Ove E. Eriksson

Molecular evidence for recognizing the Chaetothyriales

The 18S rRNA gene sequences from the bitunicate ascomycetes Ceramothyrium linnaeae (Chaetothyriaceae) and Coccodinium bartschii (Coc- codiniaceae) were determined and aligned with the corresponding sequences from 33 other ascomycetes and one basidiomycete, Boletus satanas. Phylogenetic analyses of these sequences supported previous re- ports that the Herpotrichiellaceae (Capronia, black yeasts, etc.) are distant from Dothideales and Pleo- sporales. A new sequence of Ceramothyrium linnaeae, representing the family Chaetothyriaceae, is mono- phyletic with representatives of the Herpotrichiella- ceae, suggesting that both families can be accom- modated in the order Chaetothyriales. The concept of Chaetothyriales can not be based on the presence of periphysoids, since Coccodinium bartschii, which also has periphysoids, clustered with members of the Dothideaceae. The Chaetothyriales are not closely re- lated to other bitunicates, but are the sister group of either Eurotiales or Lecanorales/Peltigerales.

SSU rDNA sequence support for a close relationship between the Elaphomycetales and the Eurotiales and Onygenales

Based on parsimony analyses of eight new SSU rDNA sequences and 24 homologous sequences retrieved from the DNA databases, we suggest a possible phylogenetic relationship of Elaphomycetales with Eurotiales and Onygenales. Our three includedElaphomyces sequences strongly cluster together (bootstrap value 100%) within a monophyletic group (100%) of Elaphomycetales, Eurotiales, and Onygenales. Earlier reports that another cleistothecial lineage (Erysiphe) is related to Leotiales, are supported by our discovery that also another cleistothecial species,Amylocarpus encephaloides, shows affinity to Leotiales. Ascosphaeraceae and Eremascaceae are possibly better accommodated in Onygenales. We describe a new DNA extraction method in which sonication is used to disrupt thick-walled spores. It is useful for both fresh and dried fungal material.

Saccharicola, a new genus for two Leptosphaeria species on sugar cane

Leptosphaeria bicolor, causal agent of a leaf scorch disease of sugar cane, is referred to the new genus Saccharicola. The ascospores are 1–3 transseptate and hyaline at first but become melanized and rough after release, as is the case in some members of Massarina and Lophiostoma. SSU rDNA data indicate that it is closely related to M. eburnea but is biotrophic in leaves of sugar cane and not corticolous, the ascomata are less melanized, and it has Stagonospora- and Phoma-like synanamorphs, not a Ceratophoma-like anamorph. A second species, Leptosphaeria taiwanensis, is transferred to Saccharicola. It differs in slightly larger, normally 1-septate, hyaline spores with more attenuated ends. The family Massarinaceae is resurrected to accommodate Massarina s. str., Keissleriella, Saccharicola and Helminthosporium. These genera formed a clade with 100% bootstrap support in a parsimony analysis of SSU rDNA sequences from 38 ascomycetes, 30 of them members of Pleosporales (including Melanommatales).

Fungi on Juncus roemerianus. New marine and terrestrial ascomycetes

Aquamarina speciosa gen. & sp. nov., Keissleriella rara sp. nov., Massarina carolinensis sp. nov. and Paraphaeosphaeria pilleata sp. nov. are described from saltmarsh Juncus roemerianus in North Carolina. All species are relatively rare because during 2 years of monthly collecting they were only recorded between 2 and 8 times. Massarina carolinensis and P. pilleata are among the first invaders of the tips of culms and bracts; M. carolinensis grows in the middle to upper parts of the culms and is therefore, considered to be a terrestrial species, while the latter, as well as Keissleriella rara, can be regarded as halotolerant. The splendid bluish-green Aquamarina speciosa is a marine species that fruits exclusively in the lower parts of the culms. The taxonomic position of this genus is uncertain, therefore it is assigned to the Ascomycotina incertae sedis.

Roussoëlla, an ascomycete genus of uncertain relationships with a Cytoplea anamorph

Roussoella is typified by the species now known as R. hysterioides which is redescribed from bamboo. In Roussoella the asci are thin-walled, bitunicate, but probably not fissitunicate, with an I − ring, while the paraphysoids are narrow. Ascospores are brown, two-celled, ornamented, and surrounded by a mucilaginous sheath. The anamorph is described as Cytoplea hysterioides sp. nov., which was grown in culture and for which a full description is given. Roussoella nitidula , with similar asci and ascospores, is confirmed as synonymous with R. hysterioides .

Papulosa amerospora accommodated in a new family (Papulosaceae, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) inferred from morphological and molecular data

To investigate the systematic position of the unitunicate pyremomycetePapulosa amerospora, we performed phylogenetic analyses of SSU rDNA sequences from 37 ascomycetes. Among these sequences were some new ones from taxa that might be related toPapulosa: Hyponectriaceae (Hyponectria buxi, Monographella nivalis), Phyllachorales (Phyllachora graminis), and Xylariales (Barrmaelia melanotes, Poronia punctata). Our results showed 100% bootstrap support for a clade of all unitunicate pyrenomycetes, the class Sordariomycetes. We also found strong support for recognizing the subclasses Hypocreomycetidae and Xylariomycetidae. The remaining taxa, belonging to subclass Sordariomycetidae, appeared as a polyphyletic group in one analysis, but was monophyletic when shorter SSU sequences were used.Barrmaelia melanotes, Poronia punctata, Hyponectria buxi, andMonographella nivalis are members of Xylariomycetidae, but we could not determine whetherMonographella should be included in Hyponectriaceae. The new family Papulosaceae is erected forPapulosa on molecular and morphological bases, but the exact systematic position ofPapulosa within subclass Sordariomycetidae is still uncertain, since the genus did not cluster consistently with any of the included taxa. Phyllachorales are not closely related to Diaporthales, as previously suggested.