cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30300025
title: Two morphologically distinct formae speciales in <i>Neonectria magnoliae</i> differ in their virulence on Magnolia family hosts <i>Liriodendron tulipifera</i> and <i>Magnolia fraseri</i>

description: The family Nectriaceae includes numerous phytopathogenic fungal genera that cause canker diseases on both angiosperm and conifer hosts worldwide. Among these, <i>Neonectria</i> species are globally important canker pathogens of numerous plant hosts, but their roles in contributing to forest decline and mortality outside their involvement in beech bark disease and apple canker are largely understudied. In the U.S.A. <i>N. magnoliae</i> causes perennial cankers on two native hosts in central Appalachia: <i>Liriodendron tulipifera</i> (tulip poplar) and <i>Magnolia fraseri</i> (Fraser magnolia) and has been recently confirmed from non-native <i>M. stellata</i> (star magnolia) in West Virginia, U.S.A. Both native hosts occur in the central Appalachian Mountains, but <i>M. fraseri</i> occurs mostly at higher elevations, from 600 to 1700 m. <i>Neonectria magnoliae</i> was first described in 1943 (as <i>Nectria magnoliae</i>), yet its impact across the forested landscape remains unclear. To clarify host-specific differences across the contemporary range of <i>N. magnoliae</i>, we used multilocus phylogenetics, comparative pathogenicity/virulence assays, and morphological analyses to determine whether <i>N. magnoliae</i> represents two cryptic species that specialize on <i>L. tulipifera</i> and <i>Magnolia</i> spp. or whether <i>N. magnoliae</i> has host-specific pathotypes. Our studies revealed two morphologically distinct formae speciales within <i>N. magnoliae</i>: (i) <i>N. magnoliae</i> f. sp. <i>liriodendri</i>—strains originating from <i>L. tulipifera</i> with increased virulence on <i>L. tulipifera</i> and lacking macroconidia production and (ii) <i>N. magnoliae</i> f. sp. <i>magnoliae</i>—strains originating from <i>M. fraseri</i> with increased virulence on <i>M. fraseri</i> and producing macroconidia readily in culture. Overall, the incidence of these two pathotypes indicates that neither pathotype poses serious risks to either plant host but can add to cumulative stresses that both tree species are experiencing in the face of shifting global weather patterns.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30300025.v1
title: Two morphologically distinct formae speciales in <i>Neonectria magnoliae</i> differ in their virulence on Magnolia family hosts <i>Liriodendron tulipifera</i> and <i>Magnolia fraseri</i>

description: The family Nectriaceae includes numerous phytopathogenic fungal genera that cause canker diseases on both angiosperm and conifer hosts worldwide. Among these, <i>Neonectria</i> species are globally important canker pathogens of numerous plant hosts, but their roles in contributing to forest decline and mortality outside their involvement in beech bark disease and apple canker are largely understudied. In the U.S.A. <i>N. magnoliae</i> causes perennial cankers on two native hosts in central Appalachia: <i>Liriodendron tulipifera</i> (tulip poplar) and <i>Magnolia fraseri</i> (Fraser magnolia) and has been recently confirmed from non-native <i>M. stellata</i> (star magnolia) in West Virginia, U.S.A. Both native hosts occur in the central Appalachian Mountains, but <i>M. fraseri</i> occurs mostly at higher elevations, from 600 to 1700 m. <i>Neonectria magnoliae</i> was first described in 1943 (as <i>Nectria magnoliae</i>), yet its impact across the forested landscape remains unclear. To clarify host-specific differences across the contemporary range of <i>N. magnoliae</i>, we used multilocus phylogenetics, comparative pathogenicity/virulence assays, and morphological analyses to determine whether <i>N. magnoliae</i> represents two cryptic species that specialize on <i>L. tulipifera</i> and <i>Magnolia</i> spp. or whether <i>N. magnoliae</i> has host-specific pathotypes. Our studies revealed two morphologically distinct formae speciales within <i>N. magnoliae</i>: (i) <i>N. magnoliae</i> f. sp. <i>liriodendri</i>—strains originating from <i>L. tulipifera</i> with increased virulence on <i>L. tulipifera</i> and lacking macroconidia production and (ii) <i>N. magnoliae</i> f. sp. <i>magnoliae</i>—strains originating from <i>M. fraseri</i> with increased virulence on <i>M. fraseri</i> and producing macroconidia readily in culture. Overall, the incidence of these two pathotypes indicates that neither pathotype poses serious risks to either plant host but can add to cumulative stresses that both tree species are experiencing in the face of shifting global weather patterns.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.29922039
title: Species of Rhytismataceae (Ascomycota, Rhytismatales) on needles of <i>Juniperus</i>

