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Taxonomic Re-examination of Japanese Isolates of the Genus Lasiodiplodia

Summary

This research revealed that there are more species of the fungal genus Lasiodiplodia in Japan than previously known. These fungi cause various plant diseases, particularly affecting woody plants in warm regions. The study’s impact on everyday life includes: • Better understanding of plant diseases affecting important crops like mangoes and papaya • Improved ability to diagnose and manage plant diseases in agriculture • Enhanced knowledge for plant quarantine and disease prevention • More accurate identification of fungal pathogens for crop protection • Better understanding of fungal biodiversity in Japanese ecosystems

Background

The genus Lasiodiplodia comprises plant pathogenic fungi that cause dieback, shoot blight, fruit rot, and stem-end rot of woody plants, particularly in subtropical and tropical regions. While recent global taxonomic studies have clarified species diversity within this genus, only three species have been reported in Japan, suggesting potential undiscovered diversity.

Objective

To evaluate the species diversity of Lasiodiplodia in Japan by re-examining the taxonomical positions of 30 isolates using modern species criteria through morphological, cultural, and phylogenetic analyses.

Results

The study identified six distinct Lasiodiplodia species among the Japanese isolates: L. brasiliensis, L. hormozganensis, L. pseudotheobromae, L. thailandica, L. theobromae, and an unidentified Lasiodiplodia species. Three of these species (L. brasiliensis, L. hormozganensis, and L. thailandica) were newly recorded in Japanese mycoflora. Multiple Lasiodiplodia species were found to infect mangoes even within a single island.

Conclusion

The re-examination revealed greater species diversity of Lasiodiplodia in Japan than previously known, with several isolates representing species commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia. The findings suggest that additional molecular phylogenetic analysis and comparative morphological studies are needed to fully understand Lasiodiplodia diversity in Japan.
  • Published in:Mycoscience,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Analysis,
  • Source: 10.47371/mycosci.2022.12.004
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