Pleosporales is a highly diverse (and the largest) order in Dothideomycetes, and it is widespread in decaying plants in various environments around the world. During a survey of fungal diversity in Sichuan Province, China, specimens of hyphomycetous and Thyridaria-like fungi were collected from dead branches of pine trees and cherry trees. These taxa were initially identified as members of Massarinaceae and Thyridariaceae through morphological examination. Phylogenetic analyses of the Thyridariaceae, combining ITS, SSU, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1 sequence data, indicated a distinct clade sister to Pseudothyridariella and Thyridariella, distinct from any genus in the family. Thus, a new genus, Vaginospora, is proposed to accommodate the type species Vaginospora sichuanensis, which is characterized by semi-immersed globose to oblong ascomata with an ostiolar neck, cylindrical to clavate asci with an ocular chamber, and hyaline to dark brown, fusiform, 3-5-transversely septate ascospores with an inconspicuous mucilaginous sheath. Based on the morphological comparisons and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (ITS, SSU, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1) of the Massarinaceae, we have identified three collections belonging to the genus Helminthosporium, leading us to propose H. filamentosa sp. nov., H. pini sp. nov., and H. velutinum as a new host record. According to Phylogenetic analysis, H. pini formed an independent clade sister to H. austriacum and H. yunnanense, and H. filamentosa represents the closest sister clade to H. quercinum. Helminthosporium pini is distinct from H. austriacum by the shorter conidiophores and H. yunnanense by the longer and wider conidia. The H. filamentosa differs from H. quercinum in having longer conidiophores and smaller conidia. This study extends our understanding of diversity within Thyridariaceae and Helminthosporium. Our findings underscore the rich biodiversity and potential for discovering novel fungal taxa within these groups.

Anthracnose caused by various species of Colletotrichum is one of the most prevalent diseases in alfalfa worldwide that not only reduces forage yields but also severely compromises forage quality. A comprehensive survey was conducted in 2020 in the main production regions of northern China. The survey results showed that alfalfa anthracnose is prevalent in northern China, with the disease incidence ranging from 9% to 45% and the disease index from 5 to 17 (maximum possible score: 100). In total, 24 isolates were collected and identified as three Colletotrichum species (C. trifolii, C. truncatum and C. americae-borealis) based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis (combined sequences ITS, HIS3, ACT and GAPDH). The three species displayed remarkable environmental adaptability, exhibiting a capacity for growth, sporulation and conidial germination in temperatures ranging from 4 to 35 °C and in different nutrient conditions. Pathogenicity assays showed that C. trifolii was more virulent than the other two species, although the growth vigor (in terms of colony diameter, sporulation and conidial germination) of C. truncatum was the greatest.

Two novel species within the family Dictyosporiaceae are described and illustrated from terrestrial habitats on dead culms of bamboo and an unidentified plant, respectively. Through morphological comparisons and the multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, ITS, SSU, and tef1-α sequence dataset, two species, Gregaritheciumbambusicola, Pseudocoleophomaparaphysoidea are identified. Phylogenetically, both species clustered into a monophyletic clade with strong bootstrap support. Gregaritheciumbambusicola sp. nov. can be distinguished from other species within the genus based on its almost straight ascospores. Pseudocoleophomaparaphysoidea sp. nov. differs from other species in its conidiogenous cells intermixed with paraphyses, longer conidiogenous cells and larger conidia. The identification of this lineage contributes to our understanding of the classification of Dictyosporiaceae.

