[Funga • 2020] Pseudosperma citrinostipes (Agaricomycetes: Inocybaceae) • A New Species associated with Keteleeria from southwestern China

 

Pseudosperma citrinostipes  Y.G. Fan & W.J. Yu,

Yu, Chang, Qin, Zeng, Wang et Fan, 2020. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.450.1.2  

 Researchgate.net/publication/342422365

Abstract

Pseudosperma citrinostipes sp. nov. from southwestern China is described and illustrated based on morphological, ecological, and molecular data. The new species is characterized by a medium-sized slender habit, straw yellow to golden yellow pileus, crowded lamellae without olive tinges, an equal stipe with lemon yellow to golden fibrils, large ellipsoid to subphaseoliform basidiospores, subfusiform to lageniform cheilocystidia, and the presence of caulocystidia at the stipe apex. Phylogenetically, P. citrinostipes is placed in the P. rimosum complex and is sister to the rest of the taxa of the species complex.

Keywords: Agaricomycetes, cryptic species, taxonomy, Yunnan province

Basidiomata of Pseudosperma citrinostipes.
 a-b. FCAS3504. c., e. and h. FHMU3150 (holotype). d., f. and g. FCAS3503.

bars = 10 mm. photos by Y.G. Fan.

Pseudosperma citrinostipes sp. nov. 

Wen-Jie YU, Cheng CHANG, Li-Wu QIN, Nian-Kai ZENG, Shao-Xian WANG and Yu-Guang FAN. 2020. Pseudosperma citrinostipes (Inocybaceae), A New Species associated with Keteleeria from southwestern China. Phytotaxa. 450(1); 8-16. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.450.1.2  

 Researchgate.net/publication/342422365_Pseudosperma_citrinostipes_a_new_species_associated_with_Keteleeria_from_southwestern_China

[Funga • 2025] Gibellula attenboroughii (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) •The araneopathogenic genus Gibellula in the British Isles, including A New Zombie Species on Orb-weaving Cave Spiders (Tetragnathidae: Metainae)

 

Gibellula attenboroughii, habitat and paratype, on Meta menardi.
 

Evans, Fogg, Buddie, Yeap, & Araújo, 2025 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3114/fuse.2025.15.07 

 

Abstract  

The genus Gibellula (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) comprises species pathogenic on and specific to spider hosts. Here, we report on the occurrence of a novel species infecting cave-dwelling, orb-weaving spiders of the sub-family Metainae (Tetragnathidae) in the British Isles. The new species, Gibellula attenboroughii is described and illustrated and its ecology is discussed; leading to the conclusion that infected spiders exhibit behavioural changes similar to those reported for zombie ants. The hidden diversity of the genus Gibellula in the British Isles is further highlighted based on fungarium records and literature searches. Two spider pathogens, previously assigned to the genus Torrubiella, are now transferred to the genus Gibellula, based on their Granulomanus synasexual morphs, in accordance with the one fungus-one name initiative: Gibellula albolanata comb. nov. and G. aranicida comb. nov.

Keywords: Gibellula attenboroughii; entomopathogenic fungi; host manipulation; new taxa; systematics

 

Gibellula attenboroughii, habitat and paratype IMI 507598, on Meta menardi.
A. Whitefathers’ Caves, showing the dark zone above the River Barran, County Cavan, Republic of Ireland. B. Entrance and twilight zone. C. Infected spider in situ, on cave ceiling, showing early infection with immature synnemata on compact, white subiculum, the specimen was found immediately above the figure in the centre. D. Dried specimen, showing creamish-yellow subiculum covering ventral abdomen.

 Scale bars: C = 0.5 mm; D = 0.25 mm.

  Evans, H.C.; Fogg, T.; Buddie, A.G.; Yeap, Y.T. and Araújo, J.P.M. 2025. The araneopathogenic genus Gibellula (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) in the British Isles, including A New Zombie Species on Orb-weaving Cave Spiders (Metainae: Tetragnathidae).  Fungal Systematics and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.3114/fuse.2025.15.07 

  x.com/joaofungo/status/1884185595884487080

[Funga • 2024] Metarhizium puerense (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) • A New Species from Yunnan, south-western China

Metarhizium puerense Hong Yu bis, J. M. Ma & Z.Q. Wang, 

in Ma, Wang, Yang, Chen, Li et Yu, 2024. 

DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e129087

 

Abstract

Background: As a genus within the Clavicipitaceae, Metarhizium exhibits rich morphological and ecological diversity, with a wide distribution and a variety of hosts. Currently, sixty-eight species of Metarhizium have been described.

New information: A new species of Metarhizium, M. puerense (Hong Yu bis), was described in Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, south-western China. Based on morphological characteristics and multilocus phylogenetic analyses, Metarhizium puerense was confirmed to be phylogenetically related to M. album, but was clearly separated and formed a distinct branch. In contrast, the host of Metarhizium album was plants and leafhoppers and that lepidopteran larvae were the host of M. puerense. The diagnostic features of M. puerense were solitary to multiple stromata and smooth-walled, cylindrical with rounded apices conidia.

