Etymology. Named for its valsa-like appearance and occurrence on species of Alnus.

Causing linear cankers and lesions. Ectostromata well-developed, brown to black, thick disc from which perithecial necks emerge. Ascomata perithecial, immersed beneath ectostroma, aggregated in groups of 13–23, converging into 5–20 necks. Asci fusiform, with indistinct apical ring. Ascospores allantoid with rounded ends, 1-septate, hyaline.

Type species. Valsalnicola oxystoma.

MycoBank MB801277.

Basionym. Valsa oxystoma Rehm, Ber. Naturhist. Vereins Augsburg 26: 70. 1881.

• ≡ Cryptodiaporthe oxystoma (Rehm) Z. Urb., Preslia 29: 395. 1957.

Twig lesions in surface view (511−)591–890(−893) μm diam (mean = 654, S.D. 122, n = 13). Ectostroma well-developed, brown to black, thick disc from which perithecial necks emerge. Ascomatal cavity (690−)765–909(−950) μm high × (1610−)1710–2346(−3947) μm diam (mean = 816 × 2198, S.D. 109, 703, n1 = 5, n2 = 9). Ascomata perithecial, immersed beneath ectostroma, causing host tissue to swell and rupture, perithecia converging into 5–20 necks, emerging at surface through ectostromatic disc, perithecia grouped 13–23. Ascomata glossy black, subglobose to globose (240−)266–298(−320) μm high × (253−)260–335(−337) μm diam (mean = 282 × 294, S.D. 25, 36, n1 = 7, n2 = 13); necks central, straight to curved, length (426−)428–550(−563) μm (mean = 476, S.D. 54, n = 9). Asci fusiform, (38−)39–48(−49) × (8−)9–12(−13) μm (mean = 44 × 11, S.D. 4, 1.2, n1 = 17, n2 = 18), apex broadly rounded, with indistinct apical ring, stipe acute, rounded, or tapering to a point, ascospores arranged irregularly multiseriate. Ascospores allantoid with rounded ends, mostly curved, rarely straight, (9−)10–11(−12) × 2–3 μm (mean = 11 × 2, S.D. 0.9, 0.5, n = 30), 1-septate, median, slightly constricted or not at septum, each cell with several small guttules, hyaline. Cultures slow-growing, 3–6 mm in 10 d on potato-dextrose agar, mycelium low, pale brown to greyish brown, reverse dark brown.

In culture on synthetic nutrient-poor agar — Dimorphic, forming a synanamorph. Conidiomata pycnidial, exuding masses of brown conidia. Conidiophores reduced to conidiogenous cells, or one supporting cell, proliferating percurrently. Conidia cylindrical, brown, finely verruculose, apex obtuse, base truncate, 3–5-euseptate, 15–23 × 4–5 μm. Conidia of synanamorph intermingled in same conidioma, but conidiogenous cells proliferating percurrently or sympodially; conidia hyaline to subhyaline, narrowly obclavate, apex subobtuse, base truncate, straight to curved, 25–80 × 2.5–3 μm, up to 11-septate. Synanamorph also developing in aerial mycelium (on PNA); conidiophores subcylindrical, straight to curved, 0–2-septate, hyaline to subhyaline, 8–15 × 2–3 μm, proliferating sympodially at apex. Conidiophores solitary or fasciculate or on a reduced stroma.

Typus. AUSTRIA, Tyrol, Längenfeld, on dead branch of Alnus viridis, c. 3 500 ft., Aug. 1874, coll. Rehm. This type specimen was issued as Rehm, Ascomyceten no. 280. Of the two specimens at BPI, the more plentiful one is in the bound set of Rehm, Ascomyceten, and is herein designated as Lectotype BPI 884138. Isolectotypes examined BPI 738235 and NY, MycoBank MB801277.

Additional specimens examined. BELGIUM, Brussels, Soignes, on branch of Alnus glutinosa, Oct. 1899, P. Nypels, comm. H. Rehm, Vestergren, Micromycetes rariores selecti 409 as Valsa oxystoma (BPI 574854). – CANADA, British Columbia, Yoho National Park, Chancellor Mountain Camp, on Alnus sp., 11 Aug. 1962, R.F. Cain, TRTC 40116 (NY); Ontario, Kenora District, Tustin Township, Gordon Lake, Rd., on Alnus sp., 26 Sept. 1959, coll. D. Bowen, det. J. Reid as Valsa oxystoma (BPI 574855). – ITALY, Trento, Monte Bondone Trento, E11°03’51“N46°02’20”, on Alnus viridis, Apr. 2011, G. Maresi, isol. A. Rossman AR 4833 = CBS 133337, ITS sequence JX519559, and LSU sequence JX519563 (BPI 884137); Trento, val Sadole (E11.60, N46.15), 2009, G. Maresi & C.M.O. Longa (BPI 884136). – SWEDEN, Umea, on dead branch of Alnus ‘borealis’, Sept. 1910, Vlengel, det. F. Bubak (BPI 574856). – USA, Alaska, near Fairbanks, Moose Creek, Environmental Monitoring Plot 316 MC UM11 MRC, N64.72, W147.23, elev. 150 m, on Alnus incana var. tenuifolia, May 2010, G.C. Adams, culture AR 5137 = CBS 133329, ITS sequence JX519561 (BPI 884135).

Habitat — Alnus viridis ssp. viridis, causing a twig colonization and canker disease involved in green alder decline (Pisetta et al. 2012); also known from Alnus glutinosa, A. incana, A. incana var. tenuifolia, A. rubra, A. viridis ssp. fruticosa and A. viridis ssp. maximowiczii.

Distribution — Asia: Japan (Kobayashi 2007); Europe: Austria, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, also United Kingdom (Cannon et al. 1985); North America: Canada (Ontario); USA: Alaska.

Notes — Valsalnicola is based on a species that was described in the genus Valsa. Although it resembles Valsa in having allantoid ascospores, the ascospores of Valsalnicola are 1-septate while the majority of species of Valsa and closely related Leucostoma and Valsella have aseptate ascospores. However, one species of Valsa, V. melanodiscus, also has 1-septate ascospores, occurs on Alnus spp., and produces linear cankers on the host. A distinguishing feature of Valsalnicola is the lack of a black line surrounding stromata in the ascomatal cavity, which is characteristic of Valsa melanodiscus. In addition, the growth rate of cultures of Valsalnicola oxystoma is considerably slower than species of Valsa. Molecular sequence data place this new genus within the Gnomoniaceae-Melanconidaceae complex. Allantoid, 1-septate ascospores have not previously been reported in the Gnomoniaceae or Melanconidiaceae. ITS sequences of specimens from Alaska and Italy are identical. The basionym has been cited as Rehm: Ascomyceten 270 (1875) in ‘Index Fungorum’ reflecting an error in Saccardo (1882) but the correct number is Rehm: Ascomyceten 280, which does not include a description.

Colour illustrations. Italy, Trentino, Val Sadole, showing trees of Alnus viridis with green alder decline (Giorgio Maresi). a. Rehm: Ascomyceten 280, scale bar = 500 μm. b–d. BPI 884137, scale bars of perithecia = 100 μm, scale bar of ascus = 10 μm. e. Rehm: Ascomyceten 280, scale bar = 10 μm.

Etymology. Named after the host, Microstegium vimineum (Poaceae), from which the species was isolated originally.

Leaf spots on Microstegium, up to 2 × 0.5 cm, ellipsoid to irregular, brown with a darker, near black border. Conidiophores macronematous, mononematous, erect, more or less straight to slightly flexuous, simple or with a single dichotomous branch, cylindrical, geniculate at apex, pale to medium brown, often darker towards apices, smooth walled, septate, up to at least 750 μm long × 5–8 μm diam. Conidiogenous cells integrated, terminal or intercalary, with sympodial proliferation, monotretic or polytretic with darkened, circular scars. Conidia solitary, curved, cylindrical to obclavate, apex obtuse, base obtuse with inconspicuous hilum, pale brown, becoming medium to dark brown, end cells usually paler, walls smooth or faintly granulose, 5–10 distoseptate, with septa becoming accentuated at maturity, 40–97.5(−105) × 12.5–15(−17.5) μm, Q = 3.2–7.8 (L^m = 69.6 m, W = 69.6 μm, W^m = 13.5 m, Q = 13.5 μm, Q^m = 5.2). Germination via a germ tube at each end cell of conidium.

Culture characteristics — Colonies 10–44(−70) mm diam on potato-dextrose agar (Difco) after 7 d at 24 °C with a 12 h light/dark diurnal cycle; surface near dull green (30D4, 30E3), dark green (28F3, 30F3), to greenish grey (28F2), velutinous to tomentose with sparse, white, aerial hyphae and dark conidiophores; margin uneven and lobed, whitish; reverse near greenish grey (30F2), dark green (30F5), to almost black.

Typus. USA, West Virginia, near Arnoldsburg, Crummies Creek Tree Farm, on living leaves of Microstegium vimineum, Aug. 2009, coll. R. Richardson, Bipolaris 4 isolated by N.M. Kleczewski, holotype BPI 883727 (dried culture on PDA); culture ex-type CBS 132550; ITS sequence GenBank JX089579, gpd sequence GenBank JX089575, LSU sequence GenBank JX100808, MycoBank MB801569.

Additional specimens examined. USA, West Virginia, near Arnoldsburg, cove near Crummies Creek Tree Farm, on living leaves of Microstegium vimineum, Aug. 2009, coll. R. Richardson, Bipolaris 2 isolated by N.M. Kleczewski, BPI 883728 (dried culture on PDA); culture CBS 132549; ITS sequence GenBank JX089577 and gpd sequence GenBank JX089573; savannah near Crummies Creek Tree Farm, on living leaves of Microstegium vimineum, Aug. 2009, coll. R. Richardson, Bipolaris 3 isolated by N.M. Kleczewski, BPI 883729 (dried culture on PDA); culture CBS 132548; ITS sequence GenBank JX089578 and gpd sequence GenBank JX089574.

Phylogenetic analysis — The gpd and ITS sequences for all three isolates, Bipolaris 2–4 (Flory et al. 2011), were identical. A concatenated alignment of both loci was made using sequence data from the ex-type and Group 1 species (Berbee et al. 1999). A maximum likelihood search was then performed using the RAxML BlackBox (http://phylobench.vital-it.ch/raxml-bb/) with gamma, partitioned model, and per gene branch length optimization; 100 bootstrap replicates were included.

Notes — The microscopic description is based on PDA cultures and colony colour is based on Kornerup & Wanscher (1978). Many species of Bipolaris are important pathogens of grasses. This new species was isolated from Microstegium vimineum, an invasive plant in the USA. The fungus causes disease on Microstegium, but it also infects a wider range of hosts (Kleczewski & Flory 2010, Flory et al. 2011, Kleczewski et al. 2012). Comparison of ITS and gpd sequence data to sequences in GenBank and subsequent phylogenetic analyses based on Group 1 species (Berbee et al. 1999), referred to herein as Bipolaris (sensu Manamgoda et al. 2012), suggest that the present species is distinct and closely related to B. victoriae and B. zeicola. These species of Bipolaris consist of a highly pathogenic species complex that shows large differences in virulence and host ranges in spite of few genetic differences in the sequenced loci. Using Sivanesan (1987), B. microstegii is morphologically similar to B. miyakei and B. zeicola. A probable original culture of B. miyakei (CBS 197.29) is not closely related to B. microstegii based on ITS (JX089580) and gpd (JX089576) sequences. Bipolaris microstegii differs from B. zeicola by its longer and sometimes branched conidiophores.

Microstegium vimineum is native to Asia. Several isolates of Bipolaris are known from Microstegium in Asia (Shimizu et al. 1998), but the origin of B. microstegii is unknown. Species of Bipolaris in Group 1 (Berbee et al. 1999) are highly pathogenic on a wide range of native and non-native hosts and these include major pathogens of corn and oats.

The best scoring tree from the maximum likelihood analysis. Bootstrap values ≥ 70 % are indicated. GenBank numbers of included sequences for each species are given as gpd/ITS. An asterisk denotes that gpd and ITS sequences were from different isolates.

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Colour illustrations. Landscape invaded by Microstegium vimineum; leaf spots on M. vimineum; surface view of culture on PDA; conidiophore; conidia. Scale bars = 30 μm.

Etymology. austropalmicola, meaning Southern palm referring to the Nikau palm (Rhopalostylis sapida) upon which the fungus was found.

