Melanodothis caricis, n. gen., n. sp. and ‘Hyalodothis? caricis’

Abstract

The structure and development of Melanodothis caricis n. gen., n. sp. (Dothideales, Dothideaceae), a fungus that parasitizes florets of Carex and Kobresia, are described and illustrated. Its relationship to ‘Hyalodothis? caricis’ Pat. & Har., herein considered a nomen dubium, is discussed. M. caricis is reported from the west coast of Canada, U.S.A. (Alaska), Japan, China, and New Guinea, on 14 species of Carex, one Carex hybrid, and one species of Kobresia. In Canada, the florets are infected in the spring at anthesis and the stromata reach their full size the same year, but asci and ascospores do not mature until the following spring. Mature asci were seen in stromata on four species of Carex, C. capillacea from New Guinea, and C. livida, C. pauciflora, and C. sitchensis from Canada, from field collections of mature stromata, and (or) from stromata brought to maturity under artificial conditions. The remaining records are of stromata with immature hymenium. Cultures from ascospores on potato dextrose agar are described.

A Classification of Loculoascomycetes

“…Parodiopsidaceae Toro: Balladyna Racib., Brooksia Hansf., Chevalieropsis Arnaud, Cleistosphaeria Syd., Perisporiopsis P. Henn. (Deighton and Pirozynski, 1966;Muller and von Arx, 1962 (Corlett et al, 1973;Hughes 1972Hughes , 1976 (Barr, 1972;van der Aa, 1971 (Barr, 1972;Froidevaux, 1973 (Arnold, 1972;von Arx and Miuller, 1954;Barr, 1972;Loeffler, 1957). Notes.-The inclusion of the Verrucariaceae among the Loculoascomiycetes is based on studies by Vezda (1968), Doppelbauer (1959), and Henssen and Jahns (1974).…”