Schroeteria decaisneana, S. poeltii, and Ciboria ploettneriana (Sclerotiniaceae, Helotiales, Ascomycota), three parasites on Veronica seeds: first report of teleomorphs in Schroeteria

Ciboria ploettneriana, Schroeteria decaisneana, and S. poeltii produce morphologically very similar apothecia emerging from fallen stromatized seeds of Veronica spp., the former two on V. hederifolia agg. in temperate central Europe cymbalaria mediterranean southern Europe. They are described illustrated detail based fresh collections or moist chamber cultures infected seeds. A key is provided to differentiate three species their teleomorphs. For first time, connections between teleomorphs anamorphs reported. Members anamorph-typified genus known as host-specific plant parasites that infect different spp. In earlier times, they were classified Ustilaginales (Basidiomycota), but since more than 30 years, referred false smut fungi producing smut-like chlamydospores, light microscopic ultrastructural studies which them Sclerotiniaceae (Helotiales). During present study, rDNA sequences obtained for time chlamydospores bornmuelleri (on rubrifolia), decaisneana hederifolia), delastrina (generic type, arvensis), cymbalaria) C. poeltii. As a result, anamorph-teleomorph connection could be established by 100% ITS similarity, whereas ploettneriana not connected anamorph. here-redefined sense clustered our combined phylogenetic analyses LSU relationship Sclerotinia s.l., Botrytis, Myriosclerotinia rather Ciboria, its placement was supported. Its affiliation retained until better solution found. Also unresolved this with much higher molecular distance. The remaining formed strongly supported monophyletic group, here “Schroeteria core clade”, medium high support sister clade Monilinia jezoensis, member alpina group section Disjunctoriae. We observed distances 5–6.3% among members clade, 13.8–14.7% poeltii, appears correlated deviating chlamydospore morphology Despite apparent paraphyly, accepted wide distinct Monilinia, particularly because special anamorphs. comparable heterogeneity other genera Sclerotiniaceae. Such should met skepticism, however, inclusion protein-coding genes resulted Monilinia. More sclerotiniaceous taxa analysed future, including Schroeteria. Four syntype specimens B reexamined revealing mixture growing Based larger ascospores comparison lectotype proposed ploettneriana.