Large Ascospores Research Articles

Imsharria orangei (Ascomycota, Lecideaceae), a new genus and species, and a new species of Porpidia, from the Falkland Islands

Abstract The new genus Imsharria is proposed for a crustose species found on or near mountain summits on the Falkland Islands. It is separated from other genera of Lecideaceae by a combination of Porpidia-type asci, halonate ascospores, immersed apothecia and a hyaline hypothecium, and forms a distinct branch in the phylogenetic analysis using the markers nrITS and mtSSU. The single species, I. orangei, is characterized by its innate apothecia with a brown disc and a thallus containing norstictic acid and an amyloid (I+ violet) medulla. In addition, Porpidia imshaugii is described for a species from the Falkland Islands resembling P. skottsbergiana but with larger ascospores, and Porpidia navarina is shown to belong in the genus Poeltiaria, with the new combination Poeltiaria navarina being made. A key to the Lecideaceae on the Falkland Islands is provided.

New Zealand Lithothelium (Pyrenulaceae) — description of a new species Lithothelium kiritea sp. nov., with notes on L. australe

Lithothelium kiritea A.J. Marshall, Aptroot, de Lange & Blanchon sp. nov. (Pyrenulaceae) is described from Aotearoa / New Zealand. The new species has a mainly coastal and mostly westerly distribution in Aotearoa / New Zealand and is thus far known only from the bark of living Cordyline australis (Asparagaceae). The new species is separated from Lithothelium australe (treated here as endemic to the Chatham Islands), by its corticolous, rather than saxicolous habit, white to pale buff (when fresh) thallus and large ascospores (measuring 32−40 × 12−15 μm). Lithothelium kiritea is easily recognised and usually abundant in the locations where it has been found, yet it seems to have not been collected until 1973 when it was sampled once and then not collected again until 2018. Currently, specimens matching L. kiritea have not been reported from Australia, so we recommend it be searched for there. Within Aotearoa / New Zealand, we propose that the species be assessed as ‘Not Threatened’ using the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

The lichen genus Pseudopyrenula (Trypetheliaceae) in India

AbstractA survey of the lichen genus Pseudopyrenula in India is presented, with morphotaxonomic accounts of all six accepted species. Two species, P. himalayana and P. megaspora, are new to science. Both species resemble P. staphyleae but have a lichenized thallus and eccentric ostiole. Furthermore, P. himalayana differs from P. staphyleae in having immersed perithecia and narrower ascospores, while P. megaspora differs in the larger ascospores. Detailed descriptions of the new species are presented, together with notes on their chemistry, distribution, ecology and taxonomy. A key to all known species of Pseudopyrenula from India is also presented.

A New Lichenized Fungus, Lendemeriella luteoaurantia, with a Key to the Species of Lendemeriella

Lendemeriella luteoaurantia B.G. Lee is described as a new lichen species from South Korea. The new species is identified by smaller, yellow-orange apothecia, larger ascospores with wider septum width, and the absence of Cinereorufa-green pigment and teloschistin, different from the closest species, L. aureopruinosa I.V. Frolov, Vondrák, Arup, Konoreva, S. Chesnokov, Yakovczenko and Davydov in morphology and chemistry. Molecular phylogeny employing internal transcribed spacer (nuITS), nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA (nuLSU), and mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) sequences strongly supports the new species as nonidentical in the genus Lendemeriella. A preliminary key is provided to assist in the identification of all 10 species of Lendemeriella.

One new species and three new records in the genus Porpidia from China

AbstractFour species of Porpidia are newly reported from China, including one species new to science (Porpidia crystallina) and three records (Porpidia umbonifera, P. seakensis and P. cf. contraponenda) new to China. Porpidia crystallina is characterized by a macrocarpa-type exciple containing crystals, a Cinereorufa-green epihymenium, large ascospores and a lack of secondary metabolites. Morpho-anatomical, chemical and phylogenetic analyses were carried out to elucidate the placement of the species and to support the delimitation of the new taxon. Detailed taxonomic descriptions, ecological and chemical characters, and illustrations are provided for each species. A key to all known Chinese Porpidia species is also provided.

