NEW SPECIES OF CALONECTRIA AND CYLINDROCLADIUM ISOLATED FROM SOIL IN THE TROPICS

Several Calonectria (Ca.) and Cylindrocladium (Cy.) species were recov ered from alfalfa-baited soil samples gathered in Colombia and Venezue la. Perithecia of Calonectria naviculata sp. nov. formed in culture wh en Venezuelan strains of Cy. naviculatum were crossed with ex-type Bra zilian strains. Calonectria gracilipes sp. nov. (anam. Cy. gracilioide um sp. nov.), a homothallic species, was isolated from Colombian soils . Cylindrocladium graciloideum, Cy. gracile Cy. pteridis and Cy. pseud ogracile form a complex of morphologically similar species characteriz ed by clavate vesicles and primarily l-septate conidia. Each species c ould, however, be distinguished using RFLP banding patterns. A key to Calonectria spp. having Cylindrocladium anamorphs with 1-septate conid ia is also presented.