttules.

Habitat — On Cytospora (Valsa) spp. on deciduous trees, confirmed for Quercus and Salix.

Distribution — Europe.

Other specimens examined. Austria, Burgenland, Mattersburg, Starembühl / Rosaliengebirge, on Cytospora (Valsa) sp. on attached twig of Quercus petraea, 1 Oct. 2001, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 1815 (WU 36990); Oberösterreich, Raab, Wetzlbach, on Cytospora (Valsa) sp. on a branch of Salix sp., 31 Mar. 2018, H. Voglmayr (WU 36989; culture C317).

Notes — This species is morphologically intermediate between F. fenestrata and the cryptic species F. media, F. subsymmetrica and F. viburni. See also notes under F. fenestrata.

Fenestella subsymmetrica Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829745; Fig. 7

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Fig. 7

Fenestella subsymmetrica. a–z. Sexual morph. a. Pseudostromatic pustule in face view; b–c. ascomata in vertical section (b. above Cytospora (Valsa) ascomata); d. peridium with subicular hyphae in vertical section; e, i–k. ascus apices (e. immature; i. from fresh material); f–h. asci (f. immature; g. from fresh material); l–z. ascospores (l–n. initial and young stages; o. from fresh material); a1–e1. asexual morph from CMD at 22 °C; a1. pycnidia; b1. phialides; c1–e1. conidia (e–f, h, j–k, n, z. in 3 % KOH). a, c, o, y. WU 36978 (FP4); b, d–f, h, j, k, m–n, u, x, z–e1. WU 36979/CBS 144861 (FP6); g, i, p, s–t. WU 36975; l, r, v. WU 36977 (C286); q. WU 36976 (C285); w. WU 36980 (FP8). — Scale bars: a–b = 500 μm; c, a1 = 200 μm; d, f–h = 25 μm; e, i–k, n–z = 10 μm; l–m, b1 = 5 μm; c1–e1 = 3 μm.

Etymology. Referring to the nearly symmetric shape of ascospores due to the submedian to median insertion of the primary septum.

Holotype. Austria, Vienna, 21st district, at Marchfeldkanalweg near Felix Slavikstraße, on/soc. Cytospora holomorph on Acer campestre, soc. Diplodia sp., Fusarium sp., 8 Nov. 2015, W. Jaklitsch (WU 36979; ex-type culture CBS 144861 = FP6).

Pseudostromatic pustules 0.7–3.4 mm wide or long, with circular, elliptic or oblong outline, subglobose or pulvinate, erumpent from bark, sometimes confluent; surface usually ill-defined and irregular, convex, plane or with sunken centre, often partly covered by bark fibres or brownish condensed subiculum, pale brown to nearly black. Ascomata (300–)370–600(–765) μm (n = 49) diam, subglobose to pyriform or distorted by mutual pressure, often obliquely oriented and convergent toward the pustule centre, loosely or densely aggregated in valsoid or ill-defined groups of up to c. 20 individuals on and connected by subiculum, sometimes fusing laterally, also solitary on conidiomata or ascomata of the Cytospora host in its ostiolar region. Subiculum present at bases, sides and/or surface of ascomata, consisting of mostly pale brown, thick-walled, 2.5–6(–7) μm wide hyphae. Ostiolar areas (75–)85–163(–180) μm (n = 10) diam, ill-defined, irregular, often only visible by spore deposits, sometimes roundish and slightly projecting, black. Peridium 20–80(–90) μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of a dark brown narrow outer and a glassy pale brownish to hyaline inner layer, the latter often thickened in upper regions particularly when young; cells more or less isodiametric, thick-walled, (3.5–)5.5–11(–15) μm (n = 82) diam; in 3 % KOH outermost layer turning blackish brown. Innermost part of the inner layer often slightly darker and of distinctly compressed elongate cells. Hamathecium consisting of numerous 1–3 μm wide, branched and anastomosing ?paraphyses. Asci (182–)207–302(–345) × (19–)21.5–25.5(–26.5) μm (n = 32), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with an ocular chamber, a usually short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 4–8 ascospores in (obliquely) uniseriate, sometimes partly biseriate arrangement. Ascospores (28–)34.5–44.5(–54.5) × (13–)15.5–19.5(–24.5) μm, l/w (1.8–)2–2.5(–2.9) (n = 201), broadly ellipsoid, oblong or broadly fusoid, thick-walled, first hyaline to yellowish with 1–4 transverse septa, asymmetric to subsymmetric, with submedian to median primary septum, developing additional septa, turning pale brown to olivaceous, when mature with distinct, 11–16(–18) transverse and 3–6 longitudinal septa and yellow- to golden brown when fresh, dark brown when dried; surface verruculose; often upper part wider than lower; terminal cells concolorous or hyaline, often narrowed and projecting as 1–2 μm long apiculi, becoming longer (3–5 μm) when old; germinating from apiculi; in 3 % KOH ascospores turning olivaceous when young and dark to blackish brown when mature, apiculi remaining hyaline.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Ascospores germinating simultaneously from many cells. Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 6 mm after 1 wk, c. 20 mm after 3–4 wk; colony white, centre turning black by pycnidia after 4 d, soon entire colony turning grey, brownish grey to olivaceous, margin often hyaline to white, covered by a white to pale grey mat of aerial hyphae; odour indistinct; no diffusing pigment formed. Pycnidia 120–240 μm diam, more or less globose, first hyaline to greenish, turning green to black, numerous, often concentrically and very densely arranged, spreading over entire colony or remaining in the centre; often covered by mats of aerial hyphae; conidia amassing in whitish to greenish turbid drops. Phialides 4.5–8 × 2–4 μm, lageniform to subglobose with a long neck. Conidia (3.2–)3.5–4.2(–4.5) × (1.1–)1.3–2(–2.3) μm, l/w (1.7–)1.9–3(–3.7) (n = 30), cylindrical, oblong to ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline, with 1–3 drops, smooth.

Habitat — On Cytospora spp. (sexual and asexual morphs) on various deciduous trees and shrubs.

Distribution — Europe, possibly North America; locally common in winter; sometimes co-occurring with F. media.

Other materials examined (all on or in pseudostromata of Cytospora spp. including their Valsa sexual morphs): Austria, Kärnten, St. Margareten im Rosental, Aussicht, grid square 9452/3, on branch of Corylus avellana, on Valsa morph, soc. Parafenestella sp., 8 Jan. 1994, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 91 (WU 15613); Gupf, grid square 9452/2, on Corylus avellana, soc. Fenestella media, 8 Nov. 2013, W. Jaklitsch (WU 36975; part of WU 36971); Niederösterreich, Bad Vöslau, Grossau, near Haidlhof, on old Cytospora holomorph on Salix caprea, 22 Feb. 2016, W. Jaklitsch & H. Voglmayr (WU 36980; culture FP8); Oberösterreich, Schärding, Raab, between Riedlhof and Großrotmayr, grid square 7647/2, on branch of Corylus avellana, 18 Mar. 2015, H. Voglmayr (WU 36978; culture FP4); Vienna, 22nd district, at AGES, Spargelfeldstraße 191, on Valsa morph on cut branches of Juglans regia; soc. Diaporthe sp., 25 Jan. 2017, R. Moosbeckhofer (WU 36976; culture C285); ibid., other tree of Juglans regia, 25 Jan. 2017, R. Moosbeckhofer (WU 36977; cultures C286, C286x).

Notes — Fenestella subsymmetrica is hardly distinguishable from F. media by morphology alone. Ascospores of F. subsymmetrica often tend to appear broader, with more distinct septa and a more median primary septum. However, individual specimens pose serious problems in morphological identification. For example, culture C286x derived from distinctly asymmetric ascospores of WU 36977 yielded ITS and LSU sequences, which are identical with those derived from symmetric ascopores. In cultures on CMD no pigment is formed. Mature asci are very unstable in water, therefore they were mostly measured and illustrated in 3 % KOH.

Fenestella viburni Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829746; Fig. 8

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Fig. 8

Fenestella viburni. a–q. Sexual morph. a. Ascomata in face view (inserted right and left in a Cytospora (Leucostoma) pseudostroma); b. ascomata above Cytospora (Leucostoma) ascomata in vertical section; c. peridium in vertical section; d–e. ascus apices; f–h. asci (f–g. from fresh material); i–q. ascospores (i–l. from fresh material; m. young); r–u. asexual morph from CMD at 22 °C; r. pycnidia and conidial drops; s. peridium in surface view; t–u. conidia. a, e, h, m, o, q. WU 36983 (FP2); b–c, f–g, i–l, r–u. WU 36984/CBS 144863 (FVL); d, n. WU 36982; p. WU 15341. — Scale bars: a–b, r = 300 μm; c–e, i–q = 10 μm; f–h = 25 μm; s = 15 μm; t–u = 3 μm.

Etymology. Owing to its occurrence on Viburnum spp.

Holotype. Austria, Niederösterreich, Wr. Neustadt, Markt Piesting, on the Hart N Piesting, grid square 8162/2, elev. 500 m, on Cytospora (Leucostoma) sp. on Viburnum lantana, 12 Oct. 2014, H. Voglmayr (WU 36982; ex-type culture CBS 144863 = FVL).

Ascomata (330–)390–600(–720) μm (n = 21) diam, subglobose to subpyriform, immersed singly or in small groups in the ostiolar region above ascomata or in conidiomata of Cytospora (Leucostoma) sp., less commonly forming pulvinate pseudostromatic pustules 0.7–2.5 mm diam with circular or oblong outline, in loose association with the fungal host, erumpent from bark. Subiculum individually surrounding ascomata and connecting them, consisting of thick-walled, pale to dark brown, 2–6 μm wide hyphae, sometimes condensed to brown crusts between ascomata. Ascomatal apices obtuse, brown, mostly 90–180 μm diam; ostioles 70–150 μm diam, usually inconspicuous, rarely papillate, black, sometimes whitish. Peridium 20–60 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of a dark brown narrow outer and a glassy pale brownish to hyaline inner layer; cells more or less isodiametric, thick-walled, (5–)7–13.5(–17) μm (n = 40) diam; innermost part of the inner layer of distinctly compressed brownish cells. Hamathecium consisting of numerous, 1–3 μm wide, branched and anastomosing ?paraphyses. Asci (247–)258–295(–312) × (19–)22–26(–29) μm (n = 34), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with an ocular chamber, a usually short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 8 ascospores in uniseriate arrangement. Ascospores (29–)38–46(–49.5) × (12.5–)15–18(–22) μm, l/w (2–)2.3–2.8(–3.1) (n = 193), ellipsoid or fusoid, sometimes distinctly pointed at the ends, asymmetric to subsymmetric, with submedian to median primary septum, first hyaline to yellowish, turning olivaceous, when mature yellow- to golden brown when fresh, dark brown when dried, with distinct 11–16 transverse and 3–6 longitudinal septa; surface verruculose; upper part often slightly wider than lower; terminal cells concolorous or terminally hyaline and projecting as minute, 1–2 μm long apiculi, becoming slightly longer when old; in 3 % KOH ascospores turning olivaceous when young and darker to blackish brown when mature, apiculi remaining hyaline.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Ascospores germinating simultaneously from many cells. Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 4 mm after 1 wk, 22 mm after 4 wk; colony thick, dense, white, turning grey or olivaceous grey with white margin, velvety by a dense whitish to greyish mat of aerial hyphae; odour indistinct. Pycnidia appearing after 5 d, globose, 90–250 μm diam, first hyaline to olivaceous, turning black, immersed to superficial, tightly aggregated or fusing in large numbers around the inoculation plug or spreading over the colony, often covered by aerial hyphae, releasing conidia in whitish turbid drops through ostioles lined by clavate hyaline marginal cells; peridium thin, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of thin-walled cells (4.5–)6.5–11(–14) μm (n = 30) diam. Phialides (3.8–)4.8–7.5(–8.2) × (1.7–)2.5–4(–4.2) μm (n = 10), crowded, lageniform to subglobose with long neck or subulate. Conidia (3.3–)3.5–5(–6.3) × (1.4–)1.7–2.3(–2.7) μm, l/w (1.6–)1.9–2.5(–3) (n = 32), cylindrical, oblong to ellipsoid, sometimes pinched, 1-celled, hyaline, with 2 subterminal drops, smooth.