Clonostachys (Bionectriaceae, Hypocreales) species are common soil-borne fungi, endophytes, epiphytes, and saprotrophs. Sexual morphs of Clonostachys spp. were placed in the genus Bionectria, which was further segregated into the six subgenera Astromata, Bionectria, Epiphloea, Myronectria, Uniparietina, and Zebrinella. However, with the end of dual nomenclature, Clonostachys became the single depository for sexual and asexual morph-typified species. Species of Clonostachys are typically characterised by penicillate, sporodochial, and, in many cases, dimorphic conidiophores (primary and secondary conidiophores). Primary conidiophores are mononematous, either verticillium-like or narrowly penicillate. The secondary conidiophores generally form imbricate conidial chains that can collapse to slimy masses, particularly on sporodochia. In the present study, we investigated the species diversity within a collection of 420 strains of Clonostachys from the culture collection of, and personal collections at, the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Strains were analysed based on their morphological characters and molecular phylogeny. The latter used DNA sequence data of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions and intervening 5.8S nrDNA (ITS) and partial 28S large subunit (LSU) nrDNA and partial protein encoding genes including the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) and β-tubulin (TUB2). Based on these results, the subgenera Astromata, Bionectria, Myronectria and Zebrinella are supported within Clonostachys. Furthermore, the genus Sesquicillium is resurrected to accommodate the former subgenera Epiphloea and Uniparietina. The close relationship of Clonostachys and Sesquicillium is strongly supported as both are inferred phylogenetically as sister-genera. New taxa include 24 new species and 10 new combinations. Recognition of Sesquicillium distinguishes species typically forming a reduced perithecial stroma superficially on plant tissue from species in Clonostachys often forming well-developed, through bark erumpent stromata. The patterns of observed perithecial wall anatomies, perithecial wall and stroma interfaces, and asexual morph diversifications described in a previously compiled monograph are used for interpreting ancestral state reconstructions. It is inferred that the common ancestor of Clonostachys and Sesquicillium may have formed perithecia superficially on leaves, possessed a perithecial wall consisting of a single region, and formed intercalary phialides in penicilli of conidiophores. Character interpretation may also allow hypothesising that diversification of morphs occurred then in the two genera independently and that the frequently stroma-linked Clonostachys morphs evolved together with the occupation of woody host niches and mycoparasitism. Taxonomic novelties: New species: Clonostachys aurantiaca L. Zhao & Crous, Clonostachys australiana L. Zhao & Crous, Clonostachys bambusae L. Zhao & Crous, Clonostachys buxicola L. Zhao & Crous, Clonostachys cylindrica L. Zhao & Crous, Clonostachys ellipsoidea L. Zhao & Crous, Clonostachys flava L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, Clonostachys fujianensis L. Zhao & Crous, Clonostachys fusca L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, Clonostachys garysamuelsii L. Zhao & Crous, Clonostachys hongkongensis L. Zhao & Crous, Clonostachys longiphialidica L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, Clonostachys obovatispora, L. Zhao & Crous, Clonostachys palmae L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, Clonostachys parasporodochialis L. Zhao & Crous, Clonostachys penicillata L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, Clonostachys reniformis L. Zhao & Crous, Clonostachys vacuolata L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, Clonostachys venezuelae L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, Mycocitrus synnematus L. Zhao & Crous, Nectriopsis didymii L. Zhao & Crous, Sesquicillium intermediophialidicum L. Zhao & Crous, Sesquicillium neerlandicum L. Zhao & Crous, Sesquicillium symmetricum L. Zhao & Crous. New combinations: Mycocitrus coccicola (J.A. Stev.) L. Zhao & Crous, Mycocitrus coxeniae (Y.P. Tan et al.) L. Zhao & Crous, Sesquicillium essexcoheniae (Y.P. Tan et al.) L. Zhao & Crous, Sesquicillium lasiacidis (Samuels) L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, Sesquicillium phyllophilum (Schroers) L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, Sesquicillium rossmaniae (Schroers) L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, Sesquicillium saulense (Lechat & J. Fourn.) L. Zhao & Crous, Sesquicillium sesquicillii (Samuels) L. Zhao, Crous & Schroers, Sesquicillium spinulosisporum (Lechat & J. Fourn.) L. Zhao & Crous, Sesquicillium tornatum (Höhn.) Schroers. New synonyms: Clonostachys aranearum W.H. Chen et al., Clonostachys chuyangsinensis H. Yu & Y. Wang, Clonostachys eriocamporesiana R.H. Perera & K.D. Hyde, Clonostachys granuligera (Starbäck) Forin & Vizzini, Clonostachys indica Prasher & R. Chauhan, Clonostachys spinulosa R.H. Perera et al., Clonostachys squamuligera (Sacc.) Forin & Vizzini, Clonostachys wenpingii (J. Luo & W.Y. Zhuang) Z.Q. Zeng & W.Y. Zhuang. Epitypes (basionyms): Fusidium buxi J.C. Schmidt ex Link, Verticillium candelabrum Bonord. Citation: Zhao L, Groenewald JZ, Hernández-Restrepo M, Schroers H-J, Crous PW (2023). Revising Clonostachys and allied genera in Bionectriaceae. Studies in Mycology 105: 205-266. doi: 10.3114/sim.2023.105.03.

