Morphology and Phylogeny of Gnomoniopsis (Gnomoniaceae, Diaporthales) from Fagaceae Leaves in China

Morphology and multigene phylogeny revealed four new species of Xylodon (Schizoporaceae, Basidiomycota) from southern China

Fungi are one of the most diverse groups of organisms on Earth, amongst which wood-inhabiting fungi play a crucial role in ecosystem processes and functions. Four new wood-inhabiting fungi, Xylodoncremeoparinaceus, X.luteodontioides, X.poroides and X.wumengshanensis are proposed, based on morphological features and molecular evidence. Xylodoncremeoparinaceus is distinguished by a cream hymenial surface with a pruinose hymenophore, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and ellipsoid basidiospores. Xylodonluteodontioides is characterised by flavescens hymenophore surface with odontioid hymenophore, monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and ellipsoid basidiospores. Xylodonporoides bears coriaceous basidiomata with a poroid hymenophore surface, monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and ellipsoid basidiospores. Xylodonwumengshanensis is a distinct taxon by its grandinoid hymenophore surface, monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and ellipsoid basidiospores. Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA markers of the studied samples were generated and phylogenetic analyses were performed using the Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony, and Bayesian Inference methods. The phylogram, based on the ITS+nLSU rDNA gene regions, included three genera within the Schizoporaceae as Fasciodontia, Lyomyces and Xylodon. The four new species were grouped into the genus Xylodon. The topology, based on the ITS sequences, revealed that Xylodoncremeoparinaceus was grouped closely with X.pruinosus, X.detriticus and X.ussuriensis. The taxon X.luteodontioides was sister to X.nesporii. The species X.poroides separated from X.pseudotropicus, while X.wumengshanensis was grouped with four taxa: X.patagonicus, X.radula, X.subtropicus and X.taiwanianus.

Phylogenetic and Morphological Evidence for Three New Species of Diaporthales (Ascomycota) from Fujian Province, China

Members of the fungal order Diaporthales are sac fungi that include plant pathogens (the notorious chestnut blight fungus), as well as saprobes and endophytes, and are capable of colonizing a wide variety of substrates in different ecosystems, habitats, and hosts worldwide. However, many Diaporthales species remain unidentified, and various inconsistencies within its taxonomic category remain to be resolved. Here, we aimed to identify and classify new species of Diaporthales by using combined morphological and molecular characterization and coupling this information to expand our current phylogenetic understanding of this order. Fungal samples were obtained from dead branches and diseasedleaves of Camellia (Theaceae) and Castanopsis (Fagaceae) in Fujian Province, China. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses derived from the combined nucleotide sequences of loci of the internal transcribed spacer regions with the intervening 5.8S nrRNA gene (ITS), the 28S large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (LSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (tef1), the partial beta-tubulin gene (tub2), and partial RNA polymerase II second-largest subunit gene (rpb2), three new species of Diaporthales were identified and characterized. They are as follows: Chrysofolia camelliae sp. nov., Dendrostoma castanopsidis sp. nov., and Pseudoplagiostoma wuyishanense sp. nov. They are described and illustrated. This study extends our understanding of species diversity within the Diaporthales.

Taxonomy and pathogenicity of fungi associated with oak decline in northern and central Zagros forests of Iran with emphasis on coelomycetous species

Oak decline is a complex disorder that seriously threatens the survival of Zagros forests. In an extensive study on taxonomy and pathology of fungi associated with oak decline in the central and northern part of Zagros forests, 462 fungal isolates were obtained from oak trees showing canker, gummosis, dieback, defoliation, and partial or total death symptoms. Based on inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) fingerprinting patterns, morphological characteristics, and sequences of ribosomal DNA (28S rDNA and ITS) and protein coding loci (acl1, act1, caM, tef-1α, rpb1, rpb2, and tub2), 24 fungal species corresponding to 19 genera were characterized. Forty percent of the isolates were placed in eight coelomycetous species from seven genera, namely, Alloeutypa, Botryosphaeria, Cytospora, Didymella, Gnomoniopsis, Kalmusia, and Neoscytalidium. Of these, four species are new to science, which are introduced here as taxonomic novelties: Alloeutypa iranensis sp. nov., Cytospora hedjaroudei sp. nov., Cytospora zagrosensis sp. nov., and Gnomoniopsis quercicola sp. nov. According to pathogenicity trials on leaves and stems of 2-year-old Persian oak (Quercus brantii) seedlings, Alternaria spp. (A. alternata, A. atra, and A. contlous), Chaetomium globosum, and Parachaetomium perlucidum were recognized as nonpathogenic. All coelomycetous species were determined as pathogenic in both pathogenicity trials on leaves and seedling stems, of which Gnomoniopsis quercicola sp. nov., Botryosphaeria dothidea, and Neoscytalidium dimidiatum were recognized as the most virulent species followed by Biscogniauxia rosacearum.

