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1.
J Antibiot (Tokyo) ; 77(3): 147-155, 2024 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38110564

ABSTRACT

Talcarpones A (1) and B (2) are rare bisnaphthazarin derivatives produced by Talaromyces johnpittii (ex-type strain MST-FP2594), a newly discovered Australian fungus, which is formally described and named herein. The talcarpones were isolated along with the previously reported monomeric naphthoquinone, aureoquinone (3), suggesting a biosynthetic link between these metabolites. Talcarpone A is a lower homologue of hybocarpone (4), which was first isolated from a mycobiont of the lichen Lecanora hybocarpa. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis, molecular modelling and comparison with literature data. Talcarpones 1 and 2 exhibited moderate antifungal activity (MIC 0.78-3.1 µg ml-1) and weak activity against Gram-positive bacteria (MIC 13-25 µg ml-1). The talcarpones also demonstrated noteworthy chemical reactivities, with 2 converting rapidly to 1, which in turn converted slowly to the highly coloured 3. These post-biosynthetic reactions point to a potential ecological role for the talcarpones in providing ongoing (slow-release) physicochemical protection for T. johnpittii against solar irradiation.


Subject(s)
Talaromyces , Talaromyces/chemistry , Australia , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/chemistry , Molecular Structure
2.
Fungal Divers ; 111(1): 1-335, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34899100

ABSTRACT

This article is the 13th contribution in the Fungal Diversity Notes series, wherein 125 taxa from four phyla, ten classes, 31 orders, 69 families, 92 genera and three genera incertae sedis are treated, demonstrating worldwide and geographic distribution. Fungal taxa described and illustrated in the present study include three new genera, 69 new species, one new combination, one reference specimen and 51 new records on new hosts and new geographical distributions. Three new genera, Cylindrotorula (Torulaceae), Scolecoleotia (Leotiales genus incertae sedis) and Xenovaginatispora (Lindomycetaceae) are introduced based on distinct phylogenetic lineages and unique morphologies. Newly described species are Aspergillus lannaensis, Cercophora dulciaquae, Cladophialophora aquatica, Coprinellus punjabensis, Cortinarius alutarius, C. mammillatus, C. quercoflocculosus, Coryneum fagi, Cruentomycena uttarakhandina, Cryptocoryneum rosae, Cyathus uniperidiolus, Cylindrotorula indica, Diaporthe chamaeropicola, Didymella azollae, Diplodia alanphillipsii, Dothiora coronicola, Efibula rodriguezarmasiae, Erysiphe salicicola, Fusarium queenslandicum, Geastrum gorgonicum, G. hansagiense, Helicosporium sexualis, Helminthosporium chiangraiensis, Hongkongmyces kokensis, Hydrophilomyces hydraenae, Hygrocybe boertmannii, Hyphoderma australosetigerum, Hyphodontia yunnanensis, Khaleijomyces umikazeana, Laboulbenia divisa, Laboulbenia triarthronis, Laccaria populina, Lactarius pallidozonarius, Lepidosphaeria strobelii, Longipedicellata megafusiformis, Lophiotrema lincangensis, Marasmius benghalensis, M. jinfoshanensis, M. subtropicus, Mariannaea camelliae, Melanographium smilaxii, Microbotryum polycnemoides, Mimeomyces digitatus, Minutisphaera thailandensis, Mortierella solitaria, Mucor harpali, Nigrograna jinghongensis, Odontia huanrenensis, O. parvispina, Paraconiothyrium ajrekarii, Parafuscosporella niloticus, Phaeocytostroma yomensis, Phaeoisaria synnematicus, Phanerochaete hainanensis, Pleopunctum thailandicum, Pleurotheciella dimorphospora, Pseudochaetosphaeronema chiangraiense, Pseudodactylaria albicolonia, Rhexoacrodictys nigrospora, Russula paravioleipes, Scolecoleotia eriocamporesi, Seriascoma honghense, Synandromyces makranczyi, Thyridaria aureobrunnea, Torula lancangjiangensis, Tubeufia longihelicospora, Wicklowia fusiformispora, Xenovaginatispora phichaiensis and Xylaria apiospora. One new combination, Pseudobactrodesmium stilboideus is proposed. A reference specimen of Comoclathris permunda is designated. New host or distribution records are provided for Acrocalymma fici, Aliquandostipite khaoyaiensis, Camarosporidiella laburni, Canalisporium caribense, Chaetoscutula juniperi, Chlorophyllum demangei, C. globosum, C. hortense, Cladophialophora abundans, Dendryphion hydei, Diaporthe foeniculina, D. pseudophoenicicola, D. pyracanthae, Dictyosporium pandanicola, Dyfrolomyces distoseptatus, Ernakulamia tanakae, Eutypa flavovirens, E. lata, Favolus septatus, Fusarium atrovinosum, F. clavum, Helicosporium luteosporum, Hermatomyces nabanheensis, Hermatomyces sphaericoides, Longipedicellata aquatica, Lophiostoma caudata, L. clematidis-vitalbae, Lophiotrema hydei, L. neoarundinaria, Marasmiellus palmivorus, Megacapitula villosa, Micropsalliota globocystis, M. gracilis, Montagnula thailandica, Neohelicosporium irregulare, N. parisporum, Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum, Phaeoisaria aquatica, Poaceascoma taiwanense, Saproamanita manicata, Spegazzinia camelliae, Submersispora variabilis, Thyronectria caudata, T. mackenziei, Tubeufia chiangmaiensis, T. roseohelicospora, Vaginatispora nypae, Wicklowia submersa, Xanthagaricus necopinatus and Xylaria haemorrhoidalis. The data presented herein are based on morphological examination of fresh specimens, coupled with analysis of phylogenetic sequence data to better integrate taxa into appropriate taxonomic ranks and infer their evolutionary relationships.

