Morphology and molecular phylogeny reveal new species and records of Diaporthales from Betula in Xinjiang, China

By

Wang, Cai-Xia
Jiang, Ning
Liu, Chuli
Xu, Ziyan
Lu, Hailong
Ma, Rong

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-11-18

Original Publication

MycoKeys

Volume

125

Pages

167--204

Subjects

Coryneum , Cryptosporella , Cytospora , Melanconis , molecular phylogeny , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers 2011-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.125.169956

 

Abstract

<br> Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), located in the arid hinterland of northwest China, serves as important substrates for<br> Betula<br> species. As the most widely distributed floral genus of Betulaceae in Xinjiang,<br> Betula<br> serves as a vital pioneer species due to its stress tolerance and adaptation to extreme environments, playing an irreplaceable role in sustaining regional ecosystems. During disease surveys on<br> Betula<br> trees in the Tianshan and Altai Mountains of Xinjiang, we observed symptoms of stem and branch cankers. A total of 37 fungal strains were isolated and identified, based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. As a result,<br> Cytospora altayensis<br> sp. nov.<br> was proposed and<br> Coryneum lanciforme<br> ,<br> Cryptosporella betulae<br> ,<br> Cr. tomentella<br> ,<br> Cy. tanaitica<br> and<br> Melanconis groenlandica<br> are reported for the first time in China. In addition,<br> Cytospora sophoriopsis<br> is recorded for the first time on the host genus<br> Betula<br> . This study identifies potential pathogenic fungi associated with<br> Betula<br> , providing a foundation for future disease management and forest health research.<br>