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Title: HYPOCREA/TRICHODERMA (ASCOMYCOTA, HYPOCREALES, HYPOCREACEAE): SPECIES WITH GREEN ASCOSPORES

Author
item Samuels, Gary
item CHAVERRI, P - STU; PA ST U, UNI PK, PA

Submitted to: Studies in Mycology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/2004
Publication Date: 12/31/2004
Citation: Samuels, G.J., Chaverri, P. 2003 Hypocrea/trichoderma (ascomycota, hypocreales, hypocreaceae): species with green ascospores. Studies in Mycology. 48: 1-116

Interpretive Summary: Fungi in the genus Hypocrea, often as the Trichoderma asexual states, are useful in the biological control of plant diseases. The classification and identification of these microfungi are difficult yet important for the discovery and development of biological control agents. A monographic account of species of Hypocrea having green ascospores and their asexual Trichoderma states was written based on a study of specimens and cultures from throughout the world. For many species the connection between the sexually reproducing Hypocrea and its asexual state was made for the first time using both morphological and molecular data. Eleven new species of Hypocrea and thirteen new species of Trichoderma are discovered and described. Thirty-nine species of Hypocrea and Trichoderma are described and illustrated along with keys for their identification. This research will be used by plant pathologists who are working to develop more effective agents that can be used in the biological control of plant diseases.

Technical Abstract: The systematics of species of Hypocrea with green ascospores and their Trichoderma anamorphs is presented. Analyses of multiple characters of the teleomorph, anamorph, colony, and growth were conducted. In addition, phylogenetic analyses of two genes, RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1@), were performed. These data reveal that species of Hypocrea/Trichoderma with green ascospores do not form a monophyletic group but are derived from within the genus. The species concept for Hypocrea/Trichoderma applied here is based on a combination of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. In this study the 39 species of Hypocrea/Trichoderma having green ascospores are described and illustrated along with a dichotomous keys to those species. These include eleven new species of Hypocrea and thirteen new species of Trichoderma. In addition, twelve species described from Hypocrea are excluded and placed in other genera.