Three new species of Neonectria (Nectriaceae, Hypocreales) with notes on their phylogenetic positions

Collections of Bionectriaceae and Nectriaceae from Henan, Hubei and Guangdong provinces, China, were examined. Three new species, Neonectria confusa, N. shennongjiana and N. sinensis, are described and illustrated. Distinctions between the new species and their related taxa are discussed. Phylogenetic relationships among some Neonectria species are investigated based oil analyses of nuclear ribosome DNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and beta-tubulin partial sequences. Combined analyses of molecular and morphological data Suggest that N. confusa and N. shennongjiana can be classified in Neonectria sensu stricto and N. sinensis in the N. mammoidea-Group. A key to the known species of Neonectria from China is provided.