Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Morphological Identification of
Microfungi
Megan Romberg
Contents
Workshop Objectives
To gain increased familiarity with the process of morphological identification of fungi on hosts.
1. Careful examination of the host under a dissecting microscope for patterns of infection and presence of
sporulating structures.
2. Observation of the fungus under a compound microscope for details of spore shape, size, color and other
attributes, in addition to conidiophore/conidigenous cell structure and details, fruiting body size, shape, tissue
type and other details.
3. Exploration of the relevant literature about the fungus including original descriptions, detailed monographs and
taxonomic studies. Arrival at a name for an unknown fungus involves understanding the history of different
names for that fungus, and the different ways in which related groups of fungi may have been circumscribed.
In this workshop participants will examine provided samples to develop or increase familiarity with different fungal
groups and their related structures. The emphasis is not necessarily on identification of the specific fungi in this
workbook, but on the process of examination and developing an eye for the different structures used in morphological
identification. A variety of resources that are particularly helpful for fungal identification will also be covered.
Acknowledgements
Huge thanks to Karen Rane and Dave Clement for all of their help. Karen and her lab collected the vast majority of
samples for the workshop, without which this workbook and the workshop itself would not have been possible. Karen
and Dave provided a ton of logistic support and behind the scenes work to make this all possible.
1
A timeline of mycology (with an emphasis on classification and identification of
microfungi):
1665 Hooke published the first illustrations of fungi, including Mucor and Phragmidium.
1729 Micheli published Nova Plantarum Genera (including Aspergillus and Botrytis). (Micheli described at least 900
fungi.)
1801 Persoon published classifications of microfungi based on open or closed spore-bearing structures.
1821- Fries published Systema Mycologicum with four classes, four orders and four tribes. He later subdivided class
1832 Fungi into two classes. Fries continued to try to make sense of the fungi and published a second group of
volumes (1836-1838)
1837- Corda published Icones fungorum hucusque cognitorum, with many currently recognizable fungi (His name is
1854 associated with many well-known fungi including Colletotrichum and Chalara)
1854 DeBary demonstrated that Aspergillus glaucus and Eurotium herbariorum are the same fungus. Between 1866
and 1884 he also published classifications of fungi that withstood the test of time for decades.
1861- Tulasne brothers published Selecta Fungorum carpologia, with excellent illustrations of a variety of fungi, and
1865 illustrating that some fungi had two states (sexual and asexual).
1884 Saccardo began his Sylloge Fungorum. His classifications were challenged by Potebnia, von Hoehnel, Grove,
Costantin, Vuillemin, Mason and others, but his classification based on spore shape remained the primary one
used until the 1950s.
1953 Hughes published “Conidiophores, Conidia and Classification”, outlining the characters of conidiophore and
conidium development used to separate groups of fungi.
1968- Many mycologists began to synthesize information on various groups of conidial fungi, developing systems
1980 of classification still used today. These mycologists took the time to look at specimens of various groups and
tried to make sense of their relationships based on the morphology of the spores, as well as the development of
the structures giving rise to these spores.
Notable names from this period include Ellis, Kendrick, Sutton, Nag Raj, Cole, Morgan Jones, Hughes, Pirozynski,
Deighton, Subramanian
Mycologists soon recognized the merits of being able to classify fungi based on their genetic relatedness, as shown by
DNA sequence comparison. In some cases DNA sequence analysis supports previous classifications based on
morphology, and in some cases shows unexpected relationships between morphologically dis-similar
fungi.Morphological examination of fungi is still central to mycology, though, and is the only method of identification for
a very many fungi that have not yet been sequenced.
2
Morphological classification systems
Saccardo divided fungi into groups by spore shape, septation and color. The terms he used are still relevant today.
Phragmospore: spores with >1 horizontal septa Helicospore: spiral shaped spores
Most of the works used today for morphological identification of microfungi use a combination of these systems to
classify the groups of fungi. This workshop will focus on using both systems in identifying microfungi.
