Ascospore sculpturing and generic concepts in the Testudinaceae (syn. Zopfiaceae)

Abstract

Generic concepts in the Testudinaceae (Ascomycotina, Loculoascomycetes) are reviewed with particular emphasis on the sculpturing of the ascospores which has been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the first time. A key to the nine genera accepted in the family is provided of which two are described as new: Ulospora for U. bilgramii comb.nov. (= Zopfia bilgramii D. Hawksw. et al.), the ascospores of which have three to six deep fissures in each cell, and Zopfiofoveola for Z. punctata comb.nov. (= Zopfia punctata D. Hawksw. & C. Booth), with distinctly and regularly foveolate ascospores. One further new combination is made: Rechingeriella boudieri comb.nov. (= Zopfia boudieri Arnaud). The positions of three additional genera referred to the family by earlier authors but which are excluded from it here are also briefly discussed.