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Species of Diaporthe have been reported as plant endophytes, pathogens and saprobes on a wide range of plant hosts. Strains of Diaporthe were isolated from leaf spots of Smilax glabra and dead culms of Xanthium strumarium in China, and identified based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses of combined internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), calmodulin (cal), histone H3 (his3), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) and β-tubulin (tub2) loci. As a result, two new species named Diaporthe rizhaoensis and D. smilacicola are identified, described and illustrated in the present study.

Cyanosporus is a genus widely distributed in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Oceania. It grows on different angiosperm and gymnosperm trees and can cause brown rot of wood. Blue-tinted basidiomata of Cyanosporus makes it easy to distinguish from other genera, but the similar morphological characters make it difficult to identify species within the genus. Phylogeny and taxonomy of Cyanosporus were carried out based on worldwide samples with an emphasis on Chinese collections, and the species diversity of the genus is updated. Four new species, C. flavus, C. rigidus, C. subungulatus and C. tenuicontextus, are described based on the evidence of morphological characters, distribution areas, host trees and molecular phylogenetic analyses inferred from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the small subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nSSU), the small subunit of mitochondrial rRNA gene (mtSSU), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF). Our study expanded the number of Cyanosporus species to 35 around the world including 23 species from China. Detailed descriptions of the four new species and the geographical locations of the Cyanosporus species in China are provided.

Colletotrichum has numerous host range and distribution. Its species are important plant pathogens, endophytes and saprobes. Colletotrichum can cause regular or irregular depressions and necrotic lesions in the epidermal tissues of plants. During this research Colletotrichum specimens were collected from Mengyin County, Shandong Province, China. A multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, ACT, TUB2, CAL and GS sequence data combined with morphology, revealed a new species and two known species, viz. C. mengyinense sp. nov., C. gloeosporioides and C. pandanicola, belonging to the C. gloeosporioides species complex. The new species is described and illustrated in this paper and compared with taxa in the C. gloeosporioides species complex.

An order, family and genus are validated, seven new genera, 35 new species, two new combinations, two epitypes, two lectotypes, and 17 interesting new host and / or geographical records are introduced in this study. Validated order, family and genus: Superstratomycetales and Superstratomycetaceae (based on Superstratomyces). New genera: Haudseptoria (based on Haudseptoria typhae); Hogelandia (based on Hogelandia lambearum); Neoscirrhia (based on Neoscirrhia osmundae); Nothoanungitopsis (based on Nothoanungitopsis urophyllae); Nothomicrosphaeropsis (based on Nothomicrosphaeropsis welwitschiae); Populomyces (based on Populomyces zwinianus); Pseudoacrospermum (based on Pseudoacrospermum goniomae). New species: Apiospora sasae on dead culms of Sasa veitchii (Netherlands); Apiospora stipae on dead culms of Stipa gigantea (Spain); Bagadiella eucalyptorum on leaves of Eucalyptus sp . (Australia); Calonectria singaporensis from submerged leaf litter (Singapore); Castanediella neomalaysiana on leaves of Eucalyptus sp. (Malaysia); Colletotrichum pleopeltidis on leaves of Pleopeltis sp. (South Africa); Coniochaeta deborreae from soil (Netherlands); Diaporthe durionigena on branches of Durio zibethinus (Vietnam); Floricola juncicola on dead culm of Juncus sp. (France); Haudseptoria typhae on leaf sheath of Typha sp. (Germany); Hogelandia lambearum from soil (Netherlands); Lomentospora valparaisensis from soil (Chile); Neofusicoccum mystacidii on dead stems of Mystacidium capense (South Africa); Neomycosphaerella guibourtiae on leaves of Guibourtia sp. (Angola); Niesslia neoexosporioides on dead leaves of Carex paniculata (Germany); Nothoanungitopsis urophyllae on seed capsules of Eucalyptus urophylla (South Africa); Nothomicrosphaeropsis welwitschiae on dead leaves of Welwitschia mirabilis (Namibia); Paracremonium bendijkiorum from soil (Netherlands); Paraphoma ledniceana on dead wood of Buxus sempervirens (Czech Republic); Paraphoma salicis on leaves of Salix cf. alba (Ukraine); Parasarocladium wereldwijsianum from soil (Netherlands); Peziza ligni on masonry and plastering (France); Phyllosticta phoenicis on leaves of Phoenix reclinata (South Africa); Plectosphaerella slobbergiarum from soil (Netherlands); Populomyces zwinianus from soil (Netherlands); Pseudoacrospermum goniomae on leaves of Gonioma kamassi (South Africa); Pseudopyricularia festucae on leaves of Festuca californica (USA); Sarocladium sasijaorum from soil (Netherlands); Sporothrix hypoxyli in sporocarp of Hypoxylon petriniae on Fraxinus wood (Netherlands); Superstratomyces albomucosus on Pycnanthus angolensis (Netherlands); Superstratomyces atroviridis on Pinus sylvestris (Netherlands); Superstratomyces flavomucosus on leaf of Hakea multilinearis (Australia); Superstratomyces tardicrescens from human eye specimen (USA); Taeniolella platani on twig of Platanus hispanica (Germany), and Tympanis pini on twigs of Pinus sylvestris (Spain).

Nigrospora is a monophyletic genus belonging to Apiosporaceae. Species in this genus are phytopathogenic, endophytic, and saprobic on different hosts. In this study, leaf specimens with disease symptoms were collected from host plants from the Shandong Peninsula, China. The fungal taxa associated with these leaf spots were studied using morphology and phylogeny based on ITS, TEF1, and TUB2 gene regions. In this article, we report on the genus Nigrospora with N. gorlenkoana, N. oryzae, N. osmanthi, N. rubi, and N. sphaerica identified with 13 novel host associations including crops with economic importance such as bamboo and Chinese rose.

Abstract Colletotrichum has numerous host range and distribution. Its species are important plant pathogens, endophytes and saprobes. Colletotrichum can cause regular or irregular depressions and necrotic lesions in the epidermal tissues of plants. During this research Colletotrichum specimens were collected from Mengyin County, Shandong Province, China. A multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, ACT, TUB2, CAL and GS sequence data combined with morphology, revealed a new species and two known species, viz. C.mengyinense sp. nov., C.gloeosporioides and C.pandanicola, belonging to the C.gloeosporioides species complex. The new species is described and illustrated in this paper and compared with taxa in the C.gloeosporioides species complex.

