AsterodiscusandStigmatodiscus, two new apothecial dothideomycete genera and the new orderStigmatodiscales.
During a survey on corticolousDothideomycetes, several collections with ascospores matching the generaAsteromassariaandStigmatomassaria(Pleomassariaceae,Pleosporales) were revealed from dead corticated twigs ofAcer,CarpinusandTamarix. Closer morphological examination showed that their ascomata were apothecial, with a hamathecium consisting of septate, branched paraphyses, which are apically swollen at maturity. Several collections were cultured and sequenced, and a Blast search of their nuc 28S rDNA sequences revealed dothideomycetous affiliation, but without a close match to a specific family or order. Phylogenetic analyses of a multigene matrix containing a representative selection ofDothideomycetesfrom four genes (nuc 18S rDNA, nuc 28S rDNA,rpb2 andtef1) revealed placement withinDothideomycetesbut without a supported familial or ordinal affiliation. Based on the phylogenetic analyses and morphological investigations, the new generaAsterodiscusandStigmatodiscus, with the two new speciesA. tamaricisandS. enigmaticus, are described and illustrated, and placed in the new familyStigmatodiscaceaeand new orderStigmatodiscales.
Division of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
Hermann
H
Voglmayr
14 rue Roulette, F-21260 Véronnes, France.
Alain
A
Gardiennet
Division of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, A-1030 Vienna, Austria ; Institute of Forest Entomology, Forest Pathology and Forest Protection, Department of Forest and Soil Sciences, BOKU-University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Hasenauerstraße 38, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
Walter M
WM
Jaklitsch
Ascomycota; Dothideomycetes; New family; New genus; New order; New species; Phylogenetic analysis; Taxonomy