Three Hansfordia-like Stilbellaceous Genera

Abstract

Three tropical collections of Tharoopama trina, heretofore known only from India, are noted. Cognizance is taken of the difficulty presented by the Hughes system of classification for the sporeforming Hyphomycetes as regards the Hansfordia-Tharoopama complex. Two other synnematous Fungi Imperfecti with definite Hansfordia similarities are included. Spiculostilbella with the type species, S. dendritica, and Hansfordiula with the type species, H. fasciculata, are described as new. The genus Tharoopama was proposed by Subramanian (1956). The type species, T. trina, was collected on grass at the University Botany Laboratory Campus, Madras, India. A second collection of the fungus on a legume was made one month later in the same area. In proposing the new genus Hansfordia, Hughes (1951) pointed out that Trichosporium arborescens Penz. & Sacc. appeared to belong to Hansfordia. The original figures of Penzig and Saccardo's fungus were reproduced, but an examination of the, fungus was not indicated. Subramanian (1956) transf'erred T. arborescens to his new genus Tharoopama as the second species in the taxon. Subramanian pointed out the close resemblance between Tharoopama and Hansfordia, but emphasized the synnematous nature of Tharoopama as opposed to the mononematous nature of Hansfordia. The difference between T. trina and T. arborescens according to Subramanian is one of spore size. Subramanian also reproduced the original figures, but did not indicate a study of a specimen of Trichosporium arborescens. Hughes (1958) proposed the new combination Hansfordia arborescens with Trichosporium arborescens Penz. & Sacc. and Tharoopama arborescens (Penz. & Sacc.) Subram. as synonyms. No discussion of the reasons for this change was included. The apparent confusion over the correct disposition of Penzig and Saccardo's fungus revolves around the system of classification used for the spore-forming Hyphomycetes. In 1953, Hughes set forth an outline for a new system of classification for the Moniliales. The proposal gives prime importance to the different types of conidiophore and conidium development. Htughes advocates that such characters as the mononematous, synnematous, or tuberculariaceous nature of the conidiophores, along with other characters formerly considered of importance, i.e., conidia and conidiophore color, spore form and septation, be treated as subsidiary criteria for the delimitation of the species of the spore-forming Hyphomycetes. In short, the four families 1 A portion of this investigation was supported by a research grant (NSFG-16254) from the National Science Foundation.