Abstract
Homortomyces is introduced as a new coelomycetous genus associated with leaf spots onCombretum erythrophyllum trees growing near and around the Sterkfontein caves, Maropeng, South Africa. Based on its transversely septate, brown conidia, the presence of paraphyses, and percurrent proliferation of the conidiogenous cells, the genus resembles Stilbospora (Melanoconidaceae, Diaporthales). It is distinct in having pycnidial condiomata, conidia lacking mucoid sheaths, and becoming muriform when mature. Its morphology and phylogenetic placement based on analyses of sequence data for the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (LSU, 28S) as well as the ITS and 5.8S rRNA gene of the nrDNA operon, show that Homortomyces represents a novel genus in Dothideomycetes, although its familial relationships remain unresolved.
Highlights
The Sterkfontein caves at Maropeng form part of the Cradle of Humankind, a World Heritage Site close to Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa
During a recent visit to Maropeng, it was noted that Combretum erythrophyllum (River bushwillow; Combretaceae) trees suffered from a serious leaf spot disease, which appears to eventually kill the young shoots and lead to the development of prominent stem cankers
Colonies were subcultured onto potatodextrose agar (PDA), oatmeal agar (OA), malt extract agar (MEA) (Crous et al 2009b), and pine needle agar (PNA) (Smith et al 1996), and incubated at 25 °C under continuous near-ultraviolet light to promote sporulation
Summary
The Sterkfontein caves at Maropeng (meaning “returning to the place of origin” in the southern African language, Setswana) form part of the Cradle of Humankind, a World Heritage Site close to Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. The site is well known for the 2.3-million yearold fossil Australopithecus africanus, named “Mrs Ples”, which was found there in 1947 by Robert Broom and John T. Much attention has been devoted to fossils buried in the area, little is known of the fungi on the surrounding vegetation. During a recent visit to Maropeng, it was noted that Combretum erythrophyllum (River bushwillow; Combretaceae) trees suffered from a serious leaf spot disease, which appears to eventually kill the young shoots and lead to the development of prominent stem cankers. A Stilbospora-like coelomycete was consistently found sporulating on the leaf and shoot lesions
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