Keywords: Metarhizium, morphology, phylogenetic analyses

Metarhizium puerense (YFCCMP 9458).
A. Stromata arising from hosts buried in soil. B. Fungus on the larvae of Lepidoptera. C. Apical part of stromata D-E. Culture characters on PDA (D = after 14 days, E = after 30 days). F-I. Conidiophores, phialides and conidia. J-K. Conidia.

 Scale bars: A-E = 1 cm. F-J = 10 µm. K = 5 µm.

Metarhizium puerense Hong Yu bis, J. M. Ma & Z.Q. Wang, sp. nov.

Jin Mei Ma, Zhi Qin Wang, Zhi Li Yang, Yue Chen, Song Yu Li and Hong Yu. 2024. Metarhizium puerense (Hypocreales, Clavicipitaceae): A New Species from Yunnan, south-western China. Biodiversity Data Journal. 12: e129087. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.12.e129087

[Mycology • 2024] Tuber itzcuinzapotl (Ascomycota: Pezizomycetes: Tuberaceae) • the First Edible Truffle reported from Mexico with Traditional Biocultural Importance

Tuber itzcuinzapotl de la Fuente & Rosales-Rosales,  
 

in de la Fuente, Rosales-Rosales, Martínez-González, Martínez-Reyes, Elizondo-Salas et Perez-Moreno, 2024. 

DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.635.3.2 

 Researchgate.net/publication/377700444

  facebook.com/TecNMZongolica

Abstract

Tuber itzcuinzapotl is described as a new species to science. This species is characterized by its pale brown ascomata, finely granular peridium, pale brown to gray gleba, and 22–52 × 15–40 µm alveolate ascospores. The new species is putatively associated with Pinus patula in conifer mixed forests in the state of Veracruz, located in eastern Mexico. Phylogenetic analysis based on the nrITS region places the new species in the Maculatum clade, closely related, but morphologically distinctive, to T. miquihuanense and T. mexiusanum. The new species consumed by the Nahua people, traditionally named “Itzcuinzapotl”, constitutes the first edible truffle with biocultural importance in Mexico. Macro- and micromorphological characterization, results of phylogenetic analysis, and photographs are presented. Ethnomycological aspects related to the species are also briefly discussed.

 

Key words: biocultural erosion, Ethnomycology, fungi, hypogeous fungi, Mexican truffles, mycorrhizal fungi, traditional knowledge

Tuber itzcuinzapotl de la Fuente & Rosales-Rosales, sp. nov. (Holotype).
A) Fresh ascomata. B) Dry ascomata. C) Peridium hyphal arrangement. D) Hyphae fromsterile veins. E) 3-spored ascus containing 2 mature ascospores showing alveolate ornamentation.

Bar: A–B= 10 mm; C–E=20 μm.

Tuber itzcuinzapotl de la Fuente & Rosales-Rosales, sp. nov.

Diagnosis:—The new species differs from other species within the Maculatum clade by its pale brown ascomata,finely granular peridium, composed of subglobose hyphae, forming pyramid-like structures, clavate terminal cells of11−30 × 6−10 μm, pale brown to gray gleba, and 22−52 × 15−40 μm alveolate ascospores. 

Etymology:—Refers to the name used by the Nahua people to designate this edibles species itzcuinzapotl (itzcuin = dog, and zapotl = zapote, a native sweet fruit). 

Javier Isaac de la Fuente, Wendy Rosales-Rosales, César Ramiro Martínez-González, Magdalena Martínez-Reyes, Andrea Carolina Elizondo-Salas and Jesus Perez-Moreno. 2024. Tuber itzcuinzapotl sp. nov. (Tuberaceae, Pezizomycetes), the First Edible Truffle reported from Mexico with Traditional Biocultural Importance.  Phytotaxa. 635(3); 206-216. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.635.3.2

  Researchgate.net/publication/377700444_Tuber_itzcuinzapotl_the_first_edible_truffle_reported_from_Mexico

  facebook.com/100089681312095/posts/339977982334910

  facebook.com/TecNMZongolica/posts/679302027702523

[Fungi • 2023] Paraisaria cascadensis & P. pseudoheteropoda (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) • New Species and New Combinations in the Genus Paraisaria from the U.S.A., supported by polyphasic analysis

Paraisaria cascadensis Tehan, Dooley & Spatafora,

 Paraisaria pseudoheteropoda Tehan & Spatafora,

in Tehan, Dooley, Barge, McPhail et Spatafora, 2023. 

