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Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Università dell’Aquila, 67100 Coppito (AQ), Italy
A. Weir 1
Faculty of Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 350 Illick Hall, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, New York 13210
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ABSTRACT |
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 TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONMATERIALS AND METHODSTAXONOMYLITERATURE CITED |
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Three new Laboulbeniales occurring on Brazilian Diptera are described. These are Stigmatomyces cearensis, parasitic on Guttipsilopa (Nesopsilopa) stonei (Mathis & Wirth) (Ephydridae); Stigmatmyces gratiellae, parasitic on Cressonomyia meridionalis (Cresson) (Ephydridae); and Stigmatomyces litoralis, parasitic on Glenanthe caribea Mathis and Paraglenanthe bahamensis Wirth (both Ephydridae). Fifteen other dipterophilous Laboulbeniales are reported for the first time from Brazil. The synonomy between Stigmatomyces notiphilae Thaxt. and S. leucophengae Thaxt. also is proposed.
Key words: Brazil, Diptera, fungi, taxonomy
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INTRODUCTION |
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TOPABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONMATERIALS AND METHODSTAXONOMYLITERATURE CITED |
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). The most recent attempt to bring together information on the occurrence of fungi resulted in a checklist containing more than 4600 fungal names (Da Silva and Minter 1995). This checklist drew heavily on the work of Professor A.C. Batista and co-workers at the Universidade de Recife and is particularly strong in plant-associated taxa. There are only a few records of fungi associated with invertebrate animals listed, and none of these pertain to the Laboulbeniales, arguably the most diverse group of fungi associated with these hosts. Perusal of the existing literature on the Laboulbeniales of Brazil reveals about 100 known species including a few varieties. Most of these taxa are recorded from the Amazonian region and have been found on the integument of beetles (Coleoptera, Insecta). As far as we can ascertain, no Laboulbeniales previously have been recorded from drier states such as Ceará. In this paper we report the collection of 18 species of Laboulbeniales associated with flies (Diptera, Insecta) from Ceará. Three of these species are described as new; the remaining 15 species represent first collections for Brazil. |
MATERIALS AND METHODS |
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TOPABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONMATERIALS AND METHODSTAXONOMYLITERATURE CITED |
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and photographed using a Photoautomat WILD MPS46/52 camera. Holotypes of the newly described species are deposited in the Botanical Museum of Florence (FI) with other slides in the collections of the authors. |
TAXONOMY |
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TOPABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONMATERIALS AND METHODSTAXONOMYLITERATURE CITED |
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Parasitus Guttipsilopae stonei in Brasiliae regione Ceara vulgo appellata.
Habit relatively short and stout. Receptacle hyaline; the rest of the fungus is reddish brown, the perithecial neck and the upper portion of the free appendage being paler. Receptacle short and subconical, with the basal cell slightly longer than the suprabasal. Stalk cell of the appendage about twice as long as broad, its outer margin distally prominent. Free appendage composed of three successively smaller cells, each bearing two antheridia. Stalk and basal cells region of perithecium rather short and compact, broader distally. Perithecial body symmetrically inflated, about as long as its maximum width, not clearly distinguished, except for the darker color, from the spreading base of the neck; the latter about as long as the body, very slightly curved, slightly tapering to the hardly distinguished tip, ending with five hyaline, slightly divergent lips, of which four are truncate, while the fifth is distincly taller and sub-triangular. Total length 145–250 µm; length of the receptacle 45–80 µm; length of the appendage 50–55 µm; width of perithecium 45–70 µm; ascospores 35 µm.
HOLOTYPE. BRAZIL, Ceará, Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on the apex of the abdomen of a female specimen of Guttipsilopa (Nesopsilopa) stonei (Mathis & Wirth) (Ephydridae), 1 Dec 1998, E. Bergonzo, No. 2356 FI. PARATY PES. Same data as the type, Nos. 2344 and 2345; same data as the type, 28 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi, No. 2244.
Remarks. – The new species seems to be most closely allied morphologically with Sigmatomyces rugosus Thaxt. The host insects of the two parasites are related closely. However, S. rugosus usually is more elongated and has a distinctly longer and paler perithecial neck, even in shorter specimens. Other remarkable differences are found in the structure of the appendage and of the perithecial tip, and, of course, in the verrucosity of the perithecial body.
