Two new species of Trichoglossum (Geoglossaceae, Ascomycota) from south Mexico

Two new species of Trichoglossum are described from south Mexico based on morphological and molecular evidence. Trichoglossumcaespitosum is characterized by the caespitose ascomata, rough and coiled paraphyses and the ascospores with 9-11 septa. Trichoglossumtropicale is characterized by the capitate ascomata, clavate and straight paraphyses and the ascospores with 10-12 septa. Both species grow in the tropical forests of the Yucatán peninsula. Here we provide descriptions and photographs for these species, together with a phylogenetic analyses based on the DNA sequences of nuc rDNA (ITS region and 28S gene) and a comparative table for the species known for America.

Genetic variations and in vitro root-colonizing ability for an ericaceous host in Sarcoleotia globosa (Geoglossomycetes)

We discovered that Sarcoleotia globosa (Geoglossomycetes) fruited on the soil of ornamental Erica pot cultures, and its ascospores can germinate on plain agar. These findings prompted us to collect isolates from horticultural and natural environments in Japan and analyze their phylogeny and root colonizing ability. Pure cultures were successfully obtained from ascospores and surface-sterilized ericaceous roots. Phylogenetic analysis based on rRNA internal transcribed spacer sequences revealed that Japanese samples were separated into three strongly supported clades. Individual clade consisted of samples derived from (1) Erica pot cultures, (2) Rhododendron planted in a garden or Vaccinium pot culture, and (3) natural habitats in Hokkaido. Colony characteristics and in vitro root-colonizing morphology observed may correspond to these phylogenetic variations. Irrespective of the clades, all tested strains formed hyphal coils in vital rhizodermal cells of V. virgatum seedlings, which resembled those of ericoid mycorrhizae. Our results represent novel findings that can be the first step in unraveling the currently unknown ecology of geoglossoid fungi.

Studies in the genus Glutinoglossum

Glutinoglossum is a recently described genus in Geoglossomycetes, characterized by viscid black fruiting bodies. Glutinoglossum was described based on molecular evidence showing that the fungus formerly known as Geoglossum glutinosum formed a well-supported clade separate from Geoglossum. This study provides a comprehensive examination of Glutinoglossum based on maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses of a dataset that includes nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer and partial 28S regions and the nuc genes for RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1) and minichromosome maintenance complex component 7 (MCM7). Four new species are described, an emended description of Glutinoglossum glutinosum and a key to the genus Glutinoglossum is provided.