Spatial Ecology of the Fungal Genus Xylaria in a Tropical Cloud Forest

Fungal symbioses with plants are ubiquitous, ancient, and vital to both ecosystem function and plant health. However, benefits to fungal symbionts are not well explored, especially in non‐mycorrhizal fungi. The Foraging Ascomycete hypothesis proposes that some wood‐decomposing fungi may shift life‐history strategies to endophytism to bridge gaps in time and space between suitable substrates. To test this hypothesis we examine spatial relationships of Xylaria endophytic fungi in the forest canopy with Xylaria decomposer fungi on the forest floor. We sampled for fungi of the genus Xylaria using a spatially explicit sampling scheme in a remote Ecuadorian cloud forest, and concurrently carried out an extensive culture‐based sampling of fungal foliar endophytes. We found 36 species of Xylaria in our 0.5 ha plot, 31 of which were found to only occur as fruiting bodies. All five species of Xylaria found as endophytes were also found as fruiting bodies. We also tested the relationships of both stages of these fungi to environmental variables. Decomposer fungi were differentiated by species‐specific habitat preferences, with three species being found closer to water than expected by chance. In contrast, endophytes displayed no sensitivity to environmental conditions, such as host, moisture, or canopy cover. We found evidence of spatial linkage between life stages in two species. We also demonstrate that direct transmission of endophytes from leaves to woody substrates is possible. These results indicate that endophytism may represent one way for decomposer fungi to escape moisture limitation, and that endophytic fungi may act as sources of dispersal for decomposer fungi consistent with predictions of the Foraging Ascomycete hypothesis.     

Vertical transmission of fungal endophytes is widespread in forbs

To date, it has been thought that endophytic fungi in forbs infect the leaves of their hosts most commonly by air‐borne spores (termed “horizontal transmission”). Here, we show that vertical transmission from mother plant to offspring, via seeds, occurs in six forb species (Centaurea cyanus, C. nigra, Papaver rhoeas, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex acetosa, and Senecio vulgaris), suggesting that this may be a widespread phenomenon. Mature seeds were collected from field‐grown plants and endophytes isolated from these, and from subsequent cotyledons and true leaves of seedlings, grown in sterile conditions. Most seeds contain one species of fungus, although the identity of the endophyte differs between plant species. Strong evidence for vertical transmission was found for two endophyte species, Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium sphaerospermum. These fungi were recovered from within seeds, cotyledons, and true leaves, although the plant species they were associated with differed. Vertical transmission appears to be an imperfect process, and germination seems to present a bottleneck for fungal growth. We also found that A. alternata and C. sphaerospermum occur on, and within pollen grains, showing that endophyte transmission can be both within and between plant generations. Fungal growth with the pollen tube is likely to be the way in which endophytes enter the developing seed. The fact that true vertical transmission seems common suggests a more mutualistic association between these fungi and their hosts than has previously been thought, and possession of endophytes by seedling plants could have far‐reaching ecological consequences. Seedlings may have different growth rates and be better protected against herbivores and pathogens, dependent on the fungi that were present in the mother plant. This would represent a novel case of trans‐generational resistance in plants.     

Endophytic fungi assemblages from 10 <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendrobium</Emphasis> medicinal plants (Orchidaceae)

Dendrobium is the largest genus of tropical epiphytic orchid, some of which are traditional Chinese medicinal plants. The therapeutic components varied significantly among species. Endophytic microbes (fungi) hidden in medicinal plants may play an important effect on the overall quality of herb. Investigation of fungal composition in host plants is the first step toward elucidating the relationship endophyte-therapeutic content of herbal medicine. In this study, 401 culturable fungal endophytes were isolated and identified from 10 species of medicinal Dendrobium based on morphological and molecular techniques. The results showed that endophytic fungi from Dendrobium plants exhibited high biodiversity (37 genera, about 80 species). Acremonium, Alternaria, Ampelomyces, Bionectria, Cladosporium, Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Verticillium and Xylaria were the dominant fungal endophytes. Tropical epiphytic orchids appear to vary in degree of host specificity in their endophytic fungi.     

