Revision of some Thecaphora species (Ustilaginomycotina) on Caryophyllaceae

Specimens of Thecaphora saponariae s. lat. from several caryophyllacean host plants belonging to the genera Cerastium, Dianthus, Petrorhagia, Saponaria, Silene, and Stellaria were studied by means of both LM, SEM, and molecular phylogenetic analyses using ITS and LSU rDNA sequences. The data show that T. saponariae s. lat. is not uniform but represents several taxa. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, correlated with morphology of the sori, spore balls, and spores, permitted the recognition of five species. Two new species, Thecaphora italica and T. cerastii are described, and two new combinations, T. alsinearum and T. melandrii are proposed. The anamorph of Thecaphora saponariae is reported for the first time. A lectotype is designated for Sorosporium silenes-inflatae. Evolutionary aspects are discussed.