Basal cell broad and irregular, somewhat pentagonal. Suprabasal cell also irregular, usually smaller than the basal, bearing distally a primary appendage and laterally secondary appendages on both sides. Primary appendage composed of a superposed series of cells, the two lower ones slightly longer than broad followed by much shorter and flattened cells, becoming disorganized at the tip in all specimens observed. Secondary receptacles quite elongate, variously recurved, terminating in an appendage like extension similar to the branches that arise from the two to five cells on both sides adjacent to the suprabasal. These branches more or less erect, composed of a linear series of about 10 subequal cells and terminating with a tuft of thin, hyaline, quite elongated branchlets and occasionally short, bottled-shaped antheridia. Stalk cell of the perithecium originating laterally from the basal cell of the branches, quite robust and usually short, subtending the unusually large basal cells of the perithecium. Perithecium regularly ovoid, not much broader than its basal cells, with a blunt, indistinguished apex. Total length of thallus from foot to tip of perithecium: 165-365 µm; perithecium: 105-170 x 50-60 µm; longest perithecial stalk cell: 135 µm; longest primary appendage: 70 µm; longest secondary receptacle branch: 150 µm; ascospores: 55 x 5 µm.

Basalis cellula compacta, inaequaliter pentagona. Suprabasalis cellula inaequalis, basali cellula minor, primam appendicem in summo ferens et utrimque secunda receptacula. Prima appendix e serie superpositarum cellularum constans, quarum duae inferiores parum longiores quam latiores, ceterae multo breviores. Secunda receptacula elongata, varie curvata, in tenues appendices desinentia. E cellulis secundorum receptaculorum exiles, erecti ramuli oriuntur caespitem tenuium, elongatarum appendicum et antheridia lagoenae instar in summo ferentes. Cellula stirpis perithecii valida ac brevis, a latere basalis cellulae ramulorum oriens. Perithecium ovatum, paulo latius quam magnae cellulae subjacentes, obtuso apice. Longitudo a pede usque ad apicem perithecii: 165-365 µm; perithecium: 105-170 x 50-60 µm; perithecii stipitis maxima longitudo: 135 µm; prima appendicis maxima longitudo: 70 µm; axes secondary: 150 µm; ascosporae: 55 x 5 µm.
Parasitus Macralymmae brevipennis et Omaliomimi conici in Nova Zelandia.
HOLOTYPUS: PDD 64943

ETYMOLOGY: referring to the habitat in which both host species were found.
NOTES: The new species is easily distinguished from the other 13 species in the genus Cucujomyces Speg. by the stout stalk and conspicuous basal cells of the perithecium. These characters can be found in a species of the closely related genus Balazucia R.K. Benj., i.e., Balazucia japonica Terada, which was also found on a member of the Staphylinidae (Terada 1980). The latter species, however, has a much more slender perithecium and a receptacle in which the suprabasal cell separates three obliquely superposed cells on both sides. The morphology and direction of growth of the secondary receptacles is also different. None of the previous species described in Cucujomyces have been found on Staphylinidae. The occurrence of the new species of Cucujomyces on two separate host species that share the same habitat lends further support to the hypothesis that transfer of ascospores between cohabiting hosts is frequently encountered in nature.

HOLOTYPE: NEW ZEALAND, South Island, Invercargill, Oreti Beach, on the metasternum of Omaliomimus conicus (Fauvel) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae) taken under kelp, 25 Jan. 1984, leg. P.M. Hammond, det. M.K. Thayer (PDD 64943).
ISOTYPE: NEW ZEALAND, South Island, Invercargill, Oreti Beach, on the abdomen and metasternum of Omaliomimus conicus taken under kelp, 25 Jan. 1984, leg. P.M. Hammond, det. M.K. Thayer (AW-573); same data on elytra (AW-573).
PARATYPE: NEW ZEALAND, South Island, Invercargill, Oreti Beach, on the abdomen of Macralymma brevipenne Cameron (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae), leg. P.M. Hammond (AW-574).