Ficus carica plantations in Japan were first reported to be infested by an ambrosia beetle species, identified as Euwallacea interjectus, in 1996. The purpose of this study was to determine the symbiotic fungi of female adults of E. interjectus emerging from F. carica trees infected with fig wilt disease (FWD). Dispersal adults (51 females) of E. interjectus, which were collected from logs of an infested fig tree in Hiroshima Prefecture, Western Japan, were separated into three respective body parts (head, thorax, and abdomen) and used for fungal isolation. Isolated fungi were identified based on the morphological characteristics and DNA sequence data. Over 13 species of associated fungi were detected, of which a specific fungus, Fusarium kuroshium, was dominant in female head (including oral mycangia). The plant-pathogenic fungus of FWD, Ceratocystis ficicola, was not observed within any body parts of E. interjectus. We further discussed the relationship among E. interjectus and its associated fungi in fig tree.

The genus Calonectria includes pathogens of various agricultural, horticultural, and forestry crops. Species of Calonectria are commonly collected from soils, fruits, leaves, stems, and roots. Some species of Calonectria isolated from soils are considered as important plant pathogens. Understanding the species diversity and distribution characteristics of Calonectria species in different soil layers will help us to clarify their long-term potential harm to plants and their patterns of dissemination. To our knowledge, no systematic research has been conducted concerning the species diversity and distribution characteristics of Calonectria in different soil layers. In this study, 1000 soil samples were collected from five soil layers (0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100 cm) at 100 sampling points in one 15-year-old Eucalyptus urophylla hybrid plantation in southern China. A total of 1037 isolates of Calonectria present in all five soil layers were obtained from 93 of 100 sampling points. The 1037 isolates were identified based on DNA sequence comparisons of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), β-tubulin (tub2), calmodulin (cmdA), and histone H3 (his3) gene regions, as well as the combination of morphological characteristics. These isolates were identified as C. hongkongensis (665 isolates; 64.1%), C. aconidialis (250 isolates; 24.1%), C. kyotensis (58 isolates; 5.6%), C. ilicicola (47 isolates; 4.5%), C. chinensis (2 isolates; 0.2%), and C. orientalis (15 isolates; 1.5%). With the exception of C. orientalis, which resides in the C. brassicae species complex, the other five species belonged to the C. kyotensis species complex. The results showed that the number of sampling points that yielded Calonectria and the number (and percentage) of Calonectria isolates obtained decreased with increasing depth of the soil. More than 84% of the isolates were obtained from the 0–20 and 20–40 cm soil layers. The deeper soil layers had comparatively lower numbers but still harbored a considerable number of Calonectria. The diversity of five species in the C. kyotensis species complex decreased with increasing soil depth. The genotypes of isolates in each Calonectria species were determined by tef1 and tub2 gene sequences. For each species in the C. kyotensis species complex, in most cases, the number of genotypes decreased with increasing soil depth. The 0–20 cm soil layer contained all of the genotypes of each species. To our knowledge, this study presents the first report of C. orientalis isolated in China. This species was isolated from the 40–60 and 60–80 cm soil layers at only one sampling point, and only one genotype was present. This study has enhanced our understanding of the species diversity and distribution characteristics of Calonectria in different soil layers.

Brown-rot fungi are types of fungi that selectively degrade cellulose and hemicellulose from wood and are perhaps the most important agents involved in the degradation of wood products and dead wood in forest ecosystem. Two new brown-rot species, collected from southern China, are nested within the clades of Fomitopsis sensu stricto and Oligoporus sensu stricto, respectively. Their positions are strongly supported in the Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic tree of the concatenated the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the small subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nuSSU), the small subunit of mitochondrial rRNA gene (mtSSU), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1) sequences. Fomitopsis bambusae, only found on bamboo, is characterised by its resupinate to effused-reflexed or pileate basidiocarps, small pores (6–9 per mm), the absence of cystidia, short cylindrical to oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 4.2–6.1 × 2–2.3 μm. Oligoporus podocarpi is characterised by white to pale cream pore surface, round or sometimes angular pores (5–6 per mm), broadly ellipsoid to reniform basidiospores measuring 3.8–4.2 × 2–2.3 μm and growing on Podocarpus. Illustrated descriptions of these two novel species, Fomitopsis bambusae and Oligoporus podocarpi, are provided.

Ficus carica plantations in Japan were first reported to be infested by an ambrosia beetle species, identified as Euwallacea interjectus, in 1996. The purpose of this study was to determine the symbiotic fungi of female adults of E. interjectus emerging from F. carica trees infected with fig wilt disease (FWD). Dispersal adults (51 females) of E. interjectus, which were collected from logs of an infested fig tree in Hiroshima Prefecture, Western Japan, were separated into three respective body parts (head, thorax, and abdomen) and used for fungal isolation. Isolated fungi were identified based on the morphological characteristics and DNA sequence data. Over 13 species of associated fungi were detected, of which a specific fungus, Fusarium kuroshium, was dominant in female head (including oral mycangia). The plant-pathogenic fungus of FWD, Ceratocystis ficicola, was not observed within any body parts of E. interjectus. We further discussed the relationship among E. interjectus and its associated fungi in fig tree.

