Studies of Neotropical tree pathogens in Moniliophthora: a new species, M.mayarum, and new combinations for Crinipellisticoi and C.brasiliensis

The crinipelloid genera Crinipellis and Moniliophthora (Agaricales, Marasmiaceae) are characterized by basidiomes that produce long, dextrinoid, hair-like elements on the pileus surface. Historically, most species are believed to be saprotrophic or, rarely, parasitic on plant hosts. The primary morphological diagnostic characters that separate Crinipellis and Moniliophthora are pliant vs. stiff (Crinipellis) stipes and a tendency toward production of reddish pigments (ranging from violet to orange) in the basidiome in Moniliophthora. Additionally, most species of Moniliophthora appear to have a biotrophic habit, while those of Crinipellis are predominantly saprotrophic. Recently, several new neotropical collections prompted a morphological and phylogenetic analysis of this group. Herein, we propose a new species and two new combinations: Moniliophthoramayarumsp. nov., described from Belize, is characterized by its larger pileus and narrower basidiospores relative to other related species; Moniliophthoraticoicomb. nov. (= Crinipellisticoi) is recollected and redescribed from biotrophic collections from northern Argentina; and M.brasiliensiscomb. nov. (= Crinipellisbrasiliensis), a parasite of Heteropterysacutifolia. The addition of these three parasitic species into Moniliophthora support a hypothesis of a primarily biotrophic/parasitic habit within this genus.