Saprobic and parasitic interactions of Coniochaeta velutina with mosses

During a survey of fungi associated with boreal bryophytes in Alberta, Canada, an isolate of Coniochaeta velutina (Coniochaetaceae, Coniochaetales), an opportunistic tree-pathogen and saprobe, was obtained from Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Schimp. (Hylocomiaceae, Hypnales). This isolate exhibited phylogenetic affinities to C.velutina isolated from vascular plants. In vitro characterization of its interactions with the model host Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. (Funariaceae, Funariales) demonstrated that it readily forms both anamorph and teleomorph states on the moss. Infected hosts exhibited no macroscopic symptoms or, occasionally, became weakly chlorotic, suggesting that the fungus is a parasite. However, cellulase and polyphenolic oxidase [...]