Post date: January 2010 Summary published in MYCOTAXON 110: 451-454. Fungi on higher plants of the upper limit of alpine zone in Tian Shan Andrzej Chlebicki A.Chlebicki@botany.pl Polish Academy of Sciences, W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Lubicz 46 PL-31-512 Kraków, Poland Abstract — Fifty-two taxa of fungi were noted in upper limit of closed vegetation in Zailijskiy Alatau Mts. (Tian Shan) in Kazakhstan. Of them only 30% were saprobic species. Six new species were described: Cyathicula brunneospora, Microbotryum adenopetalae, Pirottaea atrofusca, Protoventuria juniperina, Trichometasphaeria barriae, and Veronaea thylacospermi. A new combination, Didymosphaerella spartii with a possible Sclerostagonospora anamorph was proposed. There are some common species as well as rare ones: Cistella tianschanica, Comoclathris planispora, Didymosphaerella spartii, Lagarobasidium detriticum, Mytilinidion acicola, Pleospora primulae, Scutellinia kerguelensis var. microspora, Wettsteinina oreophila. The complete list is available on: http://www.mycotaxon.com/resources/weblists.html Key words — parasites and saprotrophs, distribution, Kazakhstan Introduction The current study aims to assess the diversity of fungi in upper alpine plant limit in Tian Shan. It is very difficult to describe all fungi linked with host plants. Neubert et al. (2006) investigated mycobiota of Phragmites australis and obtained 345 operational taxonomic units (OTU) using molecular methods. However in spite of the high diversity of obtained OTU, only some species of fungi dominated the plant organs. When we use traditional methods basing on morphological observations, we can find only a small part of the mycobiota linked with the host plant, but we expect that among the determined fungi will be present the dominant (important for the plant) fungal species. Mycorrhizal fungi (EM, AM) were not included because of their possible absence in the high mountain environments. Some information on fungi of the western part of Tian Shan is reported by Schwartzman (1962), Vasyagina (1977), Korbonskaya (1951, 1954), Raitvir (2004), Chlebicki (2002b, 2003, 2006, 2009), Chlebicki & Aime (2006), Chlebická & Chlebicki (2007) and Gaffyorov (2005). Miscellaneous data concerning fungi from Central Asia can be found in the many books and articles. Alpine fungi on wild grasses and sedges have been investigated by Eriksson (1967) and Scheuer (1988). Nograsek & Matzer (1994) noted some species on Carex firma and Sesleria varia. Magnes & Hafellner (1991) reported some fungi on Carex rostrata. Chlebicki (2002a) investigated fungi on Carex rupestris, Carex magellanica subsp. irrigua and Juncus trifidus. Suková (2004) and Suková & Chlebicki (2004) reported the occurrence of 24 species of fungi on Juncus trifidus. In 2005, I investigated fungi from the upper limit of closed vegetation in Tian Shan. Some of them were new to science, Cyathicula brunneospora, Pirottaea atrofusca (Chlebická & Chlebicki 2007) and Microbotryum adenopetalae (Lutz et al. 2008). Another three species are described in the same volume, Protoventuria juniperina, Trichometasphaeria barriae and Veronaea thylacospermii and a new combination, Didymosphaerella spartii (Chlebicki 2009). The fungi from such genera as Botrytis, Hymenella and Fusarium were determined only to genus. Materials and Methods Study area: The terminal glacier foreland of Issyk valley in Zailijskiy Alatau Mts. (Tian Shan) in the vicinity of Almaty in southern Kazakhstan was investigated. The study was conducted 3 August 2005 in the slope of a marginal moraine (inactive ground ca 300 m before the ice margin) of the uppermost small basin in the front of the glacier. The full collection data is: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: Zailijskiy Alatau Mts., , at 3436,5 m elev., N 43° 07' 52.5'', E 77° 30' 25'', 3440 m elev, 3 August 2005, coll.: A. Chlebicki – hereafter abbreviated to: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots. A distinct limit of closed vegetation was present. The native habitats of all plants were composed of initial soil partially covered by granite rocks of various size (some cm to 1m diam). Material was collected from sixteen 2,5 × 2,5 m permanent plots forming a 10 m × 10 m square with a stream at this lower edge and the top of the moraine at its upper edge (see Fig. 1 for plot labelling). Plants growing at the altitudinal limit belong to various growth forms such as cushion plants (Thylacospermum, Dryadanthe), mat forming forbs (Cerastium), rosette perennial plants (Draba, Oxyria, Primula, Saxifraga, Silene, Saussurea, Leontopodium), tussock graminoids (Anthoxanthum, Festuca, Carex), prostrate dwarf shrubs (Juniperus, Pentaphylloides, Salix), and tiny bryophytes. There were present also two lichen species from the genera Opegrapha and Caloplaca. FIG. 1. Permanent plots composed of 16 plots, each 2,5 × 2,5 m which form square 10 m × 10 m Dried material was examined under a zoom stereo microscope (Nikon SMZ 1500), and also with a light microscope Labophot 2 (Nikon) and Olympus BX-51, at magnifications of 1000× and 2000×, and in some cases using Nomarski contrast (DIC). Microscopical observations and measurements were made on material in water and in 3% KOH. Freehandmade longitudinal sections of ascocarps were observed in water or 3% KOH. Lugol’s solution (IKI: 1% iodine, 3% KI in water), Melzer’s reagent (MLZ) and 5% KOH were used to describe the reactions of apical rings and character of setae. Gelatinous sheaths of free ascospores were observed in India ink. Materials are deposited at the W. Szafer Institute of Botany of Polish Academy of Sciences in Kraków (Poland) and the National Museum in Prague (Czech Republic). Methods: Results I found 46 fungus species and 6 taxa which were determined at the genus level. Ascomata and conidiomata of some fungi, in dead state, were not recognizable. Six species were described as new and a new combination is added. Tussock plants have the richest mycobiota (Tab. 1), especially two of them: sedge Carex griffithii and grass Anthoxanthum alpinum. However in one investigated square six new species (Chlebická & Chlebicki 2007, Lutz et al. 2008, and this article) were found: on Anthoxanthum alpinum, Carex griffithii and Festuca coelestis (2), Silene adenopetala (1), Juniperus sibirica (1), Thylacospermum caespitosum (1) and Waldheimia trydactylites (1). Strictly phytoparasitic species were a common component of the mycobiota (28% of all species). Davidiella tassiana colonized the highest number (9) of the host plants. 