Novel species, morpho‐molecular identification and pathogenicity of Allophoma (Didymellacaeae) causing leaf spots of true mangroves and mangrove associates in Thailand

Abstract

True mangroves and mangrove associates are salt‐tolerant trees and shrubs that serve a critical role in preserving the ecological balance of tropical and subtropical estuarine environments. However, they are not immune to the damage caused by fungal pathogens. In this study, leaves exhibiting leaf spot symptoms were gathered from mangrove estuary and forests in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand. Through morphological and multilocus phylogenetic analyses (LSU, ITS, RPB2 and TUB2) along with genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition, we identified Allophoma acanthi sp. nov. from Acanthus ilicifolius. Additionally, A. minor was identified as the causative agent of leaf spots in true mangrove and mangrove associate species, namely, Acanthus ilicifolius, Combretum sp., Hibiscus tiliaceus, Intsia bijuga, Lumnitzera racemosa and Sonneratia alba. We also provide evidence to support the synonymization of A. thunbergiae with A. minor. All eight isolates of Allophoma species in this study demonstrated pathogenicity to their original hosts with varied virulence, confirming Koch's postulates. Our findings contribute to the understanding of fungal pathogens affecting true mangroves and mangrove associates.