Acremonium is acknowledged as a highly ubiquitous genus including saprobic, parasitic, or endophytic fungi that inhabit a variety of environments. Species of this genus are extensively exploited in industrial, commercial, pharmaceutical, and biocontrol applications, and proved to be a rich source of novel and bioactive secondary metabolites. Acremonium has been recognised as a taxonomically difficult group of ascomycetes, due to the reduced and high plasticity of morphological characters, wide ecological distribution and substrate range. Recent advances in molecular phylogenies, revealed that Acremonium is highly polyphyletic and members of Acremonium s. lat. belong to at least three distinct orders of Sordariomycetes, of which numerous orders, families and genera with acremonium-like morphs remain undefined. To infer the phylogenetic relationships and establish a natural classification for acremonium-like taxa, systematic analyses were conducted based on a large number of cultures with a global distribution and varied substrates. A total of 633 cultures with acremonium-like morphology, including 261 ex-type cultures from 89 countries and a variety of substrates including soil, plants, fungi, humans, insects, air, and water were examined. An overview phylogenetic tree based on three loci (ITS, LSU, rpb2) was generated to delimit the orders and families. Separate trees based on a combined analysis of four loci (ITS, LSU, rpb2, tef-1α) were used to delimit species at generic and family levels. Combined with the morphological features, host associations and ecological analyses, acremonium-like species evaluated in the present study are currently assigned to 63 genera, and 14 families in Cephalothecales, Glomerellales and Hypocreales, mainly in the families Bionectriaceae, Plectosphaerellaceae and Sarocladiaceae and five new hypocrealean families, namely Chrysonectriaceae, Neoacremoniaceae, Nothoacremoniaceae, Pseudoniessliaceae and Valsonectriaceae. Among them, 17 new genera and 63 new combinations are proposed, with descriptions of 65 new species. Furthermore, one epitype and one neotype are designated to stabilise the taxonomy and use of older names. Results of this study demonstrated that most species of Acremonium s. lat. grouped in genera of Bionectriaceae, including the type A. alternatum. A phylogenetic backbone tree is provided for Bionectriaceae, in which 183 species are recognised and 39 well-supported genera are resolved, including 10 new genera. Additionally, rpb2 and tef-1α are proposed as potential DNA barcodes for the identification of taxa in Bionectriaceae. Taxonomic novelties: New families: Chrysonectriaceae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Neoacremoniaceae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Nothoacremoniaceae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Pseudoniessliaceae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Valsonectriaceae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous. New genera: Bionectriaceae: Alloacremonium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Gossypinidium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Monohydropisphaera L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Musananaesporium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Paragliomastix L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Proliferophialis L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Proxiovicillium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ramosiphorum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Verruciconidia L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Waltergamsia L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Clavicipitaceae: Subuliphorum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Neoacremoniaceae: Neoacremonium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Nothoacremoniaceae: Nothoacremonium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Plectosphaerellaceae: Allomusicillium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Parafuscohypha L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Pseudoniessliaceae: Pseudoniesslia L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Sarocladiaceae: Polyphialocladium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous. New species: Bionectriaceae: Alloacremonium ferrugineum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Al. humicola L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Acremonium aerium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. brunneisporum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. chlamydosporium L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. ellipsoideum L.W. Hou, Rämä, L. Cai & Crous, A. gamsianum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. longiphialidicum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. multiramosum L.W. Hou, Rämä, L. Cai & Crous, A. mycoparasiticum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. stroudii K. Fletcher, F.C. Küpper & P. van West, A. subulatum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, A. synnematoferum L.W. Hou, Rämä, L. Cai & Crous, Bulbithecium ammophilae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, B. ellipsoideum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, B. truncatum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Emericellopsis brunneiguttula L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Gliomastix musae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Gossypinidium sporodochiale L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Hapsidospora stercoraria L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, H. variabilis L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Mycocitrus odorus L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Nectriopsis ellipsoidea L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Paracylindrocarpon aurantiacum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Pn. foliicola Lechat & J. Fourn., Paragliomastix rosea L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Proliferophialis apiculata L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Protocreopsis finnmarkica L.W. Hou, L. Cai, Rämä & Crous, Proxiovicillium lepidopterorum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ramosiphorum echinoporiae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, R. polyporicola L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, R. thailandicum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Verruciconidia erythroxyli L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ve. infuscata L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ve. quercina L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ve. siccicapita L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ve. unguis L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Waltergamsia alkalina L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. catenata L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. moroccensis L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. obpyriformis L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Chrysonectriaceae: Chrysonectria crystallifera L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Nectriaceae: Xenoacremonium allantoideum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Neoacremoniaceae: Neoacremonium distortum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, N. flavum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Nothoacremoniaceae: Nothoacremonium subcylindricum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, No. vesiculophorum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Myrotheciomycetaceae: Trichothecium hongkongense L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Plectosphaerellaceae: Brunneomyces polyphialidus L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Parafuscohypha proliferata L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Sarocladiaceae: Chlamydocillium acaciae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, C. antarcticum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, C. guttulatum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, C. lolii L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, C. soli L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, C. terrestre L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Parasarocladium chondroidum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous,Polyphialocladium fusisporum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Sarocladium agarici L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, S. citri L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, S. ferrugineum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, S. fuscum L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous,S. theobromae L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Valsonectriaceae: Valsonectria crystalligena L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, V. hilaris L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous. New combinations: Bionectriaceae: Acremonium purpurascens (Sukapure & Thirum.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Bulbithecium arxii (Malloch) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Bu. borodinense (Tad. Ito et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Bu. pinkertoniae (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Bu. spinosum (Negroni) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Emericellopsis exuviara (Sigler et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, E. fimetaria (Pers.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, E. fuci (Summerb. et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, E. moniliformis (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, E. salmonea (W. Gams & Lodha) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, E. tubakii (Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Fusariella arenula (Berk. & Broome) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Hapsidospora chrysogena (Thirum. & Sukapure) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, H. flava (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, H. globosa (Malloch & Cain) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, H. inversa (Malloch & Cain) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Hydropisphaera aurantiaca (C.A. Jørg.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Lasionectria atrorubra (Lechat & J. Fourn.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, L. bisepta (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, L. castaneicola (Lechat & Gardiennet) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, L. cerealis (P. Karst.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, L. olida (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Lasionectriopsis dentifera (Samuels) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Lasionectriella arenuloides (Samuels) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, La. marigotensis (Lechat & J. Fourn.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Monohydropisphaera fusigera (Berk. & Broome) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Musananaesporium tectonae (R.F. Castañeda) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Mycocitrus zonatus (Sawada) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Nectriopsis microspora (Jaap) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ovicillium asperulatum (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, O. variecolor (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Paracylindrocarpon multiloculatum (Samuels) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Pn. multiseptatum (Samuels)L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Paragliomastix chiangraiensis (J.F. Li et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Px. luzulae (Fuckel) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Px. znieffensis (Lechat & J. Fourn.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Protocreopsis rutila (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Proxiovicillium blochii (Matr.)L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Stanjemonium dichromosporum (Gams & Sivasith.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Verruciconidia persicina (Nicot) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Ve. verruculosa (W. Gams & Veenb.-Rijks) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Waltergamsia citrina (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. dimorphospora (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. epimycota (Samuels) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. fusidioides (Nicot) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. hennebertii (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. parva (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. pilosa (A. Giraldo et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, W. zeylanica (Petch) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Cephalothecaceae: Phialemonium thermophilum (W. Gams & J. Lacey) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Clavicipitaceae: Subuliphorum camptosporum (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Coniochaetaceae: Coniochaeta psammospora (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Nothoacremoniaceae: Nothoacremonium exiguum (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Neoacremoniaceae: Neoacremonium minutisporum (Sukapure & Thirum.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Ne. taiwanense (K.L. Pang et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Ne. vitellinum (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Plectosphaerellaceae: Allomusicillium domschii (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Brunneomyces pseudozeylanicus (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Pseudoniessliaceae: Pseudoniesslia minutispora (W. Gams et al.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Sarocladiaceae: Chlamydocillium curvulum (W. Gams) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, Parasarocladium funiculosum (Sukapure & Thirum.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous; Valsonectriaceae: Valsonectria inflata (C.H. Dickinson) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous, V. roseola (G. Sm.) L.W. Hou, L. Cai & Crous. Epitype (basionym): Sphaeria violacea J.C. Schmidt ex Fr. Neotype (basionym): Mastigocladium blochii Matr. Citation: Hou LW, Giraldo A, Groenewald JZ, Rämä T, Summerbell RC, Zang P, Cai L, Crous PW (2023). Redisposition of acremonium-like fungi in Hypocreales. Studies in Mycology 105: 23-203. doi: 10.3114/sim.2023.105.02.

