A phylogeny for the plant pathogen <i>Piptoporellus baudonii</i> using a multigene data set

<i>Piptoporellus baudonii</i> is proposed as a new combination for <i>Laetiporus baudonii</i> in the Polyporales (Basidiomycota) based on morphological and molecular features. This parasitic macrofungus attacks cashew trees, <i>Eucalyptus</i>, cassava, <i>Tectona</i>, and some indigenous trees in southern regions of Tanzania and poses a serious threat to agroforestry and livelihood conditions in the area. Phylogenetic trees were produced from partial sequences of three rDNA gene regions and a portion of translation elongation factor 1-alpha (<i>TEF1</i>) gene of <i>Laetiporus baudonii</i> for comparisons with samples from the antrodia clade. Our results reveal a strongly supported group of <i>L. baudonii</i> with <i>Piptoporellus</i> in Fomitopsidaceae. <i>Piptoporellus baudonii</i> shares many morphological features with other members of <i>Piptoporellus</i> but differs from them in having broadly ellipsoid or rarely ovoid basidiospores. Both morphological and phylogenetic evidence justify the placement of <i>L. baudonii</i> in <i>Piptoporellus</i> together with the three other known species in the genus.