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The Pleuroascaceae (Leotiomycetes) is introduced for Phialophora hyalina (section Catenulatae) and its closest relatives based on analyses of DNA sequences of five gene regions and the comparison of cultural and micromorphological characters. The family is resolved as a strongly supported clade that encompasses Pleuroascus and the new anamorph genera Entimomentora and Venustampulla. The latter includes V. parva, a species placed formerly in Scopulariopsis, and V. echinocandica, which is established for the echinocandin-producing isolate BP-5553. Entimomentora includes E. hyalina, a species based on the ex-type strain of Ph. hyalina. Additional isolates identified as Ph. hyalina are distantly related to the Pleuroacaceae and include Psychrophila antarctica (Arachnopezizaceae) and Cryonesomyces dreyfussii, the sole member of the new genus Cryonesomyces (incertae sedis). Isolates identified or deposited as Ph. alba are also not closely related; they include a species for which we propose the name Neobulgaria koningiana (Gelatinodiscaceae) and a second psychrophilic species that we describe as Psychrophila lagodekhiensis. Of the 13 isolates assessed for in vitro antifungal activity, only V. echinocandica inhibited the growth of Candida albicans.

A new genus Rhopalophora is described for Phialophora clavispora, a lignicolous species formerly placed in Phialophora section Catenulatae that possesses pigmented conidiophores, phialides with a single conidiogenous locus that occasionally appear as schizophialides, and clavate, aseptate conidia arranged in chains or sometimes in heads. Sexual morphs are not known for this taxon. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from five loci (nucSSU, ITS, nucLSU, mitSSU, rpb1 and rpb2) of this and related fungi supports the introduction of a new family, Sclerococcaceae, for which we establish the order Sclerococcales. This order belongs to the new subclass Sclerococcomycetidae, a strongly supported clade within the Eurotiomycetes that is basal to a lineage containing the Chaetothyriomycetidae, Coryneliomycetidae and Eurotiomycetidae. Rhopalophora clavispora fits in this new family and is closely related to an isolate of Fusichalara minuta. The Sclerococcales also encompass marine, lignicolous species of Dactylospora, two species of the lichenicolous genus Sclerococcum, and a lineage comprised of strains from the digestive tracts of Neotropical wood-inhabiting beetles. We confirm that Dactylospora is polyphyletic; the phylogenetic placement of D. parasitica, the generic type, remains unknown.

Culture-based methods were employed to recover 3929 isolates of fungi from soils collected in May and July 2014 from mound nests of Formica ulkei and adjacent non-nest sites. The abundance, diversity, and richness of species from nest mounds exceeded those of non-mound soils, particularly in July. Communities of fungi from mounds were more similar to those from mounds than non-mounds; this was also the case for non-mound soils with the exception of one non-mound site in July. Species of Aspergillus, Paecilomyces, and Penicillium were dominant in nest soils and represented up to 81.8% of the taxa recovered. Members of the genus Aspergillus accounted for the majority of Trichocomaceae from nests and were represented almost exclusively by Aspergillus navahoensis and Aspergillus pseudodeflectus. Dominant fungi from non-mound sites included Cladosporium cladosporioides, Geomyces pannorum, and species of Acremonium, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Phoma. Although mound nests were warmer than adjacent soils, the dominance of xerotolerant Aspergillus in soils from mounds and the isolation of the majority of Trichocomaceae at 25 and 35 °C suggests that both temperature and water availability may be determinants of fungal community structure in nests of F. ulkei.

Xerombrophila, a new member of the Helotiales, is erected for a previously undescribed species that macroscopically resembles genera such as Phaeohelotium or Pezicula. The new species, for which we propose the name X. crystallifera, is characterized by a strong gelatinization of the medullary excipulum as well as the covering layer of the ectal excipulum, by the presence of abundant octahedral crystals, asci with an euamyloid apical ring that resembles the Calycina-type, and paraphyses containing refractive vacuoles. It can also be distinguished from members of both Ombrophila and Phaeohelotium in that it is desiccation-tolerant by surviving several weeks in the dry state. The species appears to be confined to xeric bark of Salix and was exclusively found over waterlogged soil, irrespective of being acidic or calcareous. It is known from various planar and colline areas of temperate Europe, and can be found throughout the year. Phylogenetic analysis of partial LSU sequences positions X. crystallifera as a sister taxon of a clade within the Helotiaceae s.l. that includes Ascocoryne, Chloroscypha, Gelatinodiscus, Neobulgaria and "Sarcoleotia" turficola.