Species diversity and taxonomy of Vararia (Russulales, Basidiomycota) with descriptions of six species from Southwestern China

Vararia is a species-rich genus in the family Peniophoraceae and has been shown to be polyphyletic. In this study, sequences of ITS and LSU rRNA markers of the studied samples were generated and phylogenetic analyses were performed with the maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. Seventeen lineages including six new species from China, i.e., V.fissurata, V.lincangensis, V.punctata, V.isabellina, V.sinensis, and V.yaoshanensis were recognized, in which V.fissurata is characterized by the brittle basidiomata with pruinose and cracking hymenophore having white to olivaceous buff hymenial surface, the clamped generative hyphae, presence of the two types gloeocystidia; V.lincangensis is characterized by the simple-septa generative hyphae, and thick-walled skeletal hyphae, and ellipsoid basidiospores; V.punctata is delimited by its thin to slightly thick-walled generative hyphae, and thick-walled skeletal hyphae, present thick-walled, clavate to cylindrical gloeocystidia; V.isabellina is characterized by having the cream to isabelline to slightly brown hymenial surface, thin to slightly thick-walled generative hyphae, and sub-fusiform to navicular basidiospores; V.sinensis is distinguishable by its white to slightly pink hymenial surface, thick-walled skeletal hyphae, and sub-fusiform to navicular basidiospores; V.yaoshanensis is characterized by cream to pinkish buff to cinnamon-buff hymenial surface, slightly thick-walled generative hyphae, the presence of two types gloeocystidia, and slightly thick-walled, ellipsoid basidiospores. Phylogram based on the ITS+nLSU rDNA gene regions included nine genera within the family Peniophoraceae as Amylostereum, Asterostroma, Baltazaria, Dichostereum, Michenera, Peniophora, Scytinostroma and Vararia, in which the six new wood-inhabiting fungi species were grouped into genus Vararia. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the combined ITS and LSU tree sequences highlighted that V.fissurata was found to be the sister to V.ellipsospora with strong supports. Additionally, V.lincangensis was clustered with V.fragilis. Furthermore, V.punctata was retrieved as a sister to V.ambigua. Moreover, V.sinensis was grouped with five taxa as V.breviphysa, V.pirispora, V.fusispora, V.abortiphysa and V.insolita. The new species V.isabellina formed a monophyletic lineage, in which it was then grouped closely with V.daweishanensis, and V.gracilispora. In addition, V.yaoshanensis was found to be the sister to V.gallica with strong supports. The present results increased the knowledge of Vararia species diversity and taxonomy of corticioid fungi in China. An identification key to 17 species of Vararia in China is provided.

Diversity of Monochaetia Species from Fagaceous Leaf Spots in China and Pathogenicity for Chinese Chestnut

Pestalotioid fungi have been frequently studied with respect to their morphology, molecular phylogeny, and pathogenicity. Monochaetia is a pestalotioid genus that is morphologically characterized by 5-celled conidia with single apical and basal appendages. In the present study, fungal isolates were obtained from diseased leaves of Fagaceae hosts in China in 2016 to 2021 and identified based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses of the 5.8S nuclear ribosomal DNA gene with the two flanking internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU) region, the translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1) gene, and the β-tubulin (tub2) gene. As a result, five new species are proposed here, namely, Monochaetia hanzhongensis, Monochaetia lithocarpi, Monochaetia lithocarpicola, Monochaetia quercicola, and Monochaetia shaanxiensis. In addition, pathogenicity tests for these five species and Monochaetia castaneae from Castanea mollissima were conducted with detached leaves of Chinese chestnut. Results demonstrated that only M. castaneae successfully infected the host C. mollissima and caused brown lesions. IMPORTANCE Monochaetia is a pestalotioid genus, with members that are commonly known as leaf pathogens or saprobes; some strains were isolated from air, in which case their natural substrate is so far unknown. Fagaceae represents an ecologically and economically important plant family that is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, including an important tree crop species, Castanea mollissima, which is widely cultivated in China. In the present study, diseased leaves of Fagaceae in China were investigated, and five new Monochaetia species were introduced based on morphology and phylogeny of combined ITS, LSU, tef1, and tub2 loci. Additionally, six species of Monochaetia were inoculated onto healthy leaves of the crop host Castanea mollissima to test their pathogenicity. The present study provides significant data on the species diversity, taxonomy, and host range of Monochaetia and enhances our understanding of leaf diseases of Fagaceae hosts.

