Genomic Characteristics and Comparative Genomics Analysis of Parafenestella ontariensis sp. nov.

A new ascomycetous species of Parafenestella was isolated from Acer negundo during the survey of diseased trees in Southern Ontario, Canada. The species is morphologically similar to other taxa of Cucurbitariacea (Pleosporales). The new species is different from the extant species in the morphology of ascospores, culture characteristics and molecular data. The novel species is described as Parafenestella ontariensis sp. nov. based on morphological and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses using a combined set of ITS, LSU, tef1 and tub2 loci. Additionally, the genome of P. ontariensis was sequenced and analyzed. The phylogenomic analysis confirmed the close relationship of the species to the fenestelloid clades of Cucurbitariaceae. The comparative genomics analysis revealed that the species lifestyle appears to be multitrophic (necrotrophic or hemi-biotrophic) with a capability to turn pathogenic on a corresponding plant host.

Automated summary

A new species of Parafenestella, named Parafenestella ontariensis sp. nov., was discovered from Acer negundo in Ontario, Canada. This study showed that the new species differs from existing species in terms of ascospore morphology, culture characteristics, and molecular data. Phylogenomic analysis also revealed a close relationship between this species and the fenestelloid clades of Cucurbitariaceae. Comparative genomics analysis indicated that the species has a multitrophic lifestyle and can potentially become pathogenic to its corresponding plant host.