Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes Research Articles

Ecological study of the fungal populations of the acidic Tinto River in southwestern Spain

The characterization of the microbial ecology of the Tinto River, an extreme habitat with an extremely low pH and a high concentration of heavy metals, revealed an unexpected level of microbial richness. A variety of microbial eukaryotes was isolated, among them several fungal strains that were identified and their physiological characteristics studied. Ninety strains of yeast were isolated from the Tinto River. Fifty-two percent of them were capable of growth in vitro using medium amended with river water. They belong to 6 genera of basidiomycetes (Rhodotorula, Cryptococcus, Tremella, Holtermannia, Leucosporidium, and Mrakia) and 2 of ascomycetes (Candida and Williopsis). In addition, 349 strains of hyphomycetes belonging to 17 genera (most of them ascomycetes) were isolated and studied. Forty-four percent of the isolated filamentous fungi (154 strains) were capable of growing in vitro using medium amended with Tinto River water. Of this percentage, 19% (29 strains) belonged to the genus Penicillium (16 species) and 66% (102 strains) were included in the genera Scytalidium, Bahusakala, Phoma, and Heteroconium or showed dark sterile mycelia, which probably are of dematiaceous hyphomycetes. In addition, we characterized strains of the ascomycete genera Lecythophora and Acremonium and of the zygomycete genus Mortierella, all of them capable of growing in medium amended with river water. Statistical correlation of biological and physicochemical variables suggested a positive relationship between the dematiaceous hyphomycetes and the most extreme physicochemical conditions found in the Tinto River. Principal components analysis confirmed this relationship and also showed that the Acremonium and Lecythophora groups had environmental preferences similar to those of dematiaceous fungi. The spatial positions of the sampling sites were grouped in 2 main clusters: (i) sampling sites in the mine zone in which most of the dematiaceous, Acremonium, and Lecythophora strains were isolated and (ii) sites that were not in the mine zone and sampling station 5 from which were isolated mainly strains of fungi that were not capable of growing in the medium amended with river water and species of the Penicillium genus.

First Report of Leaf Spot Caused by Curvularia affinis on Festuca arundinacea in Hubei, China.

Curvularia leaf spot affects many species of grasses worldwide but has not been previously reported from central China. In October 2003, symptoms were observed on Festuca arundinacea in a city park in Yichang, Hubei. Fungicides were not used at this site. Leaf spots formed on the foliage after a few days of rainfall. In the most heavily infected areas, the incidence of disease was one leaf in five with spots. Overall, there was an average of 1 leaf in 50 with spots. Infected leaves most commonly bore a single spot, but some leaves had as many as 10 small spots. The spots were round, 5 to 10 mm across, and gray brown in the center with a dark margin. The samples were brought to the lab, and isolations were made on acidified potato dextrose agar (PDA; 3% acetic acid). After 3 days at room temperature, 10-mm-diameter white cultures with appressed mycelium were observed. Two days later, the colonies acquired a greenish cast particularly at the centers, and these yielded spores were identified as Curvularia affinis according to Ellis (1). The key characteristics were a scarcely protuberant hilum, spore size of 25 × 11 μm, and four-septate, curved conidia. DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA was used to confirm the identity, and aside from sequence length differences, the match with a C. affinis sequence in GenBank was 100%. Inoculating the fungus onto field-grown F. arundinacea that had been washed, cut, and placed in 15-cm-diameter glass petri plates tested pathogenicity. The stems were at least 10 cm long and bore multiple attached leaves. The plates were layered with tissue paper that had been wetted and autoclaved. Sterile water was added to ensure sufficient moisture, and the tissue paper was folded over the bottom 1 cm of stems. Growing the fungus on PDA produced inoculum. Of the eight stems in the plate, one-half were used as a noninoculated check, while the remaining four stems were inoculated with three 5-mm-diameter agar plugs per stem. The plates were incubated at 25°C under continuous fluorescent light, and the inoculum plugs were removed after 48 h. Within 24 h after plug removal, lesions began to appear on the leaves. Circular brown spots were initially less than 5 mm wide, but within 2 days they darkened and grew to 10 mm wide and some of the lesions had a bright yellow margin. No lesions were found on noninoculated stems, which remained turgid and green throughout the trial. C. affinis was successfully reisolated from symptomatic tissue, completing Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. affinis on a turfgrass species, although it has been previously found on rice (1). Reference: (1) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous hyphomycetes VII: Curvularia, Brachysporium, etc. Mycol. Pap. 106:1, 1966.