Research on the isolation and identification of black spot disease of Rosa chinensis in Kunming, China

Through a survey of rose diseases in the South Tropical Garden in Kunming, China, it was found that black spot was the most common and serious disease of rose cultivated in the open air there, with an incidence of more than 90%. In this study, fungus isolation was performed on leaf samples of five black spot susceptible varieties of rose from the South Tropical Garden by tissue isolation. 18 strains of fungus were initially obtained, and seven of them were finally identified to cause black spot symptoms on healthy leaves of rose after verification by Koch's rule. By observing the morphology of colonies and spores, and constructing a phylogenetic tree by combining molecular biology and multiple genes, two pathogenic fungus were identified, namely, Alternaria alternata and Gnomoniopsis rosae. G. rosae was the first pathogenic fungi of rose black spot isolated and identified in this study. The results of this study can provide a reference base for further research and control of the black spot disease of rose in Kunming.

Five new species of Schizoporaceae (Basidiomycota, Hymenochaetales) from East Asia

Five new wood-inhabiting fungi, Lyomyces albopulverulentus, L. yunnanensis, Xylodon daweishanensis, X. fissuratus, and X. puerensisspp. nov., are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Lyomyces albopulverulentus is characterized by brittle basidiomata, pruinose hymenophore with a white hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and ellipsoid basidiospores. Lyomyces yunnanensis is characterized by a grandinioid hymenial surface, the presence of capitate cystidia, and ellipsoid basidiospores. Xylodon daweishanensis is characterized by an odontioid hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and broad ellipsoid-to-subglobose basidiospores. Xylodon fissuratus is characterized by a cracking basidiomata with a grandinioid hymenial surface, and ellipsoid basidiospores. Xylodon puerensis is characterized by a poroid hymenophore with an angular or slightly daedaleoid configuration, and ellipsoid-to-broad-ellipsoid basidiospores. Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA markers of the studied samples were generated and phylogenetic analyses were performed with the maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogram based on the ITS+nLSU rDNA gene regions (Fig. 1) included six genera within the families Chaetoporellaceae, Hyphodontiaceae, Hymenochaetaceae, and Schizoporaceae (Hymenochaetales)—Fasciodontia, Hastodontia, Hyphodontia, Kneifiella, Lyomyces, and Xylodon—in which the five new species were grouped into genera Lyomyces and Xylodon. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the ITS sequences highlighted that Lyomyces albopulverulentus formed a monophyletic lineage and was then grouped closely with L. bambusinus, L. orientalis, and L. sambuci; additionally, L. yunnanensis was sister to L. niveus with strong supports. The topology, based on the ITS sequences, revealed that Xylodon daweishanensis was retrieved as a sister to X. hyphodontinus; X. fissuratus was grouped with the four taxa X. montanus, X. subclavatus, X. wenshanensis, and X. xinpingensis; and X. puerensis was clustered with X. flaviporus, X. ovisporus, X. subflaviporus, X. subtropicus, and X. taiwanianus.

Tapping Culture Collections for Fungal Endophytes: First Genome Assemblies for Three Genera and Five Species in the Ascomycota

The Ascomycota form the largest phylum in the fungal kingdom and show a wide diversity of lifestyles, some involving associations with plants. Genomic data are available for many ascomycetes that are pathogenic to plants, but endophytes, which are asymptomatic inhabitants of plants, are relatively understudied. Here, using short- and long-read technologies, we have sequenced and assembled genomes for 15 endophytic ascomycete strains from CABI's culture collections. We used phylogenetic analysis to refine the classification of taxa, which revealed that 7 of our 15 genome assemblies are the first for the genus and/or species. We also demonstrated that cytometric genome size estimates can act as a valuable metric for assessing assembly "completeness", which can easily be overestimated when using BUSCOs alone and has broader implications for genome assembly initiatives. In producing these new genome resources, we emphasise the value of mining existing culture collections to produce data that can help to address major research questions relating to plant-fungal interactions.

