Species of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides complex associated with anthracnose diseases of Proteaceae

Anthracnose disease of Proteaceae has in the past chiefly been attributed to infections by C. acutatum, C. boninense and C. gloeosporioides. In the present study, a multi-locus phylogenetic analysis (ACT, CAL, CHS-1, GAPDH, GS, ITS, TUB2) revealed that strains of the C. gloeosporioides complex associated with Proteaceae belong to at least six species. These include C. alienum, C. aotearoa, C. kahawae (subsp. ciggaro), C. siamense, and two new taxa, C. proteae and C. grevilleae. The most economically important pathogen of Proteaceae seems to be C. alienum, and not C. gloeosporioides as previously reported. All taxa associated with Proteaceae are morphologically described on different media in culture, except strains of C. siamense, which proved to be sterile. Furthermore, C. populi is synonymised with C. aenigma.     

Dothideales

The type specimens or representative specimens of the potentially dothidealean genera Bagnisiella, Botryochora, Coccostromella, Columnosphaeria, Delphinella, Dictyodothis, Discosphaerina, Dothidea, Dothiora, Endodothiora, Jaffuela, Mycoporis, Omphalospora, Pachysacca, Plowrightia, Saccothecium, Stylodothis, Sydowia and Yoshinagaia were examined while, fresh specimens of Aureobasidium pullulans, Dothidea insculpta, Plowrightia ribesia and Saccothecium sepincola were made from Italy and Thailand. An introduction and the history of these genera, their family placement, morphology, and molecular phylogeny are provided. Morphology plus GenBank data are used to provide a systematic treatment of Dothideales. Phylogenetic analysis of LSU, SSU and ITS gene regions was carried out and in the resulting phylogenetic tree the taxa cluster in two clades with high bootstrap support. Clade A comprises Dothideaceae, the family type of Dothideales. The family Dothioraceae is not recognized as a distinct family and is synonymized under Dothideaceae. Neocylindroseptoria is introduced to accommodate Cylindroseptoria pistaciae as it forms a well-supported distinct clade in Dothideaceae. Clade B comprises Aureobasidium, Kabatiella, Pseudoseptoria, Saccothecium and Selenophoma species and Columnosphaeria fagi, for which we propose a new family, Aureobasidiaceae. The recently introduced Sydowia eucalypti also clustered within Clade B and therefore based on morphology and molecular phylogeny a new genus Pseudosydowia is introduced for Sydowia eucalypti. Celosporium laricicola is separated in a distinct clade, and therefore it is placed in Dothideales, genera, incertae sedis. The genera Bagnisiella, Botryochora, Coccostromella, Jaffuela, Lucidascocarpa, Mycoporis, Omphalospora, Pachysacca and Yoshinagaia are excluded from Dothideales and their placements are discussed.     

Revision of genera in Asterinales

The order Asterinales comprises a single family, Asterinaceae. In this study, types or specimens of 41 genera of Asterinaceae are re-examined and re-described and illustrated by micrographs. Seventeen genera, namely Asterina (type genus), Asterinella, Asterotexis, Batistinula, Cirsosia, Echidnodella, Halbania, Lembosia, Meliolaster, Parasterinopsis, Platypeltella, Prillieuxina, Schenckiella (=Allothyrium), Trichasterina, Trichopeltospora, Uleothyrium and Vizellopsis, are maintained within Asterinaceae. Echidnodes, Lembosiella, Lembosina, Morenoina, and Thyriopsis are transferred to Aulographaceae based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Anariste is transferred to Micropeltidaceae, while Lembosiopsis is transferred to Mycosphaerellaceae. Placoasterella and Placosoma are morphologically close to taxa in Parmulariaceae, where they are transferred. Aulographina is placed in Teratosphaeriaceae, while Asterodothis, Asterinema, Dothidasteromella, Leveillella, Petrakina and Stephanotheca are transferred to Dothideomycetes, genera incertae sedis. Eupelte, Macowaniella, Maheshwaramyces, Parasterinella, and Vishnumyces are treated as doubtful genera, because of lack of morphological and molecular data. Aphanopeltis, Asterolibertia, Neostomella, Placoasterina, and Symphaster are synonyms of Asterina based on morphology, while Trichamelia, Viegasia, and Yamamotoa are synonyms of Lembosia. The characteristics of each family are discussed and a phylogenetic tree is included.     

