Abstract: In this paper we give an account of species in the genus Diaporthe. Since morphological characters are inadequate to define species in this genus, DNA sequence data are essential to differentiate them. We therefore focus this paper on the 171 species for which ex-type/exepitype/ex-isotype/ex-neotype isolates and corresponding molecular data are available and these species are listed alphabetically. Sexual or asexual morph are noted under each species, detailed descriptions of type materials, host records and geographic distribution are provided. Available DNA sequence data from ex-type cultures are listed in Table 1. Phylogenetic relationships of the species are given in a multi-locus phylogenetic tree based on combined ITS, tef1-α, β-tubulin and CAL sequences.

Abstract: Incorporating asexual genera in a natural classification system and proposing one name for pleomorphic genera are important topics in the current era of mycology. Recently, several polyphyletic genera have been restricted to a single family, linked with a single sexual morph or spilt into several unrelated genera. Thus, updating existing data bases and check lists is essential to stay abreast of these recent advanes. In this paper, we update the existing outline of asexual genera and provide taxonomic notes for asexual genera which have been introduced since 2012. Approximately, 320 genera have been reported or linked with a sexual morph, but most genera lack sexual morphs.

Abstract: Yasmina Marin-Felix is grateful for the financial support received from the Vice-Chancellor’s postdoctoral fellowship programme from University of Pretoria, South Africa. The collection trip in Thailand was supported by the Thailand Research Fund (MRG5580163).

Abstract: Fungal strains were isolated from plastic contaminated soils in open dump sites located in different governorates in Egypt. The isolates showed various abilities in enzymes production that were rel ...

Abstract: Culture-based studies have recovered fungal endophytes from numerous plant hosts, while direct examination of sporulating cultures has enabled identification. However, many endophytes cannot be identified due to the fact that they only form mycelia sterilia in culture. Although next generation sequencing (NGS), as well as ITS sequence analyses have been used to identify endophytes, identification is still rudimentary. In this study, we isolated fungal endophytes from Rhizophora apiculata in Thailand and established how many can be identified to species level based on ITS sequence data. Endophytic fungi were isolated from leaves, petioles and aerial roots of R. apiculata in four provinces of Thailand. One hundred and fifty four isolates were obtained and initially grouped into 20 morphotypes based on cultural characteristics. Nine were sporulating morphotypes, which were assigned to seven genera (Colletotrichum, Diaporthe, Hypoxylon, Neopestalotiopsis, Neodevriesia, Pestalotiopsis and Phyllosticta), and eleven morphotypes were non-sporulating mycelia sterilia. Sequence similarity comparison and phylogenetic analysis of the ITS regions were further used to identify taxa. While ITS sequence data is reliable to assign isolates at the generic rank, and can be useful to identify taxa to species level in a small number of fungal genera, it cannot generally be used to determine specific species in most genera. ITS analysis classified 30 representative isolates into 20 taxonomic units residing in 15 known genera: Allophoma sp., Colletotrichum spp., Diaporthe spp., Hortaea werneckii, Hypoxylon griseobrunneum, Hypoxylon sp., Pestalotiopsis sp., Phanerochaete sp., Phyllosticta spp., Pseudopithomyces maydicus, Preussia sp., Nemania sp., Neodevriesia sp., Neopestalotiopsis sp., Mycosphere 8(10): 1869–1892 (2017) www.mycosphere.org ISSN 2077 7019

Abstract: Seven new collections of sexual and asexual morphs of Tubeufiaceae from woody substrates in freshwater, were obtained from different regions of Thailand. ITS, LSU and TEF1α sequence data obtained from single spore isolates of these collections were analyzed with other species of Tubeufiaceae. The phylogenetic analyses with combined ITS, LSU and TEF1α data indicated that the collections represented three new species, Chlamydotubeufia aquatica, Dictyospora thailandica and Helicosporium flavum. A new genus, Dictyospora is introduced to accommodate Dictyospora thailandica. Morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided for the new taxa and compared with similar taxa. A single ascospore isolates of Dictyospora thailandica and Helicosporium flavum produced asexual conidia in MEA.

