Multigene Phylogeny and Morphology Reveals Novel Records and Hosts for Coelomycetous Fungi in Iran

Coelomycetes include a wide range of fungal species with different life modes. Many species are primary pathogens of plants. Amidst the economic significance of this group of fungi, there are very limited studies regarding the associated mycobiota in Iran. The main aim of this study was to characterize the species diversity of coelomycetous fungi in East and West Azerbaijan provinces with the aid of morphological and molecular methods using sequence data of TUB, ITS and LSU regions. Four species namely Neocamarosporium calvescens, Plenodomus chrysanthemi, Nothophoma quercina, and Diplodina coloradensis were isolated and identified from different symptomatic and apparently healthy plants. A full description of each species is provided. Neocamarosporium calvescens, Plenodomus chrysanthemi, and Nothophoma quercina represent new records for the mycobiota of Iran, and for each species, new hosts are reported.