The phylogenetic position of several clitocyboid/pleurotoid/tricholomatoid genera previously considered incertae sedis is here resolved using an updated 6-gene dataset of Agaricales including newly sequenced lineages and more complete data from those already analyzed before. Results allowed to infer new phylogenetic relationships, and propose taxonomic novelties to accommodate them, including up to ten new families and a new suborder. Giacomia (for which a new species from China is here described) forms a monophyletic clade with Melanoleuca (Melanoleucaceae) nested inside suborder Pluteineae, together with the families Pluteaceae, Amanitaceae (including Leucocortinarius), Limnoperdaceae and Volvariellaceae. The recently described family Asproinocybaceae is shown to be a later synonym of Lyophyllaceae (which includes also Omphaliaster and Trichocybe) within suborder Tricholomatineae. The families Biannulariaceae, Callistosporiaceae, Clitocybaceae, Fayodiaceae, Macrocystidiaceae (which includes Pseudoclitopilus), Entolomataceae, Pseudoclitocybaceae (which includes Aspropaxillus), Omphalinaceae (Infundibulicybe and Omphalina) and the new families Paralepistaceae and Pseudoomphalinaceae belong also to Tricholomatineae. The delimitation of the suborder Pleurotineae (= Schizophyllineae) is discussed and revised, accepting five distinct families within it, viz. Pleurotaceae, Cyphellopsidaceae, Fistulinaceae, Resupinataceae and Schizophyllaceae. The recently proposed suborder Phyllotopsidineae (= Sarcomyxineae) is found to encompass the families Aphroditeolaceae, Pterulaceae, Phyllotopsidaceae, Radulomycetaceae, Sarcomyxaceae (which includes Tectella), and Stephanosporaceae, all of them unrelated to Pleurotaceae (suborder Pleurotineae) or Typhulaceae (suborder Typhulineae). The new family Xeromphalinaceae, encompassing the genera Xeromphalina and Heimiomyces, is proposed within Marasmiineae. The suborder Hygrophorineae is here reorganized into the families Hygrophoraceae, Cantharellulaceae, Cuphophyllaceae, Hygrocybaceae and Lichenomphaliaceae, to homogenize the taxonomic rank of the main clades inside all suborders of Agaricales. Finally, the genus Hygrophorocybe is shown to represent a distinct clade inside Cuphophyllaceae, and the new combination H. carolinensis is proposed. Taxonomic novelties: New suborder: Typhulineae Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado. New families: Aphroditeolaceae Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Melanoleucaceae Locq. ex Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Paralepistaceae Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Pseudoomphalinaceae Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Volvariellaceae Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Xeromphalinaceae Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado. New species: Giacomia sinensis J.Z. Xu. Stat. nov.: Cantharellulaceae (Lodge, Redhead, Norvell & Desjardin) Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Cuphophyllaceae (Z.M. He & Zhu L. Yang) Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Hygrocybaceae (Padamsee & Lodge) Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Lichenomphaliaceae (Lücking & Redhead) Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado. New combination: Hygrophorocybe carolinensis (H.E. Bigelow & Hesler) Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado. New synonyms: Sarcomyxineae Zhu L. Yang & G.S. Wang, Schizophyllineae Aime, Dentinger & Gaya, Asproinocybaceae T. Bau & G.F. Mou. Incertae sedis taxa placed at family level: Aphroditeola Redhead & Manfr. Binder, Giacomia Vizzini & Contu, Hygrophorocybe Vizzini & Contu, Leucocortinarius (J.E. Lange) Singer, Omphaliaster Lamoure, Pseudoclitopilus Vizzini & Contu, Resupinatus Nees ex Gray, Tectella Earle, Trichocybe Vizzini. New delimitations of taxa: Hygrophorineae Aime, Dentinger & Gaya, Phyllotopsidineae Zhu L. Yang & G.S. Wang, Pleurotineae Aime, Dentinger & Gaya, Pluteineae Aime, Dentinger & Gaya, Tricholomatineae Aime, Dentinger & Gaya. Resurrected taxa: Fayodiaceae Jülich, Resupinataceae Jülich. Citation: Vizzini A, Alvarado P, Consiglio G, Marchetti M, Xu J (2024). Family matters inside the order Agaricales: systematic reorganization and classification of incertae sedis clitocyboid, pleurotoid and tricholomatoid taxa based on an updated 6-gene phylogeny. Studies in Mycology 107: 67-148. doi: 10.3114/sim.2024.107.02.