The Potential Fungal Pathogens of Euonymus japonicus in Beijing, China

Euonymus japonicus tolerates the dry and frigid climate of Beijing, China, and effectively filters out particles during the winter. However, fungal infestation frequently causes extreme illness and can even lead to shrub death. In this study, 104 diseased E. japonicus specimens were collected from seven districts in Beijing. Seventy-nine isolates were identified as 22 fungal species in seven genera. The species were Aplosporella hesperidica, A. javeedii, A. prunicola, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Colletotrichum aenigma, Co. euonymi, Co. euonymicola, Co. gloeosporioides, Cytospora ailanthicola, C. albodisca, C. diopuiensis, C. discotoma, C. elaeagni, C. euonymicola, C. euonymina, C. haidianensis, C. leucostoma, C. sophorae, C. zhaitangensis, Diaporthe eres, Dothiorella acericola, and Pestalotiopsis chaoyangensis. On the basis of morphological and phylogenetic analyses, Colletotrichum euonymi, Co. euonymicola, Cytospora zhaitangensis, and Pestalotiopsis chaoyangensis were introduced as novel species. Colletotrichum euonymi, Co. euonymicola, and Pestalotiopsis chaoyangensis were subsequently confirmed as pathogens of E. japonicus leaves by pathogenicity testing. This study provides an important assessment of the fungi associated with diseases of E. japonicus in Beijing, China.

Morphology and Phylogeny of Pestalotiopsis (Sporocadaceae, Amphisphaeriales) from Fagaceae Leaves in China

Fagaceae is a family of flowering plants widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, including deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. Species of Pestalotiopsis are well-known agents of leaf spot diseases, but targeted sampling on Fagaceae is still missing. To determine the diversity of Pestalotiopsis species associated with Fagaceae leaf spot in China, investigations were conducted in the main areas of Fagaceae distribution from 2016 to 2021. Diseased leaf tissues were collected, and fungal isolates were obtained from leaf spots. In the present study, 43 isolates of Pestalotiopsis were studied based on combined morphology and phylogeny. As a result, 10 new species were identified, viz., Pestalotiopsis anhuiensis, P. castanopsidis, P. changjiangensis, P. cyclobalanopsidis, P. foliicola, P. guangxiensis, P. guizhouensis, P. lithocarpi, P. shaanxiensis, and P. silvicola, and six new host records were recognized. IMPORTANCE Pestalotiopsis is a common fungal genus inhabiting plant tissues as endophytes, pathogens, and saprophytes. Fagaceae is a plant family including many important tree species, such as Castanea mollissima and Quercus spp. In this study, diseased leaves of Fagaceae in China were investigated, and 16 Pestalotiopsis species were identified based on morphology and phylogeny of combined loci of internal transcribed spacers (ITS), the translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1), and the beta-tubulin (tub2) genes. Among these, 10 new species were found, and six new host records were revealed. Our study significantly updates the taxonomy of Pestalotiopsis and enhances our understanding of leaf diseases of Fagaceae hosts.

Pseudocercospora rizhaoensis sp. nov. Causing Leaf Spot Disease of Ligustrum japonicum in China

Ligustrum japonicum is a common ornamental tree species in China. However, leaf spot disease has emerged in Rizhao City, Shandong Province of China in recent years. Members of Pseudocercospora are usually known as plant pathogens, mainly causing leaf spots and blights. Species of this genus are distinguished mainly based on morphological differences on the host plants, as well as the molecular data. A new species named Pseudocercospora rizhaoensis on Ligustrum japonicum is introduced herein based on morphology and molecular data of combined ITS, LSU, act, tef1 and rpb2 sequences. Koch’s postulates were confirmed by a pathogenicity test, re-isolation and identification.

Additions to The Knowledge of Tubakia (Tubakiaceae, Diaporthales) in China

The species of Tubakia (Tubakiaceae, Diaporthales, Sordariomycetes) have often been reported as endophytes and pathogens on woody plants. During the investigation of Tubakia species from Fagaceae trees in China, 46 isolates were obtained from diseased leaves and seeds. The characterization of these isolates was based on the observation of morphological characters, the effect of temperature on mycelial growth rate, as well as the combined genes of ITS, tef1 and tub2. As a result, six species were identified: Tubakia americana, T. cyclobalanopsidis sp. nov., T. dryinoides, T. koreana, T. paradryinoides and T. quercicola sp. nov. Among these, T. koreana and T. paradryinoides were firstly discovered in China. Pathogenicity tests were conducted using the conidial suspension on young, excised leaves for these six species, which showed that they were mildly pathogenic to four Fagacece hosts: C. mollissima, Q. acutissima, Q. aliena var. acutiserrata and Q. variabilis.

