Search

Anthracoidea species are highly host-specific smut fungi. Their host range is restricted to a single sedge species or sedge species belonging to the same or closely related sections. The species on Carex obtusata was referred to as Anthracoidea caryophylleae. However, the hosts of A. caryophylleae were reduced to carices in Carex sect. Mitratae, in its traditional circumscription. In the most recently proposed classification of Carex, C. obtusata has been placed within the Capitata Clade of C. subgen. Euthyceras. In order to clarify the taxonomic status of the Anthracoidea species on C. obtusata, we conducted a molecular study of specimens on C. obtusata and C. caryophyllea, using LSU rDNA sequences. It was found that the Anthracoidea species on C. obtusata is distinct from A. caryophylleae. A new species, Anthracoidea obtusatae on C. obtusata, is described and illustrated from Russia, based on a specimen from the Altay Mts. Its phylogenetic placement and affinities in Anthracoidea are analyzed. Anthracoidea obtusatae is distributed in Central Asia—the Northern Tian Shan Range (Zailiysky Alatau Range and Ketmen Ridge) and the Russian and Mongolian Altay Mts. A morphological examination of a specimen of Anthracoidea on C. obtusata from Canada found that its spore morphology did not match that of A. obtusatae. Additional collections and molecular study are required to clarify the taxonomic status of the North American Anthracoidea species on C. obtusata.

The first Red List assessment of lichenized fungi reported from Bulgaria is presented. The IUCN Red List criteria were applied to 138 species to assess their current extinction risk and to highlight the main threats for them. Our results revealed that six species are Regionally Extinct (RE), 23 species are Critically Endangered (CR), 20 species are Endangered (EN), 13 species are Vulnerable (VU), 11 species are Near Threatened (NT), 58 species are Least Concern (LC), and seven species are Data Deficient (DD). The most important floristic regions for lichen conservation are the Pirin Mts (26 species), the Balkan Range (25), the Rila Mts (25), the Rhodopes (20), Mt. Vitosha (16), Mt. Strandzha (16), and the Black Sea coast (15). The main threats are development of tourism and recreation activities that destroy habitats (60 species affected), air pollution (55), climate change (53), development of tourism and recreation areas (41), harvesting trees and other woody vegetation (unintentional effects) (27), ecosystem modifications that convert or degrade habitats (18), and development of housing and urban areas (14). The information provided in this Red List will assist to further develop the national conservation strategy for Bulgaria.

A rare smut fungus, Anthracoidea kenaica on Carex micropoda, is reported for the first time from Russia and Asia, based on a specimen from Karaginsky Island (Kamchatka Territory). This species has been previously recorded only from three localities in the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea, the Kenai Peninsula (Alaska), and British Columbia. A description, illustrations, and a distribution map are provided. A list of the known Anthracoidea species in the Russian Far East is also given.

A checklist of all taxa of lichenized and lichenicolous fungi recorded from Bulgaria is presented. The lichen biota as currently known includes 1137 taxa (1115 species, 5 subspecies, and 17 varieties) of lichenized fungi, 46 species of lichenicolous fungi, and 28 non-lichenized fungi traditionally included in lichenological literature. Lepra corallina is reported for the first time from Bulgaria. An index of synonyms based on literature records from Bulgaria is appended. It includes 1761 infrageneric names.

The genus Restiosporium consists of 21 species on hosts in the Restionaceae. It was known only from Australia and New Zealand. Restiosporium is reported here for the first time outside Australasia, based on a specimen of R. spathacei on Dapsilanthus disjunctus from Thailand. A description and illustrations are provided for this smut fungus. Dapsilanthus disjunctus is a new host plant for Restiosporium spathacei.

Two poorly known smut fungi are recorded for the first time from Africa: Tilletia brachypodii-ramosi on Brachypodium retusum (from Morocco) and Ustilago constantineanui on Sporobolus schoenoides (from Algeria). Descriptions and illustrations are provided for these taxa.

