14 research outputs found
An overview of the taxonomy, phylogeny, and typification of nectriaceous fungi in Cosmospora, Acremonium, Fusarium, Stilbella, and Volutella
A comprehensive phylogenetic reassessment of the ascomycete genus
Cosmospora (Hypocreales, Nectriaceae) is undertaken using
fresh isolates and historical strains, sequences of two protein encoding
genes, the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2), and a
new phylogenetic marker, the larger subunit of ATP citrate lyase
(acl1). The result is an extensive revision of taxonomic concepts,
typification, and nomenclatural details of many anamorph- and
teleomorph-typified genera of the Nectriaceae, most notably
Cosmospora and Fusarium. The combined phylogenetic analysis
shows that the present concept of Fusarium is not monophyletic and
that the genus divides into two large groups, one basal in the family, the
other terminal, separated by a large group of species classified in genera
such as Calonectria, Neonectria, and Volutella. All accepted
genera received high statistical support in the phylogenetic analyses.
Preliminary polythetic morphological descriptions are presented for each
genus, providing details of perithecia, micro- and/or macro-conidial
synanamorphs, cultural characters, and ecological traits. Eight species are
included in our restricted concept of Cosmospora, two of which have
previously documented teleomorphs and all of which have
Acremonium-like microconidial anamorphs. A key is provided to the
three anamorphic species recognised in Atractium, which is removed
from synonymy with Fusarium and epitypified for two macroconidial
synnematous species and one sporodochial species associated with waterlogged
wood. Dialonectria is recognised as distinct from Cosmospora
and two species with teleomorph, macroconidia and microconidia are accepted,
including the new species D. ullevolea. Seven species, one with a
known teleomorph, are classified in Fusicolla, formerly considered a
synonym of Fusarium including members of the F. aquaeductuum
and F. merismoides species complex, with several former varieties
raised to species rank. Originally a section of Nectria,
Macroconia is raised to generic rank for five species, all producing
a teleomorph and macroconidial anamorph. A new species of the
Verticillium-like anamorphic genus Mariannaea is described
as M. samuelsii. Microcera is recognised as distinct from
Fusarium and a key is included for four macroconidial species, that
are usually parasites of scale insects, two of them with teleomorphs. The four
accepted species of Stylonectria each produce a teleomorph and micro-
and macroconidial synanamorphs. The Volutella species sampled fall
into three clades. Pseudonectria is accepted for a perithecial and
sporodochial species that occurs on Buxus. Volutella s. str.
also includes perithecial and/or sporodochial species and is revised to
include a synnematous species formerly included in Stilbella. The
third Volutella-like clade remains unnamed. All fungi in this paper
are named using a single name system that gives priority to the oldest generic
names and species epithets, irrespective of whether they are originally based
on anamorph or teleomorph structures. The rationale behind this is
discussed