Paranectria affinis Sacc.

Paranectria affinis Sacc., Michelia 1 (3): 317. 1878. MycoBank MB 236721. Figs 3D, 4B. Basionym: Sphaeria affinis Grev., Scott. crypt. fl. (Edinburgh) 4: 186. 1825. Synonyms: Cucurbitaria affinis (Sacc.) Kuntze, Revis. gen. pl. (Leipzig) 3 (3): 460. 1898. Dialonectria affinis (Sacc.) Cooke, Grevillea 12 (64): 110. 1884. Nectria affinis (Sacc.) Cooke, Grevillea 7 (41): 9. 1878. Typus: Great Britain, Appin, on branches of Bangia atrovirens (Ephebe lanata), 10 Oct. 1824, Carmichael (slide from holotype K-M000293541 = IMI 123655). The examined slides from the holotype contain narrowly ellipsoid to fusiform, 3-septate ascospores with elongate appendages at each end, (24.0–)24.8–29.2(–30.0) × (5.0–)6.2–7.8(–9.0) µm (n = 25). For a detailed description see (Rossman 1983). Distribution, habitat and host range: Paranectria affinis seems to be a host-specific taxon since is only known to grow on Ephebe lanata (Lichinaceae). However, Rossman (1983) recorded this fungus also on Pseudephebe pubesces (Parmeliaceae) based on a specimen from Fontainebleau (France). An examined specimen from the same region in France (UPS F-522124) confirmed that the species grows on Ephebe lanata and therefore we assume that the host species was erroneously reported as Pseudephebe. This lichenicolous fungus has been rarely collected but is locally abundant and it was reported from Great Britain, France, Norway and Sweden (e.g. Rossman 1983, Rossman et al. 1999, Westberg et al. 2021). Specimens examined: France, Fontainebleau, on Ephebe sp., 10 Mar. 1859, Du Cuvier (slide, K-M000629348 = IMI 52294); Île-de-France, Fontainblau, on Ephebe lanata, 6 Apr. 1860, collector unknown (UPS F-522124). Great Britain, Scotland, Glen Lethnot, Stoneycroft, on Ephebe lanata, 6 Sep. 2017, P.F. Cannon 3349 (K-M000253675). Sweden, Dalarna, Storön in Bysjön, 9 km south of Nås church, on the thallus of Ephebe lanata on a boulder in the shoreline zone on the north side of the island, 60.3827 N 14.51433 E, 220 m a.s.l., 4 Apr. 2005, J. Hermansson 14368 (UPS F-561663)