3.
J Fungi (Basel) ; 7(11)2021 Oct 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34829187

ABSTRACT

Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) is endemic to eastern Australia and produces an edible nut that is widely cultivated in commercial orchards globally. A survey of fungi associated with the grey and green mold symptoms of macadamia flowers found mostly species of Botrytis (Sclerotiniaceae, Leotiomycetes) and Cladosporium (Cladosporiaceae, Dothideomycetes). These isolates included B. cinerea, C. cladosporioides, and unidentified isolates. Amongst the unidentified isolates, one novel species of Botrytis and three novel species of Cladosporium were delimited and characterized by molecular phylogenetic analyses. The new species are Botrytis macadamiae, Cladosporium devikae, C. macadamiae, and C. proteacearum.

4.
J Fungi (Basel) ; 7(9)2021 Sep 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34575809

ABSTRACT

Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) is native to eastern Australia and produces an edible nut that is extensively cultivated in commercial orchards in several countries. Little is known about the diversity of fungi associated with diseases of macadamia inflorescences. A survey of fungi associated with the dry flower disease of macadamia detected several isolates of Neopestalotiopsis (Pestalotiopsidaceae, Sordariomycetes). Five new species of Neopestalotiopsis were identified based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of concatenated gene sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), ß-tubulin (TUB), and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1α). The new species are named Neopestalotiopsis drenthii, N. maddoxii, N. olumideae, N. vheenae, and N. zakeelii, and are described by molecular, morphological, and cultural characteristics. The ecology of the isolates and their pathogenic, saprophytic, or commensal ability were not determined.

5.
MycoKeys ; 78: 1-20, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33613044

ABSTRACT

Ascochyta koolunga (Didymellaceae, Pleosporales) was first described in 2009 (as Phoma koolunga) and identified as the causal agent of Ascochyta blight of Pisum sativum (field pea) in South Australia. Since then A. koolunga has not been reported anywhere else in the world, and its origins and occurrence on other legume (Fabaceae) species remains unknown. Blight and leaf spot diseases of Australian native, pasture and naturalised legumes were studied to investigate a possible native origin of A. koolunga. Ascochyta koolunga was not detected on native, naturalised or pasture legumes that had leaf spot symptoms, in any of the studied regions in southern Australia, and only one isolate was recovered from P. sativum. However, we isolated five novel species in the Didymellaceae from leaf spots of Australian native legumes from commercial field pea regions throughout southern Australia. The novel species were classified on the basis of morphology and phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region and part of the RNA polymerase II subunit B gene region. Three of these species, Nothophoma garlbiwalawarda sp. nov., Nothophoma naiawu sp. nov. and Nothophoma ngayawang sp. nov., were isolated from Senna artemisioides. The other species described here are Epicoccum djirangnandiri sp. nov. from Swainsona galegifolia and Neodidymelliopsis tinkyukuku sp. nov. from Hardenbergia violacea. In addition, we report three new host-pathogen associations in Australia, namely Didymella pinodes on S. artemisioides and Vicia cracca, and D. lethalis on Lathyrus tingitanus. This is also the first report of Didymella prosopidis in Australia.

