Mycologia (2004) 96, 990-1001

Henrietta Myburg, Marieka Gryzenhout, Brenda D. Wingfield, R. Jay Stipes and Michael J. Wingfield (2004)
Phylogenetic relationships of Cryphonectria and Endothia species, based on DNA sequence data and morphology
Mycologia 96 (5), 990-1001
Abstract: The fungal genera Endothia and Cryphonectria include some of the most important pathogens of forest trees. Despite available new technology, no comprehensive comparative study based on DNA sequence data and morphology has been done on the available isolates representing these two genera. The main objectives of this study were to assess the phylogenetic relationships among species of Cryphonectria and Endothia, for which cultures are available, and to establish a taxonomic framework based on DNA sequence and morphological data, which will aid future studies and identification of species in these and related genera. Comparisons were based on sequence variation found in the ITS region of the ribosomal RNA operon and two regions of the ß-tubulin gene. In addition, the morphology of these species was examined. The phylogenetic data indicated that Endothia and Cryphonectria reside in two distinct phylogenetic clades. Cryphonectria parasitica, C. macrospora, C. nitschkei, C. eucalypti and C. radicalis represented the Cryphonectria clade. Endothia gyrosa and E. singularis were included in the Endothia clade. An isolate representing E. viridistroma grouped outside the Endothia clade and separately from other groups. Other clades outside the one encompassing Cryphonectria were those represented by the C. cubensis isolates and fungi isolated from Elaeocarpus dentatus originating from New Zealand. These clades could be distinguished from Endothia and Cryphonectria, based on anamorph morphology, stromatal structure and ascospore septation. Cryphonectria and Endothia, therefore, appear to be paraphyletic and taxonomic relationships for these fungi need to be revised.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Brenda D. Wingfield, Michael J. Wingfield, Marieka Gryzenhout

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
identification/taxonomy

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Cryphonectria parasitica
	Cryphonectria (genus)
	Chrysoporthe cubensis
	Cryphonectria radicalis