Abstract: Thirty-one species of gymnopoid fungi are reported from the African island nation, Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. Ten represent new species (Arrhenia cystidiata, Callistosporium elegans, Campanella burkei, Gymnopus billbowesii, G. hirtelloides, G. irresolutus, G. mustachius, G. ocellus, G. pleurocystidiatus, G. rodhallii), four are new nomenclatural combinations (G. cervinus, G. hirtellus, G. ugandensis, Tricholomopsis aurea), and all 21 previously described species represent new distribution records. Comprehensive descriptions, line drawings, colour photographs, comparisons with allied taxa, a dichotomous key to aid identification, and a phylogenetic analysis of members of the Omphalotaceae based on ITS rDNA sequence data are provided.

Abstract: We are studying Dothideomycetes from different hosts in different geographical regions and have introduced new taxa from China, Iran and Italy. In this paper, we introduce Yunnanensis gen. nov. on Poaceae from Yunnan Province, in China, to accommodate Y. phragmitis sp. nov. Neosetophoma iranianum sp. nov. recovered from soil in Iran is also introduced and a sexual morph of Wojnowicia dactylidis on Asperula sp. (Rubiaceae) collected in Italy is also reported. DNA sequence based phylogenies (ribosomal gene) are also generated to infer potential taxonomic relationships. Yunnanensis is morphologically distinct from other genera in Phaeosphaeriaceae in having ascomata with evenly thickened walls comprising with textura angularis and textura angularis to textura prismatica inner layers, broadly cylindrical to cylindric-clavate asci, muriform ascospores with a mucilaginous sheath and a coelomycetous asexual state with muriform conidia. Phylogeny also supports Yunnanensis as a novel genus basal to Neosetophoma. Neosetophoma Mycosphere 8(10): 1818–1834 (2017) www.mycosphere.org ISSN 2077 7019

Abstract: The taxonomy of the family Cucurbitariaceae and its allies, especially Fenestellaceae has received little attention despite its broad relevance. To further clarify phylogenetic relationships between the two families, new collections were made and samples examined morphologically. Morphometric observations reveal two new Fenestella species that are different from other known species and are introduced as Fenestella ostryae sp. nov. and F. mackenziei sp. nov. The asexual morph of F. ostryae is also established from single spore cultures and described. Phylogeny inferred from a combined dataset of ITS, LSU and SSU rDNA sequence also reveals a close association of the new taxa to F. fenestrata, but they are distinct. Sequence analyses also support our previous assumption that Fenestellaceae should be synonymized with Cucurbitariaceae. Pyrenochaeta quercina, Pyrenochaeta unguis-hominis and an additional new cucurbitaria-like isolate constitute a strongly supported monophyletic lineage within Cucurbitariaceae. To better resolve intergeneric level relationships and improve taxonomic issues within Cucurbitariaceae, a new genus, Neocucurbitaria gen. nov. is introduced with Neocucurbitaria acerina as a new

Abstract: This study is an update of the available data concerning species of ascomycetous microfungi from Southern Uzbekistan. This revision is based on literature and herbaria records and recent field trips in the region. Currently, there are 333 species and 107 genera of ascomycetous microfungi known from region. Among these taxa Anthostoma melanotes, Camarosporium mori, Cucurbitaria negundinis, C. rhamni, Gloeosporium populi-albae are newly reported for ascomycetous mycota of Uzbekistan, while 26 microfungal species are new to the Southern region. The most frequently collected species of the genera are Alternaria, Ascochyta, Cucurbitaria, Cytospora, Leptosphaeria, Mycosphaerella, Pleospora, Phyllosticta, Ramularia and Septoria which are widely known for their cosmopolitan nature. The checklist includes details of the location and substrate on which they were encountered. This data will be useful in the compilation of ascomycetous microfungal biodiversity of Uzbekistan. This region, characterised by arid and semi-arid and dry forest and xerophytic plants provides an excellent opportunity to unravel the species diversity with the possibility of discovering many new species.

