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Heteroconium and Pirozynskiella n. gen., with comments on conidium transseptation

S J Hughes1

  • 1Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre Research Branch, Central Experimental Farm, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, KIA OC6 Canada. sjhughes@sympatico.ca

Mycologia
|December 11, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study reclassifies sooty mold fungi, introducing a new genus, Pirozynskiella, based on conidial septation patterns. It clarifies species within Heteroconium, distinguishing them by their unique fungal associations and septation sequences.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Plant Pathology
  • Fungal Taxonomy

Background:

  • Sooty molds are fungi that form dark, superficial mycelial growth on plants.
  • Accurate classification of fungal genera and species is crucial for understanding their ecological roles and host interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To redescribe the type species of Heteroconium and clarify the generic boundaries.
  • To introduce a new genus, Pirozynskiella, for species with distinct conidial development.
  • To re-evaluate species previously assigned to Heteroconium.

Main Methods:

  • Morphological examination and illustration of fungal specimens.
  • Microscopic analysis of conidial septation patterns (basifugal vs. centrifugal).
  • Neotypification and description of relevant species.

Main Results:

  • Heteroconium citharexyli redescribed; H. neriifoliae, H. glutinosa, and the synanamorph of Antennulariella concinna are congeneric.
  • Pirozynskiella gen. nov. established for species with obligate asterinaceous association and centrifugal conidial septation.
  • H. tetracoilum and H. chaetospira excluded from Heteroconium due to differing septation patterns.

Conclusions:

  • The study refines the taxonomy of sooty mold fungi, emphasizing conidial septation as a key diagnostic feature.
  • Pirozynskiella represents a distinct lineage within sooty mold fungi.
  • Clarification of Heteroconium species improves understanding of hyphomycete diversity.

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