Habitat — On Cytospora spp. (both morphs; sexual morph of the Leucostoma type) on Viburnum spp.

Distribution — Europe.

Other materials examined. Austria, Kärnten, St. Margareten im Rosental, Aussicht, grid square 9452/3, on Viburnum lantana, 8 Jan. 1994, W. Jaklitsch (WU 15341); shrubs between the village and Stariwald, grid square 9452/4, on Cytospora sp. on Viburnum opulus, 24 Dec. 1995, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 814 (WU 36982); Stariwald, grid square 9452/4, on Cytospora sp. on Viburnum lantana, 10 Jan. 1995, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 454 (WU 36981). – France, Aude, Belcaire, chemin du Traouc, elev. 1050 m, on Cytospora (Leucostoma) sp. on Viburnum lantana, 25 Oct. 2013, J. Fournier J.F.13212 (WU 36981; culture FP2).

Notes — Fenestella viburni is one of three cryptic species, morphologically most closely related to F. subsymmetrica, but difficult to differentiate. In individual specimens ascospores tend to be distinctly pointed terminally. Formation of pseudostromatic pustules is less pronounced and asci are more stable in water than with F. media and F. subsymmetrica. Pustules are difficult to assess, as they are usually produced basically by its Leucostoma host. Older, not sequenced specimens from Viburnum spp. are added tentatively to the list above.

Neocucurbitaria Wanas. et al., Mycosphere 8: 408. 2017, emended by Jaklitsch & Voglmayr in Jaklitsch et al. (2018)

Type species. Neocucurbitaria unguis-hominis (Punith. & M.P. English) Wanas. et al.

Notes — Neocucurbitaria juglandicola is not host-specific, as it has been recently collected on Quercus rubra, too. Cultured and sequenced material: Austria, Oberösterreich, St. Willibald, Große Sallet, on a branch of Quercus rubra, 30 Mar. 2018, H. Voglmayr (WU 36984; culture C316).

Neocucurbitaria subcaespitosa (G.H. Otth) Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, comb. nov. — MycoBank MB829747; Fig. 9

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Fig. 9

Neocucurbitaria subcaespitosa. a–e. Ascomata in face view; f–l. ascospores (i–l. in 3 % KOH). a, d–e, i–l. WU 36991; b–c, f–h. Cucurbitaria subcaespitosa holotype B 700016481. — Scale bars: a–e = 300 μm; f–l = 5 μm.

Basionym. Cucurbitaria subcaespitosa G.H. Otth, Mitth. Naturf. Ges. Bern 711–744: 103. 1871 ‘1870’.

Synonym. Fenestella subcaespitosa (G.H. Otth) M.E. Barr, Ann. Univ. Turku., A II 55: 14. 1974.

Lectotype, here designated: Switzerland, near Bern, on twigs of Sorbus aria, without date, G.H. Otth (B 700016481; transferred from Münster in 1936; MBT385687). On the label Otth noted that he retained this material as No. 10, a rather bad but perhaps not entirely useless part of No. 90. He might have sent No. 90 to Nitschke for inspection. No additional material is extant in B, but according to R. Berndt (pers. comm.) Otths’ material was transferred from Bern to Z, where a part of the type may be present but is currently not accessible. For this reason we designate B 700016481 as lectotype.

Ascomata (300–)354–550(–600) μm (n = 20) diam, more or less globose, immersed-erumpent from bark, loosely aggregated on subiculum in valsoid groups or in rows or firmly united by greyish or brown subiculum forming pseudostromatic pustules 0.5–2.6 mm diam of various shapes containing up to c. 10 ascomata; ascomata also solitary and glabrous or individually covered by brown, crust-like subiculum. Ostioles (60–)95–186(–210) μm (n = 21) diam outside, papillate, or cylindrical and projecting to c. 210 μm, sometimes apically flattened, circular, angular or substellate in section, shiny black, whitish inside when injured. Asci cylindrical, bitunicate, containing 8 ascospores in uniseriate arrangement. Ascospores (20–)21.5–26(–29.5) × (8–)9–11.5(–14) μm, l/w (1.9–)2.1–2.6(–2.9) (n = 81), ellipsoid, with (4–)5–7(–9) distinct transverse and 1–2 longitudinal septa, distinctly constricted at the median primary septum, less distinctly at other septa, pale brown when immature, dark brown when mature, ends rounded, concolorous, surrounded by a narrow hyaline perispore swelling in KOH to 2 μm.

Habitat — On dead partly corticated twigs of Sorbus aria.

Distribution — Europe.

Other material examined. Austria, Kärnten, St. Margareten im Rosental, Schwarzgupf, grid square 9452/4, on branch of Sorbus aria, 25 May 1997, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 1072 (WU 36991).

Notes — In both studied specimens ascomata are overmature, and only fragments of asci allowing interpretations of ascus shape and ascospore arrangement. Our material was neither cultured nor sequenced, therefore relegation to Neocucurbitaria is tentative but strongly suggested by the morphology, particularly based on features of ascomata, ascospores and ostioles (compare Jaklitsch et al. 2018). Barr (1990) incorrectly synonymised this species with Cucurbitaria sorbi without having seen type material and anticipated occurrence on several Sorbus spp. in Europe and North America. However, N. subcaespitosa seems to occur only on Sorbus aria.

Parafenestella Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, in Jaklitsch et al., Stud. Mycol. 90: 108. 2018

Type species. Parafenestella pseudoplatani Jaklitsch & Voglmayr.

Parafenestella alpina Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829748; Fig. 10

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Fig. 10

Parafenestella alpina. a–r. Sexual morph. a. Ascomata in face view; b. vertical section of young ascoma above the perithecial host and one ascoma in horizontal section; c. vertical section of laterally fused ascomata surrounded by subiculum; d–f. asci; g. peridium of laterally fused ascomata in vertical section; h–i. ascus apices (h. immature); j. paraphysis tip near immature ascus apex; k–r. ascospores (k. young; q, r. aberrant); s–v. asexual morph from CMD at 22 °C; s. pycnidia and conidial drops; t–u. phialides; v. conidia (h, j, o. in 3 % KOH). a–m, p–v. WU 36997/CBS 145263 (C198); n–o. WU 36998 (C249). — Scale bars: a–c, s = 200 μm; d–g = 20 μm; h, j, r = 10 μm; i, k–q, v = 7 μm; t–u = 5 μm.

Etymology. For its occurrence in subalpine to alpine regions.

Holotype. Austria, Osttirol, Prägraten am Großvenediger, Wallhorn, Bodenalm, elev. c. 2000 m, on dead attached twigs of Cotoneaster integerrimus, soc. Cytospora (Leucostoma morph) sp., Discostroma sp. (in excess), Mollisia sp., cf. Nigrograna sp., cf. Teichospora sp., 18 June 2015, W. Jaklitsch & H. Voglmayr (WU 36997; ex-type culture CBS 145263 = C198).

Ascomata (180–)240–375(–450) μm (n = 22) diam, globose, subglobose or pyriform, usually tightly aggregated in bark on a perithecial host fungus in small numbers and connected by subhyaline to dark brown, thick-walled, 2–5 μm wide subicular hyphae, dark brown to black; tightly packed ascomata sometimes covered by a brown to black, densely packed mesh of subicular hyphae and ejected ascospores. Ostiolar areas (53–)60–105(–135) μm (n = 12) diam, slightly papillate, rounded, black. Peridium 15–70 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of isodiametric cells (4–)5–9.5(–12) μm (n = 30) diam, outside moderately thick-walled and dark brown, paler to hyaline in upper regions and thinner-walled to the inside; confluent with tightly appressed ascomata. Hamathecium consisting of numerous 0.5–1 μm (to 2.5 μm in 3 % KOH) wide, branched paraphyses with free ends. Asci (143–)170–208(–227) × (18–) 18.5–21.5(–24.5) μm (n = 25), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with a truncate ocular chamber, a short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 6–8 ascospores in uniseriate arrangement. Ascospores (19–)24–30.5(–35) × (10.5–)12–14(–15.5) μm, l/w (1.4–)1.8–2.4(–2.9) (n = 73), typically ellipsoid to fusoid, often inequilateral, very variable in shape and size, from subglobose to clavate or lower part elongated fusoid, first with 1–5 main septa, constricted at the more or less median primary septum, developing (7–)8–12(–15) transverse and (2–)3–4 longitudinal septa, with upper part often broader, first hyaline to yellowish, turning medium to dark brown, blackish brown when old; ends concolorous; in 3 % KOH turning pale olivaceous when young and dark to blackish brown when mature or old.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Ascospores germinating simultaneously from many cells. Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 8 mm after 1 wk, 25 mm after 3 wk, 38 mm after 5 wk; colony dark grey to olivaceous, centre darker; aerial hyphae long, white, forming an initially loose later dense mesh above the colony; odour indistinct. Pycnidia 75–170 μm diam, (sub-)globose, papillate with a pale opening, numerous, first appearing after 3 d, hyaline, turning greenish, olivaceous to black, mostly immersed, partially erumpent, solitary and in firm packs, spreading from the centre; conidia emitted as whitish turbid drops. Peridium thin, pseudoparenchymatous, olivaceous, surrounded by subhyaline submoniliform hyphae. Phialides 4.8–7.5(–9.3) × 2–3.5(–4.4) μm (n = 14), sessile, varying from subglobose over ampulliform and lageniform to subulate. Conidia (3.4–)3.7–4.3(–4.6) × (1–)1.1–1.4(–1.5) μm, l/w (2.6–)2.9–3.7(–3.9) (n = 24), cylindrical to allantoid, less commonly narrowly ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline with 2 small drops, smooth.

Habitat — On perithecial fungi on Cotoneaster integerrimus and Salix appendiculata.

Distribution — Central Europe (Austria).

Other materials examined. Austria, Steiermark, Deutschlandsberg, Koralpe, at the parking place of the walking path to the Grünanger- and Bärentalhütte; N46°49′44″ E15°00′56″, elev. c. 1540 m; on dead attached twigs of Salix appendiculata, soc. effete Plagiostoma sp., Plenodomus hendersoniae (in excess), 6 May 2016, G. Friebes (WU 36998; culture C249).

Notes — Due to the rough climate in (sub)alpine regions, asci and ascospores are often aberrantly developed. The fungal host of P. alpina may be Cytospora, but due to the many other fungi that are present on the specimens, this is uncertain.

