Bellojisia, a new sordariaceous genus for Jobellisia rhynchostoma and a description of Jobellisiaceae fam. nov.

Abstract

The phylogenetic analyses of partial nucLSU rDNA sequence data of three Jobellisia species indicate that J. rhynchostoma is distinct from the core species of Jobellisia. Jobellisia luteola, the type species of the genus, and J. fraterna reside as a strongly supported monophyletic clade in a basal position in a grouping containing the Diaporthales, the Calosphaeriales and the Togniniaceae, while all phylogenies confirm the placement of J. rhynchostoma within the Sordariales. The new family Jobellisiaceae (incertae sedis) is described for Jobellisia. A new perithecial ascomycete genus, Bellojisia (Lasiosphaeriaceae, Sordariales), is introduced for J. rhynchostoma. The fungus produces nonstromatic, long-necked perithecia with a superficial to semi-immersed pyriform venter and carbonaceous three-layered perithecial wall, 1-septate, hyaline, later brown, reniform to navicular ascospores with a polar germ pore formed in unitunicate asci. The fungus was not observed to produce a conidial anamorph in vitro. Both morphological and molecular data suggest Corylomyces selenosporus of the Sordariales is the closest relative of J. rhynchostoma. The other relatives of Bellojisia (viz. Cercophora, Lasiosphaeria and Podospora) recruit from the Lasiosphaeriaceae (Sordariales). Cercophora and Podospora are shown as polyphyletic within the Sordariales, which is in agreement with previous molecular studies.