Abstract: We collected six “tar spot” disease specimens from various hosts and these were subjected to morpho-phylogenetic studies. In this paper, a new genus, Neophyllachora is introduced to accommodate N. cerradensis, N. myrciae, N. myrciariae, N. subcircinans and N. trucantispora, which are related to Phyllachora species but constitutes an independent strongly supported monophyletic clade within Phyllachoraceae of the Phyllachorales. Three novel Phyllachora species; P. chloridis, P. cynodonticola and P. panicicola on Poaceae are also introduced. Phenotypic comparisons and phylogenetic analysis of partial SSU, LSU and ITS sequence data with homologous taxa, confirm the placement of the novel species in Phyllachoraceae. The family Polystigmataceae is re-established to accommodate Polystigma within the order Xylariales. The asexual morph of Polystigma rubrum was re-collected from Russia and is provided as a reference specimen with a description, illustrations and molecular data. Further studies with multiple gene analysis are recommended to provide a natural and stable classification system for members of Phyllachorales.

Abstract: Malformin A1, a cyclic pentapeptide, was isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus tubingensis IFM 63452. The identity of the compound was established based on TOFMS and H NMR data. Malformin A1 exhibited trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma congolense (IC50: 15.08 ng/mL). Interestingly, the compound was selective for T. congolense rendering a selectivity index value that ranged from 3.33 to 4.67. It also demonstrated cytotoxicity against HeLa (IC50: 50.15 ng/mL) and P388 (IC50: 70.38 ng/mL) cell lines. To further identify the possible mechanism of its cytotoxic effect, immunofluorescence staining was conducted to follow the epigenetic changes induced by the compound in the amino acid lysine of histone H3 and H4 in HeLa. The compound induced repressive levels of H3K27me3, H3K27ac and H4K5ac, and enhanced levels of H3K9me2, H3K9me3 and H4K16ac supporting the compound’s chemotherapeutic potential.

Abstract: Carica papaya and other species of the genus Carica are hosts of numerous powdery mildews belonging to various genera, including some records that are probably classifiable as accidental infections. Using morphological and phylogenetic analyses, five different Erysiphe species were identified on papaya, viz. Erysiphe caricae, E. caricae-papayae sp. nov., Erysiphe diffusa (= Oidium caricae), E. fallax sp. nov., and E. necator. The history of the name Oidium caricae and its misapplication to more than one species of powdery mildews is discussed under Erysiphe diffusa, to which O. caricae is assigned as a heterotypic synonym. Sphaerotheca caricaepapayae is synonymized with Podosphaera xanthii. Podosphaera caricicola comb. nov and additional powdery mildew species occurring on papaya are also described. A key to the papaya powdery mildew species that are considered is provided.

Abstract: During our fungal forays in freshwater streams of Thailand and China, two new taxa belonging to the family Tubeufiaceae were isolated from decaying submerged wood samples. A new genus Neotubeufia is introduced to accommodate a new species, N. krabiensis, which is comparable to Tubeufia in the features of ascomata, asci and ascospores, but found distinct with dark ascomata, cylindrical asci and cylindric-fusiform ascospores. A multigene phylogenetic analysis based on ITS, LSU, TEF1α and RPB2 sequence data indicate that Neotubeufia formed a single clade distant from the Tubeufia clade. A new species, Tubeufia guangxiensis collected from decaying wood in a freshwater habitat in China is confirmed by comparing morphological characters with the type species T. javanica and other Tubeufia taxa together with phylogenetic analysis. Descriptions, illustrations and notes are provided for the new genus and new species.

Abstract: This work aimed to evaluate for the first time in Egypt the biodiversity of mycobiota that inhabit the guts of three insect species collected from Assiut Governorate. 50 adult insect samples (28 worker honey bees, 11 black beetles and 11 red palm weevils) were analyzed. 68 species and three varieties were recovered of which 49 species and 2 varieties were filamentous fungi and 19 species + one variety were yeasts. The number of taxa recovered from red-palm weevils and honey bees was almost equal, while lower number was isolated from beetles. However, a higher number of yeast species was obtained from the gut of red-palm weevils than those obtained from honey bees or black beetles. Some filamentous species were recovered from the guts of the three insect species (Aspergillus niger, A. parasiticus, A. terreus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium chrysogenum), while others were reported from one or two insect species. However, none of yeast species was regularly recovered from the three insect guts, but two insect species may share the same yeast species in their guts. Other yeast species were restrictedly isolated from guts of one insect species. Some gut samples were fungi-free. To our knowledge, some of the isolated yeast species are being reported here for the first time from insect guts. On the other hand, ITS sequence data from several strains did not match well with those of known described species, and are probably new

