Molecular Identification and Diversity of Pestalotiopsis, Neopestalotiopsis and Pseudopestalotiopsis Species from Four Host Plants in Sarawak, Borneo Island (Malaysia)

Abstract

Until recently, Pestalotiopsis species have been identified based on host relationship and conidial dimensions. Pestalotiopsis species occur as endophytes, saprobes and also pathogens of many plant hosts. This study used molecular phylogenetic relationships based on ITS sequence data to identify Pestalotiopsis, Neopestalotiopsis and Pseudopestalotiopsis species in addition to their conidial pigmentation from four host plants namely Macaranga triloba, Macaranga sp., Shorea macrophylla and Syzygium sp. Based on the molecular phylogenetic analysis of 18 Pestalotiopsis-like isolates from the four different host plants, the isolates clustered separately into three clades corresponding to their conidial morphology and conidial median cell pigmentation as Neopestalotiopsis, Pestalotiopsis, and Pseudopestalotiopsis irrespective of their host plant association. Among the four host plants studied, S. macrophylla hosts the highest diversity of Pestalotiopsis-like species while Syzygium sp. had the lowest diversity. This is the first report on the molecular phylogenetics and diversity of Pestalotiopsis, Neopestalotiopsis and Pseudopestalotiopsis species from Sarawak, Malaysia in line with recent re-classification in the genus. New records of Pestalotiopsis-like species were also recorded on new host plants.

Morphology, phylogeny and pathogenicity of fungal species associated with leaf blight and stem canker of Theobroma cacao in Malaysia

“…Pathogenicity tests revealed that all isolates of F. solani and F. (Lateef et al, 2018;Maharachchikumbura et al, 2014). In this study, the isolates obtained were suspected to be Neopestalotiopsis sp.…”

“…Furthermore, 10 isolates of N. clavispora were obtained in this study from infected leaves of T. cacao in Malaysia. The Pestalotiopsis clade has been redefined into two clades with two new genera, namely Pseudopestalotiopsis and Neopestalotiopsis (Lateef et al., 2018; Maharachchikumbura et al., 2014). The genus Pestalotiopsis produces lightly pigmented concolorous median cells, Neopestalotiopsis produces versicolor median cells and Pseudopestalotiopsis produces darkly coloured concolorous median cells (Lateef et al., 2018; Maharachchikumbura et al., 2014).…”

Pest categorisation of Pestalotiopsis disseminata

“…Along with other species of Pestalotiopsis , P. disseminata is frequently isolated as an endophyte from healthy plant tissues (e.g. Lateef et al., 2018 ; Liu et al., 2012 ; Tejesvi et al., 2009 ; Wei et al., 2007 ). As many other endophytic species, it may remain dormant until the plant is stressed, and then displays a pathogenic behaviour (Maharachchikumbura et al., 2011 ).…”

“…(Crous et al., 2006 ) and Morus alba (Philip, 1995 ). More recently, P. disseminata has attracted the interest of many scientists due to its wide array of bioactive secondary metabolites (Deyrup et al., 2006 ; Hwang et al., 2015 ; Hwang et al., 2016 ) and, consequently, this species has been repeatedly isolated from wild species along with other endophytic fungi (Lateef et al., 2018 ; Liu et al., 2012 ; Tejesvi et al., 2009 ; Wei et al., 2007 ).…”

Pest categorisation of Pestalotiopsis microspora

“…( 1989 ), cited by CABI online Shorea macrophylla Dipterocarpaceae Light red meranti Lateef et al. ( 2018 ) S. robuta Dipterocarpaceae Sal tree Harsh et al. ( 1989 ), cited by CABI online Terminalia morobensis Combretaceae Deshmukh et al.…”