Systematics and physiology of Cladophialophora matsushimae (Chaetothyriales) associated with ant carton and five new combinations in Cladophialophora and Epibryon

A black mould was isolated from an ant carton on dead petioles of Phoenix roebelenii during a survey of tropical ant-associated fungi. Morphology coupled with phylogeny based on the combined ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1-α and β-tub loci identified this taxon as Cladophialophora matsushimae. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses were used to clarify the phylogenetic affinities of the species. Several global reports of Cladophialophora matsushimae linked the fungus to ant cartons, indicating a specific ecological preference observed repeatedly in Chaetothyriales. We provide microscopic and physiological characteristics of poorly known fungus, C. matsushimae. Furthermore, we transferred Cladophialophora humicola Crous & U. Braun, C. minutissima M.L. Davey & Currah, and C. sylvestris Crous & de Hoog to Epibryon (Epibryaceae) and Fonsecaea brasiliensis V.A. Vicente, Najafz., C.H.W. Klaassen & de Hoog and F. minima V.A. Vicente, Najafz., J.F. Sun & de Hoog to Cladophialophora, introduce five new combinations based on phylogenetic evidences.