Molecular identification of Hymenoscyphus sp. From rhizoids of the leafy liverwort Cephaloziella exiliflora in Australia and Antarctica

Fungi isolated from the leafy liverwort Cephaloziella exiliflrora collected in Australia and continental Antarctica were compared with Hymenoscyphus e ricae using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region DNA sequences. The iso lates displayed < 2.1% sequence divergence within the ITS region, indicatin g that the endophytes from C. exiliflora are probably H. ericae. The data s ignificantly extend the known host range and geographical distribution of H . ericae and indicate that the fungus has a global distribution.