Two New Ambrosia Fungi: Ascoidea asiatica and A. africana

Abstract

Ascoidea asiaticia was isolated from mycangia of the ambrosia beetle Xyleborus velatus (Coleoptera Scolytidae), infesting wood of Tectona grandis L., and A. africana from the tunnels of Lymexylid larvae infesting Chlorophora excelsa Benth. et Hook. The salient feature of the 2 spp. is the conjugation of some ascospores in pairs (acting as gametes) inside the ascus. The paired ascospores in A. africana are not easily discernible until just before they are released from the ascus. A. asiatica is heterogamous while A. africana appears to be isogamous. Tectona grandis and C. excelsa were imported from Burma and Africa, respectively, into Hamburg, Germany.