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A new species of Phalangispora and further observations on P. constricta from Malaysia
Notes and brief articles collorum ferentes, collo infundibuliformis ad basin 1'21'8/tm lata, ad apicem 2-2'5/tm lata, usque ad z iut: profunda. Cellulae conidiogenae polyphialidicae,in conidiophoris incorporatae, terminales. Conidia in massam mucosam hyalinam, falcata, laevia, o-septata, 12'5-16 (plerumque 13-14/tm) x 2'4-3'2 (plerumque 2'6-2'9 /tm), utrinque setulis singulis simplicibus usque ad 6/tm praedita. In foliis emortuis submersis Pasuh Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, October 1986, A. J. Kuthubutheen, IMI 312358 holotypus est. Colonies on corn meal agar restricted, slow growing, bluish green. Mycelium partly superficial, partly immersed, composed of branched, septate, smooth hyphae, subhyaline to olivaceous brown, 2-4 flm wide. Conidiophores macronematous, synnematous, synnema comprising up to 6-25 (usually 12-16) unbranched conidiophores, for most of their length erect, parallel and closely bound together but not fused to form the stalk of the synnema, towards the apex becoming markedly divergent, irregularly geniculate and flexuous, individual conidiophores brown near the base (in mass giving the synnema the appearance of being black), becoming pale brown to subhyaline at the apex, up to zo-septate, up to 600 flm long x 2'54'0 flm wide (synnematal stipe up to 360 flm long x 12 flm wide); at the early stages each conidiophore with a single terminal collarette, subsequently a new growing point arises just below and to one side of the apex, proliferation occurs and a new collarette is formed at the new apex, the original terminal collarette becoming lateral, up to 10 successive proliferations occur with the collarettes persisting, collarettes inconspicuous and somewhat funnel-shaped, 1'2-1'8 flm at the base
flaring to 2-2'5 flm at the apex, up to 2 flm deep. Conidiogenous cells polyphialidic, integrated, terminal. Conidia in slimy masses, hyaline, falcate, o-septate, more or less symmetrical, 12'5-16 (mostly 13-14 flm) x 2"4-3'2 (mostly 2'6-2'9 flm) with a single simple setula up to 6 flm long at each end. Compared to C. obesispora, D. dendroidea has a shorter narrower synnematal stalk and collarettes which are smaller. The synnemata of D. dendroidea are composed of fewer individual conidiophores compared with those of C. obesispora. The conidia of D. dendroidea are smaller and significantly narrower than those of C. obesispora. The author is grateful to the University of Malaya for a research grant to undertake the survey of litter-inhabiting fungi from Malaysia. REFERENCES
GAMUNDI, 1. J., ARAMBARRI, A. M. & GIAIOTTI, A. (1977). Microflora de la hojarasia de Nothofagus dombeyi. Darwiniana 21, 81-114. HEWINGS, A. D. & CRANE, J. L. (1981). The genus Codinaea. Three new species from the Americas. Mycotaxon 13,419-427. HUGHES, S. J. & KENDRICK, W. B. (1968). New Zealand fungi 12. Menispora, Codinaea, Menisporopsis. New Zealand Journal of Botany 6, 323-375. KIRK, P. M. (1985). New or interesting microfungi; XIV. Dematiaceous hyphomycetes from Mt. Kenya. Mycotaxon 23, 305-352. KIRK, P. M. & SUTTON, B. C. (1985). A reassessment of the anamorph genus Chaetopsina (Hyphomycetes). Transactions of the British Mycological Society 85,
709-718.
A NEW SPECIES OF PHALANGISPORA AND FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON P. CONSTRICTA FROM MALAYSIA BY A. J. KUTHUBUTHEEN Department of Botany, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phalangispora nawawii sp. nov., growing on submerged decaying leaves and producing branched conidial chains borne on synnematous conidiophores arranged in a well-defined sporodochial conidioma, is described. Evidence is provided to confirm the presence of welldefined sporodochial conidiomata in P. constricta growing on the natural substratum. Phalangispora constricta was described by Nawawi & Webster (1982) using cultures developing from branched tetraradiate conidia of the fungus isolated from foam in Malaysia. The spores germinated
readily at 25°C on 2 % malt agar. The conidiomata developing after 4 d were funnel-shaped stalked sporodochia with expanded heads ranging from 300-500 pm in height and with as many as five
Figs 1-9. Phalangispora constrieta. Figs 1-5. Sporodochia from natural substratum. Fig 6. Synnematous conidiophores at the tip of sporodochium. Figs 7-9. Conidia. Trans. Br. myco!. Soc. 89 (3), (1987)
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Notes and brief articles 2
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• IO /lm
7
20 /lm
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20 /lm
Figs 1-9. For caption see opposite. Trans. Br . mycol. Soc. 89 (3), ( 1987)
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Fig. 10. Phalangispora constricea. Conidia.