Recent publications have argued that there are potentially serious consequences for researchers in recognising distinct genera in the terminal fusarioid clade of the family Nectriaceae. Thus, an alternate hypothesis, namely a very broad concept of the genus Fusarium was proposed. In doing so, however, a significant body of data that supports distinct genera in Nectriaceae based on morphology, biology, and phylogeny is disregarded. A DNA phylogeny based on 19 orthologous protein-coding genes was presented to support a very broad concept of Fusarium at the F1 node in Nectriaceae. Here, we demonstrate that re-analyses of this dataset show that all 19 genes support the F3 node that represents Fusarium sensu stricto as defined by F.sambucinum (sexual morph synonym Gibberella pulicaris). The backbone of the phylogeny is resolved by the concatenated alignment, but only six of the 19 genes fully support the F1 node, representing the broad circumscription of Fusarium. Furthermore, a re-analysis of the concatenated dataset revealed alternate topologies in different phylogenetic algorithms, highlighting the deep divergence and unresolved placement of various Nectriaceae lineages proposed as members of Fusarium. Species of Fusarium s. str. are characterised by Gibberella sexual morphs, asexual morphs with thin- or thick-walled macroconidia that have variously shaped apical and basal cells, and trichothecene mycotoxin production, which separates them from other fusarioid genera. Here we show that the Wollenweber concept of Fusarium presently accounts for 20 segregate genera with clear-cut synapomorphic traits, and that fusarioid macroconidia represent a character that has been gained or lost multiple times throughout Nectriaceae. Thus, the very broad circumscription of Fusarium is blurry and without apparent synapomorphies, and does not include all genera with fusarium-like macroconidia, which are spread throughout Nectriaceae (e.g., Cosmosporella, Macroconia, Microcera). In this study four new genera are introduced, along with 18 new species and 16 new combinations. These names convey information about relationships, morphology, and ecological preference that would otherwise be lost in a broader definition of Fusarium. To assist users to correctly identify fusarioid genera and species, we introduce a new online identification database, Fusarioid-ID, accessible at www.fusarium.org. The database comprises partial sequences from multiple genes commonly used to identify fusarioid taxa (act1, CaM, his3, rpb1, rpb2, tef1, tub2, ITS, and LSU). In this paper, we also present a nomenclator of names that have been introduced in Fusarium up to January 2021 as well as their current status, types, and diagnostic DNA barcode data. In this study, researchers from 46 countries, representing taxonomists, plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, and students, strongly support the application and use of a more precisely delimited Fusarium (= Gibberella) concept to accommodate taxa from the robust monophyletic node F3 on the basis of a well-defined and unique combination of morphological and biochemical features. This F3 node includes, among others, species of the F.fujikuroi, F. incarnatum-equiseti, F. oxysporum, and F.sambucinum species complexes, but not species of Bisifusarium [F.dimerum species complex (SC)], Cyanonectria (F.buxicola SC), Geejayessia (F.staphyleae SC), Neocosmospora (F.solani SC) or Rectifusarium (F.ventricosum SC). The present study represents the first step to generating a new online monograph of Fusarium and allied fusarioid genera (www.fusarium.org).

Fomitopsis pinicola is a common brown-rot fungal species found in northern hemisphere. It grows on many different gymnosperm and angiosperm trees. Recent studies show that it is a species complex; three species from North America and one species from Europe have been recognized in this complex. In the current study, six new species in the Fomitopsis pinicola complex were discovered from East Asia, based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses inferred from the sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the second subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF). Detailed descriptions of the six new species are provided. Our results also indicates that species of the F. pinicola complex from East Asia usually have limited distribution areas and host specialization.

Fomitopsis pinicola is a common brown-rot fungal species found in northern hemisphere. It grows on many different gymnosperm and angiosperm trees. Recent studies show that it is a species complex; three species from North America and one species from Europe have been recognized in this complex. In the current study, six new species in the Fomitopsis pinicola complex were discovered from East Asia, based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses inferred from the sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the second subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF). Detailed descriptions of the six new species are provided. Our results also indicates that species of the F. pinicola complex from East Asia usually have limited distribution areas and host specialization.

Seven new genera, 26 new species, 10 new combinations, two epitypes, one new name, and 20 interesting new host and / or geographical records are introduced in this study. New genera are: Italiofungus (based on Italiofungus phillyreae) on leaves of Phillyrea latifolia (Italy); Neolamproconium (based on Neolamproconium silvestre) on branch of Tilia sp. (Ukraine); Neosorocybe (based on Neosorocybe pini) on trunk of Pinus sylvestris (Ukraine); Nothoseptoria (based on Nothoseptoria caraganae) on leaves of Caragana arborescens (Russia); Pruniphilomyces (based on Pruniphilomyces circumscissus) on Prunus cerasus (Russia); Vesiculozygosporium (based on Vesiculozygosporium echinosporum) on leaves of Muntingia calabura (Malaysia); Longiseptatispora (based on Longiseptatispora curvata) on leaves of Lonicera tatarica (Russia). New species are: Barrmaelia serenoae on leaf of Serenoa repens (USA); Chaetopsina gautengina on leaves of unidentified grass (South Africa); Chloridium pini on fallen trunk of Pinus sylvestris (Ukraine); Cadophora fallopiae on stems of Reynoutria sachalinensis (Poland); Coleophoma eucalyptigena on leaf litter of Eucalyptus sp. (Spain); Cylindrium corymbiae on leaves of Corymbia maculata (Australia); Diaporthe tarchonanthi on leaves of Tarchonanthus littoralis (South Africa); Elsinoe eucalyptorum on leaves of Eucalyptus propinqua (Australia); Exophiala quercina on dead wood of Quercus sp., (Germany); Fusarium californicum on cambium of budwood of Prunus dulcis (USA); Hypomyces gamsii on wood of Alnus glutinosa (Ukraine); Kalmusia araucariae on leaves of Araucaria bidwillii (USA); Lectera sambuci on leaves of Sambucus nigra (Russia); Melanomma populicola on fallen twig of Populus canadensis (Netherlands), Neocladosporium syringae on branches of Syringa vulgarishorus (Ukraine); Paraconiothyrium iridis on leaves of Iris pseudacorus (Ukraine); Pararoussoella quercina on branch of Quercus robur (Ukraine); Phialemonium pulveris from bore dust of deathwatch beetle (France); Polyscytalum pinicola on needles of Pinus tecunumanii (Malaysia); Acervuloseptoria fraxini on Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Russia); Roussoella arundinacea on culms of Arundo donax (Spain); Sphaerulina neoaceris on leaves of Acer negundo (Russia); Sphaerulina salicicola on leaves of Salix fragilis (Russia); Trichomerium syzygii on leaves of Syzygium cordatum (South Africa); Uzbekistanica vitis-viniferae on dead stem of Vitis vinifera (Ukraine); Vermiculariopsiella eucalyptigena on leaves of Eucalyptus sp. (Australia).

