Coniosporium perforans and C-apollinis, two new rock-inhabiting fungi isolated from marble in the Sanctuary of Delos (Cyclades, Greece)

Coniosporium perforans and C. apollinis, orginating from marble in the Mediterranean basin, are described as new species of rock inhabiting microcolonial fungi. The morphologically similar species Monodictys castaneae (Wallr.) S. Hughes, Phaeosclera dematioides Sigler et al., and a Coniosporium-like strain are compared using 18S rDNA phylogeny and Restriction Length Fragment Polymorphism analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer regions. Sarcinomyces crustaceus Lindner is additionally compared on the basis of 18S rDNA sequencing data. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Phaeosclera dematioides is related to the ascomycetous order Dothideales and Monodictys castaneae to the Pleosporales, whereas the three Coniosporium species studied are a sister group to the Herpotrichiellaceae (Chaetothyriales). A similar affinity was suggested previously for the recently described meristematic rock-fungus Sarcinomyces petricola Wollenzien & de Hoog. Sarcinomyces crustaceus appears unrelated to this group, and hence the present new taxa cannot be described in this genus.