dark, septate, subulate setae ansmg from each sporodochium. The dimensions of the conidial chains are 84-IZ4 pm long from base to tip and span 88-197 pm. The conidium was described by Nawawi & Webster (198z) as having a single curved main axis bearing two laterals and occasionally just one lateral. Only a minority of spores were reported to bear more than two lateral arms. Based on the observation that sporodochia and conidia were formed on dry agar cultures, Nawawi & Webster ( 198z) suggested that the fungus may possibly be found in nature out of water and hoped that collections of the fungus on natural substrata will be made. Subsequently Nawawi (1985) reported that the fungus is semi-aquatic and develops readily on' decaying leaves in moist chambers. Published descriptions and illustrations of the sporodochia on natural substrates, however, have not been seen. The fact that 'nothing is known about the way the fungus grows on the natural substrate' was recently pointed out by Van der Aa & Von Arx (1986) although spores of the fungus have been reported from several countries including Nigeria (Ingold, 1959), Ghana (D ixon, 1959), Sierra Leone (L e-John, 1965), Japan (M iura, 1974) and Indonesia (N ayo, 1975). Nawawi & Webster, Trans. Br . Mycol. Soc. 79: 65-68 (198z). (Figs 1-10) Wel1-defined sporodochia of P. constricta were found in abundance on decaying submerged leaves incubated in Petri damp chambers left at room PHALANGISPORA CONSTRICTA
Trans. Br . mycol. Soc. 89 (3), (1987)
temperature. The fungus was isolated from decaying submerged leaves from Pulau Tioman, Kedah in 1984 and subsequently in 1986 from Pasuh Forest Reserve, Negri Sembilan; Lepar Forest Reserve, Pahang and the Botany Garden, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. The sporodochium of P . constricta on decaying submerged leaves, has a somewhat cylindrical stalk usual1y up to 100 pm tal1 x 50 pm wide (F igs 1-6). The height of the stalk, however, may vary with the depth of water at the leaf surface. Stalks measuring up to 150 /lm have been seen at the leaf surface. In culture, the stalk of the sporodochium may be zoo-goo pm tall. The sporodochium wall consists of dark, inflated, thick-wal1ed cel1s z-4llm diam . From this group of cel1s, as many as 6 long, dark , septate, subulate setae up to 15 pm wide at the base develop. The conidial chains from base to tip measure IZo-I40 /lm long and the lateral branches ar e 80-95 pm long (F ig. 10). The base cells of the conidial chains are up to II - 1 6 pm long while the cells at the apex are up to 15-z0 pm long. Both the cells at the base and apex of the conidial chains are somewhat conical. The other cells along the conidial chains are cylindrical and 18-Z3 x 3'04'0 psi». The conidial chain has mostly two laterals and occasionally three laterals. Conidial chains with a single lateral each were more common on sporodochia developing from cultures. The conidial chains are made of 19-Z1 cells with 8-10 cells on the main axis and 5-7 cells on each of the laterals. In culture P. constricta produces sporodochia with expanded heads but on the natural substratum the sporodochium is not expanded.
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Notes and brief articles
Fig.
II.
Phalangispora nawawii. Sporodochia on natural substratum and conidia; region of synnematous conidiophores arrowed .
The conidial chains are held together in a slimy mass to form a somewhat spindle-shaped column which is initially yellowish-brown but turns brownish-green later. The setose sporodochium with the brownish-green column of conidial chains of P. constricta can be distinguished easily on the surface of the submerged leaves. This report of P. constricta forming sporodochial conidiomata on the natural substratum, should remove any doubts about the sporodochial nature of Phalangispora. Tran s. Br . my col. Soc. 89 (3), (1987)
Sp ecimens examined : Decaying submerged leaves, Pulau Tioman, Kedah, Malaysia, July 1984; Lepar Forest Reserve, Pahang, Malaysia, July 1986; Pasuh Forest Reserve, Negri Sembilan, Malaysia, October 1986, A. J. Kuthubutheen, IMI 312356.
During a survey of fungi associated with submerged decaying leaves in Malaysia another species of Phalangispora producing branched conidial chains borne on synnematous conidiophores arranged in a well-defined sporodochium was
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Notes and brief articles
12
13
14
IO j.lm
17
18
, ~ ~~ 21
22
19
20
't 23
r Y y Figs Fig. Figs Figs Figs
Trans. Br. mycol. Soc. 89 (3), ( 1987)
12-25 . Phalangispora nawawii . 12. Sporodochiurn on natural substrate.
