Septate Ascospores Research Articles

Molecular systematics of the Herpotrichiellaceae with an assessment of the phylogenetic positions of Exophiala dermatitidis and Phialophora americana

Despite a significant body of evidence in support of the close phylogenetic relationship of species of Capronia (Herpotrichiellaceae) and black yeasts belonging to or allied with the genus Exophiala, questions concerning the taxonomic importance of features furnished by ascospore, stromal and anamorph characters have remained unanswered. In order to address these issues and to elucidate more fully relationships within the family, we have sequenced a portion of the nuclear large ribosomal RNA subunit (28S), the 5.8S gene, and the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) of 15 species of Capronia and 19 black yeasts assigned to the form genera Cladosporium, Cladophialophora, Exophiala, Fonsecaea, Phaeococcomyces, Phialophora, Ramichloridium and Rhinocladiella. Cladistic analysis of these data confirmed the monophyly of the Herpotrichiellaceae but did not support the division of the genus Capronia on the basis of conidial ontogeny, pattern of ascospore septation, or the degree of stromal development. Homothallic species of Capronia with 8-spored asci, muriform ascospores and Exophiala anamorphs formed a well-supported lineage that included the medically important species Exophiala dermatitidis. Capronia mansonii and Capronia munkii, morphologically similar taxa isolated from the wood of Populus, were inferred as closely related but separate species. The clade comprising members of the Herpotrichiellaceae that possess Cladosporium-like and Phialophora anamorphs was also strongly supported. Available molecular evidence indicates that Dictyotrichiella semiimmersa and Phialophora americana are teleomorph and anamorph states of a single holomorph. Cladistic analysis also confirmed that the genera Cladophialophora and Ramichloridium are polyphyletic. The anamorphs of Capronia nigerrima and Dictyotrichiella semiimmersa are described and illustrated, and the combination Capronia semiimmersa is proposed.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF SELECTED DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS IN THE LECANORALES

Traditional classification concepts in lichenology are often, but not always, supported by molecular results. Molecular data should be compared and correlated with micro-morphological and ultrastructural information before systematic rearrangements are undertaken. Visualization of the distribution of morphological and other characters in specified groups is considered as a desirable resultper se, but it is also important to discover whether correlating characters are dependent on each other or not; and if not, whether their distribution in a group might support existing classification concepts. A data set for lecanoralean and other lichenized and lichenicolous genera, comprising 90—mostly multi-state—characters was used to store morphological, chemical and ecological data, and to test character correlations. Several examples of such analyses are presented. The following pairs of characters show some degree of dependence: ascospore septation and number per ascus, ascospore wall type and pigmentation, ascospore and epihymenium pigmentation. Several authors postulated that ascus types are good phylogenetic markers. Ascus types have been widely used for classification concepts of the Lecanorales. Two-dimensional correlation queries of ascus types with the following morphologcal characters were made: substratum preference, thallus growth form and ascospore septation. These correlations supply characteristic profiles for the various ascus types, which have to be compared with forthcoming phylogenetic hypotheses based on molecular data.

A new freshwater species of Saccardoella from Hong Kong and South Africa

Saccardoella aquatica sp. nov. occurring on wood submerged in streams in Hong Kong and South Africa is described and illustrated with differential interference micrographs. This species produces long, cylindrical asci and 3-septate ascospores surrounded by a mucilaginous sheath, and differs from other species in Saccardoella in having fusiform ascospores. A key and synopsis of Saccardoella species are provided.

New freshwater species of Ascotaiwania and Savoryella from Taiwan

Four new taxa are described, each having multiseptate ascospores with hyaline end cells; Savoryella limnetica, Ascotaiwania wulai, A. hsilio and A. sawada). Savoryella and Ascotaiwania are evaluated and separated by the following characters: Savoryella has broad, up to 8 μm paraphyses (sparse) that are septate and rounded at their ends, and smaller asci with an apical thickening containing a plugged pore and 3–septate ascospores; Ascotaiwania has narrow, filiform, septate paraphyses up to 2 μm wide, but these deliquesce early and are rarely observed in mature ascomata. Ascotaiwania also has asci with a well-developed apical ring and plugged pore and ascospores generally with more than 3 septa. Ultrastructural studies of A. lignicola showed that the ascopores are covered by a thin mucilaginous sheath and unitunicate asci with the wall comprising an outer, 30–40 nm electron-dense layer and an inner, 420–450 nm, thick, electron-transparent layer. Asci have a well-developed apical apparatus consisting of an electron-dense apical ring with a plug. The plug deliquesces prior to ascospore release. The ascospore wall comprises an electron-dense episporium and a less electron-dense mesosporium. External to the episporium is a fibro-granular sheath.