Se evaluaron seis regiones de ADN como posibles códigos de barras de ADN para Hongos, el segundo reino más grande de vida eucariota, por un consorcio multinacional y de laboratorios múltiples. La región de la mitocondria se utilizó la subunidad 1 de la citocromo c oxidasa como código de barras animal excluido como un marcador potencial, porque es difícil de amplificar en hongos, a menudo incluye intrones grandes y puede ser insuficientemente variable. Tres subunidades del cistrón de ARN ribosómico nuclear fueron en comparación con las regiones de tres genes de codificación proteica representativos (la subunidad más grande de la ARN polimerasa II, la segunda más grande subunidad de la ARN polimerasa II y mantenimiento de minicromosomas proteína). Aunque las regiones de genes que codifican proteínas a menudo tenían un porcentaje más alto de identificación correcta en comparación con ribosomal marcadores, baja amplificación por PCR y éxito de secuenciación eliminados ellos como candidatos para un código de barras universal para hongos. Entre la regiones del cistrón ribosómico, el espaciador transcrito interno (ITS) tiene la mayor probabilidad de identificación exitosa para la gama más amplia de hongos, con la brecha de código de barras más claramente definida entre la variación inter e intraespecífica. El nuclear subunidad ribosómica grande, un marcador filogenético popular en ciertos grupos, tuvieron una resolución de especies superior en algunos grupos taxonómicos, como los primeros linajes divergentes y las levaduras ascomicetas, pero por lo demás era ligeramente inferior al ITS. El ribosomal nuclear La subunidad pequeña tiene una resolución pobre a nivel de especie en los hongos. SU será propuesto formalmente para su adopción como el código de barras fúngico principal marcador al Consorcio para el Código de Barras de la Vida, con la posibilidad de que se desarrollen códigos de barras suplementarios para grupos taxonómicos estrechamente circunscritos., Six DNA regions were evaluated as potential DNA barcodes for Fungi, the second largest kingdom of eukaryotic life, by a multinational, multilaboratory consortium. The region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 used as the animal barcode was excluded as a potential marker, because it is difficult to amplify in fungi, often includes large introns, and can be insufficiently variable. Three subunits from the nuclear ribosomal RNA cistron were compared together with regions of three representative proteincoding genes (largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, and minichromosome maintenance protein). Although the protein-coding gene regions often had a higher percent of correct identification compared with ribosomal markers, low PCR amplification and sequencing success eliminated them as candidates for a universal fungal barcode. Among the regions of the ribosomal cistron, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region has the highest probability of successful identification for the broadest range of fungi, with the most clearly defined barcode gap between inter- and intraspecific variation. The nuclear ribosomal large subunit, a popular phylogenetic marker in certain groups, had superior species resolution in some taxonomic groups, such as the early diverging lineages and the ascomycete yeasts, but was otherwise slightly inferior to the ITS. The nuclear ribosomal small subunit has poor species-level resolution in fungi. ITS will be formally proposed for adoption as the primary fungal barcode marker to the Consortium for the Barcode of Life, with the possibility that supplementary barcodes may be developed for particular narrowly circumscribed taxonomic groups.

During a study of the microfungi on decaying leaves collected in México we encountered a fungus sharing features of the anamorph genera Heliocephala and Holubovaniella. This hyphomycete resembled Hol. elegans in possessing obclavate to fusiform, three-septate, rostrate phragmoconidia, but it can be distinguished by its much shorter, branched, determinate conidiophores. Unlike members of genus Heliocephala, which also possess determinant conidiophores, the phragmoconidia of this taxon are short-rostrate and have not been observed to germinate iteratively. Prompted by the discovery of this hyphomycete, we investigated the phylogenetic relationships among species of Heliocephala and Holubovaniella. Analysis of large subunit rDNA gene sequences positioned species of Heliocephala and Holubovaniella in the Dothideomycetes and identified Stomiopeltis betulae (Micropeltididaceae) as their closest relative. These results also indicated that Heliocephala and Holubovaniella are closely related taxa. Based on these findings and the similarity of the developmental and morphological characters of species of Heliocephala and Holubovaniella, we recognize these genera as synonymous and describe a new species, Heliocephala triseptata. A dichotomous key to the species of Heliocephala is provided.

The genus Capronia includes a number of lichenicolous (lichen-inhabiting) species, none of which have previously been characterized in vitro or considered in molecular phylogenetic studies. We cultured Capronia peltigerae from Peltigera rufescens and report here the growth of this species on a variety of media and its phylogenetic position based on the analyses of nuclear ribosomal RNA, mitochondrial ribosomal RNA, and RNA polymerase II (RPB1) gene sequences. This species differs from the majority of Capronia studied in axenic culture in lacking a conidial anamorph. Phylogenetic analyses position C. peltigerae outside the Herpotrichiellaceae within a robustly supported basal lineage of the Chaetothyriales composed primarily of melanized, rock-inhabiting anamorphic fungi. Our results demonstrate that Capronia, as circumscribed currently, is polyphyletic, but they do not resolve the relationship of C. peltigerae with members of the Chaetothyriaceae.