Parafenestella austriaca Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829749; Fig. 11

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Fig. 11

Parafenestella austriaca. a–y. Sexual morph. a. Ascomata in face view and in vertical section; b. subicular hyphae; c. peridium in vertical section; d–f. asci (d. young, 4-spored); g. periphysis; h–i. ascus apices; j–y. ascospores (j–n. immature; y. germinating); z–d1. asexual morph from CMD at 22 °C; z. phialide; a1–d1. conidia. (d–f, h–i, l, n–o, s, u–x, z. in 3 % KOH). a–l, n–q, s–v, y–d1. WU 37014/CBS 145262 (C152); m, r, w, x. M 0281852. — Scale bars: a = 250 μm; b, g–h, x–y = 10 μm; c–f = 20 μm; i–w = 7 μm; z–b1 = 5 μm; c1–d1 = 3 μm.

Etymology. For its occurrence in Austria.

Holotype. Austria, Oberösterreich, Schärding, St. Willibald, Geitzedt, grid square 7648/1, on branch of Rosa canina, 19 Mar. 2015, H. Voglmayr (WU 37014; ex-type culture CBS 145262 = C152).

Ascomata (270–)295–412(–450) μm (n = 10) diam, subglobose to pyriform, immersed-erumpent from bark, scattered or aggregated in small valsoid groups, often on an effete perithecial fungus, laterally collapsing from above, basally and laterally surrounded by subhyaline to dark brown, thick-walled, 2–5 μm wide, smooth to verruculose subicular hyphae turning olivaceous in 3 % KOH. Ostiolar area (60–)75–128(–150) μm (n = 17) diam, convex or papillate with rounded opening, black. Peridium 15–85 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of isodiametric cells (3.5–)4–10(–14.5) μm (n = 40) diam, outside thick-walled and dark brown, paler to hyaline in upper regions and thinner-walled to the inside; darkening in 3 % KOH. Hamathecium consisting of numerous 1–2.5 μm wide, branched ?paraphyses in a gel matrix. Asci (150–) 159–205(–237) × 16–19.5(–24.2) μm (n = 33), cylindrical, bi-tunicate, fissitunicate, with a distinct ocular chamber, a short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 4–8 ascospores in uniseriate arrangement. Ascospores (25–)27–32.5(–38.2) × (12–)13–15(–16.5) μm, l/w (1.9–)2–2.3(–2.6) (n = 87), broadly ellipsoid with usually broadly rounded ends and upper part often wider, constricted at the median or slightly supra- or submedian primary septum, with 9–13(–14) distantly spaced transverse including v-septa in end cells and 3–4(–5) longitudinal septa, first hyaline to yellowish, with 1–3 main septa, turning yellowish brown, finally medium to dark brown or dark reddish brown with concolorous, sometimes paler to hyaline ends; surface appearing verruculose; in 3 % KOH wall appearing smooth, interior containing numerous minute droplets, turning greenish to yellow-green when immature, dark to blackish brown when mature.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 7–8 mm after 1 wk, 16 mm after 2 wk, 26–27 mm after 23 d; colony first white, soon turning greyish olivaceous to greyish brown; aerial hyphae forming a dense mesh above the colony hiding pycnidia; reverse dark grey to black; odour indistinct. Pycnidia c. 100–200 μm diam, subglobose with papillate to cylindrical ostioles, first appearing after 3 d, hyaline, turning greenish, olivaceous to black, mostly immersed, scattered to densely aggregated, covered by aerial hyphae; conidia emitted as whitish turbid drops. Peridium thin, pseudoparenchymatous, olivaceous. Phialides (3.5–)4.2–7(–8.2) × (1.5–)2–3.2(–3.8) μm (n = 16), sessile or formed on short, 1–2 celled conidiophores, varying from subglobose over ampulliform and lageniform to subulate. Conidia (3–)3.5–4.2(–5) × 0.9–1.5(–2) μm, l/w (2.1–)2.6–3.7(–4.2) (n = 50), cylindrical to allantoid, less commonly narrowly ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline, with 2 small drops, smooth; produced on phialides and pegs. After a few transfers no pycnidia formed.

Habitat — Associated with perithecial fungi on Rosa canina and possibly Crataegus monogyna.

Distribution — Central Europe (Austria).

Notes — Von Niessl’s Austrian collection from Crataegus in Rosenthal bei Hütteldorf, Vienna (M-0281852; as Cucurbitaria crataegi Niessl) is morphologically indistinguishable and therefore apparently this species. As we have not seen type material of Cucurbitaria rosae G. Winter & Sacc. (none is present in W), its concept is unclear, but its protologue suggests that it may be a synonym of C. acervata. However, a fungus matching the description of that species in the sense of Mirza (1968) was found not belong to the Cucurbitariaceae. Another species described from Rosa is Cucurbitaria occulta Fuckel, with ascospores 16 × 8 μm having 4–5 transverse and 1 longitudinal septa. Its type material (Germany, Hessen, Oestrich, Oestricher Wald, erumpent on Rosa canina in the spring, Fuckel (G 00266382; Fungi rhenani 1279, from Herbier Boissier, labelled Agyrium nitidum Lib.) contains a drawing with a cylindrical ascus 102 × 13 μm with 8 uniseriate ascospores, one ellipsoid, with 5/1 septa, 16 × 8 μm and bark fragments containing the asexual fungus Agyriella nitida as black gelatinous drops producing masses of cylindrical to allantoid, 1-celled hyaline conidia on ampulliform phialides, a Cytospora (Valsa morph) sp. and a Diplodia sp. No sexual morph matching C. occulta was found. Fuckel (1870) interpreted the Agyriella as asexual morph of his C. occulta. For comparison with other Parafenestella spp. on Rosaceae see notes under P. rosacearum.

Parafenestella faberi (J. Kunze) Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, comb. nov. — MB829750; Fig. 12

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Fig. 12

Parafenestella faberi. a–b. Ascomata in face view (with superficial subiculum in b); c–e. asci; f. ascoma above Cytospora (Valsa) ascomata in vertical section; g–h. peridium in vertical section (g. from side; h. from top); i–j. ascus apices; k–z. ascospores (k. immature; l, q. surface view) (e, q–w, y–z. in 3 % KOH; h, o. in lactoglycerol (from slides prepared by R. Phookamsak). a, c–d, f, h–i, o, q–y. lectotype GZU; b, e, g, j–n, p, z. WU 37022. — Scale bars: a–b, f = 200 μm; c–e, g–h = 15 μm; i, q, u–w, y–z = 10 μm; j–p, r–t, x = 7 μm.

Basionym. Fenestella faberi J. Kunze, Fung. Sel. Exs., Cent. 3: no. 263. 1879.

Synonyms. Fenestella mackenziei Wanas. et al., Mycosphere 8: 407. 2017b.

Parafenestella mackenziei (Wanas. et al.) Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, in Jaklitsch et al., Stud. Mycol. 90: 109. 2018.

Lectotype of Fenestella faberi, here designated. Germany, Sachsen-Anhalt, Mansfeld-Südharz, Eisleben, Oberrißdorf, on dead corticated sticks of Rosa canina, Sept. 1878, J. Kunze (GZU, Inv No. 226, Digi Bota ID 365656; Joannes Kunze, Fungi Selecti exsiccati, ex museo botanico berolinensi; as Thyridium faberi J. Kunze, nom. nud.; MBT385688). No type material is extant in B, therefore the material in GZU, which was originally received from B, may be the only available type specimen.

Ascomata (240–)300–450(–480) μm (n = 14) diam, subglobose to pyriform or subconical, black, tightly or loosely aggregated in small numbers in more or less valsoid configuration below blackened epidermis on inner bark or among ostiolar necks of Cytospora (Valsa) sp., partly erumpent through bark fissures, surrounded and connected by hyaline to brown, thick-walled, 2–4.5 μm wide subicular hyphae; sometimes subiculum also forming brown discs c. 0.2–1 mm diam at the bark surface. Ostiolar areas 50–180 μm diam, inconspicuous, appearing as black dots or blunt black papillae. Peridium 15–70 μm thick, thickest around the ostiole, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of (4–)5.5–10.5(–14.5) μm (n = 54) wide cells, outside thick-walled and very dark brown textura angularis with encrusted pigment, gradually paler to hyaline and thinner-walled to the inside, partly terminated at the inner side by a compressed layer of pale brown longish cells; cells more isodiametric at upper levels and sometimes vertically elongated at the sides; in 3 % KOH turning dark olivaceous to dark brown. Hamathecium consisting of numerous 1–3 μm wide, branched ?paraphyses. Asci (110–)135–180(–200) × (15.5–)18.5–23.5(–26) μm (n = 22), cylindrical to oblong or narrowly clavate, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with a distinct ocular chamber, a short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 4–8 ascospores in uniseriate to partly biseriate arrangement. Ascospores (23.5–)28.5–36(–42) × (11–)12.5–16(–17.5) μm, l/w (1.9–)2.1–2.5(–2.8) (n = 103), ellipsoid, sometimes fusoid, with upper part broader than lower, first hyaline, with 1–4 main septa, turning pale or yellowish brown, eventually dark brown, reddish brown in herbarium material, with 7–12(–14) transverse and 1–3(–5) longitudinal septa, slightly constricted at the median to submedian primary septum; end cells broadly or narrowly rounded, concolorous except for a truncate to convex hyaline terminal part of their walls; in 3 % KOH turning olivaceous to grey-brown; surface slightly verruculose.

Other material examined. Austria, Osttirol, Prägraten am Großvenediger, Umbalfälle, grid square 8939/4, on Cytospora (Valsa) sp. on a branch of Rosa canina, soc. Diplodia sp., 28 Aug. 2000, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 1539 (WU 37022).

Notes — Although ascospore size of Parafenestella faberi is in the range of P. austriaca and P. rosacearum (see below), its ascospores are unique due to the hyaline terminal wall of the terminal cells and a uniform shape. Ascospore septa appear rather distant in surface view, but dense in sectional view due to strong superposition. Ascospore size varies slightly among ascomata and specimens. We found the largest ascospores in the isotype, and they were even up to 34.7 × 12.4 μm in the slides prepared by R. Phookamsak. We synonymise P. mackenziei with P. faberi here, as we do not see a difference between them. The authors did not compare their new species with Fenestella faberi, although the latter was redescribed by Phookamsak & Hyde (2015); in illustrations of Wanasinghe et al. (2017b) up to 12 transverse septa including incomplete ones are discernible. We give only a morphological account of this species here, as our material was not cultured and sequenced.

Parafenestella germanica Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829751; Fig. 13

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Fig. 13

Parafenestella germanica. a–v. Sexual morph (WU 37017). a. Ascomata and subiculum in face view; b. ascoma above Diaporthe ascomata in vertical section; c–f. asci (2-, 3-, 4- and 8-spored); g. peridium in vertical section; h. seta-like subicular hypha; i. ascus apex; j–v. ascospores (j–k. immature); w–z. asexual morph in culture (CBS 145267 (C307) from CMD at 22 °C); w. pycnidia; x–y. phialides; z. conidia (d, h–i, u–v. in 3 % KOH). — Scale bars: a–b, w = 150 μm; c–g = 15 μm; h–i, o–v = 10 μm; j–n = 7 μm; x–z = 5 μm.

Etymology. For its occurrence in Germany.

Holotype. Germany, Baden-Württemberg, Hornberg, Am Rubersbach, on Diaporthe decedens on a branch of Corylus avellana, soc. ?Cosmospora sp. and a dothideomycete with minute muriform spores, 18 Feb. 2018, K. Pätzold, comm. B. Wergen (WU 37017; ex-type culture CBS 145267 = C307).

