The Colletotrichum acutatum species complex

Abstract

Colletotrichum acutatum is known as an important anthracnose pathogen of a wide range of host plants worldwide. Numerous studies have reported subgroups within the C. acutatum species complex. Multilocus molecular phylogenetic analysis (ITS, ACT, TUB2, CHS-1, GAPDH, HIS3) of 331 strains previously identified as C. acutatum and other related taxa, including strains from numerous hosts with wide geographic distributions, confirmed the molecular groups previously recognised and identified a series of novel taxa. Thirty-one species are accepted, of which 21 have not previously been recognised. Colletotrichum orchidophilum clusters basal to the C. acutatum species complex. There is a high phenotypic diversity within this complex, and some of the species appear to have preferences to specific hosts or geographical regions. Others appear to be plurivorous and are present in multiple regions. In this study, only C. salicis and C. rhombiforme formed sexual morphs in culture, although sexual morphs have been described from other taxa (especially as laboratory crosses), and there is evidence of hybridisation between different species. One species with similar morphology to C. acutatum but not belonging to this species complex was also described here as new, namely C. pseudoacutatum.

Taxonomic novelties: New combinations - Colletotrichum limetticola (R.E. Clausen) Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. lupini (Bondar) Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. salicis (Fuckel) Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous. New species - C. acerbum Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. australe Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. brisbanense Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. cosmi Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. costaricense Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. cuscutae Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. guajavae Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. indonesiense Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. johnstonii Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. kinghornii Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. laticiphilum Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. melonis Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. orchidophilum Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. paxtonii Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. pseudoacutatum Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous C. pyricola Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. rhombiforme Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. scovillei Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. sloanei Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. tamarilloi Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. walleri Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous. Typifications: Epitypifications - C. acutatum J.H. Simmonds, C. limetticola (R.E. Clausen) Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous, C. nymphaeae (Pass.) Aa, C. phormii (Henn.) D.F. Farr & Rossman, C. salicis (Fuckel) Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous. Lectotypifications - C. nymphaeae (Pass.) Aa, C. orchidearum Allesch.

Keywords: Ascomycota; Colletotrichum acutatum; Gloeosporium; Glomerella; anthracnose; phylogeny; systematics.

Fig. 1.

One of 830 most parsimonious trees obtained from a heuristic search of the combined ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, ACT, HIS3 and TUB2 sequences alignment of the Colletotrichum acutatum species complex. Bootstrap support values above 70 % (bold) and Bayesian posterior probability values above 0.95 are shown at the nodes. Colletotrichum orchidophilum CBS 632.80, CBS 631.80, IMI 309357 and CBS 119291 are used as outgroup. Numbers of ex-holotype, ex-neotype and ex-epitype strains are emphasised in bold. Strain numbers are followed by substrate (host genus) and country of origin, NL = Netherlands, NZ = New Zealand, ZA = South Africa. Branches that are crossed by diagonal lines are shortened by 50 %. Corresponding groups of Sreenivasaprasad & Talhinhas 2005 are emphasised in red, mtDNA RFLP haplotypes of Guerber et al. (2003) are emphasised in blue.

Fig. 1.

One of 830 most parsimonious trees obtained from a heuristic search of the combined ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, ACT, HIS3 and TUB2 sequences alignment of the Colletotrichum acutatum species complex. Bootstrap support values above 70 % (bold) and Bayesian posterior probability values above 0.95 are shown at the nodes. Colletotrichum orchidophilum CBS 632.80, CBS 631.80, IMI 309357 and CBS 119291 are used as outgroup. Numbers of ex-holotype, ex-neotype and ex-epitype strains are emphasised in bold. Strain numbers are followed by substrate (host genus) and country of origin, NL = Netherlands, NZ = New Zealand, ZA = South Africa. Branches that are crossed by diagonal lines are shortened by 50 %. Corresponding groups of Sreenivasaprasad & Talhinhas 2005 are emphasised in red, mtDNA RFLP haplotypes of Guerber et al. (2003) are emphasised in blue.

Fig. 1.