Taxonomic studies in foliicolous species of the genusPorina(lichenizedAscomycotina: Trichotheliaceae) — II. ThePorina epiphyllagroup

Lücking, R. & Vězda, A.: Taxonomic studies in foliicolous species of the genus Porina (lichenized Ascomycotina: Trichotheliaceae) — II. The Porina epiphylla group. — Willdenowia 28: 181–225. 1998. — ISSN 0511-9618.The taxonomy of foliicolous representatives of the Porina epiphylla group is revised. As a result of our studies of world-wide material, a more subtle species concept within the Porina epiphylla aggregate, i.e. species with 7-septate ascospores, is given. Thallus structure, perithecial morphology and development, and ascospore shape and size proved to be most valuable for species delimitation. A key to all known foliicolous species of the Porina epiphylla group, including facultatively foliicolous taxa, is presented. Eight species and one variety are described as new to science: Porina andreana, P. atropunctata, P. guianensis, P. mazosioides, P. minutissima, P. mirabilis, P. subepiphylla, P. subnucula, and P. lucida var. australiensis. The combination Porina foliicola (Bas.: Clathroporina foliicola) is formally proposed. P. radiata is introduced as a new name for the illegitimate younger homonym P. rugosa. Porina atriceps is reinstated as an autonomous species, and P. multiseptata is reduced to synonymy with P. virescens. P. distans is a sterile taxon, which most probably belongs to one of the several species in the genus producing cylindrical isidia, but cannot be identified at present. Notes on the distribution and ecology of the species are given, and the systematics and evolution of the group is outlined.

Mycomicrothelia striguloides sp. nov. from New Zealand

Mycomicrothelia striguloides Sdrusiaux & Aptroot sp. nov. is the first foliicolous species described in the genus; it develops a Strigula-like thallus and is reported from New Zealand. While studying representatives of the genus Strigula in the collections of foliicolous lichens made in New Zealand by the late J. K. Bartlett (t 1986) (S6rusiaux 1998), the first author came across a very unusual species with a thallus typical of a foliicolous Strigula, but with perithecia that produce brown, 1-septate ascospores. No name could be found for this species, and we decided that it represented a new and quite isolated species of Mycomicrothelia Keissler. We admit that we feel FI;URE I. Mvcomicrothelia striguloides (holotype). Habit. Scale = 0.1 mm. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.223 on Mon, 05 Dec 2016 04:48:06 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 1998] SERUSIAUX & APTROOT: MYCOMICROTHELIA 145

Strigula maritima (Lichenized Ascomycota, Strigulaceae), a New Maritime Species from Western Japan

