Lichenicolous ascomycetes onSiphula-like lichens, with a key to the species

Abstract

AbstractSixteen species of lichenicolous fungi are documented fromSiphula-like lichens. Two new genera based on new species are introduced.AmylogallaSuija, Motiej. & Kantvilas, characterized by I+ blue, K/I+ violet vegetative hyphae and ascomatal wall, immersed, cleistohymenial, yellowish to orange ascomata, unitunicate, non-amyloid, 8-spored asci and hyaline, ellipsoid, aseptate ascospores, is described fromParasiphulain Tasmania.SaaniaZhurb., characterized by superficial, stromatic, multilocular ascomata, non-amyloid hymenial gel, persistent periphysoids, bitunicate, non-amyloid, 4(–8)-spored asci and narrowly obovate to ellipsoid, 1(–3)-septate, initially hyaline and smooth-walled, later sometimes brown and verruculose ascospores, is described fromSiphulain South Africa. Four additional species are described as new: two fromSiphula(Cercidospora santessoniiMotiej., Zhurb., Suija & Kantvilas andStigmidium kashiwadaniiZhurb.) and two fromParasiphula(Endococcus hafellnerianusMotiej., Suija & Kantvilas andPyrenidium macrosporumMotiej., Zhurb., Suija & Kantvilas). Additional hosts and/or expanded geographical ranges are reported forAabaarnia siphulicola,Epigloea soleiformis, Plectocarpon gayanumandPyrenidium actinellum. The Southern Hemisphere is the centre of species richness for siphulicolous fungi, with 12 species restricted to this region. Taxa recorded for the Northern Hemisphere areSphaerellothecium siphulae(arctic and boreal) and the subcosmopolitanEpigloea soleiformisandPyrenidium actinellum, both of which are also known from various lichen hosts. The distribution of siphulicolous fungi strongly underpins the current generic classification ofSiphula-like lichens, with five species being confined exclusively toParasiphulaand nine toSiphula. A key to the taxa occurring onSiphulaandParasiphulais provided.