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Dendryphiella

Dendryphiella species are not among the most common of fungi but any isolations from ocean beaches will turn them up in abundance. Two species are known in this habitat, D. arenaria, at left, and D. salina, at right. Both are common but often not overlapping in their ranges, with D. salina found in cool climates and D. arenaria in warm ones. Other species, including the type, occur on decomposing plants in terrestrial situations. Species of Dendryphiella are recognized by their sympodially developing conidiogenous cells producing dark poroconidia with several transverse septa.

Mycologists have long debated whether the two marine species belong in the genus Dendryphiella or Scolecobasidium. They are very similar morphologically, so the distinction really boils down to some very obscure features. Dela Cruz et al (2006) finally laid the controversy to rest by presenting molecular evidence that D. arenaria and D. salina are closely related to one another and only very distantly related to species of Scolecobasidium. Of course there is one futher issue left to resolve; the genus Dendryphiella was typified (created specifically) for Dendryphiella interseminata (Berk. & Ravenel) Bubák, a species orginally described from Phytolacca decandra (=Phytolacca americana), American pokeweed and Cicuta maculata, Spotted cowbane. It is not yet known whether D. interseminata is closely related to the two marine species or not. If not, our two beach inhabitants will have to find a home in yet another genus.

Habitat: decaying stems and marine algae.

Classification: Pleosporaceae (Pleosporales). Holomorphs unknown. Refs.: Kohlmeyer and Volkmann-Kohlmeyer, 1991 (for marine species), Ellis, 1976 (as species of Scolecobasidium).


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