A new genus of Hyphomycetes with teleomorphs in the Sarcoscyphaceae (Pezizales, Sarcoscyphineae)

Abstract

Molliardiomyces, a new genus of the Hyphomycetes, is described for anamorphic states of some species of the Sarcoscyphaceae (Pezizales, Sarcoscyphineae): Sarcoscypha coccinea, S. occidentalis, Phillipsia domingensis, P. guatemalensis, P. lutea, Pithya cupressina, and Nanoscypha tetraspora. Conidiophores are erect to repent or submerged, monenematous, smooth, hyaline, and irregularly branched or unbranched. Conidia are produced blastically from sympodially proliferating conidiogenous cells. The conidia are smooth, one celled, hyaline or pale yellow, subglobose, ellipsoidal or obovate, with granular contents or containing small oil drops, with bases truncate or rounded, and with or without a frill. Nutritional requirements for production of conidia varied markedly from species to species. Germination of the conidia has not been observed.

Phylogenetic Relationships among Species of Phillipsia Inferred from Molecular and Morphological Data

“…Phillipsia rugospora was known to Paden (1977) only from the type locality in Costa Rica. Since then one collection has been reported from Argentina (Romero and Gamundi 1986).…”

“…Since then one collection has been reported from Argentina (Romero and Gamundi 1986). Phillipsia rugospora was distinguished by its yellow hymenium, and ascospores with a wrinkled wall when viewed with SEM-"the ascospores usually appeared smooth when examined in fresh condition with an oil-immersion objective" (Paden 1977). The spore wall is somewhat peculiar.…”

“…Based on this study there is no justification for recognizing segregate species within the P domingensis complex. Ascospore germination in P domingensis and P lutea are shown to differ (Paden 1974) and different anamorphs, Molliardiomyces domingensis Paden and M. luteus Paden, are described for each of these "morphologically defined species" (Paden 1984). The ascospores of P domingensis developed one septum and produced, mostly two, germ tubes with conidialike structures, while ascospores of P lutea germinated with a single germ tube, which did not form conidialike structures.…”

“…were closely related. Paden (1974Paden ( , 1977 described two new species from Central America, P rugospora Paden and P guatemalensis Paden, and gave detailed information on spore germination and conidial formation.…”

“…According to Rifai (1968), P carminea, P ineaqualis, P dochmia, and P hirneoloides might belong in the genus Aurophora, based on the presence of a gelatinous matrix in the medullary excipulum (see Taxonomic history of Phillipsia). Paden (1977), in his description of P. guatemalensis, noted that it differs from P domingensis in the color of the hymenium ("rosaceous tan"), its smaller apothecia (up to 3 cm) with thin, rather brittle flesh and by somewhat shorter ascospores (21-25 X 12-13 pxm). Phillipsia guatemalensis has been reported only from the type locality (a single collection from Guatemala).…”