New Cladosporium Species from Normal and Galled Flowers of Lamiaceae

A series of isolates of Cladosporium spp. were recovered in the course of a cooperative study on galls formed by midges of the genus Asphondylia (Diptera, Cecidomyidae) on several species of Lamiaceae. The finding of these fungi in both normal and galled flowers was taken as an indication that they do not have a definite relationship with the midges. Moreover, identification based on DNA sequencing showed that these isolates are taxonomically heterogeneous and belong to several species which are classified in two different species complexes. Two new species, Cladosporium polonicum and Cladosporium neapolitanum, were characterized within the Cladosporium cladosporioides species complex based on strains from Poland and Italy, respectively. Evidence concerning the possible existence of additional taxa within the collective species C. cladosporioides and C. pseudocladosporioides is discussed.

Automated summary

A series of isolates of Cladosporium spp. were found in normal and galled flowers caused by midges, indicating they may not have a definite relationship. Identification based on DNA sequencing revealed taxonomic heterogeneity among the isolates, belonging to different species complexes. Two new species were characterized within the Cladosporium cladosporioides complex.