This article is the 13th contribution in the Fungal Diversity Notes series, wherein 125 taxa from four phyla, ten classes, 31 orders, 69 families, 92 genera and three genera incertae sedis are treated, demonstrating worldwide and geographic distribution. Fungal taxa described and illustrated in the present study include three new genera, 69 new species, one new combination, one reference specimen and 51 new records on new hosts and new geographical distributions. Three new genera, Cylindrotorula (Torulaceae), Scolecoleotia (Leotiales genus incertae sedis) and Xenovaginatispora (Lindomycetaceae) are introduced based on distinct phylogenetic lineages and unique morphologies. Newly described species are Aspergillus lannaensis, Cercophora dulciaquae, Cladophialophora aquatica, Coprinellus punjabensis, Cortinarius alutarius, C. mammillatus, C. quercoflocculosus, Coryneum fagi, Cruentomycena uttarakhandina, Cryptocoryneum rosae, Cyathus uniperidiolus, Cylindrotorula indica, Diaporthe chamaeropicola, Didymella azollae, Diplodia alanphillipsii, Dothiora coronicola, Efibula rodriguezarmasiae, Erysiphe salicicola, Fusarium queenslandicum, Geastrum gorgonicum, G. hansagiense, Helicosporium sexualis, Helminthosporium chiangraiensis, Hongkongmyces kokensis, Hydrophilomyces hydraenae, Hygrocybe boertmannii, Hyphoderma australosetigerum, Hyphodontia yunnanensis, Khaleijomyces umikazeana, Laboulbenia divisa, Laboulbenia triarthronis, Laccaria populina, Lactarius pallidozonarius, Lepidosphaeria strobelii, Longipedicellata megafusiformis, Lophiotrema lincangensis, Marasmius benghalensis, M. jinfoshanensis, M. subtropicus, Mariannaea camelliae, Melanographium smilaxii, Microbotryum polycnemoides, Mimeomyces digitatus, Minutisphaera thailandensis, Mortierella solitaria, Mucor harpali, Nigrograna jinghongensis, Odontia huanrenensis, O. parvispina, Paraconiothyrium ajrekarii, Parafuscosporella niloticus, Phaeocytostroma yomensis, Phaeoisaria synnematicus, Phanerochaete hainanensis, Pleopunctum thailandicum, Pleurotheciella dimorphospora, Pseudochaetosphaeronema chiangraiense, Pseudodactylaria albicolonia, Rhexoacrodictys nigrospora, Russula paravioleipes, Scolecoleotia eriocamporesi, Seriascoma honghense, Synandromyces makranczyi, Thyridaria aureobrunnea, Torula lancangjiangensis, Tubeufia longihelicospora, Wicklowia fusiformispora, Xenovaginatispora phichaiensis and Xylaria apiospora. One new combination, Pseudobactrodesmium stilboideus is proposed. A reference specimen of Comoclathris permunda is designated. New host or distribution records are provided for Acrocalymma fici, Aliquandostipite khaoyaiensis, Camarosporidiella laburni, Canalisporium caribense, Chaetoscutula juniperi, Chlorophyllum demangei, C. globosum, C. hortense, Cladophialophora abundans, Dendryphion hydei, Diaporthe foeniculina, D. pseudophoenicicola, D. pyracanthae, Dictyosporium pandanicola, Dyfrolomyces distoseptatus, Ernakulamia tanakae, Eutypa flavovirens, E. lata, Favolus septatus, Fusarium atrovinosum, F. clavum, Helicosporium luteosporum, Hermatomyces nabanheensis, Hermatomyces sphaericoides, Longipedicellata aquatica, Lophiostoma caudata, L. clematidis-vitalbae, Lophiotrema hydei, L. neoarundinaria, Marasmiellus palmivorus, Megacapitula villosa, Micropsalliota globocystis, M. gracilis, Montagnula thailandica, Neohelicosporium irregulare, N. parisporum, Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum, Phaeoisaria aquatica, Poaceascoma taiwanense, Saproamanita manicata, Spegazzinia camelliae, Submersispora variabilis, Thyronectria caudata, T. mackenziei, Tubeufia chiangmaiensis, T. roseohelicospora, Vaginatispora nypae, Wicklowia submersa, Xanthagaricus necopinatus and Xylaria haemorrhoidalis. The data presented herein are based on morphological examination of fresh specimens, coupled with analysis of phylogenetic sequence data to better integrate taxa into appropriate taxonomic ranks and infer their evolutionary relationships.

