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Trichoderma down under: species diversity and occurrence of Trichoderma in New Zealand

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Abstract

This is the first comprehensive survey of the species diversity of Trichoderma for a region within the temperate Southern Hemisphere. New Zealand makes an ideal target for such a survey because of the extensive historical collections of this genus from both native and human-modified ecosystems. From the 320 Trichoderma strains sequenced for the translation elongation factor-1α (tef1α) gene, in addition to the names associated with voucher specimens at the New Zealand Fungarium (PDD, Landcare Research), we recognise 71 Trichoderma species as present in New Zealand. Thirty-two species are reported for the first time from New Zealand and 14 of these appear to represent undescribed taxa. The New Zealand species are positioned across most Trichoderma clades, with terminal lineages related to T. viride, T. koningii and T. harzianum well represented. Of the 14 undescribed species, Trichoderma sp. “atroviride B”, a sister species to T. atroviride s.s., was the most commonly recovered species. Records of several species known only from fungarium specimens could not be confirmed by DNA analysis. Populations of Trichoderma in New Zealand are likely to represent a mixture of ancient indigenous lineages, more recent natural introductions, and species introduced as a result of human-mediated dispersal. Twenty-three Trichoderma species have been reported only from New Zealand or other Southern Hemisphere locations. The diversity of Trichoderma species in New Zealand, their phylogenetic relationships, distribution, ecology, and possible origins are discussed in this paper.

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Acknowledgements

The Science and Innovation Group of the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for funding through the Better Border Biosecurity Programme and the Landcare Research Systematics Portfolio. The Royal Society of New Zealand International Mobility Fund (IMF10-B38), Lincoln University Research Fund (LURF2009-26). Dave Saville for statistical help. Dr. Gary Samuels for providing sequences from the harzianum clade. Janine Johnson for helpful comments on the manuscript and editorial advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bio-Protection Research Centre, PO Box 85084, Lincoln University, Lincoln, 7647, New Zealand

    M. Braithwaite, S. L. Ball, F. Nourozi, A. J. Hay, A. Chomic, C. Lange, M. Ohkura, M. F. Nieto-Jacobo, N. J. Cummings, D. Bienkowski, A. Mendoza-Mendoza, R. A. Hill, K. L. McLean & J. M. Steyaert

  2. Plant Diagnostics Limited, PO Box 23122, Templeton, Christchurch, 8445, New Zealand

    M. Braithwaite

  3. Landcare Research, Private Bag 92170, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand

    P. R. Johnston

  4. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0C6, Canada

    P. Shoukouhi & J. Bissett

  5. Scion, 49 Sala Street, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand

    A. Stewart

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  1. M. Braithwaite
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Braithwaite, M., Johnston, P.R., Ball, S.L. et al. Trichoderma down under: species diversity and occurrence of Trichoderma in New Zealand. Australasian Plant Pathol. 46, 11–30 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-016-0457-9

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