The genus Chitonomyces (Laboulbeniales, Ascomycota) in Spain

Eleven species of Chitonomyces collected in Spain are described and illustrated, and a key for their determination is provided. Especially remarkable are four new European records (Ch. bakeri, Ch. bullardii, Ch. iriomotensis and Ch. spinosus), two new Iberian records (Ch. aculeifer and Ch. elongatus) and a new species herein described: Chitonomyces tylopus. Three new synonymies are proposed: Ch. bruchii and Ch. ceratomycetalis for Ch. aculeifer, and Ch. chungii for Ch. bakeri. A lectotype for Ch. italicus is designated. These results are supported by the examination of type material (for Ch. aculeifer, Ch. bruchii, Ch. ensifer and Ch. italicus) and of fungi prepared from insects collected by several entomologists. Specificity of host, sex and position of some species parasitizing Laccophilus beetles (Coleoptera Dytiscidae) are discussed on the basis of abundant material gathered in the Iberian peninsula, especially from a selected area of Gerona province (Spain).