Chrysoporthe brasiliensis sp. nov. pathogenic to Melastomataceae in southeast Brazil

Abstract

Species in the Melastomataceae (Myrtales) include trees and woody shrubs that are amongst the most common hosts of Chrysoporthe and related fungi. These fungi cause stem cankers, branch death and in extreme cases, kill their hosts. Chrysoporthe-like fungi were observed on Miconia spp. and Rhynchanthera grandiflora (Melastomataceae) plants during tree disease surveys in south-eastern Brazil including the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. The aims of this study were to isolate and identify the fungi utilising morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. This led to the identification of a new species of Chrysoporthe described here as Chrysoporthe brasilensis sp.nov. Inoculations were conducted on R. grandiflora and M. theaezans, showing that C. brasiliensis is an aggressive pathogen. This study adds to a growing number of reports of new and pathogenic species of Chrysoporthe that potentially threaten native Myrtales globally, including important trees such as Eucalyptus, both in natural ecosystems and in planted forests.