A new fungal genus, Teracosphaeria, with a phialophora-like anamorph (Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota)

The new genus and species Teracosphaeria petroica is described for a perithecial ascomycete and its anamorph occurring on decayed wood collected in New Zealand. The fungus produces immersed, non-stromatic ceratosphaeria-like perithecia in nature, with hyaline, septate ascospores produced in unitunicate, non-amyloid asci. The anamorph produced in vitro is phialophora-like with lightly pigmented phialides terminating in flaring, deep collarettes that are often noticeably brown with conspicuous periclinal thickening. Phylogenetic analysis of LSU rDNA sequence data indicates that this fungus is distinct from morphologically similar fungi classified in the Chaetosphaeriales, the Trichosphaeriales or the Magnaporthaceae. It forms a monophyletic group with recently described, chaetosphaeria-like ascomycetes, such as the pyrenomycete genus Mirannulata, and shows affinity with the anamorphic species Dictyochaeta cylindrospora. The usefulness of describing anamorph genera for morphologically reduced anamorphs, when anamorph characteristics are actually part of the holomorph diagnosis, is discussed. An apparently contradictory example of the so-called Cordana and Pseudobotrytis anamorphs of Porosphaerella spp. is also discussed.     

Prosthecium species with Stegonsporium anamorphs on Acer

Data from microscopic morphology, single-spore cultures, and DNA analyses of teleomorphs and anamorphs support the recognition of five species of Prosthecium with Stegonsporium anamorphs on Acer: P. acerinum sp. nov., the teleomorph of S. acerinum; P. acerophilum comb. nov., formerly known as Dictyoporthe acerophila; P. galeatum comb. nov., originally described as Massaria galeata; P. opalus sp. nov.; and P. pyriforme sp. nov., the teleomorph of S. pyriforme s. str. The morphology of both type specimens and freshly collected material was investigated. The teleomorphs have brown ellipsoidal ascospores with five distosepta and often a longitudinal distoseptum. The anamorphs of all species described here belong to Stegonsporium; their connection to the Prosthecium teleomorphs was demonstrated by morphology and DNA sequences of single spore cultures derived from both ascospores and conidia. The anamorphs and teleomorphs of all five Prosthecium species are described and illustrated by LM images, and a key to these species is provided. As perceived from this work, S. pyriforme is restricted to Europe and does not occur in North America, whereas S. acerinum is restricted to North America, not found in Europe. The host associations given in the literature are revised and evidence is provided that only A. opalus, A. pseudoplatanus, and A. saccharum are confirmed hosts of Prosthecium with Stegonsporium anamorphs. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of tef1, ITS rDNA, and partial nuLSU rDNA sequences confirm that the species with Stegonsporium anamorphs are closely related to P. ellipsosporum, the generic type species. Stilbospora macrosperma is confirmed as the anamorph of P. ellipsosporum by DNA data of single spore isolates obtained from both ascospores and conidia.     

The type species of Apiognomonia, A. veneta, with its Discula anamorph is distinct from A. errabunda

Species of Apiognomonia with their Discula anamorphic states in the Gnomoniaceae, Diaporthales, are known throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere and cause diseases such as sycamore or plane tree anthracnose. The genus Apiognomonia was described based on A. veneta as the type species; however, there has been disagreement about whether or not A. veneta is a synonym of A. errabunda. Using morphological, ecological, and DNA sequence data we conclude that A. errabunda and A. veneta are different species, although very closely related; thus, A. veneta is the correct name for the type species of Apiognomonia. This conclusion is based on a combined analysis of sequences from the ITS regions of nuclear rDNA for 51 isolates from host plants of eight genera and intron regions from actin, calmodulin and translation elongation factor 1-alpha for over 25 isolates. The type species of the genus Discula is D. nervisequa, the earliest available epithet for D. platani, the lectotype of Discula. D. nervisequa is the anamorph of A. veneta. Based on an examination of the type specimen, we determined that the commonly used name for the anamorph of A. errabunda, D. umbrinella, refers to another species. A. veneta and A. errabunda including their anamorphs are described and illustrated. An account of all synonyms and excluded synonyms is presented.     