Stigmatomyces constrictus Thaxter 1901
Known distribution and hosts. – This species has been reported on various genera of the large family Chloropidae from around the world, with the exception of Asia. Reports include: North America (U.S.A.), Central America (Mexico and Panama), West Indies (Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago), South America (Bolivia), Africa (Cameroon), Europe (Great Britain and Italy), Oceania (Bismark Archipelago).
New records from Brazil. – Ceará, Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on Elachiptera cf. flavida Williston (Chloropidae), 8–10 Oct 1997 and 28 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi. Ceará, torrent near Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 810 m elevation, 04°15.2'S, 38°57.2'W, on Gomaspis sp. (Chloropidae), 13 Oct 1999, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi.
Remarks. – The integument of one of the specimens of Elachiptera clearly was damaged by the parasitic fungus. A rounded, dark-brown area was found at the base of the various thalli growing on the abdomen of the host insect. Where the fungi were growing near each other, the dark areas were fused together, forming larger areas, which sometimes were conspicuous. A tiny hole was clearly visible at the center of the darker areas. This is the first report of obvious damage to the integument of the host by a species of Stigmatomyces.
Stigmatomyces curvirostris Thaxter 1917 FIGS. 7–8
Known distribution and hosts. – Described from parasites found on the abdomen of specimens of Paralimna (P.) multipunctata Williston (= ciliata Cresson) (Ephydridae) from Jamaica (type) and Grenada; the single record on Parydra sp. from Jamaica needs confirmation.
New records from Brazil. – Ceará, Açude de Quebra, near Meruoca, 670 m elevation, 03°32.8'S, 40°26.9'W, on sternites and femora of a single female specimen of Paralimna (P.) agryostoma Cresson, 2 Dec 1998, E. Bergonzo.
Remarks. –
The numerous Brazilian parasites found on the sternites and the femora (FIG. 7) are consistent with Thaxter’s description and drawing (Thaxter 1917, 1931), except for being much taller (total length: 360–610 µm).
On the contrary, the parasites found on the anterior, left tibia of the same host are different (FIG. 8). In fact, these are stouter (total length: 185–200 µm), having a shorter stalk and basal cell of the perithecium, perithecial neck and stalk cell of the appendage, while the perithecial venter is more inflated. The appendage structure is also different, with the main axis composed of three cells, the median of which bears two antheridia and the others three antheridia each. These latter specimens do not match described species; however, they share with Stigmatomyces paralimnae Thaxt. the stout habit, the shape of the perithecial neck and, above all, the structure of the appendage. Thalli matching the description of S. paralimnae were found on the anterior coxae of the same fly (see below).
Stigmatomyces ?discocerinae Thaxter 1917 FIGS. 1–6
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; Rossi 1993, 1998).
New records from Brazil. –
Ceará, Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on a few specimens of Discocerina obscurella, 28 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi (FIGS. 2, 5); Ceará, Açude de Quebra, near Meruoca, 670 m elevation, 03°32.8'S 40°26.9'W, on the mesonotum of a female specimen of D. obscurella Cresson, 2 Dec 1998, E. Bergonzo.
Other examined specimens. –
BOLIVIA, Provincia Florida, Departamento de Santa Cruz, on the mesonotum of a single specimen of D. obscurella collected along the banks of Rio Pirai near Cuevas, 1 Oct 1996, P. Bettella and W. Rossi (FIG. 1); BOLIVIA, Provincia Florida, Departamento de Santa Cruz, at the base of the right wing of a single specimen of D. obscurella, collected on the muddy banks of a shallow stream near Pampa Grande, 3 Oct 1996, P. Bettella and W. Rossi (FIG. 4). ARGENTINA, Buenos Aires, San Isidro, Reservacion Nacional Ribera Norte, on various parts of a few specimens of D. obscurella, 27 Jan 1994, W. Rossi (FIGS. 3, 6).
Remarks. –
The issue of the parasites of Discocerina in South and Central America apparently is a complex one. In fact, Thaxter (1917) described three different species on the basis of the parasites obtained from these insects: Stigmatomyces caribbeus Thaxt., from Panama and Jamaica; S. chilensis Thaxt., from Chile; and S. discocerinae Thaxt., from Jamaica and Trinidad. A fouth species was added later, S. asymmetricus Thaxt., described from specimens found on Discocerina sp. from Cameroon (Thaxter 1918). Only one of these four species of Laboulbeniales, Stigmatomyces discocerinae, has been recorded after its description.
