Botanical Studies (2007) 48: 319-324.
*
Corresponding author: E-mail: ho@tea.ntue.edu.tw; Tel:
+886-2-27321104 ext 3319; Fax: +886-2-27375419.
INTRODUCTION
Species of the genus Syncephalis (Piptocephalidaceae,
Zoopagales, Zygomycetes) are common inhabitants
of soil and dung. They are small, often inconspicuous
mycoparasites, mainly of members of the Mucorales.
Syncephalis are distinguished by the formation of
simple, straight, or recurved sporangiophores, cylindrical
merosporangia born on terminal vesicles, basal rhizoids,
and spores released into droplets of fluid at maturity
(Benjamin, 1959). Fifty-seven species of Syncephalis
have been described (Benjamin, 1985; Gruhn and Petzold,
1991; Kirk et al., 2001; Patil and Patil, 1994; Zycha et
al., 1969), and seven of them (S. cornu Tiegh. & G. Le
Monn., S. depressa Tiegh. & G. Le Monn., S. obconica
Indoh, S. parvula Gruhn, S. sphaerica Tiegh., S. tenuis
Thaxter, S. cf. ventricosa Tiegh.) have been found in
Taiwan (Ho, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003). During a continuing
investigation of merosporangiferous Zygomycetes in
Taiwan, two new species of Syncephalis were discovered,
and they are described in this paper.
Materials and Methods
Species of Syncephalis were isolated from soil or dung
in Taiwan. Soil samples were collected by the roadside
or in forests and brought to the laboratory in plastic bags.
Two to three milligrams of soil particles were placed on
the surface of BBL
TM
corn meal agar (Becton Dickinson
211132) plates. For the dung samples, dung of herbivores,
small omnivorous rodents or amphibians were collected
from forests, national parks, school campuses, and houses
and then carried back to the laboratory in clean containers.
Each sample was placed on a moist filter paper in a Petri
dish. The plates were left on a bench at room temperature,
incubated for nearly one week, and then observed using a
dissecting microscope. Sporangiophores of Syncephalis,
along with the host, were transferred to a fresh corn meal
agar plate and incubated as described above. Microscope
slides were prepared from one-week-old cultures using tap
water or lactic acid-cotton blue (cotton blue, 0.5 g; 90%
lactic acid, 1L) as mounting media (Kurihara et al., 2001).
Specimens were observed and photographed using a Leica
MPS32 light microscope (LM).
TAXONOMY
Syncephalis clavata H. M. Ho et Benny, sp. nov.
Figures 1A-F, 2A-E
Hyphae vegetativae 1-2 £gm diam. Sporangiophora rec-
ta, simplicia, (75)-124-155(-163) £gm alta, basi 11.3-13.8
£gm crassa, apice 7.5-10 £gm crassa. Rhizoidei crassa,
simple vel 2-3 lobati, nonseptati. Vesiculae obovatae,
9-14(-15) £gm diam, cum 8 merosporangiis superiorem
vesiculae. Merosporangia dichotomosin ramose, 3 me-
rosporas gignentia. Merospora doliiformis, 8-9 £gm
longa, 4.0-4.2 £gm crassa. Zygosporae ignotae. (Typus:
TNMF19552).
MICROBIOlOgY
Two new species of Syncephalis from Taiwan, with a key
to the Syncephalis species found in Taiwan
Hsiao-Man HO
1,
* and Gerald L. BENNY
2
1
Department of Science Education, National Taipei University of Education, 134, Sect. 2, Heping E. Rd., Taipei 106,
Taiwan
2
Department of Plant Pathology, 1453 Fifield Hall, P.O. Box 110680, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
32611-0680, USA
(Received October 13, 2006; Accepted December 27, 2006)
ABSTRACT.
Two new species of Syncephalis from Taiwan are described and illustrated. Syncephalis clavata
differs from other taxa by the formation of branched merosporangia, a clavate sporangiophore apex, and
larger, doliiform merospores. Syncephalis formosana is distinguished from other species by the production
of branched merosporangia, the height of sporangiophores, the relatively large merospores, and the number
of spores per merosporangium. These new taxa are compared with other species of Syncephalis. A key to the
nine species of Syncephalis known in Taiwan is provided.
Keywords: Dung; Soil; Syncephalis clavata; Syncephalis formosana; Zygomycetes.
pg_0002
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Botanical Studies, Vol. 48, 2007
Vegetative hyphae slender, creeping on the host, 1-2
£gm wide. Sporangiophores hyaline, erect, simple, arising
singly or in groups of two, (75-)124-155(-163) £gm height,
11.3-13.8 £gm diameter at the broadest portion near the
base, slightly tapering gradually upwards reaching 7.5-10
£gm just below the vesicle, with a septum near the base.