Notes on nomenclature
Although scientists were naming fungi prior to the 1800s, official codification of fungal nomenclature did not begin until
1867 with the publication of the first attempt at developing rules of nomenclature of the “vegetable kingdom” (Paris
Congress). A scan of the translation of these rules can be found at:
http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/36897756#page/74/mode/1up
The code of nomenclature has undergone multiple changes since, including providing a “starting point” for names by
sanctioning names published in Persoon’s Synopsis methodica Fungorum (1801) and Fries’ Systema mycologicum (1821-
1832). Names published before these dates are not recognized. In 1908, a latin description or “diagnosis” was required
as part of validly publishing a name for a fungus and starting in 1912 the sexual (considered “perfect”) state of a fungus
took priority as a name, with names of asexual fungi having a lesser status. In the 1950s unique types (single specimens
associated with a name) became mandatory and later the ex-type concept (e.g. cultures arising from a type) was
developed.
The most recent code, the Melbourne code, is called the International Code of Nomenclature of algae, fungi and plants.
It can be found at http://www.iapt-taxon.org/nomen/main.php and most notably establishes the use of one name for
fungi found as different morphs (asexual and sexual), and does away with the requirement for a Latin description. Some
practical assistance in understanding the code can be found here: http://www.mycologia.org/site/misc/FAQvers2.xhtml
3
Resources
Generally Useful Websites
SMML Fungus Host database: http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/fungushost/fungushost.cfm
Mycobank: http://www.mycobank.org/
Pest and Disease Image Library (Australia): http://www.padil.gov.au/ (images of a variety of fungi and other
organisms)
4
Books
Various Fungi
Dictionary of the Fungi (most recent = 10th Ed.) Kirk, Cannon, Minter, Stalpers CABI (IMI, Kew, England)
Cole, G.T. and Kendrick, B. 1981. Biology of Conidial Fungi. Academic Press New York.
Hyphomycetes
Ellis, M.B. 1976. More Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
Coelomycetes
Raj, N. 1993. Coelomycetous Anamorphs with Appendage-Bearing Conidia. Mycologue Publications Canada
Ascomycetes
Hanlin, R.T. 1990. Illustrated Genera of Ascomycetes Volumes I and II. APS Press
Sivanesan, A. 1984. The Bitunicate Ascomycetes and their anamorphs. Cramer, Vaduz.
Braun, U. and Cook, R.T.A. 2012. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews). APS Press
Arthur, J.C., Cummins, G.B. Manual of the Rusts in United States and Canada. 1962. Hafner Publishing New
York
Cummins, G.B., Hiratsuka, Y. 2003. Illustrated Genera of Rust Fungi APS Press
5
Sample Preparation
Tips and Tricks
1. Examine the host material thoroughly under the dissecting microscope (don’t forget to turn it over!) Look for
sporulation. In some cases, a single drop of sterile water on a lesion can stimulate the opening of fruiting bodies
and the expulsion of spores. This drop can then be removed with a pipette and mounted on a slide to see free
conidia. A water drop can also help soften dry tissues.
2. Remove fruiting bodies or conidia-bearing structures with the tip of a scalpel and mount in a drop of 85% lactic
acid. Three techniques are useful here:
1) Thin sections. Cut a small rectangle out of the leaf and slice it into thin sections by chopping (not slicing). Best
for acervuli, and rust uredinia and telia.
2) Popping a discrete fruiting body out with the tip of a scalpel. This works best for ascomycetes with perithecia
or pseudothecia or coelomycetes with pycnidia.
3) Scraping across the top of a section of host with a scalpel to remove hyphomycetes or superficial fruiting
bodies (like chasmothecia).
Aim to remove ~ 5 fruiting bodies, or about 5-10 spore-bearing structures. You don’t want too little material…but
you don’t want too much either. Removal of too much of the fungus is typical for beginners and something to guard
against.
Place a coverslip over the drop of lactic acid and warm the slide at 50° C for about 5 minutes.
3. After you’ve warmed the slide have a look at it under low power (4X). Take note of the shape of any fruiting
body. While looking at the slide under low power (or under the dissecting microscope), gently use the end of
forceps or a pencil to squish the fungus by pressing very gently on the coverslip.