Ascomata (195–)230–450(–570) μm (n = 12) diam, globose to subglobose, laterally collapsing from above, black, solitary or in small groups on inner bark or on the ostiolar level of old Diaporthe decedens, individually surrounded and connected by hyaline to dark brown, thick-walled, 1.5–6.5 μm wide subicular hyphae with often swollen and sometimes forked attachment cells, near the ostiole often short with rounded ends (blunt setae). Ostiolar areas c. 60–160 μm diam, indistinct or slightly papillate, rounded, black, sometimes convergent in clustered ascomata. Peridium 10–60 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of (4–)5.5–10.5(–13.5) μm (n = 32) wide cells, outside thick-walled and dark brown, paler to hyaline and thinner-walled to the inside. Hamathecium consisting of numerous 1–3 μm wide, branched ?paraphyses; in 3 % KOH swelling to c. 6 μm when old. Asci (128–)140–173(–193) × (17–)17.5–22(–24.5) μm (n = 25), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with a distinct ocular chamber, a short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 2–8 ascospores in (obliquely or overlapping) uniseriate arrangement. Ascospores (25.5–)29–39.5(–47) × (11–)13–16.5(–19) μm, l/w (1.9–)2.1–2.5(–2.7) (n = 70), ellipsoid to broadly fusoid, symmetric, with the upper part often broader, first hyaline, with 1–3 main septa, more or less constricted at the median or slightly eccentric primary septum, turning yellow to yellow-brown and finally dark brown when mature, with often broadly rounded, paler to hyaline end cells, sometimes larger terminal parts paler than the middle, with (8–) 9–13(–15) transverse and 3–6 longitudinal septa; in 3 % KOH turning dark to blackish brown, end cells remaining hyaline.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark up to 10 mm after 1 wk, 18 mm after 2 wk, 25 mm after 3 wk; colony first hyaline to whitish, dense, turning olivaceous, later greyish brownish due to a thick mat of aerial hyphae, surface and reverse becoming zonate; reverse dull grey to dark greyish olivaceous; odour indistinct. Pycnidia appearing after 4 d, immersed to erumpent, c. 70–200 μm diam, more or less globose, first hyaline, turning olivaceous to black, with whitish conidial drops. Peridium thin, pseudoparenchymatous, olivaceous. Phialides (3.2–)4.7–7.5(–9) × (1.7–)2–3(–4) μm (n = 30), sessile, sub-globose to lageniform. Conidia (3.2–)3.5–4.3(–4.7) × (1.1–) 1.2–1.4(–1.6) μm, l/w (2.5–)2.7–3.4(–3.8) (n = 50), oblong to ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline, with 1–2 minute drops, smooth; also produced on pegs present below phialides. After a few transfers no pycnidia formed.

Habitat — On Diaporthe decedens on Corylus avellana.

Distribution — Central Europe (Germany), only known from the type locality.

Notes — Parafenestella germanica is phylogenetically closely related to P. pseudoplatani but has distinctly larger ascospores than the latter species.

Parafenestella parasalicum Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829752, Fig. 14

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Fig. 14

Parafenestella parasalicum. a–x. Sexual morph (WU 37006). a. Ascomata in face view and in obliquely vertical section; b. peridium and subiculum hyphae in vertical section; c. hamathecium; d, i. ascus apices; e–h. asci (f. partially developed); j–x. ascospores (j, m. immature); y–c1. asexual morph in culture (CBS 145271 (C318) from CMD at 22 °C); y. pycnidia and conidial drops; z–c1. conidia; d–e, j–l. from fresh material; x. in 3 % KOH. — Scale bars: a = 300 μm; b, e–h = 20 μm; c–d, i–x = 10 μm; y = 100 μm; z–c1 = 3 μm.

Etymology. Para = at, near; the epithet refers to the close phylogenetic relationship with P. salicum.

Holotype. Austria, Niederösterreich, Marchauen, Drösing, village area, on branch of Salix cinerea, on/soc. Cytospora (Valsa) sp., 7 Apr. 2018, H. Voglmayr (WU 37006; ex-type culture CBS 145271 = C318).

Ascomata 270–400 μm diam, globose, subglobose or pyriform, black, immersed in bark in the ostiolar region of Cytospora (Valsa morph) or on inner bark, scattered, in valsoid configuration or in rows in small numbers, forming groups 0.5–1.7 mm diam, individually surrounded or connected by pale to dark brown, thick-walled, 1.5–6 μm wide subicular hyphae, the latter widened up to 10 μm at the connection to the peridium; inconspicuous at the bark surface, becoming visible in fissures. Ostiolar areas (70–)75–138(–160) μm (n = 10) diam, flattened, con-vex or slightly papillate, shiny black, often mixed with minute pycnidia. Peridium 15–50 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of isodiametric cells (3.5–)5.5–11(–14) μm (n = 30) diam, outside thick-walled and very dark brown, paler brown to hyaline and thinner-walled toward the inner side and there also with some brownish compressed elongate cells; darkening in 3 % KOH. Hamathecium consisting of numerous, 1–4 wide, branched ?paraphyses. Asci (176–)185–219(–239) × (20–)22–27(–30) μm (n = 12), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with an ocular chamber, a short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 4–8 ascospores in (overlapping, obliquely) uniseriate to partly biseriate arrangement. Ascospores (33.5–)36–44(–49.5) × (14.5–)15.8–19.3(–22.2) μm, l/w (2–)2.1–2.4(–2.6) (n = 44), fusoid or ellipsoid, first hyaline and 2-celled, developing 2 additional main septa, turning yellowish to yellow-brown and finally dark brown and eventually with 11–16 distinct and densely inserted transverse and 3–5 longitudinal septa; constricted at the primary septum, with the upper part usually broader and often longer than the lower; ends usually broadly rounded, concolorous, sometimes papillate and paler to hyaline, smooth, containing numerous minute droplets; in 3 % KOH turning dark to blackish brown.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 7–8 mm after 1 wk, 22 mm after 22 d; colony first pale to medium grey, turning dark olivaceous grey, centre black; aerial hyphae long, white, forming a loose, later dense and thick mesh above the colony; reverse dark grey to black; odour indistinct. Pycnidia c. 45–100 μm diam, (sub-)globose, papillate, first appearing after 3–4 d, hyaline, turning dark olivaceous, mostly immersed, spreading from the centre, solitary or in firm small packs, with whitish turbid conidial drops. Peridium thin, pseudoparenchymatous, olivaceous, surrounded by olivaceous, partly submoniliform hyphae. Phialides (4–)4.2–6.2(–7) × (1.8–)2.2–3.5(–4) μm (n = 16), sessile, varying from subglobose over ampulliform or lageniform to subulate. Conidia (3.3–)3.6–4.4(–4.8) × (1–)1.1–1.5(–1.8) μm, l/w (2.2–)2.6–3.4(–4.1) (n = 24), cylindrical to allantoid, less commonly narrowly ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline with 2 small drops, smooth.

Habitat — On both morphs of a Cytospora (Valsa) sp. on Salix cinerea.

Distribution — Central Europe (Austria), only known from the type locality.

Notes — Parafenestella parasalicum is phylogenetically and morphologically close to P. salicum, but differs from the latter by larger ascospores.

Parafenestella pseudosalicis Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829753; Fig. 15

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Fig. 15

Parafenestella pseudosalicis (WU 37016/CBS 145264 (C301)). a. Ascomata in bark fissures; b. apically depressed ascoma in oblique face view and in vertical section; c. ascoma in vertical section; d. peridium in vertical section; e–g. asci (e. 4-spored, spore part); h–i. ascus apices (h. immature); j–v. ascospores (j–l. immature; m. immature and mature mixed) (e–i, k–l, t–v. in 3 % KOH). — Scale bars: a = 300 μm; b = 200 μm; c = 100 μm; d, i = 10 μm; e–g = 20 μm; h, j–v = 7 μm.

Etymology. Pseudo = false; the epithet denotes phylogenetic distinctness from P. salicis despite morphological similarity.

Holotype. Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivsk region, Kosiv district, National Nature Park ‘Hutsulshchyna’ (Carpathians), on twigs of Salix cf. alba, soc. Cytospora sp., cf. Keissleriella sp., 5 Aug. 2017, A. Akulov (WU 37016; ex-type culture CBS 145264 = C301).

Ascomata (270–)300–400(–420) μm (n = 11) diam, subglobose to subpyriform, solitary or loosely or tightly aggregated in small numbers, immersed in bark or on ascomata of an effete perithecial fungus, often with concave apex, individually surrounded or connected by rather scant subhyaline to dark brown, thick-walled, 2–5.5 μm wide subicular hyphae. Ostiolar areas (53–)60–116(–142) μm (n = 10) diam, indistinct and inconspicuous, concave or papillate, black. Peridium 15–55 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of isodiametric cells (3.5–)4–8(–12) μm (n = 32) diam, outside thick-walled and dark brown, slightly paler and thinner-walled toward the inner side; darkening in 3 % KOH. Hamathecium consisting of numerous, 1–4 wide, branched ?paraphyses. Asci (180–)186–215(–220) × (17–)17.5–19(–19.5) μm (n = 10), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with an ocular chamber, a short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 4–8 ascospores in uniseriate arrangement. Ascospores (23–)25–29(–32) × (11–) 12–14(–15) μm, l/w (1.9–)2–2.3(–2.7) (n = 41), ellipsoid, first hyaline to yellowish, with 1–3 main septa, turning yellow-brown to dark brown, developing 7–10(–11) transverse and 2–4 longitudinal septa, distinct in surface view, in section difficult to count due to oblique superposition; constricted at the median primary septum, upper part often wider, ends concolorous, wall smooth, contents with minute guttules; in 3 % KOH turning very dark to blackish brown, yellow-green to greyish brown when immature.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 6–7 mm after 1 wk, 15–16 mm after 2 wk; colony first hyaline to whitish, thick, dense, turning olivaceous from the centre, becoming grey to greyish brown due to a dense whitish to greyish villose mat of aerial hyphae; reverse dark grey to black; odour indistinct. No asexual morph detected.

Habitat — Associated with a perithecial fungus (probably Cytospora, Valsa morph) on Salix cf. alba.

Distribution — Europe, only known from the type locality in Ukraine.

Notes — Parafenestella pseudosalicis is morphologically similar to P. salicis, but differs from that species by a more regular, symmetric ascospore shape and more longitudinal septa being visible in surface view. Also, colonies on CMD tend to be more distinctly brown than with other species from Salix, which are more grey, and no asexual morph was produced in culture. However, as the species is based on a single species, further material would be necessary to evaluate its natural variation.

Parafenestella rosacearum Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829754; Fig. 16

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Fig. 16

Parafenestella rosacearum. a–y. Sexual morph. a–b. Ascomata in face view; c. ascoma in vertical section; d–h. asci (d–e. from fresh material; f. immature); i. basal peridium in vertical section; j. immature ascus apex and apically free paraphysis; k–l. ascus apices (k. from fresh material); m–y. ascospores (m–o. immature; p–s. from fresh material); z–b1. asexual morph from CMD at 22 °C; z–a1. phialides; b1. conidia (j, n. in 3 % KOH). a, c, f, z–b1. WU 37010/CBS 145268 (C309); b, d–e, i–k, p–s, y. WU 37013 (FP11); g, t, w. WU 37008 (C269); h, v. WU 37009 (C283); j, n. WU 37007 (C203); l, m, u, x. WU 37012 (FM1); o. WU 37011 (C315). — Scale bars: a–b = 250 μm; c = 150 μm; d–g = 25 μm; h–i = 15 μm; j, q–r, u–y = 10 μm; k–p, s–t = 7 μm; z–b1 = 5 μm.

