Terrestrial orchid conservation in the age of extinction

Dothideomycetes comprise a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by asci with two wall layers (bitunicate asci) and often with fissitunicate dehiscence. Many species are saprobes, with many asexual states comprising important plant pathogens. They are also endophytes, epiphytes, fungicolous, lichenized, or lichenicolous fungi. They occur in terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats in almost every part of the world. We accept 105 families in Dothideomycetes with the new families Anteagloniaceae, Bambusicolaceae, Biatriosporaceae, Lichenoconiaceae, Muyocopronaceae, Paranectriellaceae, Roussoellaceae, Salsugineaceae, Seynesiopeltidaceae and Thyridariaceae introduced in this paper. Each family is provided with a description and notes, including asexual and asexual states, and if more than one genus is included, the type genus is also characterized. Each family is provided with at least one figure-plate, usually illustrating the type genus, a list of accepted genera, including asexual genera, and a key to these genera. A phylogenetic tree based on four gene combined analysis add support for 64 of the families and 22 orders, including the novel orders, Dyfrolomycetales, Lichenoconiales, Lichenotheliales, Monoblastiales, Natipusillales, Phaeotrichales and Strigulales. The paper is expected to provide a working document on Dothideomycetes which can be modified as new data comes to light. It is hoped that by illustrating types we provide stimulation and interest so that more work is carried out in this remarkable group of fungi.

Families of Dothideomycetes

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. A wide 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 illustrated) 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.

Fungal diversity notes 111–252—taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal taxa

Hyphal anastomosis reactions, rDNA-internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, and virulence of isolates representing Rhizoctonia solani AG-BI and six subsets of anastomosis group (AG)-2 (-2-1, -2-2 IIIB, -2-2 IV, -2-2 LP, -2-3, and -2-4) were compared. AG-2-4 is a subset described for the first time in this report. Anastomosis reactions within AG-BI and the listed subsets of AG-2 were generally strong but, between subsets, ranged from strong to a very weak "bridging" -type reaction. Anastomosis reaction alone generally did not provide adequate evidence for placement of an isolate into a subset of AG-2. Anastomosis reactions between AG-BI and the original subsets of AG-2 (-2-1 and -2-2) are very strong; for this reason, we propose that it be included as a subset of AG-2 (designation AG-2 BI). Subsets -2-3 and -2-4 show very weak bridging-type anastomosis reactions with all other subsets of AG-2 and thus may be candidates for independent AG status. Grouping within AG-2 based on rDNA-ITS sequences was consistent with the abovementioned subsets. However, grouping based on virulence as measured herein does not conform to established grouping patterns within AG-2 and does not seem useful as a group-defining criterion. A broad range of damage was observed among members of the most virulent subsets (-2-1, -2-2 IIIB, -2-2 IV, and -2-4), whereas other subsets (-2 BI, -2-2 LP, and -2-3) were similar to one another in causing a minimal level of damage. Group-specific primer pairs for each of the seven subsets of AG-2 were designed based on the abovementioned rDNA-ITS sequences. Primer pairs proved dependable and subset specific in polymerase chain reaction amplifications of purified genomic DNA from 109 isolates of R. solani and two isolates of binucleate Rhizoctonia. These primers will provide a simple and useful method for subset-specific characterization within AG-2 if further critical evaluations confirm their specificity.

Hyphal Anastomosis Reactions, rDNA-Internal Transcribed Spacer Sequences, and Virulence Levels Among Subsets of Rhizoctonia solani Anastomosis Group-2 (AG-2) and AG-BI.

All orchids have an obligate relationship with mycorrhizal symbionts. Most orchid mycorrhizal fungi are classified in the form-genus Rhizoctonia. This group includes anamorphs of Tulasnella, Ceratobasidium, and Thanatephorus. Rhizoctonia can be classified according to the number of nuclei in young cells (multi-, bi-, and uninucleate). From nine Puerto Rican orchids we isolated 108 Rhizoctonia-like fungi. Our isolates were either bi- or uninucleate, the first report of uninucleate Rhizoctonia-like fungi as orchid endophytes. We sequenced the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA from 26 isolates and identified four fungal lineages, all related to Ceratobasidium spp. from temperate regions. Most orchid species hosted more than one lineage, demonstrating considerable variation in mycorrhizal associations even among related orchid species. The uninucleate condition was not a good phylogenetic character in mycorrhizal fungi from Puerto Rico. All four lineages were represented by fungi from Tolumnia variegata, but only one lineage included fungi from Ionopsis utricularioides. Tropical epiphytic orchids appear to vary in degree of specificity in their mycorrhizal interactions more than previously thought.

Diversity and host specificity of endophytic Rhizoctonia-like fungi from tropical orchids

Identification of Rhizoctonia Species.

A new family, Hypsostromataceae is described for the tropical genera, Hypsostroma and Manglicola. A new species, M. samuehii is described from Guyana and the relationships between the genera and sp...

Neotropical ascomycetes. 5. Hypsostromataceae, a new family of loculoascomycetes and Manglicola samuelsii, a new species from Guyana

The morphology and development of Byssothecium flumineum, a new loculoascomycete in the Dacampiaceae from submerged wood, was studied. This species is characterized by medium-sized, ovoid to obpyriform ascomata with a relatively wide peridium. Hamathecium consists of gel-coated cellular pseudoparaphyses interspersed among abundant basal and slightly lateral asci. Ascospores are 3-septate, brown with slightly lighter end cells and verruculose. Byssothecium flumineum occurs frequently on woody debris in midwester streams and decomposes wood by soft rot activity.

A new species of byssothecium (loculoascomycetes) from wood in fresh water

Two species are described in a new ascomycete genus, Hypsostroma, H. saxicola from the Dominican Republic and H. caimitalensis from Venezuela. The genus is distinguished by large, superficial ascomata clustered on a subiculum, trabeculate pseudoparaphyses and very long-stalked asci arranged in a basal fascicle in the centrum, and multiseptate, disarticulating ascospores. The species are illustrated and their affinities to other taxa are discussed. The genus has relationships in the Melanommatales. A key to loculoascomycete genera having pigmented ascospores with a germ slit is provided.

Neotropical ascomycetes 2. hypsostroma, a new genus from the dominican republic and venezuela

A collection of Leptosphaeria opuntiae, obtained in pure culture, produced the pycnidial anamorph Hendersonia opuntiae, which confirms a previous speculation that the two were connected. Two new combinations, Montagnula opuntiae and Sclerostagonospora opuntiae are proposed and the two states are redescribed and re-illustrated.

Sabine M. Huhndorf

Papers

Identification of Rhizoctonia Species.

Neotropical ascomycetes. 5. Hypsostromataceae, a new family of loculoascomycetes and Manglicola samuelsii, a new species from Guyana

A new species of byssothecium (loculoascomycetes) from wood in fresh water

Neotropical ascomycetes 2. hypsostroma, a new genus from the dominican republic and venezuela

Studies in Leptosphaeria. Transfer of Leptosphaeria opuntiae to Montagnula (Ascomycetes)