The Colletotrichum orbiculare species complex: Important pathogens of field crops and weeds

Colletotrichum orbiculare causes anthracnose of Cucurbitaceae and is phylogenetically closely related to pathogens of several other herbaceous hosts belonging to the Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Malvaceae. Most of them are known for their hemibiotrophic infection strategy and as destructive pathogens either of field crops or weeds. In order to study the phylogenetic relationships of these fungi, a multilocus analysis (ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, HIS3, ACT, TUB2, GS) of 42 strains of C. orbiculare and related species was conducted. The analysis resulted in nine clades that confirmed the four species previously known as belonging to this species complex, C. lindemuthianum, C. malvarum, C. orbiculare and C. trifolii, and recognised four new species from weeds, namely C. bidentis, C. sidae, C. spinosum and C. tebeestii. The name C. orbiculare itself is widely used in plant pathology and science, but is invalid according to current nomenclatural rules. Therefore we described a new species with the same epithet and a type specimen that agrees with our current understanding of this species, and is linked to a living culture. Following the recent epitypification of C. lindemuthianum, we chose appropriate specimens with associated strains to serve as epitypes of C. malvarum and C. trifolii, and selected an authentic specimen of C. trifolii as lectotype.     

Taxonomy of Pseudolagarobasidium (Polyporales, Basidiomycota)

Pseudolagarobasidium (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) is a small, monophyletic genus of crustose, wood-inhabiting fungi with spines and a saprobic, endophytic, or parasitic habit. Seven species are accepted in the genus including two new species, P. belizense from Belize and P. pusillum from Australia. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal RNA gene places P. belizense in a monophyletic clade with P. acaciicola and an undescribed foliar endophyte. New combinations proposed include P. modestum for Irpex modestus Berk., P. pronum for Hydnum pronum Berk. & Broome which is an earlier name for P. calcareum, and P. venustum for Radulodon venustus Hjortstam & Ryvarden. Irpex colliculosum Berk. & Broome from Sri Lanka is conspecific with P. subvinosum. Two species, Sistotrema ochroleucum and Radulum concentricum are not accepted in Pseudolagarobasidium. Pseudolagarobasidium is compared with Radulodon and similar genera. A key to the species of Pseudolagarobasidium is provided.     