Two smut fungi, Microbotryum bardanense and M. polygoni-alati, are reported for the first time from Nepal. Descriptions, illustrations, and taxonomic notes are provided for these taxa.

A new smut fungus, Entyloma eranthidis on Eranthis longistipitata from Uzbekistan, revealed by molecular, morphological, and ecological evidence, is described and illustrated. It differs from all other species of Entyloma by host specialization on Eranthis and by having longer (≤35(–38) μm) spores and thicker (≤10(–12) μm) spore walls. ITS rDNA sequence analysis indicates that the new species does not cluster with other species of Entyloma on Ranunculaceae.

The paper introduces the first records in Southeastern Europe of Hydnotrya michaelis, rare ascomycete, collected in artificial plantation with Macedonian pine (Pinus peuce) and compared with specimens found with other Pinaceae. The species was studied for the first time on living materials and description and illustrations of the Bulgarian specimens are provided. The first nLSU sequence of this rare and little-known species is also released

Two generic names, Meira and Acaromyces, and nineteen species names of basidiomycetous yeasts, earlier proposed and invalidly published, are validated.

The first taxonomic treatment of the smut fungi in Greenland is provided. A total of 43 species in 11 genera are treated and illustrated by photographs of sori, microphotographs of spores in LM and SEM, and distribution maps. Two species, Anthracoidea pseudofoetidae and Urocystis tothii, are recorded as new from North America. Thirteen species, Anthracoidea altera, A. capillaris, A. limosa, A. liroi, A. pseudofoetidae, A. scirpoideae, A. turfosa, Microbotryum lagerheimii, M. stellariae, Schizonella elynae, Stegocintractia luzulae, Urocystis fischeri, and U. tothii, are reported for the first time from Greenland. Three new fungus-host combinations, Anthracoidea capillaris on Carex boecheriana, Anthracoidea pseudofoetidae on Carex maritima, and Urocystis tothii on Juncus biglumis, are given. Five plant species are reported as new hosts of smut fungi in Greenland, namely, Carex nigra for Anthracoidea heterospora, C. canescens for Anthracoidea karii, C. fuliginosa subsp. misandra for Anthracoidea misandrae, C. maritima for Orphanomyces arcticus, and C. fuliginosa subsp. misandra for Schizonella melanogramma. Three species, Microbotryum violaceum s. str. (recorded as ‘Ustilago violacea’), Urocystis anemones, and U. junci, which were previously reported from Greenland, are considered wrongly identified. Additional distribution records are given for 12 species from Greenland: Anthracoidea bigelowii, A. caricis, A. elynae, A. lindebergiae, A. misandrae, A. nardinae, A. rupestris, A. scirpi, Schizonella melanogramma, Stegocintractia hyperborea, Urocystis agropyri, and U. sorosporioides. The most numerous distribution groups are the following: circumpolar–alpine and Arctic–alpine species – 14; circumboreal–polar species – 10; and circumpolar and Arctic species – 6. The most widely distributed smut fungi in Greenland were Anthracoidea bigelowii, A. elynae, Microbotryum bistortarum, and M. vinosum. Most species were found in the High Arctic zone (29 species), while from the Low Arctic zone and the Subarctic zone, 26 and 19 species were known, respectively. Ten species, Anthracoidea bigelowii, A. capillaris, A. elynae, Microbotryum bistortarum, M. koenigiae, M. pustulatum, M. silenes-acaulis, M. vinosum, Schizonella elynae, and Urocystis sorosporioides, were recorded from all three zones. Only plants belonging to six families, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, Juncaceae, Ranunculaceae, Caryophyllaceae, and Polygonaceae, out of a total of 55 in the flora of Greenland, hosted smut fungi. Cyperaceae was the plant family with most host species (23). Carex was the genus with the highest number of host species (22). The total number of the host plants (45 species) was 8.5 % out of a total of 532 vascular plants in the flora of Greenland. A new combination in Carex, C. macroprophylla subsp. subfilifolia, is proposed for Kobresia filifolia subsp. subfilifolia.

