Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4357373 Fungal Biology 2012 13 Pages PDF
Abstract

Pythium polare sp. nov. is a new heterothallic oomycete species isolated from fresh water and moss from various locations in both the Arctic and Antarctic. This water mould is able to infect stems and leaves of Sanionia moss (Sanionia uncinata). Pythium polare causes brown discolouration in in vitro inoculation tests at 5 °C after 5 weeks of inoculation. It is characterized by globose sporangia with various lengths of discharge tubes releasing zoospores and aplerotic oospores with usually one to five antheridia. The sexual structures are only produced in a dual culture of antheridial and oogonial isolates. Phylogenetic analysis, based on ITS sequencing, places all isolated strains of P. polare in a unique new clade, hence it is considered a novel species. Pythium canariense and Pythium violae are the most closely related species of P. polare based both on morphology and the phylogenetic analysis.

► Pythium polare is a new heterothallic oomycete from both Arctic and Antarctic. ► The species can cause brown discolouration of Sanionia moss. ► The sexual structures are only produced in a dual culture of antheridial and oogonial isolates. ► ITS phylogenetic analysis places all isolated strains of P. polare in a unique new clade.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Agricultural and Biological Sciences Agricultural and Biological Sciences (General)
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