A Synopsis of the Genera and Species of the Tribe Theleboleae (= Pseudoascoboleae)

Abstract

Examination of genera of the Pseudoascoboleae (Ascomycetes, Discomycetes, Ascobolaceae) revealed that many were polytypic. Characters presently used to distinguish these genera are considered to be artificial and true relationships cut across accepted generic lines. Of the genera treated, Thecotheus and parts of Ascophanus, since their asci blue in iodine and their spores bear callose‐pectic markings, are considered more closely related to the Pezizeae. Other genera are excluded from the Pseudoascoboleae because of other striking characters. Since the Pseudoascoboleae is shown to be an artificial grouping, it is proposed to abandon the name, using instead the tribe name Theleboleae, placed in the Pezizaceae rather than the Ascobolaceae, for all of those genera with asci that do not blue in iodine, with smooth, elliptical spores without oil guttules, and with eight‐spored and multispored species. Four new genera are described: Iodophanus, for species of Ascophanus with iodine‐positive asci; Coprotus, for segments of Ascophanus and Ryparobius; Caccobius, for species intermediate to Ascozonus and Thelebolus; and Trichobolus, for the setose members of Thelebolus. The species of Ryparobius not belonging to Coprotus are transferred to Thelebolus.

Synoptic Key to the Genera of the Pezizales

“…Since I have included the Iodophaneae (to which Sphaerosoma belongs) as a tribe of the Ascobolaceae in this classification, a strict interpretation of the Code of Nomenclature indicates that I should have abandoned the family name Ascobolaceae, not published till 1884, and adopted instead Bail's name for the family. Fearing the howls of dissent which my colleagues would offer on "losing" the name Ascobolaceae, and also in some hesitancy as to whether in fact the Iodophaneae belong under the Ascobolaceae as treated here or should still be retained in the Pezizaceae as earlier proposed (Kimbrough and Korf, 1967), I have let matters stand unaltered at least for the time being. It is even possible that rediscovery of Klotzsch's type material, presumed lost, would show the type species really has iodine-negative asci!…”

“…in Kimbr. & Korf, 4 spp., Eckblad (1968), Kimbrough (1966[i]), Kimbrough and Korf (1967), Rehm (1887-1896.…”

“…Though originally placed in the Pezizaceae on the basis of the iodine reaction of the asci and the cyanophilic spore markings (Kimbrough and Korf, 1967), the genus is treated here in the Ascobolaceae, primarily on the basis that its ascospores are exceptionally thick-walled in early stages, recalling those of Ascobolus. Also similar to that genus are the pigments, and the possession of asci that protrude strongly above the hymenial surface just prior to ascospore discharge, which are unusually broad for the Pezizaceae.…”

Asci of the Pezizales. II. The apical apparatus of representatives in the Otidea–Aleuria complex

“…(Kimbrough 1966a(Kimbrough , 19666, 1972Kimbrough and Korf 1967;van Brummelen 1967;Wells 1972;Samuelson 1978). Chadefaud's (1942) work represented the major comprehensive study of the apical apparatus for the remainder of the operculate Discomycetes.…”

An enlarged concept of Trichobolus (Thelebolaceae, Pezizales) based on a new eight-spored species

“…This species appears to fit the concept of Trichobolus in most other respects. Therefore, it is necessary to enlarge the concept of this taxon as given by Kimbrough and Cain (1967). In addition, a new generic description and key are provided along with the description of this additional species.…”