A phylogeny for the plant pathogenPiptoporellus baudoniiusing a multigene data set

Piptoporellus baudoniiis proposed as a new combination forLaetiporus baudoniiin the Polyporales (Basidiomycota) based on morphological and molecular features. This parasitic macrofungus attacks cashew trees,Eucalyptus, cassava,Tectona, and some indigenous trees in southern regions of Tanzania and poses a serious threat to agroforestry and livelihood conditions in the area. Phylogenetic trees were produced from partial sequences of three rDNA gene regions and a portion of translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) gene ofLaetiporus baudoniifor comparisons with samples from the antrodia clade. Our results reveal a strongly supported group ofL. baudoniiwithPiptoporellusin Fomitopsidaceae.Piptoporellus baudoniishares many morphological features with other members ofPiptoporellusbut differs from them in having broadly ellipsoid or rarely ovoid basidiospores. Both morphological and phylogenetic evidence justify the placement ofL. baudoniiinPiptoporellustogether with the three other known species in the genus.