Devriesia, a new hyphomycete genus to accommodate heat-resistant, cladosporium-like fungi

Three new species of heat-resistant fungi related to the hyphomycete Cladosporium staurophorum (Kendrick) M.B. Ellis were isolated from heat-treated soil from commercial lowbush blueberry fields and other sites in eastern Canada. Cladosporium staurophorum and the three new species produce characteristic dark, multicelled chlamy dospores. Phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer DNA sequences suggest that these four species form a monophyletic group that is marginal in the Mycosphaerellaceae and phylogenetically distinct from Cladosporium sensu stricto. The new genus Devriesia is described for C. staurophorum, the three new species, and a fifth species originally described as Cladosporium chlamydosporis. A key to distinguish the five accepted species is provided. The species of the genus are dimorphic and share similar cladosporium-like conidial anamorphs consisting of pale brown, short, acropetally produced chains of cylindrical to fusiform, zero- or one-septate conidia and ramoconidia, diagnostic chlamydosporic synanamorphs, and a soil-borne, heat-resistant ecology. Devriesia acadiensis N.L. Nickerson & Seifert, with clover-shaped chlamydospores, Devriesia shelburniensis N.L. Nickerson & Seifert, with large, multi celled chlamydospores, and Devriesia thermodurans N.L. Nickerson & Seifert, with few-celled, clavate chlamy dospores, are described as new species. Chlamydospores from cultures of D. acadiensis, Devriesia staurophora, and D. thermodurans germinated after exposure to 75 °C for 30 min. Germination of these spores was activated by a heat shock. Chlamydospores from cultures of C. shelburniensis did not germinate after heat exposure.Key words: dematiaceous hyphomycetes, heat-resistant fungi, lowbush blueberries, Vaccinium angustifolium, ITS rDNA phylogeny.

Cryptadelphia (Trichosphaeriales), a new genus for holomorphs with Brachysporium anamorphs and clarification of the taxonomic status of Wallrothiella

The genus Cryptadelphia (Trichosphaeriales) is described for the presumed teleomorphs of six species of the dematiaceous hyphomycete genus Brachysporium. Cryptadelphia is characterized by the production of dark, leathery perithecia with two-layered walls, cylindrical, long-stipitate asci with eight hyaline, initially aseptate but ultimately 1-septate as-cospores. Zignoëlla groenendalensis is transferred to Cryptadelphia with Wallrothiella melanostigmoides as a synonym. Five new species, i.e., Cryptadelphia abietis, C. brevior, C. obovata, C. pendulispora and C. polyseptata, with their respective Brachysporium anamorphs, are described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis of partial large subunit rDNA sequences of two species supports the monophyly of Cryptadelphia and suggests a relationship with the Trichosphaeriales. The monophyly of the Trichosphaeriaceae and the relationships between the Trichosphaeriaceae, Annula-tascaceae and the Sordariales can be questioned, but a conclusive assessment requires phylogenetic analysis of more related taxa. The genus Wallrothiella is redescribed based on new collections of W. congregata and is characterized by the production of tiny, globose ascospores in cylindrical asci. The new collection is proposed as a neotype for the genus.

Cryptadelphia (Trichosphaeriales), a New Genus for Holomorphs with Brachysporium Anamorphs and Clarification of the Taxonomic Status of Wallrothiella

The genus Cryptadelphia (Trichosphaeriales) is described for the presumed teleomorphs of six species of the dematiaceous hyphomycete genus Brachysporium. Cryptadelphia is characterized by the production of dark, leathery perithecia with two-layered walls, cylindrical, long-stipitate asci with eight hyaline, initially aseptate but ultimately 1-septate as-cospores. Zignoëlla groenendalensis is transferred to Cryptadelphia with Wallrothiella melanostigmoides as a synonym. Five new species, i.e., Cryptadelphia abietis, C. brevior, C. obovata, C. pendulispora and C. polyseptata, with their respective Brachysporium anamorphs, are described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis of partial large subunit rDNA sequences of two species supports the monophyly of Cryptadelphia and suggests a relationship with the Trichosphaeriales. The monophyly of the Trichosphaeriaceae and the relationships between the Trichosphaeriaceae, Annula-tascaceae and the Sordariales can be questioned, but a conclusive assessment requires phylogenetic analysis of more related taxa. The genus Wallrothiella is redescribed based on new collections of W. congregata and is characterized by the production of tiny, globose ascospores in cylindrical asci. The new collection is proposed as a neotype for the genus.

