Rhytisma Fr. is the type genus of Rhytismataceae (Rhytismatales, Leotiomycetes, Ascomycota). Rhytisma-like species include members of Cryptomyces, Rhytisma and Vladracula. They are parasites on leaves of broadleaf trees and cause tar spot diseases. In this study, a phylogeny based on the large subunit of the ribosomal rRNA gene (nrLSU) and the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) is presented, including sequences of 39 newly collected specimens from East Asia, Europe, and temperate as well as tropical America. Based on analyses of morphology, phylogeny as well as host-specificity and diversification time estimates, the family Rhytismataceae sensu stricto is proposed, and eight genera are accepted in this narrow family, including four novel genera (Densorhytisma, Fanglania, Johnstoniella and Shiqia), the type genus Rhytisma, and the reinstated genera Lophodermina, Placuntium and Xyloma. Lophodermina clusters within the main Rhytisma clade in our analyses, but is divergent in morphological terms, not having large compound stromata. Thirty species are recognized, including seven novel species (Fanglania hubeiensis, F. parasitica, Johnstoniella yunnanensis, Rhytisma japonicum, Rh. taiwanense, Xyloma globosum, and X. shennongjiaense), fifteen new combinations (Densorhytisma anhuiense, D. huangshanense, F. concova, F. himalensis, F. ilicis-integrae, F. ilicis-latifoliae, F. ilicis-pedunculosae, J. lonicerae, Rh. annuliforme, Shiqia menziesii, S. yuexiensis, X. filamentosum, X. maximum, X. muelleri, and X. polare), one new name (J. xylostei), seven known species (Lophodermina melaleuca, Placuntium andromedae, Rhytisma acerinum, Rh. americanum, Rh. punctatum, X. salicinum, and X. umbonatum). In addition, seven immature specimens were studied but not assigned to existing species, herein referred to as Fanglania sp. 1, Johnstoniella sp. 1, Johnstoniella sp. 2, Placuntium sp. 1, Placuntium sp. 2, Rhytisma sp. 1, and Xyloma sp. 1. The systematic positions of Cryptomyces maximus, Cr. muelleri and Vladracula annuliformis are re-assigned based on phylogenetic analysis. One Rhytisma-like species from tropical America was segregated from Rhytismataceae s.str., thus a novel genus Neorhytisma was established to accommodate this species, with the one new combinations Neorhytisma panamense. The results of the molecular phylogenetic analysis indicate that Rhytisma-like species are host-specific at genus level. Apparently, Rhytisma-like species coevolved with their hosts, and Rhytisma-like species on Ericaceae seem to be in the process of host jumping. Morphological characteristics of ascomata are important for the delimitation of species and genera of Rhytisma-like species. This study provides a key to genera and species of recognized Rhytisma-like species worldwide.

Phyllosticta (Phyllostictaceae, Botryosphaeriales) species are widely distributed globally and constitute a diverse group of pathogenic and endophytic fungi associated with a broad range of plant hosts. In this study, four new species of Phyllosticta, i.e. P. endophytica, P. jiangxiensis, P. machili, and P. xinyuensis, were described using morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogeny based on the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) with intervening 5.8S rRNA gene, large subunit of rRNA gene (nrLSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (tef1), actin gene (act), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (gapdh). Phyllosticta machili is the first species of this genus reported to infect plants of the Machilus genus.

Species in the order Rhytismatales M.E. Barr ex Minter (Leotiomycetes, Ascomycota) develop on a wide range of host plants, but prefer conifers, such as species of Cupressaceae and Pinaceae. Conifers, the largest group of gymnosperms, show a high diversity in China. In this study, the species diversity of Rhytismatales on twigs of conifers is investigated based on specimens newly collected in China. Morphological characteristics combined with multi-gene phylogenetic analysis (ITS, nrLSU, and mtSSU rDNA) revealed 18 new species, belonging to six new genera (Abiomyces, Cryptococcomyces, Labivalidus, Neotherrya, Pseudococcomyces, and Stipamyces) and three known genera (Hypoderma, Hypohelion, and Tryblidiopsis). Additionally, seven new combinations are proposed. The findings underscore the complexity of fungal taxonomy within Rhytismatales and the importance of considering multiple criteria for accurate classification. The study also explores the importance of host specificity for genus and species delimitation within the order. A key to genera and species of Rhytismatales on twigs of conifers worldwide is provided.

Specimens of Coccomyces on Quercus (Cyclobalanopsis, Fagaceae) collected from Fodingshan National Nature Reserve in Guizhou Province, China, were identified as a new species and named Coccomyces fodingshanensis. A multi-gene phylogenetic analysis (ITS, LSU, mtSSU) showed that the new species is closely related to Coccomyces sinensis on Camellia species but differed by subrounded ascomata and fagaceous host.

Species of the genus Russula are key components of ectomycorrhizal ecosystems worldwide, some of which are famous edible fungi. Although many new species have been described in China, their diversity in North China is still poorly known. Based on the morphology observation of specimens and molecular phylogenetic analyses, combined with the current classification frame of Russula, six new species of Russula subgenus Russula are proposed from the Yanshan Mountains in northern Beijing and northern Hebei Province of China in this study: viz. Russula miyunensis (subsection Chamaeleontinae), R. plana (subsection Chamaeleontinae), R. sinoparva (subsection Puellarinae), R. sinorobusta (subsection Puellarinae), R. subversatilis (subsection Roseinae), and R. yanshanensis (subsection Puellarinae). This is the first report of the species of Russula subgenus Russula from the Yanshan Mountains. This study enriches the species diversity of Russula in North China and provides new data support for the systematic study of Russula in subsequent research, including research and development on edibility.

Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) is one of the most important economic plants in China, and has many benefits for human health. Anthracnose is one of the most serious diseases of tea in China, and control of the fungus is important since most Chinese cultivars are susceptible to it. The agent of tea anthracnose was initially described as Gloeosporium theae-sinensis I. Miyake in Japan, which was later transferred to Discula, but this taxonomic position remains problematic. To shed light on these taxonomic and phylogenetic issues, the tea anthracnose pathogens were re-studied. Combining the morphological characteristics and a multigene phylogenetic analysis of nrITS, nrLSU, rpb2, and tef1 sequence data, a new genus Sinodiscula was proposed to accommodate the causal fungi of tea anthracnose, including a new species Sinodiscula camellicola and a new combination Sinodiscula theae-sinensis. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of the pathogens was determined according to Koch’s postulates. This study thoroughly resolves the long-standing taxonomic and phylogenetic problems of the tea anthracnose pathogens.