Ascomata perithecial, in small clusters developing on blackened stroma bursting through the plant tissue. Individual ascomata black, c. 1 mm diam, densely covered with brown, septate hairs mixed with host tissue, each with small papillate ostiole. Outer peridium black, brittle and structure less, inner peridium composed of areolate tissue. Copious centrum contents embedded in sticky material. Paraphyses hyaline, free-ended, longer than asci with densely granular contents c. 3–4 μm wide. Asci cylindrical, c. 250 × 7 μm, (tapering stipe constituting approx. a quarter of the length), ascus with prominent apical J+ ring, each ascus containing 8 uniseriate to overlapping ascospores. Ascospores 2-celled, septate in the lower part, upper cell pale brown, fusiform and symmetrical in one view, but flattened on one side sometimes strongly so, rather variable in size ranging from 19–30 × 3–5 μm (n = 50), lower hyaline cell 3–4 μm long.

Typus. NEW ZEALAND, on dead water-soaked fibrous Rhopalostylis sapida, Rimutaka Forest Park, 9 Nov. 2011, Bell & Mahoney Herb. no. 1172 (holotype PDD 102614), MycoBank MB800261.

Notes — During a recent foray into Rimutaka Forest Park near Wellington a new species of Brunneiapiospora was found on dead portions of Rhopalostylis sapida (Nikau palm). For a full description of the former placement of fungi with apiosporous ascospores the reader is referred to the paper by Hyde et al. (1998). In it the genus Brunneiapiospora was established to accommodate apiosporous species with cylindrical asci and whose ascospores consist of a larger brown cell and a smaller basal hyaline cell. It differs from the apiosporous genus Anthostomella which have broadly cylindrical asci and ascospores usually provided with a prominent longitudinal germ slit in the darker ascospore cell. Hyde et al. (1998) provide a key to the six known species of Brunneiapiospora all of which are pan-tropical in origin found on decaying material of palms in Ecuador, tropical Australia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Indonesia. They placed the genus (together with other genera), in a new family the Apiosporaceae. Kang et al. (1999) redefine the family Clypeosphaeriaceae, and indicate that the genus Brunneiapiospora might be placed therein, although their earlier molecular studies on the Amphisphaeriales (Kang et al. 1998) did not include any Brunneiapiospora samples. Our species B. austropalmicola differs in the ascospore dimensions from those previously described. They are approximately the length of B. deightoniella but much narrower (3–5 μm wide vs 7.5–10 μm for B. deightoniella). It is also the first described species of the genus from the cooler climates typical of the temperate rain forests of New Zealand.

The substrate upon which this species was found was quite unlike the woody substrate, which we normally collect on forays. It was quite friable and light in both colour and weight. At first we considered it could be from a tree fern trunk but this was proved not to be the case when we consulted those with a good knowledge of fern anatomy. Since all other species of Brunneiapiospora have been found on palms, we set about making several slides of the substrate together with portions of freshly collected Rhopalostylis sapida. By examination of these and conferring with the article by Tomlinson (2006), we are confident that the abraded material upon which B. austropalmicola was growing is a stem portion of the palm Rhopalostylis sapida. This palm is common in the Rimutaka Forest Park.

Colour illustrations. Forest of Rhopalostylis sapida in Nikau Reserve, Paraparaumu, New Zealand (www.wikimedia.org). Photo plate: A–A¹. Paraphyses, asci and ascospores; B. ascus and ascospores; C, D. ascospores; E. areolate peridial fragment; F. ascus apical ring complex in Melzer’s reagent. All except F in Shear’s mounting fluid. A–A¹ phase microscopy, others brightfield. Scale bars: A–A¹, B, E = 25 μm, C, D = 10 μm, F = 5 μm. Water colour: A. Perithecia on substrate; B. excised perithecium showing vestiture; C. aerolate inner perithecial tissue; D. paraphyses and asci; E. mature ascospores; F. scus apical rings showing J+ reaction in Melzer’s reagent.

Etymology. Name derived from the host plant genus, Aristolochia (Aristolochiaceae).

Leaf spots amphigenous, circular, up to 1 cm diam, grey to pale brown, solitary, surrounded by a slightly raised black border about 1 mm wide; centres of lesions often tear or fall out producing symptoms of shot-hole. Conidiomata pycnidial, mostly epiphyllous, black, solitary, unilocular, globose, 40–70 μm diam, erumpent; wall composed of layers of textura angularis, outer layer dark reddish brown. Conidiophores reduced to conidiogenous cells or with a supporting branched cell. Conidiogenous cells terminal, hyaline, smooth, subcylindrical to ampulliform, 10–20 × 2–4 μm. Conidia globose, subglobose, broadly ellipsoidal or obovoid, with a truncate base and rounded apex, hyaline, 7–16 × 6.5–11 μm, aseptate; wall uniformly 0.5–1 μm thick, enclosed in a mucilaginous sheath, with a minute basal frill and an apical hyaline tapered appendage 3–7 μm long. Teleomorph not observed.

Culture characteristics — (after 1 wk in the dark and a further 2 wk under 12 h ultraviolet light / 12 h dark cycle, at 23 °C): Colonies on potato-dextrose agar 4 cm diam, flat with no aerial mycelium, olivaceous black (Rayner 1970) with a white-grey, 2 mm entire margin, narrowly zonate towards the margin.

Typus. AUSTRALIA, Queensland, Kuranda, Kennedy Highway, on leaves of Aristolochia acuminata, 1 Apr. 2010, K.R.E. Grice & P. Wright (holotype BRIP 53316a; includes ex-type culture), ITS sequence GenBank JX486129, LSU sequence GenBank JX486128; Queensland, Emmagen Creek, Cape Tribulation National Park, 1 Aug. 1993, R.G. Shivas, paratype BRIP 21785, MycoBank MB801322.

Notes — Species of Phyllosticta have Guignardia sexual morphs, and are common endophytes or pathogens, occurring on a wide range of plant hosts (Glienke et al. 2011). Two species of Phyllosticta, P. aristolochiae on A. clematitis and P. aristolochiae (replacement name P. tassiana) on A. sempervirens, have been described from Aristolochia. Neither species was considered a Phyllosticta in a more recent revision of the genus (van der Aa & Vanev 2002). Furthermore, the latter name and its replacement name (P. tassiana) were both homonyms and thus both are illegitimate (van der Aa & Vanev 2002). Phyllosticta aristolochiicola was first collected in north Queensland in 1993 in association with leaf spot and shot-hole of Aristolochia (Shivas & Alcorn 1996). Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hit using the ITS sequence is Phyllosticta cordylinophili (GenBank AB454357; Identities = 591/612 (97 %), Gaps = 5/612 (1 %)), followed by Phyllostica ardisiicola (GenBank AB454274; Identities = 584/614 (95 %), Gaps = 10/614 (2 %)), and Guignardia vaccinii (GenBank JQ936158; Identities = 583/614 (95 %), Gaps = 6/614 (1 %)). Using the LSU sequence, the closest hits are to Phyllosticta abietis (GenBank EU754193; Identities = 1311/1328 (99 %), Gaps 0/1328 (0 %)), followed by Phyllosticta bidwellii (GenBank DQ678085; Identities = 1299/1313 (99 %), Gaps = 0/1313 (0 %)), and Phyllosticta minima (GenBank EU754194; Identities = 1291/1303 (99 %), Gaps = 0/1303 (0 %)).

Colour illustrations. Aristolochia acuminata with leaf spots associated with P. aristolochiicola at Kuranda, northern Queensland; leaf spot with pycnidia; 3 wk old culture on potato-dextrose agar; conidiophores and conidia; conidia with appendages apparent. Scale bars (from top left to bottom right) = 1 mm, 1 cm, 10 μm, 10 μm.

Etymology. Name refers to the 5-septate macroconidia produced by this fungus.

Sexual morph unknown. Conidiophores consisting of a stipe bearing a suit of penicillate fertile branches, a stipe extension, and terminal vesicle; stipe septate, hyaline, smooth 47–133 × 6–10 μm; stipe extension septate, straight to flexuous, 168–350 μm long, 3–6 μm wide at the apical septum, terminating in a narrowly clavate vesicle, 2–6 μm diam. Conidiogenous apparatus 70–99 μm long, 23–90 μm wide; primary branches 0–1-septate, 19–31 × 4–7 μm; secondary branches aseptate, 16–34 × 4–7 μm; tertiary branches aseptate, 14–22 × 4–6 μm, each terminal branch producing 1–3 phialides; phialides cylindrical to allantoid, obpyriform when carried singly, hyaline, aseptate, 15–24 × 4–6 μm; apex with minute periclinal thickening and inconspicuous collarette. Macroconidia cylindrical, rounded at both ends, straight, (75−)87–109(−115) × (5−)6–8(−10) μm (av. = 98 × 7 μm), 5(−8)-septate, lacking a visible abscission scar, held in parallel cylindrical clusters by colourless slime. Megaconidia and microconidia not seen.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 24 °C after 1 wk): Colonies fast growing, with optimum growth at 24 °C on MEA; surface sienna to dark brick, reverse sepia-brown; abundant aerial mycelium and sporulation; chlamydospores extensive throughout the medium, forming microsclerotia.

Typus. VIETNAM, Bavi, Hanoi, Eucalyptus hybrid, Sept. 2011, P.Q. Thu, holo- type CBS H-21062, culture ex-type CBS 133349, β-tubulin (TUB) sequence GenBank JX855942, Histone H3 (HIS3) sequence GenBank JX855946, ITS sequence GenBank JX855950, LSU sequence GenBank JX855954 and translations elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α) sequence GenBank JX855958, MycoBank MB801468.

Other specimens examined. VIETNAM, Bavi, Hanoi, Macadamia sp., Sept. 2011, P.Q. Thu, CBS 133351, TUB sequence GenBank JX855944, HIS3 sequence GenBank JX855948, ITS sequence GenBank JX855952, LSU sequence GenBank JX855956 and TEF1-α sequence GenBank JX855960; ibid., E. urophylla, Sept. 2011, P.Q. Thu, CBS 133350, TUB sequence GenBank JX855943, HIS3 sequence GenBank JX855947, ITS sequence GenBank JX855951 and TEF1-α sequence GenBank JX855959; ibid., Eucalyptus hybrid, Sept. 2011, P.Q. Thu, CBS 133352, TUB sequence GenBank JX855945, HIS3 sequence GenBank JX855949, ITS sequence GenBank JX855953 and TEF1-α sequence GenBank JX855961.

Notes — Calonectria pentaseptata resides in the C. reteaudii species complex (Kang et al. 2001, Lombard et al. 2010a, b, c) based on morphological characteristics supported by phylogenetic inference. The macroconidia of C. pentaseptata (av. = 98 × 7 μm) are smaller than those of C. pseudoreteaudii (av. = 104 × 8 μm), and larger than those of C. queenslandica (av. = 69 × 6 μm), C. reteaudii (av. = 84 × 6.5 μm) and C. terraereginae (av. = 76 × 6 μm) (Lombard et al. 2010c). As with C. queenslandica and C. terraereginae, C. pentaseptata failed to produce microconidiophores and microconidia, distinguishing this fungus from C. pseudoreteaudii and C. reteaudii, which readily form these structures in culture (Lombard et al. 2010a, b, c).

One of two equally most parsimonious trees (Tl = 380, CI = 0.942, RI = 0.921, RC = 0.868) obtained from a heuristic search with 1000 random taxon additions of the combined sequences of TUB, HIS3 and TEF1-α sequence alignments of the C. reteaudii complex using PAUP v. 4.0b10. The bootstrap support values from 1 000 replicates are shown at the nodes. The tree was rooted to C. chinensis (CBS 112744) and C. colombiensis (CBS 112221). The ex-type strains are printed in bold.

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Colour illustrations. Eucalyptus plantation in Vietnam; conidiophore; clavate vesicles; conidiogenous apparatus; conidia. Scale bars = 10 μm.

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

Colonies lacking mycelium but consisting of a globular mass of chlamydospore-like cells; cells aseptate, brown (hyaline when young), 4–8 μm diam, verruculose, covered in mucus, globose, thick-walled, remaining attached to one another through younger end cells at colony margin, which detach during slide preparation; ellipsoid to globose, hyaline, thick-walled, covered in mucus, finely verruculose, 3–5 × 2.5–5 μm. Colonies dense, with cells remaining attached on malt extract agar (MEA), potato-dextrose agar (PDA) and synthetic nutrient-poor agar (SNA), but on oatmeal agar (OA) colonies form profuse amounts of mucous and appear looser with cells forming smaller clusters, and many conidia separate from one another; conidia also darker brown, and have a thicker wall and are more verruculose than on other media.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 3 wk): Colonies erumpent, spreading, surface folded, lacking aerial mycelium, and margins with lobate, irregular margins, reaching 25 mm diam. On MEA, PDA and OA, iron-grey, slimy.

