Managing and coping with names of pleomorphic fungi in a period of transition

An explanation is provided of the recent changes in the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants relating to the ending of the separate naming of different states of fungi with a pleomorphic life-cycle. Issues relating to their implementation are discussed, including problems of defining "widely used", author citations, proofs of holomorphy, typification, the preparation of “Lists of accepted and rejected names” (with a possible timetable), relationship to the existing processes of sanctioning and conservation or rejection, and steps to be considered for the future. This material is presented here to stimulate debate on the actions that should be taken by individuals, and responsible committees, in the current period of transition to a system of fungal nomenclature fit for the 21st century

Names of fungal species with the same epithet applied to different morphs: how to treat them

The abolition of the separate naming of different morphs of the same fungal species in 2011 will inevitably result in many name changes in some genera. The working practices commended here are intended to minimize one category of these changes, that which can arise as a consequence of an author using the epithet of an asexual morph when describing the sexual morph of the same species. We consider that name proposed for the sexual morph in such cases should be treated as a formal error for a new combination and not as a new species, and so be corrected. This is interpreted as applying even where the author indicated that a new species was being described and designated a type. We argue that those formalities were a result of the requirements of the rules then in force, as the author recognized that a morph of a named species was being described, and not a new hitherto unnamed species was being reported - but was barred from making a new combination so used the same epithet for the new morph name instead. Where a type with the sexual morph was designated for the sexual morph, under this interpretation that no longer has nomenclatural status, the type being that of the basionym. The material for the sexual morph indicated as a type, would be available for designation as an epitype, though a modern sequenced sample with both sexual and asexual morphs would be more informative as an epitype in many cases. A proposal to regularize the working practice commended here, and also the converse situation where the sexual morph typified name is the earlier, will be made to the 2017 Shenzhen Congress

New Species of Phoradendron (Viscaceae) from Mexico and Guatemala and a Synopsis of Species in Section Pauciflorae

As presently interpreted Phoradendron section Paucifiorae consists of 15 species. These mistletoes parasitize primarily conifers. We describe seven new species, make status changes for four species, and provide information on the hosts and distribution of all members of the section. New species described are: Phoradendron abietinurn Wiens, on Abies durangensi s in Chihuahua, Durango, and Jalisco, Mexico; P. acuminatum Wiens, on Cupressus lusitanica in Guatemala; P. flavomarginatum Wiens, on Juniperus fiaccida in Nuevo León, Mexico; P. lta wksworthii Wiens, on Juniperus in New Mexico, west Texas, and Coahuila, Mexico; P. olivae Wiens, on Cupressus lusitanica in Colima and Jalisco, Mexico; P. rufescens Wiens, on Juniperus spp . in San Luis Potosí, Mexico; and P. sedifolium Wiens on Cupressus lusitanica in Chiapas, and Hidalgo, Mexico. Three taxa previously recognized as subspecies are raised to specific rank: P. densum Torr. ex Trel., P. paucifiorum Torr., and P. libocedri (Engelm.) Howell. Also P. saltillense Trel., which had been placed in synonymy under P. botleanum subsp. densum, is accorded species status. In addition, three new epiparastic species of Phoradendron are described. Epiparastic mistletoes are known to parasitize only other species of mistletoes—in this instance Phoradendron or Cladocolea (Loranthaceae)

The Next Generation of Space Manufacturing: Model Based and Digitally Assured

Increasing interest in affordable space has created a parallel need for low cost, rapid manufacturing of small satellites. Raytheon along with several partners has engaged in an activity that is geared around the demonstration of semi-autonomous manufacturing of small satellites. By using modern tools, processes, and techniques, Raytheon is heavily investing in a “digitally assured” manufacturing and test capability. Starting with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Raytheon has successfully developed a model of the design space starting with a 6U sized cubesat. The manufacturing line will require minimal investment from outside customers; it is being designed to be as product independent as possible. Common tooling, robotic material handling, and agnostic test equipment are all hallmarks of the Raytheon manufacturing design

Editorial overview: food mycology

[Excerpt] Food mycology has expanded beyond recognition over the past 10 years. The field of study is now considered in its own right rather than an offshoot of food microbiology. I am discussing here the subject in terms of biodeterioration rather than the use of fungi to produce food. Also, the special issue (SI) considers filamentous fungi (ff) but not yeasts, although these are very important. (...

Roselliniella revealed as an overlooked genus of Hypocreales, with the description of a second species on parmelioid lichens

Based on newly obtained 28S rDNA sequences from Roselliniella atlantica and R. euparmeliicola sp. nov., the genus Roselliniella has to be placed in Hypocreales and not in Sordariales; however, the family placement could not be resolved from the sequences obtained. The mature ascospores are single-celled and brown, but young ascospores are hyaline and sometimes have a median septum. The new species occurs on a Parmelia s.str. species in China, and differs in 24 nucleotide substitution positions in the nu-LSU rDNA region and ascospore size from R. atlantica. In this case, small variations in ascospore sizes and shape prove to be phylogenetically and taxonomically informative. The two species occur in the same clade with 95 % jack-knife support. Roselliniella atlantica occurs on Xanthoparmelia and Melanohalea species in Europe, whereas R. euparmeliicola was found on the species of Parmelia s.str. DNA was successfully recovered from a dried specimen of R. atlantica collected in 1992. Two unidentified fungi were also recovered from the Chinese specimen, and these belong to Sordariomycetidae and Dothideomycetes; whether these two are additional fungi living endolichenically in the lichen host, saprobes, or contaminants could not be ascertained