The fungi observed on a few specimens of Discocerina obscurella (Fallén) from Brazil, although displaying a certain degree of variability, do not match any of the four species reported above, having a more slender habit. Moreover, they differ from S. caribbeus and S. chilensis in the number of cells forming the axis of the free appendage, which is three and five respectively in the two latter species, while there is always four in the Brazilian specimens. As to S. discocerinae, it has a more inflated perithecial venter with a rugose surface. The Brazilian fungi bear some resemblance to S. asymmetricus but, among other distinguishing characters, they lack the distinct asymmetry of the African species.
The question is confused further by the variability observed among the parasites found on Discocerina obscurella from different South American countries. In fact, the fungi from the tergites of a Bolivian host insect are different from those found on the mesonotum of another fly of the same species; similar differences were observed among the parasites found on the tergites and the mesonotum of different specimens of D. obscurella collected in Argentina (unpublished records).
On the whole, all of these specimens seem to form a continuous series without clear delineation. The only constant character of the South American parasites seems to be the number of cells forming the axis of the free appendage, which is always four. The same is true for the number of the antheridia, with the only exception being a few Bolivian specimens, which have six antheridia instead of eight. Further study on more abundant material is needed for clarification of this question.
Stigmatomyces drapetis Thaxter 1917
Known distribution and hosts. –
Reported on various species of Drapetis (Hybotidae), most of which were unidentified, in Central America (Panama, Jamaica, Trinidad) and South America (Ecuador) (Thaxter 1931). The two hosts reported by Thaxter for Jamaica recently were identified by G. Raffone (Venice). They are Drapetis (Elaphropeza) tenera Melander (No. 1724) and D.(E.) simplicipes Melander (No. 1870).
New records from Brazil. – Ceará, Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on Elaphropeza bergonzoi Raffone (Hybotidae), 26 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi.
Remarks. – This is the first collection of Stigmatomyces drapetis since Thaxter’s records.
Stigmatomyces ephydrae Mercier et Poisson 1927
Known distribution and hosts. – To date this species was reported only from Europe (France, Finland, Russia, Italy and Great Britain) on Ephydra spp. and Setacera micans (Haliday) (Ephydridae).
New records from Brazil. – Ceará, Rio Banabuiú near Limoeiro do Norte, 05°08.8'S, 38°09.4' W, on the tergites of a few female specimens of Dimecoenia abrupta Cresson collected on floating algal mats, 25 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi; Rio Jaguaribe near Limoeiro do Norte, 05°09.2' S, 38°07.4' W, on D. abrupta, 12 Oct 1999, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi.
Remarks. – Brazilian parasites are variable. This variability seems largely related to the position of the thalli on the host’s body. Actually, the thalli found on the anterior portion of the tergites are much shorter compared with those on anterior femora and near the tip of the abdomen. The latter also have a longer appendage, with the main axis composed of 5–7 cells, compared to 4 usually in thalli from the tergites and legs.
Stigmatomyces gratiellae Bergonzo, W. Rossi et A. Weir sp. nov. FIG. 14
Fungus plerumque sigmoideus, ferrugineo colore, receptaculo, cellula stirpis perithecii et perithecii collo dilutioribus. Receptaculum elongatum, cellula basali suprabasali adaequante aut paulo superante. Cellula stirpis appendicis circiter sesqui longior quam latior. Appendix e 3 cellulis constans, quarum basalis elongata, circiter triplo longior quam latior, singulo antheridio praedita; ceterae gradatim breviores, bina antheridia ferentes. Cellulae peritecio subiacentes subequae, cunctae cellulam appendicem sufferentem adaequantes, ventraliter productae. Perithecii venter anguste ovatus, non clare praeter colorem a collo distinctus. Perithecii collum paulo longior quam venter, ad summum extra incurvatum, apice 4 inaequalibus labiis praedito, quorum exteriora brevia ac bilobata, interiora vero multo lon-giora ac obtusa. Murales cellulae ventris et colli perithecii in cochleam tortae. Tota longitudo (280–)325–370 µm; longitudo receptaculi (87–)105–140 µm; longitudo appendicis 65–80 µm; latitudo perithecii 50–57 µm; ascosporae circiter 40 µm.
Parasitus Cressonomyiae meridionalis in Brasiliae regione Ceara vulgo appellata.
