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ITS rDNA phylogeny of selected Mycosphaerella species and their anamorphs occurring on Myrtaceae

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 May 2001

Pedro W. CROUS
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa. E-mail: pwc@maties.sun.ac.za
Li HONG
Affiliation:
Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Brenda D. WINGFIELD
Affiliation:
Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Michael J. WINGFIELD
Affiliation:
Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
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Abstract

Species of Mycosphaerella and their anamorphs are commonly found on the leaves of Myrtaceae, many of which are defoliated by these pathogens. The taxonomy of these fungi has been based on minute morphological differences, and virtually nothing is known regarding their relatedness to each other. In this study, we present a phylogeny of 30 species of Mycosphaerella or their anamorphs from myrtaceous hosts, based on sequence data from the ITS regions of the ribosomal RNA operon. Fifteen of the species were also analysed for the 5′ end of the large subunit (28S), which produced a phylogeny similar to that obtained for the ITS data set. The Mycosphaerella species included in this analysis are all regarded as representatives of section Plaga, and appear to represent a monophyletic assemblage. Mycosphaerella lateralis was the only species shown to have a wide host range. In general, species clustered together based on their anamorph genera. Species with Colletogloeopsis and Stenella anamorphs always grouped in two respective clusters. However, species with Mycovellosiella, Phaeophleospora, Pseudocercospora and Uwebraunia anamorphs occurred separately, suggesting that they have evolved more than once within Mycosphaerella. Based on the ITS data set, all morphospecies were also shown to be phylogenetic species, although too few isolates were available to address questions relating to intraspecies variation. Nevertheless, ITS sequence data proved sufficient to distinguish morphologically similar taxa that have hitherto only been distinguished based on ascospore germination patterns and anamorph characteristics. Sequence data presented in this study should facilitate the identification of Mycosphaerella species occurring on Myrtaceae in the future.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© The British Mycological Society 2001

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