Strigula maritima H. Harada is described as new. It is characterized by having a ? epilithic thallus, perithecia with a blackish involucrellum, 1-septate ascospores (15-26 x 4-6 pim), and two types of pycnidia, one with 1-septate macroconidia (15-19 x 2-4 pim) and the other with simple microconidia (2-3 x ca 1 pim), and by growing on siliceous seashore rocks. It was found in the splash zone on Inno-shima Island in Seto Inland Sea, Hiroshima-ken, western Japan. The lichen genus Strigula (Strigulaceae) is represented by about 70 species (Hawksworth et al. 1995). These lichens are foliicolous, corticolous or saxicolous and mainly distributed in the tropics. In Japan, four species are known (Harada 1995, 1998): two foliicolous species, S. elegans (F6e) Mtill. Arg. and S. nitidula Mont., and two saxicolous species, S. aquatica H. Harada and S. nipponica H. Harada. In addition, another undescribed saxicolous species was collected during field trips for my taxonomic and ecological study on maritime lichens in Japan. Careful examination has revealed that it belongs to an undescribed species of Strigula. MATERIALS AND METHODS Descriptions of external morphology are based on airdried material observed under a dissecting stereoscope. Sections were made with a razor blade under a dissecting stereoscope, mounted in lactophenol cotton-blue (LPCB), and used for anatomical description and line drawings except for the color description, which was based on the GAW (glycerol: ethanol: water = 1:1:1) preparation. For observing ascus, spores, paraphyses, conidia, and conidiophores in more detail, LPCB squash preparations were used. The K, I, KI tests were conducted on sections of perithecia by using 10% KOH and/or a diluted Lugol's solution. Specimens used in this study are deposited in the herbarium of Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba (CBM). STRIGULA MARITIMA H. Harada sp. nov. (FIGS. 1-13) TYPE: JAPAN. HIROSHIMA-KEN. Inno-shima Island in Seto Inland Sea, Innoshima-shi, Jizo-bana Point, 4 m elev., on granitic rocks in splash zone in partial shade under shrubs, 26 July 1996, Harada 16266 (cBM-FL-7354, holotype) & 16269 (cBM-FL-7357, paratype). Thallus crustaceus, ?_ epilithicus, ? continuus, cinerascens. Perithecia immersa ad basi, haud constricta ad basi, 0.3-0.8 mm lata, nigrescentes. Ascosporae 4-8 per ascus, 2-cellulae, 15-26 X 4-6 pm. Macroconidiomata et microconidiomata haud distincta extra; macroconidia 2cellulae, 15-19 X 2-4 pm; microconidia simplicia, 2-3 X ca 1 pm. Morphology.-Thallus crustose, epilithic or partly endolithic, ? continuous and with scattered

FELLHANERA VIRIDISOREDIATA, A NEW SOREDIATE SPECIES FROM SHELTERED TREES AND SHRUBS IN WESTERN EUROPE

Fellhanera viridisorediataAptroot, Brand & Spier, a corticolous sorediate species commonly found sterile, is described from fertile material onJuglans glabrain the Netherlands. It was also found with apothecia on, for example, twigs ofVaccinium myrtillus,Lonicera, and other trees. It seems to be common and rapidly spreading in sheltered habitats in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, also occasionally on wood, roofs, granite and brick. It is close to otherFellhaneraspecies, especiallyF. seroexpectataandF. viridis, but it differs in the paler soredia, smaller, 1-septate and constricted ascospores and the presence of roccellic acid.

Fellhanera Viridisorediata, a New Sorediate Species From Sheltered Trees and Shrubs in Western Europe

Felihanera viridisorediata Aptroot, Brand & Spier, a corticolous sorediate species commonly found sterile, is described from fertile material on Juglans glabra in the Netherlands. It was also found with apothecia on, for example, twigs of Vaccinium myrtillus, Lonicera, and other trees. It seems to be common and rapidly spreading in sheltered habitats in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, also occasionally on wood, roofs, granite and brick. It is close to other Felihanera species, especially F. seroexpectata and F. viridis, but it differs in the paler soredia, smaller, 1-septate and constricted ascospores and the presence of roccellic acid.

<p><strong>Additions and corrections to the knowledge of the foliicolous lichen flora of Costa Rica.</strong></p><p><strong>The genus <em>Fellhanera</em>, with notes on <em>Bacidia pauciseptata</em></strong></p>

This further contribution to the knowledge of the foliicolous lichen flora of Costa Rica provides a detailed account on the genus Fellhanera. In total, 25 species and five undescribed taxa are treated. Ten species are described as new: Fellhanera angustispora sp.n., F. dictyospora sp.n., F. dispersa sp.n., F. emarginata sp.n., F. pilomarginata sp.n., F. longispora sp.n., F. muhlei sp.n., F. montana sp.n., F. verrucifera sp.n., and F. viridis sp.n. New combinations are F. pauciseptata (R. Sant.) R. Lücking comb.n. [Bas.: Bacidia pauciseptata R. Sant.] and F. rubida (Müll. Arg.) R. Lücking comb.n. [Bas.: Patellaria rubida Müll. Arg.]. F. dominicana (Vain.) Vezda is placed into synonymy with F. fuscatula (Müll. Arg.) Vezda, whose type has 7-septate ascospores, and the name F. subfuscatula R. Lücking sp.n. is introduced for the taxon with 5-septate ascospores formerly known as F. fuscatula. F. misionensis Ferraro & R. Lücking ined. and F. sublecanorina (Nyl.) Vezda are reported for the first time from Costa Rica. The formerly invalidly published names F. farinosa nom. nud. and F. pilosa nom. nud. are considered to be synonyms of F. fuscatula (Müll. Arg.) Vezda and F. rhapidophylli (Rehm) Vezda, respectively. Specimens identified as F. tuckeri nom. nud. belong to F. rhapidophylli as well. F. buxi is excluded from the foliicolous lichen flora of Costa Rica. A keys is provided to the complex group of species of Fellhanera with brownish apothecia and 3-septate ascospores. Infrageneric relationships within Fellhanera are briefly discussed, and notes on the ecology of the species are provided.