Revision of Phaeosphaeriaceae

Phaeosphaeriaceae is a large and important family in the order Pleosporales which includes economically important plant pathogens. Species may also be endophytes or saprobes on plant hosts, especially on monocotyledons (e.g., Cannaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae, Poaceae); some species have also been reported on dicotyledons. The family previously accommodated 35 sexual and asexual genera and comprised more than 300 species with a range of morphological characters. The morphological characters of taxa in this family are often ambiguous and can be confused with other taxa in Leptosphaeriaceae and Montagnulaceae. Fourteen specimens of the type genera of Phaeosphaeriaceae were loaned from herbaria worldwide and were re-examined and illustrated. Fresh collections were obtained from Italy and Thailand, characterized, examined, isolated into pure culture and used to obtain molecular data. The asexual state was induced where possible on sterile bamboo pieces placed on water agar. Multigene phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, SSU, RPB2 and TEF1 sequence datasets were carried out using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian analysis. Molecular analyses shows that 21 genera (Amarenomyces, Ampelomyces, Chaetosphaeronema, Dematiopleospora, Entodesmium, Loratospora, Neosetophoma, Neostagonospora, Nodulosphaeria, Ophiobolus, Ophiosphaerella, Paraphoma, Parastagonospora, Phaeosphaeria, Phaeosphaeriopsis, Sclerostagonospora, Setomelanomma, Setophoma, Vrystaatia, Wojnowicia and Xenoseptoria) belong in Phaeosphaeriaceae, while seven genera (Amarenographium, Bricookea, Dothideopsella, Eudarluca, Phaeostagonospora, Scolecosporiella and Tiarospora) are included based on morphological data. Amarenomyces is reinstated and Nodulosphaeria is confirmed in Phaeosphaeriaceae. Eudarluca is distinguished from Sphaerellopsis based on its morphological characters and is typical of Phaeosphaeriaceae. ITS gene phylogenetic analysis indicates that Sphaerellopsis belongs to Leptosphaeriaceae. Ophiobolus species form a clade within Phaeosphaeriaceae while Ophiosphaerella is shown to be polyphyletic. Phaeosphaeria sensu stricto is redefined. Two new species of Phaeosphaeria and one of Phaeosphaeriopsis are introduced while the asexual states of Phaeosphaeria chiangraina and Phaeosphaeriopsis dracaenicola are reported. Scolicosporium minkeviciusii forms a sister clade with Neostagonospora and Parastagonospora in Phaeosphaeriaceae. However, Scolicosporium minkeviciusii is not the type species. Thus, the placement of Scolicosporium sensu stricto in Phaeosphaeriaceae is questionable. Phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS and LSU genes, confirm the placement of Septoriella oudemansii in Phaeosphaeriaceae. However, it is not represented by the generic type, thus the placement of Septoriella is questionable. Setophaeosphaeria is excluded from Phaeosphariaceae as the type species, Sp. hemerocallidis forms a clade at the base of Cucurbitariaceae. Wilmia clusters in Didymosphaeriaceae and is synonymized under Letendraea. Barria, Chaetoplea, Hadrospora, Lautitia, Metameris, Mixtura and Pleoseptum are excluded from Phaeosphaeriaceae based on their morphological characters. The asexual genera Mycopappus and Xenostigmina are excluded from this family based on the phylogenetic evidence; these genera form a clade close to Melanommataceae.     

A molecular, morphological and ecological re-appraisal of Venturiales―a new order of Dothideomycetes

The Venturiaceae was traditionally assigned to Pleosporales although its diagnostic characters readily distinguish it from other pleosporalean families. These include a parasitic or saprobic lifestyle, occurring on leaves or stems of dicotyledons; small to medium-sized ascomata, often with setae; deliquescing pseudoparaphyses; 8-spored, broadly cylindrical to obclavate asci; 1-septate, yellowish, greenish or pale brown to brown ascospores; and hyphomycetous anamorphs. Phylogenetically, core genera of Venturiaceae form a monophyletic clade within Dothideomycetes, and represent a separate sister lineage from current orders, thus a new order—Venturiales is introduced. A new family, Sympoventuriaceae, is introduced to accommodate taxa of a well-supported subclade within Venturiales, which contains Sympoventuria, Veronaeopsis simplex and Fusicladium-like species. Based on morphology and DNA sequence analysis, eight genera are included in Venturiaceae, viz. Acantharia, Apiosporina (including Dibotryon), Caproventuria, Coleroa, Pseudoparodiella, Metacoleroa, Tyrannosorus and Venturia. Molecular phylogenetic information is lacking for seven genera previously included in Venturiales, namely Arkoola, Atopospora, Botryostroma, Lasiobotrys, Trichodothella, Trichodothis and Rhizogenee and these are discussed, but their inclusion in Venturiaceae is doubtful. Crotone, Gibbera, Lineostroma, Phaeocryptopus, Phragmogibbera, Platychora, Polyrhizon, Rosenscheldiella, Uleodothis and Xenomeris are excluded from Venturiales, and their ordinal placement needs further investigation. Zeuctomorpha is treated as a synonym of Acantharia.     

