Dr Ozkilinc and co-authors were evaluated phylogenetic species boundaries among two major groups of Alternaria fungal genus. Species concepts can vary depending upon criteria selected. Classical species concepts such as biological or morphological species concepts cannot be applied or misleading for the organisms having plastic characters and/or reproducing asexually. Thus, phylogenetic species concept is required and more informative for some of the organisms. Understanding the speciation processes affecting asexual fungi is important for estimating biological complexity, which is important for many programs from local plant disease management to regional quarantine enforcement. This study compares evolutionary patterns, define phylogenetic species and discuss speciation processes within two sections of Alternaria. Approaches used in this study are useful for further defining species boundaries in asexual organisms.

Link to access full text: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ppa.12749/epdf

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