Thallus usually short, erect. Basal cell of receptable short and stout, 15-25 x 155 µm, tapered below, giving way distailly to two suprabasal cells that lie side by side. These two cells subequal, elongate, much longer than broad, 30-85 x 10-15 µm, and usually forming one or two smaller appendiculate cells from the upper outer angles. These small, triangular cells subtend secondary appendages or antheridia that are produced above a dark septum. The anterior suprabasal cell also gives way to a small perithecial basal cell whilst the posterior suprabasal cell is superposed by another more or less elongate cell. A central cell, which is also very elongate, forms between the upper inner angles of the two suprabasal cells, intruding deeply between these. This cell, which has irregular margins, lies in contact with the perithecium for much of its length and gives way distally to a small appendiculate cell that produces an appendage with a dark basal septum. The upper cell of the posterior series gives way distally to the two-celled base of the primary appendage, the uppermost cell of which bears the darkened base of the appendage. Close to the base of the primary appendage lie one to four additional appendiculate cells, which in turn give way to very long secondary appendages, each with a darkened basal septum. Antheridia very short and compact, ampulliform. Perithecium short, stout to more elongate and narrow, tapering distally to the blunt apex. Lip cells not well defined. Total length of thallus from foot to tip of perithecium: 160-245 µm; perithecium: 90-115 x 35 -50 µm; longest appendages: to 260 µm; ascospores not observed.

Fungus plerumque brevis ac erectus. Receptaculi basalis cellula brevis ac compacta, 15-25 x 15 µm, duas subaequales, valde elongatas cellular sustinens, 30-85 x 10-15 µm, quae in summo exteriore angulo singulas vel binas parvas cellular fere triangulas ferunt. Hae parvae cellulae secundas appendices vel antheridia, atris septis instructa, gignunt. Anterior suprabasalis cellula cellulam stirpis perithecii, posterior vero unam elongatam cellulam sustinet. Inter superiores partes suprabasalium cellularum media elongata cellula, irregularibus marginibus, oritur, interiori perithaecio adhaerens et parvam cellulam in summo sustinens, quae appendicem gignit. Posterioris seriei superior cellula sustinet primae appendicis basem, duabus superpositis cellulis confectµm. Ad basim primae appendicis 1-4 parvae cellulae sunt, longissimas secundas appendices gignentes. Antheridia parva ac compacta, ampullae instar. Perithecium breve, diverse latum, simo apice, indistinctis labiis. Longitudo a pede usque ad perithecii apicem: 160-245 µm; perithecium: 90-115 x 35-50 µm; appendicum maxima longitudo: a 260 µm; ascosporae non observatum. Parasitus complurium Menimorum in Nova Zelandia. HOLOTYPUS: PDD 64944.

ETYMOLOGY: named after the collector Dr. G. Kuschel.
NOTES: This new species has been placed in the genus Diaphoromyces Thaxt. primarily because of the simple receptacle structure and the disposition of the appendages. At present there are only three known species of Diaphoromyces: Diaphoromyces lispini (Thaxt.) Thaxt. and Diaphoromyces zirophori (Thaxt.) Thaxt. parasitic on Staphylinidae and Diaphoromyces marginatus (Thaxt.) Thaxt. parasitic on Tenebrionidae (Tavares 1985). Diaphoromyces marginatus produces a very large number of appendages but has a short perithecium that is half enclosed on one side by the cells of the posterior marginal series; Diaphoromyces zirophori has an elongated perithecium completely free on both sides. The third species, Diaphoromyces lispini is characterized by a short, stout thallus similar in gross morphology to that of Diaphoromyces kuschelii described above. The principal difference between the newly described species and Diaphoromyces lispini is that in the latter two suprabasal cells are strongly asymmetrical, especially at the base, and do not produce appendiculate cells. Antheridia have not been observed before in the genus Diaphoromyces and here are confirmed to be almost identical with those characteristic of the related genus Rickia Cavara.
The hosts of Diaphoromyces kuschelii are small tenebrionid beetles that are usually found in decaying and rotten wood. Menimus caecus is a blind, depigmented species with eyes reduced to a few rudimentary ommatidia. Menimus crassus is pigmented with eyes variable in size, having 5-15 normal ommatidia (Kuschel 1990).

