Capronia Muriformis Spec. Nov. and Two New Combinations in the Genus Capronia (Ascomycota)

Capronia muriformis spec. nov. and two new combinations in the genus Capronia (Ascomycota)

Gernot FRIEBES Händelstraße 49a AT-8042 Graz [email protected]

Ascomycete.org, 3 (2) : 35-39. Summary: Capronia muriformis is described as new and it is compared to the close Juillet 2011 Capronia acutiseta. Capronia castlerockii and Capronia vaga are proposed as new combinations.

Keywords: Ascomycota, Chaetothyriales, Herpotrichiellaceae, taxonomy, new species.

Zusammenfassung: Capronia muriformis wird als neue Art beschrieben und mit der ähnlichen Capronia acutiseta verglichen. Capronia castlerockii und Capronia vaga werden als neue Kombinationen vorgeschlagen.

Schlüsselworter: Ascomycota, Chaetothyriales, Herpotrichiellaceae, Taxonomie, neue Art.

Introduction Asci clavati vel subglobosi, bitunicati, (5)8 spori, (45)48– 70(83) × 10–34 µm (in statu emortuo). Paraphyses desunt. During a field trip to a protected oak forest in late 2009, a Ascosporae ellipsoideae, muriformes, (13.5)18.5–23(25) × decorticated oak branch which was lying on the ground at- (10)10.5–13(14) µm (in statu vivo), brunneae. tracted the author‘s attention. Amongst other interesting py- Holotypus num. 27.490 in herbario GJO. renomycetes growing on the branch, there was a species of the genus Capronia Sacc., which differed from all other des- Ascomata superficial, solitary and scattered, globose to sub- cribed members of the genus. The newly described species globose, black, 80–220(250) µm high and 80–170 µm wide is compared to Capronia acutiseta Samuels by reexamina- (excluding setae), not collapsing when dry, covered with tion of a German collection and discussion of the original setae all over the surface, with a few light brown septate hy- description of the latter species. phae in the lower half. Setae dark brown, usually aseptate, thick walled, obtuse to acute, straight or slightly curved but sometimes with an irregular outline, (9)15–110 × (2)3–5 Materials and methods (6) µm, gradually wider towards the base and sometimes en- ding in a rather abruptly inflated (3)4–8 µm wide base; some The ascomata have been examined both shortly after col- setae with up to 6 septa and a light brown colour or very lecting and after 16 months in the herbarium. All measure- stout with extremely thickened walls; protruding cells sparse ments were obtained from microscopic preparations in tap and maybe representing young setae. Ascomatal wall of tex- water. The reaction of the hymenium to IKI (Lugol‘s iodine) tura angularis, brownish yellow to olivaceous brown, the in- and Melzer‘s reagent was tested by adding a drop of the che- dividual cells measuring 3.5–9 × 3–6 µm. Periphyses short, mical to the edge of the coverglass. The pretreatment with hyaline and sometimes difficult to observe. Asci (5)8-spo- KOH 3% lasted for one minute before adding IKI. All photo- red, bitunicate, (45)48–70(83) × 10–34 µm in dead state, graphs were taken with a Nikon D90. slenderly clavate when immature, broadly clavate to sack- shaped or subglobose when mature, ascospores irregularly filling the dead ascus; no apical ring observed. Hymenium Taxonomy not remarkably changing colour in IKI or Melzer‘s reagent; when pretreated with KOH 3% and afterwards adding IKI at Capronia muriformis Friebes, spec. nov. times with some weak bluish green shades. Hamathecium Figures 1–3. absent. Ascospores (13.5)16–18.6–23(25) × (10)10.5– MycoBank no. 561892 11.9–13(14) µm, Q = 1.33–1.57–1.83 (measured in living state), ellipsoid, smooth, with obtuse ends, sometimes with Etymology. Refers to the muriform septation of ascospores. an outgrowth on one end, at first hyaline, turning dark brown, Ascomata superficialia, solitaria vel sparsa, nigra, 80– strongly muriform, in each cell with a single oil drop, usually 220(250) × 80–170 µm. Setae (9)15–110 × (2)3–5(6) µm. with a straight, well developed transversal middle septum. 35 Fig. 1 — Capronia muriformis. HOLOTYPE. Photos: G. Friebes. a–h. Ascospores in water (living state). i. Ascospores in KOH+IKI. j. Asci in IKI. k–m. Asci in water (dead state). Scales = 10 µm. 36 Fig. 2 — Capronia muriformis. HOLOTYPE. Photos: G. Friebes. a, c, e. Normally developed setae. b. Light brown and septate setae. d. Ascoma. Scale = 10 µm for a, b, c, e. Scale = 200 µm for d.