The downy mildew species parasitic to Mentheae are of particular interest, as this tribe of Lamiaceae contains a variety of important medicinal plants and culinary herbs. Over the past two decades, two pathogens, Peronospora belbahrii and Pe. salviae-officinalis have spread globally, impacting basil and common sage production, respectively. In the original circumscription of Pe. belbahrii, the downy mildew of coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) was ascribed to this species in the broader sense, but subtle differences in morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses using two genes suggested that this pathogen would potentially need to be assigned to a species of its own. In the present study, Peronospora species causing downy mildew on members of the Mentheae, including clary sage (Salvia sclarea), meadow sage (S. pratensis), basil (Ocimum basilicum), ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) and coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) were studied using light microscopy and molecular phylogenetic analyses based on six loci (ITS rDNA, cox1, cox2, ef1a, hsp90 and β-tubulin) to clarify the species boundaries in the Pe. belbahrii species complex. The downy mildew on Salvia pratensis is shown to be distinct from Pe. salviae-officinalis and closely related to Pe. glechomae, and is herein described as a new species, Pe. salviae-pratensis. The downy mildew on S. sclarea was found to be caused by Pe. salviae-officinalis. This is of phytopathological importance, because meadow sage thus does not play a role as inoculum source for common sage in the natural habitat of the former in Europe and Asia, while clary sage probably does. The multi-gene phylogeny revealed that the causal agent of downy mildew on coleus is distinct from Pe. belbahrii on basil, and is herein described as a new taxon, Pe. choii.

International audience; The genus Agaricus was recently rearranged to accommodate numerous tropical taxa. Accordingly, the genus was split into six subgenera and 22 sections of which 12 are included in A. subg. Pseudochitonia. Preliminary data indicated that three putative new species belong to this subgenus. Our objectives were to describe these species, to determine to which sections they belong, and to experience the interest of some traditional traits in this new context. We morphologically described Agaricus coniferarum from France and Portugal, Agaricus iranicus from Iran, and Agaricus lusitanicus from Portugal. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, and tef1 sequence data of representatives of the 12 sections clearly indicated that A. coniferarum and A. lusitanicus are placed in Agaricus sect. Bohusia, while A. iranicus is in A. sect. Sanguinolenti. Incidentally, we replaced the illegitimate name Agaricus magnivelaris by Agaricus fiardianus. In a phylogenetic tree, based on all available ITS sequence data and focussing on six related sections, we examined the phylogenetic distribution of various characters. The intensity of red discolouration when the sporocarp is rubbed or cut appeared as a phylogenetically weak informative trait. We propose a determination key leading to a group of three hardly distinguishable sections (Bohusia, Nigrobrunnescentes, and Sanguinolenti).

A novel ascomycete genus, Longihyalospora, occurring on leaf litter of Ficus ampelas in Dahu Forest Area in Chiayi, Taiwan is described and illustrated. Longihyalospora is characterized by dark mycelium covering the upper leaf surface, elongate mycelial pellicle with ring of setae, pale brown to brown peridium, broadly obovoid, short pedicellate asci and hyaline, fusiform, elongated (tapering ends) and multi-septate ascospores with a thin mucilaginous sheath. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU and SSU sequence data revealed Longihyalospora as a distinct genus within the Chaetothyriaceae with high bootstrap support. Moreover, based on morphological similarities, Chaetothyrium vermisporum transferred to the new genus. In addition, Ceramothyrium longivolcaniforme is reported for the first time on Ficus ampelas. Newly added species are compared with other similar species and comprehensive descriptions and micrographs are provided.

Background Terrestrial, freshwater and marine green algae constitute the large and morphologically diverse phylum of Chlorophyta, which gave rise to the core chlorophytes. Chlorophyta are abundant and diverse in freshwater environments where sometimes they form nuisance blooms under eutrophication conditions. The phylogenetic relationships among core chlorophyte clades (Chlorodendrophyceae, Ulvophyceae, Trebouxiophyceae and Chlorophyceae), are of particular interest as it is a species-rich phylum with ecological importance worldwide, but are still poorly understood. In the Mediterranean ecoregion, data on molecular characterization of eukaryotic microalgae strains are limited and current knowledge is based on ecological studies of natural populations. In the present study we report the isolation and characterization of 11 green microalgae strains from Greece contributing more information for the taxonomy of Chlorophyta. The study combined morphological and molecular data. Results Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the large subunit of the ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) gene revealed eight taxa. Eleven green algae strains were classified in four orders (Sphaeropleales, Chlorellales, Chlamydomonadales and Chaetophorales) and were represented by four genera; one strain was not assigned to any genus. Most strains (six) were classified to the genus Desmodesmus, two strains to genus Chlorella, one to genus Spongiosarcinopsis and one filamentous strain to genus Uronema. One strain is placed in a separate independent branch within the Chlamydomonadales and deserves further research. Conclusions Our study reports, for the first time, the presence of Uronema in an aquatic environment up to 40 °C and reveals new diversity within the Chlamydomonadales. The results from the ITS region and the rbcL gene corroborated those obtained from 18S rRNA without providing further information or resolving the phylogenetic relationships within certain genera, due to the limited number of ITS and rbcL sequences available. The comparison of molecular and morphological data showed that they were congruent. Cosmopolitan genera with high worldwide distribution inhabit Greek freshwaters.

Species of Diaporthe (syn. Phomopsis) are important endophytes, saprobes and pathogens, infecting a wide range of plants and resulting in important crop diseases. However, the species occurring on pear remain largely unresolved. In this study, a total of 453 Diaporthe isolates were obtained from branches of Pyrus plants (including P. bretschneideri, P. communis, P. pyrifolia and P. ussuriensis collected from 12 provinces in China) showing shoot canker symptoms. Phylogenetic analyses based on five loci (ITS, TEF, CAL, HIS, and TUB) coupled with morphology of 113 representative isolates revealed that 19 Diaporthe species were isolated, representing 13 known species (including D. caryae, D. cercidis, D. citrichinensis, D. eres, D. fusicola, D. ganjae, D. hongkongensis, D. padina, D. pescicola, D. sojae, D. taoicola, D. unshiuensis and D. velutina) and six new species described here as D. acuta, D. chongqingensis, D. fulvicolor, D. parvae, D. spinosa and D. zaobaisu. Although Koch’s postulates confirmed all species to be pathogenic, a high degree of variation in aggressiveness was observed. Moreover, these species have a high diversity, plasticity, and prevalence related to the geographical location and pear species involved.