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.100.110959

 

Abstract

Molecular phylogenetic and chemical analyses, and morphological characterization of collections of North American Paraisaria specimens support the description of two new species and two new combinations for known species. P. cascadensis sp. nov. is a pathogen of Cyphoderris (Orthoptera) from the Pacific Northwest USA and P. pseudoheteropoda sp. nov. is a pathogen of cicadae (Hemiptera) from the Southeast USA. New combinations are made for Ophiocordyceps insignis and O. monticola based on morphological, ecological, and chemical study. A new cyclopeptide family proved indispensable in providing chemotaxonomic markers for resolving species in degraded herbarium specimens for which DNA sequencing is intractable. This approach enabled the critical linkage of a 142-year-old type specimen to a phylogenetic clade. The diversity of Paraisaria in North America and the utility of chemotaxonomy for the genus are discussed.

Key words: Ascomycota, chemotaxonomy, Cicada, Cordyceps, Cyphoderris, entomopathogen, Ophiocordyceps, Prionus

 Paraisaria cascadensis Tehan, Dooley & Spatafora, sp. nov.

Etymology: cascadensis occurring in the Cascade Mountain range in the Pacific Northwest, USA.

Host: Cyphoderris monstrosa (Prophalangopsidae, Orthoptera).

Habitat: Specimens occur on hypogeous adult hump-winged grigs, Cyphoderris monstrosa, in coniferous forest.

 Paraisaria pseudoheteropoda Tehan & Spatafora, sp. nov.

Etymology: pseudoheteropoda resembling another cicada-pathogenic species, Paraisaria heteropoda.

Host: Nymphs of Cicadidae (Hemiptera).

Habitat: Specimens occur on hypogeous nymphs of cicadae at the base of coniferous and deciduous trees, especially oaks.

Richard M. Tehan, Connor B. Dooley, Edward G. Barge, Kerry L. McPhail and Joseph W. Spatafora. 2023. New Species and New Combinations in the Genus Paraisaria (Hypocreales, Ophiocordycipitaceae) from the U.S.A., supported by polyphasic analysis.  MycoKeys. 100: 69-94. DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.100.110959

[Fungi • 2023] Microstrobilinia castrans (Ascomycota: Leotiomycetes) • A New Genus and Species of the Sclerotiniaceae parasitizing Pollen Cones of Picea spp.

Microstrobilinia castrans Beenken & Andr. Gross,

in Beenken, Stroheker, Dubach, ... et Gross, 2023.

 DOI: 10.1007/s11557-023-01865-w

Abstract

The fungal pathogens of spruce are well known in Europe and elsewhere. Therefore, it was surprising to discover a new fungal species and genus in Central Europe that attacks the pollen cones of three spruce species. The new ascomycete forms apothecia on stromatized pollen cones of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Serbian spruce (Picea omorika) in mountain areas and on West Himalayan spruce (Picea smithiana) planted in urban lowland regions of Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. It was also detected in France, based on metabarcode sequences deposited in the GlobalFungi database. Its sudden appearance and the different origins of the host trees in Europe and Asia leave the origin of the fungus unclear. The new fungus might be a neomycete for Europe. A phylogenetic analysis using SSU, LSU, ITS, RPB2, and TEF1 sequences classified the fungus as a member of Sclerotiniaceae (Helotiales, Leotiomycetes). However, it differs morphologically from the other genera of this family in having an ascus without apical apparatus containing four mainly citriform spores with 16 nuclei each. Furthermore, it is the only known cup fungus that parasitizes pollen cones of conifers by stromatizing their tissue and infecting pollen grains. The fungus does not seem to cause major damage to the spruce populations, as only a few pollen cones per tree are affected. All this leads us to describe the newly discovered fungus as the new species and new genus Microstrobilinia castrans, the fungus that castrates pollen cones of spruce.

 

Keywords: GlobalFungi database, Helotiales, Multinucleate ascospores, Neomycete, New genus, New species, Phenology, Pollen parasite

Microstrobilinia castrans:
a–e On Picea smithiana: a P. smithiana tree at type location, two P. omorika trees in the background; b fresh infected pollen cone showing first symptoms like deformation and brown discoloration; c infected pollen cone with apothecia in the first year after infection; d, e several years old pollen cones overgrown with mosses and lichens with fresh apothecia and remnants of last year’s apothecia.
 f–i On Picea abies: f P. abies at a typical habitat in the Swiss Alps; g infested pollen cones on twigs; h pollen cone with small immature apothecia; i pollen cone with mature apothecia. j Pollen cones of P. omorika with dry, mature apothecia

Microstrobilinia castrans, ontogeny of apothecia:
a Black primordium in center of a cone scale in early summer; b immature apothecium in summer; c mature apothecia in autumn with gray velvet outer surface; d dehydrated mature apothecia with black smooth outer surface in next spring; e, f hydrated mature apothecia in next spring; g apothecium in side-view showing the stipe; h dissected pollen cone scales with apothecium.

 a–d from P. abies; e, f, h from P. smithiana; g from P. omorika.

Scale bars: a, b = 0.25 mm; c, d, g = 0.5 mm; e, f, h = 1 mm

Microstrobilinia Beenken & Andr. Gross, gen. nov.

 

Etymology: The genus name refers to the substrate: “microstrobilus” means “small cone” in Greek and is the botanical term for the male pollen cone of conifers.