Phylogeny of an Albugo sp. infecting Barbarea vulgaris in Denmark and its frequency of symptom development in natural populations of two evolutionary divergent plant types

The oomycete Albugo candida has long been considered a broad spectrum generalist pathogen, but recent studies suggest that it is diverged into several more specialized species in addition to the generalist Albugo candida sensu stricto. Whereas these species cause the disease white blister rust in many crucifer plants, asymptomatic endophytic infections may be important in the epidemiology of others. One of the plant species attacked by Albugo sp. is the wild crucifer Barbarea vulgaris ssp. arcuata, which is diverged into two phytochemically and genetically different types with different geographical distributions in Europe. These were previously shown to differ strongly in propensity to develop white rust upon controlled infections in the greenhouse. Here, we analyse the phylogenetic relatedness of this local Albugo sp. field isolate to other species and lines of Albugo spp., including others collected on B. vulgaris. We further ask whether the difference in incidence of white rust between the two types of B. vulgaris are also expressed in natural populations.     

Endophytes and mycoparasites associated with an indigenous forest tree, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Theobroma gileri</Emphasis>, in Ecuador and a preliminary assessment of their potential as biocontrol agents of cocoa diseases

The main constraint and continuing threat to cocoa production in Latin America is disease caused by two basidiomycete fungi belonging to the genus Crinipellis (Agaricales), both of which are currently on an invasive front. Classical biological control, in which coevolved natural enemies are considered to offer the most potential for sustainable control of invasive alien organisms, is investigated as a management strategy. Our initial approach has been to search for the suspected coevolved host (Theobroma gileri) of one of these pathogens, Crinipellis roreri, the causal agent of frosty pod rot, in the mesic forests of north-west Ecuador; to isolate the endophytes and mycoparasites associated with both host and pathogen; to screen selected fungi in the greenhouse and laboratory, in order to determine their biocontrol potential. Endophytes were isolated directly in the field from healthy tree boles and pods, and over 40 genera were recorded, mainly representing anamorphs of Hypocreales in the genera Acremonium, Clonostachys, Trichoderma and Verticillium, as well as basidiomycetes belonging to the Agaricales and Polyporales. Of the endophytic fungi tested, most can be inoculated into and recovered from asymptomatic cocoa seedlings. Twenty-eight mycoparasitic species were isolated from diseased pods and selected mycoparasites as well as endophytes were screened against C. roreri using the pre-colonised plate method. Consistently high mycoparasitism of the C. roreri pseudostroma was demonstrated, particularly by a complex of Clonostachys and Trichoderma species.     

Antimicrobial Activity and Biodiversity of Endophytic Fungi in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendrobium</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">devonianum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendrobium thyrsiflorum</Emphasis> from Vietman

Endophytic fungi are rich in orchids and have great impacts on their host plants. 53 endophytes (30 isolates from Dendrobium devonianum and 23 endophytic fungi from D. thyrsiflorum) were isolated, respectively, from roots and stems of Dendrobium species. All the fungi were identified by way of morphological and/or molecular biological methods. 30 endophytic fungi in D. devonianum were categorized into 11 taxa and 23 fungal endophytes in D. thyrsiflorum were grouped into 11 genera, respectively. Fusarium was the dominant species of the two Dendrobium species in common. Antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract of fermentation broth of these fungi was explored using agar diffusion test. 10 endophytic fungi in D. devonianum and 11 in D. thyrsiflorum exhibited antimicrobial activity against at least one pathogenic bacterium or fungus among 6 pathogenic microbes (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus). Out of the fungal endophytes isolated from D. devonianum and D. thyrsiflorum, Phoma displayed strong inhibitory activity (inhibition zones in diameter >20 mm) against pathogens. Epicoccum nigrum from D. thyrsiflorum exhibited antibacterial activity even stronger than ampicillin sodium. Fusarium isolated from the two Dendrobium species was effective against the pathogenic bacterial as well as fungal pathogens. The study reinforced the assumption that endophytic fungi isolated from different Dendrobium species could be of potential antibacterial or antifungal resource.     