20 species of fungi (38%) were noted on senescent and dead plant organs, indicating their semiparasitic status. I found only 18 saprobic species which accounted approximately 34% of the total number of fungi. Leaves of the plants, i. e. Cerastium cerastoides, Carex griffithii, were partly covered by ascospores and conidia of various species of the genera Pleospora Rabenh. ex Ces. & De Not., Phaeosphaeria I. Miyake and others. Ecology and distribution patterns of the fungi in the investigated square will be presented in a separate article. TABLE 1. Number of fungi noted on investigated plants PLANT SPECIES NO. OF PLANT SPECIES NO. OF FUNGI FUNGI 1. Anthoxanthum alpinum Á. Löve & D. Löve 22 12. Oxyria digyna (L.) Hill 2 2. Carex griffithii Boott 28 13. Pentaphylloides fruticosa (L.) O. Schwarz 0 3. Cerastium cerastoides (L.) Britton 5 14. Primula nivalis Pall. 4 4. Doronicum oblongifolium DC. 0 15. Pyrethrum karelinii Krasch. 0 5. Draba incurvata A.N. Vassiljeva & Golosk. 3 16. Salix alatavica Kar. & Kir. ex Stschegl. 3 6. Draba oreades Schrenk 5 17. Saussurea sp. 5 5 7. Dryadanthe tetrandra (Bunge) Juz. 0 18. Saxifraga cernua L. 8. Erigeron sp. 0 19. Saxifraga oppositifolia L. 0 9. Festuca coelestis (St.-Yves) V.I. Krecz. & Bobrov 18 20. Silene adenopetala Raikova 9 10. Juniperus sibirica Burgsd. 3 21. Thylacospermum caespitosum (Cambess.) Schischk. 11 11. Leontopodium leontopodinum (DC.) Hand.-Mazz. 1 22. Waldheimia tridactylites Kar. & Kir. 7 Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 29: 433, 1912. MYCELIUM pale grey, aerial, covered surface of leaves, HYPHAE olivaceous, 3–5 µm wide, septate, CONIDIOPHORES with apical cluster of branching chains of conidia, CONIDIA pale brown, finely verrucose 20–45 × 8–11 µm, with 3–5 transverse septa and some longitudinal septa. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on senescent leaves and stems of Saxifraga cernua L., Plot 2C. Alternaria tenuissima (Nees & T. Nees: Fr.) Wiltshire, Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 18: 157, 1933. MYCELIUM pale grey, aerial, covered surface of single leaf, CONIDIA pale brown, finely verrucose 50–56 × 13–16 µm, with 5–7 transverse septa and some longitudinal septa. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on senescent leaves of Silene adenopetala Raikova, Plot 3A. COMMENTS–Alternaria tenuissima is a very common fungus (Simmons 2007) mostly recognized as secondary pathogen or saprotroph. Barrmaelia oxyacanthae (Mont.) Rappaz, Mycol. Helv. 7: 137, 1995. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on decorticated twig of Salix alatavica Kar. & Kir. ex Stchegl. (only 10 perithecia), Plot 4A. COMMENTS–The species was noted on dead branches of various hardwoods in Europe and North America (Rappaz 1995). Botrytis sp. SCLEROTIA dark brown, slightly erect with flat or pulvinate surface 1000–1500 × 340–400 µm, CONIDIOPHORES unbranched or with 1 or some branches near the apex, 200–500 µm long, 18–22 µm wide, thin walled (1–1.2 µm thick), mostly 5 septate, slightly constricted at the septa, base cells brown, last upper cell swollen and distinctly paler to hyaline, conidial head up to 67 µm diam., CONIDIA (blastospores) hyaline to pale olivaceous, smooth, ovoid with pointed base 8–13 × 6–8 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on dead stems of Draba oreades Schrenk, Plot 3A. COMMENTS–The fungus resembles B. cinerea Pers., but its mostly poorly branched conidiophores are an unusual character in the genus Botrytis. Cainia graminis (Niessl) Arx & E. Müll., Acta Bot. Neerl. 4: 112, 1955. FIGURE 2A PERITHECIA scattered, 600–800 µm diam, partially immersed in plant tissue, ostioles distinct, ASCI cylindric, 8-spored, 220–260 × 15–22 µm, p. sp. 180–190 × 15–22 µm, ASCOSPORES brown, 1-septate, slightly constricted at the septum, smooth with 5 striatae (FIG. 2A). SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves of Carex griffithii Boott, Plots 3C, 4C; on Festuca coelestis (St.-Yves) V.I.Krecz. & Bobrov, Plot 4D (only some ascocarps). COMMENTS–Number of ridges on ascospores in different collections of Cainia graminis is quite variable. Wehmeyer (1975) noted that ascospores are octagonal, Eriksson (1967) stated that the spores are polygonal, mostly hexagonal, while Paraguey-Leduc & Chadefaud (1963) noted 5, 6 or 7 ridges on the ascospores. Cainia graminis is an arcto-alpine species reported on Cyperaceae and Poaceae (Eriksson 1967, Scheuer 1988, Nograsek 1990). Calyptella campanula (Nees) W.B. Cooke, Beih. Sydowia 4: 32, 1962. FIGURE 2C RECEPTACLE numerous, campanulate, creamy to light tan, 450–820 (900) µm diam., with slender stipe ca 400–500 µm long, HYMENIUM yellow to pale brown, BASIDIA 16.7–22.9 × 5.8–6.7 µm, 4 sterigmate, sterigmata 2.6–3.2 × 1.1–1.5 µm, BASIDIOSPORES hyaline 5.6–8.8 × 4.1–4.9 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on very old destroyed leaves and stems at the base of tussock of Carex griffithii, Plots 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A. COMMENTS–A similar species, C. capula (Holmsk.) Quél. 1888, possesses pale yellow receptacles, funnel-shaped cups, slightly smaller basidiospores and distinctly longer stipae. Calyptella campanula was noted on herbaceous stems near the ground on different plants in Europe and North America (Cooke 1961). The fungus was also noted on living roots of potatoes (Clark et al. 1983). Cistella tianschanica Raitv., Scripta Mycol. 8: 153, 1978. FIGURE 2E APOTHECIA superficial, scattered on stem surface, EXCIPULUM cistelloid, cells thin walled, pale, isodiametric to prismatic with surrounded corners, HAIRS in upper part of apothecium, clavate, thin walled, apically finely spiny (FIG. 2E), smooth below 17.1–30.1 × 5.7–6.3 µm, 1–3 septate but mostly with a single septum. ASCI with croziers 32.4–34.8 × 5.4–6.0 µm, SPORES hyaline, one-celled 7.3–9.1(–10) × 1.9–2.5 µm, PARAPHYSES hyaline, cylindric, exceded the asci for 4.4–5.7 µm, 1.7–2.5 µm wide, apex rounded. