New blueberry plantings in South Africa have increased dramatically since the year 2000, exceeding the global expansion rate. The crop is, however, impacted by several economically important fungal pathogens. Lesser-known fungi such as pestalotioid species can cause leaf and twig blight, and have the potential to become a global threat to blueberry production and expansion. This study aimed to assess the presence of such fungal species in blueberry nurseries in South Africa due to the industry's exponential growth and mass introduction of new cultivars. Symptomatic leaf and twig samples were collected from six propagation nurseries, resulting in 180 pestalotioid isolates, of which a subset of 48 isolates were selected for molecular characterisation using multi-locus sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), partial translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) and partial β-tubulin (TUB2) gene regions. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Inference methods. Based on the phylogenetic analyses, all isolates clustered with three previously described species of Neopestalotiopsis, namely N. rosae, N. hispanica and N. longiappendiculata. Of these, 32 isolates were identified as N. rosae, followed by N. hispanica (12) and N. longiappendiculata (4). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of these species in South Africa. Based on phylogenetic analysis and morphological comparisons, we further recommend that N. vaccinii be considered a synonym of N. hispanica. Citation: Van der Vyver LS, De Bruin W, Siyoum N, Nsibo DL, Groenewald JZ, Crous PW, Korsten L (2025). Exploring Neopestalotiopsis diversity associated with Blueberry leaf and twig blight in South African nurseries. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16: 41-53. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.3.

Camarotella torrendiella and Camarotella acrocomiae, the causal agents of coconut black leaf spot, are of great economic importance to coconut cultivars. Species of hyperparasites have previously been reported in the stromata of these species, which delay and reduce the viability of the ascospores of these pathogens, demonstrating their bio-control potential. In order to identify and analyse the parasitic species affecting the pathogens that cause coconut black leaf spot, symptomatic leaflets exhibiting parasitized stromata of both C. torrendiella and C. acrocomiae were collected in the states of Pernambuco and Paraíba (Brazil) and the fungi present in the stromata were isolated. The hyperparasites were phylogenetically identified based on different gene regions according to genera and presented in this paper with a detailed taxonomic description as well as their abundance and constancy in the coconut grove. A new species of Fusicolla was described in this study as Fusicolla parasitica sp. nov. Acremonium cavaraeanum presented a new record for the states of Paraíba and Pernambuco. Fusarium pseudocircinatum and Fusarium caatingaense presented the first report of their fungicolous lifestyles, while Purpureocillium lilacinum was for the first time recorded hyperparasitizing a Camarotella spp. causing leaf lesions. This study shows Fusicolla parasitica and Acremonium cavaraeanum as constant and abundant species in the coconut grove, while Fusarium pseudocircinatum and Purpureocillium lilacinum are accessory and common; Fusarium caatingaense was considered rare and accidental. Citation: Sá CEVA, Souza-Motta CM, Tiago PV, Machado AR (2025). Diversity of fungicolous fungi associated with Camarotella spp. (Phyllachorales, Sordariomycetes) on Cocos nucifera in Brazil, including Fusicolla parasitica sp. nov. (Nectriaceae). Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16: 155-180. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.9.

The new species Requienella populi in the Requienellaceae is described from Western Norway. Multigene analysis of the four molecular markers ITS, LSU, RPB2 and TUB revealed it as a strongly supported sister clade within the genus. The new species appears to be restricted to old aspen Populus tremula trees and can be morphologically distinguished by submuriform and somewhat smaller ascospores compared to the other species of the genus. A table comparing species of Requienella is provided. The Requienellaceae received a moderate statistical support as a sister group to the Cainiaceae in our analysis and the circumscriptions of the two families need to be studied further using additional genetic markers. Citation: Andreasen M, Jordal JB, Nordén B (2025). Requienella populi sp. nov. (Requienellaceae, Xylariales) from the bark of living aspen trees in Western Norway. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 15: 225-234. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.10.

