Genealogical concordance of phylogenetic species recognition-based delimitation of Neopestalotiopsis species associated with leaf spots and fruit canker disease affected guava plants

Abstract

Neopestalotiopsis species are known to be involved in plant diseases as associated pathogens. The taxonomic identification of the fungal group Neopestalotiopsisis little bit difficult due to its complex evolutionary history. In the present study, seven fungal isolates were investigated from canker-affected guava plants. The phylogeny for generic placement of these isolates was analyzed to validate them as Neopestalotiopsis genus by phylogenetic signals from the 28S nrRNA region (LSU). Generated morphological data was segregated as new morpho-species of the Neopestalotiopsis genus. Hence, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), Translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1-α) and Tubulin (TUB) genic region of these isolates were studied in juxtaposition with morphological data to resolve species limits. Both phylogenetic and morphological data revealed four novel species of the Neopestalotiopsis genus out of seven isolates studied. These Neopestalotiopsis species could be of great significance for further investigation as putative pathogens associated with canker or scabby canker disease in guava.