13, 14. Sporodochia on CMA. 15, 16. Synnematous conidiophores. 17-25. Conidia.
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Notes and brief articles isolated. The conidial chains and the individual cells constituting the chains are shorter and narrower than those of P. constricta . The conidial chains are made of fewer cells compared with those of P. con;trieta. A new species name is proposed for this fungus.
Phalangispora nawawii sp.nov. (F igs 11-25) Named in honour of Prof. A. Nawawi 's significant contribution to mycology in Malaysia Coloniae effusae, celerae crescentes, pilosae, griseovirides vel olivaceae. Mycel ium partim superficiale, part im immersum, ex hyph is septatis, ram osis, laevibu s, 4- 7 pm crass is, subhyalinis vel pallide brunneis. Conidiornata sporodochialia, stipitis sporodochium teretiuseula usque ad 80 pm alta et 30-40 pm lata (in eultura usque ad 160llm alta et 60 pm lata), ex hyphis atri s, turgidis, crassitunicatis, 2-4 11m diam composita, usque ad 6-9 (in eultura usque ad 26) setas basim ferentia. Setae atro brunneae, septatae, subulatae, lacves, parietibus crassis, usque ad 200 pm longae (in culturae usque ad 300 pm longae), ad basim usque ad 14 pm latae. Con idiophora macronematosa, synnematosa, hyalina, eseptata, usque ad 45 pm longa, 2-3 pm lata, 2-4 ramosa , ramus usque ad 14 pm longa. Cellulae conid iogenae polyblasticae, in conidiophoris incorporate, terminales, 2-3 cicatribus planis . Conidia in massa mucosa brunneovirens , in ramosa , connecto per isthmus angusta, cum axi majore et brachiis duobus, 65-90 pm (plerumque 78-80 11m) a basim ad apicem conidii, ramo sis lateral is 23-70 11m (pleru mque 45-60 pm), cellulae basim conicum et 89 x usque ad 2 um , cellulae apicem conicum et 8- 12 x usque ad 2 pm, cellalae intermedia cylindricales et 1012 X 1'5-2 11m, pallide brunneae. In foliis ernortuis submersis, Lepar Forest Reserve, Pahang, Malay sia July 1986, A. J. Kuthubutheen, IMI 312357 holotypus est.
Colonies on corn meal agar effuse , fast growing, hairy, sporulating readily to form setose sporodochia, greyish-green to olivaceous. My celium partly superficial, partly immersed, composed of septate, branched, smooth, hyphae, 4-7 pm wide, subhyaline to pale brown. Conidiomata sporodochial, with somewhat cylindrical stalk up to 80 pm tall and 30-40 pm wide (in culture stalk up to 160 pm tall, up to 60 pm wide ), stalk consisting of dark, inflated, thick-walled cells 2-4 pm diam. Ari sing from sporodochial column 6-9 (in culture up to 26 ) long, dark brown, 6-8 septate, smooth, subulate setae, up to 200 pm long (in culture up to 300 pm long), up to 14 pm wide at the bulbous base , 5-6 pm in the mid-region and tapering to a point at the apex. Conidiophores macronematous, synnematous, hyaline, non-septate, up to 45 pm long x 2-3 pm wide, branched, 2-4 branches, Trans . Br . mycol. S oc. 89 (3), (1987)
branches up to 14 pm long, conidiophores arising in column up to 40 pm high with up to 15 pm of the synnematal column outside the sporodochial stalk. Conidiogenous cells polyblastic, integrated, terminal, at the end of short cylindrical branches of conidiophore, after detachment of conidia small flattened protuberances visible, marking points of attachment of conidia. Conidia in yellowish-brown ma ss becoming brownish-green, in branched chains of 13-19 cells connected by narrow isthmi, with main axis and 2-3 laterals (in culture mostly 1-2 laterals), 6-8 cells in main axis, 2-6 (usually 4-5) cells in lateral branches, 65 -90 pm (mostly 78-80 pm) from base to apex, lateral branches 23 70 l i m (mostly 45-60 pm), basal cells conical and 8 -9 x up to 2 pm, apical cells conical and 8 -12 x up to 2 pm, cells along conidial chains cylindrical and 10-12 x 1'5 -2 pm, light brown. Although P. constricta and P. nawawii produce distinct sporodochia, there appears to be no significant difference in the morphology of the sporodochia. The major differences between the two species are in the size of the conidial chains, the dimensions of individual conidia connected into chains by narrow isthmi, and the number of individual cells in the main axis and lateral branches. In P. nawawii the conidial chains and the dimensions of individual conidia are smaller and few cells are connected together compared to P. constricta. In both species, however, larger sporodochia with more setae are formed in culture than on the natural su bstratum . In both species, more conidial chains tend to have 1-2 lateral branches in culture, while on the natural substratum 2-3 lateral branches (and only rarely one lateral branch) are produced.