Phylogenetic relationships of five genera of Xylariales and Rosasphaeria gen. nov. (Hypocreales)

Eight inconspicuous non-stromatic perithecial fungi immersed in plant tissue are assessed with respect to their morphology, ecology and phylogenetic position. Emphasis is laid on two genera now and then placed in the family Hyponectriaceae, Xylariales: Leiosphaerella with its type species L. praeclara occurring on Vaccinium, and Pseudomassaria with its type species P. chondrospora occurring on Tilia. In molecular phylogenetic analyses of LSU and ITS sequences, the generic types of these genera are closely related, but their familial affiliation within Xylariales remains unresolved. Pseudomassaria sepincoliformis clusters with P. chondrospora, whereas P. fallax is not congeneric with Pseudomassaria and P. lycopodina is combined in Leiosphaerella despite its apiospores. Three species thought to belong to Leiosphaerella are re-assessed: L. moravica that occurs on Rosa, is disposed in the new genus Rosasphaeria, which is close to Eucasphaeria in the Niessliaceae (Hypocreales), according to multi-gene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tef1). For L. vexata the genus Pseudomassariella is revived. A Leiosphaerella-like fungus on Lycopodium is described as the new species Monographella lycopodina. In addition the phylogenetic relationships of two fungi forming superficial stromata are here clarified: Collodiscula japonica belongs to the Xylariaceae, while Melogramma campylosporum may currently be interpreted as representing a family of its own, the Melogrammataceae.     

Taxonomy and pathogenicity of Ceratocystis species on Eucalyptus trees in South China, including C. chinaeucensis sp. nov.

Commercial plantations of Eucalyptus species have been established in South China, especially during the past 20 years, to meet the needs of a rapidly growing national economy. As part of a survey of fungal diseases affecting Eucalyptus species in South China, Ceratocystis species were collected from Eucalyptus plantations in the GuangDong Province. The aims of this study were to identify these Ceratocystis isolates and to test their pathogenicity to Eucalyptus. The most aggressive isolates were also used to screen different species and clones of Eucalyptus for susceptibility to infection under field conditions. The fungi were identified based on morphology and through comparisons of DNA sequence data of the ITS, partial β-tubulin and TEF-1α gene regions. Morphological and DNA sequence comparisons showed that isolates collected from Chinese Eucalyptus plantations represent two species, C. acaciivora in the C. fimbriata s.l. species complex and a previously undescribed species belonging to the C. moniliformis s.l. species complex, for which the name C. chinaeucensis sp. nov. is provided. In pathogenicity trials, both C. acaciivora and C. chinaeucensis gave rise to lesions on wounded Eucalyptus trees, and the former fungus was most pathogenic. Differences were also observed in the responses of different Eucalyptus clones to inoculation and this could be useful in reducing disease, if C. acaciivora should emerge as a pathogen in the future.     

New Claviceps species from warm-season grasses

Eight undescribed species of Claviceps were recognized from the combinations of molecular and morphological characters. The teleomorph was observed only for Claviceps setariicola. Phylogenetic affinities of the new species inside the genus were revealed by a 5.8S-ITS-28S nrDNA analysis. Claviceps chloridicola, C. tenuispora, C. setariicola and C. setariiphila are related to C. maximensis; C. truncatispora is a sister species to C. pusilla. Claviceps clavispora and C. langdonii cluster with species colonizing maize and sorghum. The position of C. loudetiae is unclear. Comparisons with herbarium specimens showed C. setariicola as a well-established species on Setaria spp. in the southern USA. C. tenuispora was recorded on Cenchrus and Pennisetum in Brazil, USA, and Zimbabwe. C. setariiphila was found on S. geniculata in Brazil. C. chloridicola, C. loudetiae and C. truncatispora occurred in African savannas on Chloris, Loudetia, and Hyparrhenia spp., respectively. C. clavispora was found on Paspalum sp. and Urochloa sp. in Mexico and C. langdonii colonized Dichanthium spp. in the southern USA and probably in Mexico. The occurrence of C. pusilla on pearl millet in the USA (Texas) is reported and the record of C. sulcata on Urochloa brizantha in Brazil is confirmed by nrDNA sequence comparison with an African herbarium specimen. No alkaloids were detected in sclerotia and/or sphacelia of the new species.     

