NEW SPECIES OF CALONECTRIA AND CYLINDROCLADIUM ISOLATED FROM SOIL IN THE TROPICS

Several Calonectria (Ca.) and Cylindroclad- ium (Cy.) species were recovered from alfalfa-baited soil samples gathered in Colombia and Venezuela. Perithecia of Calonectria naviculata sp. nov. formed in culture when Venezuelan strains of Cy. navicula- tum were crossed with ex-type Brazilian strains. Ca- lonectria gracilipes sp. nov. (anam. Cy. gracilioideum sp. nov.), a homothallic species, was isolated from Co- lombian soils. Cylindrocladium graciloideum, Cy. grac- ile, Cy. pteridis and Cy. pseudogracile form a complex of morphologically similar species characterized by clavate vesicles and primarily 1-septate conidia. Each species could, however, be distinguished using RFLP banding patterns. A key to Calonectria spp. having Cylindrocladium anamorphs with 1-septate conidia is also presented.