A novel ascomycete genus, Longihyalospora, occurring on leaf litter of Ficus ampelas in Dahu Forest Area in Chiayi, Taiwan is described and illustrated. Longihyalospora is characterized by dark mycelium covering the upper leaf surface, elongate mycelial pellicle with ring of setae, pale brown to brown peridium, broadly obovoid, short pedicellate asci and hyaline, fusiform, elongated (tapering ends) and multi-septate ascospores with a thin mucilaginous sheath. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU and SSU sequence data revealed Longihyalospora as a distinct genus within the Chaetothyriaceae with high bootstrap support. Moreover, based on morphological similarities, Chaetothyrium vermisporum transferred to the new genus. In addition, Ceramothyrium longivolcaniforme is reported for the first time on Ficus ampelas. Newly added species are compared with other similar species and comprehensive descriptions and micrographs are provided.

European species of the genus Dendrostoma (Erythrogloeaceae, Diaporthales) occurring on Castanea sativa and Quercus spp. based on freshly collected material are presented. Using a matrix of sequences from ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tef1, five species are recognized, and their phylogenetic positions are determined. Four species are added to the 14 described species of Dendrostoma. Dendrostoma atlanticum on Castanea sativa, D. creticum on Quercus coccifera and D. istriacum on Q. ilex are described as new species, Valsa castanea is combined in Dendrostoma, and D. leiphaemia is redescribed and illustrated. A key to the European species of Dendrostoma is provided.

Dendrostoma was recently proposed in Erythrogloeaceae (Diaporthales, Sordariomycetes), with all known members recorded as being plant pathogenic on economically important tree hosts. During our collections of Dendrostoma species in China, mild to severe canker symptoms were observed on sweet chestnut (Castaneamollissima) and oak (Quercus spp.) trees. Dead and dying plant tissues exhibiting Dendrostoma canker symptoms were sampled for fungal isolation. A total of 37 Dendrostoma isolates were obtained and analysed using morphological characteristics and molecular data (ITS, LSU, RPB2, TEF1-α). Based on these data, 10 novel clades could be distinguished, which also proved to represent morphologically distinct species described here as Dendrostomaaurorae, D.castaneae, D.castaneicola, D.chinense, D.dispersum, D. parasiticum, D.qinlingense, D.quercus, D.shaanxiense and D.shandongense spp. nov. A key to species of the genus is also provided.

Species in Neofabraea, Pezicula, and related genera have been reported as saprobes, plant pathogens or endophytes from a wide range of hosts. The asexual morphs of Neofabraea and Pezicula had been placed in Cryptosporiopsis, now a synonym of Pezicula, while Neofabraea was also linked to Phlyctema. Based on morphology and molecular data of the partial large subunit nrDNA (LSU), the internal transcribed spacer region with intervening 5.8S nrDNA (ITS), partial β-tubulin region (tub2), and the partial RNA polymerase II second largest subunit region (rpb2), the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of these fungi were investigated. Five new species were described in Pezicula based on morphology, while a further eight unnamed phylogenetic lineages revealed further diversity in the genus. Based on these results, the generic concept of Neofabraea was also emended. Phlyctema, which was previously associated with Neofabraea, formed a distinct clade, separate from Neofabraea s. str. Two new neofabraea-like genera, Parafabraea and Pseudofabraea were proposed, along with one new combination in Neofabraea s. str. To stabilise the application of these names, an epitype was designated for Pe. carpinea, the type species of Pezicula, and for N. malicorticis, the type species of Neofabraea.

Species belonging toAspergillussectionCerviniare characterised by radiate or short columnar, fawn coloured, uniseriate conidial heads. The morphology of the taxa in this section is very similar and isolates assigned to these species are frequently misidentified. In this study, a polyphasic approach was applied using morphological characters, extrolite data, temperature profiles and partialBenA,CaMandRPB2sequences to examine the relationships within this section. Based on this taxonomic approach the sectionCerviniis resolved in ten species including six new species:A. acidohumus,A. christenseniae,A. novoguineensis,A. subnutans,A. transcarpathicusandA. wisconsinensis. A dichotomous key for the identification is provided.

Rhytidhysteron (Hysteriaceae) species are widely distributed as saprobes or weak pathogens on a wide range of woody plants. In this study, several Rhytidhysteron collections were made in northern Thailand and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses were used to resolve the phylogenetic boundaries of species. Two novel species, R. thailandicum and R. neorufulum are introduced, based on morphological traits and multi-gene phylogeny. The genus is revised with a key to species. Fil: Thambugala, Kasun M.. Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences; China. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Hyde, Kevin D.. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia. Chinese Academy of Science. Kunming Institute of Botany; China Fil: Eungwanichayapant, Prapassorn D.. Mae Fah Luang University; China Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Liu, Zuo-Yi. Guizhou Academy Of Agricultural Sciences; China

Calonectria represents a genus of phytopathogenic ascomycetous fungi with a worldwide distribution. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of taxonomic studies on these fungi. Currently, there are 169 described species of Calonectria based on comparisons of DNA sequence data, combined with morphological characteristics. However, for some of these species, the sequence data utilised at the time of their description were relatively limited. This has justified an urgent need to reconsider the species boundaries for Calonectria based on robust genus-wide phylogenetic analyses. In this study, we utilised 240 available isolates including the ex-types of 128 Calonectria species, and re-sequenced eight gene regions (act, cmdA, his3, ITS, LSU, rpb2, tef1 and tub2) for them. Sequences for 44 Calonectria species, for which cultures could not be obtained, were downloaded from GenBank. DNA sequence data of all the 169 Calonectria species were then used to determine their phylogenetic relationships. As a consequence, 51 species were reduced to synonymy, two new species were identified, and the name Ca. lauri was validated. This resulted in the acceptance of 120 clearly defined Calonectria spp. The overall data revealed that the genus includes 11 species complexes, distributed across the Prolate and Sphaero-Naviculate Groups known to divide Calonectria. The results also made it possible to develop a robust set of DNA barcodes for Calonectria spp. To accomplish this goal, we evaluated the outcomes of each of the eight candidate DNA barcodes for the genus, as well as for each of the 11 species complexes. No single gene region provided a clear identity for all Calonectria species. Sequences of the tef1 and tub2 genes were the most reliable markers; those for the cmdA, his3, rpb2 and act gene regions also provided a relatively effective resolution for Calonectria spp., while the ITS and LSU failed to produce useful barcodes for species discrimination. At the species complex level, results showed that the most informative barcodes were inconsistent, but that a combination of six candidate barcodes (tef1, tub2, cmdA, his3, rpb2 and act) provided stable and reliable resolution for all 11 species complexes. A six-gene combined phylogeny resolved all 120 Calonectria species, and revealed that tef1, tub2, cmdA, his3, rpb2 and act gene regions are effective DNA barcodes for Calonectria.