Kálmán Vánky (15th of June 1930–18th of October 2021) was arguably the most prolific researcher of smut fungi so far. He published more than 1000 taxonomic novelties, and crowned his outstanding oeuvre with the most comprehensive monograph of the smut fungi (Smut Fungi of the World) written to date.

The species of Anthracoidea on Carex are host-specific smut fungi restricted to sedges belonging to the same or closely related sections. They are characterized by sori that form black, hard bodies around aborted nuts of their hosts. In Carex sect. Hallerianae, only one species, C. halleriana, is known as a host of Anthracoidea. The taxonomic status of this smut fungus was problematic due to a lack of molecular data. It has been reported under different names, mainly as “A. caricis” or “A. irregularis”. A comparative morphological study and molecular phylogenetic analysis, using LSU (large subunit) nuclear rDNA sequences, supported the recognition of a distinct species, A. hallerianae. The new species is described and illustrated based on material from Central Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, the Balkan Peninsula, the Mediterranean area and Transcaucasia. Citation: Denchev T. T., Denchev C. M., Koopman J., Begerow D. & Kemler M. 2021: Host specialization and molecular evidence support a distinct species of smut fungus, Anthracoidea hallerianae (Anthracoideaceae), on Carex halleriana (Cyperaceae). – Willdenowia 51: 57–67. Version of record first published online on 9 March 2021 ahead of inclusion in April 2021 issue.

After examination of specimens, mainly from the herbarium (MA) and the mycological collection (MA-Fungi) of the Royal Botanic Garden of Madrid, we report several novelties on smut fungi within Europe. Two species of smut fungi, Sporisorium egyptiacum and Tilletia viennotii, are reported for the first time from Europe. A finding of Sphacelotheca polygoni-serrulati represents a second record for Europe. Six species of smut fungi, Moreaua kochiana, Schizonella elynae, Sporisorium egyptiacum, Thecaphora thlaspeos, Tilletia viennotii, and Ustanciosporium majus, are recorded for the first time from the Iberian Peninsula. Five species of smut fungi, Moreaua kochiana, Schizonella elynae, Sporisorium egyptiacum, Thecaphora thlaspeos, and Ustanciosporium majus, are newly recorded from Spain. Three species, Moreaua kochiana, Sphacelotheca polygoni-serrulati, and Tilletia viennotii, are new for Portugal. A specimen of Moreaua kochiana represents a new record for France. Arabis serpillifolia is reported as a new host of The-caphora thlaspeos. New distribution records from the Iberian Peninsula are given for Anthracoidea arenariae, Microbotryum minuartiae, M. silenes-saxifragae, and Tranzscheliella sparti. We also include a phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences of Moreaua kochiana, generated in this study, to understand this species’ relationships within its genus., Tras examinar especímenes principalmente del herbario (MA) y de la colección de hongos (MA-Fungi) del Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid reportamos varias novedades de carboneros dentro de Europa.Dos especies de carbones, Sporisorium egyptiacum y Tilletia viennotii, se citan por primera vez para Europa. Reportamos también la segunda cita de Sphacelotheca polygoni-serrulati para Europa. Seis especies, Moreaua kochiana, Schizonella elynae, Sporisorium egyptiacum, Thecaphora thlaspeos, Tilletia viennotii, y Ustanciosporium majus, se citan por primera vez para la Península Ibérica; cinco especies, Moreaua kochiana, Schizonella elynae, Sporisorium egyptiacum, Thecaphora thlaspeos, y Ustanciosporium majus, son nuevas citas para España; tres especies, Moreaua kochiana, Sphacelotheca polygoni-serrulati, y Tilletia viennotii, son nuevas citas para Portugal. Una colección de Moreaua kochiana representa una nueva cita para Francia. Arabis serpillifolia se menciona por primera vez como un hospedante para Thecaphora thlaspeos. Se registran nuevas localidades en la Península Ibérica para Anthracoidea arenariae, Microbotryum minuartiae, M. silenes-saxifragae y Tranzscheliella sparti. Incluimos también un análisis filogenético de secuencias de ADN de dos especímenes de Moreaua kochiana, generadas en este estudio, para entender las relaciones filogenéticas de esta especie dentro su género.