One of 830 most parsimonious trees obtained from a heuristic search of the combined ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, ACT, HIS3 and TUB2 sequences alignment of the Colletotrichum acutatum species complex. Bootstrap support values above 70 % (bold) and Bayesian posterior probability values above 0.95 are shown at the nodes. Colletotrichum orchidophilum CBS 632.80, CBS 631.80, IMI 309357 and CBS 119291 are used as outgroup. Numbers of ex-holotype, ex-neotype and ex-epitype strains are emphasised in bold. Strain numbers are followed by substrate (host genus) and country of origin, NL = Netherlands, NZ = New Zealand, ZA = South Africa. Branches that are crossed by diagonal lines are shortened by 50 %. Corresponding groups of Sreenivasaprasad & Talhinhas 2005 are emphasised in red, mtDNA RFLP haplotypes of Guerber et al. (2003) are emphasised in blue.

Fig. 1.

One of 830 most parsimonious trees obtained from a heuristic search of the combined ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, ACT, HIS3 and TUB2 sequences alignment of the Colletotrichum acutatum species complex. Bootstrap support values above 70 % (bold) and Bayesian posterior probability values above 0.95 are shown at the nodes. Colletotrichum orchidophilum CBS 632.80, CBS 631.80, IMI 309357 and CBS 119291 are used as outgroup. Numbers of ex-holotype, ex-neotype and ex-epitype strains are emphasised in bold. Strain numbers are followed by substrate (host genus) and country of origin, NL = Netherlands, NZ = New Zealand, ZA = South Africa. Branches that are crossed by diagonal lines are shortened by 50 %. Corresponding groups of Sreenivasaprasad & Talhinhas 2005 are emphasised in red, mtDNA RFLP haplotypes of Guerber et al. (2003) are emphasised in blue.

Fig. 2.

Colletotrichum acerbum (from ex-holotype strain CBS 128530). A–B. Conidiomata. C. Tip of a seta. D. Basis of a seta. E–J. Conidiophores. K–O. Appressoria. P–Q. Conidia. A, C–G, P. from Anthriscus stem. B, H–O, Q. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–Q. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, E = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of E applies to C–Q.

Fig. 3.

Colletotrichum acutatum (from ex-epitype strain CBS 112996). A–B. Conidiomata. C–I. Conidiophores. J–Q. Appressoria. R–S. Conidia. A, C–D, R. from Anthriscus stem. B, E–Q, S. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–S. DIC, Scale bars: A = 200 μm, B = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of C applies to C–S.

Fig. 4.

Colletotrichum australe (from ex-holotype strain CBS 116478). A–B. Conidiomata. C. Seta. D–G. Conidiophores. H. Tip of seta. I. Basis of seta. J–K. Conidiophores. L–Q. Appressoria. R–S. Conidia. A, C–G, R. from Anthriscus stem. B, H–Q, S. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–S. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, F = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of F applies to C–S.

Fig. 5.

Colletotrichum brisbanense (from ex-holotype strain CBS 292.67). A–B. Conidiomata. C–H. Conidiophores. I–N. Appressoria. O–P. Conidia. A, C–E, O. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–N, P. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–P. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–P.

Fig. 6.

Colletotrichum chrysanthemi (from strain CBS 126518). A–B. Conidiomata. C–H. Conidiophores. I–N. Appressoria. O–P. Conidia. A, C–E, O. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–N, P. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–P. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–P.

Fig. 7.

Colletotrichum cosmi (from ex-holotype strain CBS 853.73). A–B. Conidiomata. C–H. Conidiophores. I–N. Appressoria. O–P. Conidia. A, C–E, O. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–N, P. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–P. DIC, Scale bars: A = 200 μm, B = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of C applies to C–P.

Fig. 8.

Colletotrichum costaricense (from ex-holotype strain CBS 330.75). A–B. Conidiomata. C–H. Conidiophores. I–N. Appressoria. O–P. Conidia. A, C–D, O. from Anthriscus stem. B, E–N, P. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–P. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–P.

Fig. 9.

Colletotrichum cuscutae (from ex-holotype strain IMI 304802). A–B. Conidiomata. C–J. Conidiophores. K–P. Appressoria. Q–R. Conidia. A, C–E, Q. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–P, R. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–R. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–R.

Fig. 10.