Etymology. For its occurrence on various species of Rosaceae.

Holotype. Austria, Vienna, 22nd district, Spargelfeldstraße, on ?Diaporthe sp. on a branch of Pyracantha coccinea, soc. Diplodia sp., 25 Jan. 2018, R. Moosbeckhofer, comm. B. Wergen (WU 37010; ex-type culture CBS 145268 = C309).

Ascomata (270–)285–432(–510) μm (n = 42) diam, globose, subglobose to subpyriform, dark brown to black, immersed on often blackened inner bark or at the ostiolar level of Cytospora spp. or other perithecial fungi, scattered or in small groups, erumpent through bark fissures, laterally and basally loosely or tightly connected by hyaline to pale brown, less commonly dark brown, thick-walled, 2–5 μm wide subicular hyphae. Ostiolar areas (53–)73–125(–150) μm (n = 47) diam, inconspicuous or papillate to short-cylindrical, sometimes depressed when immature, sometimes mixed with slender ostiolar necks of the host or often by pycnidia of its presumed asexual morph. Peridium 15–50 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of isodiametric cells (2.7–)4–8(–12) μm (n = 30) diam, outside thick-walled and dark brown, paler to hyaline and thinner-walled to the inside; darkening in 3 % KOH. Hamathecium consisting of numerous 1–3, basally to 5 μm wide branched paraphyses with free ends. Asci (150–)181–240(–290) × (17–)19–22(–24) μm (n = 59), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with a distinct ocular chamber, a short, sometimes contorted stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing (2–)4–8 ascospores in uniseriate, rarely partly biseriate arrangement. Ascospores (23.3–)28–35(–44.5) × (11–)13.5–16.5(–19.5) μm, l/w (1.7–)1.9–2.2(–2.6) (n = 230), ellipsoid, symmetric to inequilateral, constricted at the more or less median primary septum, initially hyaline to yellowish, with 1–3 main septa, developing (7–)9–13(–15) transverse and 2–4(–5) longitudinal septa and turning yellow-brown, pale-, medium- to dark brown, ends broadly rounded and concolorous, less commonly narrowly rounded and slightly paler, surface appearing slightly verruculose; in 3 % KOH turning olivaceous when young, blackish brown when mature.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Ascospores germinating simultaneously from many cells. Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 7–9 mm after 1 wk, up to 18 mm after 2 wk, 35 mm after 5 wk; colony first hyaline, turning greyish olivaceous, dense, usually becoming thick and pale grey by a dense mesh of white aerial hyphae, long remaining pale greyish brownish olivaceous, finally darkening; reverse dark grey to black; odour indistinct. Pycnidia appearing after 4 d, c. 80–200 μm diam, more or less globose, olivaceous, often numerous, aggregated, immersed in the agar and usually completely covered by a dense mat of aerial hyphae, with whitish conidial drops. Peridium thin, pseudoparenchymatous, brown to olivaceous, surrounded by submoniliform hyphae. Phialides (2.7–)4.7–8.2(–9.7) × (2–)2.5–4(–5.2) μm (n = 25), sessile, varying from subglobose over ampulliform or lageniform to subulate; conidia also formed on lateral pegs below phialides. Conidia (3–)3.5–4.2(–4.8) × (1.1–)1.2–1.5(–1.7) μm, l/w (2–) 2.5–3.3(–4.1) (n = 55), cylindrical or oblong, less commonly ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline, with 1–3 drops, smooth.

Habitat — Associated with Cytospora spp. and other perithecial fungi on various species of Rosaceae, recorded from Crataegus, Prunus, Pyracantha, Pyrus, Rosa and Sorbus aria.

Distribution — Central Europe (Austria).

Other materials examined. Austria, Burgenland, Purbach, Purbacher Heide, on Cytospora sp. on a branch of Rosa canina, 24 Mar. 2018, H. Voglmayr (WU 37011; culture C315); Siegendorf, Königschüssel, on effete perithecia of ?Diaporthe sp. on Crataegus monogyna, 18 Sept. 2016, W. Jaklitsch & H. Voglmayr (WU 37008; culture C269); Niederösterreich, Ulrichschlag, on Cytospora sp. on an attached branch of Pyrus communis, soc. Diplodia sp., 11 July 2015, W. Jaklitsch & H. Voglmayr (WU 37007; culture C203); Oberösterreich, Schärding, Raab, Wetzlbach, on a branch of Prunus domestica, soc. diverse fungi including a Botryosphaeria sp., 2 Dec. 2017, H. Voglmayr (WU 37013; culture CBS 145272 = FP11); Steiermark, N Rein, Kaschsteig, on a branch of Sorbus aria, 30 June 2018, G. Friebes (WU 37023; culture C320); Ratten, Kirchenviertel, vlg. Kirchenberger, beim ‘Dörrofen’, on a branch of Pyrus communis, soc. Acanthostigma sp., ‘Cucurbitaria acervata’, a perithecioid fungus with yellow muriform ascospores and diverse pycnidia, 6 Jan. 2017, R. Moosbeckhofer (WU 37009; culture C283); Vienna, 21st district, at Marchfeldkanalweg near Felix Slavikstraße, on Cytospora sp. on a branch of Rosa canina, soc. Calosphaeria sp., Massarina sp., 8 Nov. 2015, W. Jaklitsch (WU 37012; culture FM1).

Notes — As deduced from the protologue, P. rosacearum may be what Saccardo (1884) termed Cucurbitaria delitescens *prunorum. However, we have not seen type material and a varietal name is not binding. Parafenestella rosacearum is a complex species. In spite of splitting into two or three groups in multigene analyses (see Fig. 1), we recognise a single species, because there are no morphological differences among those groups and particularly due to the following observations: tef1 sequences of C203 and C283 are identical and tef1 of C309 is nearly identical with them, whereas rpb2 sequences of C203, C315, FM1 and FP11 are virtually identical, while those of C269 and C283, which are identical, differ from the first group by c. 20 nucleotides. This finding was verified by repetition of DNA amplifications and sequencing. Species of Parafenestella on Rosaceae, particularly on Rosa spp., are difficult to distinguish morphologically; ascospores of P. faberi are characteristic due to their often truncate hyaline terminus of the end cells, and P. austriaca differs from P. rosacearum by a rather invariable ascospore shape. In both of the latter species ascospore end cells are rounded, slightly projecting and may be only diffusely paler to hyaline.

Parafenestella salicis (Rehm) Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, comb. nov. — MycoBank MB829755; Fig. 17

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Fig. 17

Parafenestella salicis. a–v. Sexual morph. a. Ascomata in face view; b. ascoma in oblique view and in vertical section; c–g. asci (c. from fresh material); h. peridium in vertical section; i–j. ascus apices (i. young); k–v. ascospores (k–l. immature / young; m–p. from fresh material); w–a1. asexual morph from CMD at 22 °C; w. pycnidia; x–y. phialides and short conidiophores; z–a1. conidia (g, v. in 3 % KOH). a–f, h, j–k, s, w–a1. WU 37002/CBS 145270 (C313); g, r. K(M) 251618; i, l–n. WU 37003 (C311); o–p, u. WU 37001 (C303); q. part of WU 37015; t, v. C. marchica holotype B 700016516. — Scale bars: a–b, w = 250 μm; c–h = 20 μm; i, k–v = 7 μm; j = 10 μm; x–a1 = 5 μm.

Basionym. Thyridium salicis Rehm, in Thümen, Beiträge zur Pilzflora Sibiriens IV, Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 55 (1–4): 218. 1880.

Synonyms. Fenestella salicis (Rehm) Sacc., Syll. Fung. (Abellini) 2: 330. 1883.

Cucurbitaria marchica Kirschst., Ann. Mycol. 34: 186. 1936.

Typification. According to the herbarium curator of LE, Dr. Olga Morozova, comm. Dr. Eugene Popov, there is only a younger specimen of the original collector, N. Martianov, but not the type, extant in LE. Also, no type material has been found in other herbaria. Therefore we here propose a neotype for Thyridium salicis: Austria, Niederösterreich, Marchegg, on Cytospora (Valsa) sp. on branchlets of Salix alba, soc. a coniothyrium-like fungus, 17 Mar. 2018, H. Voglmayr (WU 37002; MBT385689; ex-neotype culture CBS 145270 = C313).

Ascomata (255–)275–442(–510) μm (n = 20) diam, globose, subglobose to pyriform or subconical, black, immersed below the epidermis on inner bark or in the ostiolar region of Cytospora (Valsa) sp., scattered or tightly or loosely aggregated in valsoid or irregular configuration, partly erumpent through bark fissures, surrounded laterally and basally and connected by subhyaline to medium brown, thick-walled, 2–5 μm wide subicular hyphae. Ostiolar areas (35–)55–118(–180) μm (n = 22) diam, usually indistinct, sometimes papillate, rounded or apically flattened or compressed and furrowed, black. Peridium 20–80 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of (4–)6–13(–18) μm (n = 30) wide cells, outside thick-walled and very dark brown, gradually paler and thinner-walled to the inside. Hamathecium consisting of numerous, 1–3.5 μm wide, branched ?paraphyses; when old widened up to c. 6 μm and submoniliform at their bases. Asci (131–)141–188(–220) × (14.8–)16–19(–21.5) μm (n = 33), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with a distinct ocular chamber, a short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing (1–)4–8 ascospores in (obliquely) uniseriate to partly biseriate arrangement. Ascospores (20.5–)23–29(–34) × (10–)11–13.5(–15) μm, l/w (1.5–)1.9–2.3(–2.7) (n = 152), ellipsoid to fusoid, slightly to distinctly constricted at the more or less median primary septum, often also at other septa, symmetric to inequilateral, first hyaline to yellowish, with 1–3 main septa, turning bright or golden yellow to yellow-brown (when fresh), eventually dark brown, with (5–6–)7–10(–11) transverse and (1–)2–3 longitudinal septa, the former often with oblique superposition in section, the latter often forming parallel lines; ends broadly rounded and concolorous, less commonly narrowly rounded and only rarely hyaline immediately before germination, smooth. Often tightly accompanied by the presumed asexual morph forming pycnidia with minute cylindrical to allantoid, 1-celled, hyaline conidia.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 9–11 mm after 1 wk, 22 mm after 2 wk; colony dense, first hyaline, turning olivaceous and later pale to dark grey owing to aerial hyphae; reverse dark grey to black; odour indistinct to sour. Pycnidia appearing after 3 d, c. 80–200 μm diam, numerous, immersed, partially erumpent, scattered or tightly aggregated to confluent in small numbers, globose or subglobose, papillate, olivaceous to black, with whitish to greyish conidial drops, partly covered by aerial hyphae, surrounded by olivaceous to brown hyphae. Peridium thin, pseudoparenchymatous, olivaceous. Phialides (4.3–)5.3–9(–10.5) × (1.8–)2–3(–3.8) μm (n = 22), subglobose to subcylindrical, sessile or formed on short conidiophores; conidia also formed on pegs. Conidia (3.2–)3.7–4.5(–5.2) × (1–)1.1–1.5(–1.7) μm, l/w (2.1–)2.7–3.6(–4.2) (n = 64), cylindrical to allantoid, sometimes narrowly ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline, with 1–2 subterminal drops, smooth.

Habitat — On both morphs of Cytospora (Valsa) sp(p). on Salix spp.

Distribution — Europe (Austria, Germany, UK), Russia, etc.