Typus. AUSTRALIA, Queensland, Anderson Park Botanic Garden, Townsville, S19°17’28.5“ E146°47’13.5”, on leaf litter of Eucalyptus sp., together with ascomata of Thyriopsis sphaerospora, 5 Aug. 2009, P.W. Crous, holotype CBS H-21091, cultures ex-type CPC 17606 = CBS 132526, ITS sequence GenBank KC005769, LSU sequence GenBank KC005791, MycoBank MB801769.

Notes — Phaeococcomyces eucalypti was isolated while trying to culture Thyriopsis sphaerospora, a foliar leaf pathogen of eucalypts that is known from South Africa, South America (Brazil, Chile) (Park et al. 2000) and Australia. Ascospores of T. sphaerospora germinate (on MEA and PDA), but die soon afterwards, which is probably due to its biotrophic growth habit. Colonies of Phaeococcomyces eucalypti started growing from an ascoma with a portion of host tissue that was plated onto malt extract agar. The logical inference that P. eucalypti represents the yeast phase of T. sphaerospora, is highly unlikely, as T. sphaerospora appears to be an obligate pathogen, with ascomata occurring on green, healthy leaf tissue. Phaeococcomyces eucalypti clusters among unidentified species of Dothideomycetes (rock fungi), and is allied to P. nigricans, although it has smaller conidia (de Hoog 1977).

Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, only more distant hits were obtained using the ITS sequence, e.g. with Umbilicaria rigida (GenBank AF096212; Identities = 457/533 (86 %), Gaps = 35/533 (7 %)), Endoconidioma populi (GenBank AY604526; Identities = 454/537 (85 %), Gaps = 33/537 (6 %)) and Phaeococcomyces nigricans (GenBank AY843154; Identities = 432/509 (85 %), Gaps = 18/509 (4 %)). Closest hits using the LSU sequence had highest similarity to ‘Dothideomycetes sp. TRN 452’ (GenBank GU323985; Identities = 805/812 (99 %), Gaps = 0/812 (0 %)), ‘Dothideomycetes sp. TRN 456’ (GenBank GU323986; Identities = 788/812 (97 %), Gaps = 0/812 (0 %)) and Phaeococcomyces nigricans (GenBank AF050278; Identities = 830/ 860 (97 %), Gaps = 2/860 (0 %)).

Colour illustrations. Giant Eucalyptus tree in Anderson Park Botanic Garden, Townsville; colonies on PDA; colony sporulating in culture, forming brown melanised cells, and small, ellipsoid, hyaline conidia. Scale bars = 10 μm.

Etymology. Named after the Drakensberg Mountains, where this fungus was collected.

Colonies on synthetic nutrient-poor agar. Mycelium consisting of smooth, pale brown, septate, branched, 3–4 μm diam hyphae. Conidiophores solitary, erect, subcylindrical, pale brown, smooth, straight or geniculate-sinuous, unbranched to branched, 3–5-septate, up to 70 μm tall, 4–6 μm wide at base. Conidiogenous cells terminal, integrated, subcylindrical, smooth, medium brown, proliferating sympodially, 8–15 × 4–5 μm; scars flattened, unthickened, aggregated, somewhat darkened, not refractive, 2–3 μm diam. Primary ramoconidia subcylindrical, brown, smooth, 0–1-septate, 10–15 × 4–5 μm. Secondary ramoconidia ellipsoid to obclavate or obovoid, with 1–3 apical hila, 9–13 × 3–4 μm. Intermediate and terminal conidia subcylindrical to ellipsoidal, brown, smooth, in branched chains, with up to six conidia, (6−)7–8(−10) × 2.5–3(−3.5) μm, aseptate; hila flattened, truncate, unthickened, somewhat darkened, 0.5–1 μm diam.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies on malt extract agar, potato-dextrose agar and oatmeal agar spreading, erumpent, with smooth, lobate margin, and sparse aerial mycelium. Surface and reverse olivaceous-grey; reaching 7 mm diam.

Typus. SOUTH AFRICA, KwaZulu-Natal, Drakensberg Mountains, Giant’s Castle, close to Bushman’s Pass, on leaves of Protea sp. (Proteaceae), 18 July 2011, P.W. Crous, holotype CBS H-21076, cultures ex-type CPC 19778 = CBS 133575, ITS sequence GenBank KC005770, LSU sequence GenBank KC005792, MycoBank MB801770.

Notes — A blast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database using the LSU sequence placed this species in Teratosphaeriaceae with closest hits being Penidiella aggregata (GenBank JF499862; Identities = 849/858 (99 %), Gaps = 0/858 (0 %)), Readeriella brunneotingens (GenBank EU019286; Identities = 839/860 (98 %), Gaps = 2/860 (0 %)) and Teratosphaeria profusa (GenBank FJ493220; Identities = 838/860 (97 %), Gaps = 2/860 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Penidiella aggregata (GenBank JF499862; Identities = 502/551 (91 %), Gaps = 18/551 (3 %)), Catenulostroma hermanusense (GenBank JF499833; Identities = 496/560 (89 %), Gaps = 24/560 (4 %)) and Tera- tosphaeria jonkershoekensis (GenBank EU707864; Identities = 486/547 (89 %), Gaps = 20/547 (4 %)). Although phylogenetically allied to P. aggregata (conidia (5−)6–8 × (2−)2.5(−3) μm), P. drakensbergensis has larger intermediate and terminal conidia (Crous & Groenewald 2011).

Colour illustrations. Protea sp. growing at Giant’s Castle, Drakensberg Mountains; colony sporulating on synthetic nutrient-poor agar; conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidia. Scale bars = 10 μm.

Etymology. Named reflects the host genus, Melastoma.

Description of colonies sporulating on synthetic nutrient-poor agar (SNA). Mycelium consisting of pale brown, septate, branched, finely verruculose, 2–3 μm diam hyphae. Conidiophores reduced to conidiogenous cells. Conidiogenous cells integrated, lateral on hyphae, phialidic with small collarette (flaring or not), 2 μm wide, 1–1.5 μm high. Conidia pale brown to subhyaline, subcylindrical to obclavate, apex subobtuse, base tapering, truncate, 1–12-septate, but commonly forming lateral branches as in Stanhughesia morphs of Ceratothyrium (especially on potato-dextrose agar (PDA) and malt extract agar (MEA), but less so on SNA), conidial body (25−)40–60(−90) × (2.5−)3 μm, lateral branches 7–25 × 2.5–3 μm. Triposporium morph on PDA and MEA: central conidial body 15–30 μm long, 3–4 μm wide at clavate apex, giving rise to two apical, lateral branches that angle upwards, of unequal length, lateral arms 15–35 × 2.5–3 μm; constricted at septa where lateral arms join the conidial body.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies on MEA, PDA and oatmeal agar erumpent, spreading, with smooth, even margin and sparse aerial mycelium. Surface pale olivaceous-grey, reverse olivaceous-grey, reaching 5 mm diam.

Typus. INDONESIA, North Sumatra, Lake Toba, on leaves of Melastoma sp. (Melastomataceae), 20 Aug. 2011, M.J. Wingfield, holotype CBS H-21077, culture ex-type CPC 19837 = CBS 133576, ITS sequence GenBank KC005771, LSU sequence GenBank KC005793, MycoBank MB801771.

Notes — Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Phaeococcomyces catenatus (GenBank AF050277; Identities = 847/875 (97 %), Gaps = 0/875 (0 %)), Exophiala placitae (GenBank EU040215; Identities = 841/871 (97 %), Gaps = 0/871 (0 %)), and Sarcinomyces petricola (GenBank FJ358249; Identities = 835/865 (97 %), Gaps = 0/865 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Trichomerium deniqulatum (GenBank JX313654; Identities = 559/664 (84 %), Gaps = 38/664 (6 %)), Phaeococcomyces chersonesos (GenBank AJ507323; Identities = 534/641 (83 %), Gaps = 43/641 (7 %)), and Trichomerium gleosporum (GenBank JX313656; Identities = 417/480 (87 %), Gaps = 18/480 (4 %)). Ceramothyrium melastoma clusters in a basal lineage to the Chaetothyriales, and renders Ceramothyrium paraphyletic. For a discussion on Ceramothyrium, see Fungal Planet 137.

Colour illustrations. Flower and leaves of Melastoma sp.; colonies growing on synthetic nutrient-poor agar; conidiogenous cells giving rise to conidia, which become star-shaped with age. Scale bars = 10 μm.

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

Description of colonies sporulating on synthetic nutrient-poor agar. Mycelium consisting of pale brown, septate, branched, smooth, 3–4 μm diam hyphae, frequently constricted at septa, forming sterile, brown, globose, sclerotium-like bodies, 20–40 μm diam. Conidiophores reduced to conidiogenous cells. Conidiogenous cells integrated, lateral or terminal on hyphae, phialidic with small collarette (flaring or not), solitary or aggregated (−3), 2–3 μm high, 2 μm wide. Conidia pale brown, smooth, obclavate, apex subobtuse, base obconically truncate, 3–7-septate, (35−)42–55(−70) × (3−)3.5(−4) μm, apex and base frequently with mucoid caps, and conidia forming lateral branches in older cultures (onset of microcyclic conidiation).

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies on potato-dextrose agar, malt extract agar and oatmeal agar erumpent, spreading, with lobate margins and moderate aerial mycelium; surface folded, pale olivaceous-grey; reverse iron-grey, reaching 15 mm diam.

Typus. SOUTH AFRICA, Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, Lowveld Botanical Garden, on leaves of Clivia miniata (Amaryllidaceae), 16 July 2011, P.W. Crous, holotype CBS H-21078, culture ex-type CPC 19822 = CBS 133577, ITS sequence GenBank KC005772, LSU sequence GenBank KC005794, MycoBank MB801772.

Notes — Four species are presently known from the genus Strelitziana (Table 1), which is characterised by having polyphialides, rhexolytic conidiation, pigmented structures, and unthickened conidial scars (Arzanlou & Crous 2006). Although S. africana lacks mucoid conidial appendages, these have since been observed in S. eucalypti, S. australiensis, and now also in S. cliviae (Cheewangkoon et al. 2009). Conidia of S. eucalypti (40–130 × 3–4 μm; Crous et al. 2010b) are larger than those of S. cliviae, while those of S. australiensis are again narrower (30–73 × 2.8–3.2 μm; Cheewangkoon et al. 2009). Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Strelitziana australiensis (GenBank GQ303326; Identities = 870/903 (96 %), Gaps = 0/903 (0 %)), Capronia peltigerae (GenBank HQ613813; Identities = 870/904 (96 %), Gaps = 2/904 (0 %)), and Glyphium elatum (GenBank AF346420; Identities = 870/905 (96 %), Gaps = 2/905 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Strelitziana albiziae (GenBank HQ599584; Identities = 546/646 (85 %), Gaps = 33/646 (5 %)), Strelitziana africana (GenBank DQ885895; Identities = 550/653 (84 %), Gaps = 42/653 (6 %)) and Strelitziana eucalypti (GenBank HQ599596; Identities = 548/653 (84 %), Gaps = 45/653 (7 %)).

Colour illustrations. Clivia miniata growing in the Lowveld Botanical Garden; colony on synthetic nutrient-poor agar; microsclerotia or sterile fruiting bodies; conidiogenous cells giving rise to conidia that can undergo microcyclic conidiation. Scale bar = 10 μm.

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

Description of colonies sporulating on synthetic nutrient-poor agar. Mycelium consisting of pale brown, septate, branched, smooth, 3–4 μm diam hyphae, frequently constricted at septa. Conidiophores reduced to conidiogenous cells. Conidiogenous cells integrated, lateral on hyphae, 20–30 × 3–5 μm, phialidic with small collarette, solitary, 1 μm high, 1–2 μm wide, rather inconspicuous. Conidia highly variable regarding morphology, hyaline to subhyaline, smooth, obclavate, but quickly constricting at septa, and developing lateral branches, which again branch further, forming a star-shaped conidium with numerous branches; conidial cells 4–6 μm wide, arms 25–90 μm long, 1–9-septate, apices obtuse, base truncate, with hilum 1.5–2 μm diam, at times with marginal frill.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies on potato-dextrose agar, malt extract agar and oatmeal agar erumpent, spreading, with uneven, feathery margins and sparse aerial mycelium. Surface folded, pale olivaceous-grey; reverse olivaceous-grey, reaching 10 mm diam.

Typus. SOUTH AFRICA, Mpumalanga, Drakensberg escarpment, God’s Window, on leaves of Podocarpus falcatus (Podocarpaceae), 14 July 2011, P.W. Crous, holotype CBS H-21079, culture ex-type CPC 19826 = CBS 133578, ITS sequence GenBank KC005773, LSU sequence GenBank KC005795, MycoBank MB801773.

