Cyttaria johowii. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].
Abstract A description is provided for Cyttaria johowii. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. DISEASE: A highly evolved and highly specific obligate parasite only on branches of Nothofagus species. Fruitbodies only appear on the branches; this fungus does not cause wood decay. HOSTS: Nothofagus betuloides, N. dombeyi (Fagaceae). Cyttaria hariotii has been observed growing in association with C. johowii. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: SOUTH AMERICA: Argentina (Neuquén, Río Negro, Tierra del Fuego); Chile (Magallanes y Antártica Chilena, Bío-Bío, Maule). Highest recorded altitude: 770 m. TRANSMISSION: Not known, but presumably infection is by wind-dispersed ascospores. The reasons postulated by INGOLD (1988) for evolution of the golf ball shape of fruitbodies of Cyttaria espinosae Lloyd [IMI Descriptions No. 1593] are doubtless also valid for this species.