General habit usually sigmoid. Receptacle, and stalk cell and neck of the perithecium tinged with pale, yellowish brown; the rest of the fungus is reddish brown. Receptacle elongated, with the suprabasal cell as long as the basal or slightly longer. Stalk cell of the appendage about one and a half times longer than its maximum width. Axis of the appendage composed of three cells, the lower of which is unusually large, and bears two divergent antheridia; other cells are shorter and bear two superposed antheridia each. Stalk and basal cells of the perithecium subequal, the two outer slightly prominent; the region about as high as the stalk-cell of the appendage. Lower half of the venter symmetrically inflated, tapering distally to the base of the paler neck, which is slightly longer than the venter, the tip bent outwardly, and the apical lips strongly unequal, the two external ones short and bilobed, and the two internal much longer and obtuse. The wall cells of the perithecium are distinctly spiralled, the twist involving both the venter and the neck. Total length (280–)325–370 µm; length of the receptacle (87–)105–140 µm; length of the appendage 65–80 µm; width of perithecium 50–57 µm; ascospores about 40 µm.
HOLOTYPE. BRAZIL, Ceará, Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on the left side of the abdomen of Cressonomyia meridionalis (Cresson) (Ephydridae), 7–8 Dec 1999, E. Bergonzo, No. 2413 FI. PARATY PE. BRAZIL, Ceará, Lago Cana Brava, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 038°57.6'W, on the femora of a female specimen of C. meridionalis, 28 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi, No. 2258 FI
Etymology. – Named after late M. Graziella Cesari Rossi, student of the Laboulbeniales 1974–1982, unexpectedly passed away in 2001.
Remarks. – In specimens from the femora the perithecial venter is more elliptical and its wall cells are not spirally twisted; moreover, their spores are distincly longer (48 µm). This new parasite is different from any other known species. Its more distinctive characters are the spiral twist of the perithecial wall cells, the elongate basal cell of the appendage and the strongly asymmetrical perithecial apex.
Stigmatomyces hydrochasmatis W. Rossi 1998
Known distribution and hosts. – This species recently was described from Bolivia on Hydrochasma incisum (Coquillet) (Ephydridae).
New records from Brazil. – Ceará, Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on H. incisum, 28 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi; Ceará, S. Antonio artificial lake, near Maracanaù, 160 m elevation, 03°56.5'S, 38°38.5'W, on H. incisum, 23 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi; Ceará, Açude de Quebra, near Meruoca, 670 m elevation, 03°32.8'S, 40°26.9'W, on H. incisum, 2 Dec 1998, E. Bergonzo.
Remarks. – The abundant new material collected in Brazil makes it possible to confirm the recent description of this species.
Stigmatomyces ilytheae Thaxter 1917
Known distribution and hosts. – Widespread species, reported from the U.S.A, West Indies, Bolivia, Cameroon and Indonesia on species in the genus Zeros (as Ilythea) (Ephydridae).
New records from Brazil. – Ceará, Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on Zeros fenestralis (Cresson), 8–10 Oct 1997 and 28 September 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi.
Remarks. – All the flies bearing Stigmatomyces ilytheae also were parasitized by one or more "morphospecies" of Ilytheomyces. Thalli of Stigmatomyces ilytheae, however, were found only at the base and on the femora of the forelegs of males and on the mesonotum and head of females, where thalli of Ilytheomyces never were observed.
Stigmatomyces limnophorae Thaxter 1901
Known distribution and hosts. – Recorded from several American countries (Bolivia, Cuba, Grenada, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, U.S.A and Venezuela), from West Africa (Cameroon) and from tropical Asia (Indonesia and Philippines).
New records from Brazil. – Ceará, Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on Limnophora sp. (Muscidae), 18 Oct 1999, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi.
Remarks. – Brazilian specimens growing on host’s femora were distinctly longer than those from the tergites.
Stigmatomyces lingulatus Thaxter 1917
Known distribution and hosts. – Known only from the type series, which was found on the tergites of a single specimen of Parydra humilis Williston from Jamaica.
New records from Brazil. – Ceará, Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on the tergites of a female specimen of Parydra humilis Williston, 8–10 Oct 1997, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi.