The author is grateful to the University of Malaya for a research grant to undertake the study of litter-inhabiting fungi in Malaysia.
REFERENCES
AA, H. A. VAN DER & ARx, J . A. VON (1986). On Vonarxia, Kazulia and other fungi with stauroconidia. Persoonia 13, 127-128. DIXON, P. A. (1959). Stream spora in Ghana. Transactions of the British Mycological Society .p, 174-1 76. INGOLD, C. T . (1959). Aquatic spora of Omo Forest, Nigeria. Transactions of the British My cological Society 42, 479-4 85 . LE-JOHN, H. B. (1965). Sierra Leone freshwater hyphornycetes. Transactions of the British My cological Society 48, 261-264. MIURA, K. (1974). Stream spora of Japan. Transacrions of the Mycological Society of Japan IS, 289-308.
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42 0
NAWAWI, A. ( 1985). Aquatic hyphomycetes and other
NAYO, S. G . ( 1975). The ecology and distribution of
water-borne fungi from Mala ysia. Malayan Nature J ournal 39, 75-134· NAWAWI, A. & WEBSTER , J. ( 1982). Phalangispora constricta gen . et sp .nov. , a sporodochial hyphomycete with branched conidia. Transactions of the British Mycological S ociety 79, 65-68.
aquatic hyphomycetes around Bogor. Biotrop, SEAMEO Regional Centre for Tropical Biology, TFRS 75/ 151. Bogor, Indonesia.
NOTES ON SOME BRITISH SPECIES OF PSATHYRELLA BY E. KITS VAN WAVEREN
Ryksherbarium, P.O . Box 4514,
2100
RA Leiden, The Netherlands
Points raised in a recent review of Kits van Waveren's monograph of Dutch, French and British species of Psathyrella are discussed and modifications to the nomenclature of the British List enumerated. In the critical review by Orton (1986) of my monograph (Kits van Waveren, 1985), some erroneous statements and judgements require correction and comment. In Psathyrella (Fr.) Quel., the examination of all microcharacters under standardized conditions is strongly recommended, i.e. from exsiccata of good quality, obtained from fresh fruit bodie s, properly dried soon after collection. The structures do not differ from those studied in fresh material so that comparison by studying and drawing them at leisure is possible. The variability of macrocharacters, insufficiently appreciated by Orton, far exceeds that of the more fundamental and more consistent microcharacters, the latter therefore being of greater taxonomic importance. Inadequate examination of the microstru cture and literature can lead to misidentifications. The recognition of varieties and forms within a well-defined species is a common practice and, contrary to the opinion expressed by Orton, is preferable to the recognition of species with narrow delimitation. Psathyrella xanthocystis and P. gossypina
The characteristic abundant pleurocystidia with pale brown walls in 10 % ammonium hydroxide, with a frequent apical elongation and above all with one (sometimes 2-3) large intracellular oily drop (unique in the genus Psathyrella) are diagnostic for P. gossypina (Bull. : Fr.) Pearson & Dennis. Fully identical structures are to be found in the type material of P . xanthocystis P. D . Orton. These drops were overl ooked by Orton in his original diagnosis . Orton (1986) emphasizes differences between the macrocharacters of P. xanthocystis with large pilei (42-70 mm ), much stronger veil, different colour of the pileus, i.e. Trans. Br. my col. Soc. 89 (3), ( 1987)
brown or umber, sometimes with reddish hue, and P . gossypina. In the literature on P . gossypina, however, sizes of the pileus are up to 75-80 mm, a strongly to very strongly developed veil is described and /or depicted by Bresadola (1931: pl . 873), Lange (1939 : pl . 152G), Konrad & Maublanc (1929 : pl. 41) and Kits van Wav eren (1985: 251) and the colour of the pileus is described as mahogany (K uhner & Romagnesi, 1953 : 362) and as fuscous umber or dark reddish brown by Lange (1939 ; 94, pI. 152G) and Kits van Waveren (1985 : 251). The conclusion is therefore that P. xanthocystis and P . gossypina are conspecific. Psathyrella prona