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on stems of Silene adenopetala, Plot 4D. COMMENTS–Raitviir (2004) suggested that it is an alpine species restricted to the Asia. Investigated apothecia were immature, and the size of its hairs and asci were smaller than in type collection. Hairs of Tian Shan specimens belong to C. grevillei-type, mentioned by Raitviir (2004). Those specimens noted on Festuca coelestis have apothecia covered by rhomboid crystals and hairs incrusted only in the top area by sparse stipitate warts, but a very scanty collection does not enable its precise description and is too sparse for a type collection. Cladosporium herbarum (Pers.) Link, Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin Mag. 7: 37, 1816. Teleomorph: Davidiella tassiana CONIDIA pale brown, verruculose, 0–1 septate, 6–16 × 4–5 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on dead stems of Carex griffithii, Plot 2A. COMMENTS–It is a very common saprotroph growing on various substrata, see also Davidiella tassiana. Cladosporium macrocarpum Preuss, Deutschl. Fl., 3. Abt., 6: 27, 1848. Teleomorph: Davidiella macrocarpa Crous et al. CONIDIOPHORES pale brown, flexuous, geniculate and nodose 80–100 µm long 5–9 µm wide. CONIDIA olivaceous, densely verrucose, 0–2 septate 18–21(–32) × 8–10 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on dead leaves of Waldheimia tridactylites Kar. & Kir., Plot 1B. COMMENTS–Saprotroph growing on dead plants, human and hypersaline water (Schubert et al. 2007). Comoclathris pentamera (P. Karst.) S. Ahmad, Monogr. Biol. Soc. Pak. 8: 68, 1979. FIGURE 5A ASCOMATA mostly scattered, subepidermal, 230–250 µm diam., ASCI 124–160 × 26–29 µm, ASCOSPORES fusoid, straight, transversely 4-septate, with one longitudinal septum in mid cells, upper cell wider and pointed, 36–39 × 16–19 × 7–9 µm (FIG. 5A), ascospores surrounded by gelatine sheath. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on sheaths of Carex griffithii, Plots 2A, 3C, 4A, 1B, 4C, 3B. COMMENTS–The fungus was very often noted on sedge stems in the investigated area. It has an arctic and alpine distribution and was previously reported on Poaceae and Cyperaceae, rarely on Asteraceae, Caryophyllaceae and Apiaceae in Europe and North America, also in Cenral Asia: Karakorum Mts. on Poa pratensis; Kashmir (India) on Poa sp., Heracleum thomsonii, and Scorzonera divaricata; Turgaj (Kazakhstan) on Achnatherum splendens (Shoemaker & Babcock 1992). Carex griffithii is a new host plant for this fungus. Comoclathris planispora (Ellis) Harr, Nova Hedwigia 20: 868, 1971. FIGURE 2D ASCOMATA scattered, immersed, globose, slightly flattened, strongly setose or devoid of setae, SETAE 3–4 septate, up 100 µm long, 10–12 µm diam. at base, ASCI cylindric clavate, bitunicate 130–162 × 29–32 µm, ASCOSPORES pale brown, ellipsoidal with 5 transverse septa (rarely 6) and one longitudinal dorsoventral septum through the 4 central segments, 36–42 × (13–)15–20 × 8–10 µm (FIG. 2D). SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on sheaths of Carex griffithii, Plots 1B, 1D, 3C, 4B, 3B, 4D, 4C. COMMENTS–The fungus commonly occurs on sedge stems and leaves in the investigated area. It is a species with alpine distribution, noted in Europe, North America and India (Kashmir) on 10 host plants, among them on Carex sp., Deschampsia cespitosa, Elymus sp. and Trisetum spicatum (Shoemaker & Babcock 1992). Carex griffithii is a new host plant for this fungus. Cyathicula cyathoidea (Bull.) Thüm., Fungi Austriaci no. 1115, 1874. Specimens from Primula nivalis : APOTHECIA cupulate, grey-brown, stipitate, 300–480 µm diam. when rehydrated, MARGIN finely denticulate, medullar EXCIPULUM pale yellow, ASCI octosporous, 45 × 5 µm (dead state), clavate, mainly arising from simple septa, apical ring of the Conchatium-type, IKI+ blue, ASCOSPORES one celled, hyaline, cylindric-clavate, slightly curved 8–9 × 1.5–2.2 µm, PARAPHYSES filiform, septate, slightly thickened at the rounded tips, with many droplets inside upper part (living state), slightly exceeding the dead asci. EXCIPULAR HYPHAE distinctly pale brown, smooth, rhomboid crystals present on the outher surface of apothecium. Specimens from Carex griffithii (KRAM F 46568): APOTHECIA 190– 340 µm diam. when dry, 370–600 µm diam. when rehydrated, STIPE dull light, up to 300 µm long, EXCIPULUM honey coloured, apothecium surface with densely distributed rhomboid crystals, margin denticulate, ASCI arising from simple septa, 50–60 × 4.6–5.2 µm (dead state), IKI +, ASCOSPORES hyaline, nearly straight, 9–11 × 1.8–2.2 µm, PARAPHYSES filiform, septate, with slightly thickened apex, containing many droplets (living state), 1.7–2.4 µm diam., exceeding the dead asci for 6.5–8.6 µm diam. The fungus from Festuca coelestis has similar ascospores 7.6–10 × 2.4–2.7 µm, but the droplets in the paraphyses are not so densely distributed as in the collection from Primula nivalis, top of paraphyses 2.3–3.2 µm diam. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on stems of Primula nivalis Pall. Plot 2C, Festuca coelestis Plots 3B, 4B and Carex griffithii Plots 3B, 4B. COMMENTS– The collections differ from typical C. cyathoidea by pale brown excipular hyphae (not hyaline) and darker apothecia. However, they possess an apical ring of the Conchatium-type characteristic of the C. cyathoidea-group (Triebel & Baral 1996). Carpenter (1981) noted the species on 103 host taxa from Europe, both Americas, Africa, Australia and Asia, also from Kazakhstan (Altai Mts). Cyathicula brunneospora M. Chlebická & Chleb., Mycotaxon 100: 38, 2007 APOTHECIA shortly stipitate, RECEPTACLE dark, covered with pale powder, rhomboid crystals on the outer surface of apothecium present. Outer layers of ECTAL EXCIPULUM dark brown, inner layers and medulla hyaline, hymenium dark brown. ASCI 113–119 × 13.5–16 µm (dead state) arising from croziers, apical apparatus inamyloid in MLZ, KOH/MLZ, IKI, KOH/IKI. ASCOSPORES pale brown when young, dark brown when mature, smooth, mostly 3-septate, 23–29.5 × 5.9–7.2 µm, surrounded by a hyaline, gelatinous sheath. PARAPHYSES hyaline and septate in their lower parts, branched in their upper parts, with enlarged, 3.8–4.5 µm broad, smooth, pale brown tips. For a more detailed description of the fungus see Chlebická & Chlebicki (2007). SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on dead lying leaves and culms of Carex griffithii, 1C, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and culms of Festuca coelestis, Plot 3A. COMMENTS–The species is close to Crocicreas melanosporum (Rehm) S.E. Carp. 1980 = Cyathicula melanospora (Rehm) Chlebická & Chleb. 2007. In the collection on Carex, Cyathicula brunneospora occured on the dead plant parts in a big tussock of the sedge. Cyathicula spicarum (Rehm) E. Müll., Beitr. Kryptogamenfl. Schweiz. 