Molecular phylogenetic analysis reveals seven new Diaporthe species from Italy

Seven new species of Diaporthe, D. acericola on Acer negundo, D. cichorii on Cichorium intybus, D. dorycnii on Dorycnium hirsutum, D. lonicerae on Lonicera sp., Laurus nobilis and Torilis arvensis, D. pseudotsugae on Pseudotsuga menziesii, D. schoeni on Schoenus nigricans, Carduus sp. and Plantago sp. and D. torilicola on Torilis arvensis from Italy are described and illustrated based on morphological characteristics and molecular analyses. In addition to the new species, eight known species of Diaporthe, D. eres, D. foeniculina, D. gulyae, D. novem, D. ravennica, D. rhusicola, D. rudis and D. sterilis were identified. Phylogenetic relationships of the new species with other Diaporthe species were revealed by DNA sequence analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF), partial regions of the beta-tubulin (BT) and calmodulin (CAL). Among 44 isolates, D. eres was the dominant species, accounting for 27% of the frequency of occurrence. Our study revealed a high diversity of undescribed Diaporthe species from various hosts in Italy.