PHAEOACREMONIUM GEN-NOV ASSOCIATED WITH WILT AND DECLINE DISEASES OF WOODY HOSTS AND HUMAN INFECTIONS

A new hyphomycete genus, Phaeoacremonium, is proposed for five new spe cies, P. aleophilum, P. angustius, P. chlamydosporum, P. inflatipes, P . rubrigenum, and the type species, P. parasiticum, which was formerly accommodated in Phialophora. Morphologically, the genus is intermedia te between Acremonium and Phialophora. It is distinguished from Phialo phora by its aculeate conidiogenous cells and inconspicuous collarette s, and from Acremonium by its pigmented vegetative hyphae and conidiop hores, Because species of Phaeoacremonium have been associated with hu man infections and disease symptoms of several woody hosts, this new g enus is considered to represent an ecologically important group of fun gi.