Schiffnerulaceous fungi of Kodagu, Karnataka, India

 

V.B. Hosagoudar 1, C. Jagath Thimmaiah 2& M. Jayashankara 3

 

1 Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695562, India

2,3 Department of Studies and Research in Microbiology, Mangalore University Post Graduate Centre, Cauvery Campus, Madikeri, Kodagu, Karnataka 571201, India

Email: 1 vbhosagoudar@rediffmail.com (corresponding author),

2 jgtct@rediffmail.com,3 jaishankara@yahoo.com

 

 

Date of publication (online): 26 December 2011

Date of publication (print): 26 December 2011

ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print)

 

Editor:R.K. Verma

 

Manuscript details:

Ms # o2988

Received 02 November 2011

Finally accepted 22 November 2011

 

Citation: Hosagoudar, V.B., C.J. Thimmaiah & M. Jayashankara (2011).Schiffnerulaceous fungi of Kodagu, Karnataka, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 3(12): 2268–2271.

 

Copyright: © V.B. Hosagoudar, C. Jagath Thimmaiah & M. Jayashankara 2011. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication.

 

 

For images -- click here

 

The genus Schiffnerularepresents four synanamrophs: Mitteriella, Questieriella, Sarcinella, Digitosarcinella and their teleomorph, Schiffnerula.  This genus has been revised for India (Hosagoudar 2011). During the study of foliicolous fungi of Kodagu, we could study several collections belonging to this genus and of which the following four taxa turned as new to science and are described and illustrated here.

 

Questieriella ophiorrhizae sp.nov.

(Image 1)

 

Material examined: 21.xi.2009, on leaves of Ophiorrhiza sp. (Rubiaceae), in the campus of Bharatiya Vidyabhavan Kodagu Vidyalaya, Madikeri, Kodagu, Karnataka, C. Jagath Thimmaiah, TBGT 5706 (holotype), (MycoBank 564009).

Coloniae epiphyllae, tenues, velutinae, ad 3mm diam., confluentes. Hyphae rectae vel flexuosae, alternatae, oppositae vel irregulariter  acuteque vel laxe ramosae, laxe reticulatae, cellulae 12–19 x 5–7 µm. Conidiophorae producentes hyphis lateralis, simplices, micronematae, macronematae, 0–2-septatae, simplices, raro ramosae, 15–18 x 6–8  µm; cellulae conidiogenae terminalis, integratae, ovalis vel cylindraceae; conidia solitaris, simplices, sicca, ellipsoidea, fusiformes, falcata, sigmoidea, pallide brunnea, 3-septata, cellulae terminalis acutae ad apicem, 38–45 x 9–11 μm.

Colonies epiphyllous, thin, velvety, up to 3mm in diameter, confluent. Hyphae straight to flexuous, branching alternate, opposite to irregular at acute to wide angles, loosely reticulate, cells 12–19 x 5–7 µm. Conidiophores produced lateral to the hyphae, simple, micronematous, macronematous, 0–2-septate, simple, rarely branched, 15–18 x 6–8  µm; conidiogenous cells terminal, integrated, oval to cylindrical; conidia solitary, simple, dry, ellipsoidal, fusiform, falcate, sigmoid, pale brown, 3-septate, terminal cells acute at the tip, 38–45 x 9–11 μm.

Schiffnerula craterispermi (Hansf.) Hughes, S. hendrickxii (Hansf.) Hughes, S. psychotriae (Doidge) Hughes, S. palicoureae (Farr) Hughes, S. ugandensis (Hansf.) Hughes are known from other parts of the country (Hosagoudar 2003).  From India, Schiffnerula canthii Hosag. & Archana onCanthium sp. and Schiffnerula braunii Hosag. & Sabeena on Morinda spp. are known on the members of the family Rubiaceae (Hosagoudar & Sabeena 2010).  All these species are in their teleomorphs but the present fungus persists only in its Questieriellaform.  Hence, it has been accommodated in a new species.

Etyomology: Based on the host genus

 

 Sarcinella caralliae sp.nov.

