Myrothecium sensu lato includes a group of fungal saprophytes and weak pathogens with a worldwide distribution. Myrothecium s.l. includes 18 genera, such as Myrothecium, Septomyrothecium, Myxospora, all currently included in the family Stachybotryaceae. In this study, we identified 84 myrothecium-like strains isolated from turfgrasses and their rhizosphere. Five new species, i.e., Alfariapoae, Alf.humicola, Dimorphisetaacuta, D.obtusa, and Paramyrotheciumsinense, are described based on their morphological and phylogenetic distinctions. Phylogenies were inferred based on the analyses of sequences from four DNA loci (ITS, cmdA, rpb2 and tub2). The generic concept of Dimorphiseta is broadened to include a third type of seta, i.e. thin-walled, straight with obtuse apices.
Keywords: Stachybotryaceae; cup-shaped sporodochia; multi-locus phylogeny; soil fungi; turfgrass disease.