‘Candidatus Phytoplasma stylosanthis’, a novel taxon with a diverse host range in Australia, characterised using multilocus sequence analysis of 16S rRNA, secA, tuf, and rp genes

In Australia, Stylosanthes little leaf (StLL) phytoplasma has been detected in scabra Vogel, Arachis pintoi Krapov, Saccharum officinarum L., Carica papaya Medicago sativa and Solanum tuberosum L. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of StLL strains from S. , C. papaya, were compared share 99.93–100 % nucleotide identity. Phylogenetic comparisons between the genes other ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma’ species indicate that represents a distinct lineage. It shares its most recent known ancestry with Ca . Phytoplasma luffae’ (16SrVIII-A), which it 97.17–97.25 silico RFLP analysis amplicon using i PhyClassifier phytoplasmas have unique pattern (similarity coefficient below 0.85) is similar to ‘Ca luffae’. patterns confirmed vitro Nucleotide sequences are more variable than gene, namely tuf (tu-elongation factor), secA (partial translocation gene), partial ribosomal protein ( rp ) operon rps19-rpl22-rps3 ), produced phylogenetic trees branching tree. Sequence spacer region previous reports rrn interoperon heterogeneity for StLL, where rrnB encodes complete tRNA-Isoleucine rrnA does not. Together these results suggest Australian phytoplasma, according International Organization Mycoplasmology (IRPCM) recommendations. novel taxon stylosanthis’ proposed, strain potato crop Victoria, serving as reference (deposited Victorian Plant Pathology Herbarium VPRI 43683).