The genusBipolaris

Abstract

The genus Bipolaris includes important plant pathogens with worldwide distribution. Species recognition in the genus has been uncertain due to the lack of molecular data from ex-type cultures as well as overlapping morphological characteristics. In this study, we revise the genus Bipolaris based on DNA sequence data derived from living cultures of fresh isolates, available ex-type cultures from worldwide collections and observation of type and additional specimens. Combined analyses of ITS, GPDH and TEF gene sequences were used to reconstruct the molecular phylogeny of the genus Bipolaris for species with living cultures. The GPDH gene is determined to be the best single marker for species of Bipolaris. Generic boundaries between Bipolaris and Curvularia are revised and presented in an updated combined ITS and GPDH phylogenetic tree. We accept 47 species in the genus Bipolaris and clarify the taxonomy, host associations, geographic distributions and species’ synonymies. Modern descriptions and illustrations are provided for 38 species in the genus with notes provided for the other taxa when recent descriptions are available. Bipolaris cynodontis, B. oryzae, B. victoriae, B. yamadae and B. zeicola are epi- or neotypified and a lectotype is designated for B. stenospila. Excluded and doubtful species are listed with notes on taxonomy and phylogeny. Seven new combinations are introduced in the genus Curvularia to accomodate the species of Bipolaris transferred based on the phylogenetic analysis. A taxonomic key is provided for the morphological identification of species within the genus.

Cryptic species of Curvularia in the culture collection of the Queensland Plant Pathology Herbarium

“…Currently, there are 131 species of Curvularia (excluding varieties) listed in Index Fungorum (accessed on 4 January 2018). Phylogenetic studies based on multilocus sequence analyses of ex-type or reference cultures have recently delimited many cryptic species (Deng et al 2014, Manamgoda et al 2014, Tan et al 2014, Manamgoda et al 2015, Marin-Felix et al 2017a, 2017b). Presently, there are 81 accepted species for which taxonomic placement has been established by DNA barcodes to allow accurate identification and comparison (Marin-Felix et al 2017a, b).…”

Development of a Multilocus Sequence Typing System for Medically Relevant Bipolaris Species

“…Many species in this genus are known to cause devastating disease in plants and staple crops around the world (1). In humans, they are common etiological agents of fungal sinusitis.…”

A new species of Bipolaris from Heliconia rostrata in India

“…prove that Bipolaris and Curvularia are two monophyletic groups which indicate separate generic status (Manamgoda et al 2012) and these findings are in agreement with previous studies (Shimizu et al 1998, Berbee et al 1999, Kodsueb et al 2006. Although the asexual morphs cluster in two well defined groups (Bipolaris and Curvularia) based on molecular data and morphology, their sexual morphs are quite similar indicating that the asexual states have evolved and differentiated more rapidly than the sexual morphs (Manamgoda et al 2012(Manamgoda et al , 2014. Bipolaris is characterized by large canoe-shaped conidia, and lack stromata, branched to unbranched conidiophores with polytretic conidiogenous cells and pseudoseptate conidia with scar very slightly protuberant which is continuous with the conidial wall.…”