ARS | Publication request: A new endophytic ascomycete from El Eden Ecological Reserve, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Submitted to: Mycotaxon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 2007
Publication Date: September 24, 2007
Repository URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10113/14002
Citation: Gonzalez, M.C., Anaya, A., Glenn, A.E., Saucedo-Garcia, A., Macias-Rubalcava, M.L., Hanlin, R.T. 2007. A new endophytic ascomycete from El Eden Ecological Reserve, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Mycotaxon 101:251-260.

Interpretive Summary: A preliminary biodiversity survey was conducted of the endophytic fungal species inhabiting leaves of some woody plants from the El Eden Ecological Reserve in Mexico. A previously undescribed fungus was isolated from the leaves of Callicarpa acuminata. Morphological and growth characteristics of this fungus are described. Genomic DNA sequence analyses were also performed to confirm the appropriate taxonomic assignment of the fungus. This fungus is proposed to be a member of the Pleosporaceae (Pleosporales), and the new genus Edenia is described and illustrated to accommodate this new species E. gomezpompae.

Technical Abstract: During a preliminary survey to report the biodiversity of endophytic fungi associated with leaves of some woody plants from El Eden Ecological Reserve in Mexico, a new fungus was isolated from Callicarpa acuminata leaves. Cultures of this fungus on PDA form a white floccose colony with a reddish-brown reverse and a mycelium that develops by 90' angle branches and intertwining of hyphae to form rope-like strands and coils. In addition, this endophytic fungus does not form reproductive structures. Based on morphological and DNA sequence analyses, this fungus is proposed to be a member of the Pleosporaceae (Pleosporales) and has not been previously described. Edenia gen. nov. is described and illustrated to accommodate E. gomezpompae.