Abstract
Arctostaphylos pungens "Manzanita" is an important shrub in the southwestern USA, and northern and central Mexico. Manzanita bears apple-like fruit that is utilised for a range of edible products. Over the past two years, several foliar disease problems were noted on this host in the San José de Gracia region of Mexico. The aim of the present study was to elucidate their identity through the analysis of morphological characters and DNA phylogeny (based on the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene and the ITS spacers and the intervening 5.8S rRNA gene of the nrDNA operon) of the fungi associated with these disease symptoms. Three species are newly described: Phaeococcomyces mexicanus sp. nov., a presumed epiphyte, and two species associated with leaf spots and defoliation, namely Coccomyces arctostaphyloides sp. nov. and Passalora arctostaphyli sp. nov. A fourth species is also associated with leaf spots and tip dieback is Harknessia arctostaphyli, for which an epitype is designated. All species can co-occur on the same shrub, which adds to the stress experienced by the plant, leading to further defoliation and dieback.
Highlights
The mycodiversity in Brazil is very rich, and numerous novel records of known and new fungal taxa have recently been published, as mycological activity appears to be gaining momentum in this country
Since 2009, a survey of fungi occurring on ferns is being conducted in southern and south-eastern Brazil
The first mycological novelty to be published as a result of this intensive study was a new genus of Parmulariaceae, Rhagadolobiopsis described on Thelypteris serrata (Thelypteridaceae) (Guatimosim et al 2014)
Summary
The mycodiversity in Brazil is very rich, and numerous novel records of known and new fungal taxa have recently been published, as mycological activity appears to be gaining momentum in this country. Exploited biomes, such as the semi-arid Caatinga (Isabel et al 2013, Leão-Ferreira et al 2013) and the savannah-like Cerrado, are having their mycobiota surveyed and described (Hernández-Gutiérrez & Dianese 2014, Soares & Dianese 2014), and host-plant focused fungal surveys (such as of native weeds and endangered plant species) have been conducted. Pleopeltis astrolepis is a widespread fern occurring throughout the Neotropics and extending into Mexico and Florida in North America (Mickel & Smith 2004)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