Tuber melanorufum and T. tomentellum, two new truffle species from China

Tuber melanorufum and T. tomentellum spp. nov. are described and illustrated in this paper based on the morphological and phylogenetic data. Tuber melanorufum is diagnosed by the red-brown to blackish ascomata covered with distinctly fine warts and the ellipsoid to long ellipsoid ascospores ornamented with very crowded spine-reticulations. Tuber tomentellum is characterized by the large ascospores and two types of hairs arising from the outer cells of the peridium. Phylogenetic analyses place T. melanorufum and T. tomentellum in the Rufum and Puberulum clades, respectively.

A new species and a new record of the genus Squamulea (Teloschistaceae, lichenized Ascomycota) from Pakistan

AbstractA novel species in the genus Squamulea, S. chikarensis, is described from Himalayan moist temperate forest in Pakistan. The morphology, chemistry and ITS sequences support its distinction from other species of this genus. The taxon is characterized by a pale green to yellow thallus, large apothecia up to 0.8–1.8 mm wide, pale yellow to yellow-orange apothecial discs, a hymenium 70–110 μm high, large ascospores (12–20 × 5–11 μm) and a narrow ascospore septum (1.5–3 μm). In addition, S. flakusii is reported as new to Pakistan and Eurasia.

A new species of circinaria (Pertusariales, Megasporaceae) from Pakistan

Circinaria pakistanica sp. nov. is described from the Himalayan moist temperate forests in Pakistan. The morphology, chemistry and ITS sequence support its distinction from other species of this genus. The taxon is characterised by a whitish to blackish grey thallus, greyish white epruinose apothecia, flat to slightly concave areoles, a hymenium 110-200 ?m high, large ascospores (22-38 ? 18-32 ?m) and the absence of pycnidia; it also differs from related species in the ITS region.

Taxonomic and phylogenetic study of the genus Diploschistes (Ostropales, Thelotremataceae) reveals one new species from Pakistan

Diploschistes pakistanicus sp. nov. is described from the Himalayan moist temperate forest, Pakistan. ITS sequences confirm its position within the genus Diploschistes and, together with its morphology and chemistry, suggest that it is separate from other species of this genus. The taxon is characterized by grey to greyish white pruinose thallus, perithecioid-type ascomata, small apothecia 0.1‒0.4 mm wide, hypothecium 20‒25µm thick, ascus of 85‒110 × 9‒17 µm in size, 3‒5 transverse and 2‒4 longitudinal septa in large ascospores 42‒55 × 18‒30; also differing from related species in ITS region.

Acrocalymmachuxiongense sp. nov., a new species of Acrocalymmaceae (Pleosporales) on leaves of Quercus.

In Huafo Mountain, Mouding, Yunnan Province, China, we found black protrusions on the leaf surface of Quercus plants. The collection which we identified as Acrocalymmachuxiongense sp. nov., a new species of Acrocalymmaceae (Pleosporales) is characterised by dome-shaped ascomata, bitunicate asci with pedicel furcate and an ocular chamber and hyaline, obovoid to ellipsoid, 1-septate ascospores. Morphologically, this species is typical with obovoid to ellipsoid, larger ascospores than other known species in Acrocalymma. Phylogenetic analysis also showed that it represents a distinct clade, distant to any other species of Acrocalymma. Therefore, we introduce it as Acrocalymmachuxiongense, a new species of Acrocalymmaceae. This study is adding to the current situation where there are very few species and lack of teleomorph characteristics.

Lecaimmeria pakistanica, a new lichen from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

A new lichen species Lecaimmeria pakistanica K.Habib, R.Zulfiqar & Khalid sp. nov. is described and illustrated from rocks in the temperate forests of the Himalaya of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. This species is characterized by its yellow-brown to brown thallus having areoles 0.4 to 1.5 mm across, branched and anastomosing paraphyses, a tall hymenium, large ascospores 20–32 × 10–16 μm, and no substance detected by thin layer chromatography. All other species of the genus have ascospore dimensions in the range of 14–22 × 5–14 μm. A phylogenetic analysis is provided based on ITS nrDNA sequences, and supports the separation of the novel species. Photographs and a comparative analysis with related species of Lecaimmeria are provided to confirm the status of the species.

