Search

Species of Annulohypoxylon are saprotrophic fungi growing predominantly on dead shoots of dicots. They are also known to produce a diverse range of secondary metabolites, including some bioactive compounds. During a survey conducted in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate forests of Arunachal Pradesh (Northeast India) that lies within the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, seven species of Annulohypoxylon (Hypoxylaceae) were collected and identified. Of these, five are new records to India (A. leptascum, A. microbovei, A. nitens, A. subeffusum, A. viridistratum) while A. subeffusum is a new report from Southeast Asia. The two remaining species (A. stygium, A. truncatum) were previously reported from India. All seven species are described, illustrated and discussed based on morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the genus Hypoxylon (Ascomycota) are pleomorphic fungi mostly forming conspicuous teleomorphs, consisting of perithecia embedded into stromal tissue, and their morphology has traditionally served for species delineation. However, analysis in tandem with other phenotypic characters, such as chemical and genetic traits, proved to be a more stable predictor of interspecies and intergeneric relationships. During 2014 and 2015, a set of species identified as Hypoxylon were described from the Neotropics, exclusively relying on morphological traits. The secondary metabolite profiles of their stromata were analysed by HPLC/DAD-ESI-MS, corroborating their classification within Xylariales. Additionally, molecular data for ex-type strains of H. dussii and H. sofaiense were incorporated into an inferred molecular phylogeny of the Hypoxylaceae and allies. Furthermore, a freshly collected specimen from North Carolina was selected as epitype of Sphaeria perforata Schweinitz (syn. Hypoxylon perforatum), as its morphological/chemotaxonomic characters matched those of the holotype. Our findings demonstrate that the secondary metabolism of Hypoxylon closely correlates with both morphological features and molecular data, serving as a complement for species identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Polystigma-like found on an herbaceous to shrubby species of Fabaceae (Andira humilis) in the Brazilian Cerrado was morphologically close to Polystigma pusillum, a leaf parasite on Andira inermis collected in Central America and Brazil. Phylogenetic analyses using a combination of the rDNA 28S, 18S, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions placed both fungi in the Phyllachorales, and not in Polystigamataceae/Xylariales, where Polystigma species belong, and characteristically found on members of the Rosaceae, causing red leaf blotch containing bright-colored fungal stromata spread on the lesions. This disease prevails in orchards in the Northern Hemisphere, infecting Amygdalus, Cerasus, Padus, and Prunus species, but never in the Tropics. Polystigma species infecting other botanical families have been reallocated in different families, orders, and even classes in Ascomycota. In our phylogenetic analyses, the two species on Andira were allocated in Phyllachorales but separated in a well-supported cluster from Phyllachoraceae and Phaeochoraceae. In relation to Telimenaceae, the statistical support is not strong; however, considering that its type genus, Telimena, was never sequenced, we choose to accept Neopolystigma (type N. saraivae) as the type genus of a new family, Neopolystigmataceae. The sister species of N. saraivae, Polystigma pusillum found on A. inermis, was recombined into N. pusillum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigrospora is a monophyletic genus belonging to Apiosporaceae. Species in this genus are phytopathogenic, endophytic, and saprobic on different hosts. In this study, leaf specimens with disease symptoms were collected from host plants from the Shandong Peninsula, China. The fungal taxa associated with these leaf spots were studied using morphology and phylogeny based on ITS, TEF1, and TUB2 gene regions. In this article, we report on the genus Nigrospora with N. gorlenkoana, N. oryzae, N. osmanthi, N. rubi, and N. sphaerica identified with 13 novel host associations including crops with economic importance such as bamboo and Chinese rose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species and a new combination of Hypoxylon from Texas were identified and described based on morphological, multigene phylogenetic (ITS [nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2], 28S [5′ 1200 bp of nuc 28S rDNA], RPB2 [partial second largest subunit of the DNA-directed RNA polymerase II], TUB2 [partial β-tubulin]), and chemotaxonomic data. Hypoxylon olivaceopigmentum is characterized by its pulvinate to glomerate stromata, olivaceous KOH-extractable pigments, equilateral ascospores, and indehiscent perispore. Hypoxylon texense can be distinguished from morphologically similar species by its rust to dark brick KOH-extractable pigments and the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile of its stromatal secondary metabolites. Hypoxylon hinnuleum is proposed as the sexual morph of Nodulisporium hinnuleum, featuring dark vinaceous glomerate stromata with dark brick KOH-extractable pigments composed of cohaerin-type azaphilones and smooth equilateral ascospores with indehiscent perispore. Based on these diagnostic characters, H. hinnuleum forms a complex with H. croceum and H. minicroceum. More than 50 ITS sequences with high identity originating from North American and East Asian environmental isolates formed a well-supported clade with the type of N. hinnuleum, demonstrating the widespread distribution of the species complex. In addition, updated descriptions and comprehensive illustrations with detailed information on the diagnostic features of H. fendleri and H. perforatum