4. Look for conidia. What shape are they? What size? Septate, non-septate?
5. Try to find where the conidia are coming from. Scan the slide under 10X then 20X and look for conidiophores.
You might need to re-warm the slide and squash again with a gentle side-to-side motion to separate fungal
tissue.
6. Decide what group of fungi you’re looking at. Is it a hyphomycete, coelomycete or ascomycete? Do you know
the host? Look up the host and fungus group in the SMML database as a start. (If you don’t know the host,
begin looking at Sutton for coelomycetes and Seifert for hyphomycetes, Hanlin for ascomycetes, etc.)
7. Look at the list of fungi in the SMML database. Look up names you don’t recognize in MycoBank to find sources
of literature on those names.
6
Genera of fungi (and similar organisms) covered in this workbook
Coelomycetes
Blumeriella (Phloeospora) 24 Rusts
Diplocarpon 26 Coleosporium asterum 47
(Entomosporium) Phragmidium 49
Diplocarpon (Marssonina) 27 Puccina
Colletotrichum 28 Ravenelia 50
Cryptocline 31 Uromyces
Pestalotiopsis 33
Phoma 35
Phyllosticta 36
Downy Mildew
Septoria 38 Peronospora 51
7
HYPHOMYCETES
8
Alternaria Nees ex Fr. (1816)
=Elosia Pers. (1822)
=Macrosporium Fr. (1832)
=Rhopalidium Mont. (1836)
=Prathoda Subram. (1956)
=Chmelia Svob.-Pol. (1966)
Distribution: Cosmopolitan. As a plant pathogen usually causes leaf spots, also a common saprobe.
References:
9
Cercospora Fresen (1863)
= Virgasporium Cooke (1875)
Distribution: Widespread on Amaranthaceae and other plant families. Cercosporoid fungi are common on many plants.
Cercospora is one of a number of fungi that sporulate in a similar way and are known as “cercosporoid”. Genera of
cercosporoid fungi include Cercospora, Pseudocercospora, Stenella and Passalora. These are differentiated based on the
presence or absence of darkened conidiogenous loci, ornamentation of hyphae and pigmentation of the conidia.
1. Conidiogenous loci inconspicuous or subdenticulate, but always unthickened and not darkened or
subconspicuous, i.e. unthickened, but somewhat refractive or rarely very slightly darkened, or only outer
rim slightly darkened and refractive (visible as minute rings)…………………………………………..Pseudocercospora
1. Conidiogenous loci conspicuous, i.e., thickened and darkened throughout, only with a minute central
pore…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2
2. With verruculose superficial secondary mycelium; conidia amero- to scolecosporous, mostly
verruculose…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Stenella
2. If superficial secondary mycelium present, hyphae smooth or almost so…………………………………………3
3. Conidia hyaline or subhyaline, scolecosporous, acicular, obclavate-cylindrical, filiform, usually
pluriseptate…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Cercospora
3. Conidia pigmented or, if subhyaline, conidia non-scolecosporous, ellipsoid-ovoid, short cylindrical, fusoid
and only few septa………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Passalora
References:
Chupp, C. 1954. A monograph of the fungus genus Cercospora. Ithaca, New York. Published by the author.
Crous, P.W. and Braun, U. 2003. Mycosphaerella and its anamorphs: 1. Names published in Cercospora and Passalora.
Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Utrecht.
Seifert, et al. 2011.The Genera of Hyphomycetes. Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Utrecht.
10
Cercospora beticola Sacc. (1876)
≡Cercosporina beticola (Sacc.) K. Nakata, T. Nakajima & K. Katimoto (1915)
= Cercospora anthelmintica G.F. Atk. (1892)
= Cercospora betae Sacc. (1892)
≡ Fusarium betae Rabenh. (1859) Note: Invalid. Nomen nud.
= Cercospora chenopodiicola Bres. (1900)
= Cercospora longissima Cooke & Ellis (1889)
= Cercospora spinaciae Oudem. (1900)
Leaf spots on Beta vulgaris caused by Cercospora beticola. Cercospora sporulating in a lesion on Beta vulgaris.
Fascicle of conidiophores of Cercospora beticola (inset, close up of Acicular conidia of Cercospora beticola.
conidiophores showing scars).