Morphology and phylogeny reveal two novel Xylaria (Xylariaceae) species from China

Four species of Xylaria were collected from Guizhou and Hainan provinces in China. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses (based on β-tubulin, rpb2 and α-actin genes) revealed two new species (X. sylvatica sp. nov. and X. wuzhishanensis sp. nov.) and two known species (X. atrosphaerica and X. cubensis). Xylaria sylvatica is distinguished from X. spinulosa by lacking long thorns on the stromatal surface, and larger ascospores (23–28.5 × 7–9.5 μm vs. 19–23 × 6.5–8.5 μm) with a sigmoid germ slit. Xylaria wuzhishanensis differs from X. schweinitzii by its semi-globular or irregularly globose stromata, from X. atrosphaerica by its larger ascospores (23–30.5 × 7–9 μm vs. 17–25 × 6–10 μm). Their descriptions and illustrations are provided.

Three New Species of Hypoxylon (Xylariales, Ascomycota) on a Multigene Phylogeny from Medog in Southwest China.

During a survey of hypoxylaceous fungi in Medog county (Tibet Autonomous Region, China), three new species, including Hypoxylon damuense, Hypoxylon medogense, and Hypoxylon zangii, were described and illustrated based on morphological and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses. Hypoxylon damuense is characterized by its yellow-brown stromatal granules, light-brown to brown ascospores, and frequently indehiscent perispore. Hypoxylon medogense is morphologically and phylogenetically related to H. erythrostroma but differs in having larger ascospores with straight spore-length germ slit and conspicuously coil-like perispore ornamentation. Hypoxylon zangii shows morphological similarities to H. texense but differs in having Amber (47), Fulvous (43) and Sienna (8) KOH-extractable pigments and larger ascospores with straight spore-length germ slit. The multi-gene phylogenetic analyses inferred from the datasets of ITS-RPB2-LSU-TUB2 supported the three new taxa as separate lineages within Hypoxylon. A key to all known Hypoxylon species from China and related species worldwide is provided.

Xenoastrosphaeriella aquatica sp. nov. from freshwater habitat in Yunnan Province, China

Xenoastrosphaeriella aquatica sp. nov. was discovered during an investigation of lignicolous freshwater fungi in northwestern Yunnan Province, China. Evidence of morphological characters and sequence data indicated that the new collection has affiliation to Xenoastrosphaeriella. Phylogenetic analysis of combined LSU, SSU and tef1-α sequence data was carried out to determine the phylogenetic placement of this species, which showed that X. aquatica clustered with X. tornata and X. trochus, but these three species are phylogenetically distinct. Xenoastrosphaeriella aquatica differs from other species in having dark olive to brown and larger ascospores. A detailed description and illustration of the new species are provided, as well as the comparisons with similar taxa.

Schroeteria decaisneana, S. poeltii, and Ciboria ploettneriana (Sclerotiniaceae, Helotiales, Ascomycota), three parasites on Veronica seeds: first report of teleomorphs in Schroeteria