6.
Front Microbiol ; 11: 1571, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32765452

ABSTRACT

In contrast to Eurasia and North America, powdery mildews (Ascomycota, Erysiphales) are understudied in Australia. There are over 900 species known globally, with fewer than currently 60 recorded from Australia. Some of the Australian records are doubtful as the identifications were presumptive, being based on host plant-pathogen lists from overseas. The goal of this study was to provide the first comprehensive catalog of all powdery mildew species present in Australia. The project resulted in (i) an up-to-date list of all the taxa that have been identified in Australia based on published DNA barcode sequences prior to this study; (ii) the precise identification of 117 specimens freshly collected from across the country; and (iii) the precise identification of 30 herbarium specimens collected between 1975 and 2013. This study confirmed 42 species representing 10 genera, including two genera and 13 species recorded for the first time in Australia. In Eurasia and North America, the number of powdery mildew species is much higher. Phylogenetic analyses of powdery mildews collected from Acalypha spp. resulted in the transfer of Erysiphe acalyphae to Salmonomyces, a resurrected genus. Salmonomyces acalyphae comb. nov. represents a newly discovered lineage of the Erysiphales. Another taxonomic change is the transfer of Oidium ixodiae to Golovinomyces. Powdery mildew infections have been confirmed on 13 native Australian plant species in the genera Acacia, Acalypha, Cephalotus, Convolvulus, Eucalyptus, Hardenbergia, Ixodia, Jagera, Senecio, and Trema. Most of the causal agents were polyphagous species that infect many other host plants both overseas and in Australia. All powdery mildews infecting native plants in Australia were phylogenetically closely related to species known overseas. The data indicate that Australia is a continent without native powdery mildews, and most, if not all, species have been introduced since the European colonization of the continent.

7.
Mycologia ; 112(3): 649-660, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32412345

ABSTRACT

A fungus causing false smut in the flowers of Murdannia keisak (Commelinaceae, Commelinales, Monocots) in Japan was morphologically identical to Ustilago aneilematis. The fungus infected ovaries of most flowers of host plants. Infected flowers were filled with yellow to orange thick-walled conidia that became olivaceous green at maturity. However, multilocus phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences (18S, 28S, translation elongation factor 1α [TEF], the largest [RPB1] and the second largest [RPB2] subunit of RNA polymerase II) showed that the fungus belonged to the tribe Ustilaginoideae (Clavicipitaceae, Hypocreales, Ascomycota). Microscopic examination showed that the fungus developed conidia at the apex of conidiogenous cells, in contrast to other species in the Ustilaginoideae that develop conidia pleurogenously. A new genus, Commelinaceomyces, is formally proposed in the Ustilaginoideae to accommodate this fungus. Four species previously misplaced in Ustilago (Ustilaginales, Basidiomycota) are transferred to Commelinaceomyces, including the type of the genus, C. aneilematis, on Murdannia keisak. This is the first report of a clavicipitaceous species infecting host plants in the Commelinaceae.


Subject(s)
Commelinaceae/parasitology , Hypocreales/classification , Hypocreales/cytology , Hypocreales/genetics , Ustilago/classification , Ustilago/cytology , Ustilago/genetics , DNA, Fungal , Japan , Phylogeny , Sequence Analysis, DNA
8.
MycoKeys ; 52: 1-16, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31139007

ABSTRACT

A combined ecological, morphological, and molecular approach was used to examine 26 herbarium specimens and eight strains of Moesziomyces. The phylogenetic analysis resolved eight well-supported clades, of which three contained type specimens of known species of Moesziomyces. One clade contained two specimens that produced a teleomorph in the flowers of Echinochloakimberleyensis in Australia. The name Moesziomyceskimberleyensis is proposed for this smut fungus. Another clade contained specimens that produced sori in the flowers of Leersiahexandra. The name Thecaphoraglobuligera (now Moesziomycesglobuligerus) is available for this species, which is lectotypified. The teleomorph of Moesziomycesantarcticus, previously known only from Japan, is found for the first time in China, on Echinochloacrus-galli.