Hypocrella panamensis sp. nov. (Clavicipitaceae, Hypocreales): a new species infecting scale insects on Piper carrilloanum in Panama

A new species, Hypocrella panamensis, is described from collections and cultures obtained on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. In order to aid in placement of this fungus, phylogenetic analyses were conducted using LSU (rDNA) sequences. Hypocrella panamensis is characterized by possessing pulvinate stromata with a Lecanicillium-like anamorphic state and superficial perithecia. Hypocrella panamensis consistently grouped in a clade containing Hypocrella nectrioides, H. phyllogena, and H. africana (100 % PP). Most species of Hypocrella possess Aschersonia or Hirsutella anamorphs. Hypocrella panamensis is unique in the genus Hypocrella in possession of a Lecanicillium-like anamorphic state. In its biological habit Hypocrella panamensis is similar to other species in Hypocrella in that it infects and degrades the scale insect, then grows superficially on nutrients that emerge to the plant surface through the stylet wound.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Nemania plumbea sp. nov. and related taxa based on ribosomal ITS and RPB2 sequences

During a survey fungal diversity of xylariaceous fungi in Thailand, a new Nemania species, N. plumbea, was identified. Nemania plumbea is characterized by soft-textured grey stromata on a persistent mat of white hyphae, pale brown ascospores with a short germ-slit on the more convex side. It also produces a Geniculosporium-like anamorph in culture. In order to evaluate its phylogenetic relationships among related species and genera, ITS-5.8S rDNA and RPB2 were analysed separately and simultaneously. Results from the phylogenetic analyses indicate that there is close phylogenetic association between N. plumbea and N. aenea. A preliminary account into the natural grouping of Xylariaceae based on ITS-5.8S rDNA and RPB2 sequences is also discussed.     

Chaetosphaeria tortuosa, the newly discovered teleomorph of Menispora tortuosa, with a key to known Menispora species

Chaetosphaeria tortuosa is described as the newly discovered teleomorph of Menispora tortuosa, based on specimens from Canada and the Czech Republic, and single spore isolations from both morphs. The fungus produces superficial, more or less globose, papillate, dark brown to black smooth perithecia (200–)220–250 × (220–)230–260 μm. The asci are unitunicate, 8-spored, cylindrical-fusiform, (110–)120–133(–145) × 12–14 with a distinct apical, nonamyloid annulus 1–1.5 μm high, 3.5–4 μm wide. The ascospores are fusiform, 19–24 × 5–6 μm, hyaline, 3-septate, smooth, and 2-seriate in the ascus. The morphology of the teleomorph and anamorph are similar to that of C. ovoidea (anamorph: M. glauca), differing in dimensions of asci and ascospores, and in the disposition and morphology of the phialides of the anamorphs. The generic concept and phylogeny of Menispora is briefly discussed, and a key to the 11 species currently accepted in the genus is provided.     

香槐属分类学研究随记

基于对标本和文献的比较研究,确认豆科香槐属(Cladrastis Raf.)中小叶香槐(C.parvifolia C.Y.Ma)、藤香槐(C.scandens C.Y.Ma)、秦氏香槐(C.chingii DuleyVincent)与本属分布最广的翅荚香槐[C.platycarpa(Maxim.)Makino]为同种植物。其中,小叶香槐被处理为翅荚香槐的一变种,即C.platycarpa var.parvifolia(C.Y.Ma)Z.Q.Song,D.X.XuS.J.Li,藤香槐与秦氏香槐被处理为翅荚香槐原变种的两个新异名。同时讨论了翅荚香槐的分类地位及其散布。     

Molecular variation of Spiranthes sinensis (Orchidaceae) in Japan, with special reference to systematic treatment of seasonally differentiated groups and a dwarf form, f. gracilis, from Yakushima Island

