Phylogeny and taxonomy of the genus Gliocladiopsis

Using a global set of isolates and a phylogenetic approach employing DNA sequence data from five genes (β-tubulin, histone H3, internal transcribed spacer region, 28S large subunit region and translation elongation factor 1-α), the taxonomic status of the genus Gliocladiopsis (Glionectria) (Hypocreales, Nectriaceae) was re-evaluated. Gliocladiopsis sagariensis is reinstated as type species for the genus, which proved to be distinct from its former synonym, G. tenuis. The purported teleomorph state of G. tenuis, Glionectria tenuis, is shown to be distinct based on morphological comparisons supported by phylogenetic inference, and is provided with a new name, Gliocladiopsis pseudotenuis. A further four species, mostly isolated from soil, are newly described, namely G. curvata (New Zealand, Ecuador and Indonesia), G. elghollii (USA), G. indonesiensis (Indonesia) and G. mexicana (Mexico). Although species of Gliocladiopsis are frequently isolated from roots of diseased plants or plant litter in soil, little is presently known of their ecology, or potential role as plant pathogens.