An Excised-Leaf Inoculation Technique for Evaluating Host-Pathogen Interactions and Quantitative Resistance of Bermudagrass Genotypes to Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes

ABSTRACT Excised leaves of bermudagrass were inoculated with mycelium of isolates of Bipolaris, Exserohilum, Curvularia, and Drechslera spp. in water agar plates to evaluate differences in susceptibility of leaf tissue, virulence of pathogens, and quantitative resistance of bermudagrass genotypes. Isolates of nine species of pathogens induced similar symptoms of light- to dark-brown necrosis and bordering chlorosis in excised leaves that were not distinct for individual species or genera. Severity of symptoms induced by most isolates increased progressively from younger to older leaves. Within and across leaf positions, numerous significant differences in virulence of isolates within fungal species and between species were observed. Among 40 randomly selected bermudagrass genotypes, a continuous quantitative gradient was observed for mean scores of disease severity in excised leaves inoculated with E. rostratum. Numerous significant differences were observed within this gradient, and severity of symptoms in the most susceptible genotypes was approximately double that in the most resistant. When intact foliage of genotypes from the resistant and susceptible extremes of the gradient was inoculated with spores of E. rostratum, corresponding differences in severity of symptoms and significant (P = 0.05) correlations between results with excised leaves and intact foliage were observed. However, the range of differences in disease severity between genotypes was more narrow in intact foliage than in excised leaves. Results indicate that the excised leaf inoculation technique can be used to evaluate the relative resistance of bermudagrass genotypes to E. rostratum for use in programs to breed for quantitative host resistance.

First Report of Leaf Spot and Blight Caused by Botrytis cinerea on Pygmy Date Palm in Italy.

Pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii O'Brien), native to Laos and southeast Asia, is one of the most commonly cultivated date palms both indoors and out. In early April 2003, a new and widespread leaf disease was detected on 2- to 3-feet high, potted, pygmy date palms growing in open fields or shade-houses in four commercial nurseries of the eastern Sicily Region of southern Italy. Initial symptoms on infected plants were small, chlorotic spots on blades and edges of leaflets. As spots enlarged, yellow or reddish-brown margins and brown or gray, wrinkled, sunken centers developed. Sometimes, spots or lesions coalesced to cause blight of young expanding leaves or death of apical buds. Botrytis cinerea Pers.:Fr was recovered consistently from sections of infected tissues (disinfected for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and rinsed in sterile water) plated on malt extract agar. On potato dextrose agar (PDA), colonies of B. cinerea were first hyaline, then turned white, and later turned dark gray when spores differentiated. Six- to eight-day-old-cultures developed white sclerotia that turned black after three more days. Conidia in 1-month-old-cultures were hyaline or gray, ovoid, and ranged from 5.2 to 8.8 × 8 to 14 μm (average 6.6 × 9.9 μm). Black microsclerotia were round or irregular in shape and ranged from 0.6 to 2.8 × 0.3 to 2.5 mm (average 1.66 × 0.98 mm) (1). Koch's postulates were performed by spraying potted, 9-month-old pygmy date palms (2 feet high) with a spore suspension (1 × 106 CFU per ml from 15-day-old cultures grown on PDA). Six plants were wounded and inoculated, while six plants were inoculated without wounding. An equal number of noninoculated plants sprayed with sterile water served as controls. All plants were maintained in a humid environment at 20°C. Sunken-leaf and rachis lesions were observed on all wounded and most nonwounded plants within 10 to 14 days after inoculation. Symptoms did not develop on the control plants. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by reisolation of the fungus from affected tissues. A field survey revealed the occasional presence of similar leaf spots on canary island date palms (Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud), from which B. cinerea was consistently recovered. The unusually cool and humid weather conditions recorded in Sicily during this disease outbreak were very conducive for occurrence of the B. cinerea infections. Although the disease only occasionally caused death of plants, evidence indicated that B. cinerea reduced commercial value of infected pygmy date palms. B. cinerea was previously recorded in northern Italy on canary island date palm (2) and was recently detected in southern Italy on majesty palm (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot and rachis blight caused by B. cinerea on pygmy date palm.

First Report of Infection of Bermudagrass by Bipolaris sorokiniana in the Southeastern United States.

Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker is a major foliar and root-infecting pathogen of cool-season forage and turf grasses and small grains in the southeastern United States (2). In North America, B. sorokiniana has been reported from bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) once in California in 1961 (1), and rarely from other warm-season grasses in the southeastern United States. In May, July, September, and October 2002, B. sorokiniana sporulation was observed on leaves of common bermudagrass exhibiting necrotic lesions and dieback in waste application fields on three commercial swine farms in Chickasaw, Lowndes, and Webster counties, MS. Leaves were collected (50 per farm per month), surface-disinfested, plated on water agar, and observed for fungal sporulation on leaf surfaces after 7 to 10 days (3,4). The pathogen was detected on 1 to 3 farms each month in leaves that were infected with numerous other dematiaceous hyphomycetes (3,4). Three randomly selected single-spore isolates of B. sorokiniana from each of bermudagrass and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), collected at the Webster County farm, were compared for select features of morphology and pathogenicity on bermudagrass. Isolates differed significantly in growth rates, amount of sporulation, and spore sizes on cornmeal agar, but differences were not consistently related to hosts of origin. In plants inoculated by atomizing equal quantities of spores (2.8 × 104/ml) onto foliage, isolates of B. sorokiniana from bermudagrass and ryegrass both caused significantly (P = 0.05) more severe foliar necrosis after 10 days than B. cynodontis (5 pots of seeded plants per treatment in each of two experiments). B. sorokiniana was reisolated from disinfested, symptomatic bermudagrass leaf tissue following inoculations. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. sorokiniana on bermudagrass in North America outside of California (1) and indicates that this pathogen is highly virulent on bermudagrass in the southeastern United States (3,4). Of potentially greater importance is the fact that one of the most common and widespread forage and turf grass species in the southeastern United States can serve as an alternate host for maintenance and increase of inoculum of B. sorokiniana during summer months.

(1536) Proposal to conserve the generic name Fusicladium against Spilocaea (Hyphomycetes)

Members of the ascomycetous genus Venturia Sacc. and some allied genera of Venturiaceae E. M11ll. & Arx ex M. E. Barr produced anamorphs that so far are classified in the hyphomycetous genera Fusicladium, Pollaccia Baldacci & Cif. and Spilocaea. Monographic studies in these genera, including light and scanning electron microscopic as well as molecular (PCR) examinations have recently been finished (Schubert, Taxonomische Revision der Gattung Fusicladium (Hyphomycetes, Venturia-Anamorphen), Diplom-Arbeit, Martin-Luther-Universitit Halle: 1-136. 2001; Ritschel, Taxonomische Revision der Gattungen Pollaccia und Spilocaea (Hyphomycetes, Venturia-Anamorphen), Diplom-Arbeit, Martin-Luther-Universitit Halle: 1-88. 2001). They suggest that the separation of these anamorphic genera of Venturia is not tenable since the conidiogenesis and structure of the conidiogenous loci are uniform. They are only discriminated by differences in the mode of proliferation of the conidiogenous cells, which are sympodial in Fusicladium and percurrent in Pollaccia and Spilocaea. Like the case with the anamorphs of Mycosphaerella Johanson [Mycosphaerellaceae Lindau] (Crous & al. in Stud. Mycol. 45: 107-121. 2000), this conidiogenous feature, in our opinion, is no longer suitable for the discrimination of the genera concerned. Recent molecular examinations clearly show that Venturia is a monophyletic unit that cannot be separated into smaller groups correlated with these anamorph genera. Thus, it is inevitable that these genera be merged. Spilocaea is the earliest legitimate name for the genus in its new expanded circumscription (Schubert, op. cit.). Most anamorphs of Venturia have been classified in Fusicladium, which comprises, according to our present monographic studies, about 40 recognised species, whereas Spilocaea, as previously defined, only comprises seven species. Numerous species of Venturia with Fusicladium anamorphs cause economically important plant diseases, e.g., V carpophila E. E. Fisher [anam. F carpophilum (Thiim.) Oudem.], V cerasi Aderh. [anam. F cerasi (Rabenh.) Erikss.] and V pyrina Aderh. [anam. F pyrorum (Lib.) Fuckel] (Deighton in Mycol. Pap. 112: 1-80. 1967. Barr in Canad. J. Bot. 46: 799-864. 1968. Ellis, Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes: 271-273. 1971. Ellis, More Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes: 237-240. 1976. Sivanesan in Biblioth. Mycol. 59: 1-139. 1977. Sivanesan, The Bitunicate Ascomycetes and their anamorphs: 604-623. 1984). Hughes (in Canad. J. Bot. 31: 565-573. 1953) reintroduced the name Spilocaea for Fusicladium-like hyphomycetes with percurrent conidiogenous cells. Before 1953, Venturia anamorphs were usually referred to as Fusicladium (e.g., Saccardo, Syll. Fung. 4: 345-347. 1886. Lindau, Pilze Deutschl., Fungi imperf.: 774-790. 1907. Vassiljevsky & Karakulin, Parazitnye nesovershennye griby I: 193-208. 1937), including Spilocaea pomi, the type of Spilocaea, which was transferred to Fusicladium by Lind (Danish Fungi: 521. 1913). Therefore, to avoid the introduction of 40 new combinations and to maintain the traditional use of this generic name, which includes numerous names of important plant diseases, we propose conservation of Fusicladium against Spilocaea.