Molecular variations of Spiranthes sinensis Ames var. australis (R.Br.) H. Hara et Kitam. ex Kitam. in Japan were examined to evaluate the validity of the seasonally differentiated groups and a dwarf form of the species, which is endemic to Yakushima Island, Japan. Sequence differences in the plastid trnL-F locus clearly distinguished Japanese S. sinensis var. australis from S. sinensis var. sinensis collected from Ryukyu. In contrast, the trnL-F sequence of S. sinensis var. australis from Sabah, Malaysia, clearly differed from that of Japanese S. sinensis var. australis, suggesting genetic heterogeneity of Spiranthes sinensis var. australis in Asia. Moreover, a molecular analysis based on the sequences of nuclear ITS1 regions indicated that there are two major groups of S. sinensis var. australis in Japan, with a geographic distribution boundary on Kyushu Island. However, the trnL-F and ITS1 sequences did not support the genetic differentiation of the seasonally differentiated groups or the dwarf form from the other Japanese individuals. Based on these molecular data, the systematic treatment of physiological and morphological variations in the Japanese population of S. sinensis. var. australis is discussed.     

Domoic acid production by Pseudo-nitzschia australis and Pseudo-nitzschia calliantha isolated from North Chile

The morphology and toxicity of the four ubiquitous species belonging to the genus Pseudo-nitzschia found in mixed blooms of phytoplankton from northern Chilean waters were studied. The phytoplankton samples and cultures obtained were identified by scanning electron microscopy, revealing the presence of Pseudo-nitzschia australis, P. calliantha, P. pseudodelicatissima and P. subfraudulenta. This is the first report of P. calliantha in northern Chile. Toxin analyses using the LC–MS method confirmed the presence of domoic acid in P. australis and P. calliantha. Domoic acid was not detected in cultures of P. subfraudulenta. This study therefore confirms P. australis and P. calliantha as an unequivocal source of domoic acid in Chilean waters. P. australis is probably the most important producer of amnesic shellfish toxin in view of its domoic acid content. However, more research is needed to evaluate the potential for toxin production in P. pseudodelicatissima.     