Abstract: During an investigation of saprobic ascomycetes from karst landforms in southwest China, two new species were isolated from dead bamboo culms collected from Maolan Town in Guizhou Province. The new taxa share similar morphological characters as known Occultibambusa species in having immersed, papillate ascomata, broadly-cylindrical to clavate asci and fusiform, hyaline to brown ascospores. Phylogenetic analysis of combined LSU, SSU, TEF1-α and RPB2 sequence data also placed the new taxa within the genus Occultibambusa in the family Occultibambusaceae with good support. The new taxa can be distinguished from other species by septation and different-sized ascospores and the present or absence of sheaths. The new species, Occultibambusa jonesii and O. maolanensis are introduced here, with descriptions, illustrations and molecular data. Key words-Dothideomycetes-phylogeny-Pleosporales-taxonomy Introduction We are carrying out the fungal diversity survey in the Karst formations of the Asian region and this is the second in a series of papers (Chen et al. 2017). The family of Occultibambusaceae D.Q. Dai & K.D. Hyde was introduced by Dai et al. (2017) and assigned to the order Pleosporales. The family is typified by Occultibambusa and characterized by immersed, solitary to gregarious ascomata, cylindrical to clavate, bitunicate asci and fusiform, hyaline to brown, septate ascospores and rather diverse asexual morphs. The family presently comprises four genera: Neooccultibambusa Doilom & K.D. Hyde (Doilom et al. 2017), Occultibambusa D.Q. Dai, Seriascoma Phookamsak., D.Q. Dai & K.D. Hyde (Dai et al. 2017) and Versicolorisporium Sat. Hatak., Kaz. Tanaka & Y. Harada (Hatakeyama et al. 2008). Species in this family occur on monocotyledons and hardwood trees, and share similar morphology with species of the genera Bambusicola, Lophiostoma and Massarina in having clavate asci and fusiform ascospores, however they can be distinguished readily via phylogenetic analysis Mycosphere 8(4): 550–559 (2017) www.mycosphere.org ISSN 2077 7019

Abstract: Agaricus is a genus of macrofungi containing species with highly edible and medicinal values. A mushroom survey was recently carried out in Qilian Mountain National Natural Reserve, in Gansu Province of China, and yielded 21 Agaricus specimens. The morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis based on four-gene sequences from those specimens were conducted. The result shows they belong to four species in A. section Bivelares: A. sinotetrasporus sp. nov. and A. qilianensis sp. nov. are new species for science; A. devoniensis is a new record from China; and the famous button mushroom, A. bisporus is found in the wild. All of them are described and illustrated in details. A brief comparison with similar taxa or previous records are addressed too.

Abstract: This is the first in a series of papers on the fungi growing on plants in the Karst formations of the Asian region. In this study, we collected leaf specimens of Photinia with numerous spots from Guiyang Botanical Gardens, Guiyang, China. A combination of morphological characters, together with analyses of combined ITS, TUB and TEF sequence data, distinguished the taxon as a new species of Pestalotiopsis. The new taxon is herein described as Pestalotiopsis photinicola and discussed in relation to the most related taxa.

Abstract: A collection of saprobic botryosphaeriaceous isolates (from dead aerial branches, stems, and dead leaves) was obtain from urban and forest tree species in Italy. A total of 52 isolates were characterized by multi-locus sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and partial sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF). According to morphological characteristics and analysis of multi-gene sequence data, 14 species in Botryosphaeriaceae belonging to five genera, viz. Botryosphaeria, Diplodia, Dothiorella, Eutiarosporella and Neofusicoccum were identified, including Dothiorella italica sp. nov. The other known species isolated were Botryosphaeria dothidea, B. auasmontanum, Diplodia alatafructa, Di. crataegicola, Di. mutila, Di. sapinea, Di. seriata, Dothiorella omnivora, Do. rhamni, Do. sarmentorum, Do. sempervirentis, Eutiarosporella dactylidis and Neofusicoccum parvum. Of these, Botryosphaeria dothidea and Diplodia seriata were the most prevalent species among the isolates. Several new host-fungus relationships were established. This study indicates the fungal family Botryosphaeriaceae seems to be common and widespread on a broad range of hosts in Italy.