Cordycipitaceae is a large family belonging to the order Hypocreales, including cosmopolitan species found on different substrates. This family includes species with different lifestyles such as entomopathogenic, endophytic, and mycoparasitic fungi. Some mycoparasitic species in this family attack phytopathogenic fungi. We identified species of Cordycipitaceae found during a survey of fungicolous fungi associated with Pseudocercospora fijiensis and P. musae in Brazil. Based on morphological characters combined with phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU, SSU, RPB1, RPB2, and TEF1-α, we propose a new genus in Cordycipitaceae, namely Matutinistella, with its type species M. brasiliensis, and a new species of the genus Simplicillium, namely S. pseudocercosporicola. Furthermore, we report P. fijiensis as a new host of the mycoparasitic fungus Simplicillium lanosoniveum. In this study we newly report fungicolous fungi of Cordycipitaceae associated with the causal agents of Black Sigatoka and Yellow Sigatoka on banana crops. We provide relevant information for future work involving control measures for these diseases that cause major losses in banana crops. Citation: Custódio FA, Pereira OL (2025). New treasures in Cordycipitaceae: Fungicolous fungi associated with Pseudocercospora fijiensis and P. musae in Brazil, including Matutinistella gen. nov. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 15: 133-152. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.06.

The infrageneric classification of the genus Lepiota has a long history of continuous refinement. Nevertheless, recent studies demonstrated that some of the widely used sections are not monophyletic in their current circumscription. In addition, the genus Echinoderma, or L. sect. Echinatae in the traditional sense, was shown to be polyphyletic. In this work, the phylogeny and taxonomy of the sections of Lepiota and the species attributed to Echinoderma/sect. Echinatae are analysed based on morphological investigation and a multilocus phylogeny (ITS, LSU, mtSSU, RPB2). Barcode ITS-sequences are provided for 11 type specimens for the first time. The genus Echinoderma is confirmed as a phylogenetically distinct clade. However, species so far treated in Echinoderma/sect. Echinatae form two further clades in Lepiota, one as basal clade in sect. Lepiota and the other as a section on its own, for which the new combination L. sect. Eriophorae is introduced. Lepiota sect. Stenosporae is validated as a result of a nomenclatural re-assessment. Lectotypes and epitypes are designated for Lepiota carinii and Echinoderma perplexum. Echinoderma asperum as currently circumscribed is shown to be a complex formed by at least four distinct clades. The re-assessment and emendation of the sections in Lepiota confirm that the microstructure of the pileus covering is the taxonomically most significant character, while the shape of the basidiospores is less uniform within the sections. Citation: Sarawi S, Piepenbring M, Reschke K (2025). Phylogenetic and taxonomic re-assessment of the genera Echinoderma and Lepiota. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 15: 235-263. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.11.

The genus Gibellula (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) comprises species pathogenic on and specific to spider hosts. Here, we report on the occurrence of a novel species infecting cave-dwelling, orb-weaving spiders of the sub-family Metainae (Tetragnathidae) in the British Isles. The new species, Gibellula attenboroughii is described and illustrated and its ecology is discussed; leading to the conclusion that infected spiders exhibit behavioural changes similar to those reported for zombie ants. The hidden diversity of the genus Gibellula in the British Isles is further highlighted based on fungarium records and literature searches. Two spider pathogens, previously assigned to the genus Torrubiella, are now transferred to the genus Gibellula, based on their Granulomanus synasexual morphs, in accordance with the one fungus-one name initiative: Gibellula albolanata comb. nov. and G. aranicida comb. nov. Citation: Evans HC, Fogg T, Buddie AG, Yeap YT, Araújo JPM (2025). The araneopathogenic genus Gibellula (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) in the British Isles, including a new zombie species on orb-weaving cave spiders (Metainae: Tetragnathidae). Fungal Systematics and Evolution 15: 153-178. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.07.

During our long-term studies on Cortinarius species in alpine habitats, we discovered several collections of a Cortinarius species resembling C. spilomeus. We carried out comparative morphological studies and a phylogenetic analysis based on rDNA ITS sequences. We included also type material of Cortinarius spilomeus forma dryadicola. We confirmed that Cortinarius spilomeoalpinus is a distinct species which is typical for alpine Dryas octopetala habitats. Cortinarius spilomeus forma dryadicola is not part of C. spilomeus sensu stricto. It is conspecific with the later described C. ferrusinus, another taxon of sect. Spilomei, and we treat it as forma of it. Detailed descriptions are given for the alpine taxa, and a differential diagnosis and dichotomous identification key are provided. Citation: Peintner U, Huymann L, Ferrari RJ (2025). Cortinarius spilomeoalpinus (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) a new alpine species of sect. Spilomei from the South-Tyrolean Dryas octopetala habitats. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 15: 265-274. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.12.