Moths that Vector a Plant Pathogen also Transport Endophytic Fungi and Mycoparasitic Antagonists

Claviceps paspali, a common fungal pathogen of Paspalum grasses, attracts moth vectors by producing sugary exudates in the grass florets it infects. These exudates also support mycoparasitic Fusarium species that may negatively influence C. paspali fitness. We examined the potential for moths on which C. paspali depends to also transmit mycoparasitic Fusarium and fungal endophytes, which inhabit asymptomatic plant tissue and may influence host susceptibility to pathogens. We quantified infections by C. paspali, Fusarium spp., and endophytic fungi associated with Paspalum spp. at focal sites in the southeastern USA and used data from the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS rDNA) to compare communities of plant-associated and moth-borne fungi. ITS sequences of moth-borne fungi were identical to reference sequences of mycoparasitic Fusarium heterosporum and to three distinct endophytic fungi isolated from Paspalum species. Our results demonstrate an unexpected overlap of fungal communities between disparate locations and among plant species and plant tissues, and suggest an unexpected role of moths, which vector a plant pathogen, to transmit other guilds of fungi. In turn, the potential for insects to transmit plant pathogens as well as mycoparasites and endophytic fungi suggests complex interactions underlying a commonly observed grass–pathogen system. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Endophytic fungi diversity of aquatic/riparian plants and their antifungal activity <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Two hundred and fourteen endophytic fungi were isolated from 500 segments of aquatic/riparian plants Ottelia acuminata, Myriophyllum verticillatum, Equisetum arvense, Cardamine multijuga, and Impatiens chinensis. They were identified to 31 taxa in which Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Geotrichum were the dominant genera. Among all isolates, 169 (79%) were anamorphic fungi, 1 (0.5%) was an teleomorphic ascomycete and 44 (21%) were sterile mycelia. There were significant differences in the colonization frequency of endophytes between the five plant species (X∼2=51.128, P<0.001, Chi-square test). The riparian plants harboured more endophytes than the submerged plants. The antifungal activity of these isolates against Fusarium solani and Phytophthora nicotianae in vitro were tested and 28 (13.1%) isolates showed antifungal activities with more than 30% growth inhibition rate against the two pathogens.     

剑叶龙血树内生真菌的分离及体外抑菌活性筛选

为研究剑叶龙血树内生真菌资源多样性,初步探讨和筛选具有抑菌活性的特异性菌株以及进一步开发剑叶龙血树内生真菌的抗菌活性化合物。该文采用植物组织分离法从剑叶龙血树茎和叶中分离内生真菌,对内生真菌进行液体发酵7 d,经乙酸乙酯萃取后制得粗提物,并采用牛津杯扩散法,以10种常见病原菌和5种临床耐药菌为靶标检测其发酵粗提物的抑菌活性,对有较好抑菌活性的内生真菌进行分子鉴定。结果表明:(1)从剑叶龙血树茎、叶中共分离得到345株内生真菌,294株对一种以上指示菌有抑制活性;(2)其中84株内生真菌对5株临床耐药菌均有不同程度的抑制活性,占所分离菌株总数的24.35%,75%的内生真菌对金黄色葡萄球菌有抑制活性。这说明剑叶龙血树中存在多种有抑菌活性的内生真菌,为剑叶龙血树内生菌抗菌活性成分挖掘及新型抗菌药物筛选奠定了基础。     

A comparative study of endophytic and epiphytic fungal association with leaf of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus citriodora</Emphasis> Hook., and their antimicrobial activity

Eucalyptus citriodora Hook, is frequently cultivated tree in India for its wood and medicinal usages. The endophytic and epiphytic fungi were estimated from healthy leaves of E. citriodora growing in the premise of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. A total of 33 fungal species were isolated from leaf segments. Of 33 taxa, 20 were recorded as endophytes, while 22 as epiphytes. Nine, out of 33 species were found to be common in leaf tissues and surfaces (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. terreus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Drechslera rostrata, Humicola grisea, Nigrospora oryzae, Penicillium cristata, and Pestalotia sp.). Out of 478 fungal isolates, 279 were epiphytic while only 199 were endophytic. Most isolates were anamorphic filamentous fungi which often don’t produce sexual spores. The Sorensen’s index of similarity between endophytes and epiphytes (leaf surface colonizers) was found to be at 0.300. Diversity index of fungal species was higher in endophytes than epiphytes. The frequency of colonization differs greatly in both myco-populations. Cladosporium cladosporioides (26%) was dominant species on leaf surfaces while Botrytis cinerea (10.5%) was dominant in leaf tissues. Out of 16 endophytic isolates evaluated for antagonistic test, 8 (50%) gave the antagonistic activity against variety of fungi representing pathogens to both humans and plants.     

