Microsphaeropsis ochracea sp nov associated with dead apple leaves

A new saprophyte species of Coelomycetes, Microsphaeropsis ochracea, is described based on an isolate recovered from apple leaf litter from Quebec, Canada. Although this isolate possesses conidia similar to those of Microsphaeropsis arundinis (Ahmad), there are several differences between the two species. M. ochracea forms pycnidia of 70 mum up to 120 mum into senescent apple leaf tissue and unlike M. arundinis they are not ostiolate when grown either on a apple leaf or on culture media. Conidiogenous cells are 4.5-10 x 2.5-4.5 mum, which is much larger than those described for M. arundinis. Reverse side of the colony presents a pale luteous to ochreous pigment that diffuses through the media. The description of this new isolate was compared with the published description of M. arundinis as well as with the dry specimen of the paratype.