Octospora pulchrispora (Pezizales) – a new bryophilous species on Cynodontium polycarpon.

• DOI: 10.33585/cmy.76104
• Publication Date: 2024-05-03T16:12:11Z
• Authors: Zuzana Sochorová; Jan Eckstein; Michal Sochor

Octospora pulchrispora Sochorová et Eckstein is described as a new species based on finds from the Czech Republic. It features a remarkable ascospore ornamentation formed by low, branching, cyanophilous ridges. It parasitises the acrocarpous moss Cynodontium polycarpon (Rhabdoweisiaceae) and induces galls on the rhizoids. In the phylogenetic analysis based on the LSU, SSU and EF1α loci, O. pulchrispora formed a highly supported clade with Octospora gyalectoides agg., O. leucoloma, O. gemmicola, O. axillaris, O. excipulata, O. bridei and two undescribed Octospora species.