Fungal Diversity Two new species of Costantinella from Hong Kong Michelle K.M. Wong, Yanna, Teik Khiang Goh and Kevin D. Hyde Centre for Research in Fungal Diversity, Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong; e-mail: [email protected] Wong, M.K.M., Yanna, Goh, T.K. and Hyde, K.D. (2001). Two new species of Constant inella from Hong Kong. Fungal Diversity 8: 173-181. Two Costantinella species, collected in Hong Kong, are described and illustrated: Costantinella palmicola sp. novo from decaying petioles of Livistona chinensis, and C. phragmitis sp. novofrom decaying culms of Phragmites australis. Costantinella palmicola has brown, verruculose conidiophores and distinctly lobed conidiogenous cells. Costantinella phragmitis has olivaceous-brown, smooth, cylindrical conidiophores, and hyaline, cylindric clavate conidiogenous cells bearing elongated denticles near the apex. A synopsis of the morphological characters of all accepted species in Costantinella isprovided. Key words: Costantinella, graminicolous fungi, mitosporic fungi, palmicolous fungi, systematics. Introduction The genus Costantinella was introduced based on C. cristata Matr. (Hughes, 1958). Three species, C. tilletei (Desm.) Mason and S. Hughes, C. athrix Nannf. and Erikss. and C. clavata Hol.-Jech. have been added to the genus (Ellis, 1971). However, as C. cristata and C. tilletei were found later to be synonymous with C. terrestris (Link) S. Hughes, and C. micheneri (Berk. and M.A. Curtis) S. Hughes was considered to be an earlier name for C. athrix, the three Costantinella species now recognised are C. clavata, C. micheneri and C. terrestris (Hughes, 1958; Ellis, 1971; Holubova-Jechova, 1980). Costantinella is characterised by macronematous and mononematous conidiophores, with cylindrical to clavate conidiogenous cells, which are arranged in whorls at intervals along the conidiophores, usually arising just below the septa. The conidia are produced from sympodially proliferating conidiogenous cells and secede rhexolytically. The proliferation and conidial secession result in the tips of the conidiogenous cells appearing ragged or irregular in outline in some species. The conidiogenous cells bear minute denticles which are torn due to rhexolytic conidial secession. The conidiophores are usually subhyaline to pale brown, smooth or slightly verruculose, and the conidia are unicellular, hyaline, with a minute, torn basal frill. Species of Costantinella are distinguished from each other by the shape 173 Figs. 1-9. Costantinella palmicola. 1. Colonies on natural substratum (arrowed). 2-4. Conidiophores with conidiogenous cells which are slightly lobed and arranged in whorls on the conidiophore axis. Note the swellings at the nodes (arrowed). 5. Basal hyphae (arrowed). 6-9. Conidia with truncate bases. Bars: 1= 1mm; 2,4-9 = 10/lm; 3 = 100 /lm. and arrangement of conidiogenous cells on the conidiophores, and the shape and size of the conidia. During studies on microfungi on grasses and palms in the tropics (Goh and Hyde, 1996, 1998; Goh et al., 1998; Yanna et al., 1998; Wong et al., 1998, 1999), we have identified two undescribed species of Costantinella, and these are described and illustrated in this paper. A tabulated synopsis of the characters of all Costantinella species is provided (Table 1). The conidiophores of the two undescribed species of Costantinella are narrower (2-4 /-lm) than those of the three earlier described species which, range from 4-15 /-lmwide at the middle, and 8-18 /-lmwide at the base. Taxonomy Costantinella palmicola K.M. Wong, Yanna, Goh and K.D. Hyde, sp. novo (Figs. 1-15,23) Coloniae in substrato naturale effusae, pallide griseolae, usque 9 mm longae et 3 mm latae. Hyphae basales superficiales, brunneae, laeves, ca. 4 /lm latae. Conidiophora recta, 174 Fungal Diversity Figs. 10-15. SEM of Costnatinella pa/mico/a. 10. Verruculose walls of conidiogenous cells and conidiophores. 11-12. Conidial scars on conidiogenous cells resulting from rhexolytic conidial secession. 13. Developing conidia attached to the apex of the conidiogenous cells. 