Additions to Italian Pleosporinae, including Italica heraclei sp. nov.

Abstract Background In the last few years, many microfungi—including plant-associated species—have been reported from various habitats and substrates in Italy. In this study of pleosporalean fungi, we researched terrestrial habitats in the Provinces of Arezzo (Tuscany region), Forli-Cesena and Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna region) in Italy. New information Our research on Italian pleosporalean fungi resulted in the discovery of a new species, Italica heraclei ( Phaeosphaeriaceae ). In addition, we present a new host record for Pseudoophiobolus mathieui ( Phaeosphaeriaceae ) and the second Italian record of Phomatodes nebulosa ( Didymellaceae ). Species boundaries were defined, based on morphological study and multi-locus phylogenetic reconstructions using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses. Our findings expand the knowledge on host and distribution ranges of pleosporalean fungi in Italy.