HOLOTYPE: NEW ZEALAND, North Island, Auckland City, Lynfield, on the prothorax and elytra of Menimus crassus Sharp (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) taken in decayed wood, 5 Sept. 1976, leg. G. Kuschel (PDD 64944).
ISOTYPE: Same data (AW-678).
PARATYPES: NEW ZEALAND, North Island, Auckland City, Lynfield, on Menimus crassus taken in litter, 9 Aug. 1975, G. Kuschel (AW-679); same data, 10 May 1975 (AW-680); same data, taken in soil and Hedycarya, 2 Aug. 1975 (AW-681); same data, 12 Feb. 1995 (AW-672; AW-682b in coll. WR); same data on Menimus caecus Sharp (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) taken in litter, 10 Oct. 1975, (AW-683); same data on rotten Acacia decurrens Willd., 4 May 1979 (AW-685); same data on dead Vitex, 7 March 1981 (AW-685); New Zealand, North Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Kirikiri Saddle, on Menimus sp., 22 Oct. 1985, leg. B.A. Holloway (PDD 64945).

Habit short and compact, erect. Basal cell of receptacle small, 15 x 12 µm, ovoid, with peculiar brown dendritic striae, giving way distailly to cells II and VI which lie side by side. These two cells subequal, 20 x 12-15 µm, broadly rectangular. Cell II superposed by cell III, which is slightly longer than broad, 15 - 12 µm, the latter giving way distally to a single (occasionally two) appendage cell that cuts off small, triangular corner cells from both upper angles, which produce a dense tuft of terminal phialides (and intercalary antheridia?). Secondary stalk cell of perithecium (VII), 20 x 12 pin, similar in size to, or slightly larger than VI, giving way distally to the perithecial basal cells, which are isodiametric and well defined. Perithecium subelliptical, more or less erect, the venter, neck, and tip region not well distinguished, gently tapering to the short, broad, subtruncate apex that bears two minute apical teeth. Perithecium with four outer wall cells in each vertical row. Total length of thallus from foot to tip of perithecium: 115-145 µm; perithecium: 70-85 x 35 -40 µm; longest primary appendage: 55 µm; ascospores not observed.

Fungus parvus ac compactus. Receptaculi basalis cellula parva, 15 x 12 µm, ovata, fuscis striis praedita, cellulas II et VI, subequales, 20 x 12-15 µm, fere rectangulas et totas adhaerentes, sustinens. Cellula III supra II posita, paulo longior quam latior, 15 x 12 µm, appendicem sustinens. Appendix constat ex una (raro duabus) magna cellula, quae in superioribus angulis duas parvas, fere triangulas cellulas fert, crebrum caespitem phialidum gignentes. Cellula VII cellula VI similis, 20 x 12 µm, perithecii basales fere quadriangula cellulas sustinens. Perithecium fere ellipticum, in subtruncatum apicem desinens, in summo duobus minimis dentibus praeditum. Longitudo a pede usque ad apicem perithecii: 115-145 µm; perithecium: 70-85 x 35-40 µm; prima appendicis maxima longitudo: 55 µm; ascosporae non observatum. Parasitus Sephedophili niticollis in Nova Zelandia. HOLOTYPUS: PDD 64946

ETYMOLOGY: referring to the brush-like termination of the primary appendage.
NOTES: Although bearing more than a superficial resemblance to species of Corethromyces, the new species undoubtedly belongs to the recently segregated genus Diphymyces I.I. Tav. (Tavares 1985). Diagnostic characters of the latter genus are the relative positions of cells II and VI that lie side by side and are separated by a vertical septum, the small apical outgrowths at the apex of the perithecium and the four tiers of perithecial wall cells. There are presently six known species in the genus Diphymyces, five of which were originally described in Corethromyces. All of these six species have been found on beetles belonging to the families Catopidae and Colonidae. The new species differs from Diphymyces appendiculatus (Thaxt.) I.I. Tav., Diphymyces bidentatus (Thaxt.) I.I. Tav., Diphymyces niger (T. Majewski) I.I. Tav., Diphymyces silphidarum (Thaxt.) I.I. Tav., and the recently described Diphymyces urbasoli Santµm. (Santamaria 1993) in perithecial and appendage details and is perhaps most closely allied to Diphymyces curvatus (Thaxt.) I.I. Tav., which was also described from New Zealand. Diphymyces penicillifer differs from the latter essentially in possessing a much shorter appendage (55 µm long compared with 75-100 µm) with the cluster of terminally produced phialides much more compact and brushlike (hence the specific epithet), and the perithecium more straight and erect. This is also the first member of the genus to be found on a staphylinid beetle.

