The new genus and species Arthroxylaria elegans is described for a synnematous hyphomycete isolated from pack rat dung. The fungus is characterized by the production of tall, lightly pigmented, indeterminate synnemata covered with a layer of unbranched or sparingly branched chains of 0-1-septate meristem arthroconidia. A synanamorph with sympodially-proliferating conidiogenous cells, producing minute aseptate conidia, is also produced. Phylogenetic analyses of partial small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences suggest that the fungus is related to the Xylariaceae, Xylariales, and analysis of internal transcribed spacer sequences places the fungus in Xylaria. The new species is compared with other anamorphs of the Xylariaceae, and a number of similar synnematous and mononematous hyphomycetes, including the poorly understood Bisporostilbella fusca, which is illustrated based on holotype material.
Seifert K. A., Gams W., Louis-Seize G. (2002): Arthroxylaria elegans, a new coprophilous anamorphic fungus allied with the Xylariaceae, with the notes on the genus Bisporostilbella. – Czech Mycology 53(4): 297–307.
