Torrubiella Ratticaudata Sp. Nov. (Pyrenomycetes: Clavicipitales) and Other Fungi from Spiders on the Solomon Islands

Abstract

Torrubiella ratticaudata sp. nov. is described from salticid spiders from the Solomon Islands. The anamorph of this fungus, Gibellula clavulifera var. alba var. nov., produces ovoid conidia on phialides on penicilloid conidiophores and bacilliform conidia from polyblastic conidiogenous cells arising directly from the mycelium. Both teleo- and anamorphic states occur on spiders bearing a single, whiplike fungal stroma projecting from the tip of the host's abdomen. Gibellula is extended and emended to include species of Granulomanus, which is regarded as a synonym of Gibellula. The different conditions under which morphologically distinct synanamorphs may reasonably be amalgamated in a single genus or should be retained in separate genera are discussed. Nomuraea atypicola and Gibellula pulchra were also found on the spiders; no teleomorphic state for either of these species was present.