Notes — Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Ceramothyrium thailandicum (GenBank HQ895835; Identities = 817/843 (97 %), Gaps = 2/843 (0 %)), Ceramothyrium carniolicum (GenBank FJ358232; Identities = 811/845 (96 %), Gaps = 3/845 (0 %)) and Cyphellophora hylomeconis (GenBank EU035415; Identities = 809/844 (96 %), Gaps = 2/844 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Cyphellophora hylomeconis (GenBank EU035415; Identities = 510/593 (86 %), Gaps = 39/593 (7 %)), Exophiala eucalyptorum (GenBank EU035417; Identities = 500/587 (85 %), Gaps = 25/587 (4 %)), and Cyphellophora eugeniae (GenBank FJ839617; Identities = 514/606 (85 %), Gaps = 36/ 606 (6 %)).

The genus Ceramothyrium has Stanhughesia asexual morphs (Constantinescu et al. 1989) and represents a genus of epiphyllous ascomycetes in the Chaetothyriales for which DNA data has been lacking until the recent study of Chomnunti et al. (2012). Although only the asexual morph of Ceramothyrium podocarpi was observed in the present study, we choose to name it in the older sexual genus, Ceramothyrium (1955; with 34 taxa), accepting Stanhughesia (1989; with only four taxa, three having existing names in Ceramothyrium) as later synonym.

Colour illustrations. View from God’s Window, Mpumalanga; colony growing on synthetic nutrient-poor agar; conidiophores giving rise to star-shaped conidia. Scale bars = 10 μm.

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

Colonies on synthetic nutrient-poor agar. Mycelium consisting of spreading, septate, branched hyphae, smooth, pale brown, 2–3 μm diam. Conidiophores reduced to conidiogenous cells. Conidiogenous cells intercalary and integrated on hyphae, pale brown, subcylindrical to narrowly ellipsoid, at times erect on hyphae, ampulliform to doliiform, monophialidic, 4–10 × 3–4 μm; collarette flaring, 1–2 × 1–1.5 μm. Conidia solitary, hyaline to pale brown, smooth, clavate to fusoid-ellipsoid, apex obtuse, tapering to a truncate base, 0.5–1 μm diam, (4−)7–8(−10) × (2−)3(−3.5) μm; at times becoming 1-septate with age. Chlamydospores intercalary, pale brown to brown, smooth, globose to narrowly ellipsoid, 0–1-septate, 8–10 × 3–5 μm.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies on potato-dextrose agar, malt extract agar and oatmeal agar erumpent, spreading, with even, smooth margin and sparse aerial mycelium; surface olivaceous-grey to iron-grey; reverse iron-grey; reaching 8 mm diam.

Typus. AUSTRALIA, Northern Territory, Litchfield National Park, S13°01.226’ E130°56.349’, on leaves of Livistona humilis (Arecaceae), 25 Apr. 2011, P.W. Crous & B.A. Summerell, holotype CBS H-21080, cultures ex-type CPC 19433 = CBS 133589, ITS sequence GenBank KC005774, LSU sequence GenBank KC005796, MycoBank MB801774.

Notes — Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Phialophora sessilis (GenBank FJ147173; Identities = 728/733 (99 %), Gaps = 1/733 (0 %)), Cyphellophora eucalypti (GenBank GQ303305; Identities = 859/882 (97 %), Gaps = 4/882 (0 %)) and Cyphellophora fusarioides (GenBank JQ766486; Identities = 745/766 (97 %), Gaps = 4/766 (1 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Phialophora sessilis (GenBank AB190381; Identities = 570/630 (90 %), Gaps = 27/630 (4 %)), Cyphellophora eucalypti (GenBank GQ303274; Identities = 536/622 (86 %), Gaps = 33/622 (5 %)) and Phialophora olivacea (GenBank AB190379; Identities = 544/633 (86 %), Gaps = 41/633 (6 %)). Although phylogenetically allied to P. sessilis (conidia 3 × 1.8 μm; de Hoog et al. 1999), conidia of P. livistonae are larger and easily distinguishable.

Colour illustrations. Livistona humilis growing in Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory; colony on synthetic nutrient-poor agar; hyphae, conidiogenous cells and conidia. Scale bars = 10 μm.

Etymology. Named after Shaka kaSenzangakhona (also known as Shaka Zulu), a former king of the Zulu Nation, who used to send his handmaidens to collect dried salt off the rocks (Salt Rock) at low tide.

Colonies on synthetic nutrient-poor agar. Mycelium consisting of smooth, pale brown, septate, branched, 1.5–2 μm diam hyphae. Conidiophores erect, subcylindrical, pale brown, smooth, straight or flexuous, branched or not, reduced to conidiogenous cells or up to 2-septate, 5–25 × 3–4 μm. Conidiogenous cells terminal, integrated, subcylindrical, smooth, pale brown, proliferating sympodially, 5–15 × 2.5–4 μm; scars flattened, thickened, somewhat darkened, 0.5–1.5 μm diam. Ramoconidia 0(−1)-septate, guttulate, subcylindrical, smooth, pale brown, 10–15 × 2–3 μm; hila somewhat thickened and darkened, 1–1.5 μm diam, giving rise to conidia in long branched or unbranched chains (−15). Intercalary conidia subcylindrical to somewhat fusoid-ellipsoidal, pale brown, smooth, guttulate, 1-septate, 10–15 × 2–2.5 μm. Terminal conidia subcylindrical to fusoid-ellipsoidal, apex obtuse, pale brown, smooth, guttulate, (6−)8–9(−11) × 2(−2.5) μm, (0−)1-septate; hila flattened, truncate, somewhat thickened and darkened, 0.5–1 μm diam. Chlamydospores not observed.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies on potato-dextrose agar (PDA), malt extract agar (MEA) and oatmeal agar (OA) erumpent, spreading, with smooth, even margin and moderate aerial mycelium. Surface grey-olivaceous (OA and PDA) to hazel (MEA), reverse iron-grey, reaching 16 mm diam.

Typus. SOUTH AFRICA, KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, Salt Rock, on leaves of Aloe sp. (Xanthorrhoeaceae), 24 July 2011, P.W. Crous, holotype CBS H-21081, cultures ex-type CPC 19784, CPC 19782 = CBS 133579, ITS sequence GenBank KC005775–KC005776, LSU sequence GenBank KC005797, MycoBank MB801775.

Notes — Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Devriesia queenslandica (GenBank JF951168; Identities = 880/887 (99 %), Gaps = 0/887 (0 %)), Devriesia hilliana (GenBank GU214414; Identities = 875/885 (99 %), Gaps = 0/885 (0 %)) and Devriesia xanthorrhoeae (GenBank HQ599606; Identities = 867/879 (99 %), Gaps = 0/879 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Devriesia queenslandica (GenBank JF951148; Identities = 554/575 (96 %), Gaps = 8/575 (1 %)), Devriesia lagerstroemiae (GenBank GU214634; Identities = 526/577 (91 %), Gaps = 24/577 (4 %)) and Devriesia hilliana (GenBank GU214633; Identities = 530/587 (90 %), Gaps = 27/587 (5 %)). Although phylogenetically closely related to D. queenslandica (conidiophores 5–45 × 3–4 μm, ramoconidia 10–20 × 2–3 μm, terminal conidia (5−)7–9(−11) × 2–2.5 μm; Crous et al. 2011), structures of D. shakazului are slightly shorter.

Colour illustrations. Salt Rock, KwaZulu-Natal; colony sporulating on oatmeal agar; conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidia. Scale bars = 10 μm.

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

Occurring as secondary invader on leaf spots of Pseudocercospora punctata, sporulating sparsely between prominent, dense fascicles (sporodochia) of P. punctata. Description based on colonies on synthetic nutrient-poor agar (SNA). Mycelium consisting of septate, branched, verruculose, brown, 2–3 μm diam hyphae. Conidiophores solitary on superficial mycelium, erect, unbranched, straight to somewhat flexuous, subcylindrical, brown, finely verruculose, 1–5-septate, 30–70 × 2–3 μm. Conidiogenous cells integrated, terminal, subcylindrical, finely verruculose, brown, 10–20 × 2–3 μm, with apical taper towards rounded or flattened apex, with one to several conidiogenous loci; scars thickened, darkened, somewhat refractive, 0.5 μm diam. Conidia brown, verruculose, narrowly obclavate or subcylindrical, apex obtusely rounded, base long obconically truncate, hilum thickened, darkened, somewhat refractive, 1 μm diam, 1–2(−5)-septate, (10−)22–25(−50) × (2−)3(−3.5) μm; conidia occurring in branched chains.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies spreading, flat with even, lobate margin and moderate aerial mycelium. On malt extract agar olivaceous-grey (surface), iron-grey (reverse). On oatmeal agar iron-grey in centre, surrounded by broad orange outer zone. On potato-dextrose agar olivaceous-grey and iron-grey in reverse. On SNA sienna, reaching 25 mm diam.

Typus. SOUTH AFRICA, Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, Lowveld Botanical Garden, on leaves of Syzygium cordatum (Myrtaceae), 16 July 2011, P.W. Crous, M.K. Crous, M. Crous & K.L. Crous, holotype CBS H-21082, cultures ex-type CPC 19792 = CBS 133580, ITS sequence GenBank KC005777, LSU sequence GenBank KC005798, MycoBank MB801776.

Notes — Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Zasmidium angulare (GenBank JQ622096; Identities = 785/798 (98 %), Gaps = 1/798 (0 %)), Mycosphaerella aleuritidis (GenBank EU167594; Identities = 825/839 (98 %), Gaps = 0/839 (0 %)) and Ramichloridium cerophilum (GenBank GU214485; Identities = 873/888 (98 %), Gaps = 0/888 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to ‘Ramichloridium sp. CATASR1’ (GenBank JQ768795; Identities = 531/535 (99 %), Gaps = 1/535 (0 %)), Zasmidium nocoxi (GenBank GQ852842; Identities = 518/544 (95 %), Gaps = 9/544 (2 %)) and Mycosphaerella aleuritidis (GenBank EU167594; Identities = 515/543 (95 %), Gaps = 8/543 (1 %)). Morphologically Z. syzygii is distinguishable from other species of Zasmidium occurring on Syzygium based on its smaller conidia (Crous 1999).

Colour illustrations. Lowveld Botanical Garden, Nelspruit; verruculose hyphae giving rise to conidiophores and conidia in chains. Scale bars = 10 μm.

Etymology. Named after the host genus from which it was isolated, Stirlingia.

Colonies on synthetic nutrient-poor agar. Mycelium consisting of smooth, pale brown, septate, branched, 2–3 μm diam hyphae. Conidiophores erect, subcylindrical, pale brown, smooth, straight or flexuous, branched or not, reduced to conidiogenous cells or 1–8-septate, 10–50 × 4–5 μm. Conidiogenous cells terminal, integrated, subcylindrical, smooth, pale brown, proliferating sympodially, 8–15 × 3–4 μm; scars flattened, thickened, somewhat darkened, 1–2 μm diam. Ramoconidia 1–3-septate, granular to guttulate, subcylindrical, smooth, pale brown, 15–30 × 4–5 μm, frequently with lateral branch at apex, up to 10 μm long, hila somewhat thickened and darkened, 1.5–2(−3) μm diam. Conidia subcylindrical to fusoid-ellipsoidal, apex obtuse, pale brown, smooth, guttulate, (7−)12–16(−20) × (3−)4(−5) μm, 0–3-septate; hila flattened, truncate, somewhat thickened and darkened, 1–2 μm diam. Chlamydospores thick-walled, brown, globose, in intercalary chains, up to 10 μm diam.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies erumpent with even, smooth margins and sparse aerial mycelium. On potato-dextrose agar, malt extract agar and oatmeal agar surface olivaceous-grey, reverse iron-grey, reaching 7 mm diam.

Typus. WESTERN AUSTRALIA, Perth, Wandoo National Park, on leaves of Stirlingia latifolia (Proteaceae), 13 July 2011, W. Gams, holotype CBS H-21083, cultures ex-type CPC 19948 = CBS 133581, ITS sequence GenBank KC005778, LSU sequence GenBank KC005799, MycoBank MB801777.

Notes — Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Devriesia hilliana (GenBank GU214414; Identities = 843/856 (98 %), Gaps = 2/856 (0 %)), Devriesia xanthorrhoeae (GenBank HQ599606; Identities = 841/856 (98 %), Gaps = 2/856 (0 %)), and Teratosphaeria knoxdaviesii (GenBank EU707865; Identities = 839/853 (98 %), Gaps = 0/853 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Devriesia fraseriae (GenBank HQ599602; Identities = 491/501 (98 %), Gaps = 2/501 (0 %)), Devriesia lagerstroemiae (GenBank GU214634; Identities = 478/508 (94 %), Gaps = 13/508 (3 %)), and Teratosphaeria knoxdaviesii (GenBank EU707866; Identities = 473/507 (93 %), Gaps = 11/507 (2 %)). Although phylogenetically closely related to D. fraseriae (intercalary and terminal conidia (6−)8–10(−11) × 3(−4) μm; Crous et al. 2010a), D. stirlingiae is easily distinguishable by having larger conidia.

