Lopadostoma fagi (Lopadostomataceae) on Fagus sylvatica from Italy

A new record of Lopadostoma fagi is described in Italy from Fagus sylvatica based on morphological and molecular data.It has effused-pulvinate stromata immersed in the host tissue,with a narrow,black,carbonized encasement.The ectostromatic disc is visible as a clypeus and surrounded by the reddish brown bark surface.In the combined phylogenetic analysis of ITS,LSU and RPB2 sequence data,the strain derived from the specimen clustered with other L.fagi strains with high bootstrap support.A morphological description with detailed photographs for L.fagi is provided in this study.

A new endophytic insect-associated Daldinia species, recognised from a comparison of secondary metabolite profiles and molecular phylogeny

Xylariaceous endophytes are commonly encountered in plants,and it has recently been found out that insect vectors play a major role in their life cycle,as well as in the apparent host-specificity of the fungal stromata.In this study,a new insect-associated,endophytic anamorph species of Daldinia is recognised from a comparison of (a)morphological and ecological data;(b)molecular phylogenetic data based on rDNA,alpha-actin and beta-tubulin genes;and (c)secondary metabolite profiles based on high performance liquid chromatography/diode array/mass spectrometry(HPLC-DAD/MS)and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(GC-MS)in comparison with authentic strains of Daldinia and other Xylariaceae.The new species,Daldinia hawksworthii,is a symbiont of the willow woodwasp,Xiphydria prolongata,which is in turn preferentially associated with Salix.A comparison of HPLCDAD/MS profiles from standardised cultures revealed the presence of a specific compound,which was not encountered in any of the ca.250 Daldinia strains studied for comparison.This compound was isolated after fermentation of the fungus in 10 l scale by preparative chromatography.Structure elucidation by NMR spectroscopy revealed a novel pyrone,for which the name dalsymbiopyrone is proposed.The compound showed weak antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects and might be a signal molecule involved in the trilateral ecological interaction between the host plant,the insect,and its fungal symbiont.

Elucidation of the life cycle of the endophytic genus Muscodor and its transfer to Induratia in Induratiaceae fam. nov., based on a polyphasic taxonomic approach

Molecular phylogenetic studies of cultures derived from some specimens of plant-inhabiting Sordariomycetes using ITS,LSU,rpb2 and tub2 DNA sequence data revealed close affinities to strains of Muscodor.The taxonomy of this biotechnologi-cally important genus,which exclusively consists of endophytes with sterile mycelia that produce antibiotic volatile secondary metabolites,was based on a rather tentative taxonomic concept.Even though it was accommodated in Xylariaceae,its phylo-genetic position had so far remained obscure.Our phylogeny shows that Muscodor species have affinities to the xylarialean genera Emarcea and Induratia,which is corroborated by the fact that their sexual states produce characteristic apiospores.These data allow for the integration of Muscodor in Induratia,i.e.the genus that was historically described first.The multi-locus phylogenetic tree clearly revealed that a clade comprising Emarcea and Induratia forms a monophylum separate from representatives of Xylariaceae,for which we propose the new family Induratiaceae.Divergence time estimations revealed that Induratiaceae has been diverged from the Xylariaceae+Clypeosphaeriaceae clade at 93(69-119)million years ago(Mya)with the crown age of 61(39-85)Mya during the Cretaceous period.The ascospore-derived cultures were studied for the production of volatile metabolites,using both,dual cultures for assessment of antimicrobial effects and extensive analyses using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry(GC-MS).The antimicrobial effects observed were significant,but not as strong as in the case of the previous reports on Muscodor species.The GC-MS results give rise to some doubt on the validity of the previous identification of certain volatiles.Many peaks in the GC-MS chromatograms could not be safely identified by database searches and may represent new natural products.The isolation of these compounds by preparative chromatography and their subsequent characterisation by nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy or total synthesis will allow for a more concise identification of these volatiles,and they should also be checked for their individual contri-bution to the observed antibiotic effects.This will be an important prerequisite for the development of biocontrol strains.

New Hypoxylon species from Martinique and new evidence on the molecular phylogeny of Hypoxylon based on ITS rDNA and β-tubulin data

Three new species of Hypoxylon(Xylariaceae)collected from Martinique in the French Caribbean are recognised by new combinations of morphological characters.Their status as undescribed taxa was supported by secondary metabolite profiling based on High performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometric detection(HPLC/DAD-MS)as well as by comparison of ITS and partialß-tubulin DNA sequences with related taxa.In the course of this study,the teleomorph of Nodulisporium griseobrunneum was found,and this species could be transferred to Hypoxylon.Moreover,several names in Hypoxylon are epitypified by selecting recently collected specimens from the same geographic areas as the holotypes came from.Despite the fact that our study used the hitherto most extensive taxon sampling,the phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS andß-tubulin sequences remain contradictory to each other,and neither genealogy was found fully in agreement with phenotype-derived traits.We conclude that the right gene(or multi-gene genealogies)to reflect the phylogeny and evolution of Hypoxylon still remains to be found.For the time being,we recommend that the application of polyphasic taxonomic concepts should be continued in taxonomic studies of Hypoxylon.