Colipila, a new member of the Helotiales, is erected for two previously undescribed lignicolous species resembling Dasyscyphella and Lachnum by macroscopy. Species of Colipila are characterized by their long, entirely smooth, hyaline, thin-walled, multiseptate, subulate to basally fusoid hairs that tend to be curved on the stipe and lower flanks, and dimorphic, partly strongly protruding paraphyses which closely resemble the hairs. The type species, C. masduguana, is recorded repeatedly in southern France on rotten decorticated branches and trunks of Castanea sativa on the moist forest floor in sub-Mediterranean regions with siliceous soils, but also once on Quercus robur in a temperate forest with calcareous soil. The second species, C. pilatensis, was found on wood of an unidentified member of Rosaceae in a calcareous region of the Northern Alps and is known only from the holotype. The phylogenetic position of C. masduguana within the Helotiales was not resolved based on the analysis of nuclear LSU ribosomal DNA sequences. A key to the species of Colipila is provided.

We present a 6-gene, 420-species maximum-likelihood phylogeny of Ascomycota, the largest phylum of Fungi. This analysis is the most taxonomically complete to date with species sampled from all 15 currently circumscribed classes. A number of superclass-level nodes that have previously evaded resolution and were unnamed in classifications of the Fungi are resolved for the first time. Based on the 6-gene phylogeny we conducted a phylogenetic informativeness analysis of all 6 genes and a series of ancestral character state reconstructions that focused on morphology of sporocarps, ascus dehiscence, and evolution of nutritional modes and ecologies. A gene-by-gene assessment of phylogenetic informativeness yielded higher levels of informativeness for protein genes (RPB1, RPB2, and TEF1) as compared with the ribosomal genes, which have been the standard bearer in fungal systematics. Our reconstruction of sporocarp characters is consistent with 2 origins for multicellular sexual reproductive structures in Ascomycota, once in the common ancestor of Pezizomycotina and once in the common ancestor of Neolectomycetes. This first report of dual origins of ascomycete sporocarps highlights the complicated nature of assessing homology of morphological traits across Fungi. Furthermore, ancestral reconstruction supports an open sporocarp with an exposed hymenium (apothecium) as the primitive morphology for Pezizomycotina with multiple derivations of the partially (perithecia) or completely enclosed (cleistothecia) sporocarps. Ascus dehiscence is most informative at the class level within Pezizomycotina with most superclass nodes reconstructed equivocally. Character-state reconstructions support a terrestrial, saprobic ecology as ancestral. In contrast to previous studies, these analyses support multiple origins of lichenization events with the loss of lichenization as less frequent and limited to terminal, closely related species.

Phialophora Medlar, as defined currently, is a genus encompassing melanized, anamorphic Ascomycota that produce one-celled conidia from phialides with distinct, darkened collarettes. The type species, Phialophora verrucosa Medlar, is closely related to Phialophora americana (Nannf.) S. Hughes, the anamorph of Capronia semiimmersa (Candoussau & Sulmont) Untereiner & Naveau (Herpotrichiellaceae, Chaetothyriales). To confirm that P. americana and P. verrucosa are distinct taxa, and to examine their phylogenetic relationships to species of Capronia and other representatives of the Chaetothyriales, we sequenced portions of the β-tubulin gene and nuclear ribosomal RNA cistron (ITS and LSU rDNA). We also compared isolates of P. americana grown on a number of media. Isolates of C. semiimmersa, Capronia svrcekiana Réblová, and P. americana produced phialides bearing deep, vase-shaped collarettes and formed a strongly supported clade that did not include P. verrucosa in a phylogeny inferred from the combined β-tubulin–ITS–LSU dataset. Capronia svrcekiana was found to be conspecific with C. semiimmersa based on the comparison of cultural, micromorphological, and molecular characters. In the LSU phylogeny, three recently described species of Phialophora ( Phialophora europaea de Hoog et al., Phialophora reptans de Hoog, and Phialophora sessilis de Hoog) were grouped outside of the clade containing sampled members of the Herpotrichiellaceae. While the position of these species in the Chaetothyriales remained unresolved, it was evident that P. europaea, P. reptans, and P. sessilis are not members of the P. verrucosa complex.

We investigated the diversity of the Penicillium brevicompactum Dierckx group in dust from 54 houses in Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada. Two taxa were predominant, P. brevicompactum and Pencillium bialowiezense Zaleski, accounting for 88.6% and 5.4% of the sample set, respectively. We further characterized multilocus haplotypes of isolates by characterizing three polymorphic genetic loci, β-tubulin (benA), histone 4 (his4A), and the internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA (nucITS) amplified by PCR amplification and screened using heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA). Eight unique haplotypes were observed in P. brevicompactum s. str., and two in P. bialowiezense, both with a distribution characteristic of a predominantly clonal reproduction mode. Phylogenetic analysis of the β-tubulin and nucITS loci were carried out for members of the P. brevicompactum group, including ex-type material, that revealed three well-supported lineages corresponding to P. brevicompactum, P. bialowiezense (=Penicillium biourgeianum Zaleski), and Penicillium neocrassum R. Serra & S.W. Peterson. The mycophilic nature of many isolates of P. bialowiezense, and some isolates of P. brevicompactum, suggests that observation of members of the P. brevicompactum group in indoor environments may predict extensive and longterm fungal colonization. We also address some nomenclatural problems in the group and epitypify P. bialowiezense.

