Abstract

A new hyphomycete, Leptodiscella brevicatenata, is described based on morphology, growth profilings and DNA sequence comparisons. The new species, isolated from soil in Spain, is characterized by producing conidia with 3- to 9-mu m-long appendages and chlamydospores borne singly or in short, simple chains of 2-4 cells. Analyses of sequences of the 5.8S and 28S ribosomal DNA and internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster indicated that L. brevicatenata is close to L. chlamydospora. The latter species, however, grows faster than L. brevicatenata at 30A degrees C and produces conidia with shorter appendages and chlamydospores which are often arranged in long, sometimes branched, chains. The phylogenetic study revealed that Leptodiscella spp. represent a new lineage of the Dothideomycetes, relatively close to the order Acrospermales. A key to the accepted Leptodiscella species is provided.