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Multiple gene sequences delimit Botryosphaeria australis sp. nov. from B. lutea
Bernard Slippers1, Gerda Fourie, Pedro W Crous
1Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Mycologia
|December 15, 2010
Summary
A new fungus, Botryosphaeria australis, has been identified in Australia, distinguished from Botryosphaeria lutea by subtle pigment differences and genetic variations. This discovery highlights a distinct fungal species native to Australia.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Plant Pathology
- Fungal Taxonomy
Background:
- Botryosphaeria lutea is known for a distinctive yellow pigment in young cultures.
- This fungus has been previously reported on cultivated hosts in New Zealand and Portugal.
- Surveys in Australia revealed similar fungi on native Acacia species, exhibiting slight pigment variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether morphological and genetic differences in Australian Acacia isolates represent a new species or variations within B. lutea.
- To clarify the phylogenetic relationship between B. lutea and the Australian isolates.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of anamorph, teleomorph, and culture morphology.
- Sequencing of ITS rDNA, beta-tubulin, and EF1-alpha gene regions.
- Phylogenetic analysis using combined sequence data.
Main Results:
- Isolates from Australian Acacia species showed subtle differences in yellow pigment production compared to B. lutea.
- While spore morphology was similar, fixed base pair variations were observed across multiple gene regions between the two groups.
- Phylogenetic analysis confirmed distinct species status for the Australian isolates.
Conclusions:
- Botryosphaeria lutea and the Australian Acacia isolates are distinct, closely related species.
- A new species, Botryosphaeria australis, is proposed for the Australian fungus.
- B. australis is found on various native Australian hosts and has been misidentified as B. lutea in global databases.
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