A new study of Nagrajomyces: with two new species proposed and taxonomic status inferred by phylogenetic methods

Nagrajomyces (incertae sedis, Ascomycota) is a monotypic genus with a previously unknown systematic position. In this report, two new species are proposed, Nagrajomycesfusiformis and Nagrajomyceslaojunshanensis. These new taxa are proposed based on morphological characteristics evident via light microscopy and molecular data. Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (ITS rDNA, nrLSU rDNA, RPB2, and TEF1-α) show that specimens recently collected in Yunnan Province, China are closely related to Gnomoniaceae. Both new species and known species were discovered repeatedly in their asexual developmental form exclusively on twigs of Rhododendron spp. (Ericaceae). This indicates a host specificity of Nagrajomyces spp. for species of Rhododendron.

Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Four New Species of Acrodictys (Acrodictyaceae) in China

During our ongoing survey of dematiaceous hyphomycetes associated with dead branches in tropical forests, eight Acrodictys isolates were collected from Hainan, China. Morphology from the cultures and phylogeny based on partial small subunit (SSU), entire internal transcribed spacer regions with intervening 5.8S (ITS), partial large subunit (LSU) of rRNA gene, partial beta-tubulin (tub2), and partial RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) genes were employed to identify these isolates. As a result, four new species, namely Acrodictys bawanglingensis sp. nov., A. diaoluoshanensis sp. nov., A. ellisii sp. nov., and A. pigmentosa sp. nov., are introduced. Illustrations and descriptions of the four taxa are provided, along with comparisons with closely related taxa in the genus. For facilitating relative studies, an updated key to all accepted species of this genus is also compiled.

Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Four New Species of Gnomoniopsis (Gnomoniaceae, Diaporthales) from China

The fungal genus Gnomoniopsis (Gnomoniaceae, Diaporthales) has been reported all around the world and isolated from multiple plant hosts. Based on multilocus phylogenies from a combined dataset of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the ribosomal RNA gene cluster, and partial regions of translation elongation factor 1 alpha (tef1) and partial beta-tubulin (tub2), in conjunction with morphological characteristics, we describe and illustrate herein four new species, including Gnomoniopsisdiaoluoshanensis sp. Nov., G. lithocarpi sp. Nov., G. mengyinensis sp. Nov. and G.yunnanensis sp. Nov. Alongside this, their similarity and dissimilarity to morphologically-allied and phylogenetically-related species are annotated and discussed. For facilitating future identification, we update the key to all species currently recognized in this genus.

Pseudocryphonectriaelaeocarpicola gen. et sp. nov. (Cryphonectriaceae, Diaporthales) causing stem blight of Elaeocarpus spp. in China

Cryphonectriaceae is a diaporthalean family containing important plant pathogens of which Cryphonectriaparasitica is the most notorious one. An emerging stem blight disease on Elaeocarpusapiculatus (Elaeocarpaceae) and E.hainanensis was observed in Guangdong Province of China recently. Typical Cryphonectria blight-like symptoms including cankers on tree barks with obvious orange conidial tendrils were observed. Forty-eight isolates were obtained from diseased tissues and conidiomata formed on the hosts E.apiculatus and E.hainanensis. These isolates were further identified based on both morphology and molecular methods using the combined sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, large subunit of the nrDNA (LSU), the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) genes. As a result, the fungus represents an undescribed genus and species within the family Cryphonectriaceae. Hence, Pseudocryphonectriaelaeocarpicola gen. et sp. nov. is proposed herein to represent these isolates from diseased barks of E.apiculatus and E.hainanensis. Pseudocryphonectria differs from the other genera of Cryphonectriaceae in having dimorphic conidia. Further inoculation results showed that P.elaeocarpicola is the causal agent of this emerging blight disease in China, which can quickly infect and kill the hosts E.apiculatus and E.hainanensis.