Ciboria ploettneriana, Schroeteria decaisneana, and S. poeltii produce morphologically very similar apothecia emerging from fallen stromatized seeds of Veronica spp., the former two on V. hederifolia agg. in temperate central Europe and S. poeltii on V. cymbalaria in mediterranean southern Europe. They are described and illustrated in detail based on fresh collections or moist chamber cultures of infected seeds. A key is provided to differentiate the three species from their teleomorphs. For the first time, connections between two teleomorphs and two Schroeteria anamorphs are reported. Members of the anamorph-typified genus Schroeteria are known as host-specific plant parasites that infect seeds of different Veronica spp. In earlier times, they were classified in the Ustilaginales (Basidiomycota), but since more than 30 years, they are referred to as false smut fungi producing smut-like chlamydospores, based on light microscopic and ultrastructural studies which referred them to the Sclerotiniaceae (Helotiales). During the present study, rDNA sequences were obtained for the first time from chlamydospores of Schroeteria bornmuelleri (on V. rubrifolia), S. decaisneana (on V. hederifolia), S. delastrina (generic type, on V. arvensis), and S. poeltii (on V. cymbalaria) and from apothecia of C. ploettneriana, S. decaisneana, and S. poeltii. As a result, the anamorph-teleomorph connection could be established for S. decaisneana and S. poeltii by a 100% ITS similarity, whereas C. ploettneriana could not be connected to a smut-like anamorph. Ciboria ploettneriana in the here-redefined sense clustered in our combined phylogenetic analyses of ITS and LSU in relationship of Sclerotinia s.l., Botrytis, and Myriosclerotinia rather than Ciboria, but its placement was not supported. Its affiliation in Ciboria was retained until a better solution is found. Also Schroeteria poeltii clustered unresolved in this relationship but with a much higher molecular distance. The remaining three Schroeteria spp. formed a strongly supported monophyletic group, here referred to as “Schroeteria core clade”, which clustered with medium to high support as a sister clade of Monilinia jezoensis, a member of the Monilinia alpina group of section Disjunctoriae. We observed ITS distances of 5–6.3% among members of the Schroeteria core clade, but 13.8–14.7% between this clade and S. poeltii, which appears to be correlated with the deviating chlamydospore morphology of S. poeltii. Despite its apparent paraphyly, Schroeteria is accepted here in a wide sense as a genus distinct from Monilinia, particularly because of its very special anamorphs. A comparable heterogeneity in rDNA analyses was observed in Monilinia and other genera of Sclerotiniaceae. Such apparent heterogeneity should be met with skepticism, however, because the inclusion of protein-coding genes in phylogenetic analyses resulted in a monophyletic genus Monilinia. More sclerotiniaceous taxa should be analysed for protein-coding genes in the future, including Schroeteria. Four syntype specimens of Ciboria ploettneriana in B were reexamined in the present study, revealing a mixture of the two species growing on V. hederifolia agg. Based on its larger ascospores in comparison with S. decaisneana, a lectotype is proposed for C. ploettneriana.

Two new species and a new record of Astrocystis from Southwestern China

In this study, three species of Astrocystis were collected from bamboo culms in Guizhou and Yunnan Provinces in China. Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses (based on ITS, rpb2, βtubulin and α-actin gene regions) supported the proposal of two new species viz., Astrocystis pseudomirabilis sp. nov. and A. tessellati sp. nov. and a new record of A. sublimbata from China. Astrocystis pseudomirabilis can be distinguished from A. mirabilis by its larger stromata (0.64–0.83 × 0.38–0.52 mm vs. 0.4–0.6 × 0.2–0.5 mm) and larger ascospores (11–14 × 6–8 μm vs. 10–12 × 4.5–6 μm). Astrocystis tessellati differs from A. multiloculata by its smaller ascospores (16.2–19.2 × 7.2–9 μm vs. 19–25 × 7–11 μm). Astrocystis pseudomirabilis and A. tessellati form two distinct clades within Astrocystis.

Two new lecanoroid lichen species from the forested wetlands of South Korea, with a key for Korean Protoparmeliopsis species.

Lecanoraparasymmicta Lee & Hur and Protoparmeliopsiscrystalliniformis Lee & Hur are described as new lichen species to science from the forested wetlands in southern South Korea. Molecular analyses employing internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) sequences strongly support the two lecanoroid species to be distinct in their genera. Lecanoraparasymmicta is included in the Lecanorasymmicta group. It is morphologically distinguished from Lecanorasymmicta (Ach.) Ach., its most similar species, by areolate-rimose thallus, blackish hypothallus, larger apothecia, absence of thalline excipulum from the beginning, narrower paraphyses, larger ascospores, smaller pycnoconidia, and the presence of placodiolic acid. The second new species Protoparmeliopsiscrystalliniformis is included in a clade with Protoparmeliopsisbipruinosa (Fink) S.Y. Kondr. and P.nashii (B.D. Ryan) S.Y. Kondr., differs from Protoparmeliopsisertzii Bungartz & Elix, its most morphologically similar species, by whitish thallus, flat to concave and paler disc, longer ascospores, thallus K+ yellow reaction, presence of atranorin and rhizocarpic acid, and the substrate preference to sandstone or basalt. A key is provided to assist in the identification of Protoparmeliopsis species in Korea.