Rock surfaces are unique terrestrial habitats in which rapid changes in the intensity of radiation, temperature, water supply and nutrient availability challenge the survival of microbes. A specialised, but diverse group of free-living, melanised fungi are amongst the persistent settlers of bare rocks. Multigene phylogenetic analyses were used to study relationships of ascomycetes from a variety of substrates, with a dataset including a broad sampling of rock dwellers from different geographical locations. Rock-inhabiting fungi appear particularly diverse in the early diverging lineages of the orders Chaetothyriales and Verrucariales. Although these orders share a most recent common ancestor, their lifestyles are strikingly different. Verrucariales are mostly lichen-forming fungi, while Chaetothyriales, by contrast, are best known as opportunistic pathogens of vertebrates (e.g. Cladophialophora bantiana and Exophiala dermatitidis, both agents of fatal brain infections) and saprophytes. The rock-dwelling habit is shown here to be key to the evolution of these two ecologically disparate orders. The most recent common ancestor of Verrucariales and Chaetothyriales is reconstructed as a non-lichenised rock-inhabitant. Ancestral state reconstructions suggest Verrucariales as one of the independent ascomycetes group where lichenisation has evolved on a hostile rock surface that might have favored this shift to a symbiotic lifestyle. Rock-inhabiting fungi are also ancestral to opportunistic pathogens, as they are found in the early diverging lineages of Chaetothyriales. In Chaetothyriales and Verrucariales, specific morphological and physiological traits (here referred to as extremotolerance) evolved in response to stresses in extreme conditions prevailing on rock surfaces. These factors facilitated colonisation of various substrates including the brains of vertebrates by opportunistic fungal pathogens, as well as helped establishment of a stable lichen symbiosis.

Baudoinia gen. nov. is described to accommodate Torula compniacensis. Reported originally from the walls of buildings near brandy maturation warehouses in Cognac, France, species of Baudoinia are cosmopolitan colonists of exposed surfaces subjected to large diurnal temperature shifts, episodic high relative humidity and wetting, and ambient airborne ethanol. Morphologically B. compniacensis resembles some anamorphic Mycosphaerellaceae in possessing dark brown, nonseptate or uniseptate conidia with coarsely roughened walls that are borne acropetally in unbranched chains and released by schizolytic dehiscence. Analysis of partial nuclear rDNA SSU sequences positions B. compniacensis in the order Capnodiales and reveals that it is most closely related to the microcolonial genus Friedmanniomyces. Heat resistance is induced by brief sublethal temperature exposure.

The class Eurotiomycetes (Ascomycota, Pezizomycotina) is a monophyletic group comprising two major clades of very different ascomycetous fungi: (i) the subclass Eurotiomycetidae, a clade that contains most of the fungi previously recognized as Plectomycetes because of their mostly enclosed ascomata and prototunicate asci; and (ii) the subclass Chaetothyriomycetidae, a group of fungi that produce ascomata with an opening reminiscent of those produced by Dothideomycetes or Sordariomycetes. In this paper we use phylogenetic analyses based on data available from the Assembling the Fungal Tree of Life project (AFTOL), in addition to sequences in GenBank, to outline this important group of fungi. The Eurotiomycetidae include producers of toxic and useful secondary metabolites, fermentation agents used to make food products and enzymes, xerophiles and psychrophiles, and the important genetics model Aspergillus nidulans. The Chaetothyriomycetidae include the common black yeast fungi, some of which are pathogens of humans and animals, as well as some primarily lichenized groups newly found to be phylogenetically associated with this group. The recently proposed order Mycocaliciales shows a sister relationship with Eurotiomycetes. The great majority of human pathogenic Pezizomycotina are Eurotiomycetes, particularly in Eurotiales, Onygenales and Chaetothyriales. Due to their broad importance in basic research, industry and public health, several genome projects have focused on species in Onygenales and Eurotiales.

Pezizomycotina is the largest subphylum of Ascomycota and includes the vast majority of filamentous, ascoma-producing species. Here we report the results from weighted parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of five nuclear loci (SSU rDNA, LSU rDNA, RPB1, RPB2 and EF-lalpha) from 191 taxa. Nine of the 10 Pezizomycotina classes currently recognized were represented in the sampling. These data strongly supported the monophyly of Pezizomycotina, Arthoniomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, Orbiliomycetes and Sordariomycetes. Pezizomycetes and Dothideomycetes also were resolved as monophyletic but not strongly supported by the data. Lecanoromycetes was resolved as paraphyletic in parsimony analyses but monophyletic in maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. Leotiomycetes was polyphyletic due to exclusion of Geoglossaceae. The two most basal classes of Pezizomycotina were Orbiliomycetes and Pezizomycetes, both of which comprise species that produce apothecial ascomata. The seven remaining classes formed a monophyletic group that corresponds to Leotiomyceta. Within Leotiomyceta, the supraclass clades of Leotiomycetes s.s. plus Sordariomycetes and Arthoniomycetes plus Dothideomycetes were resolved with moderate support.

