Morphological and molecular identification of endophytic <i>Alternaria</i> species associated with two <i>Quercus</i> species from a mountainous area of Iraq

Abstract

The diverse genus <i>Alternaria</i> encompasses fungi with various lifestyles, including pathogenic, saprophytic, and endophytic species. Inspection of the endophytes of two oak plant species (<i>Quercus aegilops</i> and <i>Q. infectoria</i>) from the mountainous area of Duhok province of the Kurdistan region of Iraq resulted in the isolation of seven <i>Alternaria</i> species. These include <i>A. alternata, A. angustiovoidea, A. consortiales, A. doliconidium, A. malorun, A. sorghi,</i> and <i>A. tenuissima</i>. Of these,<i> A. angustiovoidea, A. doliconidium, A. malorun,</i> and <i>A. sorghi</i> were recorded for the first time in Iraq. The seven<i> Alternaria</i> species were also reported for the first time as endophytes on the two <i>Quercus</i> species. The identification of these strains was based on DNA sequencing information utilizing the ITS and LSU genetic markers and morphological characteristics, including details of colony growth, conidial characteristics, and reproductive structures. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis was conducted to establish the evolutionary relationships among these <i>Alternaria</i> isolates. This investigation gives a basis for the understanding of the distribution of endophytic fungi associated with forest trees in the country.