Phytophthora species isolated from alpine and sub-alpine regions of Australia, including the description of two new species; Phytophthora cacuminis sp. nov and Phytophthora oreophila sp. nov

Khaliq, I., Hardy, G.E.St.J., McDougall, K.L. and Burgess, T.I.ORCID: 0000-0002-7962-219X (2018) Phytophthora species isolated from alpine and sub-alpine regions of Australia, including the description of two new species; Phytophthora cacuminis sp. nov and Phytophthora oreophila sp. nov. Fungal Biology, 123 (1). pp. 29-41.

Abstract

Plant deaths had been observed in the sub-alpine and alpine areas of Australia. Although no detailed aetiology was established, patches of dying vegetation and progressive thinning of canopy suggested the involvement of root pathogens. Therefore, surveys were conducted in alpine and sub-alpine regions of New South Wales and Tasmania to determine if Phytophthora species were involved. Baiting of roots and associated rhizosphere soil resulted in the isolation of eight Phytophthora species; Phytophthora cactorum, Phytophthora cryptogea, Phytophthora fallax, Phytophthora gonapodyides, Phytophthora gregata, Phytophthora pseudocryptogea, and two new species, Phytophthora cacuminis sp. nov and Phytophthora oreophila sp. nov, described here. The new species P. cacuminis sp. nov is closely related to P. fallax, and was isolated from asymptomatic Eucalyptus coccifera and species from the family Proteaceae in Mount Field NP in Tasmania. The other new species, P. oreophila sp. nov, was isolated from a disturbed alpine herbfield in Kosciuzsko National Park. New species low cardinal temperature for growth suggest that they have well adapted to survive under these conditions, and should be regarded as potential threats to the diverse flora of sub-alpine/alpine ecosystems. Phytophthora gregata and P. cryptogea have already been implicated in poor plant health. Of the eight species recovered, the native or introduced status of the two new species and P. gregata is not clear, P. fallax is considered to be native while the remainder are thought to have been introduced. Tests on a range of alpine/subalpine plant species are now needed to determine their pathogenicity, host range and invasive potential.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	Centre for Phytophthora Science and Management School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Publisher:	Elsevier Ltd.
Copyright:	© 2018 British Mycological Society
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/42474

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