Fusiform Ascospores Research Articles

Multi-gene phylogenetic and taxonomic contributions to Xylaria (Ascomycota) associated with fallen fruits from China.

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses on samples of Xylaria species associated with fallen fruits from China were carried out, and two new species were described, namely X.aleuriticola and X.microcarpa. Xylariaaleuriticola is found on fallen fruits of Aleuritesmoluccana, and characterized by stromata dichotomously branched several times with long acute sterile apices, fertile parts roughened with perithecia and tomentose, and ellipsoid to fusiform ascospores. Xylariamicrocarpa differs in its very small stromata with dark brown tomentum, light brown ascospores with an inconspicuous straight germ slit, and grows on leguminous pods. The differences between the new species and morphologically similar species are discussed. Phylogenetic analyses on ITS-RPB2-TUB sequences confirmed that the two species are clearly separated from other species of the genus Xylaria. Xylarialiquidambaris is reported as a new record from China. A key to the Xylaria species associated with fallen fruits and seeds reported from China is provided to facilitate future studies of the genus.

Pseudoconiocessia xishuangbannaensis gen. et sp. nov. in Coniocessiaceae, Xylariales from Coffea liberica in China

During a survey of saprobic fungi on coffee samples in Yunnan Province, China, in 2020 and 2022, fungal fruiting bodies on decaying Liberian coffee twigs were collected and isolated. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of combined ITS, LSU, and RPB2 genes showed that the two isolated fungal strains belonged to a distinct species in Coniocessiaceae and were well separated from closely related genera with 73% ML and 0.92 PP statistical support. Morphologically, this distinct species can be differentiated from other genera in Coniocessiaceae by aseptate hamathecium, 4–8-spored asci with a flat apical ring, and fusiform ascospores, conical at the lower end. Based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses, the two fungal strains are described as a distinct new genus Pseudoconiocessia, within Coniocessiaceae. Pseudoconiocessia is introduced here with Pseudoconiocessia xishuangbannaensis as the type species.

Pleomorphic Dematiomelanommayunnanense gen. et sp. nov. (Ascomycota, Melanommataceae) from grassland vegetation in Yunnan, China.

During a survey of microfungi associated with grasslands and related vegetation types from Yunnan Province in China, various ascomycetous and coelomycetous fungi were isolated. This study reports the discovery of four strains of ascomycetous and coelomycetous fungi from dead stalks of Hypericummonogynum L. (Hypericaceae) and Rubusparvifolius L. (Rosaceae) in the Zhaotong region of Yunnan Province, China. The isolates were characterized using multi-locus phylogenetic analyses and were found to represent a new monophyletic lineage in Melanommataceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes). This new clade was named as Dematiomelanommayunnanense gen. et sp. nov. which consists of both sexual and asexual morphs. The sexual morph is characterized by globose to subglobose ascomata with a central ostiole, cylindrical asci with a pedicel and ocular chamber, and muriform, ellipsoidal to fusiform ascospores. The asexual morph has synanamorphs including both brown, muriform macroconidia and hyaline, round to oblong or ellipsoidal microconidia. These findings contribute to the understanding of fungal diversity in grasslands and related vegetation types in Yunnan Province, China.

Microdochium sichuanense sp. nov. (Microdochiaceae, Xylariales), from a Poaceae host in Sichuan, China

During our investigation of ascomycetes fungi on Poaceae, a microdochium-like fungus was collected from dead grass leaves from a terrestrial habitat in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Based on morphological characterization and phylogenetic analyses, we introduce this fungus as Microdochium sichuanense sp. nov. Maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analyses of combined genes (LSU, ITS and rpb2) were performed to clarify the phylogenetic affinities of the new species. Microdochium sichuanense is phylogenetically closely related to M. hainanense and morphologically it fits the generic characteristics of Microdochium species in having ostiolate ascomata, peridium cells of textura angularis to textura prismatica, unitunicate, clavate to oblong, 8-spored asci and hyaline, oval to fusiform ascospores. The new species was compared with phylogenetically and morphologically closely related species, and detailed descriptions, micrographs, and phylogenetic trees of the new species are provided.