复轮生暗孢小克银汉霉新变种及其与原变种之间的配合

多年前分离自湖北神农架林中采回的一份土样的一株小克银汉霉Cu137最近经我们研究定名为复轮生暗孢小克银汉霉新变种(Cunninghamella phaeospora Boedijn var.multiverticillata var. nov.)。它与暗孢小克银汉霉原变种(Cunninghamella phaeospora Boedijnvar. phaeospora)的异同在于:(1)两者均具有单轴分枝、分枝单生或成对的孢子枝,不同的是新变种的孢子枝除单轴分枝外还可轮状分枝,或单轴与轮状混合分枝,轮状分枝可多达3轮,每轮由3-8分枝组成,原变种则完全不形成轮状分枝;(2)两者的孢子枝主轴上的顶生泡囊均具各种形状并略呈棱角状,但新变种的侧枝上的饱囊常常是棒形的,原变种的侧枝上的饱囊则很少棒形;(3)新变种的假根很发达,可自菌丝、匍匐菌丝、孢子枝、泡囊等部位发生,而原变种的假根一般不很发达,而且只从菌丝或甸旬菌丝发生;(4)两者的小型孢子囊在形状、大小、刺等方面一致,但新变种的小型孢子囊无色至淡褐色,原变种的小型孢子囊则为淡褐色至深褐色;(5)新变种的菌落白色,至多在老后污白色至极浅的淡褐色,原变种的菌落自始即为深灰色。除暗孢小克银汉霉原变种外,同属中还有另外三个分类群与复轮生暗孢小克银汉霉较为接近:印度小克银汉霉(Cunninghamella indica Baijal & B. S. Mehrotra)与印度刺孢小克银汉霉[Cunninghamella echinulata(Thaxt.) Thaxt. ex Blakeslee var. indica Baijal & B. S. Mehrotra]因菌落白色及孢子枝分枝棒形,轮生小克银汉霉(Cunninghamella verticillaata Paine)因孢子枝具数轮轮生分枝而与复轮生暗孢小克银汉霉这个新变种有一定的相似。但是,新变种无论是顶生泡囊还是侧生泡囊的直径都较上述三个分类群小得多;新变种的顶生饱囊往往不规则形状且略带棱角,而上述三个分类群则不是这样。还有,新变种的孢子枝分枝方式与印度小克银汉霉的颇为不同,新变种的小型孢子囊比印度刺孢小克银汉霉的小得多,其小型孢子囊主要球形至近球形,与轮生小克银汉霉的椭圆形至卵形也不一样。此外,新变种的假根系统极其发达,与同属中任何一种均不相同。将复轮生暗孢小克银汉霉新变种Cu137(+)与暗孢小克银汉霉原变种的一株分离自香港山边土壤的Cu 136(一)配合时只形成配子囊,但与原变种的模式菌株CBS 692.68(-)配合时则可形成少量的接合孢子囊。为了获得更多的接合孢子囊以观察它们是否可育的,我们将Cu 137和CBS 692.68同时接种到许多培养皿上,然后制片观察。用姆指轻轻、重复压盖玻片,可使接合孢子囊破裂以观察其内含物。结果,从100个以上的接合孢子囊中,仅在其中4个发现有接合孢子的形成,其余的都是空的和不育的。由于原变种尚未发现(+)配合型菌株,新变种则未发现(-)配合型菌株,原变种与原变种之间及新变种与新变种之间配合形成的有性型尚未获得,而且全世界均未见有报道,无法和新变种与原变种之间配合形成的有性型相比较,因此目前尚不能肯定新变种与原变种之间形成的有性型在形态上是否能代表这个种的有性型。但是,尽管如此,暗孢小克银汉霉的这两个变种之间配合形成的有性型的形态仍然是很有特征性的,足以把它与其它种的已知有性型相区别。     

Two new Fusicoccum species from Acacia and Eucalyptus in Venezuela, based on morphology and DNA sequence data

Botryosphaeria spp. are common endophytes of woody plants, and they also include some serious pathogens of Eucalyptus and Acacia species. Numerous anamorphs have been associated with Botryosphaeria, of which the species Fusicoccum are amongst the most common. Here, we characterize two new Fusicoccum species, isolated from Eucalyptus and Acacia trees in Venezuela, based on morphological features in culture and comparisons of DNA sequence data. The two taxa named Fusicoccum andinum and F. stromaticum spp. nov, reside in two well-supported clades (BS values = 100 %) based on a combined data set of the ITS of the rDNA operon and translation elongation factor 1-α (EF1- α) gene sequences. The conidia of F. andinum are unusually large amongst Botryosphaeria anamorphs, and peripherally resemble those of B. mamane and B. melanops. F. stromaticum is characterized by large conidiomata in cultures, growth at 35 °C and slightly thickened conidial walls, which is different to most other Fusicoccum spp. No teleomorphs were observed for these fungi, but DNA sequence data show that they are anamorphs of Botryosphaeria.     

中国鸡皮衣属和泡鳞衣属地衣2个新记录种

报道了采自中国西北部新疆博格达山区哈熊沟森林公园的鸡皮衣属和泡鳞衣属地衣的2个中国新记录种,即南方鸡皮衣(Pertusaria australis Vian)和北极泡鳞衣(Toninia arctica Timdal),并描述了二者的形态学、解剖学以及化学成分特征,提供了其形态特征和内部解剖结构照片。标本保存于新疆大学西北干旱地衣研究中心标本室。     