Two new calcicolous caloplacoid lichens from South Korea, with a taxonomic key to the species of Huriella and Squamulea.

Pyrenodesmiarugosa Lee & Hur and Huriellaaeruginosa Lee & Hur are described as new lichen-forming fungi from a calcareous mountain of South Korea. Pyrenodesmiarugosa is distinguishable from Pyrenodesmiamicromontana (Frolov, Wilk & Vondrák) Hafellner & Türk, the most similar species, by thicker thallus, rugose areoles, larger apothecia, shorter hymenium, shorter hypothecium and narrower tip cells of paraphyses. Huriellaaeruginosa, the second new species, differs from ‘Squamulea’ chelonia Bungartz & Søchting by dark greenish-grey to grey thallus without pruina, gold to yellow-brown epihymenium, larger ascospores and thallus K– and KC– reaction. Molecular analyses employing internal transcribed spacer (ITS), mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) and nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU) sequences strongly support the two caloplacoid species to be distinct in their genera. A surrogate key is provided to assist in the identification of all 20 taxa in Huriella and Squamulea.

Morphological and phylogenetic study of five species of Astrocystis and Collodiscula on bamboo

Five taxa that morphologically resemble Astrocystis and Collodiscula were collected on bamboo culms from Guizhou, Hainan and Yunnan provinces in China. Based on morphology and molecular analyses (combined ITS, RPB2, β-tubulin and α-actin genes), these species were identified as Astrocystis cocoes (a new record to China), A. bambusicola, Collodiscula japonica and two new species (A. multiloculata and C. lancangjiangensis). Astrocystis multiloculata can be distinguished from other Astrocystis species by its superficial stromata containing many perithecia and larger ascospores (19–25 × 7–11 μm). Collodiscula lancangjiangensis has larger ascospores (26–36.5 × 5–7.5 μm) than those of the most similar species C. fangjingshanensis (19–25.5 × 4.5–6 μm). It also has larger, 3-septate ascospores than C. japonica (1-septate, 19–26 × 4.5–5.5 μm).

The new genus Pulvinora (Lecanoraceae) for species of the ‘Lecanora pringlei’ group, including the new species Pulvinora stereothallina

Phylogenetic reconstructions based on ITS/5.8S, mtSSU and nuLSU DNA sequence data suggest that Lecanora pringlei from North America and a closely related new species from the Altai Mountains, Russia, should be transferred to a new genus Pulvinora, phylogenetically related to Frutidella. It is distinguished by Lecanora-type asci, mycolecanorine apothecia soon becoming convex with an algal layer pushed below the hypothecium, and a pulvinate thallus with squamules at the tip of pseudopodetia-like, branched, pale brownish structures. Lecanora subcavicola and L. pringlei subsp. brandegeei do not belong to this new genus Pulvinora; consequently, we propose the new combination L. brandegeei to accommodate the latter taxon. Pulvinora stereothallina is distinguished from P. pringlei in the shape and size of its squamules (plane to concave, up to 3.0 mm long vs. remaining convex, up to 1.5 mm long), by the lack of maculae, the presence of a whitish pruina on the margins and elevated parts of its squamules, by apothecia coalescing into clusters (vs. single), an ochre-yellow to brownish (vs. colorless) proper exciple, larger ascospores, and different secondary metabolites. Lectotypes of Lecidea pringlei Tuck. and L. brandegeei Tuck. are designated here from the collections deposited in fh.