15(1): 35, 1977. Specimens from Festuca coelestis: APOTHECIA shortly stipitate, 190–250 µm diam. when dry, light brown, margin inrolled, hymenium and EXCIPULUM hyaline, only surface of excipulum darker, ASCI with croziers, 42–55 × 4.6–5.3 µm (dead state), apical ring in 3% KOH + MLZ pale blue, SPORES non-septate, hyaline, with two oil drops at the ends, 9.3–10.2 × 2.4–2.6 µm, PARAPHYSES hyaline, nearly cylindrical, diam: 2.5-2.8 µm, exceeding asci by 5.7–9.3 µm, smooth. Specimens from Carex griffithii (KRAM F 56190): APOTHECIA 170–250 µm diam. when dry, EXCIPULUM light brown, margin inrolled, ASCI 39–45 × 4.2–5.9 µm (dead state), SPORES hyaline, eguttulate, 7.4–9 × 2.0–2.3 µm, PARAPHYSES hyaline, nearly cylindrical, 1.8– 2.4 µm diam., exceeding the asci for 4.7–9 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on stems of Festuca coelestis, Plot 2B and Carex griffithii, Plot 3C. COMMENTS–This is a graminicolous species, known also from Festuca ovina, noted mostly at high alpine and boreal regions (Carpenter 1981). Davidiella tassiana (De Not.) Crous & U. Braun, Mycol. Prog. 2: 8, 2003. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves of Anthoxanthum alpine Á. Löve & D. Löve, Plots 1D, 3B, 4D; Carex griffithii, Plots 1A, 2A, 2C, 3A, 3B, 4D; Festuca coelestis, Plots 1A, 4D; Leontopodium leontopodinum (DC.) Hand.-Mazz., Plot 4D; Saussurea sp., 2D; Saxifraga cernua, Plots 3A, 2C; Silene adenopetala, Plot 4B; Waldheimia tridactylites Plots 3D, 2D, 1B; Cerastium cerastoides (L.) Britton, Plot 1C. COMMENTS–This is a common species on various plants, cosmopolitan (Schubert et al. 2007). Didymosphaerella spartii (Fabre) Chleb., Mycotaxon 110: 444, 2009, FIGURE 2 B Bas: Didymosphaeria spartii Fabre, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 6, 9: 83, 1879. !Sphaeria spartii Castagne, Cat. Pl. Marseille: 169, 1845, nom illegit., non Nees : Fr. 1823. !Microthelia spartii (Fabre) Kuntze, Revis Gen. Pl. 3(2): 498, 1898. !Montagnula spartii (Fabre) Aptroot, Nova Hedwigia 60: 342, 1995. =Didymosphaeria elbursensis Petrak, Ann. Naturh. Mus. Wien. 50: 429, 1940. ASCOMATA globose ca 240 µm diam., peridium wall widest in lower part, textura angulata, ASCI bitunicate, clavate 110–130 × 20–21 µm, ASCOSPORES 1-septate, slightly constricted at the septum, clear reddish brown, hemispores unequal, upper hemispore wider and slightly pointed, (20–)24–27 × 11–12 µm, wall thick and finely verruculose (FIG. 2B, left side), gelatinous sheath 3–7µm thick, uniseriate in the lower part and biseriate in upper part of ascus, INTERASCAL HYPHAE (cellular pseudoparaphyses) narrow, 1–1.4 µm diam. in its lower part and 2.2 µm diam. in upper part. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on stems of Carex griffithii and Anthoxanthum alpinum, coll.: A. Chlebicki, Plot 1C, 2C, 3B. COMMENTS — Barr (2001) lectotypified the genus Didymosphaerella Cooke by Didymosphaerella longipes (Trab.) Cooke 1889. She placed the genus in her new family Montagnulaceae M.E. Barr and transferred Montagnula Berl. species with two celled ascospores to the genus Didymosphaerella. The fungus from Tian Shan is identical with Didymosphaeria elbursensis (Fig.2B right side) noted on Festuca sulcata in Mt. Damawed in Elburs Mts. (Iran), which Aptroot (1995a,b) synonymized with Montagnula spartii. He also included here some species noted on palm leaves, brooms, Ephedraceae and Poaceae which according to him do not differ much in morphological structure. Aptroot (1995a) pointed out that M. spartii has thicker ascospore wall than M. opulenta (De Not.) Aptroot (! D. opulenta (De Not.) Checa & M.E. Barr, which Barr (2001) restricted to collections from Opuntia). Both Tian Shan and Elburs specimens of D. spartii possess thick walled ascospores (FIG.1B). However size and shape of these ascospores are different from other taxa included by Aptroot (1995a) in M. spartii. Aptroot (1995a) mentioned as host plants some other grasses such as Festuca brachyphylla, Puccinellia angustata and Stipa himalaica. The species was noted in North America, Greenland and Asia. Sclerostagonospora sp. FIGURE 4 B CONIDIOMATA immersed, CONIDIA pale brown with surrounded tips, three septate, 14–19 × 4– 5 µm (FIG. 4B). SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on stems of Festuca coelestis Plots 2B, 3C; Anthoxanthum alpinum Plot 1A. COMMENTS–Close occurrence of the fungus with Didymosphaerella spartii indicate that it can be tentatively recognized as possibly its anamorph. Fusarium sp. CONIDIOMATA 460 × 370 µm, pale orange, situated on lower part of plant cushion in contact with soil, CONIDIA hyaline 4–6 celled, falcate 31–40 × 3.8–4 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on internal cushion stems of Thylacospermum caespitosum (Cambess.) Schischk., Plot 2D. Glomerella graminicola D.J. Politis, Mycologia 67: 61, 1975. ASCI cylindrical, ASCOSPORES hyaline, one-celled 9–12 × 4–5 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on dead leaves of Anthoxanthum alpinum, Plot 4A. COMMENTS–The fungus commonly occurs on all senescent and dead leaves. Its anamorph was earlier noted on leaves of Anthoxanthum odoratum in New Zealand (Pennycook 1989). Sutton (1980) applied C. graminicola only to collections from Zea. It seems that fungi included in G. graminicola form a complex of similar species. Heteropatella umbilicata (Pers.) Jaap, Annls mycol. 5: 266, 1907. CONIDIOMATA black, unilocular, depressed at the centre, 250–300 µm diam, thick walled cells, textura angulata, CONIDIA hyaline 3-celled, 27–30 × 1.8–2 µm, apical cell prolonged with an unbranched appendage. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on dead stems of Saxifraga cernua, Plot 2C. COMMENTS–The fungus was noted in temperate and arctic-alpine areas. Sutton (1980) mentioned 10 host plants, among them alpine plants such as Oxyria digyna, Bartsia alpina, but also Daucus carota and Pastinaca sativa. Chlebicki (2002a) noted it in Arctic Siberia on Salix reticulata. Hysteropezizella fuscella (P. Karst.) Nannf., Nova Acta R. Soc. Scient. Upsal. Ser. 2, 8(2): 115, 1932. APOTHECIA sessile, dark, erumpent, rarely immersed, 240–300 um diam, with many pale hairs at the margins, ASCI 85–88 × 12–13 µm (dead in water), apical ring IKI deep red, croziers absent, ASCOSPORES 14–18 × 5–6 µm (dead in water), aseptate with two big oil drops, PARAPHYSES lanceolate, 75–100 long, up to 5 µm wide in upper part, rough, slightly longer than asci. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on!stems and leaves of Carex griffithii, Plots 2A, 3A, 4A, 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 1C, 2C, 3C, 4C, 1D, 2D (det. H.O. Baral, H.B 8462). COMMENTS–This species is very similar to Coronellaria caricinella (P. Karst.) P. Karst. 1870, the latter differing in longer marginal hairs and paler apothecia. Hysteropezizella fuscella is very common discomycete on Carex griffithii. FIG. 2. Cainia graminis: A. ascospores with gelatinous sheaths. Didymosphaerella spartii: B. ascospores, left side-specimen from Tian Shan, right side-specimen from Elburs Mts.; Calyptella campanula: C. margin in cotton blue; Comoclathris planispora: D. asci and ascospores; Cistella tianschanica: E. hairs; Protoventuria juniperina: F. asci and ascospores. Scale bar: C, E = 30 µm, other = 10 µm Hymenella sp. On Silene adenopetala – orange conidiomata, conidiophores hyaline, branched and septate, conidia cylindric, hyaline 5 × 1.2–1.5 µm; on Saussurea sp. – conidiomata pink, slightly pulvinate ca 300 µm diam, conidiophores hyaline, branched and septate, conidia hyaline, cylindric 5–6 × 1.5–1.8 µm; on Carex griffithii – conidiomata slightly pulvinate to flat, conidiophores hyaline, branched, septate, 1–2 µm diam, conidia cylindric, hyaline (5.5–)6–8 × 1.4–1.6 µm; on Oxyria digyna – conidia 6–8 × 1.4–1.6 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves of Silene adenopetala, Plot 3D; Saussurea sp., Plot 2D; Carex griffithii, Plots 4A, 1B, 1C, 3D; on stems of Oxyria digyna L. Hill, Plot 4A. COMMENTS–These collections have the morphological attributes of Hymenella Fr. and Illosporium Mart. However, Illosporium is considered to be the anamorph of the lichenicolous genus Pronectria Clem. (Rossman et al 1999), whereas these collections were all on angiosperm hosts. Keissleriella culmifida (P. Karst) S.K. Bose, Phytopath. Z. 41: 188, 1961. ASCOSPORES 23–29 × 6–10 µm, mostly 3 septate, gold-brown, gelatinous sheath 8–10 µm thick. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on stems of Festuca coelestis, Plot 4A. COMMENTS–The fungus was noted only on single plant in the investigated area. The species is known from Fennoscandia (Eriksson 1967) on Nardus, Festuca, Poa, Agrostis, Calamagrostis, Deschampsia, Phleum and Elymus. Lachnellula arida (W. Phillips) Dennis, Persoonia 2: 183, 1962. APOTHECIA solitary, sessile or on a short stalk, rehydrated 25 mm diam., disc flat, orange, outer surface covered by orange-brown, septate and granulate hairs, ASCI cylindric 60–65 × 7– 8 µm or 70–80 × 5.7–7 µm (dead state), inamyloid IKI, with perforated crosiers ASCOSPORES uniseriate, 9–11 × 4–6 µm or 7.3–10 × 4–5.5 µm (loiving state), hyaline, smooth, egg-shaped with a few minute oil drops. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on!senescent and dead twigs of Juniperus sibirica Burgsd., Plot 3C (det. H.O. Baral, H.B. 8030). Lagarobasidium detriticum (Bourdot & Galzin) Jülich, Persoonia 10: 334, 1979. MYCELIUM white, covered surface of dead sedge stem. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on very old stem of Carex griffithii, Plot 4A (det. Z. Pouzar). COMMENTS–The species with rather a broad ecological niche, noted on different plants: Pteridium, Rubus, Juniperus, Juncus, Equisetum, Carex, Alnus, Betula, Populus and Sorbus (Eriksson & Ryvarden 1976, Parmasto 1968, H. Knudsen in litt.). Lophodermium alpinum (Rehm) Weese, Mitt. Bot. Inst. Tech. Hochsch. Wien 10: 80 (1933). APOTHECIA subepidermal 440–520 µm long, 190–220 µm wide, ASCI sessile, cylindricclavate 66–97 × 14–15 µm, ASCOSPORES hyaline, filiform 42–53 × 1.2–1.6 µm with mucous sheath, PARAPHYSES filiform, recurved at the tip. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on!stems of Festuca coelestis, Plots 2B, 3A, 4A, 4D; Carex griffithii, Plot 3D. COMMENTS–Almost all grasses were inhabited by this fungus in the investigated area. Dennis (1981) noted the species on leaves of Festuca brachyphylla and F. jansenii in Jensen’s Nunataks in Greenland. His fungus as well as Tian Shan one possess narrower ascospores than in typical specimens of L. alpinum. L. alpinum was noted in alpine environs of Europe and North America (Nograsek & Matzer 1994). Melampsora epitea Thüm. Mittheil. Forstl. Versuchs. Öster. 2: 38, 1879. UREDINIA 20–21 × 13–15 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves of Salix alatavica, Plot 2D. COMMENTS–This species is common on willows. Microbotryum adenopetalae M. Lutz, Kremler & Chleb., Mycol. Res. 112: 1287, 2008. FIGURE 3 A–C Mass of TELIOSPORES brownish-violet, fill flower calyx above ovary. Teliospores brown, globose to subglobose or ovoid 6–8(–9) × 5.3–7.4(–8) !m diam., reticulate (FIG. 3A). MESHES of reticulum 5–7 per spore diam., (0.6–)0.8–1(–1.2) !m in diam. MURI 0.3–0.5 µm high, mostly covered by small, irregular, broadly surrounded warts up to 0.14 !m high, interspaces smooth or finely rough. BASIDIA hyaline, mostly straight, very rare branched, 10–24 × 4–5 µm, 2–4 celled, slightly constricted at septa (FIG. 3B), BASIDIOSPORES hyaline, elliptical, onecelled 5.2–7(–8) × 2–3 µm, with 1–3 oil drops (FIG. 3C). SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, inside flowers of Silene adenopetala, 29 July 2005, coll.: M. Suková & A. Chlebicki, KRAM “F” 55201, Plots 1A, 2A. COMMENTS–M. adenopetalae is a very peculiar species because the ustilospores are completely filling the calyx above the ovaries. In infected flowers I cannot find anthers, moreover ovaries were not fully developed. It resembles the type of infection of Microbotryum major (J. Schröt.) G. Deml. & Oberw. 1982 and M. savilei Denchev 2007 (Lutz et al. 2008) but differs in smaller number meshes per spore diam. and muri covered by small warts. The type locality is situated below the square at 3288 m elev. I also found this fungus in two plots of investigated square L1 at 3440 m and in all sixteen plots of the highest square L2 near the glacier margin (3532 m elev.). It means that the pathogen can invade plants growing near the glacier margin. Mytilinidion acicola G. Winter, Hedwigia 19: 176, 1880. HYSTEROTHECIA laterally compressed, shell shaped, 180–260 µm wide with longitudinal slit along the upper edge, black. ASCI cylindrical 110–116 × 10–11 µm, ASCOSPORES brown, 3septate, 19–20 × 6–7 µm, constricted at the septa. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on dead needles of Juniperus sibirica, Plot 3C. COMMENTS–The species was known from the Alps, Scotland and Scandinavia on Juniperus communis (Holm & Holm 1977, Kirk & Spooner 1984, Eriksson 1992). Nectriella bloxamii (Berk. & Broome) Fuckel, Jb. Nassau. Ver. Naturk. 