Cadmium‐induced and trans‐generational changes in the cultivable and total seed endophytic community of Arabidopsis thaliana

Trans‐generational adaptation is important to respond rapidly to environmental challenges and increase overall plant fitness. Besides well‐known mechanisms such as epigenetic modifications, vertically transmitted endophytic bacteria might contribute to this process. The cultivable and total endophytic communities of several generations of Arabidopsis thaliana seeds harvested from plants exposed to cadmium (Cd) or not exposed were investigated. The diversity and richness of the seed endophytic community decreased with an increasing number of generations. Aeromicrobium and Pseudonocardia were identified as indicator species in seeds from Cd‐exposed plants, while Rhizobium was abundantly present in both seed types. Remarkably, Rhizobium was the only genus that was consistently detected in seeds of all generations, which suggests that the phenotypic characteristics were more important as selection criteria for which bacteria are transferred to the next plant generation than the actual genera. Production of IAA was an important trait for endophytes from both seed types, while ACC deaminase activity and Cd tolerance were mainly associated with seed endophytes from Cd‐exposed plants. Understanding how different factors influence the seed endophytic community can help us to improve seed quality and plant growth through different biotechnological applications.     

药用植物青蒿不同种类的内生菌抑菌活性分析

为了研究青蒿不同种类的内生菌抑制细菌和抑制真菌的活性,该研究采用组织块法和研磨法从青蒿的根、茎、叶中分离内生细菌、放线菌和真菌,以大肠埃希菌(Escherichia coli)(CICC 23657)、枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)(CICC 10275)、金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)(CICC 10384)、黑曲霉(Aspergillus niger)(CICC 2487)、酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)(CICC 33032)为指示菌,采用琼脂块法和双层平板法检测内生菌的抑菌活性。结果表明:(1)从青蒿植株中共分离到76株内生菌,其中内生细菌19株、内生放线菌34株、内生真菌23株。从分离部位来看,56株来自于茎段、17株来自于根段、3株来自叶片。(2)内生细菌中抑菌活性菌株占总菌株的比例最高,为95%,内生放线菌和内生真菌中抑菌活性菌株的比例分别为41%、35%。(3)内生细菌的抗菌谱较广;虽然内生放线菌的抗菌谱较窄,但其中高抗菌株较多,尤其对酿酒酵母的抑菌效果好。综上结果显示,药用植物青蒿中存在着丰富的有抑菌活性的内生菌,且不同种类的内生菌抑菌活性不同。     

The genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diaporthe</Emphasis>: a rich source of diverse and bioactive metabolites

The genus Diaporthe (asexual state: Phomopsis) comprises pathogenic, endophytic and saprobic species with both temperate and tropical distributions. Although species of Diaporthe have in the past chiefly been distinguished based on host association, studies have confirmed several taxa to have wide host ranges, suggesting that they move freely between hosts, frequently co-colonizing diseased or dead tissue, while some species are known to be host-specific. They are also very frequently isolated as endophytes of seed plants. Due to their importance as plant pathogens, the genus has been thoroughly investigated for secondary metabolites, including during screening programs aimed at the discovery of novel bioactive natural products, but the respective information has never been compiled. Therefore, we have examined the relevant literature to explore and highlight the major classes of metabolites of Diaporthe and their Phomopsis conidial states. These fungi predominantly produce a large number of polyketides, but cytochalasins and other types of commonly encountered fungal secondary metabolites are also predominant in some species. Interestingly, not a single metabolite which is also known from the host plant has ever been isolated as a major component from an endophytic Diaporthe strain, despite the fact that many of the recent studies were targeting endophytic fungi of medicinal plants.     