(Image 2)

 

Material examined:01.xi.2009, on leaves of Carallia brachiata (Lour.) Merr. (Rhizophoraceae), Kaimada field, Hoddur, Kodagu, Karnataka, C. Jagath Thimmaiah TBGT 5708 (holotype), (MycoBank 564010).

Coloniae amphigenae, plerumque epiphyllae, tenues vel densae, patentiae, ad 3mm  diam. Hyphae rectae vel flexuosae, pallide brunnae,  irregulariter acuteque vel laxe ramosae, laxe reticulatae, cellulae 12–20 × 4–6 μm.  Appressoria dispersa, alternata, unilateralis, ovata vel plerumque globosa, integra, 8–10 × 6–8 μm. Conidiophorae producentes hyphis  lateralis, simplices, micronematae, 6–8 μm longae; cellulae conidiogenae terminalis vel intercalaris, monoblasticae, integratae, determinatae, cylindraceae. Conidia solitaris, sicca, simplices, subspherica vel ovalis, 2–10-cellulae, brunnea vel nigra, muriformes, sarcinatim septatis, constrictus ad  septatis, 21–30 μm diam., parietus glabrus.

Colonies amphigenous, mostly epiphyllous, thin to dense, spreading, up to 3mm in diameter.  Hyphae straight to flexuous, pale brown, branching irregular at acute to wide angles, loosely reticulate, cells 12–20 × 4–6 μm.  Appressoria scattered, alternate, unilateral, ovate to mostly globose, entire, 8–10 × 6–8 μm. Conidiophores produced lateral to the hyphae, simple, micronematous, 6–8 μm long; conidiogenous cells terminal, intercalary, monoblastic, integrated, determinate, cylindrical.  Conidia solitary, dry, simple, subspherical to oval, 2–10-celled, brown to charcoal black, muriform, sarcinately septate, constricted at the septa, 21–30 μm in diameter, wall smooth.

This is the first species of schiffnerulaceous fungus infected the members of the family Rhizophoraceae (Hosagoudar 2003, 2011).

Etyomology:Based on the host genus.

 

Schiffnerula aristolochiae sp.nov.

(Image 3)

 

Material examined:04.xii.2009, on leaves of Aristolochia tagala Cham. (Aristolochiaceae), Devara kadu, Hoddur, Kodagu, Karnataka, C. Jagath Thimmaiah TBGT 5703 (holotype), (MycoBank 564011).

Coloniae epiphyllae, subdensae vel densae, ad 2 mm diam., confluentes.  Hyphae rectae  vel subrectae, alternatae vel oppositae acuteque vel laxe ramosae, laxe reticulatae, cellulae 16–20 x 5–8 µm.   Appressoria unilateralis, alternata vel raro opposita, ovata, globosa, mammiformes, crassa posita, integra, 10–15 x 7–10 µm.  Conidiophorae  Questieriella  producentes hyphis lateralis, simplices, rectae, micronematae, mononematae, 0–2-septatae, 20–25 x 4–6 µm; cellulae conidiogenae terminalis, monoblasticae, integratae, solitaris, ellipsoidaleae; conidia recta vel curvula, pallide brunnea, 3-septata, plerumque in coloniis dispersa, 20–25 x 4–6 µm.  Thyriothecia numera, orbicularis, portionio ad centralis dissolutus, portionio marginalis intactus et radiatus, ad 50µm diam.; asci ovalis, globosi, octospori, ad 20µm diam.; ascosporae conglobatae, brunneae, uniseptatae, plus minus constrictus ad septatus, 25–30 x 12–15 µm.

