New Taxa and New Records of Coelomycetes for the U.K.

Abstract

Summary. A new genus of coelomycetes, Pseudocytoplacosphaeria, typified by P coniicola sp. nov., is proposed, and the new species Ascochyta ulicis-caledoniensis, Phomopsis agrostidis, Phomopsis airae and Septocyta visci-britannica are described. In addition, the new combinations Phomopsis barbari (Cooke) Punith. and Septocyta visci (Bres.) Punith. & Spooner are proposed, and the following species are reported as new records for the UK: Ascochyta ligustri Sacc. & Speg., on Ligustrum, Ascochyta nigripycnidiicola Ondfej on Vicia cracca, Marssonina mali (Henn.) S. Ito on Malus sylvestris, Monochaetia cryptomeriae M. Wilson & Ford-Rob. on Taxus, Myxothyrium leptideum (Fr.) Bubik & Kabit on Vaccinium, Septoria inconspicua Berk. & M. A. Curtis on Plantago, Sphaceloma populi (Sacc.) Jenkins on Populus and Salix, and Stagonospora bellunensis (Speg.) Jorst. on Molinia. The fungi reported in this paper result largely from ongoing studies of the mycota of the Esher/Oxshott SSSI complex in Surrey, U.K Four new species, one of which represents a new genus, and five new British records from this site are presented, as well as further collections and new host records for Monochaetia cryptomeriae, previously published as British only from Scotland. Related studies on other British coelomycetes, which have identified a further undescribed species and three additional species new to Britain from other sites, are also presented here. The site at Esher/Oxshott covers an area of c. 400 ha and largely comprises acid, sandy soils (Bagshot Sands) supporting heathland as well as a wide range of other terrestrial and aquatic habitats. These include both ancient and secondary woodland composed particularly of Carpinus, Quercus and Fagus, with much Pinus and Betula, both of the latter being invasive onto the managed heathland. London Clay outcrops to the east of the area. Aquatic habitats present include ponds, streams, a spring line and bog, plus the bank of the river Mole. These areas often support Alnus glutinosa and Salix fragilis and in places sallows, mostly Salix cinerea subsp. oleifolia and S. caprea, are common. Almost the entire area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and parts are also designated as Local Nature Reserve. The fungi of the area have been collected and recorded for many years, early foray reports going back well over a century, e.g. Step (1895). Fairly intensive work has been undertaken during the past two decades, and to date well over 3000 species have been recorded for which voucher material of most is held in K or IMI. It is the holotype locality for at least 35 species to date, including 27 hyphomycetes, although no coelomycetes have been previously described from the area. There is as yet no comprehensive account of