Morphological and phylogenetic analysis reveal three new species Phyllosticta (Phyllostictaceae, Botryosphaeriales) in China

Phyllosticta (Phyllostictaceae, Botryosphaeriales) species have been reported worldwide and collected from various plant hosts. We proposed three new species, viz., Phyllosticta elliptica sp. nov., P. rhododendri sp. nov., and P. wuzhishanensis sp. nov., based on multi-locus phylogenetic analysis using a combined dataset of ITS rDNA, LSU, tef 1, ACT, and GPDH, along with morphological characteristics. Moreover, P. capitalensis, isolated from the leaves of Mangifera indica, is redescribed herein.

We have re-examined the six species complexes: the P. capitalensis species complex (including 32 species), P. concentrica species complex (including 32 species), P. cruenta species complex (including 22 species), P. owaniana species complex (including six species), P. rhodorae species complex (including two species), and P. vaccinii species complex (including two species). Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the new species are provided.

These findings enrich the biodiversity of fungi and provide reference for subsequent research.