Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota) from Bulgaria and other countries

Abstract

Fifty-two species of the Laboulbeniales are reported for the first time from Bulgaria. One new species of Diphymyces, parasitic on Hexaurus schipkaensis is also described. The total number of species from Bulgaria is thus raised from 15 to 68. The first records of any of the Laboulbeniales are reported from Armenia, Eritrea, Georgia and Kazakhstan; more new records are reported also from Albania, China, Cyprus, Hungary, Italy, Mongolia, Namibia, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Yemen. The antheridia of Misgomyces dyschirii are described and illustrated.

Keywords:

• Bulgaria
• Diphymyces
• entomoparasitic fungi
• Laboulbeniales
• Misgomyces
• taxonomy

Acknowledgments

The Authors wish to thank the following entomologists for identifying the host insects: V. Assing, Germany (Staphylinidae), P. M. Giachino, Italy (Carabidae, Cholevidae), G. Hristov, Bulgaria (Blattidae), Z. Kejval, Czech Republic (Anthicidae), A. Mascagni, Italy (Heteroceridae), E. Ratti, Italy (Silvanidae), S. Rocchi, Italy (Haliplidae, Hydrophilidae, Gyrinidae), J. Růžička & Z. Švec, Czech Republic (Leiodidae), G. Salvato, Italy (Cerylonidae), L. Toledano, Italy (Carabidae, Bembidiini). They are also grateful to the numerous people who supplied insects bearing Laboulbeniales and/or made it easier our work in various ways, among which we like to remember R. Bekchiev, P. Beron, J. Bratton, P. Bulirsch, J. Janák, T. Ljubomirov, G. Makranczy, E. Migliaccio, V. Sakalian, O. Sivilov, T. Teofilova, M. Zhiyanski. Special thanks are due to S. Santamaria for the pictures with DIC optics and to D. Pfister for helpful suggestions. The Bulgarian Ministry of Environment & Water and the Regional Inspectorate of Environment & Water of Silistra are thanked for issuing the permits for collecting in the Srebarna Nature Reserve.