Studies in Chaetosphaeria sensu lato IV. Crassochaeta gen. nov., a new lignicolous genus of the Trichosphaeriaceae

The new genus in the Trichosphaeriaceae Cressochaeta is introduced and two new combinations, Cressochaeta nigrita and Crassochaeta fusispora, are prop osed. Crassochaeta is distinguished by the superficial, large, ovoidal to s ubglobose, setose perithecia; asci with a distinct refractive, J- apical an nulus; persistent paraphyses and versicoloured, 3-septate ascospores. Ascos pores of Crassochaeta nigrita germinate by producing phialides directly. Sp ecies of Crassochaeta are saprobes occurring on decaying wood in tropical a nd temperate regions. They are described and illustrated and their relation ships with genera of the Chaetosphaeriaceae, Helminthosphaeriaceae and Tric hosphaeriaceae are discussed. An index to the fungi treated in this series of publications, "Studies in Chaetosphaeria sensu late I-IV." is provided. Keys to genera and families treated in this series are provided.