Neostagonosporella bambusicola sp. nov. (Phaeosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales) from bamboo in China

A bitunicate ascomycete was collected on dead bamboo leaves from Guizhou Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on large subunit rRNA (LSU), small subunit rRNA (SSU), translation elongation factor 1-α (tef 1-α) and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) revealed that this species belongs to the genus Neostagonosporella (Phaeosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales) and forms a well-supported lineage (98% ML, 1.00BYPP) with N. sichuanensis. This taxon resembles the type species of Neostagonosporella, N. sichuanensis by its globose to subglobose central ostiolate ascomata, cylindrical to cylindric-clavate, short pedicellate asci and hyaline, cylindrical to fusiform ascospores, as well as a close phylogenetic affinity. However, it differs from N. sichuanensis by its comparatively smaller ascomata, cellular, septate pseudoparaphyses and ascospores with thick sheath, whereas N. sichuanensis has comparatively large ascomata, trabeculate pseudoparaphyses and ascospores with comparatively thin sheath. Therefore, we introduce this taxon as a novel species, namely Neostagonosporella bambusicola and compare it with the other species of Neostagonosporella.

Pseudokeissleriella bambusicola gen. et sp. nov. (Lentitheciaceae, Pleosporales) from bamboos in Sichuan province, China

During an investigation of ascomycetous fungi on bamboos in Sichuan province, China, a monotypic genus, Pseudokeissleriella, collected from dead culms of bamboos is introduced to accommodate P. bambusicola. Pseudokeissleriella bambusicola is characterized by having subglobose to globose, glabrous ascomata, and hyaline, septate, fusiform ascospores with subobtuse ends and a swollen upper cell, surrounded by a mucilaginous sheath with center depression. The phylogenetic analyses based on multi-gene matrix of SSU, ITS, LSU, tef-1α sequences showed that P. bambusicola presented a distinct lineage sister to Katumotoa and Neoophiosphaerella in Lentitheciaceae. The establishment of new taxa were justified by morphological and phylogenetic evidences. Morpho-phylogenetic differences between Pseudokeissleriella and some related genera Katumotoa, Keissleriella, and Neoophiosphaerella are discussed. Descriptions, illustrations, and notes for the new taxa are provided.

Tuber qujingense and T. songlu, two new species from Yunnan, China

Tuber qujingense and T. songlu are described as new species based on both phylogenetic and morphological analyses. Phylogenetically, these two species are clearly distinct from described species of Tuber. Morphologically, these two species have whitish smooth ascomata, pubescent and prosenchymatous peridium and 1–4 spored asci; however, T. qujingense is characterized by its fusiform ascospores and taller alveolar walls (4.5–11 µm) while T. songlu has larger ellipsoid ascospores and lower alveolar walls (1–7 µm).

Taxonomy and phylogenetic appraisal of Leptosphaeria chatkalica sp. nov. (Leptosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales) from Uzbekistan

Leptosphaeria chatkalica, found on dead stems of dicotyledon from Chatkal ridge of Western Tien Shan Mountains in Uzbekistan, is presented as a novel species based on morphological details and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic relationships of the novel species were established by analyzing the combined sequence data of LSU, ITS, SSU and tef1-α in Maximum parsimony, Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses. Leptosphaeria chatkalica is characterized by perithecial ascomata, club-like pedicel asci and yellowish-brown, 3-septate, fusiform ascospores with a mucilaginous sheath. A comprehensive characterization and micro-graphs, together with a comparison with other Leptosphaeria species are given.

Phyllobaeis Kalb & Gierl (Baeomycetaceae, Ascomycota) in Southern Brazil

Phyllobaeis is mainly a Neotropical genus and contains six species. It has a squamulose primary thallus (except for one species with crustose primary thallus), stipitate podetia, and simple or 1-septate hyaline, ovoid to fusiform ascospores. The species occur mainly on soil in altitudes of 700 to 4,400 m. In Brazil three species are known, recorded mainly from the southeast. The aim of this work is contributing to the knowledge of the distribution of Phyllobaeis in Brazil. We studied specimens from southern Brazil. The morphological, anatomical and chemical analyses follow standard lichenological protocols. We found two species in southern Brazil: Phyllobaeis erythrella, which is the first record to Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul states; and P. rubescens, which is the first record to Paraná and Santa Catarina states. Both occur in environments on the plateau, as well as in high-grasslands, between 700 to 1400 m altitude. A distribution map in Brazil, descriptions, figures and a key to the species of Phyllobaeis are given.

