Debunking Korunomyces

Abstract Korunomyces is a genus including fungi that produce stipitate, profusely branched, multicellular asexual reproductive structures (propagules) on leaves and in culture. Three species have been described in the genus: Korunomyces terminaliae – the type species, K. prostratus and K. zapatensis. No molecular studies have ever been conducted to elucidate the phylogenetic placement of Korunomyces. Recently, DNA sequences were obtained from pure cultures of K. prostratus and K. terminaliae, enabling an elucidation of their taxonomic placement. Isolates of K. prostratus obtained from diseased tissues of Miconia calvescens were observed for the first time to form pycnidial conidiomata in culture. A multi-gene phylogeny, including the large subunit of the nrDNA (nc LSU rDNA), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1), placed K. prostratus and K. terminaliae within Coniella (Schizoparmaceae). As Korunomyces is younger than Coniella, it is reduced to synonymy, and a new name and a new combination are proposed for these two species, namely: Coniella ferreirense nom. nov. and Coniella prostrata comb. nov. An emended description of Coniella to include the occasional formation of distinct and elaborate asexual propagules is also provided.