description: Many species in Rhytismataceae exhibit distinct host specificity. The present study focuses on Rhytismataceae associated with needles of <i>Juniperus</i> species. Based on analyses of morphology, phylogeny, and ecology, the new genus <i>Bifusiformispora</i> is proposed, along with five new species: <i>Bifusiformispora ovalis, B. lucida, B. opaca, Hypoderma rostratum</i>, and <i>Lophodermium germanicum</i>. In addition, two new combinations, <i>Bifusiformispora junipericola</i> and <i>Lophodermium junipericola</i>, are proposed. Finally, a key to Rhytismataceae species on <i>Juniperus</i> needles worldwide is provided.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.29922039.v1
title: Species of Rhytismataceae (Ascomycota, Rhytismatales) on needles of <i>Juniperus</i>

description: Many species in Rhytismataceae exhibit distinct host specificity. The present study focuses on Rhytismataceae associated with needles of <i>Juniperus</i> species. Based on analyses of morphology, phylogeny, and ecology, the new genus <i>Bifusiformispora</i> is proposed, along with five new species: <i>Bifusiformispora ovalis, B. lucida, B. opaca, Hypoderma rostratum</i>, and <i>Lophodermium germanicum</i>. In addition, two new combinations, <i>Bifusiformispora junipericola</i> and <i>Lophodermium junipericola</i>, are proposed. Finally, a key to Rhytismataceae species on <i>Juniperus</i> needles worldwide is provided.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30200375
title: Epitypification of <i>Armillaria solidipes</i>, a cause of Armillaria root disease in North America

description: Although <i>Armillaria solidipes</i> was described in 1900, confusion has surrounded the appropriate use of this taxonomic epithet, largely because DNA sequence–based characterization and an associated culture were unavailable for the original holotype. An epitype for <i>A. solidipes</i> (previously known as North American Biological Species I) is established herein, along with morphological descriptions and genetic characterization that clearly distinguish <i>A. solidipes</i>, which is found in North America, from <i>A. ostoyae</i> (previously known as European Biological Species C), which is found in Eurasia. Of the five loci examined, translation elongation factor 1-alpha was the most useful for distinguishing <i>A. solidipes</i> from other <i>Armillaria</i> spp. including <i>A. ostoyae</i>. Further, the whole genome phylogeny of <i>A. solidipes</i> and <i>A. ostoyae</i> showed substantial differences that further demonstrate their separation. The specimen from Colorado, USA, which was collected in the locality where the original type specimen was collected, is designated as the epitype.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30200375.v1
title: Epitypification of <i>Armillaria solidipes</i>, a cause of Armillaria root disease in North America

description: Although <i>Armillaria solidipes</i> was described in 1900, confusion has surrounded the appropriate use of this taxonomic epithet, largely because DNA sequence–based characterization and an associated culture were unavailable for the original holotype. An epitype for <i>A. solidipes</i> (previously known as North American Biological Species I) is established herein, along with morphological descriptions and genetic characterization that clearly distinguish <i>A. solidipes</i>, which is found in North America, from <i>A. ostoyae</i> (previously known as European Biological Species C), which is found in Eurasia. Of the five loci examined, translation elongation factor 1-alpha was the most useful for distinguishing <i>A. solidipes</i> from other <i>Armillaria</i> spp. including <i>A. ostoyae</i>. Further, the whole genome phylogeny of <i>A. solidipes</i> and <i>A. ostoyae</i> showed substantial differences that further demonstrate their separation. The specimen from Colorado, USA, which was collected in the locality where the original type specimen was collected, is designated as the epitype.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.29853362
title: <i>Clonostachys itumiriensis</i>, a novel species from the Brazilian Cerrado identified through matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and multilocus phylogeny

