Septate Ascospores Research Articles

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.

The lichenicolous Opegrapha species (Roccellaceae, Ascomycota) with 3-septate ascospores on Pertusaria and Ochrolechia

The Opegrapha species with 3-septate ascospores growing on Pertusaria and Ochrolechia are revised. Two species are recognized: Opegrapha anomea (of which O. pertusariae, O. quaternella, O. wetmorei and possibly Leciographa weissii are considered to be synonyms), and O. blakii Ertz & Diederich sp. nov. described from a sterile lichen with an Ochrolechia-like thallus, known from Ecuador and Venezuela. Opegrapha anomea and several related lichenicolous species with roundish or irregular, often multilocular ascomata are morphologically intermediate between Opegrapha and Plectocarpon, and might represent a distinct genus. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 144, 235-241.

New species of foliicolous lichens from “La Amistad” Biosphere Reserve, Costa Rica

Schubert, R., Lücking, R. & Lumbsch, H. T.: New species of foliicolous lichens from “La Amistad” Biosphere Reserve, Costa Rica. — Willdenowia 33: 459–465. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2003 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem.Four new foliicolous lichen species are described from the Biosphere Reserve “La Amistad” (Cordillera de Talamanca), Costa Rica: Byssoloma carneum with yellowish apothecia and crystalline exciple; Fellhanera tubulifera with tubular, campylidia-like pycnidia; Porina flavopapillata with subglobose, reddish perithecia provided with short, irregular, yellowish squamules and 15-septate ascospores; and Trichothelium chlorinum with minute, greenish perithecia provided with short, irregular setae and 3-septate ascospores. Based on new collections, Badimia tuckermanii is emended to cover an essentially neotropical taxon and excluding the paleotropical B. elixii.

Ophioparma juniperiicola, a New Lichen from Spain

Abstract Ophioparma juniperiicola, a new lignicolous species, is described from eastern Spain. It is closely related with O. rubricosa by the appearance of thallus and apothecia, and the presence of divaricatic and usnic acids. The outstanding differences are in spore size and shape and the pycnospore width. Ophioparma juniperiicola is a lignicolous species with granular thallus–often reseambling isidia–and three septate ascospores, with average and size interval do not overlap with other species in the genus. A key of Ophioparma species is presented.

First Report of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis on Seashore Paspalum in the United States.

Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis is an ectotrophic, root-infecting fungus found on some warm-season turfgrass species (1). A sample of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) exhibiting rotted roots and stolons was taken from dying patches of turf in a home lawn in Hernando County, FL, and submitted to the Florida Extension Plant Disease Clinic, Gainesville, in October 2001. The lawn had been established within the previous year. Strongly lobed hyphopodia typical of G. graminis var. graminis (3,4) were present on diseased roots and stolons, and no other fungal plant pathogens were detected in the sample. Diseased roots and stolons with lobed hyphopodia were surface-sterilized and placed on one-quarter-strength potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with rifampicin and streptomycin. One isolate produced structures characteristic of G. graminis var. graminis (3,4), including dark, strongly lobed hyphopodia, and perithecia and ascospores in PDA after incubation. The isolate (PDC 2965) was grown on a sterile ryegrass seed substrate at 25°C for 4 weeks to produce inoculum (2). The isolate was used to inoculate pots of 'Sea Isle 1' seashore paspalum grown in sterile soil from sprigs. An inoculum layer, 1 to 2 cm deep, was placed 2 to 4 cm below each sprig and covered with an overlay of sterile soil prior to sprigging (2). Following 4 weeks of plant growth in a greenhouse, dark, necrotic lesions appeared on leaf bases. Very dark lesions developed on roots, and brown runner hyphae and strongly lobed hyphopodia were observed on root and shoot tissues. Selected pieces of symptomatic root and shoot tissue were surface-sterilized and placed on PDA. One week later, dark mycelia and deeply lobed hyphopodia were observed growing from roots and shoots on the PDA. After 1 month, black, flask-shaped perithecia, 156 to 234 μm in body width, developed in cultures. Hyaline, filiform, septate ascospores ranged from 75 to 100 μm (mean = 89 μm; n = 250) long and were approximately 2.5 μm wide. Hyphopodia, perithecia, and ascospores were characteristic of G. graminis var. graminis (3,4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of take-all root rot disease due to G. graminis var. graminis on seashore paspalum in the United States.

A revision of the species of the Rhizocarpon hochstetteri group occurring in the British Isles

Abstract: Rhizocarpon hochstetteri s. str. is shown to be an upland/montane species with relatively large ascospores. The name Rhizocarpon infernulum is resurrected for the species with smaller ascospores previously included within R. hochstetteri, but which is probably more closely related to R. cinereovirens. Lectotypes are chosen for a number of taxa, including R. cinereovirens and R. infernulum, and descriptions provided for two new taxa with small hyaline, 1-septate ascospores: R. caesium, which occurs on damp, mildly basic rocks in oceanic areas, and R. infernulum f. sylvaticum occurring on siliceous rocks in damp deciduous woodlands. All these taxa are known also from North America. Rhizocarpon discoense is shown to be a distinct species, not a synonym of R. cinereovirens . The different ascospore dimensions reported for R. hochstetteri by British and European authors are shown to be due to confusion between R. hochstetteri and R. polycarpum. A number of morphological characters are evaluated regarding their relevance to species separation in Rhizocarpon and the name Macrocarpa-green is proposed for the olivaceous pigment present in most species of Rhizocarpon and Porpidia. A key is provided for the species of Rhizocarpon with hyaline, 1-septate ascospores.

Three new species of Annulatascus (Ascomycetes) from Hong Kong freshwater habitats

Annulatascus joannae, A. lactus, and A. tropicalis are described and illustrated from decaying woody substrata in freshwater habitats in Hong Kong. Annulatascus joannae is distinguished by ellipsoidal and thick-walled ascospores whereas A. lacteus has milky ascomata and A. tropicalis has relatively large, fusiform, 1–3-septate ascospores. Annulatascus biatriisporus is reported as a new record in Hong Kong. A key to and a synoptic table of Annulatascus species are provided.

Buellia laurocanariensis, a new species from the Canary Islands

Abstract:A new corticolous species of Buellia is described from La Palma and La Gomera (Canary Islands). It is mainly characterized by its strongly ornamented, (1–2)–3-septate ascospores with apical and septa thickenings, which follow an ascospore-ontogeny of type B, and its chemistry. The new species is compared with the relatedBuellia lauricassiae (Fée) Müll. Arg. and B. lauricassiaeoides Aptroot. Illustrations of the ascospores of B. laurocanariensis and B. lauricassiaeoides are presented. A habit photograph of the new species is also provided.

Porina fortunata, a new species from the Canary Islands

Abstract:Porina fortunata P. M. McCarthy & Etayo sp. nov. (Trichotheliaceae) is described from shaded basalt in Gomera, Canary Islands. It is characterized by a richly rimose to areolate thallus, small, prominent and outwardly blackish perithecia that are internally orange-brown and narrow and elongate, 3(–7)-septate ascospores. Crown

Paraphaeosphaeria barrii, a new species on Yucca schidigera from Mexico

Paraphaeosphaeria barrii, a new species of the genus found on Agavaceae, is described from leaves of Yucca schidigera collected in Baja California, Mexico. The Coniothyrium anamorph is briefly described from cultured ascospores. This species was found to be most closely related to P. conglomerata, P. filamentosa, and P. quadriseptata all of which are from Agavaceae, produce 3 or 4 septate ascospores and pigmented, non-septate conidia from holoblastic, percurrently proliferating conidiogenous cells.

Ultrastructure of ascus and ascospore appendages of the mangrove fungus Halosarpheia ratnagiriensis (Halosphaeriales, Ascomycota)

Halosarpheia Kohlm. et E. Kohlm is a genus of eighteen species, all of which have septate ascospores with unfurling polar appendages. Asci and ascospores of Halosarpheia ratnagiriensis Patil et Borse were examined at the scanning (including freeze-fracture) and transmission electron microscope levels. The ascus wall has two well-defined layers and the apical apparatus comprises a refractive, electron-dense, lens-shaped disk embedded within a less electron-dense thickening. The ascospore wall comprises an episporium and a bipartite mesosporium, and the appendages are formed by extrusion of mucilaginous material through an episporial pore field. Ascospore appendage ontogeny is compared with other genera with unfurling polar appendages: Cataractispora, Diluviocola, Tunicatispora, Tirispora, and Halosarpheia aquadulcis Hsieh, H.S. Chang et E.B.G. Jones and Halosarpheia heteroguttulata S.W. Wong, K.D. Hyde et E.B.G. Jones.Key Words: ascospore appendage ontogeny, marine ascomycetes, unfurling polar appendages, ultrastructure.

