Marine Fungi from Tropical America and Africa

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Abstract
Collections of marine fungi from tropical and subtropical habitats comprise 18 Ascomycetes, eight Deuteromycetes and one basidiomycete. New taxa described are: Kymadiscus haliotrephus nov. gen., nov. comb. (Basionym: Buellia haliotrepha J. & E. Kohlm.), Manglicola guatemalensis nov. gen., nov. sp., Cytospora rhizophorae nov. sp., and Rhabdospora avicenniae nov. sp. Remaining species belong to the genera Corollospora, Didymosphaeria, Hydronectria, Keissleriella, Lentcscospora, Leptosphaeria, Lignincola, Lindra, Lulworthia, Mycosphaerella, Remispora, Torpedospora, Nia, Culcitalna, Macrophoma, Periconia, Phoma, Varicosporina and Zalerion. Areas of collection include the Bahamas, Brazil, Florida, Guatemala, Mexico, North Carolina, South and West Africa. Almost all species are new records for these regions. Geographical distribution and transoceanic dispersal of marine fungi are discussed. Most specimens were collected in mangrove habitats on Avicennia and Rhizophora. New hosts for marine fungi are Cymodocea manatorum (manatee grass) and Pachira aquatica. The basidiomycete, Nia vibrissa, known only from submerged wood panels, was found on Rhizophora and Spartina. Spores of several species were gathered with foam on the shore. Centrum morphology of ascocarps in Halosphaeriaceae is discussed and the new term “catenophyses” is proposed for pseudoparenchymatic chains of cells. Interference contrast equipment was used for the first time to investigate marine fungi. Gelatinous and hyaline structures of ascocarps, pycnidia and spores are illustrated. Ideas on evolutionary trends in higher marine fungi are expressed.