Nodulosphaeria hirta
Nodulosphaeria hirta Rabenh., Klotzschii Herb. Viv. Mycol., Edn Nov, Ser. Sec., Cent. 8: no. 725 (in sched.) (1858)
Index Fungorum number: IF 249425; Facesofungi number: FoF 01892
Reference specimen: MFLU 15–1128.
Saprobic on a dead stem of Achillea sp. Sexual morph: Ascomata 273–277(–303) × 220–250(–285) μm (x̄ =285 × 252 μm, n = 5), immersed or semi-immersed, erumpent, solitary or scattered, subglobose to obpyriform, coriaceous, dark brown, with subiculum covering the host. Ostiole papillate, protruding from substratum, with numerous, internal brown to dark brown setae, protruding externally. Peridium (16–)19–23(–25) μm wide, comprising 4–5 layers of dark brown cells of textura angularis, flattened at the inside. Hamathecium comprising 2.5–3.5 μm wide, filiform, septate, branching pseudoparaphyses. Asci 95–97 × 12–15 μm (x̄ = 96 × 14 μm, n = 5), 8-spored, bitunicate, cylindric-clavate, slightly curved, short pedicellate, apically rounded, with an ocular chamber. Ascospores (40–)56–62 × (4–)5–6 μm (x̄ = 55 × 5 μm, n = 10), overlapping 3–4-seriate, hyaline or pale yellowish brown, long fusiform, 8–9-septate, enlarged at the fourth cell from the apex, constricted at the septum, straight or slightly curved, thick and smooth walled, without terminal appendages. Ascospores germinating on MEA within 36 hr. at 18 °C and germ tubes produced from both ends. Asexual morph: Undetermined.
Material examined: ITALY, Trento Province, Stavel Vermiglio, on dead stems of Achillea sp. (Asteraceae), 28 June 2012, E. Camporesi (MFLU 15–1128/HKAS 90972, reference specimen designated here), living culture MFLUCC 13–0867, MUCL.
GenBank:
Notes: Nodulosphaeria hirta was introduced by Rabenhorst (1858) as the generic type based on Sphaeria hirta. The type material was examined and described by Phookamsak et al. (2014), but molecular data is lacking for this species. Nodulosphaeria hirta was isolated from Achillea sp. from Italy and is similar to N. hirta (Rabenhorst 1858) and N. dolioloides (Auerswald 1863) in having 8-septate ascospores, enlarged at the fourth cell from the apex. It differs from N. dolioloides in having larger ascospores [(40–)56–62 × (4–)5–6 μm vs. 36–42 × 5.5–6.5 μm] with distinct setae at the apex of the ostiole. Our collection is identical to the holotype, although the host genus differs. As the type specimen at Sis in good condition we designate isolate MFLUCC 13-0867 as a reference specimen (sensu Ariyawansa et al. 2014b) for Nodulosphaeria hirta.
Figure x. Nodulosphaeria hirta (reference specimen). a, b Appearance of ascomata on substrate. c Section through ascoma. d Ostiole with external dark brown setae. e Peridium. F Pseudoparaphyses. g, h Immature and mature asci. i–l Ascospores. m Germinating ascospore. Scale bars (a) 200 μm, (b) 100 μm, (c) 50 μm, (d, g, h) 20 μm, (e, i–m) 10 μm, (f) 5 μm.
References:
Mapook A, Boonmee S, Ariyawansa HA, Tibpromma S, Campesori E et al. 2016 – Taxonomic and phylogenetic placement of Nodulosphaeria. Mycological Progress 15, 34.
Last update: 18 July 2021