FELLHANERA OCHRACEA, A NEW CORTICOLOUS LICHEN SPECIES FROM SHELTERED HABITATS IN WESTERN EUROPE

Abstract:Fellhanera ochracea Sparrius & Aptroot is described from material found in sheltered habitats in Great Britain, Switzerland and The Netherlands, where it grows on acidic and neutral bark of, for example,Pinus , Pseudotsuga, Ulmus, Quercus, Acer, Hedera and Sambucus. The species is close to Fellhanera subtilis and Fellhaneropsis myrtillicola, but distinguished by the abundant tiny, pale or orange-brown pigmented (frequently discolouring to bluish green) conidiomata with paler centrum, containing small, pyriform conidia, and by the 3-septate ascospores and the absence of lichen products in the thallus. A key to Fellhanera andFellhaneropsis species known from western Europe is provided.

Cornuvesica, a new genus to accommodate Ceratocystiopsis falcata

Most species in Ceratocystiopsis share many characters with species in Ophiostoma. Unlike other Ceratocystiopsis species, C. falcata appears to have enteroblastic conidium development and what appears to be a Chalara anamorph. Morphologically, Cp. falcata is thus more similar to Ceratocystis (with Chalara anamorphs) than Ophiostoma, although it is very distinct from Ceratocystis in perithecial characteristics. Recent studies using molecular data have shown that, despite its peripheral similarity to Ceratocystis, Cp. falcata is distantly related to either Ceratocystis or Ophiostoma. In view of this molecular evidence a new genus, Cornuvesica, is described for it, characterized by having falcate, sheathed and septate ascospores. The anamorph of Cornuvesica is morphologically similar to Chalara but conidia are obovoid with only one truncate end. Conidia are apparently not produced by ring wall building and Chalara is not an appropriate genus for it. We suggest that the anamorph of Cornuvesica represents a genus distinct from Chalara.

Additions to the foliicolous lichen flora of the Ivory Coast and Guinea (Tropical West Africa)

Four new foliicolous lichen species are described from the Ivory Coast (Tropical West Africa): Bapalmuia ivoriensis sp. nov., Chroodiscus africanus sp. nov., C. verrucosus sp. nov., and Lasioloma inexspectatum sp. nov. In addition, the new combination Calenia inconspicua comb, nova [Bas.: Heterothecium inconspicuum] is introduced. Lasioloma inexspectatum is the first species in the genus characterized by transversely septate ascospores and provides additional evidence for phylogenetic lines regarding the evolution of ascospore types in the lichen family Ectolechiaceae. In addition, 61 new records for the Ivory Coast and seven for Guinea are presented, increasing the number of species known in these areas to 161 and 124, respectively. Five species are new for tropical Africa, and six new for the Paleotropics. Further taxonomical and ecogeographical notes on the foliicolous lichen flora of tropical West Africa are provided.

NEW SPECIES OR INTERESTING RECORDS OF FOLIICOLOUS LICHENS. IV. PORINA PSEUDOAPPLANATA (LICHENIZED ASCOMYCETES:TRICHOTHELIACEAE ), A REMARKABLE NEW SPECIES WITH PHYLLOPHIALE -TYPE ISIDIA

Abstract:Porina pseudoapplanata Lücking & Cáceres sp.nov. is characterized by its foliicolous growth habit, a thin, nitidous thallus without crystals, applanate, yellowish red perithecia narrowly bacillar, 7-septate ascospores, and the presence of previously unrecognized isidi belonging to the Phyllophiale -type, here formally described as P. viridis Lücking & Cáceres sp.nov. The interpretation ofPhyllophiale representing isidia of Porina species is discussed. Porina pseudoapplanata is similar to species in the P. rufula group, i.e. P. monocarpa (Kremp.) F. Schill., P. cupreola (Müll. Arg.) F. Schill., P. planiuscula Vězda and, in particular, P. applanata Vain. However, it seems most closely related to P. mirabilis Lücking & Vězda in the P. epiphylla group, from which it differs by the complete absence of crystals in the thallus and perithecia. This gives a further insight into systematic relationships within theTrichotheliaceae . Keys are presented to distinguish P. pseudoapplanata from similar and related species, as well as to the known species of Phyllophiale .

