Pseudobionectria phoenicis Zhang & Hyde & Liu 2024, sp. nov.

Pseudobionectria phoenicis S.N. Zhang, K.D. Hyde & Jian K. Liu, sp. nov. MycoBank number: MB855148; Figure 2. Etymology: The epithet refers to the host genus Phoenix. Holotype: HKAS 136264 Saprobic on decaying rachides of Phoenix paludosa on mangrove floor. Sexual morph Ascomata superficial on a subiculum, solitary to gregarious, tan or brownish orange with a black crown flattened on the top, globose, tomentose, with hyaline hyphal appendages that merge with the subiculum below (Fig. 2d, arrowed), KOH-, LA-, in section 240–330 μm wide, 200–260 μm high, membraneous. Ostiole central and periphysate. Peridium relatively thick, 47–98 μm wide, comprising two layers, the inner layer of compressed hyaline cells, and the outer layer of brown, angular to globose cells. Paraphyses 2–4 μm wide, hypha-like, numerous and septate, embedded in a gelatinous matrix. Asci 30–58 × 3.5–7.5 μm (x = 38 × 4.9 μm, n = 20), 8-spored, narrowly clavate to clavate, short pedicellate, unitunicate, apex narrowly and rounded, without visible ring. Ascospores 12–16 × 1.8–3.7 μm (x = 13.8 × 2.6 μm, n = 30), overlapping biseriate, oblong-ellipsoidal to fusiform, hyaline, 1-septate (rarely 3-septate), mostly equally 2-celled, guttulate, spinulose (Fig. 2o), without a mucilaginous sheath. Asexual morph Undetermined. Culture characteristics:—Colonies on MEA ca. 10 mm at room temperature after three weeks, mycelium milky white, colony circular, raised, viscid, slightly mucoid, milky white, reverse pale orange in the center with a milky white margin. Material examined:— THAILAND, Ranong Province, Ngao Mangrove Forest Research Center, on decaying rachides of Phoenix paludosa in an intertidal zone, December 7, 2016, S. N. Zhang, SNT69 (HKAS 136264, holotype); ex-holotype culture MFLUCC 18-1478; ibid., HUEST 24.0217, isotype; ex-isotype culture UESTCC 24.0200.