Conidial fungi from the semi-arid Caatinga biome of Brazil. New species and new records of Helicosporium

A new helicosporous fungus, Helicosporium vesiculiferum, is described based on morphological characters. It was found on a decaying twig of an unidentified dicotyledonous plant from the semi-arid region, Northeast of Brazil. The new species is illustrate with light micrographs and scanning electron microscopy. Helicosporium vesiculiferum is characterized by the presence of vesicles on apex of the conidiophores. Seven helicosporous species arc briefly described, of which H. virescens and H. aureum are new records from Brazil, H. panacheum and H. gracile are reported for the first time in South America, and H. nizamabadense is new for the American continent. A key to all Helicosporium species is included.