<p><strong>Morpho-molecular characterization of two novel amphisphaeriaceous species from Yunnan, China</strong></p>

Amphisphaeria yunnanensis sp. nov. and Lepteutypa qujingensis sp. nov. are introduced in this study from dead twigs collected from an evergreen broadleaf forest area in Yunnan Province, China. Both species have immersed, sub-globose ascomata and overlapping uniseriate asci and multi-guttulate, fusiform, brown ascospores. Amphisphaeria yunnanensis is distinguished among similar taxa in having long and narrow ostiole and comparatively small fusiform ascospores. Lepteutypa qujingensis is characterized by smaller ascomata and ascospores compare to other Lepteutypa species. Based on LSU-ITS phylogeny and macro-micro morphology, both species are placed in Amphisphaeriaceae. Morphological comparisons of the accepted species in Amphisphaeria and Lepteutypa are provided.

<p><strong>New species of <em>Nectria</em> and <em>Thyronectria</em> from Xinjiang, China</strong></p>

Nectria berberidis sp. nov. and Thyronectria berberidicola sp. nov. isolated from Berberis heteropoda in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, are described and illustrated. Nectria berberidis is characterized by clavate asci (50–87 × 8–12 μm) with ellipsoidal to fusiform, 1-septate ascospores. Thyronectria berberidicola is characterized by clavate asci (117–25.9 × 63.7–117.9 μm) with ellipsoidal to fusiform ascospores that have 5–8 transverse septa and 1(–2) longitudinal septum. Ascospores bud to produce hyaline, bacillar ascoconidia. Phylogenetic analyses based on alpha-actin (ACT), the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the large nuclear ribosomal RNA subunit (LSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) and the β-tubulin (TUB) sequence data revealed that isolates of N. berberidis and T. berberidicola form a distinct clade within Nectria and Thyronectria, respectively. In addition, Nectria nigrescens is reported for the first time in China.

Hanseniaspora terricola sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast isolated from Tibet.

Eight apiculate strains isolated from Tibet, PR China, were identified as Hanseniaspora taiwanica and a novel species of Hanseniaspora based on the sequence analysis of the ITS region, the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA and the translation elongation factor 1-a (TEF1) gene. Among them, four strains with identical sequences of D1/D2 and ITS formed a separate branch from the known Hanseniaspora species in the phylogenetic trees, and differed from the known species by at least 17 (3 %) nucleotide (nt) substitutions in the D1/D2 domains and more than 6 % substitutions and inserts/deletes in the ITS region. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that those four strains represent a novel species of Hanseniaspora, for which the names Hanseniaspora terricola sp. nov. (holotype CGMCC 2.6175T; MycoBank MB 834591) is proposed. The other four strains belonging to H. taiwanica produce spherical, void or fusiform ascospores, which differ from the original description that ascospores are absent.

Striatiguttulaceae, a new pleosporalean family to accommodate Longicorpus and Striatiguttula gen. nov. from palms.

Palms represent the most morphological diverse monocotyledonous plants and support a vast array of fungi. Recent examinations of palmicolous fungi in Thailand led to the discovery of a group of morphologically similar and interesting taxa. A polyphasic approach based on morphology, multi-gene phylogenetic analyses and divergence time estimates supports the establishment of a novel pleosporalean family Striatiguttulaceae, which diversified approximately 39 (20–63) MYA (crown age) and 60 (35–91) MYA (stem age). Striatiguttulaceae is characterized by stromata or ascomata with a short to long neck, trabeculate pseudoparaphyses and fusiform to ellipsoidal, 1–3-septate ascospores, with longitudinal striations and paler end cells, surrounded by a mucilaginous sheath. Multi-gene phylogenetic analysis showed that taxa of Striatiguttulaceae form a well-supported and distinct monophyletic clade in Pleosporales, and related to Ligninsphaeriaceae and Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae. However, these families can be morphologically demarcated by the slit-like ascomata and extremely large ascospores in Ligninsphaeriaceae and the rather narrow fusiform ascospores in Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae. Eight strains of Striatiguttulaceae formed two monophyletic sub-clades, which can be recognized as Longicorpusgen. nov. and Striatiguttulagen. nov. Morphologically, the genus Longicorpus can be differentiated from Striatiguttula by its elongated immersed ascomata and fusiform ascospores with relatively larger middle cells and paler end cells. Two new species Striatiguttulanypae and S.phoenicis, and one new combination, Longicorpusstriataspora are introduced with morphological details, and phylogenetic relationships are discussed based on DNA sequence data.