Kits van Waveren (1972, 1985) stressed in P. prona (F r.) Gillet, the considerable variation and unreliabil ity of colour in the fresh , drying and dried pilei, the lamellae and the subhymenial layer at the lamella-edge (red underlining of the edge ). Colour variation was therefore not judged to be a suitable character for distinguishing species in the P. prona-group. Unfortunately, in the past, five species have been recognized on the basis of colour, which are here regarded as mere colour forms of P. prona, namely P. prona var. prona forma prona, P. prona var. prona forma cana Kits van Wav., P. prona var . prona forma albidula (M oser) Kits van Wav ., P. prona var. prona forma orbitarum (Romagn.) Kits van Wav. , and P. prona var. prona forma pieta (Romagn.) Kits van Wav . All other macrocharacters fall within the normal range of variation of a single specie s, P. prona, Fortunately, there is one consistent morphological microcharacter for separating at least three taxa: P. prona var. prona has lageniform cystidia, P. prona var. utriformis Kits van Wav. has utriform cystidia whilst P. palustris (Romagn .) Moser has fusoid
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flaring to 2-2'5 flm at the apex, up to 2 flm deep. Conidiogenous cells polyphialidic, integrated, terminal. Conidia in slimy masses, hyaline, falcate, o-septate, more or less symmetrical, 12'5-16 (mostly 13-14 flm) x 2"4-3'2 (mostly 2'6-2'9 flm) with a single simple setula up to 6 flm long at each end. Compared to C. obesispora, D. dendroidea has a shorter narrower synnematal stalk and collarettes which are smaller. The synnemata of D. dendroidea are composed of fewer individual conidiophores compared with those of C. obesispora. The conidia of D. dendroidea are smaller and significantly narrower than those of C. obesispora. The author is grateful to the University of Malaya for a research grant to undertake the survey of litter-inhabiting fungi from Malaysia. REFERENCES
GAMUNDI, 1. J., ARAMBARRI, A. M. & GIAIOTTI, A. (1977). Microflora de la hojarasia de Nothofagus dombeyi. Darwiniana 21, 81-114. HEWINGS, A. D. & CRANE, J. L. (1981). The genus Codinaea. Three new species from the Americas. Mycotaxon 13,419-427. HUGHES, S. J. & KENDRICK, W. B. (1968). New Zealand fungi 12. Menispora, Codinaea, Menisporopsis. New Zealand Journal of Botany 6, 323-375. KIRK, P. M. (1985). New or interesting microfungi; XIV. Dematiaceous hyphomycetes from Mt. Kenya. Mycotaxon 23, 305-352. KIRK, P. M. & SUTTON, B. C. (1985). A reassessment of the anamorph genus Chaetopsina (Hyphomycetes). Transactions of the British Mycological Society 85,
709-718.
A NEW SPECIES OF PHALANGISPORA AND FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON P. CONSTRICTA FROM MALAYSIA BY A. J. KUTHUBUTHEEN Department of Botany, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phalangispora nawawii sp. nov., growing on submerged decaying leaves and producing branched conidial chains borne on synnematous conidiophores arranged in a well-defined sporodochial conidioma, is described. Evidence is provided to confirm the presence of welldefined sporodochial conidiomata in P. constricta growing on the natural substratum. Phalangispora constricta was described by Nawawi & Webster (1982) using cultures developing from branched tetraradiate conidia of the fungus isolated from foam in Malaysia. The spores germinated
readily at 25°C on 2 % malt agar. The conidiomata developing after 4 d were funnel-shaped stalked sporodochia with expanded heads ranging from 300-500 pm in height and with as many as five
Figs 1-9. Phalangispora constrieta. Figs 1-5. Sporodochia from natural substratum. Fig 6. Synnematous conidiophores at the tip of sporodochium. Figs 7-9. Conidia. Trans. Br. myco!. Soc. 89 (3), (1987)
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Notes and brief articles 2
6
• IO /lm
7
20 /lm
8
9
20 /lm
Figs 1-9. For caption see opposite. Trans. Br . mycol. Soc. 89 (3), ( 1987)
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Fig. 10. Phalangispora constricea. Conidia.
