title: The avocado subgroup of Phytophthora citricola constitutes a distinct species, Phytophthora mengei sp. nov.
abstract: Isolates from avocado tree cankers have been recognized as a distinct subgroup within the P. citricola complex since 1974, both morphologically and molecularly (isozyme and amplified fragment length polymorphism [AFLP] analyses). This subgroup is formally separated from P. citricola after comparative DNA fingerprinting and sequence analyses of the ITS region, as well as by morphological examinations. This new taxon is homothallic, produces plerotic oospores with paragynous antheridia and noncaducous semipapillate sporangia. Morphologically it differs from other species of Waterhouse group III by producing many large bizarre-shaped sporangia and smaller oogonia with asymmetric capitate antheridia. It belongs to clade 2 and is phylogenetically closer to P. siskiyouensis, P. capsici and P. tropicalis than to P. citricola. P. mengei can be easily differentiated from its relatives in the same clade and other species of this morpho-group by DNA fingerprints and sequence analysis. This new taxon is named Phytophthora mengei sp. nov.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science, 1444 Diamond Springs Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455, USA. chhong2@vt.edu
authors.forename: C X
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gallegly
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kong
mesh_terms: D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D027421:Persea / Q000382:microbiology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D010838:Phytophthora / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity; D014404:Tubulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D014404:Tubulin