Phylogeny and taxonomy of the genera of Erysiphaceae, part 5: <i>Erysiphe</i> (the “<i>Microsphaera</i> lineage” part 1)

In this contribution, we offer the fifth installment of a series focusing on the phylogeny and taxonomy of powdery mildews. This paper is the second segment evaluating the genus <i>Erysiphe</i>. The first treatment of <i>Erysiphe</i> focused on phylogenetically basal species in the “<i>Uncinula</i> lineage.” This research presents a phylogenetic-taxonomic assessment of species that form the group previously referred to as the “<i>Microsphaera</i> lineage.” Given the size of the group, we split the treatment of this lineage of <i>Erysiphe</i> species into two parts based on their phylogenetic placement. Phylogenetic trees based on ITS+28S data are supplemented by sequences of additional markers (<i>CAM, GADPH, GS, RPB2</i>, and <i>TUB</i>). Included in the analysis of the <i>Microsphaera</i> lineage is the “<i>Erysiphe aquilegiae</i> complex” (group, clade, cluster), which encompasses sequences obtained from an assemblage of <i>Erysiphe</i> species with insufficient resolution in rDNA analyses. Attempts have been made to resolve this group at the species level by applying a multilocus approach. A detailed discussion of the “<i>Erysiphe aquilegiae</i> complex” is provided. Sequences are provided for the first time for several species, particularly North American species, such as <i>Erysiphe aggregata, E. erineophila, E. parnassiae</i>, and <i>E. semitosta</i>. Ex-type sequences for <i>Microsphaera benzoin</i> and <i>M. magnusii</i> have been retrieved. <i>Alphitomorpha penicillata, Microsphaera vanbruntiana</i>, and <i>M. symphoricarpi</i> are epitypified with ex-epitype sequences. The new species <i>Erysiphe alnicola, E. deutziana, E. cornigena, E. lentaginis</i>, and <i>E. sambucina</i> are described, the new combinations <i>E. lauracearum, E. passiflorae</i>, and <i>E. sambucicola</i> are introduced, and the new name <i>E. santali</i> is proposed.