Revision of Lophiotremataceae ( Pleosporales , Dothideomycetes ): Aquasubmersaceae , Cryptocoryneaceae , and Hermatomycetaceae fam. nov.

The family Lophiotremataceae ( Pleosporales , Dothideomycetes ) is taxonomically revised on the basis of morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses of sequences of nuclear rDNA SSU, ITS, and LSU regions and tef1 and rpb2 genes. A total of 208 sequences were generated from species of Lophiotremataceae and its relatives. According to phylogenetic analyses, Lophiotremataceae encompasses the genus Lophiotrema and five new genera: Atrocalyx , Crassimassarina , Cryptoclypeus , Galeaticarpa , and Pseudocryptoclypeus . These genera are characterised by ascomata with or without a slit-like ostiole and pycnidial conidiomata. Three new families, Aquasubmersaceae , Cryptocoryneaceae , and Hermatomycetaceae , are proposed. Two genera previously recognised as members of Lophiotremataceae , namely, Aquasubmersa having ascomata with a papillate ostiolar neck and pycnidial conidiomata and Hermatomyces possessing sporodochial conidiomata and dimorphic (lenticular and cylindrical) conidia, are included in Aquasubmersaceae and Hermatomycetaceae , respectively. Cryptocoryneum , characterised by the presence of stromatic sporodochia, cheiroid conidia, and conidial arms developed downward from the cap cells, is placed in Cryptocoryneaceae . Two new genera, Antealophiotrema and Pseudolophiotrema , are established, but their familial placements remain unresolved. Antealophiotrema bears ascomata morphologically similar to those of Lophiotrema , but is differentiated from the latter by having ascomata with a well-developed peridium and a monodictys-like asexual morph. Pseudolophiotrema is also similar to Lophiotrema , but can be distinguished by ascomata with a thin peridium. A total of three new families, seven new genera, eight new species, and two new combinations are described and illustrated.