ANIPTODERA-SALSUGINOSA, A NEW MANGROVE-INHABITING ASCOMYCETE, WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF SALINITY ON ASCOSPORE APPENDAGE MORPHOLOGY

Aniptodera salsuginosa sp. nov. from intertidal decomposing mangrove wood is described, and its unique ascospore appendages and ascus apical apparatus are illustrated. The ascospore appendages were functional only when they were submerged in brackish water. The ascus tip is composed of a thickened apical ring (disc) with a pore, which is nonfunctional for ascospore release. Ascospores were discharged through a fissure in the ascus wall at the margin of the apical disc. Evolution and adaptation of the new fungus and related mangrove ascomycetes to aquatic environments from terrestrial habitats are briefly discussed.