Abstract: This is the second in a series, Mycosphere notes, wherein we provide notes on various fungal genera. In this set of notes we deal with genera of the families Perisporiopsidaceae and Pseudoperisporiaceae. These families have traditionally accommodated taxa associated with dead and living leaves of mostly tropical plants and comprised pathogens, saprobes or epiphytes. Most genera are poorly understood with only brief Latin descriptions, but molecular sequence data are needed to establish their taxonomic placements. In this study, 50 genera and 51 taxa are reexamined and their placements at the family level discussed. Thirteen new families Alinaceae, Balladynaceae, Cleistosphaeraceae, Dysrhynchisceae, Hyalomeliolinaceae, Lizoniaceae, Nematotheciaceae, Neoparodiaceae, Phaeodimeriellaceae, Pododimeriaceae, Polyclypeolinaceae, Stomatogeneceae and Toroaceae are introduced and Dimeriaceae is reinstated in this paper. One new species, Phaeostigme alchorneae is introduced. Nine genera are transferred to other families. However, fresh collections, epitypification or reference specimens including DNA sequence data, are required to confirm their phylogenetic placements.

Abstract: Sydowiellaceae is a poorly studied family of the order Diaporthales, comprising a collection of morphologically diversified taxa. Eleven genera have been previously listed under this family. In this study, we provide a DNA sequence-based phylogeny for genera of Sydowiellaceae based on analyses of a combined LSU, ITS, RPB2 and TEF sequence dataset to establish the boundaries within the family. We introduce, describe, and illustrate three new genera, Italiomyces, Ranulospora, and Tenuiappendicula, based on newly collected specimens. Another three new genera, Alborbis, Breviappendix, and Paragnomonia are introduced to accommodate Cryptodiaporthe galericulata, Gnomonia rosae, G. rostellata, G. rubi, and G. fragariae. Alborbis galericulata comb. nov., Breviappendix rubi comb. nov., B. rosae comb. nov., B. rostellata comb. nov. and Paragnomonia fragariae comb. nov. are proposed. Two new species, Sydowiella centaureii and Sillia karstenii, are introduced with descriptions and illustrations. Winterella is replaced with a new genus Tortilispora typified by T. aurantiaca. Three new combinations are proposed in Tortilispora. We synonymize Stegophora under Lambro based on morphological similarities. An updated key for genera of Sydowiellaceae is presented.

Abstract: Moist chamber culture experiments are one of the basic methods of detection of myxomycete diversity that is usually employed to complement field datasets based on fruit bodies (sporocarps). However, often a large fraction of plasmodia that appear in moist chamber cultures does not yield sporocarps that can be determined to species based on morphological traits. Instead, plasmodia convert to a dormant stage called sclerotium. Both structures essentially lack taxonomically valuable morphological characters, preventing assignment to a species. Here we report the results of application of DNA barcoding as a method of taxonomical identification of plasmodia and sclerotia that develop in moist chamber cultures. The first ca. 600 bp of 18S rRNA gene were successfully amplified for 38 sclerotium and 32 plasmodium samples. Comparison to a large collection of reference sequences and phylogenetic analysis allowed identifying sequences up to species (45), genus (15) or order (10) following several formal criteria. Additionally four partial EF1A gene sequences were obtained, demonstrating that single-copy nuclear genes can also be easily amplified from plasmodia and sclerotia. The outlined methodology could facilitate future studies of myxomycete diversity and ecology based on moist chamber cultures, effectively increasing diversity estimates.

Abstract: A new species of Botryosphaeria (B. rosaceae) is described and illustrated from Rosaceae in China. Phylogenetic analysis based on combined ITS, LSU, tef1-α and TUB loci supported its separation from another species of Botryosphaeria. Morphologically, B. rosaceae was comparable with B. sinensia, but the smaller and slenderer ascospores and conidia as well as the broader host spectrum of B. sinensia differentiate it from B. rosaceae. In addition, Botryosphaeria ramosa was found associated with an Acacia species in this study, which is a new host and first report in the Northern Hemisphere.