A new record of Pestalotiopsis theae, existing as an endophyte on Cinnamomum iners in Thailand

Abstract

An endophytic fungus, Pestalotiopsis theae strain CTC5, was isolated from the cambium of Cinnamomum iners at the Siri Rukhachat Medicinal Plant Garden, Salaya campus of Mahidol University, Nakornprathom, Thailand. By regular scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a spheroid-like extension of this fungus appears on the three relatively long appendages that occur on each conidium. The isolate CTC5, also frequently produces the basal appendage with the small knob at the end. The high similarities of ITS1, 5.8S rDNA and ITS2 sequences strongly confirmed that the isolate CTC5 should be classified as Pestalotiopsis theae by virtue of 99.63% homology. Pestalotiopsis theae is commonly known as a pathogen on leaves of Thea sinnensis and other plants. The combination of classical and molecular phylogenic classification may contribute a better understanding of evolutionary relationships among Pestalotiopsis isolates from diverse places and help explain relationships to their host plants. Furthermore, the new technique of environmental scanning electron microscopy is used herein to show the slimy nature of the conidiospores and that these appendages cannot be seen while the spores are in the acervulus.