Colour illustrations. Flowers of Stirlingia latifolia; colony sporulating on potato-dextrose agar; conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidia. Scale bar = 10 μm.

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

Description based on host material, incubated in moist chambers. Leaf spots amphigenous, subcircular, 2–10 mm diam, with concentric darker circles, margin dark brown, raised. Sporulation amphigenous, but more prominently hypophyllous. Mycelium internal, consisting of branched, septate, smooth, pale brown, 2–3 μm diam hyphae. Stromata substomatal, globose, consisting of brown, pseudoparenchymatal cells, becoming erumpent, up to 60 μm diam, giving rise to conidiophores. Conidiophores fasciculate, containing numerous conidiophores in dense clusters, subcylindrical, straight, rarely once-geniculate, brown, finely verruculose, 1–3-septate, 30–70 × 6–7 μm. Conidiogenous cells terminal, integrated, 25–55 × 5–7 μm, brown, finely verruculose, subcylindrical; loci terminal, single, rarely with lateral locus, scars flattened, darkened, thickened, 3–4 μm diam. Conidia solitary, hyaline, obclavate to subcylindrical, straight to slightly curved, apex subobtuse, widest at or below basal septum, (38−)42–55 (−70) × (4−)5(−6) μm, 3–5-septate; hila thickened, darkened and refractive, 3–4 μm diam.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies spreading, with moderate aerial mycelium and even, lobate margin. On potato-dextrose agar surface dirty white, surrounded by broad red-purple zone of diffuse pigment in agar, dark red in reverse. On oatmeal agar centre dirty white, outer region olivaceous-grey. On malt extract agar surface dirty white with patches of olivaceous-grey, reverse iron-grey, reaching 30 mm diam.

Typus. SOUTH AFRICA, Free State Province, Bloemfontein, Free State National Botanical Garden, on leaves of Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Asteraceae), 7 May 2012, P.W. Crous & W.J. Swart, holotype CBS H-21084, cultures ex-type CPC 20605, CPC 20529 = CBS 133582, ITS sequences GenBank KC005779–KC005780, ACT sequences GenBank KC005764–KC005765, TEF sequences GenBank KC005813–KC005814, CAL sequences GenBank KC005767–KC005768, LSU sequences GenBank KC005800–KC005801, MycoBank MB801778.

Notes — Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Cercospora cf. apii (GenBank JN941176; Identities = 900/902 (99 %), Gaps = 1/902 (0 %)), Cercospora acaciae- mangii (GenBank JN941175; Identities = 900/902 (99 %), Gaps = 1/902 (0 %)) and Cercospora sp. (GenBank JN941174; Identities = 900/902 (99 %), Gaps = 1/902 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Cercospora zebrina (GenBank JX390615; Identities = 529/530 (99 %), Gaps = 0/530 (0 %)), Cercospora piaropi (GenBank HQ902254; Identities = 529/530 (99 %), Gaps = %), Gaps = 0/530 (0 %)) and Cercospora capsici (GenBank GU214654; Identities = 529/530 (99 %), Gaps = 0/530 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ACT sequence had highest similarity to Cercospora althaeina (GenBank JX143036; Identities = 192/194 (99 %), Gaps = 0/194 (0 %)), Cercospora zebrina (GenBank JX143260; Identities = 211/214 (99 %), Gaps = 0/214 (0 %)) and Cercospora armoraciae (GenBank JX143058; Identities = 190/194 (98 %), Gaps = 0/194 (0 %)). Closest hits using the TEF sequence had highest similarity to Cercospora delaireae (GenBank JX143346; Identities = 288/292 (99 %), Gaps = 0/292 (0 %)), Cercospora ricinella (GenBank JX143406; Identities = 287/291 (99 %), Gaps = 0/291 (0 %)) and Cercospora cf. zinniae CPC 15075 (GenBank JX143519; Identities = 287/292 (98 %), Gaps = 0/292 (0 %)). Closest hits using the CAL sequence had highest similarity to Cercospora cf. chenopodii (GenBank JX142839; Identities = 388/398 (97 %), Gaps = 0/398 (0 %)), Cercospora ricinella (GenBank JX142913; Identities = 287/297 (97 %), Gaps = 0/297 (0 %)) and Cercospora cf. coreopsidis (GenBank JX142851; Identities = 285/296 (96 %), Gaps = 0/296 (0 %)) (see Groenewald et al. (In press) for morphological details pertaining to the species cited above).

Colour illustrations. Chrysanthemoides monilifera in the Free State National Botanical Garden; leaf spots; lesion; conidiophores and conidia. Scale bars = 10 μm.

Etymology. Named after Gerard J.M. Verkley, for the contribution that he has made to further our understanding of the genus Septoria.

On sterile barley leaves on water agar: Conidiomata pycnidial, substomatal, immersed to erumpent, globose, dark brown, up to 200 μm diam, with central ostiole, 10–15 μm diam; wall of 3–4 layers of brown textura angularis. Conidiophores reduced to conidiogenous cells, or with one supporting cell, lining the inner cavity. Conidiogenous cells hyaline, smooth (in older cultures on malt extract agar becoming brownish, verruculose), tightly aggregated, subcylindrical to ampulliform, straight to curved, 7–15 × 3–4.5 μm, with inconspicuous, percurrent proliferations at apex, but also proliferating sympodially. Conidia of all three types present. Type I conidia (pycnidial conidia) solitary, hyaline, smooth, granular, acicular to narrowly obclavate, tapering towards subacutely rounded apex, with truncate or obconically truncate base, straight to flexuous, 1–6(−12)-septate, (30−)40–65(−80) × (2−)2.5(−3) μm; hila not thickened nor darkened, 1–2 μm. On synthetic nutrient-poor agar, yeast-like growth and microcyclic conidiation (Type III conidia) present, as well as aerial hyphae and older conidia disarticulating into phragmoconidia (Type II conidia).

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies erumpent, with even to feathery margins and sparse aerial mycelium. On potato-dextrose agar and malt extract agar surface pale olivaceous-grey to olivaceous-grey; reverse iron-grey, colonies reaching 12 mm diam.

Typus. NETHERLANDS, Utrecht, Houten, on leaves of Poa annua (Poaceae), 2012, S. Videira, holotype CBS H-21085, cultures ex-type S657 = CBS 133618, ITS sequence GenBank KC005781 and LSU sequence GenBank KC005802, MycoBank MB801779.

Notes — Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Zymoseptoria brevis (GenBank JQ739832; Identities = 862/865 (99 %), Gaps = 2/865 (0 %)), Zymoseptoria tritici (GenBank GU214436; Identities = 862/865 (99 %), Gaps = 2/865 (0 %)) and Zymoseptoria passerinii (GenBank JQ739843; Identities = 855/863 (99 %), Gaps = 0/863 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Zymoseptoria passerinii (GenBank AF181699; Identities = 494/508 (97 %), Gaps = 5/508 (1 %)), Zymoseptoria tritici (GenBank FN428877; Identities = 473/479 (99 %), Gaps = 3/479 (1 %)) and Zymoseptoria halophila (GenBank JF700876; Identities = 461/475 (97 %), Gaps = 5/475 (1 %)). Although phylogenetically closely related to Z. passerinii (conidia 1–3- septate, 21–52 × 1.5–2.2 μm; Quaedvlieg et al. 2011, Stukenbrock et al. 2012), conidia of Z. verkleyi are much larger.

Colour illustrations. Poa annua growing next to the roadside in Houten; colony sporulating on synthetic-nutrient poor agar; conidiogenous cells and conidia with microcyclic conidiation and phragmoconidia. Scale bars = 10 μm.

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

Description based on colonies sporulating on synthetic nutrient poor agar. Mycelium internal, pale brown, smooth, 2–3 μm diam (in culture brown, thick-walled, constricted at septa, smooth, 3–7 μm diam); giving rise to conidiophores that arise from stomata (hypophyllous, on brown leaf spots with concentric brown rings, associated with a Colletotrichum sp., the presumed primary pathogen), erect, solitary, straight, subcylindrical, main axis unbranched on host (frequently branched in culture), 50–200 × 4–7 μm; apex branched with lateral branches, 15–50 × 3–5 μm, 1–3-septate, becoming clavate towards apex, thick-walled, smooth to finely verruculose. Conidiogenous cells integrated, terminal and lateral, in whorls of 3–4, clavate or broadly cylindrical to doliiform, 10–20 × 4–7 μm, aseptate, medium to dark brown, concolorous with conidiophores, polyblastic with numerous loci at conidiogenous tip; loci truncate, circular, thickened, slightly darkened and refractive, 0.5–1(−1.5) μm. Ramoconidia dark brown, clavate to subcylindrical, finely verruculose, thick-walled, aseptate, 5–15 × 4–5 μm, with numerous apical loci, resembling those on conidiogenous cells. Conidia in branched, short chains, subglobose, ellipsoid to fusoid, (4−)6–7 × (3−)4 μm, pale brown, smooth, thin-walled; hila with circular, thickened, darkened and refractive loci, 1–1.5 μm diam.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies erumpent, spreading, with moderate aerial mycelium and even, lobate margins. On malt extract agar surface folded, grey-olivaceous, reverse olivaceous-grey. On oatmeal agar surface grey-olivaceous in centre, sienna in outer region. On potato-dextrose agar grey-olivaceous in centre, olivaceous-grey in outer region, iron-grey in reverse, reaching 30 mm diam.

Typus. AUSTRALIA, Northern Territory, Darwin, on leaves of Posoqueria latifolia (Rubiaceae), 12 Apr. 2011, R.G. Shivas, holotype CBS H-21086, cultures ex-type CPC 19305 = CBS 133583, ITS sequence GenBank KC005782, LSU sequence GenBank KC005803, MycoBank MB801780.

Notes — The genus Toxicocladosporium, based on T. irritans, presently accommodates eight species (Crous et al. 2007, 2009d, Crous & Groenewald 2011). Toxicocladosporium posoqueriae differs from other members of the genus in that it has whorls of conidiogenous cells, resembling Parapericoniella asterinae, the type species of the genus Parapericoniella (Bensch et al. 2012). However, P. asterinae is mycophylic, growing on Asterina contigua, thus it differs ecologically from T. posoqueriae, which appears to be plant pathogenic, colonising lesions of a Colletotrichum sp. Nevertheless, if these genera are eventually found to be synonymous, Parapericoniella (2005) would represent an older name than Toxicocladosporium (2007). Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Toxicocladosporium pseudoveloxum (GenBank JF499868; Identities = 924/938 (99 %), Gaps = 0/938 (0 %)), Toxicocladosporium strelitziae (GenBank JX069858; Identities = 922/938 (98 %), Gaps = 0/938 (0 %)) and Toxicocladosporium irritans (GenBank EU040243; Identities = 922/938 (98 %), Gaps = 0/938 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Toxicocladosporium strelitziae (GenBank JX069874; Identities = 532/562 (95 %), Gaps = 10/562 (2 %)), Toxicocladosporium pseudoveloxum (GenBank JF499847; Identities = 660/698 (95 %), Gaps = 11/698 (2 %)) and Toxicocladosporium rubrigenum (GenBank FJ790285; Identities = 638/675 (95 %), Gaps = 7/ 675 (1 %)).

Colour illustrations. Rocky outcrop in Northern Territories, Darwin; colony on synthetic nutrient-poor agar; conidiophores with whorls of conidiogenous cells and conidia. Scale bars = 10 μm.

