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Open Access Phytopythium: molecular phylogeny and systematics

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The genus Phytopythium (Peronosporales) has been described, but a complete circumscription has not yet been presented. In the present paper we provide molecular-based evidence that members of Pythium clade K as described by Lévesque & de Cock (2004) belong to Phytopythium. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (LSU and SSU) and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) as well as statistical analyses of pairwise distances strongly support the status of Phytopythium as a separate phylogenetic entity. Phytopythium is morphologically intermediate between the genera Phytophthora and Pythium. It is unique in having papillate, internally proliferating sporangia and cylindrical or lobate antheridia. The formal transfer of clade K species to Phytopythium and a comparison with morphologically similar species of the genera Pythium and Phytophthora is presented. A new species is described, Phytopythium mirpurense.

Keywords: COI; LSU; OOMYCETES; OOMYCOTA; PERONOSPORALES; PHYTOPYTHIUM; PYTHIALES; SSU

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 29 June 2015

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  • Persoonia aims to publish papers dealing with molecular phylogeny and evolution of fungi. A further aim is to promote fungal taxonomy by employing a polythetic approach to clarify the true phylogeny and relationships within the kingdom Fungi. The journal publishes high-quality papers elucidating known and novel fungal taxa at the DNA level, and also strives to present novel insights into evolutionary processes and relationships. Papers to be considered include research articles and reviews.

    Papers are published using a Fast Track system. This implies that the papers are immediately published online and freely available through the internet via this website. Volumes appear twice a year (June and December). From Volume 36 onwards (2016) hard copy volumes will only be made available through printing-on-demand. The issues can be ordered separately through the Publication Division of Naturalis Biodiversity Center; e-mail: [email protected].

    Persoonia is a journal published jointly by the Naturalis Biodiversity Center and the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute.
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