PORINA OTAGENSIS (TRICHOTHELIACEAE) , A NEW SEMI-AQUATIC LICHEN FROM SOUTHERN NEW ZEALAND

Abstract:Porina otagensis P. M. McCarthy (Trichotheliaceae) is described from semi-aquatic rocks near Dunedin in the South Island of New Zealand. It has perithecia with a thin, applanate to convex, spreading involucrellum, rather short but broad, 7-septate ascospores that lack a gelatinous sheath, and comparatively broad conidia.

New Speceies or Interesting Records of Foliicolous Lichens. IV. Porina Pseudoapplanata (Lichenized Ascomycetes: Trichotheliaceae), A Remarakable New Species with Phyllophiale-Type Isldia

Porina pseudoapplanata Lücking & Cáceres sp.nov. is characterized by its foliicolous growth habit, a thin, nitidous thallus without crystals, applanate, yellowish red perithecia narrowly bacillar, 7-septate ascospores, and the presence of previously unrecognized isidi belonging to the Phyllophiale-type, here formally described as P. viridis Lücking & Cáceres sp.nov. The interpretation of Phyllophiale representing isidia of Porina species is discussed. Porina pseudoapplanata is similar to species in the P. rufula group, i.e. P. monocarpa (Kremp.) F. Schill., P. cupreola (Müll. Arg.) F. Schill., P. planiuscula Vêzda and, in particular, P. applanata Vain. However, it seems most closely related to P. mirabilis Lücking & Vězda in the P. epiphylla group, from which it differs by the complete absence of crystals in the thallus and perithecia. This gives a further insight into systematic relationships within the Trichotheliaceae. Keys are presented to distinguish P. pseudoapplanata from similar and related species, as well as to the known species of Phyllophiale.

Two New Species of Resinicolous Chaenothecopsis (Mycocaliciaceae) from Western North America

Chaenothecopsis sitchensis and Chaenothecopsis tsugae (Ascomycota, Mycocaliciaceae) are described as new from western North America. Both species grow on conifer resin in wet temperate forests. While they have so far only been collected from Oregon, they may have wide distributions in the Pacific Northwest. Both species occur in specialized microhabitats and can be difficult to find. The genus Chaenothecopsis Vain (Ascomycota, Mycocaliciaceae), is characterized by rather small, non-septate or 1-septate ascospores produced in well stalked or sessile ascomata (Schmidt 1970; Tibell 1984; Titov & Tibell 1992). Like other members of the Mycocaliciaceae they have active ascospore dispersal and a well-developed apical apparatus in the asci. Chaenothecopsis species are either saprobic or parasitic and they associate with algae only as parasymbionts of lichens or parasites of lichens or free-living algae. A number of Chaenothecopsis species occur exclusively on the exudate of vascular plants (Tibell & Titov 1995). Most of these fungi grow on the resin of coniferous trees, and they have been recorded from a variety of hosts, including species of Abies, Larix, Picea, and Pinus. Most species of resinicolous Chaenothecopsis have so far only been reported from temperate forests of East Asia. However, they have a long evolutionary history, as exemplified by a specimen in amber dating back to over 20 million years ago (Rikkinen & Poinar, pers. comm.). During recent field work in western North America, I collected material of several undescribed Chaenothecopsis species on conifer resin. Two of these are described below. Measurements are given as (minimum) mean + s.d. (maximum), or as more intuitive estimates of common ranges. Subjects for all measurements were chosen arbitrarily but without preconceived bias. For ascus and spore measurements a precision of 0.5 psm was used; for capitulum diameter and stalk width a precision of 25 pam was used, and for ascomata height a precision of 0.1 mm was used. Ascomata height, capitulum diameter, and stalk width were measured from dry ascomata under incident light. All other measurements were made from sections mounted in water. CHAENOTHECOPSIS SITCHENSIS Rikkinen, sp. nov. (FIGs. 1-2) Supra exudatum coniferarum, algae in substrato non absunt. Ascomata satis variabilia, vulgo magna, (1.2)2.05.2(16.0) mm alta. Capitulum lenticulare vel subhemisphericum, nigrum. Stipes longissimus, gracilis, rectus vel flexuosus, nigra vel viridula. Omnes partes apotheciorum K+ luteo-virides, dissolvens. Asci magna, 50.0-60.0 x 3.5-4.5 pm, cylindrici. Sporae uniseptatae, anguste ellipsoideae ad cylindricae, pallide brunneae, (7.5)8.010.2(11.5) x (3.0)3.1-3.7(4.0) pm, ornamento minuto

