Octospora conidiophora (Pyronemataceae) – a new species from South Africa and the first report of anamorph in bryophilous Pezizales

Abstract

Octosporaconidiophorais described as a new species, based on collections from South Africa. It is characterised by apothecia with a distinct margin, smooth or finely warted ellipsoid ascospores, stiff, thick-walled hyaline hairs, warted mycelial hyphae and growth on pleurocarpous mossesTrichosteleumperchlorosumandSematophyllumbrachycarpum(Hypnales) on decaying wood in afromontane forests. It is the first species of bryophilous Pezizales in which an anamorph has been observed; it produces long, claviform, curved, hyaline and transversely septate conidia. Three other cryptic species ofOctosporawere detected using three molecular markers (LSU and SSU nrDNA and EF1α), but these could not be distinguished phenotypically. These are not described formally here and an informal species aggregateO.conidiophoraagg. is established for them. The new species and finds ofLamprosporacampylopodisgrowing onCampylopuspyriformisandNeottiellaalbocinctaonAtrichumandrogynumrepresent the first records of bryophilous Pezizales in South Africa.