@article{AscoOrg-ID318,
title = {Xylaria melitensis (Xylariaceae), a new penzigioid species from the Maltese Islands},
author = {Fournier, Jacques and Lechat, Christian and Mifsud, Stephen and Sammut, Carmel},
journal = {Ascomycete.org},
issn = {2100-0840},
publisher = {Ascomycete.org},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {59--67},
year = {2021},
doi = {10.25664/art-0318},
url = {https://doi.org/10.25664/art-0318},
language = {english},
abstract = {Based on detailed morphological observations of both sexual and asexual morphs in vivo, cultures in vitro and molecular phylogenetic data based on rDNA ITS and LSU sequences, we document herein a penzigioid Xylaria repeatedly collected in the Maltese islands of Gozo and Malta. Though it morphologically resembles X. sibirica by stromatal habit and ascospores in the same size range with a long sigmoid germ slit, some significant differences could be detected after comparison of this Xylaria with an isotype collection of X. sibirica. Further differences in cultural characteristics and occurrence of a distinctive asexual morph in vivo preceding the development of the sexual morph, along with a molecular phylogenetic analysis clearly showing that they are distantly related, strongly support the recognition of this penzigioid Xylaria as a distinct species with phylogenetic affinities with the X. polymorpha aggregate. We therefore introduce X. melitensis sp. nov. to accommodate it}}