During an investigation of lignicolous ascomycetes from Luxembourg, we isolated a Phialophora -like species that produced striking red colonies. To confirm the identity of this fungus as Catenulifera rhodogena , we compared it with isolates of Catenulifera rhodogena and Hyphodiscus hymeniophilus on a variety of media. Portions of the β-tubulin gene and the nuclear ribosomal DNA cistron (internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and large subunit (LSU)) were sequenced to examine the relationship of isolates of Catenulifera rhodogena and Hyphodiscus hymeniophilus from different substrates and to test the hypothesis that Cadophora and Catenulifera are congeneric. The phylogenetic position of Catenulifera within the Ascomycota was investigated based on the analysis of the small-subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences. The isolates examined were indistinguishable micromorphologically and closely related phylogenetically. Three strains of Catenulifera rhodogena from bark or wood and one strain from Piptoporus betulinus formed a strongly supported clade in analyses of β-tubulin and ITS sequences. This clade did not encompass the ex-type isolates of Cistella rubescens and Scopulariopsis rhodogena or a second isolate of Catenulifera rhodogena from Piptoporus betulinus. Analysis of partial LSU sequences confirmed the close phylogenetic relationship of Catenulifera rhodogena and Hyphodiscus hymeniophilus but provided no evidence that the isolates could be grouped by substrate or that Catenulifera is synonymous with Cadophora. The position of Catenulifera within the Helotiales was not resolved based on the comparison of LSU and SSU sequences, but the isolate for which we obtained complete SSU sequence grouped with the root endophyte Phialocephala fortinii. Comparison of ITS sequences confirmed the close phylogenetic relationship of Hyphodiscus to members of the Dermateaceae and Hyaloscyphaceae.

We examined 198 isolates of P. chysogenum recovered from 109 houses in Wallaceburg, Ontario, and 25 culture collection isolates including seven ex- type strains. Multilocus genotypes were determined by heteroduplex mobility assay of regions spanning introns in acetyl co-enzyme A synthase, beta-tubulin, thioredoxin reductase and the internal transcribed spacer regions of the nuclear ribosomal subrepeat. Five unique multilocus haplotypes were revealed without evidence of recombination, indicating strictly clonal population structures. Phylogenetic analysis of allele sequences using maximum parsimony resolved three strongly supported lineages. The dominant clade included more than 90% of house isolates in addition to the notable laboratory contaminant iso- lated by Alexander Fleming in 1929 in Britain. A sec- ond clade contained more than 5% of house isolates clustered with the ex-type strains of P. chysogenum and P. notatum. Follow-up sampling of outdoor air in the locality failed to reveal P. chysogenum, confirming the rarity of this fungus in outdoor air.

A search for Fries's Scleromyceti Sueciae at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (PH) was initiated following the receipt of a specimen annotated "Suec. Fr." from the Schweinitz Herbarium. Study of the collection of fungi at PH revealed 340 similarly annotated specimens, 76 printed labels from Fascicles 1-6, and 8 of the first edition of the Scleromyceti Sueciae, and a page of the index from Decade XXXI of Fascicle 9. In many cases, sheets from this exsiccata were folded inward to form packets that enclosed both the specimen and the printed label. This paper also reports the discovery of 21 specimens from the Deutschlands Schwdmme at PH.

The genus Farrowia D. Hawksworth was established for members of the Chaetomiaceae with Botryotrichum-like anamorphs and long-necked ascomata, but the separation of Farrowia from Chaetomium Kunze has been questioned by mycologists who did not consider these characters to be significant at the generic level. The recent description of a species of Chaetomium with an aleurioconidial anamorph and long-necked ascomata prompted us to explore this question employing molecular characters. We sequenced a portion of the nuclear large ribosomal subunit rRNA gene (28S) of members of the Sordariales including species of Chaetomium, Farrowia and Thielavia. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the monophyly of the Sordariales and the close relationship of Aporothielavia leptoderma to the genus Chaetomium. A sequence-based phylogeny identified a well-supported clade that included Chaetomium floriforme, Chaetomium sphaerale, members of the genus Farrowia, and longicollous species of Chaetomium with aleurioconidial anamorphs. A clade containing Chaetomium brevipilium, Chaetomium cuyabenoensis, Chaetomium homopilatum and species of Farrowia was inferred from the analysis of morphological characters, but this data set was found to be incongruent with the 28S sequence data. While these results are in agreement with the hypothesis that species of Farrowia comprise a group of closely related taxa, they do not provide strong support for the recognition of the genus Farrowia.Key words: anamorph, aleurioconidia, Botryotrichum, Chaetomium, 28S ribosomal RNA gene sequences.

Forty-one isolates representing 14 members of the ascomycete genus Capronia and 15 black yeasts belonging to the anamorph genera Exophiala, Cladosporium, Ramichloridium and Rhinocladiella w...