Other materials examined. Austria, Niederösterreich, Orth, on Cytospora (Valsa) sp. on branchlets of Salix alba, soc. Diplodia sp., 3 Feb. 2018, H. Voglmayr (WU 37001; culture C303); same area, on Cytospora sp. on branches of Salix alba, soc. Coniothyrium sp., Parafenestella salicum (removed as WU 37004), 10 Mar. 2018, W. Jaklitsch & H. Voglmayr (WU 37003). – Germany, Westhavelland, Quermathen bei Großbehnitz, Löffelpfuhl, on branches of Salix cinerea, 4 Nov. 1935, W. Kirschstein (B 70 0016516; holotype of Cucurbitaria marchica). – Uk, England, Kew, on twigs of Salix cinerea, apparently on Plagiostoma sp., May 1887, no collector given (K-M 251618).

Notes — Judging on the specimens we have seen, P. salicis is the most common species of the genus on Salix spp. and occurs often together with other Parafenestella species. Counting of ascospore septa in sectional view is particularly difficult in this species, due to conspicuous superposition; they differ from those of P. salicum and P. parasalicum in less and more widely spaced septa and from the latter also by size. Ascospores are often inequilateral and often slightly constricted at other than the primary septum, traits not seen with P. pseudosalicis. Like with other species, mature ascospores are often dark reddish brown in herbarium material.

Other species/names described on Salix: Cucurbitaria salicina was described from Salix fragilis and S. triandra with ascospores measuring 22 × 9 μm having 4–5 transverse septa and 1 longitudinal septum. The holotype (Germany, Oestrich, L. Fuckel, G 00127757, ex Herbier Barbey-Boissier, Nassau’s Flora. 6) does not contain a sexual morph but numerous pycnidia with camarosporium-like conidia and a Diplodia sp. Cucurbitaria cinerea, described from Salix aurita, is Discostroma corticola, according to Brockmann (1976). Cucurbitaria rubefaciens, described from Salix caprea, does not belong to the Cucurbitariaceae (unpublished results).

Parafenestella salicum Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829756; Fig. 18

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Fig. 18

Parafenestella salicum. a–t. Sexual morph. a. Ascomata in face view; b, g. ascomata in oblique view and in vertical section (detached in g); c–f. asci (c. from fresh material; d. young; e. early stage on the left side); h. peridium in vertical section; i. subicular hyphae; j–k. ascus apices; l–t. ascospores (l–m. from fresh material); u–y. asexual morph from CMD at 22 °C; u. pycnidia; v. submoniliform hyphae; w. peridium in face view; x. phialides; y. conidia. a–g, i–r, u–y. WU 37004/CBS 145269 (C311); h, s–t. WU 37005. — Scale bars: a–b, g = 150 μm; c–f, h = 20 μm; i–k, p–q, v–w = 10 μm; l–o, r–t = 7 μm; u = 300 μm; x–y = 5 μm.

Etymology. For its occurrence on species of Salix.

Holotype. Austria, Niederösterreich, Orth, on thin branches of Salix alba, soc. effete Cytospora sp., Massarina sp., Parafenestella salicis (removed as WU 37003) and effete Plagiostoma sp., 10 Mar. 2018, W. Jaklitsch & H. Voglmayr (WU 37004; ex-type culture CBS 145269 = C311).

Ascomata (270–)280–375(–420) μm (n = 11) diam, globose, subglobose or pyriform, black, laterally collapsing, immersed in bark over a perithecial host fungus or firmly connected to the inner bark layers, scattered or aggregated in small numbers in valsoid groups, connected by subhyaline to dark brown, thick-walled, 1.5–5 μm wide subicular hyphae. Ostiolar areas 85–200 μm diam, inconspicuous at the bark surface, roundish to longish, black, often apically flattened, sometimes concave or papillate; sometimes accompanied by pycnidia of the putative asexual morph. Peridium 15–65 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of (3.5–)6–10(–12.5) μm (n = 40) wide cells, outside thick-walled and very dark brown and forming a narrow layer, gradually paler to hyaline and thinner-walled to the inside, terminated by a narrow layer of brownish compressed cells. Hamathecium consisting of numerous 1–3.5(–4) μm wide, branched ?paraphyses. Asci (172–)181–228(–246) × (17.5–) 19.5–24(–28) μm (n = 20), cylindrical, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with a distinct ocular chamber, a short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 6–8 ascospores in (overlapping) uniseriate arrangement. Ascospores (22.5–)27–33(–40) × (11–)12.5–16(–18) μm, l/w (1.7–)1.9–2.3(–2.5) (n = 110), broadly ellipsoid to broadly fusoid with broadly rounded ends or one end narrowly rounded, upper part often slightly wider, not or slightly constricted at the median primary septum, first 2-celled and hyaline, turning golden yellow to golden brown, eventually dark brown or dark reddish brown, ends concolorous, only rarely slightly paler and sometimes slightly projecting, with 9–13(–14) transverse and 3–4 longitudinal septa; smooth. Presumed asexual morph forming pycnidia at the apices or sides of ascomata, c. 70–150 μm diam, more or less globose, with masses of oblong, allantoid to narrowly ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline conidia typically containing two drops.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Ascospores germinating simultaneously from many cells. Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 5–7 mm after 1 wk, 16 mm after 2 wk, 18 mm after 27 d; colony pale brownish to pale greyish brown, covered by a dense and thick mat of aerial hyphae; reverse dark grey; odour indistinct to unpleasant. Pycnidia appearing after 3 d, numerous, immersed, partially erumpent, 80–180 μm diam, solitary, in lines or tightly aggregated in small numbers, globose, subglobose or vertically elongated, papillate, greenish, olivaceous to black, with narrow periphyses in the ostiole; conidial drops whitish to greyish. Peridium thin, pseudoparenchymatous, an olivaceous textura angularis of (6.5–)8.5–14.5(–19) μm (n = 30) wide cells; surrounded by submoniliform hyphae. Phialides (4–)4.5–6.2(–7.3) × (1.5–)1.8–3.5(–4.7) μm (n = 20), sessile, subglobose, ampulliform, lageniform to subcylindrical. Conidia (3.3–)3.5–4(–4.5) × (0.9–)1.1–1.6(–2) μm, l/w (1.9–)2.4–3.4(–4.1) (n = 42), cylindrical to allantoid, sometimes nar-rowly ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline, with 2 subterminal drops, smooth.

Habitat — On thin branches of Salix alba, presumably on both morphs of a Cytospora (Valsa) sp.

Distribution — Europe (Austria).

Other material examined. Austria, Vienna, 22nd district, Lobau, Panozzalacke, grid square 7865/1, on thin branches of Salix alba, soc. effete Cytospora sp., Keissleriella holmiorum, 8 Feb. 1997, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 1015 (WU 37005).

Notes — Parafenestella salicum differs from P. salicis by larger asci, larger, particularly broader ascospores with a larger number of septa. While phylogenetically closely related to P. parasalicum, P. salicum differs from that species by smaller ascospores, although some old aberrant ascospores may approach those of P. parasalicum in size. The fungal host of P. salicum is not unequivocally clear. As is usual in the Cucurbitariaceae, ascospores are more reddish brown in herbarium material.

Parafenestella tetratrupha (Berk. & Broome) Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, comb. nov. — MycoBank MB829757; Fig. 19

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Fig. 19

Parafenestella tetratrupha. a–y. Sexual morph. a. Ascomata and subiculum in face view; b. cluster of ascomata in conidioma of Melanconis alni (grey patches at bottom and left are host conidia); c. young ascomata in conidioma of Melanconis alni; d–h. asci (f. upper part, partially developed, apically opening); i. ascomatal setae; j. peridium in vertical section (showing host conidia); k–m. ascus apices; n–y. ascospores (n. immature); z–c1. asexual morph from CMD at 22 °C; z. pycnidia and conidial drops; a1. phialide and basal peg; b1–c1. conidia (d–e, i–j, m, r, x–y. in 3 % KOH). a, d–e, i, l–m, w, y. WU 37000; b, g–h, s–v, x. Valsa tetratrupha holotype K-M 251617; c, f, j, n–o. Fenestella minor holotype PC 0706652; k, p–r, z–c1. WU 36999/CBS 145266 (C304). — Scale bars: a–c, z = 200 μm; d–e, g–j = 20 μm; f, k–m, o–q, t–v, y = 10 μm; n, r–s, w–x = 7 μm; a1–c1 = 5 μm.

Basionym. Valsa tetratrupha Berk. & Broome, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. III, 3: 366. 1859.

Synonyms. Fenestella tetratrupha (Berk. & Broome) Sacc., Syll. Fung. (Abellini) 2: 326. 1883.

Fenestella minor Tul. & C. Tul., Select. Fung. Carp. 2: 207. 1863.

Holotype. Uk, England, North Somerset, Batheaston, on conidiomata of Melanconis alni on twigs of Alnus sp. (probably A. glutinosa), Feb. 1852, C.E. Broome (K-M 251617, as Fenestella minor written on the outer, Sphaeria tetratrupha on the inner label). Epitype of Fenestella minor and Valsa tetratrupha, here designated: Austria, Kärnten, St. Margareten im Rosental, village area, at the brook Tumpfi, on conidiomata of Melanconis alni on a branch of Alnus glutinosa, partly overgrown by Fusarium/Cosmospora (s.lat.) sp., 4 Feb. 2018, W. Jaklitsch (WU 36999; MBT385691, MBT385690; ex-epitype culture CBS 145266 = C304).

Ascomata (240–)300–500(–630) μm (n = 31) diam, globose, subglobose or pyriform, immersed in the ostiolar region of Melanconis alni conidiomata singly or in more or less valsoid groups with often convergent ostiolar necks, tightly or loosely aggregated in whitish to dark brown subiculum, forming pustules c. 0.5–2.3 mm depending on the size of the host, projecting up to 0.6 mm from the bark surface. Pustules pulvinate, causing small bumps in elevated bark, erumpent through fissures, outline circular, elliptic or elongate, surface obtuse, dark brown to black, often partly covered by brown subiculum consisting of subhyaline to dark brown, thick-walled, 1.5–6 μm wide hyphae, mixed with dark brown, pointed, thick-walled, up to 60 μm long and 2–6 μm wide setae on the ascomatal surface. Ostiolar areas 70–186(–270) μm (n = 17) diam, inconspicuous or papillate, sometimes eccentric and convergent, rounded or flat and angular, brown to black, whitish inside, often mixed with shiny black ostiolar necks of the host. Peridium 15–100 μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of isodiametric cells (4–)6–11(–13.5) μm (n = 30) diam, outside moderately thick-walled and dark brown, paler and thinner-walled to the inside. Hamathecium consisting of numerous 0.5–3.5 μm wide branched ?paraphyses. Asci (141–)154–229(–294) × (16.8–) 18.5–22.2(–26) μm (n = 50), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with a truncate ocular chamber, a short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 2–8 ascospores in uniseriate arrangement. Ascospores (19–)26.5–33.5(–39) × (10–)13–16.5(–18) μm, l/w (1.7–)1.9–2.3(–2.8) (n = 120), ellipsoid with broadly rounded ends or upper end narrowly rounded, sometimes broadly fusoid, first hyaline, with 1–3 main septa, turning yellow to yellow- or pale brown and finally reddish brown to dark brown with concolorous, rarely paler ends and 8–14(–17) distinct transverse and 2–4 longitudinal septa; constricted at the median primary septum and upper part often slightly wider; surface finely verruculose; in 3 % KOH becoming dark olivaceous to blackish brown.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Ascospores germinating simultaneously from many cells. Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 9 mm after 1 wk, 27 mm after 24 d; colony olivaceous, but in face view appearing pale grey to greyish brown due to a thick and dense mat of whitish aerial hyphae; reverse dark grey; odour indistinct. Pycnidia c. 100–200 μm diam, subglobose, olivaceous, completely covered by aerial hyphae, scattered, immersed, partly erumpent, with whitish conidial drops; spreading from the centre. Peridium thin, pseudoparenchymatous, olivaceous. Phialides (3.5–)4.5–6.7(–7.5) × (1.7–)2.2–4(–4.2) μm (n = 21), sessile, varying from subglobose over ampulliform and lageniform to subulate; conidia also formed on lateral pegs. Conidia (3.2–)3.5–4.3(–6) × (0.9–)1–1.2(–1.4) μm, l/w (2.8–)3.2–4.1(–4.7) (n = 50), cylindrical to allantoid, rarely narrowly ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline, with 2 small drops, smooth.