Ascospore septation inDiploschistes (Thelotremataceae, lichenizedAscomycota) and the taxonomic significance of macro- and microcephalic ascospore types

The ascospore septation in 13 species ofDiploschistes was examined. Microcephalic, macrocephalic, as well as irregular ascospore septation were found. In some species and even specimens of some species, different types of spore septation were detected. The taxonomic significance of the character of ascospore septation sequence is questioned, and the distinction of the ordersGraphidales andOstropales, which was primarily based on this character, is rejected.

Nectria serpens sp. nov. and its hyphomycetous anamorph Xenocylindrocladium gen. nov.

A homothallic species of Nectria producing a Cylindrocladium-like anamorph was collected from bark of a fallen tree in the Amazonian forest in Ecuador. The anamorph, which is placed in a new genus, Xenocylindrocladium, is characterized by forming straight, cylindrical, 1-septate conidia borne on penicillate conidiophores with coiled, avesiculate stipe extensions. The teleomorph, which is best accommodated in Nectria, is distinct in forming yellow-orange perithecia with red ostiolar regions, ellipsoidal, smooth, hyaline, 1-septate ascospores, and long-stalked, cylindrical asci with apical discharge mechanisms. Both the teleomorph and anamorph states are newly described as Nectria serpens and Xenocylindrocladium serpens.

The genus Roussoëlla, including two new species from palms in Cuyabeno, Ecuador

Four ascomycete species with brown 1-septate ascospores with wall ornamentation were identified from palms in Ecuador and Brunei. Asci were long cylindrical, relatively thick-walled, bitunicate with non-fissitunicate dehiscence, and the hamathecium was composed of trabeculae. These fungi are referred to Roussoella , and are described and illustrated in this paper, including two new species. A key to accepted species of Roussoella is provided.

NEW SPECIES OR INTERESTING RECORDS OF FOLIICOLOUS LICHENS. II. FLAVOBATHELIUM EPIPHYLLUM(LICHENIZED ASCOMYCETES: MELANOMMATALES)

Flavobathelium epiphyllumgen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The new taxon is characterized by perithecia and pycnidia embedded in pulverulaceous, uni- to plurilocular pseudostromata, small, transversely septate ascospores, and the presence of bacillar to filiform macroconidia with gelatinous appendages and simple microconidia. Possible relationships are seen with the genus Phyllo-bathelium. Flavobathelium epiphyllumis a common species in Central and South American lowland to submontane rain forests with undisturbed vegetation. It is mostly found along moderately illuminated parts of the understory, such as small, natural light gaps.

New Species or Interesting Records Of Foliicolous Lichens. II. Flavobathelium Epiphyllum (Lichenized Ascomycetes: Melanommatales)

Flavobathelium epiphyllum gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The new taxon is characterized by perithecia and pyenidia embedded in pulverulaceous, uni- to plurilocular pseudostromata, small, transversely septate ascospores, and the presence of bacillar to filiform macroconidia with gelatinous appendages and simple microconidia. Possible relationships are seen with the genus Phyllobathclium. Flavobathelium epiphyllum is a common species in Central and South American lowland to submontane rain forests with undisturbed vegetation. It is mostly found along moderately illuminated parts of the understory, such as small, natural light gaps.