29–30: 21, 1875. PERITHECIA scattered, globose 200–240 µm diam., orange, base embedded in the leaf tissue, ASCI narrowly clavate 70–74 × 11–12 µm, ASCOSPORES pale green, 1-septate, slightly roughened 13–17 × 5–7 µm, slightly constricted at the septum. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves and stems of Waldheimia tridactylites Plot 3A (det. Amy Rossman); Carex griffithii Plot 3C, Saussurea sp., Plot 4A. COMMENTS–The species was reported from Europe and New Zealand on dead leaves of Helianthus tuberosus, Oenanthe crocata and Heracleum sphondylium (Rossman et al. 1999). Periconia byssoides Pers., Syn. Meth. Fung. 1: 18, 1801. CONIDIOMATA with conidia spherical, verrucose 12–14.5 µm diam. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on stems of Festuca coelestis, Plot 3D, (only 4 conidiomata). COMMENTS–It is a saprobic species growing on dead plant substrata. FIG. 3. Microbotryum adenopetalae: A. teliospora; B. basidium; C. basidiospores. Scale bar: B, C = 10 µm Phaeosphaeria alpina Leuchtm., Sydowia 37: 117, 1984. ASCI 67–80 × 14–19 µm, ASCOSPORES brown, 3-septate 23–28 × 7–9 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on stems and leaves of Carex griffithii, Plots 1C, 4C, 4D. COMMENTS–It is a fungus previously noted on plants from alpine and subalpine area of the Alps (Leuchtmann 1984, Scheuer 1988, Nograsek (1990). The Tian Shan specimens possess more pointed and curved ascospores than Alpine specimens illustrated by Leuchtmann (Leuchtmann 1987, fig. 1d). Moreover I have not observed a gelatinous sheath in the ascospores of these specimens. Phaeosphaeria culmorum (Auersw.) Leuchtm., Sydowia 37: 113, 1984. ASCOMATA gregarious, mostly immersed in culms, subglobose, slightly flattened 160–200 um diam., non-papillate, ASCI cylindric-clavate 60–80 × 11–13 µm, ASCOSPORES 3-septate, only slightly constricted at the septa, pale yellow-brown, 18–20 × 5–6 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves and sheaths of Carex griffithii, Plots 1B, 3A, 2C, 4D. COMMENTS–The ascomata are commonly distributed on almost all culms and old leaves of the host plant. It is the most common species of Phaeosphaeria in the investigated area. The fungus occurs on grasses and members of Cyperaceae (Eriksson 1967, Leuchtmann 1984). Phaeosphaeria herpotrichoides (De Not.) L. Holm. Symb. Bot. Upsal. 14(3): 115, 1957. FIGURE 4C ASCOMATA 120–160 um diam, immersed inside plant tissue, tomentose (hairs up to 70 µm long), ASCI octosporous (FIG. 4C), ASCOSPORES plae olivaceous, 30–32 × 6–7 µm, 9-celled (2–1–6), 3rd cell wider, 6th cell longer. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on stems and inflorescences of Anthoxanthum alpinum, Plots 2B, 3D; Festuca coelestis, Plot 4A. COMMENTS–The fungus was noted only two times in the investigated area. Holm (1957) noted it on many grasses. Eriksson (1967) presented 8 different forms of this species. Also Leuchtmann (1987) noted its five forms. The Tian Shan specimens are similar to Eriksson’s form 7, because of tomentose ascomata, whereas ascospores resembles his form 6, however these spores are devoid of gelatinous sheaths. Phoma sp 1. CONIDIOMATA pycnidial superficial 240–280 µm diam., with small ostiole, wall thin textura angularis, CONIDA hyaline one celled with oil drop at each end 4–5 × 1.5–2 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on Cerastium cerastoides, Plot 2C. Phoma sp. 2 CONIDIOMATA superficial, 300–400 µm diam., black, with small ostiole. CONIDIA hyaline, one-celled 4–5 × 2 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on dead leaves and stems of Thylacospermum caespitosum, Plot 2D inside cushion. COMMENTS–The growth inside the plant cushion protected the fungus against loss of humidity, low and high temperature, and provided strong insulation. Phomatospora berkeleyi Sacc., Grevillea 4: 22, 1875. ASCOMATA ca 200 µm diam., embedded in plant tissue, ASCI cylindrical, p. sp. 58–79 × 4.6– 5.2 µm, pedicel 18–20 µm, ASCOSPORES hyaline, with oil drop an both ends, 9–10 × 3–3.4 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves of Primula nivalis, Plot 2C; old stems of Anthoxanthum alpinum, Plot 4D. Pirottaea atrofusca Chleb. & Chlebická, Mycotaxon 100: 45, 2007 FIGURE 4A Specimens on Festuca coelestis: APOTHECIA sessile, cup shaped, (80–)100–120 µm diam, dark brown (FIG. 4A), HAIRS cylindrical with hyaline wall, brown-red inside, 4–10 × 4–4.5 µm, densely distributed in the upper part of apothecium, ECTAL EXCIPULUM textura prismatica, cells pale brown. ASCI ± clavate, 8-spored, narrower in the upper part 38–42 × 4.5–5.2 µm, ASCOSPORES aseptate, hyaline narrowly fusoid, 10–11 × 1.5–2.2 µm, filiform, not exceeding the asci. PARAPHYSES SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves of Festuca coelestis, Plot 4A, Holotype: KRAM “F” 55672; on leaves of Anthoxanthum alpinum Plot 3D, KRAM “F” 46565. COMMENTS–This is a recently described species which is here found on leaves of Anthoxanthum alpinum for the first time. Apothecia on Anthoxanthum alpinum are similar to the type collection 100–160 um diam. when dry, with abundant and densely distributed black grana 5–7 um diam. in its upper part (FIG. 4A), whereas setae are longer (15.5–18.4 × 3.7–4.1 µm), with theirs main part pale brownish to hyaline, while only the upper part of the setae is dark brown, asci 36–41 × 6–8 µm, ascospores 9–10 × 1.8–2.2 µm, with some oil drops inside. Pleospora ambigua (Berl. & Bres.)Wehm., Mycologia 43: 42, 1951. ASCOMATA ca 140–160 µm diam., SETAE dark brown, septate and pointed 140–200 µm long and 5–8 µm wide at the base, ASCI cylindric clavate 98–116 × 15–18 µm, ASCOSPORES brown, with 7 transverse septa and single longitudinal septa, slightly constricted at septa, ends pointed and slightly paler 22–25 × 8–10 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on dead leaves of Anthoxanthum alpinum, Plots 3A, 4D. COMMENTS–The Tian Shan specimens differ from the European ones by having very long setae, up to 200 µm and distinctly pointed ascospores. It is a common fungus in alpine and arctic areas (Holm & Holm 1993). Pleospora brachyspora (Niessl) Petr., Ann. Naturh. Mus. Wien 50: 445, 1940. ASCOMATA ca 200 um diam, ASCI 84–100 × 25–28 µm, ASCOSPORES with 7 transverse septa and 1–3 longitudinal septa, 25–28 × 12–13 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on stems and leaves of Cerastium