Laia Guàrdia Valle

Zygospores as evidence of sexual reproduction in the genus Orphella

The presence of zygospores in the genus Orphella is newly described. We found zygospores in three species of the genus, O. catalaunica, O. coronata and O. helicospora, which are all the species of the genus known from the Iberian territory. Zygospores are associated with a heterothallic conjugating sexual process in O. coronata, whereas in O. catalaunica and O. helicospora, they form homothallically. In all instances, zygospores are consistently associated with an organized pattern of sterile cells, forming structures comparable to those present with asexual trichospores. We compare the ontogeny of Orphella zygospores with that found in the harpellid Genistellospora homothallica and discuss the possible close relationship of Orphella with Kickxellales (Zygomycetes). We report O. coronata in Spain for the first time, replacing all previous records of O. haysii. Results are supported with line drawings and photographs.

The genus Smittium (Trichomycetes, Harpellales) in the Iberian Peninsula

A study of larval Diptera (Chironomidae, Culicidae and Simuliidae) from Spain has been carried out to fulfill a catalogue of species of the genus Smittium (Harpellales: Legeriomycetaceae) present within these hosts. Among the reported taxa, eight are new species: Smittium brevisporum, S. bulbosporo-phorus, S. gracilis, S. hecatei, S. heterosporum, S. inex-pectans, S. prostratum and S. pseudodimorphum. We also report six previously described species, which are new for the Iberian Peninsula: S. alpinum, S. dipterorum, S. megazygosporum, S. pusillum, S. typhellum and S. fecundum. Three other species (S. simulii, S. culicis and S. culisetae) previously were reported from Spain. In two of them (S. fecundum and S. culicis), we describe for the first time the presence of zygospores. Some of the included species have been artificially cultured as well as ultrastructurally studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with the purpose of observing the surface of both trichospores and the trichospore collar and the morphology of the trichospore appendage.

Baetimyces, a new genus of Harpellales, and first report of Legeriomyces ramosus from the northeastern Iberian Peninsula

Baetimyces, belonging to the Legeriomycetaceae, is described here as a new genus. Its single species, B. ancorae, has been found growing in the hindgut of mayfly nymphs of the genus Baetis (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae) inhabiting a Pyrenean Mountains canal-stream from the northeastern region of the Iberian Peninsula. The new genus is characterized by having trichospores with two thick appendages of unequal length, and by zygospores perpendicularly and medially attached to the zygosporophore. The new genus may be related to Glotzia, Legeriomyes, and Zygopolaris, and similarities with these and other genera are compared and discussed. The new species often coexists in the same gut with Legeriomyces ramosus, which is reported for the first time in Spain.

Bojamyces transfuga sp. nov. and new records of Trichomycetes from mayfly larvae in Spain

The new species Bojamyces transfuga is described. It was found growing in the hindgut of mayfly nymphs and in their shed abdominal exoskeleton lumen. Bojamyces transfuga shows single appendaged trichospores and zygospores of type I, unlike Bojamyces repens, where appendages and zygospores are unknown. The generic description of Bojamyces is emended to accommodate this new taxon. Bojamyces repens, known only from the United States, has been found for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula on mayfly molts. We also note the presence of Legeriomyces rarus in Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands. Previously it was known only in Western Australia.

Tectimyces , a new genus of Harpellales on mayfly nymphs ( Leptophlebiidae ) in Spain

The genus Tectimyces gen. nov. (Harpellales: Legeriomycetaceae) is described with two species, T. leptophlebiidarum and T. robustus spp. nov., collected on the hindgut of the mayfly nymph Habroleptoides confusa (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) in northern Spain. This is the second report of a trichomycete inhabiting a member of this family of ephemerids. Diagnostic for the new genus are type II zygospores and unappendaged trichospores, borne on long generative cells and carrying a very short collar after release. The position and morphological traits of the newly described taxa are discussed and compared with other genera and species, such as Bojamyces repens and Orphella spp.