In this study, we investigated the morphological and genetic variability of selected species belonging to the genus Chloridium sensu lato, some also referred to as chloridium-like asexual morphs and other undescribed morphologically similar fungi. These species do not conform to the revised generic concept and thus necessitate a re-evaluation in terms of taxonomy and phylogeny. The family Chaetosphaeriaceae (Chaetosphaeriales) encompasses a wide range of asexual morphotypes, and among them, the simplest form is represented by Chloridium sect. Chloridium. The morphological simplicity of the Chloridium morphotype has historically led to the amalgamation of numerous unrelated species, thereby creating a heterogeneous genus. By conducting phylogenetic reconstruction of four DNA loci and examining a set of 71 strains, including all available ex-type and other non-type strains as well as holotypes and other herbarium material, we were able to gain new insights into the relationships between these taxa. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the studied species are distantly related to Chloridium sensu stricto and can be grouped into two orders in the Sordariomycetes. Within the Chaetosphaeriales, they formed nine well-separated genera in four clades, such as Cacumisporium, Caliciastrum gen. nov., Caligospora gen. nov., Capillisphaeria gen. nov., Curvichaeta, Fusichloridium, Geniculoseta gen. nov., Papillospora gen. nov., and Spicatispora gen. nov. We also established Chloridiopsiella gen. nov. and Chloridiopsis gen. nov. in Vermiculariopsiellales. Four new species and eight new combinations are proposed in these genera. Our study provides a clearer understanding of the genus Chloridium, its relationship to other morphologically similar fungi, and a new taxonomic treatment and molecular phylogeny to facilitate their accurate identification and classification in future research. Taxonomic novelties: New genera: Caliciastrum Réblová, Caligospora Réblová, Capillisphaeria Réblová, Chloridiopsiella Réblová, Chloridiopsis Réblová, Geniculoseta Réblová, Papillospora Réblová, Spicatispora Réblová; New species: Caliciastrum bicolor Réblová, Caligospora pannosa Réblová, Chloridiopsis syzygii Réblová, Gongromerizella silvana Réblová; New combinations: Caligospora dilabens (Réblová & W. Gams) Réblová, Capillisphaeria crustacea (Sacc.) Réblová, Chloridiopsiella preussii (W. Gams & Hol.-Jech.) Réblová, Chloridiopsis constrictospora (Crous et al.) Réblová, Geniculoseta preussii (W. Gams & Hol.-Jech.) Réblová, Papillospora hebetiseta (Réblová & W. Gams) Réblová, Spicatispora carpatica (Hol.-Jech. & Révay) Réblová, Spicatispora fennica (P. Karst.) Réblová; Epitypifications (basionyms): Chaetosphaeria dilabens Réblová & W. Gams, Chloridium cylindrosporum W. Gams & Hol.-Jech. Citation: Réblová M, Nekvindová J (2023). New genera and species with chloridium-like morphotype in the Chaetosphaeriales and Vermiculariopsiellales. Studies in Mycology 106: 199-258. doi: 10.3114/sim.2023.106.04.

The protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum is an important cause of gastroenteritis in humans and livestock, and cryptosporidiosis outbreaks are common. However, a multi-locus genotyping scheme is not widely adopted. We describe the further development and application of a seven-locus multi-locus variable number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) scheme. From 28th March to 31st July 2022, confirmed C. parvum stools (n = 213) from cryptosporidiosis patients (cases) in Wales (n = 95) and the north west of England (n = 118) were tested by MLVA. Typability (defined as alleles identified at all seven loci in a sample) was 81.2% and discriminatory power estimated by Hunter Gaston Discriminatory Index was 0.99. A MLVA profile was constructed from the alleles, expressed in chromosomal order. Profiles were defined as simple (single allele at each locus) or mixed (more than one allele at any locus). A total of 161 MLVA profiles were identified; 13 were mixed, an additional 38 simple profiles contained null records, and 110 were complete simple profiles. A minimum spanning tree was constructed of simple MLVA profiles and those identical at all seven loci defined genetic clusters of cases (here, null records were considered as an allele); 77 cases formed 25 clusters, ranging from two to nine (mode = two) cases. The largest cluster, following epidemiological investigation, signalled a newly-identified outbreak. Two other cases with mixed profiles that contained the outbreak alleles were included in the outbreak investigation. In another epidemiologically-identified outbreak of six initial cases, MLVA detected two additional cases. In a third, small outbreak of three cases, identical MLVA profiles strengthened the microbiological evidence. Review of the performance characteristics of the individual loci and of the seven-locus scheme suggested that two loci might be candidates for review, but a larger dataset over a wider geographical area and longer timeframe will help inform decision-making about the scheme by user laboratories and stakeholders (such as public health agencies). This MLVA scheme is straightforward in use, fast and cheap compared to sequence-based methods, identifies mixed infections, provides an important tool for C. parvum surveillance, and can enhance outbreak investigations and public health action.