Dendrostoma was recently proposed in Erythrogloeaceae (Diaporthales, Sordariomycetes), with all known members recorded as being plant pathogenic on economically important tree hosts. During our collections of Dendrostoma species in China, mild to severe canker symptoms were observed on sweet chestnut (Castaneamollissima) and oak (Quercus spp.) trees. Dead and dying plant tissues exhibiting Dendrostoma canker symptoms were sampled for fungal isolation. A total of 37 Dendrostoma isolates were obtained and analysed using morphological characteristics and molecular data (ITS, LSU, RPB2, TEF1-α). Based on these data, 10 novel clades could be distinguished, which also proved to represent morphologically distinct species described here as Dendrostomaaurorae, D.castaneae, D.castaneicola, D.chinense, D.dispersum, D. parasiticum, D.qinlingense, D.quercus, D.shaanxiense and D.shandongense spp. nov. A key to species of the genus is also provided.

The genus Cercospora includes many important plant pathogens that are commonly associated with leaf spot diseases on a wide range of cultivated and wild plant species. Due to the lack of useful morphological features and high levels of intraspecific variation, host plant association has long been a decisive criterion for species delimitation in Cercospora. Because several taxa have broader host ranges, reliance on host data in Cercospora taxonomy has proven problematic. Recent studies have revealed multi-gene DNA sequence data to be highly informative for species identification in Cercospora, especially when used in a concatenated alignment. In spite of this approach, however, several species complexes remained unresolved as no single gene proved informative enough to act as DNA barcoding locus for the genus. Therefore, the aims of the present study were firstly to improve species delimitation in the genus Cercospora by testing additional genes and primers on a broad set of species, and secondly to find the best DNA barcoding gene(s) for species delimitation. Novel primers were developed for tub2 and rpb2 to supplement previously published primers for these loci. To this end, 145 Cercospora isolates from the Iranian mycobiota together with 25 additional reference isolates preserved in the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute were subjected to an eight-gene (ITS, tef1, actA, cmdA, his3, tub2, rpb2 and gapdh) analysis. Results from this study provided new insights into DNA barcoding in Cercospora, and revealed gapdh to be a promising gene for species delimitation when supplemented with cmdA, tef1 and tub2. The robust eight-gene phylogeny revealed several novel clades within the existing Cercospora species complexes, such as C. apii, C. armoraciae, C. beticola, C. cf. flagellaris and Cercospora sp. G. The C. apii s. lat. isolates are distributed over three clades, namely C. apii s. str., C. plantaginis and C. uwebrauniana sp. nov. The C. armoraciae s. lat. isolates are distributed over two clades, C. armoraciae s. str. and C. bizzozeriana. The C. beticola s. lat. isolates are distributed over two clades, namely C. beticola s. str. and C. gamsiana, which is newly described.

Chaetomium globosum, the type species of the genus, is ubiquitous, occurring on a wide variety of substrates, in air and in marine environments. This species is recognised as a cellulolytic and/or endophytic fungus. It is also known as a source of secondary metabolites with various biological activities, having great potential in the agricultural, medicinal and industrial fields. On the negative side, C. globosum has been reported as an air contaminant causing adverse health effects and as causal agent of human fungal infections. However, the taxonomic status of C. globosum is still poorly understood. The contemporary species concept for this fungus includes a broadly defined morphological diversity as well as a large number of synonymies with limited phylogenetic evidence. The aim of this study is, therefore, to resolve the phylogenetic limits of C. globosum s.str. and related species. Screening of isolates in the collections of the CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre (The Netherlands) and the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Centre (China) resulted in recognising 80 representative isolates of the C. globosum species complex. Thirty-six species are identified based on phylogenetic inference of six loci, supported by typical morphological characters, mainly ascospore shape. Of these, 12 species are newly described here. Additionally, C. cruentum, C. mollipilium, C. rectum, C. subterraneum and two varieties of C. globosum are synonymised under C. globosum s.str., and six species are resurrected, i.e. C. angustispirale, C. coarctatum, C. cochliodes, C. olivaceum, C. spiculipilium and C. subglobosum. Chaetomium ascotrichoides is segregated from C. madrasense and the genus name Chaetomidium is rejected. Five species, including C. globosum s.str., are typified here to stabilise their taxonomic status. A further evaluation of the six loci used in this study as potential barcodes indicated that the 28S large subunit (LSU) nrDNA and the internal transcribed spacer regions and intervening 5.8S nrRNA (ITS) gene regions were unreliable to resolve species, whereas β-tubulin (tub2) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) showed the greatest promise as DNA barcodes for differentiating Chaetomium species. This study provides a starting point to establish a more robust classification system for Chaetomium and for the Chaetomiaceae.

The taxonomy of Talaromyces rugulosus, T. wortmannii and closely related species, classified in Talaromyces sect. Islandici, is reviewed in this paper. The species of Talaromyces sect. Islandici have restricted growth on MEA and CYA, generally have yellow mycelia and produce rugulosin and/or skyrin. They are important in biotechnology (e.g. T. rugulosus, T. wortmannii) and in medicine (e.g. T. piceus, T. radicus). The taxonomy of sect. Islandici was resolved using a combination of morphological, extrolite and phylogenetic data, using the Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Recognition (GCPSR) concept, with special focus on the T. rugulosus and T. wortmannii species complexes. In this paper, we synonymise T. variabilis, Penicillium concavorugulosum and T. sublevisporus with T. wortmannii, and introduce four new species as T. acaricola, T. crassus, T. infraolivaceus and T. subaurantiacus. Finally, we provide a synoptic table for the identification of the 19 species classified in the section.