11
Cladosporium Link (1816)
≡Sporocladium Chevall.(1826)
=Azosma Corda (1831)
=Mydonosporium Corda (1833)
=Myxocladium Corda (1837)
=Heterosporium Klotzsch ex Cooke (1877)
=Polyrhizium Giard (1889)
=Acrosporella Riedl & Ershad (1977)
=Beejadwaya Subram.(1978)
=Spadicesporium V.N. Boriss. & Dvoïnos (1982)
Distribution: Cosmopolitan. Very common in air samples, widespread saprobes. Some species are pathogens.
References:
Bensch et al. 2012. The genus Cladosporium. Studies in Mycology, CBS-KNAW, Utrecht
Ellis, M.B. 1971. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
Ellis, M.B. 1976. More Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
Seifert, et al. 2011. The Genera of Hyphomycetes. CBS-KNAW (Netherlands)
12
13
Epicoccum nigrum Link (1815)
= Epicoccum asterinum Pat. (1912)
= Phoma epicoccina Punith., Tulloch & J.G. Leach (1972) Note: Phoma epicoccina is a synanamorph of Epicoccum nigrum.
= Epicoccum purpurascens Ehrenb. (1818)
= Epicoccum vulgare Corda (1837)
References:
Ellis, M.B. 1971. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
Ellis, M.B. 1976. More Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
Seifert, et al. 2011. The Genera of Hyphomycetes. CBS-KNAW (Netherlands)
Characters: Spore production from conidiophores, usually with a stipe and spherical head.
Conidiogenesis monoblastic or polyblastic.
Conidia catenate, usually spherical, pale to dark brown, verruculose to echinulate, aseptate.
References:
Ellis, M.B. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. 1971. CABI (IMI, Kew, England)
Ellis, M.B. More Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. 1976. CABI (IMI, Kew, England)
Seifert, et al. The Genera of Hyphomycetes. 2011. CBS-KNAW (Netherlands)
Periconia on a stem.
Periconia in a lesion.
15
Conidiophore and conidia of Periconia Conidia forming on a Periconia conidiophore.
Pseudocercospora Speg. (1910)
=Cercosporiopsis Miura (1928)
=Ancylospora Sawada (1944)
=Helicomina L.S. Olive (1948)
=Cercocladospora G.P. Agarwal & S.M. Singh (1974)
=Semipseudocercospora J.M. Yen (1983)
Characters: Spore production from fascicles of conidiophores in sporodochia with a basal stroma.
Conidiogenesis from unbranched, pale brown to brown conidiophores with inconspicuous broad
scars (not cicatrized scars).
Conidia long, thin (scolecospores), sometimes didymo, phragmo or dictyosporous, pale brown
to brown.
See notes under Cercospora for differences between Pseudocercospora and other cercosporoid genera.
References:
Ellis, M.B. 1971. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
Ellis, M.B. 1976. More Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
Seifert, et al. 2011. The Genera of Hyphomycetes. CBS-KNAW (Netherlands)
16
Pseudocercospora dendrobii Goh & W.H. Hsieh (1990)
17
Ramularia grevilleana (Oudem.) Jorst. (1945)
≡ Cylindrosporium grevilleanum Oudem. (1873)
≡Isariopsis grevilleana (Oudem.) J. Schrot. (1897)
≡Ramularia tulasnei Sacc. (1886)
= Ramularia anserina Allesch. (1896)
= Ramularia arvensis Sacc. (1882)
= Ramularia fragariae Peck (1879)
= Sphaeria fragariae Tul. & C. Tul. (1856)
≡ Mycosphaerella fragariae (Tul. & C. Tul.) Lindau (1897)
≡ Sphaerella fragariae (Tul. & C. Tul.) Sacc. (1882)
= Stigmatea fragariae Tul. & C. Tul. (1863)
= Ramularia martianoffiana Thüm. (1878)
= Ramularia modesta Sacc. (1881)
= Ramularia punctiformis Sacc. (1904)
= Ramularia tulasnei var. fragariae-vescae C. Massal. (1908)
Distribution: R. grevilleana is widespread on Fragaria spp., Potentilla spp., and other hosts in the Rosaceae.
