New records of three Ramichloridium species on banana leaves in Panama and Taiwan

Although bananas are economically important crops and many fungi are recorded from these plants, detailed data about the fungi are scarce, e. g. with respect to their distribution and morphology in the field and in culture. Three hyphomycetes (anamorphic Dothideomycetes) known as potential pathogens on leaves of Musa species were identified based on morphology and DNA sequences. For the first time, Ramichloridium biverticillatum and R. musae are recorded from Panama and R. biverticillatum and R. ducassei from Taiwan and new hosts. The fungi are described and illustrated in detail from observation in situ and compared to their known morphology in vitro, in order to clarify some deviating molecular and morphological data from different sources. An updated preliminary key to Ramichloridium species on banana leaves is provided. (C) 2013 The Mycological Society of Japan. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.