14 15. Conidia with a basal frill resulting from rhexolytic secession. Bars: 10, 12= 10flm; 11, 13 15= I flm. 175 erecta, cylindrica, irregulariter ramosa, brunnea, verruculosa, septata, 140-300 x 2.5-4 ~m, ad nodos tumidosa, 3.5-6 ~m lata. Cellulae conidiogenae polyblasticae, discretae, in ordidem verticillatae, obovoideae vel ellipsoideae, in ambitis lobatae, hyalinae vel olivaceo-brunneae, ad apicem cum proliferationis sympodice sine progressione et denticulis parvis praeditae, 9-12 x 3-6 ~m. Conidia 5-8 x 3-4 ~m, solitaria, elliptico-fusiformia vel sub-fusiformia, unicellularia, subhyalina vel pallidissime olivacea, laevia, ad basem truncata cum hilo minuto non incrassato praedita. Etymology: palmicola, in reference to the palm host. Colonies on natural substratum effuse, pale greyish, up to 9 mm long and 3 mm wide. Basal hyphae superficial, brown, smooth, thin-walled, ca. 4 f!m wide. Conidiophores straight, erect, cylindrical, irregularly branched or unbranched, brown, verruculose, septate, 140-300 f!m long (x = 220 f!m, n = 25) and 2.5-4 f!m wide (x = 3.3 f!m, n = 25), swollen at the nodes which are 3.5-6 f!m wide (x = 4.3 f!m, n = 25) where the verticils of conidiogenous cells arise. Conidiogenous cells polyblastic, discrete, arranged in whorls on the main axis, obovoid to ellipsoid, slightly lobed in outline, hyaline to olivaceous brown, sympodially proliferating without progression, and with tiny denticles at the apex, 9-12 f!mlong (x = 9.8 f!m,n = 25),3-6 f!mwide at the middle and the base (x = 3.8 f!m, n = 25), 2-4 f!mwide at the apex (x = 2.6 f!m, n = 25). Conidia 5-8 x 3-4 f!m, (x = 6.4 x 3.1 f!m,n = 25), solitary, elliptic-fusiform to sub-fusiform, unicellular, subhyaline to very pale olivaceous, smooth, truncate with a scar at the base. Holotypus (designated here): HONG KONG, Hong Kong Island, forest behind The University of Hong Kong, on dead petiole of Livistona chinensis (Arecaceae), 10 June 1997, Yanna YANI24 (HKU(M) 5347). Costantinella phragmitis K.M. Wong, Yanna, Goh and K.D. Hyde, sp. novo (Figs. 16-21, 22) Coloniae in substrato naturale effusae, floccosae, albae vel griseolae, usque 7.5 mm longae et 2.5 mm latae. Hyphae basales superficiales, olivaceo-brunneae, laeves, 2.5-3 ~m latae. Conidiophora recta, erecta, cylindrica, irregulariter ramosa, olivaceo-brunnea, laevia, septata, 325-450 x 2.5-4 ~m, deorsum leniter constricta, 2-3 ~m lata; sursum ramsosa; rami leniter angustati (ca. 2-3 ~m latae), subhyalini vel pallide olivacei, 15-17.5 x 2-2.5 ~m longi. Cellulae conidiogenae monoblasticae vel polyblasticae, discretae, obclavatae, hyalinae, laeves, cum proliferationis sympodice sine progressione, 7.5-12.5 x 2-2.5 ~m, cum denticulis minutis mucronatis praeditae. Conidia solitaria, globosa vel subglobosa, unicellularia, hyalina, laevia, tenuitunicata, 2.5-4 ~m diam. Etymology: phragmitis, inreference to the host Phragmites. Colonies on natural substratum effuse, cottony, white to greyish, up to 7.5 mm long and 2.5 mm wide. Basal hyphae superficial, olivaceous brown, smooth, thin-walled, 2.5-3 f!m wide. Conidiophores straight, erect, cylindrical, septate, irregularly branched above the septa, usually with tertiary branching, olivaceous brown, smooth, 325-450 f!m long (x = 399 f!m, 11= 10) and 2.5-4 176 Fungal Diversity Figs. 16-21. Costantinella phragmitis. 16. Colonies on natural substratum. 17. Conidiophores which are irregularly branched onthe upper half of the main axis. 18-21. SEM of Costantinella phragmitis. 18. Smooth-walled conidiogenous cells with denticles (arrowed) giving rise to spherical conidia. 19. Polyblastic conidiogenous cells producing conidia from denticles (arrowed). 20, 21. Conidiogenous cells and conidia. A conidium is seen detaching from the conidiogenous locus in 30 (arrowed). Bars: 16, 18= I mm; 17= 50 Ilm; 19-21 = 5 Ilm. f.lmwide (x = 2.8 f.lm,n = 10), slightly constricted at the junction with the basal hyphae, 2-3 f.lmwide; branches occurring on upper part of conidiophores slightly narrower (ca. 2-3 flm wide) than the main axis, subhyaline to pale 177 o 23 ~ 22 Figs. 22-23. Composite diagram with characteristics of Costantinella phragmitis and C. palmicola. 22. C.phragmitis. 23. C.palmicola. Bars = 10!lm. olivaceous, 15-17.5 !-lmlong (x = 16.4 !-lm,n = 25) and 2-2.5 !-lmwide (x = 2.1 !