In this study, we assessed the phylogenetic relationships among members of Ceratostomella and the morphologically similar genus Xylomelasma, currently classified within the Sordariomycetes. Our phylogenetic analyses, utilising three and five gene markers, revealed that species from these two genera are congeneric, supporting the transfer of Xylomelasma to Ceratostomella. Consequently, we propose two new combinations: C.sordida comb. nov. and C.novae-zelandiae comb. nov. In addition, we identified two cryptic species within the C.sordida species complex, which are described as C.crypta sp. nov. and C.melanospora sp. nov. Traditional micromorphological characters have proven insufficient for differentiating these new species; however, they are clearly distinguishable by molecular data, particularly using the internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) of the nuclear rRNA cistron, and genes encoding the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2), and translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α) as primary and secondary barcodes. This study provides new insights into the morphological characteristics of Ceratostomella, identifying the ascogenous system as an important diagnostic trait at the generic level, which distinguishes Ceratostomella from morphologically similar fungi. Ceratostomella is currently recognised with eight species. We also investigated the relationship between Ceratostomella and the closely related Barbatosphaeria. The lack of statistical support in the Maximum likelihood analysis is discussed and the inclusion of Ceratostomella in Barbatosphaeriaceae is not supported. Ceratostomella is accepted as a genus incertae sedis, while Barbatosphaeriaceae remains a monotypic family. The global diversity of Ceratostomella is inferred from metabarcoding data and published field observations. Biogeographic analysis indicates that members of Ceratostomella are widespread, found in soil and decaying wood, as well as in air, dust, roots, shoots, and water across temperate, subtropical and tropical regions in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. We are concurrently publishing whole-genome analyses of three ex-type strains of Ceratostomella, i.e. C.crypta, C.melanospora and C.sordida. This effort aims to establish a new standard for high-quality taxonomic studies, which, in accordance with current trends, should incorporate whole-genome sequencing data for future research and application. Our findings underscore the importance of integrating morphological, biogeographic and molecular data for accurate species delineation and highlight the complexity within the genus Ceratostomella.

• Klíčová slova
• Ascogenous hyphae, Sordariomycetes, biogeography, cryptic species, molecular systematics, saprobes, two new species,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Data mining for a phylogenetic study including the prominent ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Rhizoscyphus ericae revealed nearly identical ITS sequences of the bryophilous Hyaloscypha hepaticicola suggesting they are conspecific. Additional genetic markers and a broader taxonomic sampling furthermore suggested that the sexual Hyaloscypha and the asexual Meliniomyces may be congeneric. In order to further elucidate these issues, type strains of all species traditionally treated as members of the Rhizoscyphus ericae aggregate (REA) and related taxa were subjected to phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, nrLSU, mtSSU, and rpb2 markers to produce comparable datasets while an in vitro re-synthesis experiment was conducted to examine the root-symbiotic potential of H. hepaticicola in the Ericaceae. Phylogenetic evidence demonstrates that sterile root-associated Meliniomyces, sexual Hyaloscypha and Rhizoscyphus, based on R. ericae, are indeed congeneric. To this monophylum also belongs the phialidic dematiaceous hyphomycetes Cadophora finlandica and Chloridium paucisporum. We provide a taxonomic revision of the REA; Meliniomyces and Rhizoscyphus are reduced to synonymy under Hyaloscypha. Pseudaegerita, typified by P. corticalis, an asexual morph of H. spiralis which is a core member of Hyaloscypha, is also transferred to the synonymy of the latter genus. Hyaloscypha melinii is introduced as a new root-symbiotic species from Central Europe. Cadophora finlandica and C. paucisporum are confirmed conspecific, and four new combinations in Hyaloscypha are proposed. Based on phylogenetic analyses, some sexually reproducing species can be attributed to their asexual counterparts for the first time whereas the majority is so far known only in the sexual or asexual state. Hyaloscypha bicolor sporulating in vitro is reported for the first time. Surprisingly, the mycological and mycorrhizal sides of the same coin have never been formally associated, mainly because the sexual and asexual morphs of these fungi have been studied in isolation by different research communities. Evaluating all these aspects allowed us to stabilize the taxonomy of a widespread and ecologically well-studied group of root-associated fungi and to link their various life-styles including saprobes, bryophilous fungi, root endophytes as well as fungi forming ericoid mycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae.