BELONIA MEDITERRANEA, A NEW CALCICOLOUS LICHEN SPECIES FROM CATALONIA (NE SPAIN)

Belonia mediterraneaNav.-Ros. & Llimona sp. nov. is described and compared with other, mainly saxicolous, species of the genus. It is known only from the type locality, Medes Islands (Catalonia, NE Spain), where it occurs on shaded limestone cliffs, near the Mediterranean seashore. It differs from related saxicolous species of Beloniamainly in the appearance of the thallus, ascospore septation and ecology. A key to the European species of Beloniais provided. Resumen:Se describe Belonia mediterraneaNav.-Ros. & Llimona sp. nov. y se compara con las otras especies del género, principalmente con las saxı́colas. Sólo se la conoce por el momento de la localidad del tipo, las islas Medes (Cataluña, NE de España), en donde crece sobre acantilados calizos sombreados, en la zona costera del Mediterráneo. Se diferencia de las especies saxı́colas próximas de Belonia, principalmente por el aspecto del talo, la septación de las ascósporas y por la ecologı́a. Se incluye una clave de las especies europeas de Belonia.

Belonia Mediterranea, a New Calcicolous Lichen Species From Catalonia (Ne Spain)

Belonia mediterranea Nav.-Ros. & Llimona sp. nov. is described and compared with other, mainly saxicolous, species of the genus. It is known only from the type locality, Medes Islands (Catalonia, NE Spain), where it occurs on shaded limestone cliffs, near the Mediterranean seashore. It differs from related saxicolous species of Belonia mainly in the appearance of the thallus, ascospore septation and ecology. A key to the European species of Belonia is provided.

Tirisporella gen.nov., an ascomycete from the mangrove palm Nypa fruticans

Trisporella beccariana comb.nov. is redescribed from decomposing leaf petiole (or rachis) bases of Nypa fruticans recently collected in Malaysia and the Philippines. The superficial ascomata bear bitunicate asci with (3–)5(–7)-septate ascospores that are brown and verrucose, except for the prominent hyaline basal cell, and furnished with a distinctive apical appendage that arises from the spore wall. The ultrastructure of the fungus is contrasted with that of species of Corollospora and Corallicola, with particular reference to the mode of ascospore appendage formation. The species was originally described from a Sarawak collection as Sphaeria beccariana and later transferred to Melanomma and given the new name Melanomma cesatianum. Gibberidea nipae is a synonym. The recent collections were compared with type specimens. The fungus is not properly placed in Melanomma or Gibberidea or other known genera and a new genus Tirisporella is described. Keywords: Ascomycotina, ascospore appendage, mangrove fungus, taxonomy, ultrastracture.

Urosporellopsis taiwanensis gen. et sp. nov., a new amphisphaeriaceous ascomycete on Sassafras from Taiwan

A new ascomycete genus and its type species, Urosporellopsis taiwanensis , is described, illustrated and placed in Amphisphaeriaceae. It occurs on stems of Sassafras in Taiwan. It is compared with species of Urosporella , especially U. coccifera which showed a striking similarity particularly in ascospore morphology. However, it is clearly separable from U. coccifera by its septate ascospores.

Haleomyces oropogonicola, a New Pyrenocarpous Lichenicolous Genus and Species on Oropogon lopezii in the Neotropics

The new lichenicolous ascomycete Haleomyces oropogonicola D. Hawksw. & Essl., gen. et sp. nov., is describedfrom thalli ofOropogon lopezii Essl. collected in Mexico and Venezuela. It is characterized by superficial perithecioid ascomata connected by stromatic tissue, periphyses, thin-walled I- asci, and colorless 1-septate ascospores. The systematic position of the fungus is problematic, but it is hesitatingly referred to Verrucariales. No lichenicolous fungi have previously been reported on Oropogon, but a synopsis of other fungi known from other alectorioid lichens is included. In the course of monographic studies of Oropogon Th.Fr. (Esslinger 1989), a distinctive lichenicolous ascomycete was discovered growing on thalli of specimens of 0. lopezii Essl. collected in the moun- tains of Mexico and Venezuela. No lichenicolous fungus has previously been reported from this lichen genus, and on examination it proved to represent a most unusual and undescribed pyrenocarpous genus and species combining features not normally ex- pected to occur in a single fungus. This new lichenicolous ascomycete is formally described here under the new generic name Hal- eomyces, in the memory of our colleague the late Mason E. Hale, Jr. (1928-1990), an outstanding lichenologist with an especial interest in macroli- chens and the neotropics.