Erysiphe paracarpinicola: A new species of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula on Carpinus cordata (Betulaceae)

A phylogeny of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula on Carpinus spp. was reconstructed using the 28S rDNA sequences and a combined alignment of the 28S, ITS, and IGS rDNA sequences. The analysis was supplemented with morphological data obtained from examination of voucher specimens. A sequence of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula on C. cordata formed a distinct lineage separated from sequences of other Erysiphe species on Carpinus spp., indicating a cryptic species, which is described as E. paracarpinicola. The new species is genetically as well as morphologically most similar to E. carpinicola s. str., but differs in having fewer asci per chasmothecium (mainly 3–5 vs 4–10) and shorter chasmothecial appendages. A key to species of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula on Carpinus spp. is provided.