Specimens examined: Capronia muriformis. AUSTRIA. Styria: Everh.) M.E. Barr, C. collapsa (K. Holm & L. Holm) O.E. district of Hartberg, near Schloss Herberstein, Buchberg. Erikss., C. dactylotricha Unter., Cand. & Samuels, C. dryadis GJO 27.490 (inv. nr.) HOLOTYPE. Growing on a decorticated M.E. Barr, C. epimyces M.E. Barr, C. episphaeria (Peck) M.E. Quercus petraea branch (2.5 cm diameter) which was lying Barr, C. glabra W.H. Hsieh, Chi Y. Chen & Sivan., C. juniperina on the ground, found in an oak forest intermixed with Carpi- (K. Holm & L. Holm) O.E. Erikss., C. kleinmondensis Marin- nus betulus, Pinus sylvestris and Castanea sativa. Associa- cowitz, M.J. Wingf. & Crous, C. leucadendri Marincowitz, M.J. ted species: Propolis farinosa (Pers.) Fr., Orbilia eucalypti (W. Wingf. & Crous, C. mansonii (Schol-Schwarz) E. Müll., Petrini, Phillips & Harkn.) Sacc., Lasiosphaeria spec., Acanthos- P.J. Fisher, Samuels & Rossman, C. minima (Ellis & Everh.) tigma ellisii Sacc. & P. Syd. and Acanthostigma minutum M.E. Barr, C. munkii Unter., C. mycophila Schmid-Heckel, (Fuckel) Sacc. C. nigerrima (R.R. Bloxam) M.E. Barr, C. perpusilla Réblová, Capronia acutiseta. GERMANY. Rhön. On dead, standing, de- C. populicola M.E. Barr, C. potentillae (E. Müll.) E. Müll., Pe- corticated stem of Corylus avellana. Associated species: Or- trini, P.J. Fisher, Samuels & Rossman, C. pulcherrima (Munk) E. Müll., Petrini, P.J. Fisher, Samuels & Rossman, C. semi- bilia eucalypti (W. Phillips & Harkn.) Sacc. (KRIEGLSTEINER, 2004). Herbarium Friebes 20110082. immersa (Cand. & Sulmont) Unter. & F.A. Naveau and C. svrcekiana Réblová. Except for C. acutiseta, all these species differ in having ascospores with several clearly defined Discussion transversal septa and one to three longitudinal septa. C. acutiseta as described by MÜLLER et al. (1987) is the only Capronia muriformis is characterised in having strongly mu- species which shows an ascospore septation somewhat si- riform, dark brown ascospores, often with a well developed milar to C. muriformis. However, it is not clear to the author transversal septum in the middle, completely and distinctly whether the ascospores in the type of C. acutiseta possess setose, not collapsing ascomata, and occurrence on decor- “4–5 transversal and 1–2 longitudinal septa” as given in the ticated wood. original description or are strongly muriform as shown in Several non-lichenicolous Capronia species have been des- MÜLLER et al. (loc. cit., fig. 5A). A specimen from Germany cribed with muriform ascospores and 8-spored asci, i.e., identified as C. acutiseta in KRIEGLSTEINER (2004) matches C. acutiseta, C. arctica M.E. Barr, C. chlorospora (Ellis & the original description very well in ascospore morphology 37 and other characters. However, the ascospores shown in fi- the often distinct middle septum of the ascospores of C. mu- gure 5A of the protologue deviate from the German collec- riformis is neither mentioned by MÜLLER et al. (loc. cit.) for tion in having a strongly muriform septation. C. acutiseta nor could it be observed in the present reexa- Apart from ascospore septation, there are further characte- mination of the German material. The setae of C. acutiseta ristics to separate C. muriformis from C. acutiseta. The co- are comparatively short and occur only in the upper half of lour of the ascospores is given as “pale olivaceous” in the the ascomata whereas the setae of C. muriformis are much original description and matches the German collection of longer and the ascomata are setose all over. C. acutiseta. However, in C. muriformis, the ascospores turn The characteristics of both species are compared in the dark brown when mature without an olivaceous tint. Also, table below.