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal two new species and a new record of Phyllosticta (Botryosphaeriales, Phyllostictaceae) from Hainan, China

The fungal genus Phyllosticta has been reported from all around the world and accommodates numerous pathogenic and endophytic species isolated from a wide range of plant hosts. Based on multilocus phylogenies from a combined dataset of genes encoding internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit of ribosomal RNA (LSU rDNA), translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF1α), actin (ACT) and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), in conjunction with morphological characteristics, we describe two new species P.oblongifoliae sp. nov. and P.pterospermi sp. nov., as well as a new Chinese record P.capitalensis. Their similarity and dissimilarity to morphologically-allied and phylogenetically-related species are also annotated and discussed.

Three New Species of Microdochium (Sordariomycetes, Amphisphaeriales) on Miscanthus sinensis and Phragmites australis from Hainan, China

Species in Microdochium, potential agents of biocontrol, have often been reported as plant pathogens, occasionally as endophytes and fungicolous fungi. Combining multiple molecular markers (ITS rDNA, LSU rDNA, TUB2 and RPB2) with morphological characteristics, this study proposes three new species in the genus Microdochium represented by seven strains from the plant hosts Miscanthus sinensis and Phragmites australis in Hainan Island, China. These three species, Microdochium miscanthi sp. Nov., M. sinense sp. Nov. and M. hainanense sp. Nov., are described with MycoBank number, etymology, typification, morphological features and illustrations, as well as placement on molecular phylogenetic trees. Their affinity with morphologically allied and molecularly closely related species are also analyzed. For facilitating identification, an updated key to the species of Microdochium is provided herein.

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal two new species of Sporocadaceae from Hainan, China

Species of Sporocadaceae have often been reported as plant pathogens, endophytes or saprophytes and are commonly isolated from a wide range of plant hosts. The isolated fungi were studied through a complete examination, based on multilocus phylogenies from combined datasets of ITS/tub2/tef1, in conjunction with morphological characteristics. Nine strains were isolated from Ficusmicrocarpa, Ilexchinensis and Schimasuperba in China which represented four species, viz., Monochaetiaschimaesp. nov., Neopestalotiopsishaikouensissp. nov., Neopestalotiopsispiceana and Pestalotiopsislicualicola. Neopestalotiopsispiceana was a new country record for China and first host record from Ficusmacrocarpa. Pestalotiopsislicualicola was first report from Ilexchinensis in China.

Fungal Richness of Cytospora Species Associated with Willow Canker Disease in China

Species of Cytospora are considered important plant pathogens of a wide range of plant hosts, especially Salicaceae plants. Salix (Salicaceae, Malpighiales) has been widely cultivated in China because of its strong ecological adaptability, fast growth, and easy reproduction. In this study, a total of eight species of Cytospora were discovered on Salix in China, including C. ailanthicola, C. alba, C. chrysosperma, C. gigaspora, C. nivea, C. paracinnamomea, C. rostrata, and C. sophoriopsis. Among them, C. alba and C. paracinnamomea were identified as novel species based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses of ITS, act, rpb2, tef1-α, and tub2 gene sequences and were confirmed as pathogens of willow canker disease by pathogenicity tests. The mycelial growth rates of strains from these two novel species (C. alba and C. paracinnamomea) had optimum temperatures of 21 to 22 °C and an optimum pH value of 5 to 6. The effectiveness of six carbon sources on the mycelial growth showed that fructose and maltose had the highest influence. Cytospora species richness was significantly positively correlated with dry and wet areas. This study represents a significant evaluation of Cytospora associated with willow canker disease in China and provides a theoretical basis for predicting the potential risk of willow canker disease.

Morphology, Phylogeny, and Pathogenicity of Pestalotioid Species on Camellia oleifera in China

Tea-oil tree (Camellia oleifera) is an important edible oil woody plant with a planting area of over 3,800,000 hectares in southern China. Pestalotioid fungi are associated with a wide variety of plants worldwide along with endophytes, pathogens, and saprobes. In this study, symptomatic leaves of C. oleifera were collected from Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan, and Jiangsu Provinces and pestalotioid fungi are characterized based on combined sequence data analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), beta tubulin (tub2), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef-1α) coupled with morphological characteristics. As a result, seven species were confirmed, of which five species are described as new viz. N. camelliae-oleiferae, P. camelliae-oleiferae, P. hunanensis, P. nanjingensis, P.nanningensis, while the other two are reported as known species, viz., N. cubana and N. iberica. Pathogenicity assays showed that all species except for P. nanjingensis developed brown lesions on healthy leaves and P. camelliae-oleiferae showed stronger virulence.