Octospora gamundiana, sp. nov., (Pezizales) from Argentina, a bryophilous ascomycete on the moss Syntrichia fragilis (Pottiaceae)

Guillermo M. Suárez, Facundo G. Dominguez, Hipólito Pajot, Jan Eckstein, Lukáš Janošík, Jorge R. Flores & Myriam del Valle Catania

Sydowia 78: 259-281

Published online on January 12th, 2026

Octospora gamundiana is described and illustrated based on Argentinean collections. It is the first species of bryophilous Pezizales known to infect the acrocarpous moss Syntrichia fragilis (Pottiaceae). The new species has a distinctive combination of morphological traits and is also supported by multilocus phylogenetic analyses. Octospora gamundiana is characterized by ellipsoid ascospores with a slightly uneven surface and by its specific host association. A comparison with similar Octospora species is provided. This study increases our knowledge of the diversity of bryophilous Pezizales in South America.

Keywords: Ascomycota, new species, Pyronemataceae, Pezizomycotina, phylogeny, taxonomy.

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