Colletotrichum fioriniae (from ex-holotype strain CBS 128517). A–B. Conidiomata. C–L. Conidiophores. M–R. Appressoria. S–T. Conidia. A, C–G, S. from Anthriscus stem. B, H–R, T. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–T. DIC, Scale bars: A = 200 μm, B = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of C applies to C–T.

Fig. 11.

Colletotrichum godetiae (F–G, L–M, T–U from ex-holotype strain CBS 133.44. A–E, H–K, N–S from strain CBS 125972). A–B. Conidiomata. C. Tip of a seta. D. Basis of a seta. E–M. Conidiophores. N–S. Appressoria. T–U. Conidia. A, C–H, T. from Anthriscus stem. B, I–S, U. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–U. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, E = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of E applies to C–U.

Fig. 12.

Colletotrichum guajavae (from ex-holotype strain IMI 350839). A–B. Conidiomata. C. Seta. D–H. Conidiophores. I–N. Appressoria. O–P. Conidia. A, C–E, O. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–N, P. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–P. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, D = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of D applies to C–P.

Fig. 13.

Colletotrichum indonesiense (from ex-holotype strain CBS 127551). A–B. Conidiomata. C–G. Conidiophores. H–M. Appressoria. N–O. Conidia. A, C–E, N. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–M, O. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–O. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–O.

Fig. 14.

Colletotrichum johnstonii (A–B, D–G, I–R. from ex-holotype strain CBS 128532. C, H. from IMI 357027). A–B. Conidiomata. C, H. Setae. D–G, I–J. Conidiophores. K–P. Appressoria. Q–R. Conidia. A, C–G, Q. from Anthriscus stem. B, H–P, R. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–R. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, B = 200 μm, D = 10 μm. Scale bar of D applies to C–R.

Fig. 15.

Colletotrichum kinghornii (from ex-holotype strain CBS 198.35). A–J. Conidiophores. K–L. Conidia. H–K. from Anthriscus stem. A–G, L. from SNA. A–L. DIC, Scale bars: B = 10 μm. Scale bar of B applies to A–L.

Fig. 16.

Colletotrichum laticiphilum (from ex-holotype strain CBS 112989). A–B. Conidiomata. C–H. Conidiophores. I–L. Appressoria. M–N. Conidia. A, C–E, M. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–L, N. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–N. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–N.

Fig. 17.

Colletotrichum limetticola (from ex-epitype strain CBS 114.14). A–B. Conidiomata. C–K. Conidiophores. L–Q. Appressoria. R–S. Conidia. A, C–G, R. from Anthriscus stem. B, H–Q, S. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–S. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, F = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of F applies to C–S.

Fig. 18.

Colletotrichum lupini (from ex-neotype strain CBS 109225). A–B. Conidiomata. C–I. Conidiophores. J–O. Appressoria. P–Q. Conidia. A, C, P. from Anthriscus stem. B, D–O, Q. from SNA. A–B. Dissecting microscope (DM), C–Q. Differential interference contrast illumination (DIC), Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–Q.

Fig. 19.

Colletotrichum melonis (from ex-holotype strain CBS 159.84). A–B. Conidiomata. C–H. Conidiophores. I–N. Appressoria. O–P. Conidia. A, C–E, O. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–N, P. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–P. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–P.

Fig. 20.

Colletotrichum nymphaea (from ex-epitype strain CBS 515.78). A–B. Conidiomata. C–G. Conidiophores. H–M. Appressoria. N–O. Conidia. A, C–D, N. from Anthriscus stem. B, E–M, O. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–O. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–O.

Fig. 21.

Colletotrichum orchidophilum (A–M, S–T from ex-holotype strain CBS 632.80. N–R from IMI 305357). A–B. Conidiomata. C. Setae. D–F. Conidiophores. H. Tip of seta. I. Basis of seta. J–M. Conidiophores. N–R. Appressoria. S–T. Conidia. A, C–F, S. from Anthriscus stem. B, H–R, T. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–T. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, D = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of D applies to C–T.

Fig. 22.

Colletotrichum paxtonii (from ex-holotype strain IMI 165753). A–B. Conidiomata. C–F. Conidiophores. G–K. Appressoria. L–M. Conidia. A, C–D, L. from Anthriscus stem. B, E–K, M. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–M. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–M.

