Legerioides, a New Genus of Harpellales in Isopods and Other Trichomycetes from New England, USA

Abstract

New England (northeastern USA), essentially, has not been surveyed for Trichomycetes. During two trips to this region, samples of aquatic arthropods were collected and dissected for identification of their gut fungi. Exploratory collections in Massachusetts and New Hampshire yielded a new genus and species of Harpellales found in the hindguts of a common freshwater isopod. Legerioides tumidus is described with comments on the possible range of distribution of this species. As a preliminary assessment of the Trichomycetes in New England, the gut fungi associated with various aquatic arthropods are also presented. This paper includes the first report of a Harpellales in Isopoda, the first report of Trichomycetes from Trichoptera, the first report of Eccrinales in Plecoptera, and a new record of Astreptonema, gammari in North America.