Diversity of endophytic fungal community associated with Piper hispidum (Piperaceae) leaves

Tropical and subtropical plants are rich in endophytic community diversity. Endophytes, mainly fungi and bacteria, inhabit the healthy plant tissues without causing any damage to the hosts. These fungi can be useful for biological control of pathogens and plant growth promotion. Some plants of the genus Piper are hosts of endophytic microorganisms; however, there is little information about endophytes on Piper hispidum, a medicinal shrub used as an insecticide, astringent, diuretic, stimulant, liver treatment, and for stopping hemorrhages. We isolated the fungal endophyte community associated with P. hispidum leaves from plants in a Brazilian forest remnant. The endophytic diversity was examined based on sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of rDNA. A high colonization frequency was obtained, as expected for tropical angiosperms. Isolated endophytes were divided into 66 morphogroups, demonstrating considerable diversity. We identified 21 isolates, belonging to 11 genera (Alternaria, Bipolaris, Colletotrichum, Glomerella, Guignardia, Lasiodiplodia, Marasmius, Phlebia, Phoma, Phomopsis, and Schizophyllum); one isolate was identified only to the order level (Diaporthales). Bipolaris was the most frequent genus among the identified endophytes. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the molecular identification of some isolates to genus level while for others it was confirmed at the species level.     

Fungal endophytes of the obligate parasitic dwarf mistletoe Arceuthobium americanum (Santalaceae) act antagonistically in vitro against the native fungal pathogen Cladosporium (Davidiellaceae) of their host

• Premise of the study: Endophytic fungi likely occur in all plants, yet little is known about those of parasitic plants, despite their potential to influence parasite success. Arceuthobium americanum is a parasitic angiosperm that greatly compromises the North American timber industry. We hypothesized that (1) A. americanum hosts fungal endophytes, and (2) these endophytes help A. americanum resist infection by fungal pathogens. • Methods: Healthy A. americanum stem and fruit tissues were differentially stained for cellulose and chitin and visualized using fluorescence microscopy. Stem sections (sterilized vs. unsterilized) and seeds were incubated on agar plates to cultivate fungi, both to extract DNA for ITS rDNA sequencing and to observe interactions with native fungi from unsterilized specimens. • Key results: Aside from xylem vessel elements, fungal structures were observed in all tissues, including those of the embryo. The ITS sequences of fungi cultured from internal tissues closely matched those of the known endophytes Phoma, Sydowia, and Phacidiopycnis, while those of surface organisms closely matched Cladosporium spp. Cultured fungi from internal tissues (putative endophytes) inhibited the growth of the surface organisms without affecting the other endophytes. • Conclusion: Fungal communities are established in A. americanum stems as well as in fruits and seeds, suggesting vertical transmission. These internally derived fungi act antagonistically toward fungi with pathogenic tendencies. As such, native mistletoe endophytes might protect A. americanum against fungal pathogens in nature. In the future, manipulation of endophytes might be a component of mistletoe control programs.     

Botrytis species: relentless necrotrophic thugs or endophytes gone rogue?

Plant pathology has a long‐standing tradition of classifying microbes as pathogens, endophytes or saprophytes. Lifestyles of pathogens are categorized as biotrophic, necrotrophic or hemibiotrophic. Botrytis species are considered by many to be archetypal examples of necrotrophic fungi, with B. cinerea being the most extensively studied species because of its broad host range and economic impact. In this review, we discuss recent work which illustrates that B. cinerea is capable of colonizing plants internally, presumably as an endophyte, without causing any disease or stress symptoms. The extent of the facultative endophytic behaviour of B. cinerea and its relevance in the ecology and disease epidemiology may be vastly underestimated. Moreover, we discuss the recent discovery of a novel Botrytis species, B. deweyae, which normally grows as an endophyte in ornamental daylilies (Hemerocallis), but displays facultative pathogenic behaviour, and is increasingly causing economic damage. We propose that the emergence of endophytes ‘gone rogue’ as novel diseases may be related to increased inbreeding of hybrid lines and reduced genetic diversity. These observations lead us to argue that the sometimes inflexible classification of pathogenic microbes by their lifestyles requires serious reconsideration. There is much more variety to the interactions of Botrytis with its hosts than the eye (or the plant pathologist) can see, and this may be true for other microbes interacting with plants.     