Rhizoids stout, short, 2-3 lobed. Vesicle not distinct, club-
shaped, 9-14(-15) £gm diameter, slightly rounded above,
attenuated below gradually, bearing about eight branched
merosporangia on the top of the vesicle. Merosporangia
branched once, forming V-shaped arms, each containing 3
spores, basal cells cordate, symmetrical or asymmetrical,
8-10 ¡Ñ 4-5 £gm, detached when mature, leaving warts on
top of the fertile vesicle. Merospores doliiform, 8-9 ¡Ñ
4-4.2 £gm, hyaline. Zygospores not observed.
Holotype. Taiwan. Miaoli City: parasitizing
Thamnostylum piriforme (Bainier) Arx & H. P. Upadhyay
growing on mouse dung collected April 2002 by H.-M. Ho
DMML0101. A slide deposited in the National Museum of
Natural Science, Taichung, Taiwan (TNM F19552).
Etymology. Clavatus (L); referring to the clavate
sporangiophore apex.
Notes. Several species of Syncephalis produce
branched merosporangia and doliiform merospores.
Among the species, S. clavata most closely resembles
Figure 1. Syncephalis clavata
(TNM F19552). A- F, L M
(DIC). A, S porophore wit h
a f e r t i l e v e s i c l e b e a r i n g
meros porangia and the basal
rhizoid (arrowhead) on base;
B, Dichotomous ly branched
m ero spo rangi a on a fert ile
v e s i c l e ; C, S y m m e t ri c a l
cordate basal cell on a fertile
v e s i c l e ( a r r o wh e a d) ; D ,
A s y m m e t r i c a l ba s a l c e ll
( a r r ow h e a d ) o n a f e rt i l e
ves icle; E, P rom ine nt warts
(arrowhead) left on a fertile
vesicle after meros porangial
d e ta c hm e nt ; F, Dol ii fo rm
m eros pores and ba sa l ce lls
(a rrowhea ds ). Bars: A = 20
£gm; B-F = 10 £gm.
pg_0003
HO and BENNY ¡X Two new species of
Syncephalis
321
S. pygmae M. S. Patil & B. J. Patil, which also has
clavate sporangiophores without a distinct vesicle.
Syncephalis pygmae, however, has shorter (25-30 £gm)
and apically narrower (7-8 £gm wide) sporangiophores,
smaller merospores (4-6 ¡Ñ 1-2 £gm), and more spores
per merosporangium (4-6) (Patil and Patil, 1994). These
differences merit the establishment of a new species.
Syncephalis formosana H. M. Ho et Benny, sp. nov.
Figures 3A-F, 4A-E
Hyphae vegetativae graciles, 1 £gm diam. Sporangio-
phora recta, simplicia, 700-790 £gm alta, basi (28-)30-47
£gm diam, apice 14-33 £gm crassa, aureaxanthinus.
Rhizoidei irregulariter ramose, septati. Vesiculae ovatae,
(33-)40-58(-65) £gm diam, (38-)50-70(-83) £gm alta,
cum pleuribus merosporangiis supra partem superiorem
vesiculae. Merosporangia dichotomosin ramose, 55-70 ¡Ñ
7.5 £gm, 4-5 merosporas gignentia. Merospora cylindracea,
13-15(-17) £gm longa, 5-6 £gm crassa. Paries merosporangii
persistens, potius crassus. Zygosporae ignotae. (Typus:
TNM F19551).
Vegetative hyphae slender, 1 £gm diameter.
Sporangiophores simple, 700-790 £gm high, (28-)30-47
£gm diameter at the broadest part near the base, gradually
attenuated upward, 14-33 £gm diameter just below the
vesicle, golden yellow. Rhizoids branched irregularly, with
several septa. Vesicles ovoid, (33-)40-58(-65) £gm diameter
at the broadest part, (38-)50-70(-83) £gm high, bearing
Figure 2. Syncephalis clavata (TNM F19552). A, Whole sporangiophores, showing merosporangia and basal cells; B, Apices of
sporangiophores bearing nearly mature merosporangia; C, Apices of sporangiophores with or without basal cells after merosporangial
detachment; D, Basal cells; E, Spores. Bars: A = 20 £gm; B-E =10 £gm.
pg_0004
322
Botanical Studies, Vol. 48, 2007
merosporangia on the upper one third of the vesicle.
Merosporangia branched dichotomously once or rarely
twice at the base; the branches cylindrical, 55-70 ¡Ñ 7.5 £gm,
containing 4-5 spores; basal cells cordate, symmetrical or
asymmetrical, 7.5-12.5 £gm diameter, 12.5-15 £gm long,
tending to remain on the fertile vesicle after merosporangia
detached. Merospores cylindrical, 13-15(-17) ¡Ñ 5-6 £gm,
surrounded by a wrinkled merosporangial wall remnant
when mature. Zygospores not observed.
Holotype. Taiwan. Nantou County: Hsiaochilai, host
unknown, isolated from soil collected Dec 2002 by H.-M.
Ho SHCL0101. A dried culture deposited in the National
Museum of Natural Science, Taichung, Taiwan (TNM
F19551).
Etymology. Formosanus (L); referring to the place of
collection.
Notes. Syncephalis formosana resembles S .
asymmetrica Tiegh. & G. Le Monn., S. cordata Tiegh.