description: Species of <i>Clonostachys</i> and <i>Sesquicillium</i> are commonly found in soils and associated with plants as saprophytes or endophytes. <i>Clonostachys</i> also contains mycoparasitic species used as biocontrol agents. Thirty-three isolates of both genera, obtained from different substrates and locations in Brazil, were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and phylogenetic analysis based on <i>acl1</i> gene sequences. Ex-type and reference strains of eight species were also included in the MALDI-TOF MS analyses. Multivariate cluster analysis of MALDI-TOF MS data grouped the reference strains in species-specific clusters and classified 26 isolates into clusters corresponding to seven known species, <i>Clonostachys chloroleuca</i> (n = 1), <i>C. farinosa</i> (n = 13), <i>C. pseudochroleuca</i> (n = 5), <i>C. rhizophaga</i> (n = 1), <i>C. rogersoniana</i> (n = 2), <i>C. rosea</i> (n = 2), and <i>Sesquicillium lasiacidis</i> (n = 2). Two additional clusters were composed of three and four isolates having morphological characteristics resembling <i>C. compactiuscula</i>. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses using five loci (<i>acl1, tub2, tef1, rpb1, rpb2</i>) grouped the seven strains in a single lineage consisting of two subclades and corresponding to a novel phylogenetic species, herein described as <i>Clonostachys itumiriensis</i>, sp. nov. This species belongs to subgenus <i>Bionectria</i> and is phylogenetically close to <i>C. cylindrica, C. divergens, C. hongkongensis, C. rogersoniana</i>, and <i>C. samuelsii</i>. Strains of this species were mostly obtained from leaf litter. Our results show the robustness of MALDI-TOF MS for delimiting known and novel species of <i>Clonostachys</i> and validate the use of this technique as a tool for classifying fungi from diverse substrates.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.29853362.v1
title: <i>Clonostachys itumiriensis</i>, a novel species from the Brazilian Cerrado identified through matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and multilocus phylogeny

description: Species of <i>Clonostachys</i> and <i>Sesquicillium</i> are commonly found in soils and associated with plants as saprophytes or endophytes. <i>Clonostachys</i> also contains mycoparasitic species used as biocontrol agents. Thirty-three isolates of both genera, obtained from different substrates and locations in Brazil, were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and phylogenetic analysis based on <i>acl1</i> gene sequences. Ex-type and reference strains of eight species were also included in the MALDI-TOF MS analyses. Multivariate cluster analysis of MALDI-TOF MS data grouped the reference strains in species-specific clusters and classified 26 isolates into clusters corresponding to seven known species, <i>Clonostachys chloroleuca</i> (n = 1), <i>C. farinosa</i> (n = 13), <i>C. pseudochroleuca</i> (n = 5), <i>C. rhizophaga</i> (n = 1), <i>C. rogersoniana</i> (n = 2), <i>C. rosea</i> (n = 2), and <i>Sesquicillium lasiacidis</i> (n = 2). Two additional clusters were composed of three and four isolates having morphological characteristics resembling <i>C. compactiuscula</i>. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses using five loci (<i>acl1, tub2, tef1, rpb1, rpb2</i>) grouped the seven strains in a single lineage consisting of two subclades and corresponding to a novel phylogenetic species, herein described as <i>Clonostachys itumiriensis</i>, sp. nov. This species belongs to subgenus <i>Bionectria</i> and is phylogenetically close to <i>C. cylindrica, C. divergens, C. hongkongensis, C. rogersoniana</i>, and <i>C. samuelsii</i>. Strains of this species were mostly obtained from leaf litter. Our results show the robustness of MALDI-TOF MS for delimiting known and novel species of <i>Clonostachys</i> and validate the use of this technique as a tool for classifying fungi from diverse substrates.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30099681
title: A revised circumscription of Marthamycetales based on a complete sampling of the types of genera, Propoliaceae, fam. nov., and placement of <i>Cryptomycina pteridis</i> in Leotiomycetes