Diagnosis: Member of Sclerotiniaceae Whetzel (1945) emend. Holst-Jensen et al. (1997) (Helotiales, Leotiomycetes), different from all other members of the Sclerotiniaceae in 4-spored, cylindrical asci with a short stipe and an iodine negative apex without apical apparatus, mature ascospores containing 16 nuclei, parasitizing pollen cones of Picea spp.

Microstrobilinia castrans Beenken & Andr. Gross, spec. nov.

Etymology: The species name refers to the fact that the fungus prevents the male reproduction of its host: “castrans” is Latin for castrating/emasculating.

Short diagnosis: Apothecia brown, short stipitate, desiccation-tolerant, 1–5 mm in diameter, growing on stromatized pollen cones of Picea spp.; ectal excipulum of brown textura globulosa-angularis; asci cylindric, av. 108 × 14.6 µm when alive, iodine negative without visible apical apparatus, 4-spored, ascospores citriform, and almond-shaped, av. 25 × 13 µm when alive, containing 16 nuclei when mature.

 

 

Ludwig Beenken, Sophie Stroheker, Vivanne Dubach, Markus Schlegel, Valentin Queloz and Andrin Gross. 2023. Microstrobilinia castrans, A New Genus and Species of the Sclerotiniaceae parasitizing Pollen Cones of Picea spp. Mycological Progress. 22, 14. DOI: 10.1007/s11557-023-01865-w

[Fungi • 2022] Multi-locus Phylogeny unmasks Hidden Species within the Specialised Spider-parasitic Fungus, Gibellula (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) in Thailand

Gibellula sp. 

  Kuephadungphan, Petcharad, Tasanathai, Thanakitpipattana, ... et Luangsa-ard, 2022. 

DOI: 10.3114/sim.2022.101.04 

 facebook.com/WesterdijkInstitute 

 

Abstract 

Over 80 species of hypocrealean fungi are reported as pathogens of spiders and harvestmen. Among these fungi, the genus Gibellula is highly regarded as a specialised spider-killer that has never been reported to infect other arthropods. While more than 20 species of Gibellula are known, few attempts to identify the infected spiders have been made despite the fact that the host specificity can help identify the fungal species. Here, we morphologically describe and illustrate eight new species of Gibellula and three new records from Thailand of known species along with the multi-gene phylogeny that clearly showed the segregation among the proposed species. Examination of the Gibellula-infected spider hosts identified Oxyopidae, Uloboridae and, for the first time, the ant-mimicking genus Myrmarachne.

Keywords: Gibellula; araneogenous fungus; new taxa; spider predator

Gibellula 

 

  Kuephadungphan, W.; Petcharad, B.; Tasanathai, K.; Thanakitpipattana, D.; Kobmoo, N.; Khonsanit, A.; Samson, R.A. and Luangsa-ard, J.J. 2022. Multi-locus Phylogeny unmasks Hidden Species within the Specialised Spider-parasitic Fungus, Gibellula (Hypocreales, Cordycipitaceae) in Thailand.   Studies in Mycology. DOI: 10.3114/sim.2022.101.04

  facebook.com/WesterdijkInstitute/photos/2117097225147737/

[Fungi • 2021] Helvella jocatoi (Ascomycota: Pezizales) • A New Species from H. lacunosa Complex with Cultural Importance in central Mexico Abies religiosa Forests

Helvella jocatoi F. Landeros, R. Garibay-Orijel & L. Guz.-Dáv. 

in Landeros, Ferrusca-Rico, Guzmán-Dávalos, ... et Garibay-Orijel, 2021.

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.498.1.1

Abstract

Helvella lacunosa is a species complex, with Helvella lacunosa s.s. not currently distributed in America. The objective of this study was to resolve the taxonomy of specimens from central Mexico identified as Helvella lacunosa s.l. associated with Abies religiosa forests. The nuclear ITS and LSU regions were PCR-amplified and sequenced from dry herbaria specimens. Phylogenetic analyses were based on Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference approaches. Sequences of Helvella from A. religiosa forests grouped into a well-supported lineage within the North American clade together with Helvella dryophila (associated with Quercus in western USA) and Helvella vespertina (associated with conifer forests in western USA). Therefore, we describe and illustrate Helvella jocatoi as a new species based on phylogeny and morphological traits. In central Mexico, this taxon is an edible mushroom known as “gachupín”, has high cultural importance and is sold in large quantities. The description of this new species restricted to A. religiosa forests has implications for its conservation since its habitat is endangered.

Keywords: Abies religiosa, Ecology, Helvella lacunosa complex, Phylogeny, edible mushrooms, Fungi

Helvella jocatoi F. Landeros, R. Garibay-Orijel & L. Guz.-Dáv. 
 A) Holotype CB08326 (MEXU 25760); B) Castro-Castro 7 (IBUG); C) Landeros 3581 (IBUG); D) Hymenium; E) Ascospores; F) Ectal excipulum cells.