-lm,n = 25). Conidiogenous cells monoblastic or polyblastic, discrete, obclavate, hyaline, smooth, sympodially proliferating without progression, 7.5 12.5 !-lmlong (x = 10.4 !-lm,n = 25) and 2-2.5 !-lmwide (x = 2.1 !-lm,n = 25), denticulate; denticles minute, tapering, restricted to a small region at the apex. Conidia solitary, globose to subglobose, unicellular, hyaline, smooth, thin walled, 2.5-4 !-lmdiam. (x = 3.2 !-lm,n = 25). Holotypus (designated here): HONG KONG: New Territories, Mai Po Marshes, Gei Wai no. 9, on aerial part of a senescent culm of Phragmites australis (Poaceae), 7 August 1997, K.M. Wong MW147PH52 (HKU(M) 8002). 178 Table I. Synopsis of Coslanline//a species. C. clavata (Holubova C. mic/teneri (Ellis, C.palmicola C.pl1ragmitis C. terrestris (Ellis, Jechova, 1980) 1971; Holubova 1971; Holubova Jechova, 1980) Jechova, 1980) Colonies on natural White, effuse, cottony White, loose, cottony, Pale grey, effuse Effuse, cottony Fawn-coloured or substrata to hypochnoid hypochnoid greyish brown Basal hyphae Superficial and Smooth, thin-walled, Superficial, brown, Pale olivaceous, Yellowish or immersed, hyaline, 10-15 /lm wide smooth, thin-walled, superficial, smooth, brown ish, warty walls, smooth or finely ca. 4 /lm wide 2.5-3 /lm wide 10-15 !-till wide roughened, 10-15 /lm wide Conidiophores Hyaline, verticillately Hyaline, upto 350 /lm, Brown, verruculose, Olivaceous-brown, Main axis yellowish or irregularly 8-]4 /lm wide at base, swollen atthejunction smooth, 325-450 x brown, verruculose, branched, upto 250 7-9 /lm at middle, 3.5- with conidiogenous 2.5-4 /lm, narrower at with sterile setiform /lm long, 8-14 /lm 5.5 /lm atapex cells, 140-300 /lm x the base, ca. 2-3 /lm apex, fertile branches wide at base, 7-9 /lm at 2.5-4/lm in the lower part, middle, 3.5-5 /lm at hyaline, up to 1mm apex long, 4-15 /lm wide, 9 18/lm near the base Conidiogenous cells Attenuated towards the Strongly recurved and Obovoid to ellipsoid, + Clavate, hyaline, Lageniform to flask- slightly cicatrized or denticulate apex with denticulate near the denticulate at the apex, shaped, with strongly denticulate apex, small denticulate apex, brown, slightly denticles slender and recurved and hyaline, 8-23 (-30) /lm region due to unilateral lobed, 9-12 /lm long, elongated, 7.5-12.5 x denticulate apex, long, 3.5-4 /lm wide at acropetal secession of 3-6 /lm at base, 2-4 2-2.5 /lm hyaline, 10-15 x 4.5-6 septa, 1.5-2.5 /lm at conidia, hyaline, 9-21 /lm at the apex /lm apex x 4-4.5 /lm Table 1.(continued). C. clavata (Holubova C.micheneri (Ellis, C.palmicola C.pluagmitis C.terrestris (Ellis, Jechova, 1980) 1971; Holubova 1971; Holubova Jechova, 1980) Jechova, 1980) Conidia Clavate or obpyriform, Globose to subglobose Elliptic-fusiform to Globose to subglobose Globose to subglobose smooth, truncate at the with an inconspicuous sub-fusiform, with an inconspicuous with an inconspicuous base, hyaline, 4-8 x 3 apiculus, hyaline, subhyaline to very pale apiculus, hyaline, apiculus, hyaline, 4 fJm smooth or finely olivaceous, smooth, smooth, thin-walled, smooth to finely echinulate, 3.5-4.5 (-5) truncate with a scar at 2.5-4 fJmdiam. roughened, 4-5.5 fJm f!mdiam. the base, 5-8 x 3-4 fJm diam. Diagnostic features Clavate to obpyriform Recurved Conidiogenous cells Branching up to Recurved conidia conidiogenous cells slightly lobed forming tertiary level, denticles conid iogenous cells, without sterile setiform wavy outline slender and elongated conidiophores with apex sterile setiform apex Habitat On rotten conifer wood On wood debris On decaying petioles On decaying culms of On decaying wood and of Livistona chinensis Phragmites australis plant debris Fungal Diversity Acknowledgements We would like to thank E.H.C. McKenzie for commenting on the manuscript. W. Wong, H. Leung and staff of the Electron Microscopy Unit of The University of Hong Kong are thanked for their technical assistance. The University of Hong Kong is thanked for the awards of a postdoctoral fellowship, studentship and part-time demonstratorship to T.K. Goh, Yanna and M.K.M. Wong, respectively. References Ellis, M.B. (1971). Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. Commonwealth Mycologicallnstitute, Kew. 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