Remarks. –
The Brazilian specimens differ slightly from those described by Thaxter (1917), which have a longer receptacle with basal and suprabasal cells nearly equal in length. On other specimens of P. humilis collected in the same place, but on different portions of the body, thalli distinct from S. lingulatus were observed. In particular, the parasites found on the inferior surface of the left wing, near the base, were stout, with short receptacle and perithecial neck. On the contrary, those found on the upper surface of the right wing, near the base, were elongate, with a slender perithecium. The thalli on the anterior and median right femora were even longer than the latter, from which they differed also in their more slender perithecial neck. Thalli at the apex of the median left tibia were stout, with a broad perithecial neck not clearly distinguished from the venter. Finally, the thalli growing at the base of the posterior legs were slender and arcuate, with a narrow, elongate receptacle and with the basal cell much longer than the suprabasal. The only invariable character of these parasites is the structure of the appendage, which has the main axis composed of three cells, each bearing two antheridia.
The question as to the distinctiveness of these forms must await molecular analyses, whereupon it might prove necessary to synonymize a number of currently recognized species.
Stigmatomyces litoralis Bergonzo, W. Rossi et A. Weir sp. nov. FIG. 12
Fungus brevis ac compactus. Basalis et suprabasalis cellulae, apicales partes perithecii et appendicis quasi hyalinae; ceterus fungus sucinus, basali cellula appendicis fusciore. Receptaculi basalis cellula circiter triplo longior quam latior, plerumque incurvata. Suprabasalis cellula compacta, basali brevior. Cellula appendicem sufferens cordi instar. Appendix tribus cellulis gradatim brevioribus confecta, quarum basalis et apicalis bina antheridia ferunt, media unum. Cellulae perithecium subiacentes parvae et complanatae. Perithecii venter ellipticus, a collo non clare distinctus. Perithecii collum ventris paulo brevius, parum incurvatum, gradatim extenuatum, apice 5 inaequalibus labiis praedito, quorum alium minus ac divergens, alium magnum ac rotundatum. Superficies perithecii ventris et colli basis minute granulosae. Tota longitudo 110–245 µm; longitudo receptaculi 40–110 µm; longitudo appendicis 35–40 µm; latitudo perithecii 40–60 µm; ascosporae 35 µm.
Parasitus Glenanthis caribeae et Paraglenanthis bahamensis in Brasiliae regione Ceara vulgo appellata.
Basal and suprabasal cells, distal portions of appendage and perthecial neck almost hyaline; the rest of the fungus is amber colored, with basal cell of the appendage somewhat darker. Basal cell of the receptacle usually curved, about three times longer than its maximum width. Suprabasal cell much shorter and stouter than the basal. Stalk-cell of the appendage cordiform, much longer than the region of the stalk and basal cells of the perithecium. Axis of the appendage composed of three progressively smaller cells, of which the basal bears two antheridia, the two cells above it one each, the series completed by a third terminal and spinose antheridium. Stalk and basal cells of the perithecium small and flattened. Venter of the perithecium regularly elliptic, its surface finely granular, the granulation extending to the base of the not abruptly distinguished, shorter neck. Neck slightly curved, progressively more slender toward the apex, ending with five unequal lips, one very small and divergent, and a second rounded and much larger than the remaining three. Total length 110–245 µm; length of the receptacle 40–110 µm; length of the appendage 35–40 µm; width of perithecium 40–60 µm; ascospores 35 µm.
HOLOTYPE. BRAZIL, Ceará, Lagoa de Precabura, near Fortaleza, 03°48.4'S, 38°26.8'W, on the mesonotum of a male specimen of Glenanthe caribea Mathis (Ephydridae), 11 Feb 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi, No. 2220 FI. PARATY PES. Same data as the type, No. 2221; same data as the type, 9 Oct 1997, No. 2187; BRAZIL, Ceará, mouth of the Rio Pacoti near Fortaleza, 3°49.4'S, 38°25.2'W, 9 Oct 1997, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi, No. 2219; BRAZIL, Ceará, mouth of the Rio Pacoti near Fortaleza, 3°49.4'S, 38°25.2'W, on Paraglenanthe bahamensis Wirth (Ephydridae), 9 Oct 1997, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi, Nos. 2217 and 2218.
Remarks. – The parasites observed on Paraglenanthe usually have a more elongate receptacle but otherwise are not distinguished.
The new species does not seem to be allied with any of the species described so far. It bears some resemblance in the general habit only with Stigmatomyces pauperculus Thaxt., described from the Bismarck Archipelago on an unidentified fly, from which, however, it is distinguished by the different structure of the appendage and of the perithecial apex.
