The genus Lasiobolus (Pezizales, Ascomycetes)

The history of the genus is reviewed and its taxonomical position is discussed. Lasiobolus is characterized by small, usually yellowish, setose apothecia, non-septate setae, operculate, non-amyloid, eight-spored to multispored asci, and hyaline to yellowish, smooth, unicelled, thin-walled ascospores that contain gas bubbles. Species are distinguished by (1) the number of spores per ascus, (2) the type and arrangement of excipular cells, (3) presence or absence of cyanophilic markings in the setae, and (4) the relative size and shape of asci, spores, and sterile elements. Lasiobolus intermedius, L. microsporus, and L. trichoboloides are proposed as new species. A key, detailed descriptions, and illustrations are provided for all the 11 recognized species. A list of insufficiently known and excluded species is included.