Tropohalonectria R.H. Perera, E.B.G. Jones & K.D. Hyde, gen. nov.; Index Fungorum number: IF 552163
Saprobic on dead leaves of Magnolia. Sexual morph: Ascomata immersed beneath raised surface under several layers of tissue which are not discoloured, solitary or in small clusters, globose to ellipsoidal, dark brown, non-membranous. Neck composed of several layers of long, cylindrical, compressed cells, yellow to light orange. Peridium of 2–3 strata of pale brown cells, inner layer comprising compressed angular cells, outer layer cell less distinct and fusing with the host at the outside. Paraphyses numerous, filamentous, acute at the apex, rounded at the base, tapering, septate, unbranched, hyaline, longer than the asci. Asci 8-spored, cylindrical, apedicellate, apex rounded to slightly acute, with J-, cylindrical apical ring. Ascospores filiform, 4–7 septate, slightly acute at the apex, rounded at the base, hyaline, yellow to light orange in mass, without sheath or appendages. Asexual morph: Hyphomycetous. Phialides flaskshaped, pale brown at base, with hyaline apex, collarette. Conidia allantoid, aseptate, hyaline (description modified from Promputtha et al. 2004).
Type: Tropohalonectria suthepensis (Promp.) R.H. Perera, E.B.G. Jones & K.D. Hyde.
Notes: The terrestrial genus Tropohalonectria is introduced here to accommodate Tropohalonectria suthepensis previously treated as a member of the genus Pseudohalonectria (Promputtha et al. 2004). In this study, the ex-type strain of P. suthepensis Promp. (PDD 76762) forms a separate clade distinct to species of Pseudohalonectria sensu stricto, in a basal position in the phylogenetic tree within the Magnaporthales, Furthermore, differences from Pseudohalonectria can be observed in ascomata and ascospore characters in P. suthepensis. Therefore, a new combination is required to accommodate P. suthepensis in Tropohalonectria.
Species