Katarína Adamčíková

The delimitation of Flammulina Fennae

Multivariate morphometric analyses of micromorphological characters measured on 35 specimens of Flammulina fennae and related species show that only a combination of spore dimensions and ixohyphidia characters are suitable for delimitation of this species. In order to confirm species identifications based on micromorphology, ribosomal ITS DNA sequences were obtained and compared with those previously deposited in GenBank, and phylogenetic analyses were performed using an ITS dataset of all known Flammulina species. All six specimens morphologically determined as F. fennae were identified by molecular data. Two of twelve specimens morphologically assigned to F. velutipes had F. elastica sequences. One ITS sequence of F. velutipes appears to be a hybrid: the ITS1 region is homologous to F. velutipes and ITS2 is homologous to another Flammulina species, F. rossica. Variability of morphocharacters observed for F. fennae and related species is discussed and compared with the data from previous studies. A key is provided to European taxa of the genus Flammulina together with a full description of F. fennae.

Distribution and characterization of Dothistroma needle blight pathogens on Pinus mugo in Slovakia

The occurrence and distribution of Dothistroma needle blight (DNB) on Pinus mugo was studied in 2014–2015 around the Slovakia. In total, 42 localities were investigated both native and planted ones. Symptoms of DNB were observed on 35 localities only on planted shrubs. All these 35 localities are new P. mugo DNB stands. No DNB symptoms were observed in natural and naturally regenerated plantations. DNA was extracted from a total of 236 isolates and eight needle samples. Based on the ITS-rDNA comparisons and using species specific primers, both pathogenic Dothistroma species were detected: D. septosporum and D. pini. Isolates of D. septosporum had ITS sequences identical to D. septosporum from Europe and both mating types were identified with slight predominance of MAT2. The ratio of D. septosporum mating types varies significantly between sites, ranging from an equal proportion of each mating type to single mating type populations. D. pini ITS sequence grouped with D. pini from Ukraine, Russia and Switzerland and only MAT2 was found.

Circumscription of species in the Hodophilus foetens complex (Clavariaceae, Agaricales) in Europe

Four European Hodophilus species with an odour similar to naphthalene, a strong unpleasant odour similar to that of mothballs, are recognized based on sequence and/or morphological data. The traditional concept defines Ho. foetens as the only Hodophilus species with a naphthalene odour in Europe. This name is now assigned to one of the studied species based on morphological examination of the holotype specimen. A recently collected specimen is proposed as the epitype. The other three species with a naphthalene odour are described here as new: Ho. pallidus, Ho. subfoetens and Ho. tenuicystidiatus. They are distinguishable in the field based on a combination of lamellae number and colour of basidiomata. All four species are grouped in the Ho. foetens superclade, one of two superclades, together with the Ho. micaceus superclade, in the genus Hodophilus. All are different species from North American taxa with a naphthalene-like odour recognised in a previous study. The Ho. foetens superclade also includes one species identified as Ho. atropunctus that does not have a distinctive odour. The type collection of Ho. albofloccipes, a recently described European species with a naphthalene odour, is placed together with some collections without a distinctive odour in the Ho. micaceus superclade.

Distribution and Population Structure of the Chestnut Blight Fungus in Romania

C. parasitica were isolated and characterised. Based on canker and isolate morphology (culture morphology and the Bavendamm test), both virulent and hypovirulent samples were isolated; hypovirulent isolates were found at only one locality. Two vegetative compatibility types corresponding to EU-12 and EU-2 were identified among isolates. Both mating types were found, with a dominance of MAT-1 in southern Romania and MAT-2 in northern Romania.

Identification of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, the causal agent of ash dieback in Slovakia

Abstract Symptoms of ash dieback have been recorded in Slovakia since 2004. The field sampling was carried out in 2013, included 59 segments of shoots and 10 and more petioles per locality from four localities. The causal agent of ash dieback, the hyphomycete Chalara fraxinea T. Kowalski, was isolated from Fraxinus excelsior L. from seven localities in Slovakia. The morphology of C. fraxinea isolates and the teleomorph Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (T. Kowalski) Baral, Queloz, Hosoya are described and ITS sequences are provided.

