Furculomyces, a new homothallic genus of Harpellales (Trichomycetes) from Australian midge larvae

A new genus, Furculomyces, is established for two Australian species of trichomycete gut fungi that live in the hindguts of aquatic Chironomidae (Diptera) larvae. The new genus is based primarily on the sexual apparatus consisting of a swollen pair of homothallic conjugants that resemble a wishbone, from which develops a slightly bent biconical zygospore. The type species, Furculomyces boomerangus comb, no v. (basionym: Smittium boomerangum) has been found in Victorian and Tasmanian midges, whereas the new species, Furculomyces westraliensis, is from a midge species in southern Western Australia. These species support other evidence that native Australian gut fungi have a provincial distribution. Key words: Australian, Chironomidae, fungi, Furculomyces, Harpellales, Trichomycetes.