• Klíčová slova
• Ectomycorrhiza, Ericoid mycorrhiza, Hyaloscypha bicolor (Hambl. & Sigler) Vohník, Fehrer & Réblová, Hyaloscypha finlandica (C.J.K. Wang & H.E. Wilcox) Vohník, Fehrer & Réblová, Hyaloscypha hepaticicola, Hyaloscypha melinii Vohník, Fehrer & Réblová, Hyaloscypha variabilis (Hambl. & Sigler) Vohník, Fehrer & Réblová, Hyaloscypha vraolstadiae (Hambl. & Sigler) Vohník, Fehrer & Réblová, Hymenoscyphus ericae, Meliniomyces, Molecular systematics, Mycorrhizal synthesis, Pezoloma ericae, Pseudaegerita, Sexual-asexual connection,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The genus Ceratostomella has a long history of taxonomic confusion. While species with evanescent asci have been transferred to the Microascales and Ophiostomatales, the taxonomic status of species with persistent asci has not been completely resolved. In previous studies using DNA sequence data, cultures and morphology, several Ceratostomella spp. were allocated in 13 genera in the Eurotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes. In our study, the systematics of the remaining Ceratostomella spp. with persistent asci is revisited with new collection data, cultures and phylogeny based on novel DNA sequences from six nuclear loci. Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses support the monophyly of several wood-inhabiting species formerly classified in Ceratostomella and other unknown morphologically similar taxa and their division into four genera, i.e. Lentomitella, Spadicoides, Torrentispora and the newly described Calyptosphaeria. This robust clade represents the order Xenospadicoidales in the Sordariomycetidae. Comparative analysis of the ITS2 secondary structure revealed a genetic variation among Lentomitella isolates; 11 species were recognised, of which five are newly introduced and two are new combinations. Other taxonomic novelties include four new species and eight new combinations in Calyptosphaeria, Spadicoides, and Torrentispora. Molecular data suggest that Spadicoides is polyphyletic. The core of the genus is positioned in the Xenospadicoidales; Spadicoides s. str. is experimentally linked with sexual morphs for the first time. Based on DNA sequence data, the monotypic genera Xenospadicoides and Pseudodiplococcium are reduced to synonymy under Spadicoides, while Fusoidispora and Pseudoannulatascus are synonymised with Torrentispora. Members of the Xenospadicoidales inhabit decaying wood in terrestrial and freshwater environments and share a few morphological characters such as the absence of stromatic tissue, ascomata with a cylindrical or rostrate neck, similar anatomies of the ascomatal walls, thin-walled unitunicate asci with a non-amyloid apical annulus, disintegrating paraphyses, usually ellipsoidal to fusiform ascospores and holoblastic-denticulate or tretic conidiogenesis. Revised Ceratostomella spp. with persistent asci are listed and the taxonomic status of each species is re-evaluated based on revision of the holotype and other representative material, published details and available phylogenetic data.

• Klíčová slova
• C. tenebrosa Réblová & A.N. Mill., C. tropica (Huhndorf et al.) Réblová & A.N. Mill., Calyptosphaeria Réblová & A.N. Mill, Calyptosphaeria collapsa Réblová & A.N. Mill., Calyptosphaeria subdenudata (Peck) Réblová & A.N. Mill., Ceratostomella, Conidiogenesis, Holoblastic-denticulate, L. investita (Schw.) Réblová, L. obscura Réblová, L. striatella Réblová, L. sulcata Réblová, L. tenuirostris Réblová, Lentomitella conoidea (Feltg.) Réblová, Lentomitella magna Réblová, Molecular systematics, New taxa, Phaeoisaria-like, S. hyalostoma (Munk) Réblová, Selenosporella-like, Spadicoides fuscolutea (Rehm) Réblová, Spadicoides iberica (Hern.-Restr. et al.) Réblová & A.N. Mill., T. biatriispora (K.D. Hyde) Réblová & A.N. Mill., T. dubia (Sacc.) Réblová & A.N. Mill, T. novae-zelandiae Réblová & A.N. Mill, Taxonomy, Torrentispora aquatica (Vijaykr. et al.) Réblová & A.N. Mill., Torrentispora calembola Réblová & A.N. Mill., Tretic, Xenospadicoidales,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

With the advance to one scientific name for each fungal species, the generic names in the class Sordariomycetes typified by sexual and asexual morphs are evaluated based on their type species to determine if they compete with each other for use or protection. Recommendations are made for which of the competing generic names should be used based on criteria such as priority, number of potential names changes, and frequency of use. Some recommendations for well-known genera include Arthrinium over Apiospora, Colletotrichum over Glomerella, Menispora over Zignoëlla, Microdochium over Monographella, Nigrospora over Khuskia, and Plectosphaerella over Plectosporium. All competing generic names are listed in a table of recommended names along with the required action. If priority is not accorded to sexually typified generic names after 2017, only four names would require formal protection: Chaetosphaerella over Oedemium, Diatrype over Libertella, Microdochium over Monographella, and Phaeoacremonium over Romellia and Togninia. Concerning species in the recommended genera, one replacement name (Xylaria benjaminii nom. nov.) is introduced, and the following new combinations are made: Arthrinium sinense, Chloridium caesium, C. chloroconium, C. gonytrichii, Corollospora marina, C. parvula, C. ramulosa, Juncigena fruticosae, Melanospora simplex, Seimatosporium massarina, Sporoschisma daemonoropis, S. taitense, Torpedospora mangrovei, Xylaria penicilliopsis, and X. termiticola combs. nov.

• Klíčová slova
• Ascomycota, nomenclature, pleomorphic fungi, protected lists, taxonomy,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH