Two new endophytic species in the Colletotrichum boninense species complex isolated from leaves of Capsicum annuum in Brazil

Thays G. L. Oliveira, Rejane M. F. Silva, Jadson D. P. Bezerra, Oliane M. C. Magalhães, Cristina Maria Souza-Motta & Gladstone A. Silva

Sydowia 76: 231-242

Published online on July 16th, 2024

Colletotrichum species, which are globally distributed, exhibit diverse ecological relationships with a variety of hosts. These species are not only significant pathogens but also exist as saprobes and endophytes. In this study, endophytic isolates of Colletotrichum were procured from Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae) leaves in a conventional cultivation agricultural area within the Atlantic Forest region of Brazil. A multi-locus phylogenetic analysis, which utilised sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), chitin synthase 1 (CHS-1), and actin (ACT), in conjunction with morphological features, identified two new species within the C. boninense species complex. These new species are phylogenetically related and are positioned in a clade adjacent to C. brasiliense, a pathogenic species of Passiflora edulis found in Brazil and China. Colletotrichum pernambucoense sp. nov. is primarily characterised by its formation of unbranched conidiophores, which can be up to 26 µm long, and cylindrical to ampulliform conidiogenous cells that often extend to form new conidiogenous loci. On the other hand, Colletotrichum capsicicola sp. nov. has setae with 2–3-septate, branched or unbranched conidiophores that can be up to 49 µm long, and rarely lobate and irregularly shaped appressoria. Both species exhibit a prominent scar at the base of the conidia.

Keywords: bell pepper, endophytism, Glomerellaceae, taxonomy.

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