Despite a significant body of evidence in support of the close phylogenetic relationship of species of Capronia (Herpotrichiellaceae) and black yeasts belonging to or allied with the genus Exophiala questions concerning the taxonomic importance of features furnished by ascospore, stromal and anamorph characters have remained unanswered. In order to address these issues and to elucidate more fully relationships within the family, we have sequenced a portion of the nuclear large ribosomal RNA subunit (28S), the 5.8S gene, and the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) of 15 species of Capronia and 19 black yeasts assigned to the form genera Cladosporium, Cladophialophora, Exophiala, Fonsecaea, Phaeococcomyces, Phialophora, Ramichloridium and Rhinocladiella. Cladistic analysis of these data confirmed the monophyly of the Herpotrichiellaceae but did not support the division of the genus Capronia on the basis of conidial ontogeny, pattern of ascospore septation, or the degree of stromal development. Homothallic species of Capronia with 8-spored asci, muriform ascospores and Exophiala anamorphs formed a well-supported lineage that included the medically important species Exophiala dermatitidis. Capronia mansonii and Capronia munkii, morphologically similar taxa isolated from the wood of Populus, were inferred as closely related but separate species. The clade comprising members of the Herpotrichiellaceae that possess Cladosporium-like and Phialophora anamorphs was also strongly supported. Available molecular evidence indicates that Dictyotrichiella semiimmersa and Phialophora americana are teleomorph and anamorph states of a single holomorph. Cladistic analysis also confirmed that the genera Cladophialophora and Ramichloridium are polyphyletic. The anamorphs of Capronia nigerrima and Dictyotmchiella semiimmersa are described and illustrated, and the combination Capronia semiimmersa is proposed.

The taxonomy of selected species of Cap- ronia is discussed and illustrations are provided for Capronia mansonii, C. moravica and C. pulcherrima. Capronia mansonii, known only from the ex-type strain (CBS 101.67), is distinct from CBS 528.86, a second strain identified as this species. Capronia mo- ravica is shown to be a synonym of C. pilosella. The taxonomic position of the strain identified as C. pi- losella that possesses a Cladosporium-like anamorph is discussed. Anamorphs belonging to the black yeast genera Exophiala, Ramichloridium and Rhinocladiella are associated predominantly with members of the Herpotrichiellaceae. In contrast, species possessing Cladosporium-like asexual states and anamorphs be- longing to the form-genus Phialophora are found in distantly related ascomycete families. These latter an- amorphs are not, therefore, indicative of close, phy- logenetic relationships within the Ascomycotina. Cap- ronia hanliniana is excluded from the Herpotrichiel- laceae, and the combination Venturia hanliniana is proposed.

The systematics of the ascomycete genera Apiorhynchostoma, Endoxyla and Pseudovalsaria are reevaluated based on the comparison of cultural characteristics, teleomorph morphology and DNA sequence data. Analyses of sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA operon and the large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA gene resolve Boliniales as a robustly supported lineage comprising Apiorhynchostoma, Camarops, Camaropella, Cornipulvina, Endoxyla and Pseudovalsaria. Within Boliniales, species of Endoxyla form a strongly supported lineage. Apiorhynchostoma curreyi and Pseudovalsaria ferruginea group with Cornipulvina ellipsoides. Species of Camarops are paraphyletic and comprise two clades, one of which includes Camaropella. Boliniaceae is emended, Endoxyla mallochii is described as new and Apiorhynchostoma trabicola is considered a synonym of Apiorhynchostoma altipetum. We also propose the combinations Endoxyla occulta, Endoxylina luteobasis and Jobellisia peckii. Keys to genera included in the Boliniaceae and to species of Apiocamarops, Apiorhynchostoma and Endoxyla are provided.

Cyphellophora and Phialophora (Chaetothyriales, Pezizomycota) comprise species known from skin infections of humans and animals and from a variety of environmental sources. These fungi were studied based on the comparison of cultural and morphological features and phylogenetic analyses of five nuclear loci, i.e., internal transcribed spacer rDNA operon (ITS), large and small subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA (nuc28S rDNA, nuc18S rDNA), β-tubulin, DNA replication licensing factor (mcm7) and second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2). Phylogenetic results were supported by comparative analysis of ITS1 and ITS2 secondary structure of representatives of the Chaetothyriales and the identification of substitutions among the taxa analyzed. Base pairs with non-conserved, co-evolving nucleotides that maintain base pairing in the RNA transcript and unique evolutionary motifs in the ITS2 that characterize whole clades or individual taxa were mapped on predicted secondary structure models. Morphological characteristics, structural data and phylogenetic analyses of three datasets, i.e., ITS, ITS-β-tubulin and 28S-18S-rpb2-mcm7, define a robust clade containing eight species of Cyphellophora (including the type) and six species of Phialophora. These taxa are now accommodated in the Cyphellophoraceae, a novel evolutionary lineage within the Chaetothyriales. Cyphellophora is emended and expanded to encompass species with both septate and nonseptate conidia formed on discrete, intercalary, terminal or lateral phialides. Six new combinations in Cyphellophora are proposed and a dichotomous key to species accepted in the genus is provided. Cyphellophora eugeniae and C. hylomeconis, which grouped in the Chaetothyriaceae, represent another novel lineage and are introduced as the type species of separate genera.