Induction of abiotic stress tolerance in plants by endophytic microbes

Endophytes are micro‐organisms including bacteria and fungi that survive within healthy plant tissues and promote plant growth under stress. This review focuses on the potential of endophytic microbes that induce abiotic stress tolerance in plants. How endophytes promote plant growth under stressful conditions, like drought and heat, high salinity and poor nutrient availability will be discussed. The molecular mechanisms for increasing stress tolerance in plants by endophytes include induction of plant stress genes as well as biomolecules like reactive oxygen species scavengers. This review may help in the development of biotechnological applications of endophytic microbes in plant growth promotion and crop improvement under abiotic stress conditions.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Increasing human populations demand more crop yield for food security while crop production is adversely affected by abiotic stresses like drought, salinity and high temperature. Development of stress tolerance in plants is a strategy to cope with the negative effects of adverse environmental conditions. Endophytes are well recognized for plant growth promotion and production of natural compounds. The property of endophytes to induce stress tolerance in plants can be applied to increase crop yields. With this review, we intend to promote application of endophytes in biotechnology and genetic engineering for the development of stress‐tolerant plants.     

The endophytic Aspergillus strains: A bountiful source of natural products

Fungi that invade plant inner tissues without inducing disease symptoms are known as fungal endophytes. They represent a promising and tremendous reservoir of natural products with valuable biological potentials for application in medicine, agriculture and industry. Among the numerous existing endophytic fungi, Aspergillus strains constitute one of the most prolific sources of secondary metabolites with diverse chemical classes and interesting biological activities. This review covers the literature of the year 2020, reporting the isolation of 202 compounds obtained from more than 10 different endophytic Aspergillus species associated with different host plants. Analysis and interpretation of the collected data revealed that chemical investigation of endophytes belonging to the genus Aspergillus may greatly contribute to the discovery of potential drug leads. The isolated metabolites were chemically various and exhibited diverse biological activities such as antibacterial, anti-cancer, anti-plasmodial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunosuppressive and antifungal activities. Moreover, adoption of advanced technology in molecular biology together with modern chemical tools is anticipated to improve the discovery of new biopharmaceuticals from this valuable microbial world in the future.     

广义与狭义植物内生生物的定义及其研究进展

本文从比较植物内生生物的概念入手,提出了广义与狭义两种植物内生生物的定义;归纳了植物内生生物的物种多样性、分布、及其代谢特点;分析了植物内生生物与寄主植物的关系;探讨了部分植物内生生物潜在的价值和应用前景。     

A new perspective on the evolution of white blister rusts: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Albugo</Emphasis> s.str. (Albuginales; Oomycota) is not restricted to Brassicales but also present on Fabales

For almost all groups of pathogens, unusual and rare host species have been reported. Often, such associations are based on single or few collections only, which are frequently hard to access. Many of them later prove to be due to misidentification of the host, the pathogen, or both. Therefore, such reports are often disregarded, or treated anecdotally in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, regardless of their potential importance to unravelling the evolution of the entire group. Concerning oomycete biotrophs there are several reports of unusual and rare hosts for hardly known pathogens. In the order Fabales, for example, a single species of Albugo, A. mauginii, was described as parasitic to Onobrychis crista-galli about 80 years ago, but not recorded again. All other confirmed members of Albugo s.str. are parasitic to representatives of the families Brassicaceae, Capparaceae, Cleomaceae, and Resedaceae in the order Brassicales. In the present study, molecular phylogenetic analysis of cox2 mtDNA sequences and morphological investigations on an original specimen confirmed the occurrence of a member of Albugo on Fabaceae hosts, with the characteristic thin wall of the secondary sporangia, which is almost uniform in thickness. In phylogenetic analyses the species results as embedded within Albugo s.str. Therefore, it is concluded that the natural host range of Albugo s.str. extends from Brassicales to Fabales via host jumping. Our results underscore that unrevised reports of pathogens from unusual hosts should be reconsidered carefully to obtain a more complete picture of pathogen diversity and evolution.