The hyphomycete genus Engyodontium a link between Verticillium and Aphanocladium

Sporotrichum aranearum Cavara is redescribed from living cultures and found to have two kinds of conidiogenesis: phialidic and polyblastic. The latter type which is most conspicuous in this fungus, fits the genus Engyodontium de Hoog. This genus is considered to be a link between Verticillium and Aphanocladium and its generic diagnosis is extended to include both progressive and retrogressive formation of new conidiiferous pegs. Sporothrix (Tritirachium) rectidentatum (Matsushima) de Hoog and Cephalosporium aranearum Petch, in which some polyblastic conidiogenous cells with narrow denticles were also found, are transferred to Engyodontium. For the latter species the new name E. arachnophilum is proposed. The genus now comprises six species, including E. geniculatum, sp. nov. In addition, Acremonium obclavatum W. Gams is described as a new species for isolates that match the description formerly given by Gams for Verticillium tenuipes.