The identity of Cintractia carpophila var. kenaica: reclassification of a North American smut on Carex micropoda as a distinct species of Anthracoidea

Cintractia carpophila var. kenaica, a neglected taxon described from Alaska more than half a century ago, is re-described and illustrated. Its nomenclature and taxonomic status are discussed. This smut species is characterised by small spores with a very finely verruculose surface rarely enclosed by a thin, hyaline, mucilaginous sheath, a wall with 2–5 distinct internal swellings, and parasitism on Carex micropoda (Carex sect. Dornera). It is reallocated to the genus Anthracoidea as a distinct species, Anthracoidea kenaica comb. nov., and assigned to Anthracoidea section Leiosporae which includes species having smooth or very finely verruculose spores. Morphological and biological characteristics of the five most similar Anthracoidea species are contrasted and discussed.