Fungal mycelium and decomposition of needle litter in three contrasting coniferous forests

The fungal mycelium ingrowth and the rates of mass loss and respiration of needle litter of Pinus pinea , Pinus laricio , Pinus sylvestris , and Abies alba were investigated, in three coniferous forests, over a 3-year period by means of a composite set of incubations. In the early stages, the fungal flora of the decomposing needles was dominated by dematiaceous hyphomycetes and coelomycetes. Basidiomycetes reached a peak after 6 months on pine needles, but were absent from the N-rich needles of A . alba . Soil fungi ( Penicillium , Trichoderma , Absidia , Mucor sp. pl.) became most frequent in later stages. At the end of the study period, the total mycelium amount showed the lowest values in all pine needles incubated in the P . laricio forest and the highest ones in P . pinea needles incubated in the P . pinea forest. In all data sets, as in data for boreal forests examined for comparison, the concentration of litter fungal mycelium versus litter mass loss followed a common exponential model. However, in later stages, the amount of litter fungal mycelium was very close to that of the humus at the incubation site, thus supporting the hypothesis of a logistic growth pattern. Respiration rates of decomposing litters varied with season and decreased with litter age to values close to those of the humus at the incubation site. Respiration of water-saturated litter was negatively correlated with the total mycelium concentration, and this was consistent with the observation that in far-decomposed litter only a minor fraction of the total mycelium is alive.

Dictyochaeta multifimbriata, a new species from Taiwan

A new species of the dematiaceous hyphomycete genus Dictyochaeta was collected on a dead twig in Taiwan. It is characterised by solitary conidiophores and reniform, non-septate conidia with several setulae at each end. The species is compared with other species having non-septate, setulate conidia and is described as Dictyochaeta multifimbriata.

Incidence, Aggressiveness andIn PlantaInteractions ofBotrytis cinereaand other Filamentous Fungi Quiescent in Grape Berries and Dormant Buds in Central Washington State

AbstractRecovery of quiescent filamentous fungi from non‐symptomatic grape berries and dormant buds demonstrated dominance ofAlternaria,Aureobasidium,Cladosporium,Ulocladiumand other dematiaceous hyphomycetes. Up to 78% of berries contained fungi prior to harvest.Botrytis cinereawas recovered from 0.2 to 0.5% of surface‐disinfested berries just subsequent to fruit set, and 1.6–4.8% of surface‐disinfested, over‐wintered dormant buds. In laboratory inoculations of mature grape berries with strains ofAlternaria,Aureobasidium,Cladosporium,UlocladiumandBotrytis, only the latter was aggressive in rotting berry fruits. Inoculations withB. cinereaalone and in combination with strains ofAlternaria,Aureobasidium,CladosporiumandUlocladiumrecovered from grape demonstrated that prior occupation of wound sites by the latter fungi resulted in reduced lesion size compared to inoculation withB. cinereaalone.

Ascovirgaria occulta gen. et sp.nov., Jumillera hawaiiensis sp.nov., and Lopadostoma hawaiianum sp.nov. from Hawaii

Ascovirgaria occulta gen. et sp.nov., a xylariaceous pyrenomycete with perithecia embedded in decayed wood beneath a blackened surface, is described. Its anamorph is Virgaria nigra (Link) Nees, a cosmopolitan dematiaceous hyphomycete long suspected to have xylariaceous affinities. Jumillera hawaiiensis sp.nov. and its Libertella state, and Lopadostoma hawaiianum sp.nov. and its dry scolecosporous anamorph, are described.Key words: Ascomycetes, Pyrenomycetes, Xylariaceae.

Filamentous fungi quiescent in seeds and culm nodes of weedy and forage grass species endemic to the Palouse Region of Washington and Idaho.

