Biodiversity of Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes in the Brazilian Semi-Arid region

As part of the Program of Research on the Biodiversity in the Brazilian Semi-arid region, ten expeditions were undertaken to survey the biodiversity of Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes throughout this area. These expeditions were made between 2011 and 2013 to three enclaves of Atlantic Forest located on mountain tops within the Caatinga biome (Mata do Pau-Ferro State Ecological Reserve, Ubajara National Park, and Serra da Jibóia), as well as to an area characterized by caatinga vegetation (Serra das Confusões National Park). Over 451 collections were obtained and identified comprising a total of 45 species representing 39 genera. Dothideomyetes was represented by two orders: Hysteriales (1 family) and Pleosporales (6 families). Sordariomycetes was represented by four orders and two family: Coronophorales (2 families), Diaporthales (1 family), Hypocreales (2 families), Xylariales (2 families), Annulatascaceae, and Helminthosphaeriaceae. Within these collections, one represents a genus new to science, ten are new species based on morphological and molecular data (ITS and LSU) and 19 are new species records for Brazil.