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Multiple gene genealogies and microsatellite markers reflect relationships between morphotypes of Sphaeropsis sapinea and distinguish a new species of Diplodia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2003

Juanita de WET
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Forestry Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Tree Pathology Co-operative Programme (TPCP), University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Treena BURGESS
Affiliation:
Forestry Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Tree Pathology Co-operative Programme (TPCP), University of Pretoria, South Africa. E-mail: mike.wingfield@fabi.up.ac.za Present address: School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia.
Bernard SLIPPERS
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Forestry Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Tree Pathology Co-operative Programme (TPCP), University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Oliver PREISIG
Affiliation:
Forestry Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Tree Pathology Co-operative Programme (TPCP), University of Pretoria, South Africa. E-mail: mike.wingfield@fabi.up.ac.za
Brenda D. WINGFIELD
Affiliation:
Department of Genetics, Forestry Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Tree Pathology Co-operative Programme (TPCP), University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Michael J. WINGFIELD
Affiliation:
Forestry Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Tree Pathology Co-operative Programme (TPCP), University of Pretoria, South Africa. E-mail: mike.wingfield@fabi.up.ac.za
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Abstract

Sphaeropsis sapinea is an opportunistic pathogen causing serious damage to conifers, pre-disposed by adverse environmental conditions or mechanical damage. Three different morphological forms of the fungus have been described and are commonly referred to as the A, B and C morphotypes. Isolates of the different morphotypes have also been separated based on differences in pathogenicity and molecular characteristics. These differences, however, overlap and have not been considered sufficiently robust to justify the description of separate taxa. The aim of this study was to consider relationships between isolates representing different S. sapinea morphotypes, using multiple gene genealogies inferred from partial sequences of six protein-coding genes and six microsatellite loci. Genealogies generated for the protein-coding genes and microsatellite loci were not congruent but both consistently grouped isolates representing the A and C morphotypes in separate but closely related clades. In contrast, isolates of the B morphotype grouped together in a clade that was equally different to the A and C morphotypes as it was to the clade encompassing isolates of Botryosphaeria obtusa. These results provide strong evidence to show that the B morphotype isolates are distantly related to S. sapinea and represent a discrete taxon, which we describe here as Diplodia scrobiculata sp. nov.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© The British Mycological Society 2003

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