Fig. 23.

Colletotrichum phormii (from ex-epitype strain CBS 118194). A–B. Conidiomata. C. Seta. D–G. Conidiophores. H–L. Appressoria. M–N. Conidia. A, C–D, M. from Anthriscus stem. B, E–L, N. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–N. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, D = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of D applies to C–N.

Fig. 24.

Colletotrichum pseudoacutatum (from ex-holotype strain CBS 436.77). A–B. Conidiomata. C. Tips of setae. D. basis of seta. E. Conidiophores. F. Seta. G. Conidiophores. H–M. Appressoria. N–O. Conidia. A, C–E, N. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–M, O. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–O. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, B = 200 μm, E = 10 μm. Scale bar of E applies to C–O.

Fig. 25.

Colletotrichum pyricola (from ex-holotype strain CBS 128531). A–B. Conidiomata. C–K. Conidiophores. L–Q. Appressoria. R–S. Conidia. A, C–F, R. from Anthriscus stem. B, G–Q, S. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–S. DIC, Scale bars: A = 200 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–S.

Fig. 26.

Colletotrichum rhombiforme (from ex-holotype strain CBS 129953). A–B. Conidiomata. C–H. Conidiophores. I–M. Appressoria. N–O. Conidia. P. Ascomata. Q. Peridium in cross section. R. Outer surface of peridium. S. Ascospores. T. Paraphyses. U–W, Y. Asci. X. Apical region of ascus. A, C–E, N, P–Y. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–M, O. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–Y. DIC, Scale bars: A = 200 μm, B, P = 100 μm, C, Q = 10 μm. Scale bar of C applies to C–O. Scale bar of Q applies to Q–Y.

Fig. 27.

Colletotrichum salicis (from ex-epitype strain CBS 607.94). A–B. Conidiomata. C–H. Conidiophores. I–N. Appressoria. O–P. Conidia. Q–R. Ascomata. S. Peridium in cross section. T. Outer surface of peridium. U. Ascospores. V. Paraphyses. W–Y. Asci. A, C–D, O, Q–Y. from Anthriscus stem. B, E–N, P. from SNA. A–B, Q. DM, C–P, R–Y. DIC, Scale bars: A, Q, R = 100 μm, C, S = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–P. Scale bar of S applies to S–Y.

Fig. 28.

Colletotrichum scovillei (from ex-holotype strain CBS 126529). A–B. Conidiomata. C–E. Conidiophores. F–K. Appressoria. L–M. Conidia. A, C, L. from Anthriscus stem. B, D–K, M. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–M. DIC, Scale bars: A = 200 μm, B = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of C applies to C–M.

Fig. 29.

Colletotrichum simmondsii (A–K, R-S from strain CBS 294.67. L–Q from ex-holotype strain CBS 122122). A–B. Conidiomata. C. Seta. D–K. Conidiophores. L–Q. Appressoria. R–S. Conidia. A, C–F, R. from Anthriscus stem. B, G–Q, S. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–S. DIC, Scale bars: A = 200 μm, B = 100 μm, D = 10 μm. Scale bar of D applies to C–S.

Fig. 30.

Colletotrichum sloanei (from ex-holotype strain IMI 364297). A–B. Conidiomata. C–J. Conidiophores. K–P. Appressoria. Q–R. Conidia. A, C–E, Q. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–P, R. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–R. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–R.

Fig. 31.

Colletotrichum tamarilloi (from ex-holotype strain CBS 129814). A–B. Conidiomata. C–J. Conidiophores. K–P. Appressoria. Q–R. Conidia. A, C–E, Q. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–P, R. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–R. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–R.

Fig. 32.

Colletotrichum walleri (from ex-holotype strain CBS 125472). A–B. Conidiomata. C–H. Conidiophores. I–N. Appressoria. O–P. Conidia. A, C–E, O. from Anthriscus stem. B, F–N, P. from SNA. A–B. DM, C–P. DIC, Scale bars: A = 100 μm, C = 10 μm. Scale bar of A applies to A–B. Scale bar of C applies to C–P.