Stigmatomyces notiphilae Thaxter 1917
(= S. leucophengae Thaxter 1917, p. 699, syn. nov.)
Known distribution and hosts. – Recorded so far only from the West Indies (Grenada and Jamaica) on un-identified species of Notiphila spp. (Ephydridae).
New records from Brazil. – Ceará, torrent near Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 810 m elevation, 04°15.2'S, 38°57.2'W, at the apex of the abdomen of a few male specimens of Notiphila (N.) striata Williston, 12 Feb 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi; Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on N. striata, 28 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi.
Remarks. –
Stigmatomyces leucophengae Thaxter was described from specimens found in the U.S.A. on flies recorded as Leucophenga sp. (Drosophilidae) (Thaxter 1917). Thaxter himself pointed out the similarity of S. leucophengae and S. notiphilae.
A few thalli resembling S. leucophengae were found more recently by one of us in Jamaica (unpublished record; banks of the Black River near Magotty, 27 Jul 1993, W. Rossi) on the tergites of a specimen of N. striata; on the femora of other flies of the same species, collected in the same place, typical specimens of S. notiphilae also were observed. Moreover, the flies from Thaxter’s collection labeled as Leucophenga sp. were identified as female specimens of Notiphila sp. by P. Clausen (St. Paul, Minnesota). Based on the similar morphological features and on host identity, we conclude that those described as S. leucophengae are stout specimens of S. notiphilae.
Stigmatomyces paralimnae Thaxter 1917 FIG. 9
Known distribution and hosts. – This species was described from specimens found on Paralimna spp. (Ephydridae) from the U.S.A. and West Indies.
New records from Brazil. –
Ceará, Açude de Quebra, near Meruoca, 670 m elevation, 03°32.8'S 40°26.9'W, on the anterior coxae of a female specimen of Paralimna (P.) agryostoma Cresson, 2 Dec 1998, E. Bergonzo (FIG. 9).
Remarks. – Thalli of S. curvirostris also were observed on the sternites and femora of the same host.
Stigmatomyces ptilomyiae Thaxter 1931
Known distribution and hosts. –
Described from parasites found in the West Indies (Grenada and Jamaica) on Ptilomyia enigma Coquillet (Ephydridae) and more recently reported in Italy on P. angustigenis (Becker) and in the Azores on Atissa pygmaea (Haliday) (Huldén 1985).
New records from Brazil. – Ceará, Açude de Quebra, near Meruoca, 670 m elevation, 03°32.8'S 40°26.9'W, on various parts of the body, antennae included, of a female specimen of Ptilomyia enigma, 2 Dec 1998, E. Bergonzo; Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on the antennae of a male specimen of P. enigma, 28 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi.
Remarks. – The frequent presence of the thalli of S. ptilomyiae on the antennae of the host insects, underlined also in previous papers, is indicative of the use of these organs in social behavior rituals of the flies.
Stigmatomyces rostratus Thaxter 1917 FIGS. 10, 11
Known distribution and hosts. – This species was recorded on the tip of the abdomen of Paralimna (Phaiostema) decipiens Loew from Jamaica and P. (Paralimna) multipunctata Williston (= ciliata Cresson) from Grenada.
New records from Brazil. –
Ceará, Açude Pacajus, near Pacajus, 04°09.4'S, 38°28.3'W, on the left side of the abdomen and on the posterior femora of a few male specimens of Paralimna (Phaiostema) decipiens Loew, 26 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi; Lagoa de Precabura, near Fortaleza, 03°48.4'S, 38°26.8'W, on the tergites of a female specimen of P. (Phaiostema) obscura Williston, 9 Oct 1997, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi (FIG. 10).
Remarks. –
The Brazilian parasites listed above are consistent with the original description, especially those from P. obscura. Other specimens found on the fore tibiae, at the apex of the abdomen, and at the base of the left wing (FIG. 11) of a few specimens of P. decipiens were different, especially in the much stouter general habit (total length: 185–225 µm). These latter parasites, which share with the former ones the appendage structure only, do not correspond to any of the species described so far. Sometimes both "forms" were found together on different parts of the body of a single host.
Stigmatomyces rugosus Thaxter 1901
Known distribution and hosts. – This species has a worldwide distribution. It first was described on an unidentified fly from the Bismarck Archipelago, Oceania, and then recorded from all continents on species of Psilopa or closely allied genera.