 A), B), C) Bars: 1 cm. D), E), F) Bars: 10 µm.

Helvella jocatoi F. Landeros, R. Garibay-Orijel & L. Guz.-Dáv. sp. nov. 

Diagnoses: Ascoma 40–160 mm high, pileus 20–60 mm, high 20–60 mm broad, with three lobes or irregularly lobed, dark gray to black. Pileus sterile surface smooth to slightly venous, white or slightly grayish. Stipe up to 120 mm high and up to 25 mm broad, cylindrical, lacunose, first white, then grayish even blackish. Ascospores 16.8–20.8 (–22) × 10.8–13 (–14) µm, hyaline. Solitary or in clusters, terrestrial or on mosses in Abies religiosa forests on the Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt. 

 Etymology: jocato (Spanish), is an acronym for the first two letters of the given name and two last names of José Castillo Tovar deceased at 2012 who was a prominent Mexican mycologist and teacher of the first author; i (Latin), pertaining to, indicates the genitive case in masculine form.

Fidel Landeros, Felipe M. Ferrusca-Rico, Laura Guzmán-Dávalos, Edgardo Ulises Esquivel-Naranjo, Noemí Matías-Ferrer, Cristina Burrola-Aguilar, Gala Artemisa Viurcos-Martínez and Roberto Garibay-Orijel. 2021. Helvella jocatoi sp. nov. (Pezizales, Ascomycota), A New Species from H. lacunosa Complex with Cultural Importance in central Mexico Abies religiosa Forests. Phytotaxa. 498(1); 1–11. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.498.1.1

[Fungi • 2020] Bryostroma popei • A New Bryophilous Ascomycete (Ascomycota: Dothideomycetes) from the British Isles, with A Worldwide Key to the Genus Bryostroma

Bryostroma popei Greiff & P.F.Cannon.

in Greiff & Cannon, 2020. 

DOI: 10.1007/s12225-020-09917-0

 facebook.com/KewBulletin 

Summary

The bryophilous Bryostroma popei is a novel ascomycete that infects the pleurocarpous moss Leptodictyum riparium. The morphology of the new species is described, illustrated and compared to other species in the genus. A key to the nine species of Bryostroma is provided.

Key Words: intracellular hyphae, muscicolous, parasitism

Bryostroma popei Greiff & P.F.Cannon.
A ascomata on decaying stem of Leptodictyum riparium; B section through ascoma, showing the oblique basal stromatic peg (arrow); C asci, ascospores and degenerating interascal tissue, mounted in water; D ascus and ascospores mounted in warmed lactic acid, showing the spore ornamentation.

Bryostroma popei Greiff & P.F.Cannon, sp. nov. 

(Dothideomycetes, incertae sedis). 

Type: UK, Isle of Wight, Havenstreet, Briddlesford Copse, on decaying stems of Leptodictyon riparium, UK grid reference SZ556900, 26 Sept. 2019, G. R. L. Greiff. 

Holotype (K(M) 255204). [Index Fungorum IF557422].

HABITAT. Riparian ancient woodland; alt. approx. 15 m. The host plant Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst. (Amblystegiaceae, Hypnales, Bryidae, Bryophyta) was growing in a seasonal stream.

ETYMOLOGY. popei, in honour of the Isle of Wight botanist, mycologist and excellent all-round naturalist Dr Colin R. Pope.

 

George R. L. Greiff and Paul F. Cannon. 2020. Bryostroma popei — A New Bryophilous Ascomycete from the British Isles, with A Worldwide Key to the Genus Bryostroma. Kew Bulletin. 75: 60. DOI: 10.1007/s12225-020-09917-0

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[Fungi • 2020] Amended Description of the rarely reported Bryophilous Ascomycete Octospora svrcekii (Pyronemataceae) with Notes on the Phylogeny of the Section Wrightoideae

 Octospora svrcekii Benkert (1998)

in Sochorová, Matočec, Kušan, et al., 2020.

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.475.1.1

 

Abstract

The bryophilous ascomycete Octospora svrcekii, belonging to the section Wrightoideae, has so far been reported from only three localities in the world. New collections from Albania, Austria, Croatia, France, Slovakia and Spain have enabled a better understanding of its variability, ecology, distribution and phylogenetic relationships with other taxa within the section Wrightoideae. Octospora svrcekii was always found associated with Cratoneuron filicinum growing in constantly humid habitats (brooks, rivers or waterfalls), on calcareous bedrock. A species description based on both living and dead material is provided and compared with previous observations. A phylogenetic analysis of the section Wrightoideae, performed using the EF1α, SSU rDNA and LSU rDNA loci, revealed that Octospora svrcekii forms a monophyletic group with O. wrightii, O. erzbergeri, O. hygrohypnophila and O. americana, all of which are characterised by subglobose to broadly ellipsoid ascospores ornamented with isolated warts, and infect mosses in the order Hypnales, inducing galls on their rhizoids. Based on the molecular analysis, O. orthotrichi and O. affinis, formerly also considered as members of the section Wrightoideae, do not belong to the group.