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

Leaf spots amphigenous, subcircular, 2–3 mm diam, grey-brown with a dark brown, raised border. Ascomata pseudothecial, amphigenous, black, subepidermal, erumpent, globose, up to 120 μm diam; central ostiole 10–20 μm diam; wall consisting of 2–3 layers of medium brown textura angularis. Asci aparaphysate, fasciculate, bitunicate, subsessile, obovoid to subcylindrical, straight to curved, 8-spored, 20–30 × 7–9 μm. Ascospores multiseriate, overlapping, hyaline, guttulate, thin-walled, straight, obovoid with obtuse ends, widest in middle of apical cell, medianly 1-septate, not or slightly constricted at septum, tapering towards both ends, but more prominently towards lower end, 7–8(−10) × (2−)3(−3.5) μm. Ascospores become distorted upon germination, brown, verruculose, 7–10 μm diam; initial germ tubes parallel to the long axis, but additional tubes at various angles to the long axis. Colonies on SNA. Mycelium consisting of septate, branched, smooth, pale brown, 2–3 μm diam hyphae, that give rise to globose or elongated sclerotial-like bodies of brown, multiseptate, thick-walled cells (variously shaped and branched, up to 25 μm diam). Conidiophores developing mostly on terminal hyphal ends, subcylindrical, brown, straight or variously curved, with multiple septa, up to 80 μm tall, and 4–6 μm wide. Conidiogenous cells subcylindrical, brown, smooth, terminal and lateral, 5–15 × 4–6 μm, with flattened, truncate locus, 2–3 μm diam, mono- to polyblastic. Conidia brown, smooth, subcylindrical to fusoid-ellipsoidal, straight to variously curved, at times with lateral branches, 0–3 transversely septate, apex obtuse or truncate, base truncate, 2 μm diam, somewhat darkened, not thickened, 8–20 × 3.5–4 μm; commonly arranged in branched chains that branch irregularly below or near apex of conidial chain.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies erumpent, spreading, with moderate aerial mycelium and even, lobate margins. On malt extract agar (MEA) centre olivaceous-grey, outer region iron-grey, reverse iron-grey. On oatmeal agar surface olivaceous-grey. On potato-dextrose-agar same as MEA, reaching 13 mm diam.

Typus. AUSTRALIA, Northern Territory, Darwin, just off Arnhem Highway, S12°44.839’ E131°31.558’, on leaves of Corymbia sp. (Myrtaceae), 9 May 2011, P.W. Crous & B.A. Summerell, holotype CBS H-21087, cultures ex-type CPC 19435, CPC 19437 = CBS 133584, ITS sequence GenBank KC005783, LSU sequences GenBank KC005805–KC005805, MycoBank MB801781.

Notes — Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Teratosphaeria encephalarti (GenBank FJ372417; Identi- ties = 836/850 (98 %), Gaps = 0/850 (0 %)), Catenulostroma chromoblastomycosum (GenBank EU019251; Identities = 877/892 (98 %), Gaps = 0/892 (0 %)) and Penidiella rigidophora (GenBank EU019276; Identities = 833/853 (98 %), Gaps = 0/853 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence yielded highest similarity to Catenulostroma protearum (GenBank GU214628; Identities = 600/668 (90 %), Gaps = 29/668 (4 %)), Catenulostroma hermanusense (GenBank JF499833; Identities = 599/668 (90 %), Gaps = 29/668 (4 %)) and Teratosphaeria encephalarti (GenBank FJ372400; Identities = 592/661 (90 %), Gaps = 21/661 (3 %)). Although phylogenetically closely related to C. protearum (conidia 12–45 × 7–25 μm; Crous & Groenewald 2011), C. corymbiae has much smaller conidia.

Colour illustrations. Corymbia and Eucalyptus spp. in Northern Territory, Darwin; symptomatic Corymbia leaf; germinating ascospores; asci and ascospores. Scale bars = 10 μm.

Etymology. Named after the host genus from which it was isolated, Carpentaria.

Colonies on synthetic nutrient-poor agar. Mycelium consisting of smooth, pale brown, septate, branched, 2–3 μm diam hyphae. Conidiophores erect, subcylindrical, pale brown, smooth to finely verruculose, straight or flexuous, unbranched, 1–3(−7)-septate, 20–90 × 2–4 μm. Conidiogenous cells terminal, integrated, subcylindrical, smooth, pale brown, proliferating sympodially, 15–25 × 2–3 μm; numerous scars aggregated at apex, flattened, thickened, somewhat darkened, 0.5–1.5 μm diam. Ramoconidia 0(−1)-septate, granular to guttulate, subcylindrical to fusoid-ellipsoidal, smooth, pale brown, 10–18 × 2–3 μm, with one to numerous loci at apex (especially on OA); hila somewhat thickened and darkened, 0.5–1 μm diam. Conidia fusoid-ellipsoidal, pale brown, smooth, guttulate, (6−)7–8(−10) × (1.5−)2(−2.5) μm, aseptate; hila flattened, truncate, somewhat thickened and darkened, 0.5–1 μm diam. Chlamydospores not observed.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk): Colonies erumpent, spreading, with smooth, lobate margins and sparse to moderate aerial mycelium. On potato-dextrose agar, malt extract agar and oatmeal agar surface and reverse iron-grey, colonies reaching 20 mm diam.

Typus. AUSTRALIA, Northern Territory, Litchfield National Park, Wangi Falls, on leaves of Carpentaria acuminata (Arecaceae), 24 Apr. 2011, P.W. Crous & B.A. Summerell, holotype CBS H-21088, cultures ex-type CPC 19439 = CBS 133586, ITS sequence GenBank KC005784, LSU sequence GenBank KC005806, MycoBank MB801782.

Notes — Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Parapenidiella tasmaniensis (GenBank GU214452; Identities = 865/895 (97 %), Gaps = 2/895 (0 %)), Parapenidiella pseudotasmaniensis (GenBank GQ852625; Identities = 859/889 (97 %), Gaps = 2/889 (0 %)) and Phacellium paspali (GenBank GU214669; Identities = 863/895 (96 %), Gaps = 3/895 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Devriesia tardicrescens (GenBank JF499840; Identities = 453/527 (86 %), Gaps = 21/527 (4 %)), Teratosphaeria associata (GenBank EU707857; Identities = 360/ 391 (92 %), Gaps = 9/391 (2 %)) and Teratosphaeria parva (GenBank AY626980; Identities = 458/534 (86 %), Gaps = 32/534 (6 %)). Penidiella carpentariae clusters basal to a clade that contains Parapenidiella tasmaniensis and P. pseudotasmaniensis.

Colour illustrations. Wangi Falls, Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory; colony sporulating on synthetic nutrient-poor agar; conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidia. Scale bars = 10 μm.

Etymology. Para (= close to) + its morphological similarity to Penidiella.

Mycelium consisting of branched, septate, smooth subhyaline to pale brown hyphae. Conidiophores macronematous, occasionally micronematous; macronematous conidiophores arising from superficial mycelium, solitary, erect, pale brown, thin-walled, smooth to finely verruculose; terminally penicillate, unbranched in terminal part; conidiogenous apparatus composed of a series of conidiogenous cells and/or ramoconidia. Conidiogenous cells integrated, terminal or intercalary, unbranched, pale brown, smooth, tapering to a flattened or rounded apical region, mono- or polyblastic, sympodial, giving rise to a single or several sets of ramoconidia on different levels; with relatively few conidiogenous loci, slightly thickened, slightly darkened. Conidia in branched acropetal chains. Ramoconidia 0–1-septate, pale brown, smooth, thin-walled, fusoid-ellipsoidal to subcylindrical. Conidia subcylindrical, fusoid to ellipsoid-ovoid, aseptate, pale olivaceous to pale brown, smooth, thin-walled, catenate; hila truncate, slightly thickened, somewhat darkened.

Type species. Parapenidiella tasmaniensis (Crous & M.J. Wingf.) Crous. MycoBank MB801783.

Penidiella pseudotasmaniensis Crous, Persoonia 23: 126. 2009. MycoBank MB801784.

Basionym. Mycovellosiella tasmaniensis Crous & M.J. Wingf., Mycol. Res. 102: 527. 1998.

• ≡ Passalora tasmaniensis (Crous & M.J. Wingf.) Crous & U. Braun, in Mycosphaerella and its anamorphs. 1. Names published in Cercospora and Passalora: 472. 2003.

• = Mycosphaerella tasmaniensis Crous & M.J. Wingf., Mycol. Res. 102: 527. 1998.

Notes — Parapenidiella represents a genus between Devriesia (Seifert et al. 2004) and Penidiella (Crous et al. 2007), which are known to be paraphyletic (Crous et al. 2009a, b). All three genera have Teratosphaeria-like teleomorphs (Crous et al. 2008, 2012). Parapenidiella is distinguished from Penidiella and Devriesia by having pale brown, unbranched, penicillate conidiophores, with olivaceous to pale brown, branched conidial chains. Penidiella carpentariae strongly resembles Parapenidiella in morphology, yet appears to represent a different lineage in this generic complex.

MycoBank MB801785.

Etymology. Name refers to the host genus, Phylica.

Caulicolous. Conidiomata stromatic, pycnidia, scattered to aggregated, erumpent, conical, up to 350 μm diam, uniloculate, dark brown to black, opening by irregular rupture; basal stroma of dark brown textura angularis. Conidiophores lining cavity, filamentous, creating impression of paraphyses, septate, branched, hyaline, smooth, up to 80 μm long, and 3.5 μm wide. Conidiogenous cells subcylindrical, terminal and lateral, integrated, smooth, hyaline, 10–20 × 1.5–3 μm; proliferating percurrently. Conidia fusoid to ellipsoid, dark to golden brown, granular, 5-septate, not constricted at septa, with visible central septal pore, (23−)28–30(−35) × (9−)10(−11) μm; basal cell conical with truncate hilum, pale brown to hyaline, 3–5 μm long; 4 median cells doliiform to subcylindrical, brown, with wall and septa being darker, cells together 17–23 μm long; apical cell broadly conical, apex rounded, hyaline, 2–4 μm long. Apical appendages tubular, unbranched, eccentric, 6–8 μm long; basal appendages unbranched, centric, 2–5 μm long.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 24 °C after 2 wk): Colonies erumpent, spreading, with moderate aerial mycelium and even, lobate margins. On malt extract agar surface pale olivaceous-grey, with patches of dirty white; reverse cinnamon. On potato-dextrose agar surface dirty white with patches of black sporulation; reverse dirty white. On oatmeal agar surface pale grey-olivaceous with patches of dirty white, reaching 30 mm diam.

Typus. UK, British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Inaccessible Island, Blenden Hall, S37°17’41“ W12°42’08”, stems of Phylica arborea (Rhamnaceae), Sept. 2011, P.G. Ryan, holotype CBS H-21089, cultures ex-type CPC 19962–19965 (CPC 19964 = CBS 133587), β-tubulin (TUB) sequence GenBank KC005819–KC005821, TEF1-α sequences GenBank KC005815–KC005817, ITS sequences GenBank KC005785–KC005785, LSU sequences GenBank KC005807–KC005810, MycoBank MB801788.

Notes — Conidia of Seiridium cardinale are 21–30 × 8–10 μm, with basal appendage being 1 μm long when present, and apical appendage 0.5–1.5 μm (Sutton 1980), which clearly distinguishes it from Seiridium phylicae. Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Seiridium eucalypti (GenBank DQ414533; Identities = 833/833 (100 %), Gaps = 0/833 (0 %)), Seiridium unicorne (GenBank DQ414532; Identities = 833/833 (100 %), Gaps = 0/833 (0 %)) and Lepteutypa cupressi (GenBank AF382379; Identities = 872/875 (99 %), Gaps = 3/875 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Seiridium cardinale (GenBank AF409995; Identities = 552/558 (99 %), Gaps = 2/558 (0 %)), Seiridium cupressi (GenBank FJ430600; Identities = 558/567 (98 %), Gaps = 4/567 (1 %)) and Seiridium unicorne (GenBank AF377299; Identities = 567/578 (98 %), Gaps = 2/578 (0 %)). Closest hits using the TUB sequence had highest similarity to Seiridium cardinale (GenBank DQ926973; Identities = 353/366 (96 %), Gaps = 3/366 (1 %)) and Seiridium cupressi (GenBank AF320495; Identities = 385/401 (96 %), Gaps = 2/401 (0 %)). Only distant hits (e.g. Identities = 218/249 (88 %), Gaps = 12/249 (5 %)) with Pestalotiopsis spp. were obtained when the TEF sequences were used in a megablast search.

Colour illustrations. Phylica arborea growing on Inaccessible Island; colony on synthetic nutrient-poor agar; conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and conidia. Scale bars = 10 μm.

Etymology. Named after the host from which it was collected, Rhus typhina.

Colonies on Rhus typhina forming dark, sometimes slimy, crust on petiole and twig surfaces, forming a stroma-like sheath on trichomes, textura prismatica in surface view. Mycelium consisting of pale brown, branched, thick-walled (c. 1 μm), septate hyphae, (2−)4–6.5(−7.5) μm diam, smooth. Micromorphology identical to that in culture, described below.