Durum wheat is more susceptible to Fusarium head blight (FHB) than other types or classes of wheat. The disease is one of the most devastating in wheat; it reduces yield and end-use quality and contaminates the grain with fungal mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON). A panel of 265 Canadian and European durum wheat cultivars, as well as breeding and experimental lines, were tested in artificially inoculated field environments (2019-2022, inclusive) and two greenhouse trials (2019 and 2020). The trials were assessed for FHB severity and incidence, visual rating index, Fusarium-damaged kernels, DON accumulation, anthesis or heading date, maturity date, and plant height. In addition, yellow pigment and protein content were analyzed for the 2020 field season. To capture loci underlying FHB resistance and related traits, GWAS was performed using single-locus and several multi-locus models, employing 13,504 SNPs. Thirty-one QTL significantly associated with one or more FHB-related traits were identified, of which nine were consistent across environments and associated with multiple FHB-related traits. Although many of the QTL were identified in regions previously reported to affect FHB, the QTL QFhb-3B.2, associated with FHB severity, incidence, and DON accumulation, appears to be novel. We developed KASP markers for six FHB-associated QTL that were consistently detected across multiple environments and validated them on the Global Durum Panel (GDP). Analysis of allelic diversity and the frequencies of these revealed that the lines in the GDP harbor between zero and six resistance alleles. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the genetic basis of FHB resistance and DON accumulation in durum wheat. Accessions with multiple favorable alleles were identified and will be useful genetic resources to improve FHB resistance in durum breeding programs through marker-assisted recurrent selection and gene stacking.

Several Colletotrichum species are able to cause anthracnose disease in coffee (Coffea arabica L.) and occur in all coffee production areas worldwide. A planned investigation of coffee plantations was carried out in Southwest Saudi Arabia in October, November, and December 2022. Various patterns of symptoms were observed in all 23 surveyed coffee plantations due to unknown causal agents. Isolation from symptomatic fresh samples was performed on a PDA medium supplemented with streptomycin sulfate (300 mg L-1) and copper hydroxide (42.5 mg L-1). Twenty-seven pure isolates of Colletotrichum-like fungi were obtained using a spore suspension method. The taxonomic placements of Colletotrichum-like fungi were performed based on the sequence dataset of multi-loci of internal transcribed spacer region rDNA (ITS), chitin synthase I (CHS-1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), actin (ACT), β-tubulin (TUB2), and partial mating type (Mat1-2) (ApMat) genes. The novel species are described in detail, including comprehensive morphological characteristics and colored illustrations. The pathogenicity of the isolated Colletotrichum species was assessed on detached coffee leaves as well as green and red fruit under laboratory conditions. The multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of the six-loci, ITS, ACT, CHS-1, TUB2, GAPDH and ApMat, revealed that 25 isolates were allocated within the C. gloeosporioides complex, while the remaining two isolates were assigned to the C. boninense complex. Six species were recognized, four of them, C. aeschynomenes, C. siamense, C. phyllanthi, and C. karstii, had been previously described. Based on molecular analyses and morphological examination comparisons, C. saudianum and C. coffeae-arabicae represent novel members within the C. gloeosporioides complex. Pathogenicity investigation confirmed that the Colletotrichum species could induce disease in coffee leaves as well as green and red fruits with variations. Based on the available literature and research, this is the first documentation for C. aeschynomenes, C. siamense, C. karstii, C. phyllanthi, C. saudianum, and C. coffeae-arabicae to cause anthracnose on coffee in Saudi Arabia.