Additions to the Knowledge of the Genus Pezicula (Dermateaceae, Helotiales, Ascomycota) in China

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Species of the genus Pezicula are endophytes, phytopathogens, or saprobes, and some of them have biocontrol potential, promoting plant growth and resistance to environmental stress. The species diversity of Pezicula in China was reviewed. Two new species (P. ellipsoids and P. fusispora) and two new Chinese records (P. acericola and P. carpinea) were discovered using morphological and molecular approaches. Descriptions and illustrations of macroscopic and microscopic features were provided for the new and newly found taxa. Pezicula aurantiaca was excluded from the fungal catalogue of China. Together with the previously reported taxa (P. cinnamomea, P. ericae, P. heterochroma, P. magnispora, P. melanigena, P. neosporulosa, P. ocellata, P. rhizophila, P. cf. rubi, and P. subcarnea), 14 Pezicula species are currently known from China. The results provide updated information and improve our understanding of the genus. ABSTRACT: We describe two new species of Pezicula (Dermateaceae, Ascomycota), P. ellipsoides and P. fusispora, which are discovered in China. Pezicula ellipsoides sp. nov. is distinct in producing 2–3 stipitate apothecia on a basal stroma with a light yellow hymenium, broadly ellipsoid 0–1(–2)-septate ascospores, and divergent DNA sequence data. Pezicula fusispora sp. nov. is characterized by sessile apothecia, 0.3–0.8 mm in diam, a yellowish hymenium, J+ asci 135–170 × 15–21 μm, multiseptate ascospores, 33–48 × 7–10.3 μm, and growing on rotten bamboo. In addition, Pezicula acericola and P. carpinea are reported for the first time from China, and 11 Pezicula species previously reported from China are reviewed and briefly noted, of which one was a misidentified species. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS nrDNA sequences confirm the placement of P. ellipsoides and P. cinnamomea in the genus Pezicula.