C. acutiseta* C. muriformis Ascospore size (13.5)15–25(27) × 8.5–13(14) µm (13.5)16–23(25) × (10)10.5–13(14) µm

muriform, usually with (3)4–5(6) clearly deve- strongly muriform, usually with a well develo- Ascospore septation loped transverse septa ped transverse middle septum

hyaline when young, mature light greenish or hyaline when young, mature dark brown, wi- Ascospore colour yellowish brown thout greenish tints

Setae length (12)25–45 µm (9)15–110 µm Asci 3–8-spored (5)8-spored Ascomata hairy in the upper half hairy all over

*The characteristics of C. acutiseta are compound of the original description and the German collection.

New combinations For a detailed description, see REMLER (loc. cit.). This species possesses setose ascomata, muriform ascospores measuring 14–22 × 7–8.5 µm, 8-spored asci and seems to be res- MÜLLER et al. (1987) synonymized Berlesiella Sacc., Capro- tricted to Rhododendron ferrugineum. niella Berl., Dictyotrichiella Munk, Didymotrichiella Munk, Herpotrichiella Petrak and Polytrichiella Barr with Capronia and transferred several species to the latter genus. BARR Acknowledgements (1991) combined seven more species to Capronia. However, there are still some species of the mentioned genera which The author wants to thank Martin Bemmann, Paul Blanz, have not yet been transferred to Capronia. Therefore, two Wolfgang Dämon, Lothar Krieglsteiner, Klaus Siepe, Jacques Trimbach and Nicolas Van Vooren for help with literature combinations are proposed as follows. search, support by loaning exsiccatae and notes on the manuscript. Hans-Otto Baral is thanked for many helpful re- Capronia castlerockii (Subhedar & V.G. Rao) Friebes, comb. marks on the manuscript and hints for determination of the nov. fungus. Basionym: Berlesiella castlerockii Subhedar & V.G. Rao, Cur- rent Science, 46 (24): 868 (1977), as “castle-rockii”. MycoBank no. 561893. Literature cited

BARR M. E. 1991. — Notes on and additions to North American C. castlerockii is characterized in having immersed, glabrous members of the Herpotrichiellaceae. Mycotaxon, 41 (2): 419- ascomata developing in apothecia of Rhytidhysteron rufu- 436. lum (Spreng.) Speg. A closely related species is Capronia gla- HSIEH W. H., CHEN C. Y. & SIVANESAN A. 1997. — Some new ascomy- bra W.H. Hsieh, Chi Y. Chen & Sivan. which differs in larger cetes from Taiwan. Mycological Research, 101: 897–907. ascospores and asci (HSIEH et al., 1997). KRIEGLSTEINER L. 2004. — Pilze im Biosphären-Reservat Rhön und ihre Einbindung in die Vegetation. Regensburger Mykologische Schriften, 12: 1–770. (Rehm) Friebes, comb. nov. Capronia vaga MÜLLER E., PETRINI O., FISHER P. J., SAMUELS G. J. & ROSSMAN A. Y. 1987. Basionym: Teichospora vaga Rehm, Hedwigia, 21: 120 — Taxonomy and anamorphs of the Herpotrichiellaceae with (1882). notes on generic synonymy. Transactions of the British Mycolo- ≡ Strickeria vaga (Rehm) G. Winter, Rabenhorst’s Krypto- gical Society, 88: 63–74. gamen-Flora, Pilze – Ascomyceten, 1(2): 284 (1885). REMLER P. 1979. — Ascomyceten auf Ericaceen in den Ostalpen. Bi- bliotheca Mycologica, 68: 1-321. ≡ Dictyotrichiella vaga (Rehm) Remler, Bibliotheca Mycolo- SUBHEDAR A. W. & RAO V. G. 1977. — Berlesiella (fam. Pleosporaceae), gica, 68: 90 (1979). a new mycoparasite from India. Current Science, 46 (24): 868– MycoBank no. 561894. 869.

38 Fig. 3 — Capronia muriformis. HOLOTYPE. Drawing: G. Friebes. a. Mature ascospores (living state). b. Setae. c. Asci (left and right immature). Scales = 10 µm.