Moelleriella zhongdongii: stroma development and identification of hirsutella-like and Aschersonia synanamorphs

Abstract

Collections of Moelleriella zhongdongii were made at the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. Fresh collections were examined to evaluate developmental stages. Isolations were made from single part-ascospores and Aschersonia conidia. Moelleriella zhongdongii produces perithecia with evanescent asci and part-ascospores, and both hirsutella-like and Aschersonia synanamorphs. Both anamorphs were produced in pure cultures under cultural conditions optimal to induce the respective anamorphs. Low-nutrient conditions favoured production of the hirsutella-like anamorph while high-nutrient conditions favoured development of the Aschersonia anamorph. The teleomorph developed on leaves of host plants but were not produced in vitro.