Does morphology matter in taxonomy of Lasiodiplodia? An answer from Lasiodiplodia hyalina sp. nov.

Abstract

A new species of Lasiodiplodia (L. hyalina) is described and illustrated from Acacia confusa and an unidentified woody plant collected in Southern China. Only asexual states of L. hyalina were observed, which is characterized by most conidia remaining hyaline with only about 10% conidia becoming pigmented after three months in culture. Phylogenetically, L. hyalina is closely related to L. thailandica. Morphologically, the larger conidiogenous cells and paraphyses of L. hyalina are distinct from those of L. thailandica, which leads to the conclusion that the collected taxon is new to science. Lasiodiplodia thailandica is reported as a new record in China with Podocarpus macrophyllus and Albizia chinensis as its new hosts.