Spacicoides cordanoides, sp. nov., a new dematiaceous hyphomycete from submerged wood in Australia, with a taxonomic review of the genus

Spadicoides cordanoides sp. nov. occurring on submerged wood in north Queensland, Australia is described and illustrated. It differs from all previously described Spadicoides species in having predominately obpyriform, versicolored, two celled conidia, in which the apical cell is verruculose. The current generic concept of the genus is briefly discussed and the 21 accepted species are illustrated. A key to Spadicoides species is provided.published_or_final_versio

A new species of Canalisporium from Australia

Canalisporium variabile sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on several specimens from submerged wood and decaying palm rachis in Australia. It is most similar to C. pallidurn in having pale conidia with clearly visible septa and canals, but they are two distinct species. In C. pallidurn, conidia are more stable in shape, size and septation, with mostly a single column of vertical septa. In C. vam'abile, however, conidia are more variable in morphology, with mostly two columns of vertical septa, and the cells are more constricted. Conidia of C. pallidum are generally longer and more slender than those of C. variabile, which are generally shorter and broader. Canalispom'urn vam'abile is also compared with C. pulchrum and C. kenyense.published_or_final_versio

Phylloplane fungi in Hong Kong mangroves: evaluation of study methods

Many methods have been used to study phylloplane fungi, most of which have constraints and may result in biased results. This study used light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate fungal abundance on the leaves of the most common mangrove trees in Hong Kong, Kandelia candel and Aegiceras corniculatum. Species richness was investigated using light microscopy and a leaf washing method. Methods to study phylloplane fungi are discussed and the performances of these three investigation methods are evaluated. Seven mitosporic fungal taxa were found by light microscopy, while 30 sporulating taxa and 18 Mycelia sterilia were isolated using the leaf washing method. Fungal abundance in terms of percentage cover investigated with light microscopy was similar using the SEM method, and was significantly higher on Aegiceras corniculatum than on Kandelia candel. Fungal abundance peaked in the summer and was lowest in the winter. This study indicates that light microscopy reveals the most typical phylloplane fungi and is more efficient than SEM, while the leaf washing method reveals many casual species and is not quantitative.published_or_final_versio

New species of Lachnum nd Perrotia from Hong Kong, China

Three new species, Lachnum qlindm'cum, L. granulatum, and Perrotia hongkongensis, are described from Hong Kong. Lachnum carneolum is recorded for the first time from China. A key to the long-spored species of Lachnum related to the newr taxa is provided.published_or_final_versio

Ascomycetes from freshwater habitats: Ascolacicola aquatica gen. et sp. nov., and a new species of Ascotaiwania from wood submerged in a reservoir in Hong Kong

Ascolacicola aquatica gen. et sp. nov., and Ascotaiwania mitriformis sp. nov., from decaying submerged wood collected in the Plover Cove Reservoir in Hong Kong are described and illustrated. Ascolacicola aquatica has characteristics that are common to both Ascotaiwania and Savoryella, but the anamorph is Trichocladium uniseptatum. A new genus is therefore introduced to accommodate this fungus. Ascotaiwania mitriformis sp. nov. is typical of the genus and differs from other species in having large brown fusiform ascospores with mitriform end cells. Its anamorph is an undescribed species of Monotosporella and both states of the fungus are described and illustrated.published_or_final_versio

Massarina ingoldiana, a new ascomycete from freshwater habitats

A Species of Massarina (Pleosporales) was found on woody debris in aquatic habitats in several countries. This new species is characterized by its transversely septate ascospores that are surrounded by a large, gelatinous sheath. The pattern of ascospore appendage enlargement is very similar to that of another freshwater ascomycete, Pleospora scirpicola.published_or_final_versio

Biodiversity of intertidal estuarine fungi on Phragmites at Mai Po Marshes, Hong Kong

Intertidal decaying stems and leaf sheaths of Phragmites australis were randomly collected and their mycota examined. Sixty one species of fungi were associated with the decaying stems and leaf sheaths, including Antiptodera spp., Lignincola laevis, Phomatospora phragmiticola and ZopfieUa latipes. The following new species are described, Halosarpheia phragmiticola, Massarina phragmiticola, Phomqtospora phragmiticola and Cytoplacosphaeria phragmiticola. The fungal communities associated with decaying Phragmites australis permanently submerged in the gei wai (tidal shrimp farms) differ from those in the intertidal region. The diversity of these fungi are discussed in relation to the biodiversity of fungi in mangrove communities in Hong Kong and with those fungi of other salt marsh communities.published_or_final_versio

Annulatascus fusiformis sp. nov., a new freshwater ascomycete from the Philippines

Annulatascus fusiformis sp. nov. is described based on a specimen collected on submerged wood from a river in the Philippines. The species possesses globose to subglobose, black, immersed ascomata with long hyaline necks; wide, septate, tapering paraphyses, and cylindrical unitunicate asci with a relatively massive refractive apical ring. In this respect it is similar to species of Annulatascus, however, A. fusiformis differs from other species in the genus, as ascospores are provided with bipolar mucilaginous pad-like appendages. The species is illustrated with light, scanning and electron micrographs.published_or_final_versio

Young, A.M. (2005). A field guide to the fungi of Australia: Book reviews

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Janetia curviapicis, a new species, and an amended description of the genus

Janetia curviapicis sp. nov., occurring on submerged wood in Australia, is described and illustrated. It differs from the previously described Janrtia species in the curved or circinate apices of the conidia. This new species is compared and contrasted with the other 16 species described in the genus. An expanded generic concept is introduced to include species with one or more of the following characteristics: synnematal conicliomata; nionoblastic conidiogenous cells; schizolytic conidial secession; distoseptate, obclavate conidia; mycophilic habitat. X dichotomous key to the 13 accepted species of the genus is provided.published_or_final_versio