New species of Humicola: an approach to genetic and biochemical classification

Abstract

Thirteen new species of Humicola are described: H. aurea, H. glauca, H. lutea, H. piriformis, H. repens, H. sardiniae, H. variabilis, H. atra, H. austera, H. globosa, H. nivea, H. rugosa, and H. veronae. The classification is based not only on morphological characters but also on genetic and biochemical ones. In Hyphomycetes similarities in morphology do not necessarily indicate genetic relationships. DNA base composition (guanine–cytosine percentage, GC%) and electrophoretic characteristics of enzymes used together with morphological features have proved to be useful and of taxonomical value in the classification of the new species of Humicola.