The enigma of Calonectriaspecies occurring on leaves of Ilex aquifoliumin Europe

Species of Calonectriaare common saprobes and plant pathogens on a wide range of hosts occurring in subtropical to tropical regions of the world. The aim of the present study was to resolve the status of new Calonectriacollections obtained on Ilexleaves from France. Based on DNA sequence data of their (3-tubulin and histone gene regions, as well as morphology, the new collections matched the ex-type strain of Cylindrocladium ilicicola. On the host and in culture, yellow to brownish-yellow perithecia were observed that did not strain red in 3 % KOH. Based on these results, C. ilicicolaand its purported teleomorph, Ca. pyrochroa, were shown to represent two distinct species, as the latter has bright red perithecia that strain purple in KOH. A new combination, Ca. lauri, based on Tetracytum lauri, is subsequently proposed for C. ilicicola. Calonectria lauriis distinct from Ca. ilicicola, a pathogen commonly associated with Cylindrocladium black rot of peanut. Finally, Ca. canadianais proposed as new name for Cy. canadiense, which is a nursery pathogen involved with root rot of several tree genera in Quebec, Canada.