are provided. The multilocus phylogenetic reconstruction of Hypoxylon supported the status of the new species and broadened the knowledge about intergeneric relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a Korean mushroom diversity survey from 2011 to 2014, we found one new Xylaria species (X. ripicola sp. nov.) and one Xylaria species that had not been previously observed in Korea (X. tentaculata). To confirm the phylogenetic placement of the new species, we conducted a phylogenetic investigation based on internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA sequences. Additionally, the new species, X. ripicola, was subsequently analyzed for RNA polymerase II subunit sequences. We also evaluated the macroscopic and microscopic features of this species. Herein, X. ripicola is described as a new species that was collected from a natural beach habitat and X. tentaculata is formally reported as newly found in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of a One Fungus-One Name (1F1N) concept has led to intensive discussions among taxonomists. Based on the Xylariaceae, a hyperdiverse family of Ascomycota with over 1300 species, the advantages and pitfalls of these nomenclatural changes and their consequences for taxonomy and applied mycology are discussed. Historically, in the Xylariaceae, an 1F1N concept had already been realised: the types of all important genera are conserved. Most teleomorphs were discovered long before the anamorphic states and the latter did not receive separate names, hence no drastic taxonomic changes are expected. The new nomenclature calls for abandonment of some ill-defined anamorph genera, such as Muscodor. Other anamorph genera will be retained because their names refer to morphological symplesiomorphies that occur in several teleomorph genera. Various important taxa are only known from ancient specimens, and no DNA-based data are available. Much work still remains to be done to recollect these fungi, select epitypes, and settle their phylogenetic relationships. Until then, we recommend that taxonomic changes be applied at the suprageneric ranks whenever possible to maintain nomenclatural stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six penzigioid Xylaria species that are characterized by small, discoid to pulvinate, soft stromata are included in this study. Xylaria albocinctoides, X. bicampaniformis and X. lechatii are described as new; Nummularia albocincta, Hypoxylon carabayense and H. discolor are moved to the genus Xylaria to form new combinations X. albocincta, X. carabayensis and X. discolor respectively. An identification key is provided for the major aggregates of Xylaria that harbor penzigioid species as well as the species of the X. frustulosa aggregate, to which the six studied penzigioid Xylaria species belong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a study of endophytic and saprotrophic fungi in the sapwood and phloem of broadleaf trees (Salix alba, Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis, Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula) fungi belonging to an anamorphic coelomycetous genus not attributable to a described taxon were detected and isolated in pure culture. The new genus, Liberomyces, with two species, L. saliciphilus and L. macrosporus, is described. Both species have subglobose conidiomata containing holoblastic sympodial conidiogenous cells. The conidiomata dehisce irregularly or by ostiole and secrete a slimy suspension of conidia. The conidia are hyaline, narrowly allantoid with a typically curved distal end. In L. macrosporus simultaneous production of synanamorph with thin filamentous conidia was observed occasionally. The genus has no known teleomorph. Related sequences in the public data-bases belong to endophytes of angiosperms. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a position close to the Xylariales (Sordariomycetes), but family and order affiliation remained unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new Annulohypoxylon species are described from northeastern Brazil: A. austrobahiense, A. macrodiscum, A. hemicarpum and A. purpureopigmentum. A key is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylaria hypoxylon, the type species of Xylaria (Xylariaceae, Sordariomycetes), was first described by Linnaeus as Clavaria hypoxylon from Sweden. Saccardo and other mycologists assumed a cosmopolitan distribution for this species. However, contradictory reports in the literature on its morpho-anatomical characters and strongly inconsistent rDNA sequence data attributed to this species in GenBank suggested the existence of an unresolved species complex. To address this lack of clarity, molecular and morphological characters of numerous specimens and corresponding cultures of X. hypoxylon and related taxa from Europe were studied. Newly obtained 5.8S/ITS nrDNA sequence data were compared with published data and sequences of reference strains. European populations of X. hypoxylon from various hosts exhibited consistent rDNA sequence data and a relatively uniform holomorphic morphology, except for one specimen from Sweden that deviated in its ascospore morphology. Some samples from western United States showed DNA sequence data being identical to those of specimens from Europe, confirming a North American occurrence of X. hypoxylon. DNA sequences and morphology of other extra-European material however showed substantial deviations. Definitely not conspecific with the European material examined in this study is a strain, assigned to X. hypoxylon, the DNA sequence data of which have been used in various phylogenetic studies as a representative of Xylariaceae and Xylariales respectively. This material probably represents X. longiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theissenia rogersii deviates from known Theissenia species primarily in having large ascospores with a thick wall layer and a unique configuration of two stromatal tissue types, one carbonaceous and the other fibrous. The carbonaceous tissue forms palisades on and beneath the perithecial layer as well as encasing individual perithecia, whereas the fibrous tissue fills the spaces between columns of the palisades as well as between encased perithecia. Phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequences of β-tubulin and α-actin genes placed Theissenia in the subfamily Hypoxyloideae among the genera that are characterized by having bipartite stromata (i.e. with the stromata differentiated into an outer dehiscing layer and an inner perithecium-bearing layer). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Types and authentic specimens of Hypoxylon piceum, Pulveria porrecta, and Pyrenomyxa invocans were studied for morphological traits and extrolite (= secondary metabolite) profiles generated by analytical HPLC with UV-visual and mass spectrometric detection. The orange stromatal pigments of P. invocans are rubiginosin A and mitorubrinol. It lacks three different types of extrolites (BNT, macrocarpone and hypomiltin) that are known from Hypoxylon taxa and occur in H. piceum and P. porrecta. In agreement with morphological traits, the latter two names are regarded as synonymous and transferred to Pyrenomyxa. Another species from Eastern Russia, Pyrenomyxa morganii sp. nov., is recognized. It contains yet unidentified azaphilones besides BNT and orsellinic acid, and its culture produces 5-methylmellein and a virgariella-like anamorph. These findings suggest a close relationship of Pyrenomyxa to Hypoxylon and emphasize the utility of chemotaxonomic traits for fungal taxonomy in general. Pyrenomyxa is accepted ad interim until the phylogenetic relationships among Hypoxylon have been further evaluated by means of chemotaxonomic, morphological and molecular methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Rosellinia species, R. capetribulensis isolated from Calamus sp. in Australia is described. R. capetribulensis is characterized by perithecia immersed within a carbonaceous stroma surrounded by subiculum-like hyphae, asci with large, barrel-shaped amyloid apical apparatus and large dark brown spores. Morphologically, R. capetribulensis appears to be similar to R. bunodes, R. markhamiae and R. megalospora. To gain further insights into the phylogeny of this new taxon we analyzed the ITS-5.8S rDNA using maximum parsimony and likelihood methods. In addition, a morphological dataset also was analyzed phylogenetically to investigate possible affinities. ITS rDNA based phylogenies reveal that R. capetribulensis is closely related to other Rosellinia species showing closest affinity to R. arcuata, R. necatrix and R. pepo. However, analysis of R. capetribulensis forms an unsupported branch sister to these taxa. Results from the morphological matrix indicate a close morphological affinity to members of Rosellinia subgenus Rosellinia. Despite that ITS rDNA and morphological analyses present difficulties in constructing a proper phylogenetic framework among Rosellinia and allied genera, there is sufficient evidence to support the establishment of the new taxon in the genus Rosellinia. The morphological similarities and differences between R. capetribulensis and allied genera such as Astrocystis and Entoleuca are also briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new genus Amphirosellinia is erected to include five xylariaceous fungi with erumpent or immersed perithecioid stromata. Amphirosellinia fushanensis, A. nicrospora and A. tennesseensis are newly described, whereas A. evansii and A. quercina are new combinations. Synnematous, geniculosporium-like anamorphs are known for A. fushanensis, A. nigrospora, A. tennesseensis and A. evansii; the anamorph of the latter species was produced on natural substratum, whereas those of the former three species were produced in culture. Dichotomous keys are presented for the Amphirosellinia species and for some genera that might be confused with Amphirosellinia. Entoleuca ellisii also is described as new. It readily can be separated from the known species in the genus by its smaller ascospore size range and short ascospore germ slit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poroleprieuria gen. nov. is described and illustrated to accommodate P. rogersii in the Xylariaceae, Xylariales. This ascomycete, known only from the type collection, is characterized by reniform, light brown, smooth ascospores with a germ pore; cylindrical, persistent asci lacking an apical apparatus, septate persistent paraphyses, and erumpent, erect, dark brown, fragile, subcylindrical stromata. The characteristics of this xylariaceous fungus were compared with those of some other ascomycetes having superficially similar cylindrical stromata or ascospores with germ pores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paramphisphaeria is described as a new genus on the basis of the single species, P. costaricensis. It differs from Amphisphaeria spp. primarily in having bicellular ascospores with a germ slit and in having an ascus apical ring that does not become blue in iodine. It resembles Amphisphaeria in its brown color and lack of constriction at the septum of the ascospore. An anamorph is unknown. It tentatively is placed in the Xylariaceae for reasons discussed. Pachytrype rimosa is described as a new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pyrenomycete featuring uniperitheciate stromata embedded in a subiculum and asci with iodine-positive apical ascal rings that bear scolecosporous ascospores is described as new. The fungus, Ophiorosellinia costaricensis, is known only from the type location in Costa Rica. It has been cultured, but no anamorph was discovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]