A new species and new record of Lophiotrema (Lophiotremataceae, Dothideomycetes) from karst landforms in southwest China

During fungal diversity studies on ascomycetes from karst landforms in southwest China, two taxa were collected and morphologically identified as Lophiotrema species based on their immersed ascomata, crest-like ostioles, cylindrical, short pedicellate asci and fusiform ascospores. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses based on a combined LSU-TEF1-α-SSU-ITS-RPB2 sequence data also confirmed their phylogenetic placement within the family Lophiotremataceae, where they clustered with reported Lophiotrema species with strong statistical support. Lophiotrema hydei sp. nov. is introduced and the species forms a distinct lineage which is sister to L. neohysterioides. Morphologically, Lophiotrema hydei differs from L. neohysterioides by its unique appearance of ascomata and different ascospore ornamentation. Another species is identified as L. neohysterioides based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic data, and it is reported as the new record from China.

A new species and a new record of Thyronectria (Nectriaceae, Hypocreales) in China

A new species, Thyronectria berberidis, is described and illustrated based on collections on Berberis heteropoda from the Ili area of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China. Thyronectria berberidis is characterized by superficial, gregarious ascomata that become cupulate upon drying, with (1–6)7-septate, ellipsoidal to fusiform ascospores. In addition, T. lamyi is reported for the first time in China. The morphology characteristics of T. berberidis and T. lamyi were compared to those of close relatives. Their phylogenetic positions were confirmed by analyses of combined sequences of alpha-actin, the internal transcribed spacer, the large nuclear ribosomal RNA subunit, translation elongation factor 1-alpha and beta-tubulin. This is the first record that Thyronectria is established in the B. heteropoda in China.

Acuminatispora palmarum gen. et sp. nov. from mangrove habitats

Fungi play a vital role as decomposers in mangrove ecosystems. A new ascomycete species, Acuminatispora palmarum, inhabiting decayed petioles and rachides of palms in mangrove habitats, is introduced in this paper based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Phylogenetic relationships of related taxa were inferred from combined LSU, SSU, TEF1α, and RPB2 sequence data, and the analyses indicate that A. palmarum could be recognized as a distinct group in Pleosporales, but its familial placement needs to be further resolved. The morphological characters of this new taxon are also different from other members in Pleosporales by its deeply immersed ascomata, long pedicellate asci, and biseriate to triseriate, 1-(rarely 3) septate, brown, fusiform ascospores with acute or narrowly pointed ending cells. Acuminatispora gen. nov. (Pleosporales, incertae sedis) is therefore established to accommodate the new taxon A. palmarum. Furthermore, phylogenetic relationships of Acrocordiopsis and Caryospora are discussed with a consideration of morphological observations.

Phylogenetic classification and generic delineation of Calyptosphaeria gen. nov., Lentomitella, Spadicoides and Torrentispora (Sordariomycetes).

The genus Ceratostomella has a long history of taxonomic confusion. While species with evanescent asci have been transferred to the Microascales and Ophiostomatales, the taxonomic status of species with persistent asci has not been completely resolved. In previous studies using DNA sequence data, cultures and morphology, several Ceratostomella spp. were allocated in 13 genera in the Eurotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes. In our study, the systematics of the remaining Ceratostomella spp. with persistent asci is revisited with new collection data, cultures and phylogeny based on novel DNA sequences from six nuclear loci. Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses support the monophyly of several wood-inhabiting species formerly classified in Ceratostomella and other unknown morphologically similar taxa and their division into four genera, i.e. Lentomitella, Spadicoides, Torrentispora and the newly described Calyptosphaeria. This robust clade represents the order Xenospadicoidales in the Sordariomycetidae. Comparative analysis of the ITS2 secondary structure revealed a genetic variation among Lentomitella isolates; 11 species were recognised, of which five are newly introduced and two are new combinations. Other taxonomic novelties include four new species and eight new combinations in Calyptosphaeria, Spadicoides, and Torrentispora. Molecular data suggest that Spadicoides is polyphyletic. The core of the genus is positioned in the Xenospadicoidales; Spadicoides s. str. is experimentally linked with sexual morphs for the first time. Based on DNA sequence data, the monotypic genera Xenospadicoides and Pseudodiplococcium are reduced to synonymy under Spadicoides, while Fusoidispora and Pseudoannulatascus are synonymised with Torrentispora. Members of the Xenospadicoidales inhabit decaying wood in terrestrial and freshwater environments and share a few morphological characters such as the absence of stromatic tissue, ascomata with a cylindrical or rostrate neck, similar anatomies of the ascomatal walls, thin-walled unitunicate asci with a non-amyloid apical annulus, disintegrating paraphyses, usually ellipsoidal to fusiform ascospores and holoblastic-denticulate or tretic conidiogenesis. Revised Ceratostomella spp. with persistent asci are listed and the taxonomic status of each species is re-evaluated based on revision of the holotype and other representative material, published details and available phylogenetic data.