Keywords: Bryophilous fungi, fungal systematics, galls, pleurocarpous mosses, vital taxonomy, Fungi

Zuzana Sochorová, Neven Matočec, Ivana Kušan, Lukáš Janošík, Jan Eckstein, Marcel Vega, Armin Mešić, Michaela Sedlářová, Rubén Martínez-Gil and Michal Sochor. 2020. Amended Description of the rarely reported Bryophilous Ascomycete Octospora svrcekii (Pyronemataceae) with Notes on the Phylogeny of the Section Wrightoideae. Phytotaxa. 475(1); 1–17. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.475.1.1

[Fungi • 2020] Revisiting Metarhizium and the Description of New Species from Thailand

Metarhizium megapomponiae, M. niveum & M. ovoidosporum

 Luangsa-ard, Khonsanit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson

Purpureomyces khaoyaiensis (Hywel-Jones) Luangsa-ard, Samson & Thanakitpipattana

P. pyriformis Luangsa-ard, Noisripoom, Himaman, Mongkolsamrit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson

in Mongkolsamrit, Khonsanit, Thanakitpipattana, ... et Luangsa-ard, 2020. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.simyco.2020.04.001 

Abstract

Over the last two decades the molecular phylogeny and classification of Metarhizium has been widely studied. Despite these efforts to understand this enigmatic genus, the basal lineages in Metarhizium are still poorly resolved. In this study, a phylogenetic framework is reconstructed for the Clavicipitaceae focusing on Metarhizium through increased taxon-sampling using five genomic loci (SSU, LSU, tef, rpb1, rpb2) and the barcode marker ITS rDNA. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses and morphological characterisation of green-spored entomopathogenic Metarhizium isolates from Thailand and soil isolates of M. carneum and M. marquandii reveal their ecological, genetic and species diversity. Nineteen new species are recognised in the Metarhizium clade with narrow host ranges: two new species are found in the M. anisopliae complex – M. clavatum on Coleoptera larvae and M. sulphureum on Lepidoptera larvae; four new species are found in the M. flavoviride complex – M. biotecense and M. fusoideum on brown plant hoppers (Hemiptera), M. culicidarum on mosquitoes, M. nornnoi on Lepidoptera larvae; three new species M. megapomponiae, M. cicadae, M. niveum occur on cicadas; five new species M. candelabrum, M. cercopidarum, M. ellipsoideum, M. huainamdangense M. ovoidosporum occur on planthoppers, leafhoppers and froghoppers (Hemiptera); one new species M. eburneum on Lepidoptera pupae; and four new species M. phuwiangense, M. purpureum, M. purpureonigrum, M. flavum on Coleoptera. Of these 19 new species, seven produce a sexual morph (M. clavatum, M. eburneum, M. flavum, M. phuwiangense, M. purpureonigrum, M. purpureum, and M. sulphureum) and asexual morphs are found in the remaining new species and also in M. sulphureum, M. purpureonigrum and M. purpureum. Metarhizium blattodeae, M. koreanum and M. viridulum are new records for Thailand. An alternative neotype for Metarhizium anisopliae is proposed based on multi-gene and 5′tef analyses showing that CBS 130.71 from Ukraine is more suitable, being from a much closer geographical location to Metchnikoff’s Metarhizium anisopliae. This isolate is distinct from the neotype of Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae proposed by M. Tulloch from Ethiopia (ARSEF 7487). Six new genera are established for monophyletic clades subtending the core Metarhizium clade, including Keithomyces, Marquandomyces, Papiliomyces, Purpureomyces, Sungia, and Yosiokobayasia. Metarhizium carneum, M. aciculare, and M. neogunnii are combined in Keithomyces and one new combination for M. marquandii in Marquandomyces is proposed. Purpureomyces is introduced for species producing purple stromata including a new combination for M. khaoyaiense and two new species P. maesotensis and P. pyriformis. Papiliomyces contains two new combinations for M. liangshanense and Metacordyceps shibinensis. The genus Sungia is proposed for the Korean species M. yongmunense on Lepidoptera pupa and Yosiokobayasia for the Japanese species M. kusanagiense also on Lepidoptera pupa. A synoptic and dichotomous key to the accepted taxa is provided together with tables listing distinguishing morphological characters between species, host preferences, and geography.

