Rostrupiella danica gen. et sp nov., a Lulworthia-like marine lignicolous species from Denmark and the USA

A Lulworthia-like species with affinities to Lulworthia opaca (=Halophiobolus opacus) and L. longirostris (=H. longirostris) was discovered on driftwood collected along the Danish coast and from the northwestern coast of the USA. Examination of the type material of L. opaca and L. longirostris leads to the conclusion that the two species are different at the generic level. Lulworthia longirostris shares several characters in common with the Lulworthia-like species collected in Denmark. A detailed study of the Lulworthia-like species has provided evidence for the erection of a new genus Rostrupiella to accommodate it. The new taxon is characterised by large ascomata that are deeply seated within the wood, with long necks extending through the wood to the surface, a bell-like structure protruding into the centrum, large, melanised bladder cells present in the wood cells and formation of inhibition zones in the host tissue. Partial nuclear LSU ribosomal RNA gene of Rostrupiella was sequenced to determine its phylogenetic relationship with other genera in the Lulworthiales.