Additions to Lindgomyces (Lindgomycetaceae, Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes), including two new species occurring on submerged wood from North Carolina, USA, with notes on secondary metabolite profiles

Two new species of freshwater ascomycetes belonging to the genus Lindgomyces (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes) are described and illustrated from submerged wood in North Carolina, USA. Lindgomyces carolinensis is characterized by immersed to erumpent ascomata, fissitunicate broadly cylindrical to clavate asci, and fusiform ascospores with acute ends surrounded by a large, fusiform gelatinous sheath. Lindgomyces cigarospora morphologically differs from L. carolinensis in that its ascospores are fusiform to cylindrical with rounded ends, without a large fusiform gelatinous sheath. These two new species nest in the family Lindgomycetaceae based on analyses of combined SSU and LSU rDNA sequence data. Phylogenetic analyses using ITS sequence data support the establishment of the new taxa as separate species within Lindgomyces. In addition to the new species, we report new ITS sequence data for L. cinctosporus and L. griseosporus from France, and L. ingoldianus from North Carolina, USA. We report a video exhibiting fissitunicate ascus dehiscence in L. carolinensis showing ascospore discharge and unraveling of the gelatinous sheath in real time. Chemical analysis of the organic extracts of L. carolinensis and L. cigarospora resulted in two known cyclodepsipeptides, Sch 378161 and Sch 217048. The in situ spatial mapping of these secondary metabolites on fungal cultures indicates the presence of both compounds on the surface of mycelia, as well as being exuded into the surrounding agar.

Two new species of Porina (Porinaceae, lichenized Ascomycota) from submontane forest enclaves in Northeastern Brazil

Two new species of Porina are presently described as new to science in the frame of a corticolous lichens survey in the Atlantic rainforest of Pernambuco State, in Northeastern Brazil. The type locality, known as Brejo dos Cavalos, is a so-called Brejo de Altitude, an Atlantic forest fragment located in the municipality of Caruaru, in the middle of the semiarid Caatinga: Porina ochraceocarpa Sobreira, Aptroot & M. Cáceres, with small, free, pale brown ascomata and fusiform 3-septate ascospores of 30–32 × 4.5–5 μm., and Porina purpurata Sobreira, Aptroot & M. Cáceres, with hemispherical thallus-covered ascomata that are mostly centrally covered with red, K+ purple pruina, and fusiform (3–)7-septate ascospores of 50–55 × 10–11 μm. The discovery of these unique taxa emphasizes the importance of thorough surveys of the lichen biota in the Atlantic rainforest of Brazil, a very biodiverse and threatened biome.

Sexual morph of Seimatosporium cornii found on Cornus sanguinea in Italy

The sexual morph of Seimatosporium cornii, collected from dead stems of Cornus sanguinea in Arezzo, Italy, is reported in this paper. It was linked to S. cornii based on analysis of combined LSU and ITS sequence data. The sexual morph is characterized by minutely stromatic ascomata, cylindrical to clavate asci, with a J+, apical apparatus and 1–3-septate, fusiform ascospores. Seimatosporium cornii can be distinguished from the closely related species, Discostroma fuscellum, by the structure of the peridium, shape and septation of the ascospores and also its asexual morph. The sexual morph of S. cornii is reported from the same host and location as its asexual morph. We also provide data of SSU, TEF1-α and β-TUB genes of our strain, deposited in GenBank.