Identification of Botryosphaeriaceae species in the South African National Collection of Fungi, including a novel species of Oblongocollomyces

Abstract

The Botryosphaeriaceae is a diverse group of fungi that includes several important plant pathogens. This study aimed to identify the 201 Botryosphaeriaceae isolates deposited at the South African National Collection of Fungi (NCF). The isolates were revived and phylogenetic analyses, based on multiple loci (ITS, tef1-α, rpb2, tub2), revealed several distinct clades, leading to the identification of 15 known species from Botryosphaeria, Lasiodiplodia, Neofusicoccum and a new species of Oblongocollomyces. This study expands the known diversity and host ranges of the Botryosphaeriaceae in South Africa and China, significantly contributing to our understanding of this family. The results highlight the importance of national collections as valuable resources for fungal biodiversity research. Further research is needed to explore the pathogenicity and distribution of these species in local agricultural ecosystems.