江苏滨海湿地芦苇和互花米草光合特性对模拟增温的响应

滨海湿地生态系统具有较高的初级生产力,是地球生态系统主要的碳库之一。然而,气候变暖和外来物种入侵通过改变植物光合特征性能使这一碳库的稳定性存在诸多的不确定性。利用在江苏盐城芦苇湿地和互花米草湿地建设的两个增温观测站,采用便携式光合荧光测量系统研究了本土植物芦苇（Phragmites australis）和入侵物种互花米草（Spartina alterniflora）光合特性对模拟增温的响应特征和机制。光合作用日调查变化曲线显示,增温使芦苇的净光合速率（P_n）、气孔导度（G_s）、蒸腾速率（T_r）和水分利用效率（WUE）都发生了显著的下降,但互花米草的各同名参数却表现出相反的变化特征,表明增温使互花米草的生理机能增强,促进了光合作用;根据P_n和胞间CO₂浓度（C_i）的变化趋势推断互花米草和芦苇光合速率变化均为非气孔限制因素驱动。利用直角双曲线修正模型拟合的光响应曲线结果显示,芦苇增温组的光响应曲线位于对照组下方,互花米草增温组的光响应曲线位于对照组上方;增温降低了所研究植物的光补偿点（LCP）,表明增温可提高两种植物利用弱光的能力;增温增加了互花米草光补偿点（LCP）和光饱和点（LSP）间值域范围,从而揭示了增温可有效提高互花米草利用光合有效辐射的能力;增温降低了芦苇的暗呼吸速率（R_d）,芦苇受到增温的胁迫,在减缓新陈代谢的同时也减弱了光合作用,而互花米草表现出相反特征。由此推测增温条件下入侵植物互花米草同化大气CO₂的能力（即碳汇能力）优于本土植物芦苇,这也是互花米草成为入侵物种的主要原因之一。     

Potential allelopathic effect of neo-clerodane diterpenes from Teucrium chamaedrys (L.) on stenomediterranean and weed cosmopolitan species

The allelopathic effects of neo-clerodane diterpenes, isolated from Teucrium chamaedrys (L.), have been evaluated on the seed germination and seedling growth of four coexisting Mediterranean species (Dactylis hispanica, Petrorhagia velutina, Phleum subulatum and Petrorhagia saxifraga) and two cosmopolitan weeds (Amaranthus retroflexus and Avena fatua). All of the structures have been elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic features. The bioassays data, analyzed by principal component analysis, showed more negative effects on weeds respect to coexisting species. Moreover D. hispanica, P. velutina, P. subulatum showed both stimulating or inhibiting effects depending on the type of metabolite and the concentration used in the test.     

Molecular phylogeny of the genus Stereocaulon (Stereocaulaceae, lichenized ascomycetes)

In the present study phylogenetic relationships of the genus Stereocaulon (lichenized ascomycetes) were examined using DNA sequences from the ITS1–5.8 S–ITS2 rDNA gene cluster and from the protein-coding β-tubulin gene. In addition to the fruticose species traditionally classified in Stereocaulon, representatives of the crustose species that have recently been transferred to the genus were included. Muhria, a monotypic genus that is morphologically similar to Stereocaulon, differing only in apothecia ontogeny, was also incorporated. The analyses included 101 specimens from the ingroup representing 49 taxa. Sequences from both DNA regions were analysed simultaneously using direct optimization under the parsimony optimality criterion. The results support the inclusion of the crustose species and Muhria in Stereocaulon, while the current infrageneric classification is not supported. As Muhria is securely nested within Stereocaulon the new combination Stereocaulon urceolatum comb. nov. (syn. Muhria urceolata) is made. Further, species concepts need to be re-examined, as some species do not appear as monophyletic entities in the phylogeny.     

甘肃扁蓿豆属(豆科)一新变种——天祝扁蓿豆

该文描述了甘肃东祁连山发现的豆科( Leguminosae)扁蓿豆属( Melilotoides)一新变种———天祝扁蓿豆(Melilotoides ruthenica var. tianhzhuensis C. L. Xu )。该变种植株节间(3~18 mm)短于原变种(30~65 mm);叶片小于原变种;小叶宽卵形或倒卵形;花冠外部(背部)和内部(腹部)均为黄色,且不带紫色和条纹。上述特征与原变种明显不同,易于区别。