Dipteran-associated Harpellales from lowland and submontane tropical rain forests of Veracruz (Mexico)

We report on the species of Harpellales found in dipteran hosts during two surveys (32 field d) in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. One new morphospecies, Genistellospora dorsicaudata, is described with particular attention to the position of the terminal cell associated with fully developed fertile thalli bearing sexual spores. We emend the description of G. guanacastensis to include morphometrics on the zygospores, based on discovery of the sexual spores for that species in our collections. Thirteen other previously described species, which are new for Mexico, include G. homothallica, Pennella montana, Simuliomyces microsporus, Smittium aciculare, S. brasiliense (in a new host type), S. culisetae, S. dipterorum, S. microsporum, S. simulii and the unbranched species Harpella melusinae, H. tica, Stachylina grandispora and S. paucispora. Some species have been described but not named, specifically one each of Harpella, Pennella and Smittium. All taxa are identified morphologically, illustrated and additional details on their ecology are provided.

New species and new records of trichomycetes from Italy

We present the results obtained from a short survey in central Italy to broaden the poorly known diversity of trichomycetous gut symbionts, members of the Kickxellomycotina, in this country. Among the reported fungi, two new species of Harpellales are described: Harpellomyces aprutinus and Orphella italica, as well as 14 other species that are new for Italy. Among these, the remarkable and rare species Gauthieromyces microsporus is included, previously known only from the type locality in France. One species of Asellariales, Asellaria gramenei, also is reported. Taxonomic and biogeographic implications of these records are discussed.

New species of Paramoebidium (trichomycetes, Mesomycetozoea) from the Mediterranean, with comments about the amoeboid cells in Amoebidiales

Paramoebidium, along with Amoebidium, constitute the order Amoebidiales, traditionally included in the ecological group trichomycetes and conventionally studied by mycologists, although they are phylogenetically embedded in the protist clade Mesomycetozoean (Ichthyosporea). The genus Paramoebidium has 13 accepted species, all associated with immature stages of aquatic insects. Three new species of Paramoebidium, P. angulatum, P. avitruviense and P. ecdyonuridaei, are described here, associated with either Plecoptera and Ephemeroptera nymphs. During routine observations of the amoeboid phases, uroidal adhesive filaments at the posterior end of the amoebae were noted and photographed, this being a novel observation for the Amoebidiales. This and other features are illustrated for all taxa.

New and rare Harpellales from Portugal and northwestern Iberian Peninsula: discovering the hidden mycobiota of Galicia-Trás-os-Montes region

The species of Harpellales obtained from a survey of the gut fungi of aquatic arthropods in the Galaico-Portuguese region, also known as the Galicia-Trás-os-Montes Zone, are presented. New species include Orphella lusitanica, a close relative of O. helicospora in Plecoptera nymphs and Stachylina pleurospora, in Chironomiidae larvae, both from Galicia and Portugal. Tectimyces gallaecicus, in Ephemeroptera nymphs from Galicia, Spain, morphologically resembles the narrowly distributed T. robustus representing a genus known only from Europe. New geographical records from Portugal include Genistellospora homothallica, Graminella bulbosa, Harpella melusinae, Lancisporomyces vernalis, Legeriomyces ramosus, O. coronata, Simuliomyces microsporus and Smittium simulii. Also three rare taxa are reported from Galicia: Legeriomyces dolabrae and Baetimyces ancorae from Baetidae nymphs and Smittium inexpectans from Chironomidae larvae.

Consolidating the legacy of J.-F. Manier: new species and records of trichomycetes from France

New data about trichomycetes (arthropod-gut endosymbionts) from southern France is documented, including the description of two Harpellales, Legeriosimilis cebennensis from mayfly nymphs (Heptageniidae) and Smittium manierei from Chironomidae larvae. New geographical records from France are provided, including Bojamyces transfuga, Genistellospora homothallica, Lancisporomyces vernalis, Legeriomyces rarus, Orphella catalaunica, O. helicospora, Stachylina pedifer, Smittium hecatei, S. pseudodimorphum and Tectimyces leptophlebiidarum. Most of these records include species with a Mediterranean distribution, reported before from neighboring countries, and a few others are subcosmopolitan.