Observations on Sri Lankan Hypoxylon: a comprehensive morphological study on H. anthochroum, H. flavoargillaceum, and H. piceum

Abstract

Most of the Hypoxylon species are saprobic and usually one of the earliest species to colonize the deteriorated wood. The species of Hypoxylon belonging to the family Hypoxylaceae exhibit a large diversity of fungi in tropical countries like Sri Lanka. However, research on the identification and classification of Hypoxylaceous species is scarce in Sri Lanka. The present study was aimed towards the identification of Sri Lankan Hypoxylaceous species and to produce a stable classification for species nomenclature based on a reliable approach using distinguishable morphological characteristics. An assessment of hypoxylaceous fungi was carried out in the Pilikuththuwa lowland wet zone forest area in Sri Lanka and several Hypoxylon species were identified morphologically, using both macroscopic and microscopic characteristics including features of stromata, ascomata, asci, ascospores, the colour of KOH extractable pigments and culture characteristics. Based on the results the identity of H. anthochroum, H. flavoargillaceum, and H. piceum were confirmed by morphology.