9.
MycoKeys ; (41): 39-50, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30344443

ABSTRACT

There are 63 known species of Thecaphora (Glomosporiaceae, Ustilaginomycotina), a third of which occur on Asteraceae. These smut fungi produce yellowish-brown to reddish-brown masses of spore balls in specific, mostly regenerative, plant organs. A species of Thecaphora was collected in the flower heads of Anthemischia (Anthemideae, Asteraceae) on Rhodes Island, Greece, in 2015 and 2017, which represents the first smut record of a smut fungus on a host plant species in this tribe. Based on its distinctive morphology, host species and genetic divergence, this species is described as Thecaphoraanthemidis sp. nov. Molecular barcodes of the ITS region are provided for this and several other species of Thecaphora. A phylogenetic and morphological comparison to closely related species showed that Th.anthemidis differed from other species of Thecaphora. Thecaphoraanthemidis produced loose spore balls in the flower heads and peduncles of Anthemischia unlike other flower-infecting species.

10.
Sci Rep ; 8(1): 10806, 2018 Jul 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30018297

ABSTRACT

A little known, unculturable ascomycete, referred to as Phyllachora ambrosiae, can destroy the inflorescences of Ambrosia artemisiifolia, an invasive agricultural weed and producer of highly allergenic pollen. The fungus often remains undetectable in ragweed populations. This work was conducted to understand its origin and pathogenesis, a prerequisite to consider its potential as a biocontrol agent. The methods used included light and transmission electron microscopy, nrDNA sequencing, phylogenetic analyses, artificial inoculations, and the examination of old herbarium and recent field specimens from Hungary, Korea, Ukraine and USA. The Eurasian and the North American specimens of this fungus were to represent two distinct, although closely related lineages that were only distantly related to other lineages within the Ascomycota. Consequently, we describe a new genus that includes Cryptophyllachora eurasiatica gen. et sp. nov. and C. ambrosiae comb. nov., respectively. The pathogenesis of C. eurasiatica was shown in A. artemisiifolia. No evidence was found for either seed-borne transmission or systemic infection. Two hypotheses were developed to explain the interaction between C. eurasiatica and A. artemisiifolia: (i) as yet undetected seed-borne transmissions and latent, systemic infections; or (ii) alternative hosts.


Subject(s)
Ambrosia/microbiology , Fungi/pathogenicity , Agriculture , DNA, Fungal/chemistry , DNA, Fungal/isolation & purification , DNA, Fungal/metabolism , Fungi/classification , Fungi/genetics , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Phylogeny , Sequence Analysis, DNA
11.
MycoKeys ; (35): 1-25, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29942174

ABSTRACT

Several unidentified specimens of Curvularia deposited in the Queensland Plant Pathology Herbarium were re-examined. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer region, partial fragments of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and the translation elongation factor 1-α genes, supported the introduction of 13 novel Curvularia species. Eight of the species described, namely, C. beasleyisp. nov., C. beerburrumensissp. nov., C. eragrosticolasp. nov., C. kenpeggiisp. nov., C. mebaldsiisp. nov., C. petersoniisp. nov., C. platziisp. nov. and C. warraberensissp. nov., were isolated from grasses (Poaceae) exotic to Australia. Only two species, C. lamingtonensissp. nov. and C. sporobolicolasp. nov., were described from native Australian grasses. Two species were described from hosts in other families, namely, C. coatesiaesp. nov. from Litchi chinensis (Sapindaceae) and C. colbraniisp. nov. from Crinum zeylanicum (Amaryllidaceae). Curvularia reesiisp. nov. was described from an isolate obtained from an air sample. Furthermore, DNA sequences from ex-type cultures supported the generic placement of C. neoindica and the transfer of Drechslera boeremae to Curvularia.

12.
Phytopathology ; 107(12): 1479-1485, 2017 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28723243

ABSTRACT

Black root rot is a severe disease of young avocado trees in Australia causing black necrotic roots, tree stunting, and leaf drop prior to tree death. Nectriaceous fungi (Nectriaceae, Hypocreales), are commonly isolated from symptomatic roots. This research tested the pathogenicity of 19 isolates from Calonectria, Cylindrocladiella, Dactylonectria, Gliocladiopsis, and Ilyonectria, spp. collected from young avocado trees and other hosts. Glasshouse pathogenicity tests with 'Reed' avocado (Persea americana) seedlings confirmed that Calonectria ilicicola is a severe pathogen of avocado, causing stunting, wilting, and seedling death within 5 weeks of inoculation. Isolates of C. ilicicola from peanut, papaya, and custard apple were also shown to be aggressive pathogens of avocado, demonstrating a broad host range. An isolate of a Calonectria sp. from blueberry and avocado isolates of Dactylonectria macrodidyma, D. novozelandica, D. pauciseptata, and D. anthuriicola caused significant root rot but not stunting within 5 to 9 weeks of inoculation. An isolate of an Ilyonectria sp. from grapevine closely related to Ilyonectria liriodendri, and avocado isolates of Cylindrocladiella pseudoinfestans, Gliocladiopsis peggii, and an Ilyonectria sp. were not pathogenic to avocado.


