Pestalotiopsis jesteri, sp nov an endophyte from Fragraea bodenii, a common plant in the southern highlands of Papua New Guinea

Pestaliotiopsis jesteri, sp. nov. is described as a coelomycetous endophyti c species. It was isolated from the inner bark of Fragraea bodenii Wernh. ( Gentianaceae) at the singsing grounds of the Aluakambe village in the South ern Highlands of Papua New Guinea Limb samples taken in the crown, mid-tree and lower levels each yielded P. jesteri. This fungus is characterized by the three relatively long appendages arising near the juncture of the conic al apical cell and the penultimate cell in the conidium. Each appendage is terminated by a spheroidlike extension. The conidium resembles that of Pest aliotiopsis distincta Guba in some respects except for the apices of the th ree appendages being spheroidal, the long length of the appendages relative to the spore itself and the general fusiform shape of the conidium. Of man y plant species studied for their respective endophytes in several location s in the highlands and coastal areas of Papua New Guinea, P, jesteri only a ppeared in one location and in one tree. This finding suggests the host sel ective nature of this fungus, although it could be readily grown in culture .