cerastoides, Plot 1C. COMMENTS–Typical P. brachyspora has somewhat bigger ascospores. It is an alpine species noted on many different host plants, e.g. on Cerastium (Müller 1951). Pleospora graminearum Wehm., World Monogr. Genus Pleospora: 103, 1961. FIGURE 5B ASCOMATA covered by epidermis, setae absent. ASCI: 106–122 × 16–20 µm. ASCOSPORES yellowish brown, narrowly obovoid fusoid, asymmetric, transversely 7–10-septate with 3 longitudinal septa in central cells, constricted at the first formed septum. Ascospores from asci: 35–39 × 14–16 µm (FIG. 5B), in some collections with gelatine sheath (ascospores lying on the leaves 51–109 × 21–28 µm). SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves of Carex griffithii, Plots 1A, 4A, 2B, 1D, 2D, 1C, 4C; Festuca coelestis, Plots 2A, 4A; Anthoxanthum alpinum, Plot 2D. COMMENTS–P. graminearum is a very common species in the Alps (Crivelli 1983), noted also in North America (Wehmeyer 1961) and Greenland (Alstrup et al. 2000). Pleospora helvetica Niessl Verh. Nat. Ver. Brünn 15: 191, 1876. ASCOMATA superficial, covered by setae up to 160 µm long, 3–7 septate, 6–7 µm diam in the lower part, ASCOSPORES pale brown 36–38 × 16–19 µm. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves and stems of Saussurea sp. Plot 2D; Waldheimia tridactylites Plots 1A, 3A, 4A,1B, 2B, 3B 4B, 3C, 2D, 3D, 4D, KRAM “F”; Silene adenopetala, Plot 3A; Anthoxanthum alpinum, Plot 3B. COMMENTS–P. helvetica is a very common species on alpine plants. FIG. 4. Pirottaea atrofusca: A. apothecium with grana; Sclerostagonospora sp.: B. conidia; Phaeosphaeria herpotrichoides: C. ascus with ascospores. Scale bar: A, B, C = 10 µm Pleospora primulae Crivelli, Heterog. Ascomyc. Pleospora: Vorschlag für eine Aufteilung (Diss. Eid genössischen Technischen Hochschule Zürich 7318): 82, 1983. FIGURE 5C ASCOMATA scattered, embedded in leaf tissue 140–180(–240) µm diam, OSTIOLE prominent, protruding periderm, ostiole area covered by short setae up to 70 µm long, ascomatal WALL textura angulata. ASCI saccate 94–110 × 34–36 µm, ASCOSPORES honey-brown, with 7 transverse septa and 1–3 longitudinal septa, constricted at the first septa, 36– 46 × 16–21 µm (FIG. 5C). SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on old leaves of Primula nivalis, Plot 1B. COMMENTS–Crivelli (1983) and Nograsek (1990) noted it on Primula auricula, P. clusiana and Phyteuma orbiculare. FIG. 5. Ascospores: A: Comoclathris pentamera; B. Pleospora graminea (spores from the asci on the left, spores lying on the leaf on the right side); C. Pleospora primulae; D. Wettsteinina oreophila. Scale bar = 10 µm Protoventuria juniperina Chleb. Mycotaxon 110: 446, 2009. FIGURE 2F MYCELIUM superficial, producing subcuticular hyphae, sometimes forming dark blotches. ASCOMATA globose, 120–200 µm diam., surface strongly setose, SETAE 70–100 µm long, 3 µm wide at the base, pointed, ASCI bitunicate, clavate 70–76 × 13–14 µm, ASCOSPORES olivaceous to greenish, septate, upper hemispore slightly wider, smooth, 13–20 × 7–8 µm, constricted at the septum, contents finely guttulate (FIG. 2F). HAMATHECIUM: pseudoparaphyses sparse, septate and branched, ca 1 µm wide, exceeding asci. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on dead leaves of Juniperus sibirica, 3 Aug. 2005, coll.: A. Chlebicki, Holotype-KRAM “F” 46550, Plot 3C. COMMENTS–The species is somewhat similar to the members of Herpotrichiellaceae. But these fungi possess poorly developed interascal elements or are lacking the tissues (Barr 1972, Untereiner et al. 1995). The fungus from Tian Shan is rather a member of Pleosporales than Dothideales because of the presence of a distinct hamathecium. It is similar to the fungi from the genus Protoventuria Berl. & Sacc. of Venturiaceae. The members of the genus Protoventuria possess hypostroma, intramatrical and subcuticular hyphae. However the species previously arranged in the subgenus Venturioides M.E. Barr of Gibbera Fr. and transferred to the Protoventuria (Barr 1989) have slight amounts of superficial and intramatrical hyphae. Holm & Holm (1977) noted two species of venturiaceous fungi on leaves of Juniperus communis: Gibbera sp. and Seynesiella juniperi (Desm.) G. Arnaud 1918. Of them Gibbera sp. is more similar to the fungus from Tian Shan, but possesses light greenish and fusiform ascospores. Puccinia saxifragae Schltdl., Fl. Berol. 2: 134, 1824. AMPHISORI red-brown, not covered by epiderm, AMPHISPORES covered by triangular spines, chesnut-red 25–37 × 18–22 µm, TELIOSPORES occasionally present. Detailed description of this collection in Chlebicki & Aime (2006). SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves of Saxifraga cernua, Plot 3B. COMMENTS–Amphisori of this rust commonly occur on the plants growing in the vicinity of the plant limit zone (Chlebicki & Aime 2006). It is an autoecious pathogenic species, circumboreal in distribution, noted on various members of Saxifragaceae. Scutellinia kerguelensis var. microspora W.Y. Zhuang, Fung. Divers. 18: 220, 2005. APOTHECIA 2–3.4 mm diam., red when fresh, later brown-yellow with gold-brown multiseptate hairs up to 360(–700) µm long and up to 25 µm wide in lower part, base mostly bifurcate, wall of hair 1.5–2 um wide, ASCI 200–205 × 14–20 µm, ASCOSPORES broadly ellipsoid, with single (dead state) to many guttules (living state), covered by very small warts 0.3 µm high, mostly confluent, 17–21 × 13–16 µm, PARAPHYSES clavate, exceding the dead asci. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, found abundantly, on the soil under Carex griffithii and Primula nivalis, Plot 2A. COMMENTS–The spores of S. kerguelensis (Berk) Kuntze var. kerguelensis are bigger 22–28 × 14–22 µm (Hansen & Knudsen 2000) than in type variety. Zhuang (2005) described a new variety from Sichuan, noted on wet wood, charcoal and bare soil. The collection from Tian Shan is very similar to the China collections. Seimatosporium lichenicola (Corda) Shoemaker & E. Müll., Canad. J. Bot. 42: 405. 1964. CONIDIOMATA acervular, corticolous dark brown to black. CONIDIA 3-septate, fusiform (16– )17–20(–21) × 7–7.6 µm, appendages lacking. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on senescent twigs of Salix alatavica, Plot 4A. COMMENTS–All senescent young twigs were covered by conidiomata of this fungus. S. lichenicola is a common species on various host plants, including Salix longifolia (Sutton 1980). Trichometasphaeria barriae Chleb. Mycotaxon 110: 448, 2009 FIGURES 6A–E ASCOMATA (FIG. 6A) partially embedded in the substratum, rarely erumpent, gregarious, 340– 420 µm wide, ca 500 µm high, wall 24–44 µm thick, composed of an external dark layer with 3 rows of cells and an internal light layer with 2–3 rows of cells, textura angularis, subiculum absent, with a distinct OSTIOLE ca 160 µm diam, 90–100 µm high, covered by short (up to 70 µm long and 4–6 µm wide) straight or slightly curved septate setae (FIG. 6C), paler at the tips and sometimes slightly rough, surface of ascomata covered by very long, curved, darker, septate, thick walled and downward growing hyphae, 5–6 µm diam. at the base, ASCI clavate, 120–140(–150) × 24–26(–27) µm (FIG. 6E), ASCOSPORES 37–44(–45) × 10–14(–15) µm, 3septate, constricted at the supramedian septum, slightly asymmetric, pale brown, distal cells slightly paler (FIG. 6B) PSEUDOPARAPHYSES ca 2 µm diam., branched and septate, very abundant in the centrum, hyaline, their cells inside granulate (FIG. 6D). SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on tips of stems and leaves of Waldheimia tridactylites, 3 Aug. 2005, Holotype-KRAM “F” 46551 Plot 2C, Isotype KRAM “F” 46552, Plot 4C. COMMENTS–Yuan & Barr (1994) described a new species, T. papillisetosa Z.Q. Yuan & M.E. Barr 1994 from Tian Shan (China), on decorticated branches of Pentaphylloides fruticosa. Both T. barriae and T. papillisetosa are similar in ascomata, their setae are septate, erect, and with paler tips while the ascospores are larger than in other species. But the ascospores of T. barriae are smooth walled in comparison with the verrucose ascospores of T. papillisetosa. Both these species occur in Tian Shan. Typhula uncialis (Grev.) Berth. Bull. Mens. Soc. Linn. Lyon 45: 83, 1976 FRUIT BODIES simple, clavate, white, stem 600–1200 µm long, 220–360 µm wide, sterile stalk 300–400 µm long, finely puberulous to slightly pubescens. HYPHAE with clamps, BASIDIA with 4 sterigmata 24–25 × 4.4–5.2 µm. BASIDIOSPORES subamygdaliform, 5–8 × 1.2–2.2 µm, crystals 3–9(–10) µm diam., subglobose, sparsely verrucose, with blunt or pointed processes. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on dead leaves of Carex griffithii, Plots 3A, 4B. COMMENTS–Corner (1950) gives a description of three different collections of Pistillaria uncialis (Grev.) Corner. Of them a fungus from a dead stick possesses crystals inside longitudinal hyphae. However Berthier (1974, 1976), in spite of lacking a sclerotium, recognized this species as Typhula Fr. and placed them in the subgenus Gliocoryne Maire. The Tian Shan fungus possesses numerous crystals in the hymenium and inhabits old destroyed sedge leaves. Ustilago striiformis (Westend.) Niessl, Hedwigia 15: 1, 1876. SORI parallel to the leaf veins, covered by epidermis, spore mass dark brown, echinulate, ovoid to irregular 12–15 × 9–11 µm, light brown. SPORES SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves of Anthoxanthum alpinum, Plot 2C. COMMENTS–U. striiformis is a common species on many graminoid host plants (Vánky 1994). Veronaea thylacospermi Chleb. Mycotaxon 110: 449, 2009 FIGURES 6 F–I CONIDIOPHORES simple, smooth, brown, 1–3(–8) septate, 35–100 × 3–4 µm, basal cell inflated 6–10 µm wide (FIG. 6F), fertile part taller than basal part, forming slightly flexuose rachis with scattered, hyaline and small. Apically pointed denticle-like CONIDIOGENOUS LOCI, 0.3 µm high, 0.5 µm wide (FIG. 6 H, I). CONIDIA hyaline 12–14 × 3–4 µm, two celled, lower cell longer and wider than upper one, wall slightly verruculose (FIG. 6G). Paler mycelial hyphae distributed inside host cells. SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on leaves of Thylacospermum caespitosum, 3 Aug. 2005, coll.: A. Chlebicki, Holotype-KRAM “F” 46601, Plot 2C. COMMENTS–No species of this genus was reported earlier from T. caespitosum. Its conidia are similar to these of Veronaea caricis M. B. Ellis, illustrated by Ellis (1976). Whereas small, pointed conidiogenous loci are very similar to those of the genus Myrmecridium Arzanlou et al., the fungi in the genus Veronaea Cif. & Montemart. are distinct from species of Fusicladium Bonord. by having a well-developed rachis with densely aggregated scars. The next similar genus Veronaeopsis Arzanlou & Crous has rachides often geniculate, short conidiophores and more prominent and denticle-like conidiogenous loci. Myrmecridium possesses hyaline vegetative hyphae, rachides with scattered, small and pointed denticles, conidia one celled with a wing-like gelatinous sheath (Arzanlou et al. 2007). The Tian Shan fungus belongs to Veronaea like clade with verruculose conidia (as in Veronaea) and denticle-like conidiogenous loci (as in Myrmecridium). This fungus is a transitional form between the genus Veronaea and Myrmecridium, however its two celled conidia devoid of gelatinous sheath indicate a relationship with Veronaea. FIG. 6. Trichometasphaeria barriae: A. ascoma; B. ascospores, C. ostiole with setae, D. hamathecium and ascospores, E. asci; Veronaea thylacospermi: F. conidiophores with inflated basal cell, G. conidium, H, I. rachis with scattered, denticle-like coniodiogenous loci. Wettsteinina oreophila: J. ascospores. Scale bar: A = 100 µm; C = 60 µm; B, D = 40 µm; E = 25 µm; G, H, I = 10 µm; J = 30 µm Wettsteinina oreophila Shoemaker & C.E. Babc., Canad. J. Bot. 65: 386, 1987. FIGURE 5D, 6J ASCOSPORES 29–38 × 11–14 µm, 3-septate, the second cell from apex enlarged with slightly swollen zone adjacent to primary septum, additional septa with distinctly smaller swollen zones, not constricted, gelatinous sheath slightly swollen just above the first septum (FIG. 5D, 6J). SPECIMENS EXAMINED: KAZAKHSTAN, TIAN SHAN: permanent plots, on pedicel, below inflorescence of Carex griffithii, only some ascomata present Plots 1C, 2A , 2D, 3D. COMMENTS–This alpine species was noted on Carex atrata in Punjab, India, on Carex melonantha in Kashmir and Carex parviflora in the Alps (Shoemaker & Babcock 1987). Tian Shan specimen differs from type collection by presence in ascospores the swollen zones adjacent to additional septa. The specimens found on dead leaves of Thylacospermum caespitosum (plots 2C and 2B). belong to a new species of Wettsteinina, but a very scanty collection does not enable its precise description and is too sparse for a type collection. Acknowledgments Margaret E. Barr(†) help me to establish the taxonomical status of the genus Trichometasphaeria. 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