Colonies epiphyllous, subdense to dense, up to 2mm in diameter, confluent.  Hyphae straight to substraight, branching alternate to opposite at acute to wide angles, loosely reticulate, cells 16–20 x 5–8 µm. Appressoria unilateral, alternate to rarely opposite, ovate, globose, mammiform, broad based, entire, 10-15 x 7-10 µm.  Conidiophores  of Questieriella produced lateral to the hyphae, simple, straight, micronematous, mononematous, 0–2-septate, 20–25 x 4–6 µm; conidiogenous cells terminal, monoblastic, integrated, solitary, ellipsoidal; conidia straight to curved, pale brown, 3-septate, mostly scattered in the colonies, 20–25 x 4–6 µm.  Thyriothecia numerous, orbicular, central portion dissolved by exposing asci but the marginal cells remain intact and radiating, up to 50µm in diameter; asci oval, globose, octosporous, up to 20µm in diameter; ascospores conglobate, brown, uniseptate, more or less constricted at the septum, 25–30 x 12–15 µm.

The conidia of Questieriellawere scattered in the colonies, initially produced spores were intact and formed colonies.  In case of subsequently produced spores, terminal cells were disintegrated; middle cells were deep brown, appressoria and mycelium produced from the central cells.

This forms the first report of the genus Schiffnerula on the members of Aristolochiaceae (Hosagoudar, 2003, 2011). 

Etyomology:Based on the host genus.

 

Schiffnerula hoddurensissp. nov.

(Image 4)

 

Material examined:16.xi.2009, on leaves of Vitex negundo L. (Vitaceae), Hoddur, Kodagu, Karnataka, C. Jagath Thimmaiah TBGT 5698 (holotype), (MycoBank 564012).

Coloniae epiphyllae, densae, ad 7mm diam.  Hyphae flexuosae, suboppositae vel alternatae acuteque vel subacuteque ramosae, arte vel laxe reticulatae, cellulae 23–28 x 4–6 µm.  Appressoria dispersa, unilateralis vel alternata, raro opposita, unicellularis, globosa, mammiformes, crassa posita, integra, raro angularis, 5–10 x 6–11 µm.  Conidia Questieriellapauca, dispersa, 3-septata, leniter constrictus ad septata, recta vel curvula, attenuatae ad ambi apicem, cellulae terminalis acutae vel subacutae, 17–36 x 8–10 µm.  Thyriothecia dispersa, orbicularis, nigra ad initio, portionio centralis dissolutus ad maturitatus; asci globosi vel ovati, 15–18 µm diam.; ascosporae brunneae, conglobatae, uniseptatae, 23–26 x 11–13 µm.

Colonies epiphyllous, dense, up to 7mm in diameter. Hyphae flexuous, branching subopposite to alternate at acute to subacute angles, closely to loosely reticulate, cells 23–28 x 4–6 µm.  Appressoria scattered, unilateral to alternate, rarely opposite, unicellular, globose, mammiform, broad based, entire, rarely angular, 5–10 x 6–11 µm. Questieriellaconidia few, scattered, 3-septate, slightly constricted at the septa, straight to curved, taper towards both ends, end cells acute to subacute, 17–36 x 8–10 µm.  Thyriothecia scattered, orbicular, initially charcoal black, central portion dissolved at the centre at maturity; asci globose to ovate, 15–18 µm in dia.; ascospores brown, conglobate, uniseptate, 23–26 x 11–13 µm.

Sarcinella jabalpurensis R.C. Rajak & Soni is known on this host from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (Rajak & Soni 1981).  Since the Sarcinella state is not known in the present collection, it is not worth to state that both the taxa are the same.  Hence, the present collection has been placed under a new species of its teleomorph.

This species was associated with Asteridiella depokensis.

Etyomology: The species is named after its collection locality.

 

 

REFERENCES

 

Hosagoudar, V.B. (2003). The genus Schiffnerula and its synanamorphs.Zoos´ Print Journal 18(4): 1071–1078.

Hosagoudar, V.B. (2011). The genus Schiffnerula in India. Plant Pathology & Quarantine 1(2): 131–204.

Hosagoudar, V.B. & A. Sabeena (2010). New and less known fungi from Kerala, India. Taiwania 55(3): 249–253.

Rajak, R.C. & K.K. Soni (1981). Foliicolous ectoparasites from Jabalpur-I. Some Sarcinellae. Indian Journal of Mycology & Plant Pathology 11: 89–91.