Pycnidial Structures and Genus Concept in the Thelotremataceae

The pycnidial characters in eight species of the Thelotremataceae were studied by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy in order to develop a better understanding of the genus within the family. Three types of conidia can be recognized in the Thelotremataceae: oblong, fusiform, and bacilliform. The species groups recognizable by conidial characters prove to have appropriate apothecial types, according to the concept of M. E. Hale, Jr. Myriotrema andamanicum is transferred to the genus Ocellularia based on apothecial and pycnidial characters and Myriotrema mastarion is a new synonym of Ocellularia andamanica. The family Thelotremataceae includes crustose lichens occurring mainly on bark of trees, and characterized by crater-like apothecia which are unknown in other lichen families. Since Acharius (1803) first described the genus Thelotrema, more than 500 species of the family have been reported. Several attempts at the recognition of and generic divisions of the Thelotremataceae have been attempted. Muiller Argoviensis (1887) recognized four in the Thelotremataceae on the basis of ascospore color and septation: Ocellularia (with colorless, transversely septate ascospores), Phaeotrema (with brown, transversely septate ascospores), Thelotrema (with colorless, muriform ascospores), and Leptotrema (with brown, muriform ascospores). These called spore genera, have been widely accepted by many lichenologists for about a century. Hale (1980) produced a revision of the family in which he recognized three which were based on apothecial features: Thelotrema (with colorless exciple and periphysoids), Myriotrema (with colorless exciple and without periphysoids), and Ocellularia (with carbonized exciple and without periphysoids). These recognized by the apothecial features, are discordant with the spore genera. Although most lichenologists currently accept Hale's others still use the earlier spore genera proposed by Mtiller and the subdivisional classification of the Thelotremataceae remains confused. Pycnidia, which are developed as globose to flask-shaped conidiomata, are the conidia-bearing structures in lichens. It has been found in the last 15 years that pycnidia merit more critical attention at all taxonomic levels. For the recognition of several pycnidial features can be of high taxonomic importance. For example, the presence of unciform or filiform conidia separate Punctelia from the Parmelia (Krog 1982), and minute ellipsoidal conidia distinguish the genus Phaeophyscia from Physcia and Physconia, both of which have longer, subcylindric conidia (Moberg 1977). In the Thelotremataceae, conidiomata have been reported only from three species. Immersed pycnidia producing oblong conidia were observed in Thelotrema concretum (= Myriotrema concretum) (Nylander 1867). The size of conidia in Thelotrema anamorphoides and T. subcaesium (synonym of Myriotrema clandestinum) was mentioned by Nylander (1869) to have value for species recognition. Redinger (1936) and Hale (1974, 1978, 1981), in their monographic studies, did not paid any special attention to pycnidia and conidia as taxonomic characters. The present investigations attempt to establish a more sound classification of the family by the incorporation of pycnidial structures as new taxonomic characters. MATERIALS AND METHODS About 1,200 specimens were examined for the present study, including specimens borrowed from CBM and TNs. Type specimens were also borrowed from H and us for the taxonomic studies. The specimens collected by T Matsumoto are deposited in the herbarium of Hiroshima University (HIRO). Scientific names of the follow Hale (1980). Air-dried materials were used to observe the general appearance of thalli. Photographs were taken by a Nikon FX-35DX with a Nikon dissecting microscope SMZ-U and a Nikon microscope OPTIPHOT-2. Vertical sections of the pycnidia were made by a razor blade under the dissecting microscope for anatomical studies. The measurements and micrographs were made on preparations mounted in lactophenol cotton-blue (LPCB). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to study the micromorphological structures. Mucilaginous matrix of the pycnidial cavity was removed by a modified method of Anglesea et al. (1982) and Honegger (1984). Thallus fragments were immersed in a 5% solution of the commercially available washing powder Ariel manufactured by P & G and incubated for 3 hr. at 25?C. Although Honegger (1983) incubated for 15 hr., with this long incubating time for the Thelotremataceae whole pycnidia were detached from the thallus. After this treatment, 0007-2745/99/86-91$0.75/0 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.248 on Thu, 28 Jul 2016 04:13:09 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 1999] MATSUMOTO & DEGUCHI: THELOTREMATACEAE 87