In vivo and in vitro studies of three new species of Trimmatostroma associated with sooty spots of the mangrove Aegiceras corniculatum in Hong Kong

Three new species of Trimmatostroma on leaves of the mangrove Aegiceras corniculatum are described and illustrated with respect to their growth form, spore development and physical relationship with the leaf surface. All three were amphigenous but predominantly epiphyllous, and were spatially subdominant members of the phylloplane fungal community in the mid-shore range of the mangal, becoming the dominant species iri both the upper and lower shores. On the phylloplane as well as on potato dextrose agar, fungal biomass production was extremely biased towards sporulation. The significance of these life history characteristics in relation to leaf colonization in the mangal is discussed. A key to the three Trimmatostroma species on Aegiceras is provided.