dark, septate, subulate setae ansmg from each sporodochium. The dimensions of the conidial chains are 84-IZ4 pm long from base to tip and span 88-197 pm. The conidium was described by Nawawi & Webster (198z) as having a single curved main axis bearing two laterals and occasionally just one lateral. Only a minority of spores were reported to bear more than two lateral arms. Based on the observation that sporodochia and conidia were formed on dry agar cultures, Nawawi & Webster ( 198z) suggested that the fungus may possibly be found in nature out of water and hoped that collections of the fungus on natural substrata will be made. Subsequently Nawawi (1985) reported that the fungus is semi-aquatic and develops readily on' decaying leaves in moist chambers. Published descriptions and illustrations of the sporodochia on natural substrates, however, have not been seen. The fact that 'nothing is known about the way the fungus grows on the natural substrate' was recently pointed out by Van der Aa & Von Arx (1986) although spores of the fungus have been reported from several countries including Nigeria (Ingold, 1959), Ghana (D ixon, 1959), Sierra Leone (L e-John, 1965), Japan (M iura, 1974) and Indonesia (N ayo, 1975). Nawawi & Webster, Trans. Br . Mycol. Soc. 79: 65-68 (198z). (Figs 1-10) Wel1-defined sporodochia of P. constricta were found in abundance on decaying submerged leaves incubated in Petri damp chambers left at room PHALANGISPORA CONSTRICTA
Trans. Br . mycol. Soc. 89 (3), (1987)
temperature. The fungus was isolated from decaying submerged leaves from Pulau Tioman, Kedah in 1984 and subsequently in 1986 from Pasuh Forest Reserve, Negri Sembilan; Lepar Forest Reserve, Pahang and the Botany Garden, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. The sporodochium of P . constricta on decaying submerged leaves, has a somewhat cylindrical stalk usual1y up to 100 pm tal1 x 50 pm wide (F igs 1-6). The height of the stalk, however, may vary with the depth of water at the leaf surface. Stalks measuring up to 150 /lm have been seen at the leaf surface. In culture, the stalk of the sporodochium may be zoo-goo pm tall. The sporodochium wall consists of dark, inflated, thick-wal1ed cel1s z-4llm diam . From this group of cel1s, as many as 6 long, dark , septate, subulate setae up to 15 pm wide at the base develop. The conidial chains from base to tip measure IZo-I40 /lm long and the lateral branches ar e 80-95 pm long (F ig. 10). The base cells of the conidial chains are up to II - 1 6 pm long while the cells at the apex are up to 15-z0 pm long. Both the cells at the base and apex of the conidial chains are somewhat conical. The other cells along the conidial chains are cylindrical and 18-Z3 x 3'04'0 psi». The conidial chain has mostly two laterals and occasionally three laterals. Conidial chains with a single lateral each were more common on sporodochia developing from cultures. The conidial chains are made of 19-Z1 cells with 8-10 cells on the main axis and 5-7 cells on each of the laterals. In culture P. constricta produces sporodochia with expanded heads but on the natural substratum the sporodochium is not expanded.
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Notes and brief articles
Fig.
II.
Phalangispora nawawii. Sporodochia on natural substratum and conidia; region of synnematous conidiophores arrowed .
The conidial chains are held together in a slimy mass to form a somewhat spindle-shaped column which is initially yellowish-brown but turns brownish-green later. The setose sporodochium with the brownish-green column of conidial chains of P. constricta can be distinguished easily on the surface of the submerged leaves. This report of P. constricta forming sporodochial conidiomata on the natural substratum, should remove any doubts about the sporodochial nature of Phalangispora. Tran s. Br . my col. Soc. 89 (3), (1987)
Sp ecimens examined : Decaying submerged leaves, Pulau Tioman, Kedah, Malaysia, July 1984; Lepar Forest Reserve, Pahang, Malaysia, July 1986; Pasuh Forest Reserve, Negri Sembilan, Malaysia, October 1986, A. J. Kuthubutheen, IMI 312356.
During a survey of fungi associated with submerged decaying leaves in Malaysia another species of Phalangispora producing branched conidial chains borne on synnematous conidiophores arranged in a well-defined sporodochium was
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Notes and brief articles
12
13
14
IO j.lm
17
18
, ~ ~~ 21
22
19
20
't 23
r Y y Figs Fig. Figs Figs Figs
Trans. Br. mycol. Soc. 89 (3), ( 1987)
12-25 . Phalangispora nawawii . 12. Sporodochiurn on natural substrate.
13, 14. Sporodochia on CMA. 15, 16. Synnematous conidiophores. 17-25. Conidia.
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25
Notes and brief articles isolated. The conidial chains and the individual cells constituting the chains are shorter and narrower than those of P. constricta . The conidial chains are made of fewer cells compared with those of P. con;trieta. A new species name is proposed for this fungus.