Subject(s)
Hypocreales/pathogenicity , Plant Diseases/microbiology , Australia , Persea/microbiology , Plant Leaves/microbiology , Plant Roots/microbiology , Seedlings/microbiology , Trees
13.
Mycologia ; 109(3): 408-421, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28636469

ABSTRACT

Macalpinomyces was established in 1977, with the type species M. eriachnes described from a specimen collected in northern Australia on the grass Eriachne sp. in 1855. Subsequently, M. eriachnes has been reported on more than 21 species of Eriachne in northern Australia. In this study, a polyphasic approach was employed to determine whether M. eriachnes masked cryptic diversity. On the basis of morphology, multilocus phylogeny, and coalescent methods of generalized mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC) and Poisson tree processes (PTP) models, 26 specimens of Macalpinomyces on 13 species of Eriachne held in Australian herbaria were studied. Consequently, 10 new species of Macalpinomyces that satisfied the phylogenetic species recognition criteria are described.


Subject(s)
Phylogeny , Poaceae/microbiology , Ustilaginales/classification , Ustilaginales/cytology , Ustilaginales/genetics , Ustilaginales/isolation & purification , Australia , Cluster Analysis , DNA, Fungal/chemistry , DNA, Fungal/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/chemistry , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics , Genes, rRNA , Microscopy , RNA, Fungal/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNA
14.
Sci Rep ; 7: 43549, 2017 03 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28256543

ABSTRACT

Species of Tranzscheliella have been reported as pathogens of more than 30 genera of grasses (Poaceae). In this study, a combined morphological and molecular phylogenetic approach was used to examine 33 specimens provisionally identified as belonging to the T. hypodytes species complex. The phylogenetic analysis resolved several well-supported clades that corresponded to known and novel species of Tranzscheliella. Four new species are described and illustrated. In addition, a new combination in Tranzscheliella is proposed for Sorosporium reverdattoanum. Cophylogenetic analyses assessed by distance-based and event-cost based methods, indicated host switches are likely the prominent force driving speciation in Tranzscheliella.


Subject(s)
Biodiversity , Host Specificity , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Poaceae/microbiology , Ustilaginales/classification , Ustilaginales/genetics , DNA, Fungal , DNA, Intergenic , Phylogeny , Ustilaginales/ultrastructure
15.
Plant Dis ; 101(1): 45-53, 2017 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30682313

ABSTRACT

Incidence of dry flower disease of macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia), expressed as blight of the flowers and necrosis and dieback of the rachis, is increasing in Australia. In the 2012-13 production season, incidence of dry flower disease resulted in 10 to 30% yield loss in the affected orchards. Etiology of the disease has not been established. This study was established to characterize the disease and identify the causal pathogen. A survey of the major macadamia-producing regions in Australia revealed dry flower disease symptoms regardless of cultivar or location at all stages of raceme development. Based on colony and conidial morphology, the majority (41%) of fungal isolates obtained from tissue samples were identified as Pestalotiopsis and Neopestalotiopsis spp. The phylogeny of the combined partial sequence of the internal transcribed spacer, ß-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1-α gene loci segregated the isolates into two well-supported clades, independent of location or part of the inflorescence affected. Further morphological examination supported the establishment of two new species, which are formally described as Neopestalotiopsis macadamiae sp. nov. and Pestalotiopsis macadamiae sp. nov. Using spore suspensions of isolates of both species, Koch's postulates were fulfilled on three macadamia cultivars at all stages of raceme development. To our knowledge, this is the first report of species of Neopestalotiopsis and Pestalotiopsis as causal agents of inflorescence disease in macadamia.

16.
IMA Fungus ; 7(2): 247-252, 2016 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27990331

ABSTRACT

The classification of two root-infecting fungi, Magnaporthe garrettii and M. griffinii, was examined by phylogenetic analysis of multiple gene sequences. This analysis demonstrated that M. garrettii and M. griffinii were sister species that formed a well-supported separate clade in Papulosaceae (Diaporthomycetidae, Sordariomycetes), which clusters outside of the Magnaporthales. Wongia gen. nov, is established to accommodate these two species which are not closely related to other species classified in Magnaporthe nor to other genera, including Nakataea, Magnaporthiopsis and Pyricularia, which all now contain other species once classified in Magnaporthe.