Lenormandins A—G,new azaphilones from Hypoxylon lenormandii and Hypoxylon jaklitschii sp.nov.,recognised by chemotaxonomic data

Seven new azaphilone pigments named lenormandins A–G were isolated from stromata(fruiting bodies)of the xylariaceous fungus,Hypoxylon lenormandii using preparative High Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC)and their structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy,high resolution mass spectrometry and other spectral methods.Their occurrence in herbarium specimens(including various type materials collected in the 19th and early 20th century)and several fresh collections was studied by analytical HPLC with diode array and mass spectrometric detection(HPLC-DAD/MS),revealing that this group of pigments is specific for Hypoxylon lenormandii from various geographic regions and otherwise only occurs in closely related taxa,i.e.H.sublenormandii and an undescribed fungus from Sri Lanka,for which we propose the name H.jaklitschii.The status of the new species was established by using molecular phylogenetic data based on ITS and partial beta-tubulin sequences,and by detailed morphological studies.

Families of Sordariomycetes

Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota that comprises a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci.The class includes many important plant pathogens,as well as endophytes,saprobes,epiphytes,coprophilous and fungicolous,lichenized or lichenicolous taxa.They occur in terrestrial,freshwater and marine habitats worldwide.This paper reviews the 107 families of the class Sordariomycetes and provides a modified backbone tree based on phylogenetic analysis of four combined loci,with a maximum five representative taxa from each family,where available.This paper brings together for the first time,since Barrs’1990 Prodromus,descriptions,notes on the history,and plates or illustrations of type or representative taxa of each family,a list of accepted genera,including asexual genera and a key to these taxa of Sordariomycetes.Delineation of taxa is supported where possible by molecular data.The outline is based on literature to the end of 2015 and the Sordariomycetes now comprises six subclasses,32 orders,105 families and 1331 genera.The family Obryzaceae and Pleurotremataceae are excluded from the class.

Editorial comment–volume 60 of Fungal diversity Special issue dedicated to the COST Action FA1103,“Endophytes in Biotechnology and Agriculture”

Summary:The European Cooperation in Science and Technology(COST)aims to promote joint interdisciplinary research in various areas and provides substantial funding to international consortia to conduct networking activities such as workshops,training schools,and short time international student exchanges.Even though primarily European Scientists are eligible to propose COST Actions and to receive funding,the international community can and does participate.This special issue is dedicated to a COST Action FA1103 on biotechnological and agricultural exploitation of endophytes,entertained by 150 scientists from over 20 countries.Eleven original papers,one review and two non COST Action papers have been compiled,all of which are dealing with various aspects of fundamental and applied research on fungal endophytes.The broad spectrum of the contributions,which are representative of the scientific scope of the Action,is illustrated by reports on innovative methods for all taxa inventories(molecular ecology),studies relating to bioprospecting.

Fungal diversity notes 253-366:taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal taxa