Some Ramularia species can be confused with Cladosporium, or some cercosporoid fungi.
References:
18
Ramularia grevilleana (Oudem.) Jorst. (1945)
Conidia of R. grevilleana.
Conidiophores of R. grevilleana.
19
Stemphylium Wallr. (1833)
=Scutisporium Preuss (1851)
=Epochniella Sacc. (1880)
=Thyrodochium Werderm. (1924)
=Soreymatosporium Sousa da Câmara (1930)
References:
Ellis, M.B. 1971. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
Ellis, M.B. 1976. More Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
Seifert, et al. 2011. The Genera of Hyphomycetes. CBS-KNAW (Netherlands)
20
Stemphylium botryosum Wallr. (1833)
Stemphylium botryosum conidium and conidiophore. Stemphylium botryosum conidia, inset shows ornamentation.
21
COELOMYCETES
22
Blumeriella jaapii (Rehm) Arx 1961
≡ Pseudopeziza jaapii Rehm 1907
≡Higginsia jaapii (Rehm) Nannf. 1932
= Coccomyces hiemalis B.B. Higgins 1913
≡ Higginsia hiemalis (B.B. Higgins) Nannf. 1932
≡ Blumeriella hiemalis (B.B. Higgins) Põldmaa 1967
= Cylindrosporium hiemalis Higgins 1914
≡ Phloeosporella hiemalis (B.B. Higgins) Põldmaa 1967
= Coccomyces lutescens B.B. Higgins 1914
≡ Higginsia lutescens (B.B. Higgins) Nannf. 1932
= Cylindrosporium lutescens B.B. Higgins 1914
= Ascochyta padi Lib. 1832
= Cylindrosporium padi P. Karst. 1884
≡ Phloeospora padi (P. Karst.) Petr. 1919
= Septoria padi Lasch 1842
= Coccomyces prunophorae B.B. Higgins 1914
≡ Higginsia prunophorae (B.B. Higgins) Nannf. 1932
= Cylindrosporium prunophorae B.B. Higgins 1914
≡Microgloeum pruni Petrak (1922)
Characters: Phloeospora-anamorph:
Spore production in acervuli.
Conidiogenesis from holoblastic conidiogenous cells, 1-2 broad, flat, apical scars.
Conidia scolecosporous, 1-septate, 69-74 x 3µm.
Microgloeum-anamorph:
Spore production in acervuli.
Conidiogenesis from hyaline, septate, branched conidiophores, holoblastic.
Conidia amerospores, cylindrical, tapered toward base, 7.5-9.5 x 1.5 µm.
References:
23
Blumeriella jaapii (Rehm) Arx 1961
Conidiogenous cells of phloeospora state (left) and conidiophores Macro- and microconidia of Blumeriella jaapii.
of microgloeum state (right) and macroconidia of Blumeriella.
24
Diplocarpon mespili (Sorauer) B. Sutton (1980)
≡ Stigmatea mespili Sorauer (1878)
= Fabraea maculata Atk. (1951)
≡ Diplocarpon maculatum (Atk.) Jørst. (1945)
= Entomosporium maculatum Lév. (1857 [1856])
= Entomosporium maculatum var. domesticum (Sacc.) Grove (1884)
= Xyloma mespili DC. (1815)
≡ Entomosporium mespili (DC.) Sacc. (1880)
Characters (anamorph):
Spore production in acervuli.
Conidiogenesis from shorter to elongated conidiophores, conidiogenous cells holoblastic.
Conidia conisisting of a larger basal and upper cell, with 2 or more lateral cells on upper region of lower cell. Apical and
lateral cells have single, unbranched appendages, conidia 15-22 x 5-10 µm.
References:
Raj, N. Coelomycetous Anamorphs with Appendage-Bearing Conidia. 1993. Mycologue Publications Canada
Sutton, B.C. The Coelomycetes. 1980. CABI (IMI, Kew, England)
Leaf spots on Rosa caused by Diplocarpon mespili. Acervuli in lesions caused by D. mespili.
25
Conidia of D. mespili forming. Conidia of D. mespili.