17.
IMA Fungus ; 7(2): 309-315, 2016 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27990337

ABSTRACT

Ustilago is a polyphyletic genus of smut fungi found mainly on Poaceae. The development of a taxonomy that reflects phylogeny requires subdivision of Ustilago into smaller monophyletic genera. Several separate systematic analyses have determined that Macalpinomyces mackinlayi, M. tubiformis, Tolyposporella pachycarpa, Ustilago bouriquetii and U. maydis, occupy a unique phylogenetic position within the Ustilaginaceae. A previously introduced monotypic generic name typified by U. maydis, Mycosarcoma, is available to accommodate these species, which resolves one component of polyphyly for Ustilagos.lat. in Ustilaginaceae. An emended description of Mycosarcoma is provided to reflect the morphological synapomorphies of this monophyletic group. A specimen of Ustilago maydis that has had its genome sequenced is designated as a neotype for this species. Taxonomic stability will further be provided by a forthcoming proposal to conserve the name Uredo maydis over Lycoperdon zeae, which has priority by date, in order to preserve the well-known epithet maydis.

18.
New Phytol ; 209(3): 1149-58, 2016 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26459939

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the evolutionary time line for rust fungi and date key speciation events using a molecular clock. Evidence is provided that supports a contemporary view for a recent origin of rust fungi, with a common ancestor on a flowering plant. Divergence times for > 20 genera of rust fungi were studied with Bayesian evolutionary analyses. A relaxed molecular clock was applied to ribosomal and mitochondrial genes, calibrated against estimated divergence times for the hosts of rust fungi, such as Acacia (Fabaceae), angiosperms and the cupressophytes. Results showed that rust fungi shared a most recent common ancestor with a mean age between 113 and 115 million yr. This dates rust fungi to the Cretaceous period, which is much younger than previous estimations. Host jumps, whether taxonomically large or between host genera in the same family, most probably shaped the diversity of rust genera. Likewise, species diversified by host shifts (through coevolution) or via subsequent host jumps. This is in contrast to strict coevolution with their hosts. Puccinia psidii was recovered in Sphaerophragmiaceae, a family distinct from Raveneliaceae, which were regarded as confamilial in previous studies.


Subject(s)
Basidiomycota/physiology , Biological Evolution , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Calibration , Likelihood Functions , Phylogeny
19.
Fungal Biol ; 119(5): 433-46, 2015 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25937069

ABSTRACT

The black rot disease of Vitis species and other host genera of Vitacease is caused by Phyllosticta ampelicida and allied taxa which is considered to be a species complex. In this paper, we introduce four new species of Phyllosticta, including two from the P. ampelicida complex, based on a polyphasic characterization including disease symptoms and host association, morphology, and molecular phylogeny. The phylogenetic analysis was conducted based on the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and a combined multi-locus alignment of the ITS, actin (ACT), partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1), and glyceraldehydes 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) gene regions. Our study confirms the phylogenetic distinctions of the four new species, as well as their phenotypic differences with known species in the genus.


Subject(s)
Ascomycota/isolation & purification , Plant Diseases/microbiology , Vitis/microbiology , Ascomycota/classification , Ascomycota/genetics , Ascomycota/growth & development , China , DNA, Fungal/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics , Japan , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , United States
20.
Mycology ; 6(1): 50-75, 2015 Jan 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26000199

ABSTRACT

The generic concept of Phyllosticta has undergone substantial changes since its establishment in 1818. The existence of conidia with a mucilaginous sheath and an apical appendage is synapomorphic for Phyllosticta species, which has been shown in recent molecular phylogenetic studies. Thus a natural classification of Phyllosticta species should emphasize above morphological characters. Many names in Phyllosticta, both published in the scientific literatures and in publically accessible databases, need updating. In China, more than 200 species names in Phyllosticta have been recorded, of which, 158 species names are reviewed here based on their morphological descriptions and molecular data. Only 20 species of Phyllosticta are accepted from China. Other records of Phyllosticta refer to Phoma (89 records), Asteromella (14 records), Boeremia (9 records), Phomopsis (7 records) and Microsphaeropsis (1 record), with 19 names of uncertain generic classification. This work demonstrates an urgent need for the re-assessment of records of Phyllosticta worldwide.

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