The systematics of the Herpotrichiellaceae, a family of loculoascomycetes with predominantly black yeast anamorphs, is reevaluated on the basis of cultural, molecular and morphological criteria. The majority of species of Capronia, the largest genus in this family, possess black yeast anamorphs belonging to the form genera Exophiala, Ramichloridium and Rhinocladiella. Pseudoparenchymatous ascomatal initials and immature ascomata are produced in strains of E. dermatitidis, E. pisciphila and E. salmonis and support the loculoascomycetous affinity of Exophiala. Cladistic analyses of partial sequences from the nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA gene (18S rDNA) demonstrate that species of Exophiala for which telemorphs are unknown and species of Capronia possessing black yeast anamorphs form a monophyletic group within the Ascomycotina. The Exophiala anamorphs of C. epimyces and C. moravica are described, and Phialophora-like and Ramichloridium synanamorphs are reported for C. acutiseta and C. parasitica, respectively. The genus Acanthostigmella and C. pinicola are excluded from the Herpotrichiellaceae, and the new genus Tyrannosorus is described to accommodate the latter taxon. The position of the Herpotrichiellaceae within the Dothideales sensu lato is discussed.

A method for the rapid, in vitro production of pseudothecia in species of Capronia is described. Mature pseudothecia of C. epimyces, C. mansonii, C. moravica, C. pinicola and an undescribed species of Capronia were obtained. Immature ascomata were ob? served for C. acutiseta and an isolate of Exophiala jean- selmei var. jeanselmei. Ascomatal initials and ascomata were not observed in the neotype strain of Hortaea werneckii and selected type strains of Exophiala. The role of anamorphs in the dispersal of species of Cap? ronia is discussed with reference to the occurrence of the yeast-like and hyphal states on natural substrata. The combination Capronia fungicola is proposed.

Phylogenies inferred from the analysis of DNA sequence data have shown that the Onygenales contains clades that do not correspond with previously described families. One lineage identified in recent molecular phylogenetic studies includes the dimorphic pathogens belonging to the genera Ajellomyces, Emmonsia and Paracoccidioides. To evaluate the degree of support for this lineage and determine whether it includes additional taxa, we examined relationships among the members of this clade and selected saprobic onygenalean taxa based on maximum-parsimony analyses of partial nuclear large RNA subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. A clade distinct from the Onygenaceae was found to encompass Ajellomyces (including the anamorph genera Blastomyces, Emmonsia and Histoplasma) and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The members of this lineage are saprobic and pathogenic vertebrate-associated taxa distinguished by their globose ascomata with coiled appendages, muricate globose or oblate ascospores, and lack of keratinolytic activity. Anamorphs are solitary aleurioconidia or irregular alternate arthroconidia. Based on molecular data and on morphological and physiological similarities among these taxa, we propose the new family, Ajellomycetaceae.

Catenulifera , typified by C. rhodogena (= Scopulariopsis rhodogena ), was established to accommodate the anamorphs of Hyphodiscus (Ascomycota , Helotiales ) and to delimit these taxa from members of Phialophora section Catenulatae . Catenulifera rhodogena has been inferred as monophyletic, but its relationship to ascomycetes with poorly differentiated phialidic anamorphs remains enigmatic. To test the hypothesis that C. rhodogena is closely related to morphologically similar species of Phialophora and to further explore the systematics of Catenulifera , we analyzed nuclear rDNA and β-tubulin gene sequences of isolates identified as C. rhodogena , Hyphodiscus hymeniophilus , P. brachyconia , P. brevicollaris and P. hyalina . ITS–LSU and ITS–LSU-β-tubulin phylogenies positioned all isolates except P. hyalina in a single, well-supported clade that consisted of three subclades. Subclade 1 included fungicolous isolates of C. rhodogena and H. hymeniophilus that did not fluoresce when exposed to long-wave UV light. Subclade 2 contained fungicolous and lignicolous strains of C. rhodogena that produced fluorescent colonies and possessed a 366 bp indel in the LSU rRNA gene. Neither lineage encompassed the ex-type strains of Cistella rubescens (= H. hymeniophilus ) or S. rhodogena , but the former isolate was inferred as sister to Subclade 2. Subclade 3 included all isolates of P. brachyconia , a species recognized here as C. brachyconia comb. nov. A fourth isolate of P. brachyconia that was extralimital to Subclade 3 is described as C. luxurians sp. nov. The positions of C. brevicollaris comb. nov., a species based on P. brevicollaris , and C. luxurians were not resolved in the ITS–LSU phylogeny. P. hyalina is not closely related to Catenulifera .

