Phylogenetic relationships among Phytopythium species,and re-evaluation of Phytopythium fagopyri comb. nov., recovered from damped-off buckwheat seedlings in Japan

We examined the phylogenetic relationships among Phytopythium species using the rDNA ITS region, the LSU rDNA region, and the mitochondrial coxI and coxII genes. The genus was resolved into three monophyletic clades (1–3). Clade 1 was the largest clade, composed of 12 known species. Clades 2 contained two known and one new species candidate and clade 3 contained two known species. Three isolates in clade 2 (FP1, HonMa, and a strain designated as P. helicoides CBS293.35) formed a monophyletic group with high bootstrap support. This monophyletic group was distinct from P. helicoides sensu stricto. All three isolates came from damped-off buckwheat seedlings. The isolates were morphologically identical with one another and were characterized by globose, sub-globose, or pyriform sporangia with apical papillae; internally or internally nested proliferating sporangia; simple sympodia; coiling antheridial stalks; and wavy, sessile, or clavate antheridial cells. The isolates grew at temperatures between 15 °C and 40 °C, and the optimum temperature was 30 °C, with a radial growth rate of 20 mm/24 h. The phylogenetic and morphological analyses indicated that these isolates belong to a distinct species, which was previously under the genus Pythium, named here Phytopythium fagopyri comb. nov.