Ascomycetes on Para rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)

Abstract

This study focuses on ascomycetes associated with Para rubber trees, collected from plantations in Thailand. We provide descriptions and phylogenies for one new genus, seven new species, two asexual-sexual morph connections, 20 new host records, and one reference specimen. Dothideomycetes are dominant among ascomycetes on Para rubber. Only three species from our collection have previously been reported from Para rubber in the Amazon Forest, where Para rubber originates. Most taxa found on rubber trees in this study have previously been recorded in Thailand, either on Para rubber or different hosts. It is apparent that the taxa jumped from unrelated hosts to colonize rubber. A checklist of fungi and fungus-like organisms associated with Para rubber is also provided. The checklist includes references for each taxon, life mode information, and distribution. The checklist comprises 785 species and 180 taxa identified only to genus from 59 countries. The taxa in the checklist belong in 67 orders, 168 families, and 513 genera