CONIOSPORIUM-PERFORANS AND CONIOSPORIUM-APOLLINIS, 2 NEW ROCK-INHABITING FUNGI ISOLATED FROM MARBLE IN THE SANCTUARY OF DELOS (CYCLADES, GREECE)

Coniosporium perforans and C. apollinis, orginating from marble in the Mediterranean basin, are described as new species of rock inhabiting microcolonial fungi. The morphologically similar species Monodictys ca staneae (Wallr.) S. Hughes, Phaeosclera dematioides Sigler et al., and a Coniosporium-like strain are compared using 18S rDNA phylogeny and Restriction Length Fragment Polymorphism analysis of Internal Transcri bed Spacer regions. Sarcinomyces crustaceus Lindner is additionally co mpared on the basis of 18S rDNA sequencing data. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Phaeosclera dematioides is related to the ascomycetous order Dothideales and Monodictys castaneae to the Pleosporales, wherea s the three Coniosporium species studied are a sister group to the Her potrichiellaceae (Chaetothyriales). A similar affinity was suggested p reviously for the recently described meristematic rock-fungus Sarcinom yces petricola Wollenzien & de Hoog. Sarcinomyces crustaceus appears u nrelated to this group, and hence the present new taxa cannot be descr ibed in this genus.