description: Marthamycetales species are widely distributed, non-lichenized, apothecial ascomycetes that are associated with various woody plants and grasses. Most species are presumed to be saprobes, although a few are pathogens. Apothecia are small and erumpent, with farinose discs that are encircled by ragged, projecting flaps of degraded plant tissue. Marthamycetales is placed in Leotiomycetes and currently circumscribes nine genera: <i>Cyclaneusma, Marthamyces, Mellitiosporiella, Mellitiosporium, Naemacyclus, Phragmiticola, Propolina, Propolis</i>, and <i>Ramomarthamyces</i>. However, because representative species of four genera have not been sampled in previous phylogenetic studies, the circumscription of the order and evolutionary relationships of taxa within it have remained unclear. In this contribution, we obtained a complete sampling of the types of all nine genera. We assembled a four-locus data set and performed maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses. Our results are congruent with previous analyses: Marthamycetales is phylogenetically isolated within Leotiomycetes and is composed of two distinct, well-supported clades. One clade includes primarily filiform-spored, leaf-inhabiting species in Marthamycetaceae sensu stricto, whereas the second clade includes primarily cylindrical/elliptical-spored, woody tissue–inhabiting species. We name this latter clade Propoliaceae, fam. nov. Sequences of <i>Everhartia hymenuloides</i>, type of the genus, group within this Propoliaceae clade. <i>Phragmiticola</i> is excluded from Marthamycetales and placed in Arachnopezizaceae, Helotiales. <i>Propolina</i> is synonymized under <i>Propolis</i>, and the new combination <i>Propolis cervina</i> is proposed. Lectotypes are designated for <i>Propolina cervina</i> and <i>Pseudographis phragmitis</i>. A revised and expanded description of Marthamycetales is provided, along with diagnoses for Marthamycetaceae and Propoliaceae. <i>Cryptomycina pteridis</i> is placed in Leotiomycetes based on the first published sequences of this species. However, its ordinal-level phylogenetic relationships remain unknown. Our results provide a taxonomic framework for future studies in the diversity and ecology of Marthamycetales and a starting point for future work on the phylogenetic classification and global diversity of the genus <i>Cryptomycina</i>.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30099681.v1
title: A revised circumscription of Marthamycetales based on a complete sampling of the types of genera, Propoliaceae, fam. nov., and placement of <i>Cryptomycina pteridis</i> in Leotiomycetes

description: Marthamycetales species are widely distributed, non-lichenized, apothecial ascomycetes that are associated with various woody plants and grasses. Most species are presumed to be saprobes, although a few are pathogens. Apothecia are small and erumpent, with farinose discs that are encircled by ragged, projecting flaps of degraded plant tissue. Marthamycetales is placed in Leotiomycetes and currently circumscribes nine genera: <i>Cyclaneusma, Marthamyces, Mellitiosporiella, Mellitiosporium, Naemacyclus, Phragmiticola, Propolina, Propolis</i>, and <i>Ramomarthamyces</i>. However, because representative species of four genera have not been sampled in previous phylogenetic studies, the circumscription of the order and evolutionary relationships of taxa within it have remained unclear. In this contribution, we obtained a complete sampling of the types of all nine genera. We assembled a four-locus data set and performed maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses. Our results are congruent with previous analyses: Marthamycetales is phylogenetically isolated within Leotiomycetes and is composed of two distinct, well-supported clades. One clade includes primarily filiform-spored, leaf-inhabiting species in Marthamycetaceae sensu stricto, whereas the second clade includes primarily cylindrical/elliptical-spored, woody tissue–inhabiting species. We name this latter clade Propoliaceae, fam. nov. Sequences of <i>Everhartia hymenuloides</i>, type of the genus, group within this Propoliaceae clade. <i>Phragmiticola</i> is excluded from Marthamycetales and placed in Arachnopezizaceae, Helotiales. <i>Propolina</i> is synonymized under <i>Propolis</i>, and the new combination <i>Propolis cervina</i> is proposed. Lectotypes are designated for <i>Propolina cervina</i> and <i>Pseudographis phragmitis</i>. A revised and expanded description of Marthamycetales is provided, along with diagnoses for Marthamycetaceae and Propoliaceae. <i>Cryptomycina pteridis</i> is placed in Leotiomycetes based on the first published sequences of this species. However, its ordinal-level phylogenetic relationships remain unknown. Our results provide a taxonomic framework for future studies in the diversity and ecology of Marthamycetales and a starting point for future work on the phylogenetic classification and global diversity of the genus <i>Cryptomycina</i>.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30099684
title: Evidence for extensive diversity in the pollen-parasitic genus <i>Retiarius</i> in western North America, including two new species associated with lichens