The family Stachybotriaceae was recently introduced to include the genera Myrothecium, Peethambara and Stachybotrys. Members of this family include important plant and human pathogens, as well as several species used in industrial and commercial applications as biodegraders and biocontrol agents. However, the generic boundaries in Stachybotriaceae are still poorly defined, as type material and sequence data are not readily available for taxonomic studies. To address this issue, we performed multi-locus phylogenetic analyses using partial gene sequences of the 28S large subunit (LSU), the internal transcribed spacer regions and intervening 5.8S nrRNA (ITS), the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2), calmodulin (cmdA), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) and β-tubulin (tub2) for all available type and authentic strains. Supported by morphological characters these data resolved 33 genera in the Stachybotriaceae. These included the nine already established genera Albosynnema, Alfaria, Didymostilbe, Myrothecium, Parasarcopodium, Peethambara, Septomyrothecium, Stachybotrys and Xepicula. At the same time the generic names Melanopsamma, Memnoniella and Virgatospora were resurrected. Phylogenetic inference further showed that both the genera Myrothecium and Stachybotrys are polyphyletic resulting in the introduction of 13 new genera with myrothecium-like morphology and eight new genera with stachybotrys-like morphology.

A new homothallic Phytophthora species, isolated in Western Australia (WA), is described as Phytophthora boodjera sp. nov. It produces persistent, papillate sporangia, oogonia with thick-walled oospores, and paragynous antheridia. Although morphologically similar to P. arenaria, phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, cox1, HSP90, β-tubulin and enolase gene regions revealed P. boodjera as a new species. In addition, P. boodjera has a higher optimal temperature for growth and a faster growth rate. Phytophthora boodjera has only recently been found in Western Australia and has mostly been isolated from dead and dying Eucalyptus seedlings in nurseries and from urban tree plantings, and occasionally from disturbed natural ecosystems. It is found in association with declining and dying Agonis flexuosa, Banksia media, B. grandis, Corymbia calophylla, Eucalyptus spp,. and Xanthorrhoea preissii. The status of P. alticola was also reviewed. The loss of all isolates associated with the original description except one; discrepancies in both sequence data and morphology of the remaining isolate with that presented the original description, and inconclusive holotype material places the status of this species in doubt.

Aspergillus section Aspergillus (formerly the genus Eurotium) includes xerophilic species with uniseriate conidiophores, globose to subglobose vesicles, green conidia and yellow, thin walled eurotium-like ascomata with hyaline, lenticular ascospores. In the present study, a polyphasic approach using morphological characters, extrolites, physiological characters and phylogeny was applied to investigate the taxonomy of this section. Over 500 strains from various culture collections and new isolates obtained from indoor environments and a wide range of substrates all over the world were identified using calmodulin gene sequencing. Of these, 163 isolates were subjected to molecular phylogenetic analyses using sequences of ITS rDNA, partial β-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes. Colony characteristics were documented on eight cultivation media, growth parameters at three incubation temperatures were recorded and micromorphology was examined using light microscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy to illustrate and characterize each species. Many specific extrolites were extracted and identified from cultures, including echinulins, epiheveadrides, auroglaucins and anthraquinone bisanthrons, and to be consistent in strains of nearly all species. Other extrolites are species-specific, and thus valuable for identification. Several extrolites show antioxidant effects, which may be nutritionally beneficial in food and beverages. Important mycotoxins in the strict sense, such as sterigmatocystin, aflatoxins, ochratoxins, citrinin were not detected despite previous reports on their production in this section. Adopting a polyphasic approach, 31 species are recognized, including nine new species. ITS is highly conserved in this section and does not distinguish species. All species can be differentiated using CaM or RPB2 sequences. For BenA, Aspergillus brunneus and A. niveoglaucus share identical sequences. Ascospores and conidia morphology, growth rates at different temperatures are most useful characters for phenotypic species identification.

The omnipresent fungal genus Alternaria was recently divided into 24 sections based on molecular and morphological data. Alternaria sect. Porri is the largest section, containing almost all Alternaria species with medium to large conidia and long beaks, some of which are important plant pathogens (e.g. Alternaria porri, A. solani and A. tomatophila). We constructed a multi-gene phylogeny on parts of the ITS, GAPDH, RPB2, TEF1 and Alt a 1 gene regions, which, supplemented with morphological and cultural studies, forms the basis for species recognition in sect. Porri. Our data reveal 63 species, of which 10 are newly described in sect. Porri, and 27 species names are synonymised. The three known Alternaria pathogens causing early blight on tomato all cluster in one clade, and are synonymised under the older name, A. linariae. Alternaria protenta, a species formerly only known as pathogen on Helianthus annuus, is also reported to cause early blight of potato, together with A. solani and A. grandis. Two clades with isolates causing purple blotch of onion are confirmed as A. allii and A. porri, but the two species cannot adequately be distinguished based on the number of beaks and branches as suggested previously. This is also found among the pathogens of Passifloraceae, which are reduced from four to three species. In addition to the known pathogen of sweet potato, A. bataticola, three more species are delineated of which two are newly described. A new Alternaria section is also described, comprising two large-spored Alternaria species with concatenate conidia.

Species of Diaporthe are important plant pathogens of a wide range of hosts worldwide. In the present study the species causing melanose and stem end rot diseases of Citrus spp. are revised. Three species of Diaporthe occurring on Citrus are characterised, including D. citri, D. cytosporella and D. foeniculina. Morphology and phylogenetic analyses of the complete nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions and partial sequences of actin, beta-tubulin, calmodulin and translation elongation factor 1-α were used to resolve species on Citrus and related Diaporthe species. Diaporthe citri occurs on Citrus throughout the Citrus-growing regions of the world. Diaporthe cytosporella is found on Citrus in Europe and California (USA). Diaporthe foeniculina, including the synonym D. neotheicola, is recognised as a species with an extensive host range including Citrus. Diaporthe medusaea, a name widely used for D. citri, was determined to be a synonym of D. rudis, a species with a broad host range. Diaporthe citri is delimited based on molecular phylogenetic analysis with the inclusion of the conserved ex-type and additional collections from different geographic locations worldwide. Diaporthe cytosporella, D. foeniculina and D. rudis are epitypified, fully described and illustrated with a review of all synonyms based on molecular data and morphological studies. Newly designed primers are introduced to optimise the amplification and sequencing of calmodulin and actin genes in Diaporthe. A discussion is provided of the utility of genes and the need for multigene phylogenies when distinguishing species of Diaporthe or describing new species.

