Cryphonectria carpinicola sp. nov. Associated with hornbeam decline in Europe

Since the early 2000s, reports on declining hornbeam trees (Carpinus betulus) are spreading in Europe. Two fungi involved decline phenomenon: One is Anthostoma decipiens, but other etiological agent has not been identified yet. We examined morphology, phylogenetic position, and pathogenicity of yellow fungal isolates obtained from Austria, Georgia Switzerland, compared data with disease northern Italy documented since 2000s. Results demonstrate distinctive morphology monophyletic status Cryphonectria carpinicola sp. nov. as European decline. Interestingly, genus splits into two major clades. includes Cry. together radicalis, decipiens naterciae Europe, while comprises species known Asia-suggesting that developed at evolutionary centres, one Europe Asia Minor, East Asia. Pathogenicity studies confirm Car. betulus a host carpinicola. This clearly distinguished species, which mainly occur Castanea Quercus.