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Title: STEPHANONECTRIA, A NEW GENUS OF THE HYPOCREALES (BIONECTRIACEAE) AND ITS SPORODOCHIAL ANAMORPH

Author
item SCHROERS, HANS-JOSEF - NETHERLANDS
item Samuels, Gary
item GAMS, WALTER - NETHERLANDS

Submitted to: Sydowia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/3/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Fungi are used in the biological control of plant pathogens, yet the systematics including the classification and naming of these fungi is relatively unknown and/or inaccurate.The classification of biocontrol fungi is important because decisions about the release of these agents is based on knowledge of the group to which a particular fungus may belong. In this spaper the sexual and asexual states of a fungus used in biocontrol have been studied. Based on several important morphological characters, this fungus is reclassified in a genus that more closely reflects its true relationship. A detailed description of both the sexual and asexual states is presented as well as a biogeographic account of this species. Using this work plant quarantine officials can more readily determine if it is safe to release strains of this fungus for the biological control of plant pathogens.

Technical Abstract: A new unispecific genus of the Bionectriaceae, Stephanonectria, is described for Nectria keithii Berk.& Br. Stephanonectria is characterised by brown, smooth perithecia that do not change colour in KOH and by a peculiar crown-like structure around the ostiole. The ascospores are covered with short striae that are more or less parallel with the long axis sof the spore. The ascospore of different collections vary considerably in length but the differences are not indicative of infraspecific differences or particular geographical patterns. The anamorph shows features typical of several genera, and is here identified being as Myrothecium-like. Perithecia of Stephanonectria keithii have been found on dead parts of Brassica sp.and various dead or recently dead woody substrate in Europe, New Zealand, and possibly also in tropical regions. The anamorph has been isolated from European soil as well.