& G. Le Monn., S. intermedia Tiegh. and S. ramosa
Tiegh. in having simple, yellow, straight sporangiophores,
V-shaped branching merosporangia over the upper
surface of the vesicle, and heart-shaped basal cells of the
Figure 3. Sy nce ph al is
formosana ( T N M
F19551). A-F, LM (DIC).
A, S porangiophore with
merosporangia on a fertile
v es i c l e; B , Im m a tu re ,
dichotomously branched
merosporangia on a fertile
vesicle; C, Nearly mature
branched meros porangia
s egm ent ed int o spore s;
D , C o r d a t e b a s a l
c e l ls (a r ro wh e a ds ) o f
merosporangia remaining
o n a f e r t i l e v e s i c l e
a f t e r m e r o s p or a n gi a l
detachment; E, Detached
merospores with wrinkled
m e ro s p o ra ng i a l wa l l
rem nants ; F, Branc hing
rhizoids with septa. Bars:
A = 50 £gm; B-F = 20 £gm.
pg_0005
HO and BENNY ¡X Two new species of
Syncephalis
323
branching merosporangia. However, S . formosana has
larger merospores (13-15(-17) ¡Ñ 5-6 £gm) than all these
species (4-8 ¡Ñ 2-4 £gm in S. asymmetrica; 8-10 ¡Ñ 6 £gm
in S. cordata; 6-13 ¡Ñ 6 £gm in S. intermedia and 6-12 £gm
i n S. ramosa). Also, sporangiophores of S. formosana
(700-790 £gm) are longer than those of S. intermedia
(400-600 £gm) or S. ramosa (500-600 £gm) and shorter
than those of S. cordata (up to 3 mm). In addition, spore
number per merosporangial branch is also different, being
4-6 in S. formosana and 10 and 5-7 in S. cordata and S.
intermedia, respectively. The present fungus can be easily
distinguished from S. ramose because in the latter species,
merosporangia have various branching forms, either
simple, bifurcate, or trifurcate at the base, bearing many
branches at various heights along its length, and spore
shape is oval or globose. Finally, unlike S. formosana, S.
asymmetrica and S. intermedia lack secondary branches
(Indoh, 1962; Van Tieghem and Le Monnier, 1873; Van
Tieghem, 1875; Zycha et al., 1969). We thus propose S.
formosana as a new species.
DISCUSSION
The two species of Syncephalis described here
present some characters that are common to other
taxa. Several other members of the genus Syncephalis
produce merosporangia that are basally branched. In S.
asymmetrica, S. cordata and S. intermedia, the spores
formed at the branching point are noticeably different
in morphology (cordate, symmetrical, asymmetrical)
from those in the other portions (cylindrical to doliiform
with rounded apices) of the merosporangium (Van
Tieghem and Le Monnier, 1873; Van Tieghem, 1875).
The aforementioned taxa also exhibit the same range of
variation in spore morphology and ornamentation observed
in S. clavata and S. formosana.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF SYNCEPHAlIS
KNOWN FROM TAIWAN
A. Sporangiophore curved up to 270. ............... S. cornu
AA. Sporangiophore straight .......................................... B
B. Fertile vesicles more or less globose ....................... C
BB. Fertile vesicles obovoid to clavate .......................... E
C. Sporangiophores less than 200 £gm high ................. D
CC. Sporangiophores more than 200 £gm high ................
................................................................ S. sphaerica
D.
Sporangiophores more than 80 £gm high; vesicle at
base
................................................... S. cf. ventricosa
DD.
Sporangiophores more than 80 £gm high; no vesicle
at base .........................................................S. parvula
E. Merosporangia simple, 2-spored ...................S. tenuis
Figure 4. Syncephalis formosana (TNM F19551).
A, Terminal vesicle of a sporangiophore bearing
you ng m er os po ra ngi a ; B , Te rm in al v es i cl e
of s p ora n gi op ho re s h ow in g ne a rl y m a tu re
meros porangia; C, Vesicle with basal cells after
meros porangial detachment; D, Bas al cells; E,
Spores. Bar: A-E = 20 £gm.
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324
Botanical Studies, Vol. 48, 2007
EE. Merosporangia branched, with more than 2 spores .. F
F.
Fertile vesicle apex truncate; merosporangia arising
in a circle on the upper edge of the vesicle ............. G
FF.
Fertile vesicle apex convex; merosporangia formed
over the upper portion of the vesicle ....................... H
G.
Merosporangia initially developing horizontally and
then forming several vertical branches .... S. depressa
GG.
Merosporangia initally developing more or less
vertically, with a single branch................. S. obconica
H.
Merosporangia with one branch; spore at branching
point cordate to irregular in shape, other spores
doliiform
......................................................S. clavata
HH.
Merosporangia with one or, less commonly, two
branches; spore at basal branching point cordate,
other spores cylindrical ..........................S. formosana
acknowledgements. This study was supported by a grant
from the National Science Council, Executive Yuan, ROC
(NSC-91-2621-B-152-001).
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