Pedumispora rhizophorae K.D.Hyde & E.B.G.Jones (Fig. 17)

Mycological Research 96 (1): 78 (1992).

Material examined. — Thailand, Ranong, on twig of Rhizophora apiculata, XI.1988, K. D. Hyde (BRIP 19201 holotype).

DISTRIBUTION. — Micronesia, Seychelles, Thailand.

DESCRIPTION

Ascomata. 120-130 µm high, 420-500 µm in diameter, brown to black, subglobose, coriaceous, ostiolate, papillate, pseudos - tromatic tissues surrounding each ascoma. Necks erumpent.

Paraphyses. 4-8 µm thick, filiform and simple.

Asci. 200-248 × 20-37 µm, 8-spored, irregularly fusiform, pedicellate, unitunicate, thin-walled, without an apical ring.

Ascospores. 153-210 ×4-5.5 µm, filiform, tapering towards both ends, the end cells lack cytoplasmic contents and appear curved or hook-shaped at one end, 12-13-septate, not constricted at the septa, with longitudinal striations running the length of the ascospore, slightly brown.

NOTES

Pedumispora rhizophorae is seldom reported from tropical mangrove habitats (Jones et al. 2009, 2013). It was originally collected from decayed intertidal prop roots and twigs of Rhizophora apiculata at Ranong Province, southern Thailand (Hyde & Jones 1992). Later collections were made on R. mucronata from Seychelles (Hyde & Jones 1992) and mangrove wood from Guam, (Sakayaroj et al. 2005). Hyde & Jones (1992) included Pedumispora rhizophorae in Melanconidaceae, Diaporthales, as it has similar characters to Prosthecium and Winterella . A preliminary phylogenetic study, based on LSU sequence data of the strain obtained from Guam, revealed that Pedumispora rhizophorae has an affinity with the Xylariales, and in particular with the Diatrypaceae (Sakayaroj et al. 2005; Jones et al. 2009). Klaysuban et al. (2014) re-examined the morphology of this fungus and and confirmed its taxonomic position within Diatrypaceae through a molecular phylogenetic study with LSU and ITS sequences.