Novel and Surprising Host Associations of Diaporthe (Diaporthaceae, Diaporthales) Species from Italy

Abstract

Diaporthe species are known to be mostly saprobic and pathogenic to numerous hosts in plantations, forests, and urban areas worldwide. Their relationship with host plants and distribution is poorly discussed. Combined morpho-molecular data have resulted in ten Diaprothe strains from ten host species in genera Acer, Alianthus, Artemisia, Aster, Ballota, Dittrichia, Euonymus, Eupatorium, Laburnum and Scabiosa. The isolates were identifi ed as Diaporthe arctii, D. eres, D. foeniculina, D. novem and D. rudis which are new records of host associations from Italy. Detailed descriptions and phylogenetic placements for the above fi ve species are provided. This study provides an updated list of Diaporthe species related to their host associations in Italy.