Habitat — On or in conidiomata of Melanconis alni on Alnus glutinosa.

Distribution — Europe (Austria, France, UK).

Other materials examined. Austria, Kärnten, St. Margareten im Rosental, village area, at the brook Tumpfi, grid square 9452/4, on conidiomata of Melanconis alni on a branch of Alnus glutinosa, 17 Dec. 1994, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 377 (WU 37000). – France, Chaville, on conidiomata of Melanconis alni on Alnus glutinosa, soc. Cytospora sp., Apr. 1860, L.-R. Tulasne (PC 0706652, holotype of Fenestella minor; donated to PC in 1873 as Sphaeria fenestrata deminuta in herb).

Notes — The fungal host of P. tetratrupha is clearly Melanconis alni, usually present as asexual morph and easily identifiable by the white central stromatic column and the brown conidia having a pale median band. Conidia of the host are present directly below ascomata in all studied specimens and usually adhere in masses to the peridium. The holotype of Fenestella minor has scant and mostly immature material, whereas the holotype of Valsa tetratrupha has well-developed ascomata with mostly 8-spored asci, although 4-spored asci are given in the protologue. The number of ascospores in the ascus depends much of the developmental condition of ascomata.

Parafenestella vindobonensis Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829758; Fig. 20

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Fig. 20

Parafenestella vindobonensis. a–e1. Sexual morph (WU 37015). a–b. Ascomata in face view; c–d. ascomata in vertical section (with subicular disc in c; on Valsa ascomata in d); e–g. asci (note paraphysis in e); h. peridium in vertical section; i. aged hamathecium; j–m. ascus apices (immature in j–l); n–e1. ascospores (n–o. immature); f1–l1. asexual morph in culture (CBS 145265 (C302) from CMD at 22 °C); f1. pycnidia; g1–h1. phialides; i1–l1. conidia (e–g, j–n, y–e1. in 3 % KOH). — Scale bars: a–d = 250 μm; e–h = 20 μm; i, q, s–v, e1 = 10 μm; j–p, r, w, x–d1, g1–h1 = 7 μm; f1 = 150 μm; i1–l1 = 3 μm.

Etymology. For its occurrence in Vienna, Austria.

Holotype. Austria, Vienna, 21st district, Wasserpark, on Cytospora sp. on Salix babylonica, soc. Massarina sp., Parafenestella salicis and a pycnidial fungus with fusoid, hyaline, 1-celled conidia, 27 Jan. 2018, W. Jaklitsch (WU 37015; ex-type culture CBS 145265 = C302).

Ascomata (240–)308–425(–450) μm (n = 13) diam, globose, subglobose or pyriform, black, immersed in bark, partially erumpent, forming more or less valsoid groups in usually loose connection by hyaline to dark brown, thick-walled, 2–5 μm wide subicular hyphae or entirely covered by subiculum, sometimes tightly aggregated in small groups on inner bark and on conidiomata and pseudostromata of a Cytospora sp., partly blackening inner bark. Ostiolar areas (70–)75–145(–160) μm (n = 11) diam, indistinct or papillate, black, rounded or angular in section. Peridium 15–65(–80) μm thick, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of (4–)5–10(–12) μm (n = 40) wide cells, outside thick-walled and dark brown, paler and slightly thinner-walled to the inside. Hamathecium consisting of numerous 1–3 μm wide, branched paraphyses with free ends. Asci (162–)179–214(–228) × (12.5–)13.5–15.5(–16) μm (n = 25), cylindrical, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with a distinct ocular chamber, a short stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 4–8 ascospores in uniseriate arrangement. Ascospores (20–)24.5–30.5(–37.5) × (8.5–)9.5–11(–13) μm, l/w (2–)2.4–2.9(–3.4) (n = 85), oblong, fusoid or narrowly ellipsoid, first hyaline, with 1–6 main septa, turning yellowish, pale, yellow- to golden or medium brown with concolorous or slightly paler ends, thick-walled, when mature with 7–9(–11) thick transverse and 1–2(–3) septa, constricted at the median or supramedian primary septum, smooth, containing minute droplets; in 3 % KOH turning greenish to yellow-brown when young, dark olivaceous when mature.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 7–8 mm after 1 wk, 17–18 mm after 2 wk, 28 mm after 25 d; colony first hyaline to whitish, thick, dense, turning olivaceous, later greyish brown from the centre, covered by a velvety mat of whitish to brownish aerial hyphae; reverse dark grey to black; odour indistinct. Pycnidia appearing after 4 d, mostly solitary, greenish; formation of pycnidia not reproducible on CMD. Colony on MEA grey, aerial hyphae forming a loose mesh over numerous pycnidia aggregating in dense masses. Pycnidia c. 60–130 μm diam, hyaline, turning olivaceous from the base, globose, with greyish olivaceous conidial drops. Peridium thin, pseudoparenchymatous, olivaceous, surrounded by submoniliform hyphae. Phialides (3.8–)5–7.5(–9.5) × (2–)2.5–4(–4.8) μm (n = 39), sessile, varying from subglobose to lageniform, often with a long neck. Conidia (2.8–)3.5–4(–4.7) × (1.1–)1.3–2(–2.7) μm, l/w (1.4–)1.9–2.7(–3) (n = 42), oblong to ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline, with two or more minute drops, smooth.

Habitat — On both morphs of a Cytospora (Valsa) sp. on Salix babylonica.

Distribution — Central Europe (Austria), only known from the type locality in Vienna.

Notes — This species is well characterised by its narrow ascospores.

Synfenestella Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, gen. nov. — MycoBank MB829759

Etymology. Syn = together with, for its close phylogenetic relationship with Fenestella.

Type species. Synfenestella sorbi Jaklitsch & Voglmayr.

Ascomata 300–1000 μm diam, globose, subglobose or pyriform, ostiolate, dark brown to black, immersed below bark epidermis, scattered, forming inconspicuous valsoid groups or conspicuous pseudostromatic pustules on pseudostromata or conidiomata of Diaporthales, surrounded and connected by thick-walled subicular hyphae, the latter sometimes short and subsetose in the ostiolar region. Peridium c. 15–130 μm thick, thicker and whitish inside in the apical region, pseudoparenchymatous, dark brown and thick-walled outside and pale to hyaline and thin-walled inside. Hamathecium consisting of numerous 1–3.5 μm wide, branched and anastomosing paraphyses with free ends in a matrix. Asci cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with an ocular chamber, a short or long undulating stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 4–8 ascospores in (obliquely) uniseriate arrangement. Ascospores ellipsoid, oblong to fusoid, sometimes subglobose, symmetric to slightly curved, with upper part often wider, initially 2-celled, hyaline and surrounded by a swelling sheath, developing additional transverse and longitudinal septa, turning yellow to golden brown (when fresh), finally dark brown with concolorous rounded ends, ends sometimes paler or apiculate upon germination, usually strongly constricted at the primary septum; in 3 % KOH surface smooth; turning dark olivaceous to blackish brown.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Colony on CMD at 22 °C in the dark typically producing a diffusing yellow pigment. Pycnidia more or less globose, green to black, densely aggregating and fusing. Phialides lageniform, ampulliform, subglobose or subconical, sessile or produced on short simple conidiophores. Conidia cylindrical, oblong to allantoid, less commonly ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline, with 2 drops, smooth; produced on phialides and pegs.

Habitat — On or in pseudostromata or conidiomata of Diaporthales or in loose association with them on Rosaceae.

Distribution — Europe, North America.

Synfenestella pyri Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, sp. nov. — MycoBank MB829760; Fig. 21

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Fig. 21

Synfenestella pyri. a–t. Sexual morph (WU 36996). a. Ascomata in face view; b–c. ascomata in vertical section (c. in a Cytospora (Leucostoma) pseudostroma); d. hamathecial threads; e–f. ascus apices; g–i. asci (g. immature; note sheaths around ascospores); j. peridium and subiculum in vertical section; k–t. ascospores (k. showing size variation); u–w. asexual morph in culture (CBS 144855 (C297) from CMD at 22 °C); u. pycnidia and conidial drops; v–w. conidia (f, i, t. in 3 % KOH). — Scale bars: a–c, u = 250 μm; d–f, l–t = 10 μm; g–i = 25 μm; j–k = 15 μm; v–w = 3 μm.

Etymology. Referring to its plant host, Pyrus communis.

Holotype. Austria, Niederösterreich, Ottenschlag, on Cytospora (Leucostoma) sp. on a branch of Pyrus communis, 19 Mar. 2017, W. Jaklitsch (WU 36996; ex-type culture CBS 144855 = C297).

Ascomata (330–)370–620(–720) μm (n = 21) diam, subglobose to globose, immersed in bark singly or in small groups c. 0.6–1.6 mm diam, on or in loose association with both morphs of a Cytospora (Leucostoma type) sp., on and connected by subhyaline to dark brown, thick-walled, 2–5 μm wide subicular hyphae, often only visible on the surface due to spore deposits in bark fissures or slightly erumpent, rarely projecting up to 350 μm above the bark surface. Ostiolar areas 90–270 μm diam, concealed by spore deposits or short-papillate, black, shiny. Peridium 15–70 μm thick, thicker and whitish inside in the ostiolar region, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of isodiametric cells (3.8–)5–9(–11) μm (n = 40) diam, outside thick-walled and dark brown, paler to hyaline and thinner-walled to the inside. Hamathecium consisting of numerous 1–3.5 μm wide, branched and anastomosing paraphyses with free ends in a matrix. Asci (206–)228–268(–296) × (21–)21.8–23.7(–25) μm (n = 14), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with an ocular chamber, a short to long stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 4–8 ascospores in (obliquely) uniseriate arrangement; unstable in water. Ascospores (27–)31.5–42(–51.5) × (13–)15–19(–22) μm, l/w (1.9–)2–2.4(–3.1) (n = 50), very variable, typically ellipsoid to fusoid, sometimes subglobose, symmetric or inequilateral or slightly curved, initially 2-celled, hyaline and surrounded by a sheath, developing additional septa, turning yellow to golden brown (when fresh), finally dark brown with concolorous ends, with 8–14 distinct transverse and 3–5 longitudinal septa, usually strongly constricted at the primary septum; surface smooth; in 3 % KOH turning blackish brown when mature.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 13 mm after 1 wk, 27 mm after 4 wk; colony circular, thick by a dense whitish to greyish mat of aerial hyphae, first white, turning dull yellow and later becoming concentrically zonate with medium or greyish brown and dark brown zones and a white margin; producing a yellow diffusing pigment; odour indistinct. After 5 d pycnidia densely disposed, appearing on and around the plug or in rings, green, turning black, 120–300 μm diam, becoming fused to larger complexes in aged cultures, emitting conidia in white to olivaceous turbid drops. Phialides (4–)4.5–7(–7.8) × (2–)2.3–3.3(–4) μm (n = 19), crowded, sessile or on intercalary cells, mostly lageniform, also subconical, ampulliform to subglobose. Conidia (3.5–)4–4.8(–5.5) × (1.2–)1.3–2(–2.5) μm, l/w (2.2–)2.4–3.2(–3.8) (n = 32), cylindrical, oblong or allantoid, 1-celled, smooth, with 2 guttules.