Temperature preferences and small-scale distribution patterns of fourDermatocarpontaxa in the catchment areas of two Bulgarian rivers were analyzed. Taxa with an overall alpine or arctic-alpine distribution were restricted to microhabitats with the lowest water and rock surface temperatures. A trend for increasingDermatocarpon rivulorumthallus diameter and colony size (aggregates of thalli) with decreasing temperature was identified. Data on pH and conductivity of the water for the study sites are provided for all taxa.Dermatocarpon arnoldianumis reported for the first time from Bulgaria, confirmed by ITS sequence data, and its known range extends to South-East Europe. All previous records ofD. rivulorumfrom Bulgaria were based on misidentified specimens ofD. arnoldianum. Freshwater taxa ofDermatocarponare proposed as a tool for monitoring the biological effects of temperature changes due to global climate change. Thallus and colony size are recommended as additional features for monitoring populations of threatenedDermatocarponspecies.

Haradaea moenchiae-manticae is reported for the fi rst time from the Iberian Peninsula (from Spain), on Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta, and from Africa (from Morocco and Algeria), on a new host plant, M. erecta subsp. octandra., This research received support (Grant no. ES-TAF-6618) from the SYNTHESYS Project http://www.synthesys.info/ which is fi nanced by European Community Research Infrastructure Action under the FP7 “Capacities” Program at the Real Jardín Botánico (CSIC).

After examination of specimens in the herbarium of the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin, eight species of smut fungi are reported for the first time from Greece: Microbotryum dianthorum on Dianthus viscidus, Sporisorium pulverulentum on Saccharum strictum, Tilletia fusca on Vulpia ciliata, T. lolii on Lolium temulentum, Urocystis dactylidina on Dactylis glomerata subsp. hackelii, U. johansonii on Juncus bufonius, U. ornithogali on Ornithogalum sp. and U. ulei on Festuca jeanpertii. Four species of smut fungi are recorded on new host plants making new fungus-host combinations: Microbotryum dianthorum on Dianthus viscidus, Tranzscheliella williamsii on Stipa isoldeae, Urocystis dactylidina on Dactylis glomerata subsp. hackelii and U. ulei on Festuca jeanpertii. Two plant species are reported as new hosts of smut fungi already known from Greece: Stipa isoldeae for Tranzscheliella williamsii, and Lygeum spartum for T. hypodytes. All ten species of smut fungi are illustrated. A description ...

Anthracoidea melanostachyae, previously known from Iran and Tajikistan on Carex melanostachya, is reported from Armenia and Azerbaijan on the same host plant, and from a new Tajik locality, on a new host plant, C. songorica.

Sporisorium nyassae is reported for the fi rst time from Togo and Benin. Hyparrhenia nyassae and H. diplandra var. mutica are recorded as new host plants of Sporisorium nyassae. Based on the current revision, Sporisorium barcinonense is removed from the list of smut fungi in Togo. Cintractia limitata is reported for the fi rst time from Benin. All species of smut fungi known from Togo and Benin and their host plants are listed.