HOLOTYPE: NEW ZEALAND, North Island, Wellington, north of Upper Hutt, Akatarawa Saddle, el. ca. 700 m, on the abdomen of Stenomalium helmsi (Cameron) (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Omaliinae), taken in litter, 17 January 1983, leg. P.M. Hammond (PDD 64946).
ISOTYPE: Same data (AW-677).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: NEW ZEALAND, North Island, Rotorua, Lake Rotoiti, 600-700 m, on the abdominal bristles of Sepedophilus niticollis Broun (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), 23-27 December 1983, leg. P.M. Hammond (AW-87).

Thallus pale yellow to brown. Total length from foot to tip of perithecium 220-260 µm. Receptacle consisting of a short series of more or less opaque, superposed, flattened cells the upper of which subtends the appendages, which are also infuscated with brown. Perithecium 150-195 x 25-35 µm, divergent from the main axis of the thallus, basally suffused with light brown becoming paler distally, with a long, straight perithecial outgrowth extending beyond the rather undistinguished tip. Ascospores not observed.

KNOWN DISTRIBUTION AND HOSTS: Described originally from Trinidad on "Conosoma trinadadense Bernhauer" (Thaxter 1931), this host name is apparently not valid (Frank 1982) but is probably referrable to Sepedophilus. More recently the parasite has been reported from Japan on Sepedophilus tibialis Sharp (Terada 1977).

The New Zealand material corresponds to the description and illustration of one form of this species, that producing a long, straight perithecial outgrowth (Thaxter 1931, Plate XLVI, Fig. 10), and no specimens of the other form with a more truncate perithecial outgrowth have been observed. The genus Smeringomyces is poorly understood at present and in need of detailed study.

Habit very long and slender, usually almost straight. Basal cell almost hyaline, elongated, subfusiform, sometimes curved near the base, its contents variably contracted in the upper portion. Suprabasal cell hyaline, very long, representing more than half the length of the whole fungus. Stalk cell of the appendage tinged with brownish-yellow, quite narrow, almost three times as long as broad. Axis of the appendage composed of four successively smaller cells, the basal of which is darker, each bearing two antheridia except for the uppermost, which bears one antheridium surmounted by two, superposed. Stalk cell of the perithecium rather small, almost hyaline, subtriangular, the cells above being about as large and tinged with brownish-yellow. Venter of perithecium uniformly brownish-yellow, broadened distally, its margins slightly convex. Neck of the perithecium about twice as long as the venter, rather slender, its margins almost straight, spreading and moderately distinguished at the base, distally enlarged below the abruptly distinguished, tapering tip, ending in four small lips, three of which are truncate, the fourth obtuse and slightly longer. Total length of thallus from foot to tip of perithecium: 1025-1390 µm; length of receptacle: 620-1010 µm; length of free appendage: 80-85 µm; venter of perithecium: 105-125 x 70-85 µm; ascospores: 35-45 x 5 µm.

Fungus tenuis ac valde elongatus, fere directus. Basalis cellula quasi hyalina, elongata, subfusiformis, interdum prope pedem curvata. Suprabasalis cellula hyalina, valde elongata, medium fungum superans. Cellula appendicem sufferens testaceo colore, quasi ter tanto longior quam latior. Appendices axis e quatuor cellulis ab imo ad summum minoribus constat, quae bina antheridia ferunt, praeter ultimµm, tria superposita antheridia ferentem. Cellula stirpis perithecii parva, quasi hyalina, fere triangula; perithecii basales cellulae similes et paulo fusciores. Perithecii venter testaceo colore, parum inflatus, ad summum latior. Perithecii collum duplo longius quam venter et ab eo paulo distinctum, tenue, directis marginibus, prae angustato apice inflaum. Ostii labia parva, quarum tria truncata, quarum veto obtusum ac longius. Longitudo a pede usque ad apicem perithecii: 1025 -1390 µm; longitudo receptaculi: 620-1010 µm; longitudo appendicis: 80-85 µm; perithecii venter: 105-125 x 70-85 µm; ascosporae: 35-45 x 5 µm.
Parasitus Sapromyzae neozealandicae in Nova Zelandia. HOLOTYPUS: PDD 64949