Habitat — On Cytospora sp. (both morphs; sexual morph of the Leucostoma type) on Pyrus communis.

Distribution — Europe (Austria), only known from the type locality.

Notes — Synfenestella pyri is an inconspicuous fungus. It differs from Parafenestella spp. occurring on Rosaceae by the swelling sheath visible in immature ascopores within asci.

Synfenestella sorbi (P. Karst.) Jaklitsch & Voglmayr, comb. nov. — MycoBank MB829761; Fig. 22

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Fig. 22

Synfenestella sorbi. a–w. Sexual morph. a–b. Ascomata/pseudostromata in face view; c. Diaporthe impulsa pseudostroma with a small S. sorbi ascoma inserted laterally; d. subsetose subicular hyphae at ascoma apex; e. ascomata above Diaporthe ascomata in vertical section; f. peridium and subiculum in vertical section; g–i. ascus apices (g. immature; note sheath around ascospores); j–n. asci; o–w. ascospores (o. immature; p. young); x. pycnidia on the natural host; y–c1. asexual morph from CMD at 22 °C; y. pycnidia and conidial drops; z. phialides; a1–c1. conidia (h, j, n–o, t–w. in 3 % KOH). a, k, u–v. Cucurbitaria sorbi lectotype H 3686; b, d–f, l, q–r, z–b1. WU 36994/CBS 144858 (C196); c, i, p, w. WU 36995 (C298); g, m, o, s–t, x–y, c1. WU 36992/CBS 144862 (FR); h, j. Fenestella bavarica holotype B 700016482; n. WU 36993. — Scale bars: a–c = 1 mm; d, f, j–n = 25 μm; e, x–y = 300 μm; g, q–w = 10 μm; h–i, o–p, z = 7 μm; a1–c1 = 3 μm.

Basionym. Cucurbitaria sorbi P. Karst., Bidrag Kannedom Finlands Natur Folk 23(2): 62. 1873.

Synonyms. Gibberidea sorbi (P. Karst.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. (Leipzig) 3(2): 481. 1898.

Fenestella bavarica Kirschst., Ann. Mycol. 34(3): 193. 1936.

Lectotype of Cucurbitaria sorbi, here designated. Finland, Aboe, on branches of Sorbus aucuparia, soc. Cytospora (Leucostoma) sp., 8 Apr. 1861, P.A. Karsten (H 3686, from the herbarium Karsten; MBT385692). Epitype of Cucurbitaria sorbi, here designated: Austria, Niederösterreich, Reichenau, Rax, near Seehütte, on twig of Sorbus aucuparia, on/soc. Cytospora sp. (Leucostoma type; holomorph), 21 Sept. 2014, W. Jaklitsch (WU 36992; MBT385693; ex-epitype culture from ascospores CBS 144862 = FR; culture from conidia = FRa).

Pseudostromatic pustules when present 0.9–4.7 mm diam, erumpent from bark and projecting up to 1.5 mm beyond the bark surface, subglobose to pulvinate, roundish to longish in outline; surface brown (compacted subiculum) to dark grey or black (ascomatal apices), sometimes containing also narrow cylindrical ostiolar necks of the Diaporthe or Leucostoma host. Ascomata (330–)425–745(–990) μm (n = 47) diam, globose, subglobose or pyriform, immersed in bark in rows or valsoid configuration, often laterally in the ostiolar region of the fungal host or inserted in the pustules on a single or two levels upright or obliquely and convergent, singly or up to c. 20 individuals loosely or tightly aggregated and surrounded by usually ample dark brown subiculum, partly directly on the fungal host; subiculum also present below epidermis. Ascomatal apices containing inconspicuous ostiolar openings 120–300(–600) μm (n = 46) diam, black, whitish when injured, often flattened. Subiculum consisting of hyaline, pale to dark brown, thick-walled, 2–7 μm (widened up to 9.5 μm at points connecting to the peridium) wide hyphae, darker brown, particularly thick-walled, often short and subsetose (‘hyphal appendages’) near the ascomatal apices. Peridium 20–65 μm thick, up to 130 μm at the ostiolar level, pseudoparenchymatous, consisting of cells (4–)7–14(–23) μm (n = 63) diam, outside very dark brown, thick-walled, to the inside gradually paler and thinner-walled and terminated by a narrow layer of pale brownish compressed cells. Hamathecium consisting of numerous tightly packed, richly branched, 1–3 μm wide ?paraphyses. Asci (199–)228–297(–377) × (15–)18–21(–23) μm (n = 64), cylindrical to oblong, bitunicate, fissitunicate, with an ocular chamber, a usually long undulating stipe and simple or knob-like base, containing 4–8 ascospores in (obliquely) uniseriate arrangement. Ascospores (22–)28–35(–43.5) × (10–)13–15.5(–18.5) μm, l/w (1.6–)2–2.5(–3.2) (n = 171), very variable in shape, ellipsoid, oblong to fusoid, first hyaline, 2-celled and with a swelling sheath, developing 3–5 main thick septa and later additional thin septa, eventually with 7–13, rarely 15, distinct transverse and (1–)2–4 longitudinal septa, turning golden yellow, yellow brown, pale or reddish brown and finally dark brown; often strongly constricted at the primary septum, upper part often wider, ends usually broadly rounded or upper end narrowly and lower broadly rounded, concolorous, only paler or apiculate upon germination; smooth, containing small droplets, often smaller in the ascus apex, often several in the ascus aborted or aberrant; in 3 % KOH turning dark olivaceous to blackish brown. Sexual morph sometimes accompanied by black, shiny, globose, non-papillate, apically collapsing-cupulate pycnidia 90–300 μm diam seated on scant to ample dark brown subiculum on innermost bark layers around old Leucostoma pseudostroma (black encasement) and on ?Diaporthe ascomata.

Culture characteristics and asexual morph in culture — Colony radius on CMD at 22 °C in the dark 8 mm after 1 wk, 21 mm after 3 wk; colony circular, thick, dense, first white to bright yellow, aerial hyphae forming a thick white mat, reverse yellow, yellow pigment diffusing into the agar, later colony turning greyish brown from the centre, diffusing pigment turning dull yellow; odour indistinct. After 4 d pycnidia numerous, mostly covered by a white mat of aerial hyphae, 120–330 μm diam, more or less globose, hyaline to greenish olivaceous, turning black, densely aggregating and forming stromatic masses; conidia appearing in whitish turbid drops from many ostioles; peridium pseudoparenchymatous, yellow to dark olivaceous, surrounded by olivaceous to brown hyphae. Phialides (4.8–)5–8(–11.5) × 2–4(–5.7) μm (n = 15), very variable, subglobose to ampulliform to lageniform, on short simple conidiophores, also with lateral pegs or on hyaline intercalary cells. Conidia (3.3–)4–4.5(–5) × (1.2–)1.5–2(–2.8) μm, l/w (1.5–)2.1–3.1(–3.9) (n = 64), cylindrical, oblong to allantoid, less commonly ellipsoid, 1-celled, hyaline, with 2 drops, smooth.

Habitat — On both morphs of Cytospora sp. of the Leucostoma type, in pseudostromata on effete ascomata of Diaporthe impulsa or in loose association with it on Sorbus aucuparia.

Distribution — Europe, North America fide Barr (1990; under Fenestella subcaespitosa) and Mirza (1968; under Cucurbitaria sorbi).

Other materials examined. Austria, Osttirol, Prägraten am Großvenediger, Hinterbichl, Umbalfälle, on cf. Diaporthe impulsa on a dead attached branch of Sorbus aucuparia, soc. cf. Karstenula sp., Mollisia caespiticea, 17 June 2015, H. Voglmayr & W. Jaklitsch (WU 36994; culture CBS 144858 = C196); Steiermark, Deutschlandsberg, Freiländer Alm, W Freiländer Almhütte; E15°02′57″ N46°54′47″, elev. 1410 m, on Diaporthe impulsa on a branch of Sorbus aucuparia on the ground, 3 May 2017, G. Friebes (WU 36995; culture C298); highway parking place close to the Pack tunnel, on a branch of Sorbus aucuparia attached to the tree, soc. Diaporthe impulsa, 17 Feb. 1995, W. Jaklitsch W.J. 499 (WU 36993). – Germany, Bavaria, Bayerisch Häusl bei Eisenstein, on Cytospora (Leucostoma) on branches of Sorbus aucuparia, June 1935, W. Kirschstein (B 700016482, holotype of Fenestella bavarica).

Notes — In H two syntypes of Cucurbitaria sorbi are extant; No. 3687 (Finland, Vaasa, on Sorbus, 12 Aug. 1867, P.A. Karsten) contains mostly Dothiora pyrenophora, a fungus with 3-septate ascospores (possibly Nigrograna sp.), an immature nectriaceous fungus and only little and old S. sorbi (ascospore measurements given on the label: 25–30 × 12–14). In contrast, No. 3686 contains good material and is thus selected as lectotype. The latter was also examined by M.E. Barr according to the annotation slip. Synfenestella sorbi has been found in direct association with both Cytospora sp. (Leucostoma morph) and Diaporthe impulsa. Also other ascomycetes are associated with the fungus, thus parasitism on other fungi may be possible. Fenestella bavarica is clearly a synonym of S. sorbi. In its holotype, S. sorbi grew on Cytospora (Leucostoma morph), has typical long-pedicellate asci with often aberrantly developed ascospores, many aborted or distorted or even globose. At the pustule surface cylindrical Leucostoma ostioles peek through brown compacted subiculum of the Synfenestella; also a Tympanis is present on thin twigs.

Synfenestella sorbi is extremely variable in appearance, ranging from solitary ascomata (on Diaporthe) to large conspicuous pseudostromata. Hyphal appendages sensu Barr (1990; sub Fenestella subcaespitosa) are subicular hyphae and occur variably in the entire family. In S. sorbi they are often but not always differentiated from other hyphae around the ascomatal apices by having a nearly setose appearance, darker colour and slightly thicker walls. The long-pedicellate asci were already described by Mirza (1968; under Cucurbitaria sorbi). Cucurbitaria subcaespitosa from S. aria is clearly a different species and here combined in Neocucurbitaria.

There are some sequence differences between isolates derived from specimens containing the fungal host Cytospora (Leucostoma) and those growing on Diaporthe impulsa. However, as these differences are not convincing and the specimens are morphologically indistinguishable, we do not recognise two separate species. In the lectotype H 3686 S. sorbi is associated with Cytospora, therefore we epitypify it with material containing the same fungal host.

Asexual morphs in the Cucurbitariaceae

As pointed out by Jaklitsch et al. (2018), asexual morphs of the Cucurbitariaceae do not offer sufficient traits for reliable distinction at the species or generic level. As we have seen here, asexual morphs of all fenestelloid fungi are morphologically similar and may be termed phoma-like.