Diplocarpon rosae F.A. Wolf (1912)
= Asteroma rosae Lib. 1827
≡ Marssonina rosae (Lib.) Died. 1915
≡ Actinonema rosae (Lib.) Fr. 1849
References:
Sutton, B.C. 1980. The Coelomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
26
Colletotrichum Corda (1831)
=Dicladium Ces. (1852)
=Steirochaete A. Braun & Casp (1854)
=Fellneria Fuckel (1867)
=Phellomyces A.B. Frank (1898)
=Colletotrichopsis Bubák (1904)
=Didymariopsis Speg. (1910)
=Gloeosporiopsis Speg. (1910)
=Fominia Girz. (1927)
=Lophodiscella Tehon (1933)
=Blennorella Kirschst.(1944)
=Ellisiellina Sousa da Câmara (1949)
=Rostrospora Subram. & K. Ramakr., (1952)
=Colletostroma Petr. (1953)
=Peresia H. Maia (1960)
Distribution: Cosmopolitan. Endophytic, causes anthracnose on a wide variety of hosts. Associated with every vascular
plant?
Colletotrichum is one of the most commonly intercepted fungi at U.S. ports and one of the most often identified fungi in
NPDN labs. The breadth of diversity in this genus has been studied in depth, but many new species are likely still out
there awaiting discovery. See the references below for a few overview studies.
Characters: Spore production in acervuli, subcuticular or epidermal. Setae present or absent, brown,
smooth, septate, abundant or sparse.
Conidiogenesis from hyaline to brown conidiophores, enteroblastic, phialidic, periclinal thickening
sometimes prominent.
Conidia hyaline, aseptate, cylindrical and straight or falcate, smooth (with an appendage in one species
(complex).
References:
Crouch, J.A. 2014. Colletotrichum caudatum s.l. is a species complex. IMA Fungus 5:17-30
Damm et al., 2013. The Colletotrichum orbiculare species complex: important plant pathogens of field crops and weeds.
Fungal Diversity, 61:29-59
Damm et al., 2012. The Colletotrichum boninense species complex. Studies in Mycology 73:1-36
Damm et al., 2009. Colletotrichum species with curved conidia from herbaceous hosts. Fungal Diversity 39:45-87
Sutton, B.C. 1980. The Coelomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
Weir et al. 2012. The Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex. Studies in Mycology, 73:115-180
27
Colletotrichum orbiculare
Cross section of Colletotrichum acervulus. A seta is visible in the Conidia of Colletotrichum orbiculare.
background.
28
Colletotrichum trichellum
29
Cryptocline betularum (Ellis & G. Martin) Arx (1957)
≡Monostichella betularum (Ellis & G. Martin) Redlin
≡Gloeosporium betularum Ellis & G. Martin (1882)
≡Gloeosporidium betularum (Ellis & G. Martin) (1923)
References:
Morgan-Jones, G. 1971. Conidium ontogeny in Coelomycetes. I. Some amerosporous species which possess annellides.
Can. J. Bot. 49:1921-1929
Morgan-Jones, G. 1973. Genera coelomycetarum. VII. Cryptocline Petrak. Can. J. Bot. 51:309-325
Sutton, B.C. 1980. The Coelomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
30
Cryptocline betularum (Ellis & G. Martin) Arx (1957)
31
Pestalotiopsis Steyaert (1949)
= Discosiopsis Edward, KrP. Singh, S.c. Tripathi, M.K. Sinha & Ranade (1974)
Distribution: Cosmopolitan. Endophytic on most plants, can cause leaf spots and other symptoms.
For a number of years mycologists, especially Guba and Steyaert, debated the proper placement of Pestalotia
and Pestalotiopsis. Essentially, Guba called everything he saw Pestalotia, while Steyaert felt Pestalotia only
comprised one species, with everything else being a Pestalotiopsis. Jeewon et al. provide a summary of the
historical treatment by Guba and Staeyert of the fungi called Pestalotia and Pestalotiopsis, plus DNA evidence
supporting the conclusions of Staeyert and Nag Raj. Pestalotia is a monotypic genus, represented by the
species Pestalotia pezizoides. Pretty much everything else that fits the morphological characters used to
identify a Pestalotia/Pestalotiopsis (appendaged conidia with 2-3 apical and one basal appendage, multiple
septa with darkened median cells, etc.) should be called Pestalotiopsis. Much more work needs to be done on
this group to determine inter- and intraspecies boundaries.