Phalangispora nawawii sp.nov. (F igs 11-25) Named in honour of Prof. A. Nawawi 's significant contribution to mycology in Malaysia Coloniae effusae, celerae crescentes, pilosae, griseovirides vel olivaceae. Mycel ium partim superficiale, part im immersum, ex hyph is septatis, ram osis, laevibu s, 4- 7 pm crass is, subhyalinis vel pallide brunneis. Conidiornata sporodochialia, stipitis sporodochium teretiuseula usque ad 80 pm alta et 30-40 pm lata (in eultura usque ad 160llm alta et 60 pm lata), ex hyphis atri s, turgidis, crassitunicatis, 2-4 11m diam composita, usque ad 6-9 (in eultura usque ad 26) setas basim ferentia. Setae atro brunneae, septatae, subulatae, lacves, parietibus crassis, usque ad 200 pm longae (in culturae usque ad 300 pm longae), ad basim usque ad 14 pm latae. Con idiophora macronematosa, synnematosa, hyalina, eseptata, usque ad 45 pm longa, 2-3 pm lata, 2-4 ramosa , ramus usque ad 14 pm longa. Cellulae conid iogenae polyblasticae, in conidiophoris incorporate, terminales, 2-3 cicatribus planis . Conidia in massa mucosa brunneovirens , in ramosa , connecto per isthmus angusta, cum axi majore et brachiis duobus, 65-90 pm (plerumque 78-80 11m) a basim ad apicem conidii, ramo sis lateral is 23-70 11m (pleru mque 45-60 pm), cellulae basim conicum et 89 x usque ad 2 um , cellulae apicem conicum et 8- 12 x usque ad 2 pm, cellalae intermedia cylindricales et 1012 X 1'5-2 11m, pallide brunneae. In foliis ernortuis submersis, Lepar Forest Reserve, Pahang, Malay sia July 1986, A. J. Kuthubutheen, IMI 312357 holotypus est.
Colonies on corn meal agar effuse , fast growing, hairy, sporulating readily to form setose sporodochia, greyish-green to olivaceous. My celium partly superficial, partly immersed, composed of septate, branched, smooth, hyphae, 4-7 pm wide, subhyaline to pale brown. Conidiomata sporodochial, with somewhat cylindrical stalk up to 80 pm tall and 30-40 pm wide (in culture stalk up to 160 pm tall, up to 60 pm wide ), stalk consisting of dark, inflated, thick-walled cells 2-4 pm diam. Ari sing from sporodochial column 6-9 (in culture up to 26 ) long, dark brown, 6-8 septate, smooth, subulate setae, up to 200 pm long (in culture up to 300 pm long), up to 14 pm wide at the bulbous base , 5-6 pm in the mid-region and tapering to a point at the apex. Conidiophores macronematous, synnematous, hyaline, non-septate, up to 45 pm long x 2-3 pm wide, branched, 2-4 branches, Trans . Br . mycol. S oc. 89 (3), (1987)
branches up to 14 pm long, conidiophores arising in column up to 40 pm high with up to 15 pm of the synnematal column outside the sporodochial stalk. Conidiogenous cells polyblastic, integrated, terminal, at the end of short cylindrical branches of conidiophore, after detachment of conidia small flattened protuberances visible, marking points of attachment of conidia. Conidia in yellowish-brown ma ss becoming brownish-green, in branched chains of 13-19 cells connected by narrow isthmi, with main axis and 2-3 laterals (in culture mostly 1-2 laterals), 6-8 cells in main axis, 2-6 (usually 4-5) cells in lateral branches, 65 -90 pm (mostly 78-80 pm) from base to apex, lateral branches 23 70 l i m (mostly 45-60 pm), basal cells conical and 8 -9 x up to 2 pm, apical cells conical and 8 -12 x up to 2 pm, cells along conidial chains cylindrical and 10-12 x 1'5 -2 pm, light brown. Although P. constricta and P. nawawii produce distinct sporodochia, there appears to be no significant difference in the morphology of the sporodochia. The major differences between the two species are in the size of the conidial chains, the dimensions of individual conidia connected into chains by narrow isthmi, and the number of individual cells in the main axis and lateral branches. In P. nawawii the conidial chains and the dimensions of individual conidia are smaller and few cells are connected together compared to P. constricta. In both species, however, larger sporodochia with more setae are formed in culture than on the natural su bstratum . In both species, more conidial chains tend to have 1-2 lateral branches in culture, while on the natural substratum 2-3 lateral branches (and only rarely one lateral branch) are produced.
The author is grateful to the University of Malaya for a research grant to undertake the study of litter-inhabiting fungi in Malaysia.
REFERENCES
AA, H. A. VAN DER & ARx, J . A. VON (1986). On Vonarxia, Kazulia and other fungi with stauroconidia. Persoonia 13, 127-128. DIXON, P. A. (1959). Stream spora in Ghana. Transactions of the British Mycological Society .p, 174-1 76. INGOLD, C. T . (1959). Aquatic spora of Omo Forest, Nigeria. Transactions of the British My cological Society 42, 479-4 85 . LE-JOHN, H. B. (1965). Sierra Leone freshwater hyphornycetes. Transactions of the British My cological Society 48, 261-264. MIURA, K. (1974). Stream spora of Japan. Transacrions of the Mycological Society of Japan IS, 289-308.
