Fungi from Raroia in the Tuamotu Archipelago 
William Bridge Cooke 1 
Between July 21 and September 6, 1952, M. S. 
Doty collected a number of specimens of fungi 
on Raroia (ca. 16°05' S., 142°25' W.) in the 
Tuamotu Archipelago. These were sent to the 
writer for identification. In turn, certain speci- 
mens were forwarded to specialists for more 
accurate identification than the writer could 
furnish. 
The geographic distribution of the fungi of 
the islands in the Pacific Ocean is poorly known, 
largely because usually only the more obvious 
things, such as Pycnoporus sanguineus, are col- 
lected. It is probable that the fungi of the Tua- 
motus have never before been collected as thor- 
oughly as they were on Dr. Doty’s visit. 
There are few habitats on an atoll for fungi. 
These are largely the dead wood of native or 
introduced trees, and driftwood. 
In addition to the seven species reported be- 
low, based on material in 19 collections, other 
species were found. However, some specimens 
were unidentified because they were immature 
at the time of collection, had passed maturity 
and were no longer producing spores, or 
were poorly dried because of inadequate drying 
facilities. 
The writer wishes to acknowledge the help of 
B. Lowy, J. H. Miller, L. E. Wehmeyer, John 
Eriksson, S. J. Hughes, J. A. Stevenson, and J. L. 
Lowe, in identifying this material. Duplicate 
specimens of all species listed have been for- 
warded to the Bishop Museum, Honolulu; and 
the National Fungus Collections, Beltsville, 
Maryland. Duplicates of several species were 
sent to the New York Botanical Gardens. 
ASCOMYCETES 
Anthostomella sp. 
On fallen rachis of leaf of Cocos nucifera. 
11274 , 11277. July 21, 1952. 11277 is older than 
1 Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center, Bu- 
reau of State Services, Public Health Service, U. S. 
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. Manuscript received January 18, I960. 
11274 and has more crowded perithecia. Dr. 
L. E. Wehmeyer stated that these specimens have 
the spores of A. melanosticta but that this 
species shows no surface blackening. Additional 
species which are similar include A. contaminans 
(Dur. & Mont.) Sacc, and A. lugubris (Rob. & 
Desm.) Sacc. The description of A. cocoes- 
capitaiae Cab. was not available at the time of 
examination. 
Hypoxylon chrysoconium Berk. & Br. 
Six collections were made from decaying 
wood of Guettarda speciosa or M esserschmidia 
argentea. 11279, 11280, 11374, 11389, 11390, 
11393. July 21, 28, 29. Dr. J. H. Miller stated 
that "this is intermediate with Rosellinia but 
the perithecia are often united into an effused 
stroma. It occurs from India through the Ha- 
waiian Islands.” The mycelium on the surface of 
the wood is golden in color, making the species 
readily identifiable in the field. Two specimens 
were without perithecia and so were identified 
by analogy. 
Hypoxylon investiens (Schw.) Berk. 
Three specimens were obtained from decaying 
wood of Guettarda speciosa or M esserschmidia 
argentea. 11267, 11273, 11606. July 21, August 
7. Dr. Miller indicated that the specimens were 
rather old, showed few perithecia, and that 
blackening of the wood was characteristic of the 
species. This species forms thin, brown, effused 
patches on decaying twigs, branches, and wood. 
Phaeopeltosphaeria irregularis Wehmeyer 
Two specimens of this species were found 
on old wood, probably drift wood. 1 1 164, 11394. 
July 9, 28. Dr. Wehmeyer indicated that this 
species has now been found on three atolls 
of the Marshall Islands and on the Galapagos 
Islands. He said that "it is apparently common 
in the South Pacific on driftwood.” 
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