Geographical distribution and taxonomy of fungi from salt marsh Spartina

Abstract

Collections were made of filamentous fungi on Spartina alterniflora, S. patens, and Spartina sp. from tidal salt marshes along the east coasts of North and South America. Buergenerula spartinae, Phaeosphaeria typharum, Phoma sp., and Stagonospora sp. were found at most of the sites sampled. All the species collected in Florida have also been reported from Rhode Island, indicating that a characteristic mycota is possibly associated with Spartina alterniflora along the east coast of the U.S.A. A compilation of all the higher filamentous fungi reported from Spartina spp. from marine habitats is included. The list has been compiled from the literature and our collections and includes 66 Ascomycetes, 5 Basidiomycetes, 29 Fungi Imperfecti, and 1 Mycelium Sterilium. Ellisiodothis inquinans and Leptosphaeria typhicola are reported for the first time from Spartina. The new name Leptosphaeria neomaritima Gessner et Kohlmeyer nom. nov. (basionym Sphaeria maritima Cooke et Plowright 1877, non S. maritima Crouan et Crouan 1867) is proposed. Leptosphaeria discors Sacc. et Ellis 1882 is made a synonym of L. obiones (Crouan et Crouan) Sacc. (basionym Pleospora obiones Crouan et Crouan 1867).