Colonies on malt extract agar (MEA). Mycelium consisting of pale brown, branched, septate hyphae, 1.5–3.5 μm diam, smooth. In older cultures, hyphae becoming darker, thick-walled (c. 1 μm), ossiform, and fragmenting to form a yeast-like colony. Conidiophores reduced to conidiogenous cells. Conidiogenous cells integrated, lateral on hyphae, solitary, subdenticulate, 3–5 μm tall, 2–3 μm wide, pale brown, smooth. Conidia (0−)1–3(−6)-septate, 3-septate conidia most frequent, 5–6-septate conidia rarely observed, aseptate conidia (8−)9–17.5(−29.5) × (2−)2.5–3 μm, 1-septate conidia (10.5−)11.5–22.5(−36) × (2−)2.5–3(−3.5) μm, 2-septate conidia (17−)19–28(−32) × (2.5−)3–3.5(−4), 3-septate conidia (19−)26–35.5(−40) × (2−)2.5–3(−3.5) μm, 4-septate conidia (36−)37.5–44(−47.5) × (2.5−)2.5–3(−3.5) μm, 5-septate conidia (47−)48.5–56(−57) × 2.5–3 μm, 6-septate conidia 48.5 × 3 μm, hyaline, smooth, cylindrical, straight to variously curved, apex obtuse, base truncate, older conidia somewhat constricted at septa, guttulate, aggregated in mucoid masses; hila neither thickened nor darkened; anastomosis among conidia sometimes observed; microcyclic conidiation commonly observed.

Culture characteristics — (in the dark, 25 °C after 2 wk on MEA): Colonies convex, with moderate to woolly aerial mycelium; surface irregular, slimy, dark grey to olive (1F1–1F3) (Kornerup & Wanscher 1978), aerial mycelium greyish off-white to pastel grey (1B2–1B3), margin diffuse; reverse dark grey (1F1); diam up to 4 mm. In older colonies (> 6 wk), aerial mycelium becoming yellowish brown to tobacco brown (5E8–5F6), collapsing, centre carbonaceous, slimy and yeast-like, margin lobate.

Typus. CANADA, Ontario, Ottawa, Dominion Arboretum, on twigs of Rhus typhina var. laciniata (Anacardiaceae), 20 Oct. 2011, J.B. Tanney, holotype DAOM 242272, dried culture ex-type DAOM 242276, ITS sequence GenBank KC012605, LSU sequence GenBank KC012606, TEF1 sequence GenBank KC012604, MycoBank MB801439.

Notes — Microcyclospora was first described in 2010, with three species causing sooty blotch on Malus domestica fruit (Frank et al. 2010). The genus is characterised by 1–multi-septate, smooth, pale brown, scolecosporous to cylindrical conidia borne from reduced and integrated mono- to polyblastic conidiogenous cells. Conidia occur in mucoid masses and microcyclic conidiation is common (Frank et al. 2010). Morphologically, M. rhoicola conforms with the generic concept of Microcyclospora and can be differentiated from other species by its shorter conidia with fewer septa (Table 1). The discovery of M. rhoicola represents the first record of Microcyclospora in North America and on its host, Rhus typhina.

The phylogenetic analysis below is based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences derived from two M. rhoicola isolates (specimens collected c. 250 km apart) and previously published data (Frank et al. 2010, Crous et al. In press). Microcyclospora rhoicola has distinct ITS sequences from those sequenced to date and appears to be rather distant from the currently described species.

Several cercosporoid fungi are described from Rhus spp. in North America (Farr et al. 1989), including Cercosporella toxicodendri and Pseudocercospora rhoina. Both species occur as leaf spots and have more complex conidiophores compared to the reduced and integrated conidiogenous cells characterising M. rhoicola.

Colour illustrations. Rhus typhina var. laciniata at the Dominion Arboretum, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (type host, photo K. Seifert); mycelium on individual trichomes (scale bar = 100 μm); conidiogenous cells and conidia exhibiting microcyclic conidiation. Scale bars = 10 μm.

Etymology. aristatus (L.) = with bristles.

Conidia isolated from foam according to the methodology of Marvanová et al. (2003). Colonies on malt agar medium fast growing, reaching 25 mm after 20 d at 12 °C, dark grey, reverse black. Aerial mycelium abundant, lanose to funiculose. Hyphae glabrous, hyaline, thin-walled, 1–3 μm wide or dark brown, thicker-walled, up to 5 μm wide. Sporulation initially directly on agar, in subcultures after submergence in standing distilled water at 15 °C within a few days. Conidiophores intercalary, lateral or terminal, simple to profusely branched; stipes, if present, cylindrical or distally slightly widening up to 32 × 1.5–3.5 μm, with branches on various levels along the stipes or in a penicillate head; often concurrent with conidiogenous cells, sometimes verticillate, cylindrical or subclavate, 4–8 × 2–3 μm. Conidiogenous cells subclavate to narrow-doliiform, usually 1–3 per conidiophore branch, polyblastic sympodial, 5–11 × 1.5–3 μm, with one to few denticles at the apex, scars flat. Conidia in slimy masses when formed outside water, appearing in close sequence. Axis 31–46 × 2–3.5 μm, proximal part obclavate and unequilateral, mildly curved or straight, 3(−5)-septate, basal scar truncate, sometimes eccentric, apex with an integrated, setose extension sometimes slightly curved away; branch single (exceptionally two), typically ventral, rarely dorsal, usually arising from the second suprabasal cell of the axis, often strongly retrorse, but also perpendicular to the axis, straight or often slightly curved abaxially, rarely adaxially, proximal part obclavate, base often slightly sinuous, 16–30 × 1.5–2.7 μm, insertion unequally constricted, distally protracted into setose extension. Some considerably swollen conidia are usually present in submerged cultures after several weeks. Hyphopodia-like outgrowths may appear in aged, submerged cultures on hyphae, and also on conidia.

Typus. CZECH REPUBLIC, South Moravian region, between the villages Ochoz uTišnova and Lomnice, c. 440 m alt., isolated from foam in an unnamed left tributary of the Křeptovský potok stream (the streamlet is shallow, 80–100 cm wide, slow-flowing, with grasses on the banks and Typha latifolia and Glyceria maxima in the littoral zone), Mar. 1984, L. Marvanová, holotype CBS H-21090, culture ex-type CPC 21145 = CCM F-01585 = CBS 115662; ITS sequence GenBank KC005789, LSU sequence GenBank KC005811, MycoBank MB491201.

Notes — The hyphomycete genus Collembolispora is based on C. barbata, isolated from Alnus glutinosa leaf baits submerged in a slow-flowing, oligotrophic softwater stream in North Portugal (Marvanová et al. 2003). Collembolispora aristata has similar colonies, conidiogenesis as well as conidia like C. barbata, but the conidia of the latter differ from those of C. aristata by having a branched, terminal, setose extension on the conidial axis and on the conidial branch, and by the presence of a hyphomycetous, phialidic (?spermatial) morph.

As far as we know, there is thus far only one other report on conidia of C. aristata (Roldán & Puig 1992, f. 3C, as Gyoerffyella sp.). These authors collected detached conidia in a stream in the river Esva basin in the Asturias Province of Northern Spain, 285 m alt., in a site where the riparian vegetation consists predominantly of grasses.

Conidia of C. aristata resemble those of Ramulispora bromi, which is a grass parasite causing spots on Bromus spp. In fact the conidia illustrated by Sprague (1950, f. 76), resemble underdeveloped conidia of C. aristata, without long extensions. According to Braun (1995), R. bromi is an insufficiently known species, with conidia resembling those of Mycocentrospora or Spermospora. Ramulispora is based on R. andropogonis, which according to Braun (1995) is a facultative (taxonomic) synonym of R. sorghi, based on Septorella sorghi. Conidia of R. sorghi are filiform to narrow obclavate, sometimes with 1–2 lateral branches. Ramulispora sorghi is anamorphic Mycosphaerellaceae, Dothideomycetes (Crous et al. 2009a, c).

Collembolispora aristata conidia are superficially also similar to those of two Gyoerffyella species with single-branched non-coiled conidia (G. entomobryoides and G. tricapillata). However, members of this holoanamorphic genus have pale colonies and polyblastic, clavate conidiogenous cells, which do not proliferate.

Phylogenetically Collembolispora clusters in the Helotiales, with the nearest group formed by strains of Leptodontidium orchidicola. Leptodontidium was established for dematiaceous endophytes in roots of various plants growing in cool soils rich in humus (Fernando & Currah 1995). Based on a megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide database, the closest hits using the LSU sequence are Cadophora luteo-olivacea (GenBank HM116760; Identities = 907/913 (99 %), Gaps = 0/913 (0 %)) and Mollisia dextrinospora (GenBank HM116757; Identities = 906/913 (99 %), Gaps = 0/913 (0 %)). Closest hits using the ITS sequence had highest similarity to Collembolispora barbata (GenBank GQ411302; Identities = 559/576 (97 %), Gaps = 7/576 (1 %)) and Leptodontidium orchidicola (GenBank GU586841; Identities = 555/580 (96 %), Gaps = 10/580 (2 %)).

There is little information on the ecology of species of Collembolispora. It is not known whether they should be considered indwellers, residents or transients (in the sense of Park 1972) in the water environment. In both localities of C. aristata, Poaceae were present on the stream banks or in the littoral zone. Although the occurrence of Poaceae at the type locality may support the hypothesis about relationships between R. bromi and C. aristata, the phylogenetic affinity suggests this not to be the case.

Colour illustrations. Left tributary of the stream Křeptovský potok between the villages Ochoz u Tišnova and Lomnice; conidiophores, conidiogenous cells and appendaged conidia. Scale bars = 10 μm.

• = Stilbella acerina Overh., Mycologia 35: 253. 1943. nom. inval. Art. 36.

Etymology. Named after the genus of its host, duplicating the epithet proposed by the original discoverer of this species.

Synnemata 250–825 μm tall, subulate, capitate, slender, 30–50 μm wide at the base, narrowing to 20–40 μm wide, black or dark brown, fading below the capitulum, usually unbranched, solitary, scattered or gregarious, sometimes associated with necrotic leaf spots of a Phyllosticta sp. Hyphae of stipe in two zones: marginal hyphae 2–3 μm wide, golden brown, unbranched, with walls up to 1 μm thick, sometimes seta-like and projecting into the capitulum and supporting the conidial mass; core hyphae 2–2.5 μm wide, hyaline, branching in the capitulum to give rise to the conidiophores. Conidiophores biverticillate or terverticillate, with terminal branches comprising 2–3 conidiogenous cells in an acropleurogenous chain; metulae 7–11 × 1.5–2 μm. Conidiogenous cells phialidic; terminal phialides 7–13 × 1–2 μm, subulate or acerose; intercalary phialides 6–9 × 1–2.5 μm, cylindrical with a lateral, apically directed, terminal conidiogenous extension, 1–11.5 μm long, usually longest near the base of the chain; periclinal thickening and collarettes not seen. Conidial mass globose, at first hyaline, becoming white, usually orange when dry, sometimes white, yellow, or red, about 75–125 μm diam when dry. Conidia 5–7.5(−9.5) × 1.5–2.5(−3) μm (6.53 ± 0.06 × 2.37 ± 0.02, n = 25), aseptate, allantoid to ellipsoidal, hyaline.

Culture characteristics — Typical synnemata develop on oatmeal agar, as do sessile conidiomata with identical conidiophores and conidia. Mononematous conidiophores, similar to those in conidiomata, are produced on the agar surface. There is more variation in conidial size than is seen on the natural substrate. On 2 % malt extract agar, parts of the colony are yeast-like, with irregularly shaped yeast cells. Other parts of the colony have a mycelial, micronematous anamorph, perhaps a degenerated version of conidiophores seen in conidiomata. Synnemata that develop in a damp chamber are often apically branched 1–4 times.

Typus. USA, Tennessee, Gatlinburg, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Cataloochee Campground, on leaves of Acer rubrum, 15 July 2004, R. Bennett (holotype DAOM 242271, culture ex-type CCFC 242271); ITS sequence GenBank JX989830, LSU sequence GenBank JX989831, SSU sequence GenBank JX989832, Cox1 sequence GenBank JX989833, MycoBank MB801762.

Additional material examined. Same location and host, Park Headquarters Building, L.O. & F.M. Overholts, 18 Aug. 1939 (PAC 22851, holotype of Stilbella acerina nom. inval. ); Park Headquarters Building, D.H. DeFoe, 27 June 1984 (culture CBS 543.84).

Notes — The hyphomycete genus Synchaetomella is based on S. lunatospora, a species with falcate, 1-septate conidia, which was originally isolated from leaf-litter collected in Singapore (Decock et al. 2005). Synchaetomella acerina has similar conidiomata and conidiophore branching and is phylogenetically closely related, but differs by having aseptate, allantoid conidia, and occurs on living leaves of Acer rubrum. The lignicolous Exophiala calicioides also has acropleurogenous conidiogenous cells terminating in dark synnemata, but they have distinct annellations, and other characters are dissimilar to those of S. acerina (Ellis 1971, as Graphium).