A comprehensive phylogenetic classification of the kingdom Fungi is proposed, with reference to recent molecular phylogenetic analyses, and with input from diverse members of the fungal taxonomic community. The classification includes 195 taxa, down to the level of order, of which 16 are described or validated here: Dikarya subkingdom nov.; Chytridiomycota, Neocallimastigomycota phyla nov.; Monoblepharidomycetes, Neocallimastigomycetes class. nov.; Eurotiomycetidae, Lecarioromycetidae, Mycocaliciomycetidae subclass. nov.; Acarosporales, Corticiales, Baeomycetales, Candelariales, Gloeophyllales, Melanosporales, Trechisporales, Umbilicariales ords. nov. The clade containing Ascomycota and Basidiomycota is classified as subkingdom Dikarya, reflecting the putative synapomorphy of dikaryotic hyphae. The most dramatic shifts in the classification relative to previous works concern the groups that have traditionally been included in the Chytridiomycota and Zygomycota. The Chytridiomycota is retained in a restricted sense, with Blastocladiomycota and Neocallimastigomycota representing segregate phyla of flagellated Fungi. Taxa traditionally placed in Zygomycota are distributed among Glomeromycota and several subphyla incertae sedis, including Mucoromycotina, Entomophthoromycotina, Kickxellomycotina, and Zoopagomycotiria. Microsporidia are included in the Fungi, but no further subdivision of the group is proposed. Several genera of 'basal' Fungi of uncertain position are not placed in any higher taxa, including Basidiobolus, Caulochytrium, Olpidium, and Rozella. (c) 2007 The British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The ancestors of fungi are believed to be simple aquatic forms with flagellated spores, similar to members of the extant phylum Chytridiomycota (chytrids). Current classifications assume that chytrids form an early-diverging clade within the kingdom Fungi and imply a single loss of the spore flagellum, leading to the diversification of terrestrial fungi. Here we develop phylogenetic hypotheses for Fungi using data from six gene regions and nearly 200 species. Our results indicate that there may have been at least four independent losses of the flagellum in the kingdom Fungi. These losses of swimming spores coincided with the evolution of new mechanisms of spore dispersal, such as aerial dispersal in mycelial groups and polar tube eversion in the microsporidia (unicellular forms that lack mitochondria). The enigmatic microsporidia seem to be derived from an endoparasitic chytrid ancestor similar to Rozella allomycis, on the earliest diverging branch of the fungal phylogenetic tree.

Azure dye-impregnated sheep's wool keratin (keratin azure) was incorporated in a high pH medium and overlaid on a keratin-free basal medium. The release and diffusion of the azure dye into the lower layer indicated production of keratinase. Fifty-eight fungal taxa, including 49 members of the Arthrodermataceae, Gymnoascaceae and Onygenaceae (Order Onygenales), were assessed for keratin degradation using this method. The results were comparable to measures of keratin utilization reported in studies using tests based on the perforation or erosion of human hair in vitro.

A recently described protocol for the in vitro production of ascomata was employed to determine the sexual incompatibility systems of five species of Capronia. The formation of mature ascomata in isolates derived from single ascospores demonstrated that C. epimyces, C. mansonii, and C. munkii n. sp. are homothallic. In contrast, fertile ascomata were observed only in mass-ascospore isolates and pairwise crosses between specific single-ascospore isolates in C. dactylotricha n. sp. and C. moravica. The Exophiala anamorphs of C. dactylotricha and C. munkii are described and a Phialophora-like synanamorph is reported for the former species. Germinating ascospores of C. munkii formed conidiogenous cells directly, while the ascospores of the remaining species germinated to produce germ tubes and hyphae. The application of the terms 'microcyclic conidiation' to secondary conidium production and 'sclerotial body' and 'stroma' to the multicellular structures produced by species of Capronia and Exophiala are discussed.

Microsatellite DNA primers developed from Columbian Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus columbianus) were used to establish paternity in a Manitoba population of Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii). Primers resolving variation at six microsatellite loci allowed ascription of paternity to 32 of 85 offspring born among litters of 15 breeding females sampled. While the failure to unambiguously document paternity for all juveniles precludes the use of these data to address questions of sperm competition and male mating success, the results do provide direct evidence that multiple mating by female Richardson’s Ground Squirrels results in multiple paternity within litters.

Knufia cryptophialidica gen. et sp. nov. is a slow-growing, dematiaceous hyphomycete isolated from black galls on the stems and branches of Populus tremuloides and is reported from central Alberta,...

We examined 198 isolates of P. chysogenum recovered from 109 houses in Wallaceburg, Ontario, and 25 culture collection isolates including seven ex-type strains. Multilocus genotypes were determined by heteroduplex mobility assay of regions spanning introns in acetyl co-enzyme A synthase, beta-tubulin, thioredoxin reductase and the internal transcribed spacer regions of the nuclear ribosomal subrepeat. Five unique multilocus haplotypes were revealed without evidence of recombination, indicating strictly clonal population structures. Phylogenetic analysis of allele sequences using maximum parsimony resolved three strongly supported lineages. The dominant clade included more than 90% of house isolates in addition to the notable laboratory contaminant isolated by Alexander Fleming in 1929 in Britain. A second clade contained more than 5% of house isolates clustered with the ex-type strains of P. chysogenum and P. notatum. Follow-up sampling of outdoor air in the locality failed to reveal P. chysogenum, confirming the rarity of this fungus in outdoor air.