About the genus Thecaphora (Glomosporiaceae) and its new synonyms

After a short overview of the species of Thecaphora, some of the morphological characteristics of the genus, particularly the presence of spore balls and absence of sterile cells, as well as the variable germination pattern, are discussed. Based on morphological, ultrastructural and molecular phylogenetic analyses using LSU rDNA sequences, it is shown that, in addition to Tothiella, both Glomosporium and Kochmania are synonyms of the genus Thecaphora. A new combination, Thecaphora oxalidis, is proposed for Ustilago oxalidis. A slightly modified description of the genus Thecaphora is given. The uncertain generic position of two Thecaphora species, T. anemarrhenae and T. bulbinellae, on monocotyledonous host plants is discussed.