description: Understanding the diversity of microscopic hyphomycetes is an ongoing effort, and many species remain undescribed. While studying lichen organismal composition in western Canada, metagenomic data revealed the presence of an unknown species of <i>Retiarius</i> (<i>Orbiliaceae</i>, Ascomycota), a genus of pollen-parasitic fungus with no previous records in the region. We developed genus-specific primers to amplify <i>Retiarius</i> DNA in lichen and adjacent substrate extractions, successfully detecting multiple lineages of <i>Retiarius</i> across a wide geographic range within North America. We proceeded to screen accumulations of pollen on the undersurface of lichen thalli to isolate any pollen-associated fungi. Using dilution series and PCR for identification, we isolated two specifically distinct strains of <i>Retiarius</i> with morphology unlike any described member of the genus. Inclusion of DNA from these strains in a multilocus phylogeny using the internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS), partial nuc 28S rDNA (28S), and nuc small subunit (18S) confirmed their evolutionarily distinct position in the genus. We describe these two species here as <i>Retiarius canadensis</i> and <i>R. crescentus</i>. The former possesses trinacrium-shaped conidia, similar to those of <i>R. bovicornutus</i> and <i>R. revayae</i> but morphometrically different, and the latter is distinguished by its canoe-shaped conidia, a morphological character heretofore unknown from <i>Retiarius</i>.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30099684.v1
title: Evidence for extensive diversity in the pollen-parasitic genus <i>Retiarius</i> in western North America, including two new species associated with lichens

description: Understanding the diversity of microscopic hyphomycetes is an ongoing effort, and many species remain undescribed. While studying lichen organismal composition in western Canada, metagenomic data revealed the presence of an unknown species of <i>Retiarius</i> (<i>Orbiliaceae</i>, Ascomycota), a genus of pollen-parasitic fungus with no previous records in the region. We developed genus-specific primers to amplify <i>Retiarius</i> DNA in lichen and adjacent substrate extractions, successfully detecting multiple lineages of <i>Retiarius</i> across a wide geographic range within North America. We proceeded to screen accumulations of pollen on the undersurface of lichen thalli to isolate any pollen-associated fungi. Using dilution series and PCR for identification, we isolated two specifically distinct strains of <i>Retiarius</i> with morphology unlike any described member of the genus. Inclusion of DNA from these strains in a multilocus phylogeny using the internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS), partial nuc 28S rDNA (28S), and nuc small subunit (18S) confirmed their evolutionarily distinct position in the genus. We describe these two species here as <i>Retiarius canadensis</i> and <i>R. crescentus</i>. The former possesses trinacrium-shaped conidia, similar to those of <i>R. bovicornutus</i> and <i>R. revayae</i> but morphometrically different, and the latter is distinguished by its canoe-shaped conidia, a morphological character heretofore unknown from <i>Retiarius</i>.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.29991574
title: <i>Bipolaris</i> species associated with foliar diseases on invasive and weedy grasses in Florida

description: Invasive and weedy plants proliferate in disturbed areas, including the margins of agricultural fields where they can be alternative hosts and reservoirs of crop pathogens. Research on plant pathogens focuses on economically important plants, whereas pathogens of weedy and invasive grasses are generally less well characterized. <i>Bipolaris</i> species have the potential to cause disease on many plant species and are common pathogens of grasses and crops in the family Poaceae. This study aimed to identify <i>Bipolaris</i> species causing foliar lesions on common weedy and invasive grasses in disturbed and natural areas in four counties in Florida. Isolation of characteristic <i>Bipolaris</i> conidia from sampled grasses resulted in 22 isolates. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (<i>GPDH</i>) gene sequences from these isolates identified four <i>Bipolaris</i> and one <i>Curvularia</i> species. <i>B. yamadae</i> was the most common species recovered, followed by <i>B. sorokiniana, B. cynodontis</i>, and <i>B. zeae</i>. To determine whether the <i>Bipolaris</i> isolates were potential crop pathogens, we tested their pathogenicity on seedlings of wheat cultivar “Jamestown.” All <i>Bipolaris</i> isolates tested caused moderate to severe disease. Our results indicate that invasive and weedy grasses support populations of <i>Bipolaris</i> pathogens of crops. Knowledge of pathogen natural history can inform management of existing and emerging crop diseases.