Hypoxia-inducible factor pathway genes predict survival in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma

PurposeHypoxia inducible factor (HIF) pathway alterations drive progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). We aim to evaluate genes within the canonical and non-canonical HIF pathways as predictors of survival in metastatic ccRCC.Materials and MethodsGene expression was determined from 324 archival pretreatment nephrectomy specimens from CALGB90206, a phase III trial of patients treated with interferon alpha (INF-α) vs. INF-α plus bevacizumab. TaqMan RT-qPCR was performed using RNA from tumors macrodissected based on review by genitourinary pathology.ResultsA total of 35 HIF-related genes were assessed by Cox regression analysis. After adjusting for sex and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center risk score (MSKCC-RS), 11 genes predicted OS: HIF2A (HR 1.059, P = 0.012), EGLN3 (HR 1.089, P = 0.012), VEGFC (HR 0.904, P = 0.039), VEGFD (HR 1.085, P = 0.016), FLT4 (HR 1.093, P = 0.038), CCND1 (HR 1.077, P = 0.026), TGFA (HR 1.127, P = 0.003), EGFR (HR 1.151, P = 0.028), VHL (HR 0.764, P = 0.002), HSP90AA1 (HR 0.845, P = 0.002), and PTEN (HR 1.163, P = 0.050); 7 genes predicted PFS: HIF2A (HR 1.060, P = 0.011), CCND1 (HR 1.082, P = 0.016), TGFA (HR 1.096, P = 0.026), EP300 (HR 1.171, P = 0.031), VHL (HR 0.775, P = 0.007), HSP90AA1 (HR 0.871, P = 0.015), and TP53 (HR 1.119, P = 0.050). Most of these genes validated as significant predictors of survival in the external, TCGA dataset. In multivariate analysis of all externally validated genes, VEGFC (HR 0.906, P = 0.043), TGFA (HR 1.122, P = 0.003), CITED2 (HR 1.113, P = 0.035) and EP300 (HR 1.136, P = 0.049) predicted OS; and HIF2A (HR 1.049, P = 0.036) and EP300 (HR 1.199, P = 0.010) predicted PFS. EGLN3 (HR 1.156, P = 0.045) and BNIP3 (HR 1.254, P = 0.049) significantly interacted with treatment status and predicted PFS in patients treated with IFN-α and IFN-α+bevacizumab, respectively.ConclusionsWe identified specific gene isoforms in both the canonical and non-canonical HIF pathways associated with metastatic RCC survival. EGLN3 and BNIP3 showed significant interaction with treatment arm and may be predictive of treatment response. We have identified genes for future prospective investigation as predictive biomarkers and novel drug targets.     

Tubeufiales,ord. nov., integrating sexual and asexual generic names

Tubeufiaceae is based on the generic type Tubeufia, which is characterized by superficial, oval and bright ascomata, bitunicate asci, mostly long fusiform to filiform, transeptate ascospores and hyphomycetous asexual states with helicosporous conidia. Most species in this family are saprobic on terrestrial woody substrates and some are aquatic. Their distinct morphology as well as combined LSU, SSU and TEF1 sequence analysis show that Tubeufiaceae should be accommodated in a new order Tubeufiales, which is introduced in this paper. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU and ITS sequences were used to resolve genera and species within the family Tubeufiaceae. In this study, we examine and incorporate sexual and asexual states of genera in Tubeufiales to provide a modern treatment, based on single names. An epitype for Tubeufia javanica, the type species of Tubeufia, is designated and represents Tubeufia sensu stricto. The genera Acanthophiobolus, Acanthostigma, Boerlagiomyces, Chlamydotubeufia, Kamalomyces, Podonectria, Thaxteriella and Thaxteriellopsis are accepted, Acanthostigmina is reinstated, and the asexual genera Aquaphila, Helicoma, Helicomyces, Helicosporium and Tamhinispora are accepted in Tubeufiaceae. Three new genera Acanthohelicospora, Helicangiospora and Neoacanthostigma are introduced. The genus Bifrontia is added to the family based on morphological similarity. The incongruous morphological genera Acanthostigmella, Amphinectria, Chaetocrea, Chaetosphaerulina, Glaxoa, Malacaria, Melioliphila, Paranectriella, Puttemansia, Rebentischia and Uredinophila are excluded from Tubeufiaceae despite having characteristic ascomata with setae and multiseptate long spores. A key to genera accepted in Tubeufiaceae is provided.     

Pleosporales

One hundred and five generic types of Pleosporales are described and illustrated. A brief introduction and detailed history with short notes on morphology, molecular phylogeny as well as a general conclusion of each genus are provided. For those genera where the type or a representative specimen is unavailable, a brief note is given. Altogether 174 genera of Pleosporales are treated. Phaeotrichaceae as well as Kriegeriella, Zeuctomorpha and Muroia are excluded from Pleosporales. Based on the multigene phylogenetic analysis, the suborder Massarineae is emended to accommodate five families, viz. Lentitheciaceae, Massarinaceae, Montagnulaceae, Morosphaeriaceae and Trematosphaeriaceae.     

Colletotrichum species associated with cultivated citrus in China

There have been considerable advances in the understanding of species concepts in the genus Colletotrichum. This has lead to the need to carry out fresh surveys of Colletotrichum species associated with important hosts. Colletotrichum species are associated with Citrus plants as saprobes, important pre-harvest and post-harvest pathogens, as well as endophytes. In this study, a total of 312 Colletotrichum strains were isolated from leaves, shoots and fruits of cultivated Citrus and Fortunella species with or without disease symptoms across the main citrus production areas in China. The morphology of all strains were studied and multilocus (ACT, TUB2, CAL, GAPDH, GS, ITS) phylogeny established. Strains were from four important species complexes of Colletotrichum, namely C. gloeosporioides species complex, C. boninense species complex, C. acutatum species complex and a final group including C. truncatum, which was rare on Citrus species. The species belonging to the C. gloeosporioides species complex comprised C. gloeosporioides and C. fructicola, the C. boninense complex comprised C. karstii and a new species C. citricola and the C. acutatum complex included a new species, C. citri. The ability of strains to cause anthracnose on citrus fruits was tested by inoculation and strains of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, C. fructicola and C. truncatum were pathogenic.     

Promoter Methylation of Specific Genes is Associated with the Phenotype and Progression of Colorectal Adenocarcinomas

Background

Promoter methylation of colorectal cancer-related genes were examined with respect to phenotype and tumor progression.

Materials and Methods

We assayed promoter methylation of 11 genes including established CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) markers (MLH1, MINT1, MINT2, MINT31, p16 ^INK4a , p14 ^ARF , and CACNA1G) and four genes (COX2, DAPK, MGMT, and APC) frequently methylated in colorectal cancer in 285 patients with sporadic colorectal cancer.

Results

CIMP+ tumors were more than two times more frequent among high-frequency microsatellite instability tumors (MSI-H) than in tumors without MSI (P ≤ .0001–.002). COX2 and DAPK methylation were significantly associated with CIMP+ and MSI. KRAS showed tendency toward more frequent codon 12-13 mutations identified in tumors with APC and p16 ^INK4a methylation than in those with unmethylation (P = .033 and .05, respectively). Additionally, tumors with synchronous adenoma were associated with p16 ^INK4a methylation (P = .004). The p16 ^INK4a methylation was significantly associated with poor overall and disease-free survival in 131 rectal cancer patients who underwent curative operation, according to multivariate analyses (relative risk [RR] = 0.317 and 0.349; P = .033 and .024, respectively). Specifically, in 175 stage II and III patients receiving adjuvant-based fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy, p16 ^INK4a methylation and MINT31 unmethylation showed a significant or tendency toward an association with recurrence and DFS (P = .007–.032).

