Two new species and one new record of Kretzschmaria (Ascomycota, Xylariales) from Iran

Abstract

Kretzschmaria hedjaroudei and Kretzschmaria iranica are described as new species based on collections from dead wood in northern Iran and on evidence from morphology and molecular phylogenetic data. Kretzschmaria hedjaroudei is phylogenetically close to Kretzschmaria deusta, from which it differs in its stromatal morphology, ascospore size and the size of the apical apparatus. Kretzschmaria iranica is similar to Kretzschmaria pavimentosa, but distinguishable by smaller ascospore size. Phylogenetic analyses of a combined matrix of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear rDNA and of a-actin (ACT1) gene sequences strongly support their status as two distinct new species within the genus Kretzschmaria. Moreover, Kretzschmaria zonata, a species previously only known from tropical countries, is encountered for the first time in Iran.