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Issue: Vol. 780 No. 3: 16 Oct. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-10-16
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.780.3.3
Page range: 235-249
Abstract views: 22
PDF downloaded: 0

Colletotrichum maracujensis sp. nov.: a novel species causing anthracnose on passion fruit in Brazil

Phytosanitary Clinic; Campus of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences; Federal University of Alagoas - CECA/UFAL; Rio Largo; Alagoas; Brazil
Phytosanitary Clinic; Campus of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences; Federal University of Alagoas - CECA/UFAL; Rio Largo; Alagoas; Brazil
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa); Embrapa Cassava & Fruits; Cruz das Almas; Bahia; Brazil
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa); Embrapa Cassava & Fruits; Cruz das Almas; Bahia; Brazil
Phytosanitary Clinic; Campus of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences; Federal University of Alagoas - CECA/UFAL; Rio Largo; Alagoas; Brazil
Biochemistry and Plant Pathology Laboratory; Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Campus; Federal University of Alagoas - CECA/UFAL; Rio Largo; Alagoas; Brazil
Biochemistry and Plant Pathology Laboratory; Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Campus; Federal University of Alagoas - CECA/UFAL; Rio Largo; Alagoas; Brazil
Phytosanitary Clinic; Campus of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences; Federal University of Alagoas - CECA/UFAL; Rio Largo; Alagoas; Brazil
Fungi Ascomycota Glomerellaceae Phylogeny Passiflora edulis Genetic Resistance

Abstract

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is an important fruit crop in Brazil. A new pathogenic species of Colletotrichum was isolated from anthracnose-symptomatic leaves collected from commercial orchards in Bahia and Alagoas, Brazil. Three isolates (COUFAL 0578, 0579, and 0580) obtained from symptomatic tissues were characterized based on morphological and molecular analyses, and their pathogenicity was confirmed. Phylogenetic analyses supported the recognition of Colletotrichum maracujensis as a new species, which is described and illustrated in this study. Multigene analyses using nrITS, CHS-1, ACT, GAPDH, and TUB2 sequences placed the isolates within the Colletotrichum magnum species complex. The isolates formed an independent lineage under the genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR) criteria and showed genetic diversity and differential reactions among passion fruit varieties.

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How to Cite

Costa, J.F.O., Santos, M.H.G., Rocha, L.S., Jesus, O.N., Ferro, L.H.S., Assunção, I.P., Lima, G.S.A. & Leal-Junior, G.A. (2026) Colletotrichum maracujensis sp. nov.: a novel species causing anthracnose on passion fruit in Brazil. Phytotaxa 780 (3): 235–249. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.780.3.3