New records from Brazil. – Ceará, S. Antonio artificial lake, near Maracanaù, 160 m elevation, 03°56.5'S, 38°38.5'W, on Psilopa pulchripes Loew, 11 Oct 1997, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi; stream N to Crato, 450 m elevation, 07°06.4'S 39°29.3'W, on P. pulchripes, 2 Dec 1998, E. Bergonzo; banks of the Açude Pacoti near Itaitinga, 04°00.8'S 38°31.1'W, on P. pulchripes, 12 Oct 1999, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi; Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on P. pulchripes, 13 Oct 1999, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi; banks of the Rio Sabonete, near Sobral, 110 m elevation, 03°46.2'S 40°16.9'W, on P. pulchripes, 15 Oct 1999, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi; torrent near Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 810 m elevation, 04°15.2'S, 38°57.2'W, on Leptopsilopa nigrimana (Williston), 13 Oct 1999, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi; Riacho do Lagamar, near Pacajus, 04°13.6'S 38°28.7'W, on L. nigrimana, 26 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi; Açude Pacajus, near Pacajus, 04°09.4'S, 38°28.3'W, on L. nigrimana, 26 Sep 1998, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi; Açude de Quebra, near Meruoca, 670 m elevation, 03°32.8'S, 40°26.9'W, on L. nigrimana, 2 Dec 1998, E. Bergonzo.
Remarks. – This species displays a great variability as to its length, which differs greatly depending on the position on the host insect. The thalli observed on the tergites and femora actually are about twice as long as the specimens growing on the wings and the distal portion of the legs.
Three specimens found on the central portion of the left wing of a Psilopa pulchripes collected on the banks of Lago Cana Brava are peculiar, having two large projections near the perithecial apex. Other thalli observed on the abdomen of the same fly lack these projections.
Stigmatomyces spiralis Thaxter 1901
Known distribution and hosts. –
Reported from the U.S.A. (type) on Phyligria spp., from Europe (France, Italy and Spain) on P. obtecta Becker and Hyadina spp., and from New Zealand on Parahyadina sp. (Ephydridae) (Weir and Rossi 1997).
New records from Brazil. – Ceará, Lago Cana Brava, near Guaramiranga, 815 m elevation, 04°14.6'S, 38°57.6'W, on the mesonotum of a single male specimen of Hyadina cf. certa Cresson, 8–10 Oct 1997, E. Bergonzo and W. Rossi.
Remarks. – The observed Brazilian specimens are smaller on average and somewhat stouter compared with those from the northern hemisphere; moreover the twist of the perithecial wall cells is not very evident. However, they display the distinctive appendage structure and perithecial apex of Stigmatomyces spiralis.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS |
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FOOTNOTES |
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1 Corresponding author. E-mail: aweir{at}syr.edu
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LITERATURE CITED |
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TOPABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONMATERIALS AND METHODSTAXONOMYLITERATURE CITED |
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Da Silva M, Minter DW. 1995. Fungi from Brazil recorded by Batista and co-workers. Mycol. Papers 169:1–585.
Huldén L. 1985. Floristic notes on Paleartic Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes). Karstenia 25:1–16.
McNeely JA, Miles KA, Reid WV, Mittermeier RA, Werner TB. 1990. Conserving the Worlds’ Biological Diversity. IUCN, WRI, Conservation International, WWF-US & World Bank, Gland.
Rossi W. 1993. New or interesting Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) parasitic on Italian diptera. Crypt Bot 4:34–39.
———. 1998. New or interesting Laboulbeniales parasitic on Diptera from Bolivia. Mycologia 90(6):1047–1054
Santamaria S, Rossi W. 1993. Stigmatomyces (Laboulbeniales, Ascomycotina) Ibericos. Anales Jard Bot Madrid 51:33–40.
Thaxter R. 1917. New Laboulbeniales, chiefly Dipterophilous American species. Proc Amer Acad Arts Sci 52:647–721.
———. 1918. Extra-American dipterophilous Laboulbeniales. Proc Amer Acad Arts and Sci 53:695–749.
———. 1931. Contribution towards a monograph of the Laboulbeniaceae. Part V. Mem Amer Acad Arts Sci 16: 1–435.
Weir A, Rossi W. 1997. New and interesting Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) from New Zealand. Can J Bot 75(5): 791–798.
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