Arachnophora dinghuensis sp. nov. and Websteromyces inaequale sp. nov., and two new records of anamorphic fungi from dead branches of broad-leaved trees in China

Abstract

Two new species of hyphomycetes, Arachnophora dinghuensis and Websteromyces inaequale, are described and illustrated from specimens collected on dead branches of unidentified plants in China. Arachnophora dinghuensis is characterized by monoblastic, integrated, terminal, occasionally percurrently extending conidiogenous cells that produce solitary, acrogenous, staurosporous conidia. The conidia are two-celled, irregular, brown, 21–27.5 × 10–17 μm, with a central body that bears 2 or more fertile, brown to pale brown lateral cells, which in turn give rise to 1–3 fertile, conical, hyaline to pale brown arm-cells, 4–6.5 × 3.5–4.5 μm. A microconidial, Selenosporella-like synanamorph occurs at the apex of the arms. Websteromyces inaequale is recognized as the second species in the genus, and differs from the type species, W. verruculosus, in possessing naviculiform, obclavate to ellipsoidal, smooth, larger conidia in unbranched acropetal chains. The hyphomycetes Rhexoacrodictys queenslandica and Solicorynespora sylvatica are reported from China for the first time. A key to Arachnophora species is provided.