A new Arthrinium-like genus of Amphisphaeriales in China

Abstract

Species of <i>Arthrinium</i> <i>s. l.</i> are usually known as endophytes, pathogens or saprobes occurring on various hosts and substrates and are characterised by globose to subglobose, sometimes irregular, dark brown and smooth-walled or finely verruculose conidia, always with a truncate basal scar. Currently, <i>Arthrinium</i> <i>s. l.</i> contains two phylogenetically distinct clades, namely, <i>Apiospora</i> and <i>Arthrinium</i> <i>s. s.</i> However, <i>Arthriniumtrachycarpi</i> and <i>Ar.urticae</i> have still not been properly classified. With new isolates from diseased leaves of <i>Lithocarpusglaber</i> collected in China, we propose the new <i>Arthrinium</i>-like genus <i>Neoarthrinium</i> in Amphisphaeriales. Based on the morphology and phylogeny of multiple loci, the new genus is established with the type species, <i>N.lithocarpicola</i> and three new combinations, <i>N.moseri</i> (syn. <i>Wardomycesmoseri</i>), <i>N.trachycarpi</i> (syn. <i>Ar.trachycarpi</i>) and <i>N.urticae</i> (syn. <i>Ar.urticae</i>) are added to this genus.