Key words: Biological control, Clavicipitaceae, Entomopathogenic fungi

Taxonomic novelties: New genera

Keithomyces Samson, Luangsa-ard & Houbraken

Marquandomyces Samson, Houbraken & Luangsa-ard

Papiliomyces Luangsa-ard, Samson & Thanakitpipattana

Purpureomyces Luangsa-ard, Samson & Thanakitpipattana

Sungia Luangsa-ard, Samson & Thanakitpipattana

Yosiokobayasia Samson, Luangsa-ard & Thanakitpipattana

New species: 

Metarhizium biotecense Luangsa-ard, Khonsanit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. candelabrum Luangsa-ard, Mongkolsamrit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. cercopidarum Luangsa-ard, Mongkolsamrit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. cicadae Luangsa-ard, Tasanathai, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. clavatum Luangsa-ard, Mongkolsamrit, Lamlertthon, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. culicidarum Luangsa-ard, Khonsanit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. eburneum Luangsa-ard, Noisripoom, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. ellipsoideum Luangsa-ard, Khonsanit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. flavum Luangsa-ard, Mongkolsamrit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. fusoideum Luangsa-ard, Mongkolsamrit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. huainamdangense Luangsa-ard, Mongkolsamrit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. megapomponiae Luangsa-ard, Tasanathai, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. niveum Luangsa-ard, Tasanathai, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. nornnoi Luangsa-ard, Khonsanit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. ovoidosporum Luangsa-ard, Khonsanit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. phuwiangense Luangsa-ard, Mongkolsamrit, Himaman, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. purpureonigrum Luangsa-ard, Tasanathai, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. purpureum Luangsa-ard, Mongkolsamrit, Lamlertthon, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, M. sulphureum Luangsa-ard, Khonsanit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, 

Purpureomyces maesotensis Luangsa-ard, Noisripoom, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, P. pyriformis Luangsa-ard, Noisripoom, Himaman, Mongkolsamrit, Thanakitpipattana & Samson

New combinations: 

Keithomyces acicularis (H. Iwasaki et al.) Samson, Luangsa-ard & Houbraken, Keithomyces carneus (Duché & R. Heim) Samson, Luangsa-ard & Houbraken, Keithomyces neogunnii (T.C. Wen & K.D. Hyde) Luangsa-ard, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, 

Marquandomyces marquandii (Massee) Samson, Houbraken & Luangsa-ard, 

Papiliomyces liangshanensis (M. Zang et al.) Luangsa-ard, Samson & Thanakitpipattana, Papiliomyces shibinensis (T.C. Wen et al.) Luangsa-ard Samson & Thanakitpipattana, 

Purpureomyces khaoyaiensis (Hywel-Jones) Luangsa-ard, Samson & Thanakitpipattana, 

Sungia yongmunensis (G.H. Sung et al.) Luangsa-ard, Thanakitpipattana & Samson, 

Yosiokobayasia kusanagiensis (Kobayasi & Shimizu) Samson, Luangsa-ard & Thanakitpipattana

Neotype: Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokīn

Metarhizium megapomponiae (BBH 19860). A–B. Fungus on adult cicada.
Metarhizium niveum (BBH 35742). A. Fungus on adult cicada. 
Metarhizium ovoidosporum (BBH 25358). A. Fungus on adult Lophopid planthopper.  

 Metarhizium megapomponiae (BBH 19860, culture ex-type BCC 25100).
A–B. Fungus on adult cicada. C. Phialides and conidia on host. D–E. Conidium on insect host. F. Colonies on OA. G–H. Phialides and conidia on OA. I. Conidia on OA. J. Colonies on PDA. K–L. Phialides and conidia on PDA. M. Conidia on PDA. 

 Scale bars: A, B = 10 mm; C = 8 μm; D–M =5 μm.

Purpureomyces khaoyaiensis (NHJ00855.01, BCC1376).

A. Stroma arising from Lepidoptera larva. B. Oblique perithecial. C. Section through the stroma showing perithecia. 

Scale bars: A = 5 mm; B = 4 mm; C = 200 μm.

Purpureomyces pyriformis (BBH 43364, culture ex-type BCC 85074).

A–B. Stroma arising from Lepidoptera pupa. C. Perithecia. 

Scale bars: A = 5 mm; B = 2 mm; C = 150 μm.

 

Suchada Mongkolsamrit, Artit Khonsanit, Donnaya Thanakitpipattana, K. Tasanathai, W. Noisripoom, S. Lamlertthon, W. Himaman, J. Houbraken, R. A. Samson and J. Luangsa-ard. 2020. Revisiting Metarhizium and the Description of New Species from Thailand. Studies in Mycology. 95; 171-251. DOI: 10.1016/j.simyco.2020.04.001

[Fungi • 2020] Porpidinia brevispora• A New Species and the Second Representative of the Genus Porpidinia (Lecideaceae, Lecanorales) from the Russian Far East

Porpidinia brevispora  Yakovchenko & Davydov

in Yakovchenko, Davydov, Paukov & Ohmura, 2020. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.459.1.8 

 Researchgate.net/publication/344172186 

Abstract

Porpidinia brevispora sp. nov. from Shikhote-Alin Range, Primorye Territory, Russian Far East is described and illustrated. The new species resembles Porpidinia tumidula morphologically, but is distinct in its spherical to ellipsoid, significantly smaller ascospores that do not overlap in size with those of P. tumidula, as well as a lower hymenium with paraphyses embedded into hyaline gelatinous envelopes, up to 5 µm wide. Porpidinia brevispora inhabits carbonate rocks at low elevations.