References:
Guba, E.F. 1961. Monograph of Monochaetia and Pestalotia. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge
Jeewon, R. et al. 2001. Phylogenetic relationships of Pestalotiopsis and allied genera inferred from ribosomal
DNA sequences and morphological characters. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 25:378-392
Raj, N. 1993. Coelomycetous Anamorphs with Appendage-Bearing Conidia. Mycologue Publications Canada
Sutton, B.C. 1980. The Coelomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
32
Pestalotiopsis sp. on Thuja sp.
33
Phoma Sacc (1880)
=Macroplodiella Speg.(1908)
=Chlamydosporium Peyronel(1913)
=Leptophoma Höhn. (1915)
=Rhizosphaerella Höhn. (1917)
=Sclerophomina Höhn.(1917)
=Phomopsina Petr.(1922)
=Pseudosclerophoma Petr. (1923)
=Vialina Curzi (1935)
=Paraphoma Morgan-Jones & J.F. White (1983)
Boerema et al. 2004. Phoma Identification Manual CABI (IMI) Kew, England
Sutton, B.C. 1980. The Coelomycetes. CABI (IMI) Kew, England
See also Studies in Mycology issues about Phoma and related genera.
Conidia and conidiogenous cells of a Phoma sp. Close-up of conidiogenous cells of a Phoma sp.
34
Phyllosticta Pers. (1818)
=Phyllosphaera Dumort. (1822)
=Macrophyllosticta Sousa da Câmara, (1929)
=Caudophoma B.V. Patil & Thirum. (1968)
=Guignardia Viala & Ravaz (1892) (teleomorph state)
Distribution: Common cause of leaf spots on a wide variety of hosts. Notable species include P. citricarpa (cause of
Citrus Black Spot and P. capitalensis, a common endophyte).
Can be confused with Phomopsis and Phoma when identifying under the dissecting scope. Some Phyllosticta spp. don’t
have appendages and could be confused with Diplodia-like fungi. Many older names of Phyllosticta are no longer valid.
See the book by Van der AA for a comprehensive list of species accepted in Phyllosticta, and those no longer accepted in
the genus.
References:
Van der AA, H.A. and S. Vanev. 2002. A Revision of the Species Described in Phyllosticta. APS Press.
Nag Raj, T.R. 1993. Coelomycetous Anamorphs with Appendage-Bearing Conidia. Mycologue Publications
Canada
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Phyllosticta minima (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Underw. & Earle (1897)
≡ Sphaeropsis minima Berk. & M.A. Curtis (1874)
= Phyllosticta acericola Cooke & Ellis (1879)
= Phyllosticta arida Earle (1898)
Distribution: Common cause of leaf spots on a wide variety of hosts. Species include Septoria rudbeckiae,
Septoria cornina, Septoria apiicola.
References:
Note: Septoria as a form genus encompasses a variety of morphological forms and has been, and likely will
continue to be, subdivided into different genera. See the papers listed in Studies in Mycology for more
information.
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Septoria apiicola Speg. (1887)
≡Rhabdospora apiicola (Speg.) Kuntze (1898)
= Septoria apii Chester (1891)
= Septoria apii-graveolentis Dorogin (1915)
= Septoria petroselini var. apii Briosi & Cavara (1891)
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Septoria castaneicola Desm. (1847)
≡Phloeospora castanicola (Desm.) D. Sacc.
≡Septoria castanicola Desm. (1847)
≡Phloeospora castaneicola (Desm.) D. Sacc. (1911)
≡Stromatoseptoria castaneicola (Desmazières) Quaedvlieg, Verkley & Crous (2013)
Note: Although Quadvlieg et al. placed this fungus in the newly erected genus Stromatoseptoria, MycoBank still lists the
current name as Septoria castaneicola with Stromatoseptoria castaneicola as a synonym. Stay tuned….
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OTHER GROUPS OF FUNGI
A detailed discussion of morphological identification of ascomycete fungi producing ascomata, as well as the
rusts, powdery and downy mildews is beyond the scope of this workshop.