Stilbella acerina was invalidly described by Overholts (1943) without a Latin diagnosis, and excluded from Stilbella by Seifert (1985) without redisposition. In 1984, park rangers at Great Smokey Mountains National Park sent us living leaves of Acer rubrum from near the park headquarters, where Overholts reported finding the fungus. To our surprise, the synnematous fungus emerged from the leaves when damp chambered, and was easily cultured. Twenty years after that, K. Hodge and her student R. Bennett of Cornell University recollected the fungus again during a foray of the Mycological Society of America in the same park, providing the specimen used as the holotype of the species here.

Synchaetomella belongs to the complex of anamorph genera including Chaetomella, Hainesia, Pilidium and Sphaerographium (Rossman et al. 2004). These genera have species with similar conidia and phialidic conidiogenous cells that develop in acropleurogenous chains. They differ primarily in the nature of their conidiomata, which in the other genera are coelomycetous. The addition of S. acerina to the complex calls into question the monophyly of these genera as presently circumscribed, but the species clearly belongs to Synchaetomella morphologically, based on its synnematous conidiomata.

Supplementary material in MycoBank includes line drawings of S. acerina and its yeast-like form in vitro.

Colour illustrations. Acer rubrum near the Park Headquarters of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park (Andrew Miller), with synnemata, conidiophores and conidia from the type of Synchaetomella acerina.

Etymology. Name derived from the Latin word for tile (imbrex) relating to the habitat where it was found.

On half-strength potato-dextrose agar. Mycelium immersed or superficial, consisting of dark brown, branched, septate, 4–5 μm diam hyphae. Arthroconidia brown, smooth, barrel-shaped or globose, thick-walled, irregular, (5−)7–9(−10) × (4.5−)5–6(−6.5) μm, occurring in branched chains, buds arising at intervals along the chain. Chlamydospores intercalary or terminal, thick-walled, brown, 5–6.5 × 4.5–5 μm.

Culture characteristics — (In the dark, 25 °C after 4 wk): Colonies spreading with mostly appressed mycelium and lobate margins, reaching 35 mm diam, olivaceous to brown.

Typus. PORTUGAL, Sintra, Palácio da Pena, on glazed decorative tiles in association with Trebouxia sp. (Chlorophyta), 29 Oct. 2011, M.L. Coutinho (holotype LISE 96109, culture ex-type CAP1373), ITS sequence GenBank JX915746, LSU sequence GenBank JX915750, MycoBank MB801761.

Additional material examined. Same collection: CAP1371, ITS sequence GenBank JX915745, LSU sequence GenBank JX915749; CAP1374, ITS sequence GenBank JX915747, LSU sequence GenBank JX915751; CAP1375, ITS sequence GenBank JX91574, LSU sequence GenBank JX915752.

Notes — Devriesia is paraphyletic (Frank et al. 2010), comprising at least four lineages, three of which are distantly related to D. staurophora, the type species of the genus. In the LSU phylogeny Devriesia imbrexigena clusters in one of these lineages, but not with the typical cluster of soil-inhabiting, heat resistant strains. In the nutrient-poor habitat where D. imbrexigena was found it seems to derive nutrition by parasitizing algae that colonise tiles (Coutinho et al. 2012).

A megablast search of NCBIs GenBank nucleotide sequence database with the LSU sequence revealed highest similarities to Devriesia hilliana (GenBank GU214414; Identities = 913/920 (99 %), Gaps = 0/920 (0 %)), Passalora sp. (GenBank GQ852622; Identities = 912/920 (99 %), Gaps = 0/920 (0 %)) and Devriesia queenslandica (GenBank JF951168; Identities = 911/920 (99 %), Gaps = 0/920 (0 %)). Closest hit with the ITS sequence is Teratosphaeria capensis (GenBank JN712501; Identities = 436/471 (93 %), Gaps = 12/471 (3 %)), followed by Devriesia sp. (GenBank HQ914861; Identities = 434/476 (91 %), Gaps = 14/476 (3 %)) and Devriesia lagerstroemiae (GenBank GU214634; Identities = 427/471 (91 %), Gaps = 15/471 (3 %)).

Colour illustrations. Pena National Palace, Sintra, Portugal. Branched chain of arthroconidia, buds developing on the chain of arthroconidia, multiple buds, detail of a budding cell. Scale bars = 5 μm.

Etymology. Named after the host species from which it was collected, Lobelia fistulosa.

Leaf spots circular, centrally white greyish, with distinct dark brown margins, becoming subcircular to irregular, tissue collapsing in the necrotic areas and often torn, 2–16 × 3–20 mm. Internal mycelium, inter- and intracellular, 1.5–2 μm wide, branched, septate, pale brown, smooth. External mycelium absent. Stromata subepidermal, globose to subglobose, 25–85.5 × 28–63.5 μm, composed of dark brown textura angularis. Conidiophores amphigenous, aggregated in dense erect synnemata, subcylindrical, straight to slightly sinuous at apex, up to 330 μm long, 2–4 μm wide, multiseptate, unbranched, chestnut-brown at base becoming yellowish brown at apex, geniculate, smooth. Conidiogenous cells integrated, terminal, slightly sinuous, tapering to flat-tipped apical loci, subcylindrical 6–25 × 1.5–4 μm, pale brown. Conidiogenous loci conspicuous, 1–3 per cell, truncate to slightly convex, 1.5–2 μm diam, thickened and darkened. Conidia brown, smooth, dry, guttulate, solitary or catenulate, forming branched chains, cylindrical to subcylindrical, 10–59 × 1.9–5.5 μm, apex rounded, base obconically truncate, (1−)2–3(−4)-septate; hilum thickened and darkened.

Culture characteristics — Colonies slow growing (reaching 10 mm diam after 15 d) on vegetable broth agar (VBA; Pereira et al. 2003) at 25 °C; circular or irregular, raised centrally of dense cottony aerial mycelium, olivaceous-black, with black-grey uneven margins. Reverse on VBA iron-grey, alternate with olivaceous-black; sporulation abundant.

Typus. BRAZIL, Rio de Janeiro, Nova Friburgo, Riograndina, Alto dos Micheis, on leaves of Lobelia fistulosa, 9 July 2011, R.W. Barreto (holotype VIC 31840, culture ex-type COAD 1116), LSU sequence GenBank JX171142, ITS sequence GenBank JX494388, MycoBank MB800217.

Notes — Passalora lobeliae-fistulosis was found associated with distinct leaf spotting of Lobelia fistulosa (Campanulaceae). There is only one species of Passalora described on a member of the genus Lobelia, namely P. lobeliae-cardinalis (http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/index.cfm). The presence of long synnemata, conidial chains and also conidial size allows for an easy distinction of P. lobeliae-fistulosis from P. lobeliae-cardinalis and the other species of Passalora described hitherto on members of the Campanulaceae, namely: P. codonopsis, P. effusa, P. ferruginea, P. isotomae and P. lobeliae-cardinalis. These species were originally treated as members of Cercospora or Mycovellosiella but have been transferred to Passalora (Braun 1995, Braun & Crous 2003). The closest species of Passalora as compared by LSU sequences available in public databases is P. brachycarpa. Nevertheless, this is a pathogen of Solanum spp. (Solanaceae) which is both phylogenetically and morphologically distinct from P. lobeliae- fistulosis. No sexual morph was observed on the leaves, nor were we able to induce any in culture. BLASTn results of the LSU sequence of P. lobeliae-fistulosis (VIC 31840, VIC 31841) had an E-value of 0.0 with the LSU sequence of P. brachycarpa (GenBank GU214664, 100 % query coverage).

Colour illustrations. Lobelia fistulosa growing on a humid slope at type locality in the Atlantic rainforest at Nova Friburgo, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Close-up of leaf spot; dense and erect synnema; conidia with thickened and darkened hila Scale bars = 10 um

Etymology. austro (L) = southern, being a southern counterpart of Clitopilus prunulus.

Macroscopic description — Pileus 40–90 mm diam, convex when young, expanding to concave or infundibuliform, with involute margin, becoming irregularly shaped with age with undulating marginal zone. Not hygrophanous, not translucently striate, uniformly pale grey, sometimes with a slight brown tinge at the centre (10YR 7/3–4), adpressed-tomentose all over. Lamellae arcuate-decurrent, grey-pink with entire, concolorous or more or less hyaline edge, crowded. Stipe 30–60 × 10–15 mm (apex), usually central, rarely eccentric, tapering towards base, white or with a greyish brown tinge like pileus, tomentose. Context white, firm and rather thick in pileus. Odour very strongly farinaceous-rancid. Taste farinaceous-rancid.

Microscopic description — Spores (8−)9–11 × 4.5–6 μm, Q = 1.7–2.1, Qav = 1.9, slender fusiform occasionally amygdaliform, thin-walled, distinctly ribbed lengthwise with 5–8 longitudinal ribs, angular in polar view. Basidia 20–30 × 4–8 μm, 4-spored. Lamella edge fertile or with scattered subcylindrical cheilocystidia, 20–40 × 4–11 μm. Pileipellis a cutis of densely packed, narrow cylindrical, 4–8 μm wide hyphae with dark brown coloured walls, and scattered fine encrustations. Clamp-connections absent.

Habitat — Terrestrial in litter on wet sclerophyll forest of Eucalyptus regnans with an understorey of Acacia, Olearia, Bedfordia, Pomaderris and Phebalium.

Typus. AUSTRALIA, Tasmania, Kermandie Falls, Lower Track, S43°12’ E146°52’, 24 Mar. 2009, M.E. Noordeloos 2009062 (L); ITS sequence GenBank KC139085, MycoBank MB802264.

Additional collections AUSTRALIA, Tasmania, Kermandie Falls, Lower Track, S43°12’ E146°52’, 16 Mar. 1999, G. Gates E 226; ibid., 23 May 2000, G. Gates E 936; ibid., 5 Apr. 2001, G. Gates E 1072; ibid., 16 May 2002, G. Gates E 1508; ibid., 10 Apr. 2003, G. Gates E 1694; ibid., Upper Track, 26 Apr. 2001, G. Gates E 1131; Reuben Falls, 15 May 1999, G. Gates E 507; Tahune, hanging bridges walk, S43°06’, E146°43’, 14 Mar. 2009, M.E. Noordeloos 2009001 (L), ITS sequence GenBank KC139084.

Notes — The morphospecies Clitopilus prunulus is widespread in Europe and North America. A number of closely related species have been described in literature (Hausknecht & Noordeloos 1998, Yang 2007, Vizzini et al. 2011). Species limits are however often difficult to define due to the lack of good morphological characters. Recent studies confirm that the current concept of C. prunulus is polyphyletic (Hartley et al. 2009, Vizzini et al. 2011). Clitopilus austroprunulus is very similar morphologically to C. prunulus from Europe, and therefore Noordeloos & Gates (2012) initially listed it as Clitopilus cf. prunulus. However, a phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences derived from two C. austroprunulus isolates and previously published data (Co-David et al. 2009, Hartley et al. 2009, Vizzini et al. 2011) clearly showed that the collections of C. austroprunulus cluster together as a clade of their own, phylogenetically distinct from the rest of the C. prunulus clade. The other closely related species, C. cystidiatus and C. chrischonensis are phylogenetically distinct and differ from C. austroprunulus in morphology by the abundant presence of cheilocystidia. Although judging from the phylogeny presented here, the occurrence of cheilocystidia may well be of limited value in the systematics of this group. Clitopilus amygdaliformis described from China (Yang 2007) is also closely related, but differs in spore and stipe morphology. Unfortunately, sequences for this species are not available in public databases and therefore it was not included in the phylogenetic analysis.

A multi-gene maximum-likelihood phylogeny based on four independent genetic markers (data not shown) yielded the same conclusions as the ITS phylogeny presented here. Therefore C. austroprunulus is phylogenetically distinct from all sequenced species and morphologically distinct from all described species without available sequences.

Maximum-likelihood phylogram (-ln L = 3770.9401) of ITS sequence analysis with general-time-reversible model using Garli 2.0 (Zwickl 2006), showing the phylogenetic position of Clitopilus austroprunulus (in bold) generated in this study among representatives of closely related taxa with sequences deposited in GenBank and the UNITE database. Branches with bootstrap support (BS) ≥ 0.70 (based on 100 replicates) and/or bayesian posterior probability (PP) ≥ 0.95 (based on 5000 generations) (Ronquist et al. 2012) are thickened with BS/PP values indicated above the branches. The tree was rooted with Lepista sordida and Lyophyllum decastes.

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Colour illustrations. Australia, Tasmania, Kermandi Falls, Lower Track, type-locality. Clitopilus austroprunulus, holotype (photo’s M.E. Noordeloos).