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Notes and brief articles
42 0
NAWAWI, A. ( 1985). Aquatic hyphomycetes and other
NAYO, S. G . ( 1975). The ecology and distribution of
water-borne fungi from Mala ysia. Malayan Nature J ournal 39, 75-134· NAWAWI, A. & WEBSTER , J. ( 1982). Phalangispora constricta gen . et sp .nov. , a sporodochial hyphomycete with branched conidia. Transactions of the British Mycological S ociety 79, 65-68.
aquatic hyphomycetes around Bogor. Biotrop, SEAMEO Regional Centre for Tropical Biology, TFRS 75/ 151. Bogor, Indonesia.
NOTES ON SOME BRITISH SPECIES OF PSATHYRELLA BY E. KITS VAN WAVEREN
Ryksherbarium, P.O . Box 4514,
2100
RA Leiden, The Netherlands
Points raised in a recent review of Kits van Waveren's monograph of Dutch, French and British species of Psathyrella are discussed and modifications to the nomenclature of the British List enumerated. In the critical review by Orton (1986) of my monograph (Kits van Waveren, 1985), some erroneous statements and judgements require correction and comment. In Psathyrella (Fr.) Quel., the examination of all microcharacters under standardized conditions is strongly recommended, i.e. from exsiccata of good quality, obtained from fresh fruit bodie s, properly dried soon after collection. The structures do not differ from those studied in fresh material so that comparison by studying and drawing them at leisure is possible. The variability of macrocharacters, insufficiently appreciated by Orton, far exceeds that of the more fundamental and more consistent microcharacters, the latter therefore being of greater taxonomic importance. Inadequate examination of the microstru cture and literature can lead to misidentifications. The recognition of varieties and forms within a well-defined species is a common practice and, contrary to the opinion expressed by Orton, is preferable to the recognition of species with narrow delimitation. Psathyrella xanthocystis and P. gossypina
The characteristic abundant pleurocystidia with pale brown walls in 10 % ammonium hydroxide, with a frequent apical elongation and above all with one (sometimes 2-3) large intracellular oily drop (unique in the genus Psathyrella) are diagnostic for P. gossypina (Bull. : Fr.) Pearson & Dennis. Fully identical structures are to be found in the type material of P . xanthocystis P. D . Orton. These drops were overl ooked by Orton in his original diagnosis . Orton (1986) emphasizes differences between the macrocharacters of P. xanthocystis with large pilei (42-70 mm ), much stronger veil, different colour of the pileus, i.e. Trans. Br. my col. Soc. 89 (3), ( 1987)
brown or umber, sometimes with reddish hue, and P . gossypina. In the literature on P . gossypina, however, sizes of the pileus are up to 75-80 mm, a strongly to very strongly developed veil is described and /or depicted by Bresadola (1931: pl . 873), Lange (1939 : pl . 152G), Konrad & Maublanc (1929 : pl. 41) and Kits van Wav eren (1985: 251) and the colour of the pileus is described as mahogany (K uhner & Romagnesi, 1953 : 362) and as fuscous umber or dark reddish brown by Lange (1939 ; 94, pI. 152G) and Kits van Waveren (1985 : 251). The conclusion is therefore that P. xanthocystis and P . gossypina are conspecific. Psathyrella prona
Kits van Waveren (1972, 1985) stressed in P. prona (F r.) Gillet, the considerable variation and unreliabil ity of colour in the fresh , drying and dried pilei, the lamellae and the subhymenial layer at the lamella-edge (red underlining of the edge ). Colour variation was therefore not judged to be a suitable character for distinguishing species in the P. prona-group. Unfortunately, in the past, five species have been recognized on the basis of colour, which are here regarded as mere colour forms of P. prona, namely P. prona var. prona forma prona, P. prona var. prona forma cana Kits van Wav., P. prona var . prona forma albidula (M oser) Kits van Wav ., P. prona var. prona forma orbitarum (Romagn.) Kits van Wav. , and P. prona var. prona forma pieta (Romagn.) Kits van Wav . All other macrocharacters fall within the normal range of variation of a single specie s, P. prona, Fortunately, there is one consistent morphological microcharacter for separating at least three taxa: P. prona var. prona has lageniform cystidia, P. prona var. utriformis Kits van Wav. has utriform cystidia whilst P. palustris (Romagn .) Moser has fusoid
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