Hypohelion from China

Hypohelion is small genus with only three species. Based on recent collections on the twigs of Stephanandra incisa (Rosaceae) from Anhui Province, China, a new species of Hypohelion is described. The new species is similar to the type species Hypohelion scirpinum but differs in that it has a darkened basal layer of ascomata, smaller ascomata and ascospores. Analyses based on ITS and LSU nrDNA and mtSSU rDNA sequences confirm placement of the new species in Hypohelion. The phylogenetic results showed that Hypohelion was not closely related to Hypoderma species but related to Coccomyces species. Hypohelion durum is considered a synonym of Cryptomyces theae. A well-supported clade contains species that are morphologically accommodated in the genera Bifusella, Coccomyces, Cryptomyces, and Hypoderma, but not any type species of these genera. Generic placement of these species is maintained as long as a new system of Rhytismatales cannot be established.