Phyllosticta species on orchids (Orchidaceae), introducing Phyllosticta speewahensis sp. nov. (Phyllostictaceae, Ascomycota) from northern Australia

Abstract

Several species of Phyllosticta syn Guignardia) have been described from orchids worldwide. A new species, Phyllosticta speewahensis, is proposed for a specimen isolated from leaf spots on a hybrid Vanda orchid in northern Queensland, Australia. Phylogenetic analysis of the nrDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS and partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) gene sequences showed that P. speewahensis is most closely related to JR hostae. The likelihood that orchids harbour further cryptic species of endophytic and pathogenic Phyllosticta species is discussed