Macro- and microevolutionary perspectives on Seynesiella juniperi, a fungus in the Venturiales (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota)

Abstract

The present work represents the first comprehensive phylogenetic study of the dothideomycete genus Seynesiella. The genus belongs into the family Cylindrosympodiaceae within the order Venturiales, based on a phylogeny reconstructed with five loci. The high genetic diversity found within the type species, S. juniperi, points towards cryptic speciation, with up to five distinct species that might be associated to different Juniperus hosts. Combining phylogenetics and multi-locus delimitation analyses, together with more detailed measurements of ascospores, will be fundamental for a better understanding of species boundaries and the biogeographic history of the delimited species, as well as for revealing more specific fungal-plant association patterns.