Chaetomium globosum, the type species of the genus, is ubiquitous, occurring on a wide variety of substrates, in air and in marine environments. This species is recognised as a cellulolytic and/or endophytic fungus. It is also known as a source of secondary metabolites with various biological activities, having great potential in the agricultural, medicinal and industrial fields. On the negative side, C. globosum has been reported as an air contaminant causing adverse health effects and as causal agent of human fungal infections. However, the taxonomic status of C. globosum is still poorly understood. The contemporary species concept for this fungus includes a broadly defined morphological diversity as well as a large number of synonymies with limited phylogenetic evidence. The aim of this study is, therefore, to resolve the phylogenetic limits of C. globosum s.str. and related species. Screening of isolates in the collections of the CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre (The Netherlands) and the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Centre (China) resulted in recognising 80 representative isolates of the C. globosum species complex. Thirty-six species are identified based on phylogenetic inference of six loci, supported by typical morphological characters, mainly ascospore shape. Of these, 12 species are newly described here. Additionally, C. cruentum, C. mollipilium, C. rectum, C. subterraneum and two varieties of C. globosum are synonymised under C. globosum s.str., and six species are resurrected, i.e. C. angustispirale, C. coarctatum, C. cochliodes, C. olivaceum, C. spiculipilium and C. subglobosum. Chaetomium ascotrichoides is segregated from C. madrasense and the genus name Chaetomidium is rejected. Five species, including C. globosum s.str., are typified here to stabilise their taxonomic status. A further evaluation of the six loci used in this study as potential barcodes indicated that the 28S large subunit (LSU) nrDNA and the internal transcribed spacer regions and intervening 5.8S nrRNA (ITS) gene regions were unreliable to resolve species, whereas β-tubulin (tub2) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) showed the greatest promise as DNA barcodes for differentiating Chaetomium species. This study provides a starting point to establish a more robust classification system for Chaetomium and for the Chaetomiaceae.

Species of the ascomycete genus Mycosphaerella are regarded as some of the most destructive leaf pathogens of a large number of economically important crop plants. Amongst these, approximately 60 Mycosphaerella spp. have been identified from various Eucalyptus spp. where they cause leaf diseases collectively known as Mycosphaerella Leaf Disease (MLD). Species concepts for this group of fungi remain confused, and hence their species identification is notoriously difficult. Thus, the introduction of DNA sequence comparisons has become the definitive characteristic used to distinguish species of Mycosphaerella. Sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA operon have most commonly been used to consider species boundaries in Mycosphaerella. However, sequences for this gene region do not always provide sufficient resolution for cryptic taxa. The aim of this study was, therefore, to use DNA sequences for three loci, ITS, Elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α) and Actin (ACT) to reconsider species boundaries for Mycosphaerella spp. from Eucalyptus. A further aim was to study the anamorph concepts and resolve the deeper nodes of Mycosphaerella, for which part of the Large Subunit (LSU) of the nuclear rRNA operon was sequenced. The ITS and EF-1α gene regions were found to be useful, but the ACT gene region did not provide species-level resolution in Mycosphaerella. A phylogeny of the combined DNA datasets showed that species of Mycosphaerella from Eucalyptus cluster in two distinct groups, which might ultimately represent discrete genera.

Species of Diaporthe are important plant pathogens of a wide range of hosts worldwide. In the present study the species causing melanose and stem end rot diseases of Citrus spp. are revised. Three species of Diaporthe occurring on Citrus are characterised, including D. citri, D. cytosporella and D. foeniculina. Morphology and phylogenetic analyses of the complete nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions and partial sequences of actin, beta-tubulin, calmodulin and translation elongation factor 1-α were used to resolve species on Citrus and related Diaporthe species. Diaporthe citri occurs on Citrus throughout the Citrus-growing regions of the world. Diaporthe cytosporella is found on Citrus in Europe and California (USA). Diaporthe foeniculina, including the synonym D. neotheicola, is recognised as a species with an extensive host range including Citrus. Diaporthe medusaea, a name widely used for D. citri, was determined to be a synonym of D. rudis, a species with a broad host range. Diaporthe citri is delimited based on molecular phylogenetic analysis with the inclusion of the conserved ex-type and additional collections from different geographic locations worldwide. Diaporthe cytosporella, D. foeniculina and D. rudis are epitypified, fully described and illustrated with a review of all synonyms based on molecular data and morphological studies. Newly designed primers are introduced to optimise the amplification and sequencing of calmodulin and actin genes in Diaporthe. A discussion is provided of the utility of genes and the need for multigene phylogenies when distinguishing species of Diaporthe or describing new species.

Species of Diaporthe are important plant pathogens of a wide range of hosts worldwide. In the present study the species causing melanose and stem end rot diseases of Citrus spp. are revised. Three species of Diaporthe occurring on Citrus are characterised, including D. citri, D. cytosporella and D. foeniculina. Morphology and phylogenetic analyses of the complete nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions and partial sequences of actin, beta-tubulin, calmodulin and translation elongation factor 1-α were used to resolve species on Citrus and related Diaporthe species. Diaporthe citri occurs on Citrus throughout the Citrus-growing regions of the world. Diaporthe cytosporella is found on Citrus in Europe and California (USA). Diaporthe foeniculina, including the synonym D. neotheicola, is recognised as a species with an extensive host range including Citrus. Diaporthe medusaea, a name widely used for D. citri, was determined to be a synonym of D. rudis, a species with a broad host range. Diaporthe citri is delimited based on molecular phylogenetic analysis with the inclusion of the conserved ex-type and additional collections from different geographic locations worldwide. Diaporthe cytosporella, D. foeniculina and D. rudis are epitypified, fully described and illustrated with a review of all synonyms based on molecular data and morphological studies. Newly designed primers are introduced to optimise the amplification and sequencing of calmodulin and actin genes in Diaporthe. A discussion is provided of the utility of genes and the need for multi-gene phylogenies when distinguishing species of Diaporthe or describing new species.