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Three novel species of Cladosporium and Sarocladium isolated from palm trees

Summary

Researchers in China discovered three new species of fungi growing on palm tree leaves. These fungi, belonging to the genera Cladosporium and Sarocladium, were identified using genetic testing and microscopic examination. The findings help scientists better understand fungal diversity on ornamental plants and may assist in managing fungal diseases that affect palm trees cultivated in gardens and landscapes.

Background

Palm trees (Arecaceae) are widely cultivated as ornamental plants in southern China, but over 80% of cultivated palm species are introduced taxa that frequently suffer from pathogen-induced diseases. The genera Cladosporium and Sarocladium are cosmopolitan fungi with diverse ecological roles including plant pathogens, endophytes, and saprotrophs.

Objective

To identify and characterize fungal isolates obtained from senescent palm leaves and petioles collected in Yunnan Province, China, using phylogenetic analysis based on combined molecular sequence data and morphological studies to determine if they represent novel species.

Results

Three new fungal species were identified and described: Cladosporium menglunense (nested in C. sphaerospermum complex), Sarocladium menglaense, and S. yunnanense. These species showed distinct morphological and molecular characteristics that differentiate them from closely related known species, with holotype specimens deposited in the China Forestry Culture Collection Center.

Conclusion

This study expands the known diversity of Cladosporium and Sarocladium by describing three novel species from palm plants, providing detailed morphological and molecular data that establishes a foundation for understanding species diversity and disease associations in Arecaceae. The findings represent the first report of Sarocladium species isolated from palm leaves, broadening knowledge of the genus’s ecological adaptability.
  • Published in:MycoKeys,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic Description, Phylogenetic Study,
  • Source: 10.3897/mycokeys.123.165471, PMID: 41048881
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