90c and d). Ascospores 45–53 × 20–24 μm (\( \barx = 48.5 \times 22.3 \mu \textm \), n = 10), obliquely uniseriate and partially overlapping to biseriate, clavate with a rounded apex and acute base, reddish brown, 2-septate, buy GW3965 apical cell largest, selleck chemicals llc broader than the lower cells, basal cell smallest, constricted at the septa, smooth-walled, surrounded by a regular hyaline gelatinous sheath, 3–6 μm thick (Fig. 90e and f). Anamorph: none reported. Material examined: UK, Avon, nr Bath, Batheaston, on branch of Ulmus, C.E. Broome (L, No. 910.251-352, No. 910.251-371).

Notes Morphology A confusing outline of the history of Splanchnonema was provided by Shoemaker and LeClair (1975), which at the time was a valid, but little used name. Eriksson (1981) and Sivanesan (1984) stated (without comment) that the lectotype of Splanchnonema Ro 61-8048 mouse is S. pupula (Fr.) O. Kuntze. However, S. pustulatum is listed as the generic type in the online databases MycoBank and Index Fungorum. We assume Eriksson (1981) gained his data from Shoemaker and LeClair (1973), who considered S. pustulatum

to be a synonym of S. pupula. Since we were unable to locate material of Corda or Fries we used a later collection of C.E. Broome. Splanchnonema can be distinguished from the morphologically comparable genera, i.e. Pleomassaria or Splanchospora by its depressed ascomata, and obovoid and asymmetrical ascospores (Barr

1982b). Currently, about 40 species are included in this genus. Barr (1993a) provided a key to 27 North American species, however, the inclusion of species with a range of ascospore types and immersed to superficial ascomata suggests the genus to be polyphyletic. Tanaka et al. (2005) suspected that the genus might include species of Pleomassaria, thus this genus needs further study. Phylogenetic study Splanchnonema platani (= Massaria platani) is poorly supported to be related to Lentitheciaceae (Schoch et al. 2009). Concluding remarks Splanchnonema pustulatum Exoribonuclease has unique ascospores formed in immersed ascomata with thin walls, indicating that Splanchnonema sensu stricto should be confined to a few similar species. The type needs recollecting, sequencing and epitypifying in order to establish the phylogenetic relationships of this genus and to study what may be important defining characters. Also see entry under Pleomassaria. Sporormia De Not., Micromyc. Ital. Novi 5: 10 (1845). (Sporormiaceae) Generic description Habitat terrestrial, saprobic (coprophilous). Ascomata small, solitary, scattered, immersed to erumpent, globose, subglobose, wall black; apex without obvious papilla, ostiolate. Peridium thin. Hamathecium of rare, broad, septate pseudoparaphyses. Asci 8-spored, bitunicate, fissitunicate dehiscence not observed, short cylindrical, with a short, narrowed, furcate pedicel.