Confirmation that Phytophthora insolita (Peronosporaceae) is present as a marine saprotroph on mangrove leaves and first report of the species for the Philippines

Over the past 10 years evidence has increased that Phytophthora species are common in estuarine and coastal environments. These findings made it seem possible that Phytophthora spp. might also be present in mangrove habitats of the Philippines. In this manuscript P. insolita, an oospore-producing Phytophthora species devoid of antheridia, is reported as an additional member of estuarine oomycetes and reported from the Philippines for the first time. The Philippine strain, P. insolita H3YB, was isolated from a fallen senescent mangrove leaf in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Philippines. The morphology of H3YB and its phylogenetic placement agreed with its identification as P. insolita. Further targeted studies into the ecology of Phytophthora species in mangroves might shed light on the ecological role of these species in the mangrove ecosystem.