Scab disease of firethorn at selected localities in Slovakia

J������� G., I������ H., A��������� K., K���� M., Č�������� A. (2004): Scab disease of firethorn at selected localities in Slovakia. Plant Protect. Sci., 40: 42–48. The health state of firethorn, Pyracantha coccinea, was evaluated in different types of functional urban greenery at locations in Slovakia during 2001 (34 sites) and 2002 (18 sites). The occurrence of scab disease, caused by the fungus Spilocaea pyracanthae, was recorded. The degree of damage to firethorn fruits was evaluated; it ranged from 3.6% to 98.8% (2001) and from 9.1% to 38.5% (2002). Germination of conidia of the fungus ranged between 42 and 50% at 24–25°C after 24 h, and from 49% to 61% after 48 h. The germination of conidia collected on different parts of the plants from July to September was compared. Conidia taken from olive-green spots on fruits in September had the highest germination (53–89%).

Hodophilus (Clavariaceae, Agaricales) species with dark dots on the stipe: more than one species in Europe

Hodophilus atropunctus is traditionally defined as the only species of this genus with dark brown or black dots on the stipe. Multi-locus phylogenetic reconstruction recognised two distinct clades morphologically corresponding to this species concept. The limited morphological description in the protologue of H. atropunctus and absence of a type specimen were limitations in an assignment of this name to one of the recognised phylogenetic species. The emended species concept and the selection of a neotype are based on careful analyses of the colour of the basidiomata and how this changes during maturation and drying. The name H. atropunctus is assigned to the paler of the two species which also shows colour change across the pileus and along the length of the stipe when dry. The second darker species is described here as new, H. variabilipes, but only seven out of 14 collections examined belonging to this taxon had distinct dark coloured dots on the stipe surface.

Global Distribution of Erysiphe platani: New Records, Teleomorph Formation and Re-Examination of Herbarium Collections

Abstract A global survey of the spread of the Platanus powdery mildew, Erysiphe platani , has been carried out. E. platani teleomorph formation was recorded in countries where the fungus anamorph has been present for several years. The first findings of chasmothecia were recorded in Austria, Czech Republic, France, Italy and Slovakia. New records of E. platani (including the teleomorph) were found in Belgium, Croatia and Denmark. The occurrence of this fungus in Sweden and in two countries of North Africa (Algeria and Morocco) was confirmed. Descriptions of morphological features, illustrations, and worldwide distribution of E. platani are provided. Herbarium collections of powdery mildews on Platanus spp. were re-examined and revised. The occurrence of Phyllactinia guttata on Platanus is discussed and questioned.

Needle blight caused by Dothistroma pini in Slovakia: distribution, host range and mating types

ABSTRACT Dothistroma needle blight (DNB) has been observed in Slovakia during the last two decades. Up until 2017, Dothistroma septosporum has only been detected and molecularly confirmed to cause DNB in Slovakia. Here, we report the detection of Dothistroma pini at six localities around Slovakia, representing different plantation types. Four pine species (Pinus sylvestris, P. nigra, P. mugo and P. jeffreyi) were confirmed as hosts of D. pini in Slovakia, of which only P. mugo has been previously reported as host in Slovakia. Three gene regions (ITS, EF1 –α, and ß-tubulin) of each of the 13 isolates were sequenced and assigned as D. pini. Based on ITS sequences, the studied isolates represent the haplotypes Dp_HAP.1, Dp_HAP.2. Both mating types were detected but at different localities. Our results suggest that in addition to D. septosporum, D. pini may contribute to DNB also in Slovakia.

European Hodophilus (Clavariaceae, Agaricales) species with yellow stipe

Phylogenetic reconstruction of Hodophilus species with a yellow colour on the stipe based on nrITS, nrLSU and rpb2 sequences revealed six European species. All these species correspond to the widely accepted European concept of a single species Hodophilus micaceus. Four of these species are described and illustrated. H. micaceus and H. phaeoxanthus are recognised as two separate species and H. albofloccipes as a synonym of the latter. Two species, H. anatinus and H. cambriensis, are described as new. Possible endemism of H. micaceus and H. cambriensis to the British Isles is discussed. All analysed North American samples represent different species to those found in Europe. The North American species Hygrophorus rugulosus is combined in the genus Hodophilus. The preliminary key uses position and development of the yellow colour during maturation as the most important distinguishing character. The presence of the yellow colour is discussed as a possible synapomorphic character.