However, we have some samples available with these fungi and looking at these is a useful exercise.
The following pages illustrate morphological features of fungi on some of the samples available for this
workshop.
ASCOMYCETES
(or, ascomycetous fungi producing sexual stage structures)
Phyllachora on Calamagrostis
POWDERY MILDEWS
Erysiphe paeoniae on Paeonia
Podosphaera aphanis on Fragaria
Erysiphe magnifica on Magnolia
RUSTS
Coleosporium asterae on Solidago
DOWNY MILDEW
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Phyllachora Nitschke ex Fuckel (1870)
=Clypeostigma Höhn.(1919)
=Puiggarina Speg.(1919)
=Halstedia F. Stevens (1920)
=Clypeotrabutia Seaver & Chardón (1926)
=Endotrabutia Chardón (1930)
=Phaeotrabutia Orejuela (1941)
=Tolediella Viégas, Bragantia (1943)
Characters: Spore production in asci formed in subglobose perithecia that are often crowded
together in groups on the host.
Asci unitunicate, cylindrical with 8 ascospores. Paraphyses filiform, often longer than the asci.
Ascospores hyaline, 1-celled, oval to globose.
Phyllachora spp. are associated with a Linochora anamorph state, which produces short filiform conidia from
phialides in conidiomata that are often in the same lesion as the ascigerous state.
References:
Hanlin, R.T. 1990. Illustrated Genera of Ascomycetes Volumes I and II. APS Press
Parbery, D.G. 1967. Studies on graminicolous species of Phyllachora Nke. In Fckl. V. A taxonomic monograph.
Aust. J. Bot. 15:271-375
Parbery, D.G. 1971. Studies on graminicolous species of Phyllachora Nke. In Fckl. VI.* Additions and
Corrections to Part V. Aust. J. Bot. 19:207-235
Also see CABI (IMI) descriptions of individual species.
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Phyllachora sp. (cf. graminis) on Calamagrostis
Tar spot on Calamagrostis. Asci being released from Phyllachora ascomata on Calamagrostis.
Cross section of a Phyllachora ascoma showing asci, ascospores Ascospores of Phyllachora on Calamagrostis.
and paraphyses.
Cross section showing an ascoma of Phyllachora next to a Phialides and conidia of the anamorph Linochora state.
conidioma of the anamorph (Linochora) state.
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Powdery Mildews
Fungi, Ascomycota, Pezizomycotina, Leotiomycetes, Leotiomycetidae, Erysiphales
Braun, U. and Cook, R.T.A. 2012. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews) CBS-KNAW, Utrecht.
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Rusts
Fungi, Basidiomycota, Pucciniomycotina, Pucciniomycetes, Pucciniales
Below is a sampling of the diversity of rust fungi. See the references for more.
References:
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Puccina esclavensis Dietel & Holw. on Mirabilis
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Coleosporium asterum (Dietel) Syd. & P. Syd. (1914)
≡ Stichopsora asterum Dietel 1899
= Peridermium montanum Arthur & F. Kern 1906
= Uredo solidaginis Schwein. 1822
≡ Coleosporium solidaginis (Schwein.) Thüm. 1878
Characters (on Asteraceae): Uredina and Telia occur on the same leaves, often next to one another.
Uredinia subepidermal, erumpent.
Urediniospores verrucose, echinulate.
Telia subepidermal, as low cushions, gelatinous when wet.
Teliospores 1-celled, pseudocatenulate.
References:
Arthur, J.C., Cummins, G.B. 1962. Manual of the Rusts in United States and Canada. Hafner Publishing New York
Cummins, G.B., Hiratsuka, Y. 1983. Illustrated Genera of Rust Fungi. APS Press
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Coleosporium asterum (Dietel) Syd. & P. Syd.
Uredinium of Coleosporium asterum Urediniospores of C. asterum showing wall thickness (top) and
48 spines (bottom).
Peronospora Corda (1837)
Reference:
Thines et al. 2009. Identity of the downy mildew pathogens of basil, coleus, and sage with implications for
quarantine measures. Mycological Research 113:532-540
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