Arcyria, one of the most diverse genera of bright-spored myxomycetes, has recently been identified as polyphyletic within the paraphyletic family Arcyriaceae sensu lato. However, due to the high variability and inconsistency of morphological traits in Trichiales, no taxonomic decision has yet been proposed to rectify this situation. A thorough revision of the genus is necessary. To address this, we present results of the extensive taxonomic and geographic sampling of the genus by incorporating sequences of two marker genes from 192 specimens of Arcyria spp. from 19 countries and six continents into the existing three gene phylogenetic backbone of Trichiales. Our phylogenies decisively confirm the polyphyletic nature of Arcyria, with a considerable part of the genus forming a sister clade to Hemitrichia. Consequently, we erect here the new family Hemitrichiaceae and resurrect the genus Heterotrichia to accommodate the second major branch of former Arcyria species. Additionally, we describe the new genus Spiromyxa with intermediate phylogenetic position and unique combination of morphological traits. Furthermore, we show that most of the Arcyria morphospecies included into this study are either species complexes or para- or polyphyletic taxa. Traits, previously thought to delimit the genus Arcyria, show little consistency with the phylogeny. In particular, the expanding, net-like capillitium, attached to the cup or stalk, appears to have been present in the ancestor of three families of Trichiales, afterwards mostly persisted in two of them and evolved into something else in the third. Such traits as ornamentation of capillitium, cup and spores retain their taxonomic value primarily at the species level. However, the colour of the spore mass in fresh condition partially aligns with our phylogenetic results: most of the yellow "Arcyria" species cluster within Heterotrichia, while red and grey species sort mostly into separate subclades within the clade incorporating the remaining species of the genus Arcyria. Citation: Yatsiuk I, Leontyev D, Schnittler M, Ehlers T, Mikryukov V, Kõljalg U (2025). Arcyria and allied genera: taxonomic backbone and character evolution. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 15: 97-118. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.04.

Hygrophorus citrinofuscus is a striking and rarely reported grassland species originally described by J. Favre from the Swiss Alps. In absence of sequence data for the type specimen, a recent collection from Austria, which is well documented based on morphology and sequence data, is designated as the epitype of H. citrinofuscus to stabilise the species concept. Further collections from Austria and the Czech Republic are given. Morphologically similar species are discussed. Hygrophorus citrinofuscus is morphologically and phylogenetically well delimited and macroscopically characterised by yellow-brown pileus colours, a fibrillose pileus surface, pale lamellae and a yellow stipe, making it readily recognisable in the field. Morphology of the lamellar trama as well as phylogenetic analyses of a combined matrix of ITS, LSU, SSU and RPB2 sequence data clearly place this species in the genus Neohygrocybe, and a transfer is proposed. Citation: Friebes G, Fuljer F, Boertmann D, Voglmayr H, Kautmanová I (2025). Hygrophorus citrinofuscus: epitypification of a rare waxcap species from Central Europe and its transfer to the genus Neohygrocybe. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 15: 121-132. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.05.

Three members of ectomycorrhizal fungi belonging to Russula subsection Castanopsidum are described from neotropical montane forests dominated by species of Fagaceae in Panama and Colombia. Russula esperanzae sp. nov. from Colombia differs in the field from other members of the subsection by slender longitudinally striated red stipes as well as characteristics of spores and basidia. Russula atroamethystina subsp. atroamethystina, originally described from Costa Rica, is reported for the first time from Panama. Closely related and morphologically similar Colombian collections are described as R. atroamethystina subsp. guacahayoensis subsp. nov. and differ from the typical subspecies by longer hymenial cystidia as well as molecular sequence data. The distribution of this newly described subspecies is restricted to Fagaceae forests east of the Isthmus of Panama. This suggests an allopatric diversification, likely driven by the absence of Fagaceae in the tropical lowland forest of the Darién Gap. Russula esperanzae is exclusively associated with Trigonobalanus excelsa, a tree species of Fagaceae endemic to Colombia. The role of its association with this tree in the evolutionary history of the species is discussed. Based on molecular timing, species of the subsection Castanopsidum started to evolve approximately 15.1 M years ago (mya) and display an amphi-pacific disjunct distribution with an Asian clade that split from the American clade around 11 mya. Citation: Manz C, Ortiz-Suárez A, Adamčíková K, Looney B, Noffsinger CR, Caboň M, Hampe F, Piepenbring M, Hofmann T, Buyck B, Parra-Aldana CA, Adamčík S, Corrales A (2025). Recent taxonomic discoveries suggest a host-symbiont co-migration of Russula subsect. Castanopsidum with Fagaceae in the Americas. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 16: 181-195. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.16.10.