ETYMOLOGY: referring to the collection locality.
NOTES: Stigmatomyces novozelandicus is by far the tallest species in the genus. Its length is due to the extraordinary elongation of the suprabasal cell, which represents up to 60% of the length of the whole fungus. Until now only two species of Stigmatomyces have been reported on members of the Sapromyzidae: Stigmatomyces inflatus Thaxt. on Sapromyza sp. from Mexico and Stigmatomyces rubripes Thaxt. on an unidentified dipteron belonging to the Sapromyzidae from Sumatra (Thaxter 1931). The new species is very different from the former. It displays some resemblance to the latter, from which it is readily distinguished, however, by the different shape and colour of the perithecium, the fertile basal cell of the appendage and obviously by the much more elongated habit.

HOLOTYPE: NEW ZEALAND, South Island, Cook Strait, Marlborough Sounds, Maud Island, Old Homestead, on the scutellum of Sapromyza neozealandica Tonnoir & Malloch (Diptera: Lauxanidae), 4 January 1961, leg. Notman (PDD 64949).
ISOTYPES: Same data, in PDD; AW-688; AW-688b in coll. W.R.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: NEW ZEALAND, North Island, Auckland City, Lynfield, on the legs and abdomen of four individuals of Scatella nitidithorax Malloch (Diptera: Ephyddridae), 11 December 1983 (PDD 64947; AW-686) and 17 October 1984 (WR-1990), leg. B.A. Holloway.

Thallus hyaline to amber yellow, erect. Receptacle with two more or less equal cells, the basal (1) tapering towards the small black foot. Appendage stalk cell relatively small. Appendage basal cell sterile, superposed by three further cells, each producing a single antheridium, except for the uppermost cell, which additionally gives way to a spiniferous, terminal antheridium. Perithecium with venter inflated about the middle and with conspicuous spiral ridges. Perithecial neck abruptly distinguished, narrow elongate. Tip with distinct projections. Total length of thalli from foot to tip of perithecium: 275-360 µm; length of receptacle: 100-180 µm; length of free appendage: 55-65 µm; venter of perithecium: 100-110 x 60-65 µm; ascospores: 40-45 x 5 µm.

KNOWN DISTRIBUTION AND HOSTS: Stigmatomyces purpureus is of widespread distribution with records for Europe, North America, and Asia on various species of Scatella (Santamaria and Rossi 1993).

The specimens examined agree closely with the original description and illustration (Thaxter 1901, 1908) except for the thalli found on the legs in which the perithecial tip lacks the distinct projections, the lip cells being more rounded and not protruding.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: NEW ZEALAND, South Island, Otago, Rock, and Pillar Ranges, Rocklands, on the legs of a single specimen of Parahyadina sp. (Diptera: Ephydridae) in pitfall trap in tussock, 13-28 February 1979, leg. B.I.P. Barratt (PDD 64948; AW-687).

Thallus hyaline erect. Receptacle slender, the suprabasal cell (II) twice as long as the basal (I). Primary appendage relatively short, the basal cell sterile, superposed by six or seven additional cells each of which give way to a single antheridium, except for the, uppermost cell, which additionally produces a terminal, spiniferous antheridium. Perithecium long and slender, ridged. Perithecial tip with four papillae arranged around a somewhat more prominent apical projection. Total length of thallus from foot to tip of perithecium: 360 µm; length of free appendage: 85 µm; venter of perithecium: 100 x 55 µm; ascospores not observed.

KNOWN DISTRIBUTION AND HOSTS: Stigmatomyces spiralis has been reported from the United States on Philygria (= Hyadina) sp. (type) and on P. debilis Loew, from France on Hyadina pollinosa Oldenberg, H. humeralis Becker and H. guttata (Fallen), from Italy on H. guttata and from Spain on Philygria obotecta Becker (Santamaria and Rossi 1993). The occurrence on Parahyadina in New Zealand therefore represents a significant extension to the known distribution and a new host-parasite association.

The material from New Zealand, although rather scanty and in poor condition, agrees closely with the original description and illustration (Thaxter 1901, 1908), the only appreciable difference being that of size. The New Zealand material is shorter (maximum length of thallus 360 µm) than the figures quoted in the original description (350-600 µm, average 500-550 µm).