Keywords: new taxa, East Asia, Porpidinia tumidula, calciphilous lichen, Shikhote-Alin Range, squamulose growth form, Lichens

Porpidinia brevispora (holotype):
 (A) holotype specimen (LE-L15308); (B) section of thallus; (C) section of apothecium; (D) asci and paraphyses with caps and thick gelatinose envelopes, in lactophenol cotton blue; (E) ascospores.

 Bars: A=2 mm; B&C=50 µm; D=20 µm; E=10 µm.

Porpidinia brevispora Yakovchenko & Davydov, sp. nov.

Etymology: The name refers to the small size of ascospores, an essential character distinguishing this species from its closest relative, Porpidinia tumidula.

  Lidia Yakovchenko, Evgeny A. Davydov, Alexander Paukov and Yoshihito Ohmura. 2020. Porpidinia brevispora, A New Species and the Second Representative of the Genus Porpidinia (Lecideaceae, Lecanorales) from the Russian Far East.   Phytotaxa. 459(1); 75–80. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.459.1.8

  Researchgate.net/publication/344172186_Porpidinia_brevispora_a_new_species_of_Porpidinia_from_the_Russian_Far_East

[Fungi • 2020] Troglomyces twitteri • The First Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniomycetes) from An American Millipede, discovered through Social Media

 Troglomyces twitteri Santam., Enghoff & Reboleira
male Cambala annulata  image by Derek Hennen. The red circles indicate two thalli of Laboulbeniales.
 

in Santamaria, Enghoff & Reboleira, 2020. 

DOI:  10.3897/mycokeys.67.51811 

twitter.com/SReboleira twitter.com/DerekHennen

Abstract

Laboulbeniales are highly specialized arthropod-associated fungi. The majority of the almost 2200 known species live on insects, although they also occur on other arthropod hosts. Recently, the number of Laboulbeniales associated with millipedes has increased considerably. Here we describe the first species of a Laboulbeniales fungus, Troglomyces twitteri sp. nov., from an American millipede. The new species was initially discovered on a photo of Cambala annulata (Say, 1821) from Ohio, USA, which had been shared on Twitter. A subsequent microscopic study of Cambala millipedes in museum collections in Denmark and France confirmed the discovery.

Keywords: animal-fungus interaction, collections-based research, Diplopoda, Laboulbeniaceae, social media

Figure 1. Cambala annulata, male. USA, Ohio, Adams County, West Union, Greene Township, Edge of Appalachia Preserve System, Abner Hollow Rd., on Bisher Dolostone Cliffs, 38.7139N, 83.4187W, 26 Jun 2014; M. Zloba leg. Original of image shared on Twitter on 31 Oct 2018 by Derek Hennen. Courtesy of D. Hennen. The red circles indicate two thalli of Laboulbeniales.

Figure 2. Troglomyces twitteri Santam., Enghoff & Reboleira, sp. nov. 
A–D mature thalli with labelling of cells and other elements in B, C E, F detail of perithecium at two focusing levels to show the slightly longer lip (E, arrow), and tooth-like outgrowth (F, arrow). In Fig. F, cell VI is labelled G detail of an immature thallus showing the trichogyne (tr) and the antheridium (an).

Scale bars: 50 µm (A–D), 25 µm (E–G). 

Photographs from: slides GA003-1 (A, D), GA003-2 (E–G), and C-F-95157 (B, C).

Taxonomy: 

Order Laboulbeniales Lindau

Suborder Laboulbeniineae Thaxt

Family Laboulbeniaceae Peyr

Subfamily Laboulbenioideae s. str.

Tribe Laboulbenieae Thaxt

Subtribe Stigmatomycetinae (Thaxt.) I.I. Tav.

Genus Troglomyces S. Colla, 

Nuovo Giornale Botanico Italiano 39: 450 (1932).

Type species: T. manfrediae S. Colla

Brief description: Receptacle three-celled. Cell III very narrow and adnate to the perithecium. Perithecium with 5-6 outer wall cells in each vertical row. Perithecial apex typically with four protruding lips. Nine species.

Troglomyces twitteri Santam., Enghoff & Reboleira, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Septa II–III and II–VI approximately at the same level. Dorsal and ventral margin of cell II of equal to subequal height, in contrast to all other Troglomyces, such that cell II is not adnate to either cell VI or the perithecium. Primary appendage branched. Perithecial apex bearing four slightly protruding lips, one of them being longer.

Etymology: Named after the social media platform Twitter, where it was observed for the first time.

 Sergi Santamaria, Henrik Enghoff and Ana Sofia Reboleira. 2020. The First Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniomycetes) from An American Millipede, discovered through Social Media. MycoKeys. 67: 45-53. DOI:  10.3897/mycokeys.67.51811

twitter.com/SReboleira/status/1260969496451350529

twitter.com/DerekHennen/status/1261084074627735555

Bizarre new species discovered... on Twitter

phys.org/news/2020-05-bizarre-species-twitter.html