Pestalotiopsis jesteri, sp. nov. an endophyte from Fragraea bodenii, a common plant in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Pestaliotiopsis jesteri, sp. nov. is described as a coelomycetous endophytic species. It was isolated from the inner bark of Fragraea bodenii Wernh. (Gentianaceae) at the singsing grounds of the Aluakambe village in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Limb samples taken in the crown, mid-tree and lower levels each yielded P. jesteri. This fungus is characterized by the three relatively long appendages arising near the juncture of the conical apical cell and the penultimate cell in the conidium. Each appendage is terminated by a spheroid-like extension. The conidium resembles that of Pestaliotiopsis distincta Guba in some respects except for the apices of the three appendages being spheroidal, the long length of the appendages relative to the spore itself and the general fusiform shape of the conidium. Of many plant species studied for their respective endophytes in several locations in the highlands and coastal areas of Papua New Guinea, P. jesteri only appeared in one location and in one tree. This finding suggests the host selective nature of this fungus, although it could be readily grown in culture.