The Phylogenetic Placement of Ernakulamia cochinensis within Pleosporales (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota)

Abstract The phylogenetic affinities of the anamorphic fungus Ernakulamia cochinensis are investigated based on a representative specimen recently collected on Astrocaryum standleyanum (Arecaceae) in Panama. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence data of the large subunit and the internal transcribed spacer region together with a fragment of the β-tubulin gene suggest that the fungus belongs to the Dothideomycetes (Ascomycota) where it groups with members of the family Tetraplosphaeriaceae in Pleosporales. Morphologically, this placement is further supported by the presence of an internal hyphal structure found within the conidia of the Panamanian collection and an isotype specimen of the fungus similar to species of closely related genera within Tetraplosphaeriaceae, e.g., Quadricrura and Polyplosphaeria. The putative phylogenetic position of the morphologically similar Piricaudilium lobatum in Tetraplosphaeriaceae is proposed based on examination of its type specimen.