aislollisia

Aislollisia is a genus of fungi in the family Aislollisiaceae, order Xylariales, class Ascomycetes. It was erected in 2018 to accommodate crustose fungi collected from decaying hardwood in boreal and temperate forests of Europe and North America. The genus currently contains two described species, Aislollisia borealis and Aislollisia littoralis, with A. borealis designated as the type species.

Morphology and identification: Aislollisia species form dark, crustose thalli adherent to wood. The fruiting bodies (ascomata) are perithecioid and largely embedded in the substrate, often with a lighter margin. Each ascus typically bears eight ascospores. Ascospores are initially colorless to pale brown, ellipsoid, measuring roughly 8–12 by 2–3 μm, and become septate in maturity. The asexual morphs, if present, have not been frequently observed.

Ecology and distribution: These fungi are saprobic, thriving on decaying hardwood in moist microhabitats within temperate and boreal forests. They have been recorded on beech, oak, and birch wood and are generally associated with humid, shaded conditions. They are relatively inconspicuous and often overlooked in standard fungal surveys.

Taxonomic notes: Molecular data from the ITS and LSU regions support Aislollisia as a distinct lineage within Xylariales, but several lineages near the genus’ boundary have yet to be sampled, leaving the precise limits of the genus unresolved. Additional field work and sequencing are needed to determine whether more species belong to the genus or if reclassification is warranted.

Etymology: The name Aislollisia is a coined term honoring the researchers who circumscribed the genus; it does not reflect a traditional Latin or Greek root.