A preliminary account of the <i>Cucurbitariaceae</i>
Abstract
Fresh collections, type studies and molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multigene matrix of partial nuSSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, rpb2 , tef1 and tub2 sequences were used to evaluate the boundaries of Cucurbitaria in a strict sense and of several related genera of the Cucurbitariaceae . Two species are recognised in Cucurbitaria and 19 in Neocucurbitaria . The monotypic genera Astragalicola , Cucitella , Parafenestella , Protofenestella , and Seltsamia are described as new. Fenestella is here included as its generic type F. fenestrata (= F. princeps ), which is lecto- and epitypified. Fenestella mackenzei and F. ostryae are combined in Parafenestella . Asexual morphs of Cucurbitariaceae , where known, are all pyrenochaeta- or phoma-like. Comparison of the phylogenetic analyses of the ITS-LSU and combined matrices demonstrate that at least rpb2 sequences should be added whenever possible to improve phylogenetic resolution of the tree backbone; in addition, the tef1 introns should be added as well to improve delimitation of closely related species.