Notes on 113 fungal taxa are compiled in this paper,including 11 new genera,89 new species,one new subspecies,three new combinations and seven reference specimens.Awide geographic and taxonomic range of fungal taxa are detailed.In the Ascomycota the new genera Angustospora(Testudinaceae),Camporesia(Xylariaceae),Clematidis,Crassiparies(Pleosporales genera incertae sedis),Farasanispora,Longiostiolum(Pleosporales genera incertae sedis),Multilocularia(Parabambusicolaceae),Neophaeocryptopus(Dothideaceae),Parameliola(Pleosporales genera incertae sedis),and Towyspora(Lentitheciaceae)are introduced.Newly introduced species are Angustospora nilensis,Aniptodera aquibella,Annulohypoxylon albidiscum,Astrocystis thailandica,Camporesia sambuci,Clematidis italica,Colletotrichum menispermi,C.quinquefoliae,Comoclathris pimpinellae,Crassiparies quadrisporus,Cytospora salicicola,Diatrype thailandica,Dothiorella rhamni,Durotheca macrostroma,Farasanispora avicenniae,Halorosellinia rhizophorae,Humicola koreana,Hypoxylon lilloi,Kirschsteiniothelia tectonae,Lindgomyces okinawaensis,Longiostiolum tectonae,Lophiostoma pseudoarmatisporum,Moelleriella phukhiaoensis,M.pongdueatensis,Mucoharknessia anthoxanthi,Multilocularia bambusae,Multiseptospora thysanolaenae,Neophaeocryptopus cytisi,Ocellularia arachchigei,O.ratnapurensis,Ochronectria thailandica,Ophiocordyceps karstii,Parameliola acaciae,P.dimocarpi,Parastagonospora cumpignensis,Pseudodidymosphaeria phlei,Polyplosphaeria thailandica,Pseudolachnella brevifusiformis,Psiloglonium macrosporum,Rhabdodiscus albodenticulatus,Rosellinia chiangmaiensis,Saccothecium rubi,Seimatosporium pseudocornii,S.pseudorosae,Sigarispora ononidis and Towyspora aestuari.New combinations are provided for Eutiarosporella dactylidis(sexual morph described and illus trated)and Pseudocamarosporium pini.Descriptions,illustrations and/or reference specimens are designated for Aposphaeria corallinolutea,Cryptovalsa ampelina,Dothiorella vidmadera,Ophiocordyceps formosana,Petrakia echinata,Phragmoporthe conformis and Pseudocamarosporium pini.The new species of Basidiomycota are Agaricus coccyginus,A.luteofibrillosus,Amanita atrobrunnea,A.digitosa,A.gleocystidiosa,A.pyriformis,A.strobilipes,Bondarzewia tibetica,Cortinarius albosericeus,C.badioflavidus,C.dentigratus,C.duboisensis,C.fragrantissimus,C.roseobasilis,C.vinaceobrunneus,C.vinaceogrisescens,C.wahkiacus,Cyanoboletus hymenoglutinosus,Fomitiporia atlantica,F.subtilissima,Ganoderma wuzhishanensis,Inonotus shoreicola,Lactifluus armeniacus,L.ramipilosus,Leccinum indoaurantiacum,Musumecia alpina,M.sardoa,Russula amethystina subp.tengii and R.wangii are introduced.Descriptions,illustrations,notes and/or reference specimens are designated for Clarkeinda trachodes,Dentocorticium ussuricum,Galzinia longibasidia,Lentinus stuppeus and Leptocorticium tenellum.The other new genera,species new combinations are Anaeromyces robustus,Neocallimastix californiae and Piromyces finnis from Neocallimastigomycota,Phytophthora estuarina,P.rhizophorae,Salispina,S.intermedia,S.lobata and S.spinosa from Oomycota,and Absidia stercoraria,Gongronella orasabula,Mortierella calciphila,Mucor caatinguensis,M.koreanus,M.merdicola and Rhizopus koreanus in Zygomycota.

Anthostomella is polyphyletic comprising several genera in Xylariaceae

Anthostomella has long been regarded as a large,but polyphyletic genus in the family Xylariaceae,but species in this group generally lack phylogenetic data.In this study,14 anthostomella-like taxa collected from Italy,were studied using both morphology and molecular data.Single ascospore isolates were obtained and the asexual morphs of five taxa established.The phylogenetic relationships of the xylariaceous taxa were inferred using combined ITS,RPB2,βtubulin and LSU gene regions.We introduce new sequence data for 24 with included the 14 new anthostomella-like taxa.The subfamilies Hypoxyloideae and Xylarioideae within Xylariaceae were recognized as the two major clades with high bootstrap support.Within the two clades 21 subclades were resolved and the anthostomella-like taxa clustered in five of these subclades indicating that the genus is polyphyletic.Anthostomella sensu stricto comprised A.forlicesenica,A.formosa,A.helicofissa,A.rubicola and A.obesa.The A.formosa and A.rubicola collections morphologically closely resemble the type specimens and therefore we designate reference specimens.Three new species Anthostomella helicofissa,A.forlicesenica and A.obesa are also introduced.Four distinct lineages of anthostomella-like taxa correspondent to four new genera,Anthocanalis,Brunneiperidium,Lunatiannulus and Pyriformiascoma,which are also introduced,while one clustered in Astrocystis and is introduced as a new species.Keys to the new anthostomella-like genera and species examined in this study are provided.

Towards unraveling relationships in Xylariomycetidae(Sordariomycetes)

The classification of subclass Xylariomycetidae is revisited with additional collections and phylogeny based on novel rDNA sequence data.Phylogenetic inferences are provided and are based on analysis of 115 sequence data,including new data for 27 strains.An updated outline to the subclass is presented based on the phylogenies and comprises two orders,18 families and 222 genera.An account of each order,family and genus in the subclass is given.We accept the orders Amphisphaeriales and Xylariales based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence.Amphisphaeriales comprises Amphisphaeriaceae,Bartaliniaceae fam.nov.,Clypeosphaeriaceae,Discosiaceae fam.nov.,Pestalotiopsidaceae fam.nov.and Phlogicylindriaceae fam.nov.Xylariales comprises Apiosporaceae,Cainiaceae,Coniocessiaceae,Diatrypaceae,Graphostromataceae(doubtful),Hyponectriaceae,Iodosphaeriaceae,Lopadostomaceae fam.nov.,Melogrammataceae,Pseudomassariaceae fam.nov.,Vialaeaceae and Xylariaceae.The new genera and species introduced are Arthrinium hyphopodii,A.subglobosa,Cainia anthoxanthis,Ciferriascosea gen.nov.,C.fluctamurum,C.rectamurum,Discosia neofraxinea,D.pseudopleurochaeta,Hyalotiella rubi,Seimatosporium cornii,S.ficeae,S.vitis and Truncatella spartii.