Conclusions

The study suggests that specific CIMP markers, such as p16 ^INK4a and MINT31, should be further verified as potential epigenetic targets for the design of efficient chemotherapy regimens. We also identified a subset of colorectal cancer, possibly comprising APC methylation-KRAS mutation-p16 ^INK4a methylation.     

A taxonomic revision and phylogenetic reconstruction of the Jahnulales (Dothideomycetes), and the new family Manglicolaceae

Genera assigned to the Jahnulales are morphologically diverse, especially in ascospores equipped with or without appendages, sheaths or apical caps. They are predominantly freshwater fungi occurring on woody substrata, with Manglicola guatemalensis, Xylomyces chlamydosporus and X. rhizophorae the only species known from marine habitats. The order Jahnulales with 4 teleomorphic genera: Jahnula (15 species), Aliquandostipite (5), Megalohypha (1), Manglicola (2) and the anamorphic genera Brachiosphaera (2), Speiropsis (9), Xylomyces (8), amounting to a total of 42 species, is reviewed and nomenclatural changes are proposed. Twenty species are treated at the molecular level, with 94 sequences, 13 of which are newly generated for this review. Three species are rejected (Speiropsis irregularis, Xylomyces aquaticus, X. elegans) while the phylogenetic placement of 6 Xylomyces, 7 Speiropsis, 1 Brachiosphaera and 1 Manglicola require molecular data to confirm their placement in the order. Sequences are derived from ex-holotype isolates and new collections made in Thailand. Most taxa are included in the family Aliquandostipitaceae and a new family Manglicolaceae is erected for the marine ascomycete Manglicola guatemalensis with its large ascomata (1,100–1,750?×?290–640 μm), wide ostioles and ascospores that are fusiform, unequally one-septate with the apical cell larger than the turbinate basal cell and bear apical gelatinous appendages. The genus Jahnula is polyphyletic grouping in three clades with J. aquatica, J. granulosa, J. rostrata, J. potamophila and Megalohypha aqua-dulces in the Jahnula sensu stricto clade. No taxonomical changes are proposed for Jahnula species not grouping in the Jahnula sensu stricto clade, until further species are isolated and sequenced.     

New species of Chalara occupying coniferous needles

Chalara is a genus of anamorphic fungi with typical phialidic conidiogenous cells. Species of Chalara live mostly as litter saprotrophs, many of them on coniferous litter. In this study, the morphology and DNA sequences (ITS rDNA, 28S rDNA and EF-1α) of strains of various species of Chalara isolated from coniferous litter needles were compared with those of strains from public collections. The majority of the isolates belonged to the C. longipes. Other strains represent C. piceae-abietis, C. microspora, C. microchona and four hitherto undescribed species. These are introduced here as C. holubovae sp. nov., C. hyalocuspica sp. nov., C. pseudoaffinis sp. nov. and C. recta sp. nov. Chalara recta is most closely related to C. longipes, which was found to be paraphyletic. However, no correlation of molecular data with the morphology was found. Chalara holubovae is specific among the Chalara species in that it has a synanamorph with fusiform conidia. Together with C. hyalocuspica, C. holubovae likely belong to the anamorphic Hyaloscyphaceae. Chalara piceae-abietis is epitypified. Epitypicifation of C. longipes and C. microspora cannot be done due to absence of a convenient specimen. Chalara austriaca may be re-discovered also after a targeted sampling in the locality of the type specimen. The majority of studied species are saprotrophic and colonise litter needles. An endophytic phase in living needles or other parts of a tree was confirmed for the species C. longipes and C. hyalocuspica. C. holubovae has been recorded only as an endophyte.