Asymptomatic seeds of forage and weedy grasses from germplasm accessions and from uncultivated sites in eastern Washington and western Idaho were assayed for the presence of quiescent filamentous fungi. Asymptomatic culm nodes of the same species were similarly assayed. The predominant taxa isolated were strains of dematiaceous hyphomycetes, principally strains of Alternaria and Cladosporium. A. infectoria was the species most frequently isolated from seed. A. tenuissima was common and A. alternata was rare. Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium were very rare or absent in stored germplasm. Pathogenic coelomycetes were common in asymptomatic node samples, occasionally present in asymptomatic field seed, but were not detected in germplasm accessions. Previous reports of frequent occurrence of A. alternata in grass seed are probably the results of misidentification of various small-spored Alternarias, especially A. infectoria, as A. alternata.

Longitudinal and temporal distribution of freshwater ascomycetes and dematiaceous hyphomycetes on submerged wood in the Lam Tsuen River, Hong Kong

AbstractLongitudinal and temporal distribution patterns of freshwater ascomycetes and dematiaceous hyphomycetes on submerged wood were investigated at 3 sites along the Lam Tsuen River in Hong Kong. Two-hundred-and-six species were recorded. Ascomycete genera were dominated by Annulatascaceae, Halosphaeriaceae, Lasiosphaeriaceae, Lophiostomataceae, and Magnaporthaceae; the most common taxa were Aniptodera chesapeakensis, Aquaticola ellipsoidea, Helicosporium griseum, Massarina purpurascens, M. thalassioidea, Ophioceras commune, and Sporoschisma uniseptatum. There were no significant differences (ANOVA, p > 0.05) in total number of species among the sites. However, the number of species of Halosphaeriaceae (p < 0.01) and Lasiosphaeriaceae (p < 0.05) was significantly higher at Site 3, and Annulatascaceae was dominant at Sites 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). Downstream changes in species composition were strongly correlated with elevated concentrations of NO3-N (r2 = 0.66), NH3-N (r2 = 0.66), and PO4-P (r2 = 0.73) resu...

Dematiaceous hyphomycetes inhabiting decaying blackish needles of Abies firma and their distribution in the Kanto district, Japan

Dematiaceous mitosporic fungi darkening decaying fir needles on the ground were studied. Fungal communities on decaying, blackish fir needles were investigated in nine sites of the Kanto district, Japan, using a washing method. A total 108 taxa was recorded from 540 sampled needles. Among abundantly occurring dematiaceous fungi,Anungitea continua, A. uniseptata andEndophragmiella uniseptata were recognized as the major colonizers, forming a hyphal network on the surface of decaying fallen needles and darkening them. The effects of climate on the distributions of seven dematiaceous fungi included the major colonizers were analyzed. The abundance (proportion of needles colonized by a fungal species) ofChaetopsina fulva showed a significantly positive correlation with annual mean air temperature at each sampling site. No other significant correlations between the selected climatic factors and the distributions of dematiaceous fungi were recognized.

Lipid, sterol and ergosterol accumulation in isolates of dematiaceous Hyphomycetes.

Lipid, sterol and ergosterol accumulation in isolates of dematiaceous Hyphomycetes.

A new species of Pseudocercospora (Hyphomycetes) described on Eucalyptus nitens from Tasmania, Australia

A new foliar dematiaceous hyphomycete, Pseudocercospora subulata, is described and illustrated. P. subulata differs from the known members of Pseudocercospora mainly in the typical subulate conidia. The differences between the new species and its closely related species are discussed. The fungus is associated with leaf spots of Eucalyptus nitens.

Two new dematiaceous hyphomycetes on Cyathea from Mexico

Belemnospora navicularia anam. sp. nov. and Hermatomyces amphisporus anam. sp. nov., two new taxa of hyphomycetes collected on a rotten branch of Cyathea sp. (a fern tree) in a Mexican forest are described and illustrated. B. navicularia is characterized by navicular, 3-septate conidia with brown central cells and paler ends. H. amphisporus is distinguished by two kinds of conidia, the first turbinate, gray brown towards the apex and hyaline at the lower cells and other type lenticular and black at the center as typical for the genus Hermatomyces. Keys to Belemnospora and Hermatomyces species are proposed.

Conioscypha Taiwaniana sp. now. and Several New Records of the Genus from Taiwan

Five dematiaceous hyphomycetes of Conioscypha, which were collected in Taiwan, are presented in this study. Conioscypha taiwaniana sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Conioscypha hoehnelii, C. japonica, and C. lignicola are recorded for the first time in Taiwan, and C. bambusicola is proposed as an additional record.