In this study rock surfaces of archaeological sites in Antalya were investigated with a focus on black fungi for the first time. Black, meristematic fungi were isolated from surfaces of antique marble monuments in Antalya (Side, Perge, Termessos). Their morphology was characterized, their diversity was documented and the taxonomy and phylogeny of new isolates was clarified based on molecular methods, that is, by sequencing parts of the small ribosomal subunit (18S) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. From a total of around 250 samples 99 different fungal strains were isolated. In most of 99 strains the rDNA sequencing data and the lack of homologies in "Genbank" gave strong evidence that these strains have to be described as new species/subspecies and/or genera. All of them, however, clustered within the ascomycete orders of Dothideales, Chaetothyriales, and Pleosporales. Field studies show that these organisms cause color changes, black spots, crater shaped lesions as well as chipping and exfoliation of the rock surfaces in Antalya and thus they have to be regarded as a serious threat to the antique cultural heritage in Turkey.

The aim of this investigation was to use morphological and molecular genetic techniques to characterize strains of newly discovered biodeteriorative fungal species originating from antique marble monuments in the Mediterranean basin (Side, Antalya, Turkey). The strains studied were isolated from the lid of a sarcophagus in the Side Museum. Black colonies were picked up and purified by one to several transfers onto culture media. Their morphology was characterized, and DNA was extracted, and amplified. Novelty of the selected species is supported by sequencing of the small ribosomal subunit (18 S) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. The black meristematic species is placed in the genus Coniosporium. Judging from SSU phylogeny data, this species is supposed to belong to the Chaetothyriales. Analysis of nucleotide sequences did not show a degree of similarity to any sequence in Genbank that would allow to assign it to one of the already existing species. The new species was denominated as C. sümbülii.

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A new species of Sarcinomyces , a melanized fungus with meristematic development, is described. On the basis of small subunit and internal transcribed sequence regions of ribosomal DNA sequencing, the new species was accommodated in the anamorph genus Sarcinomyces (Herpotrichiellaceae, Chaetothyriales) close to S. petricola .