Phylogenetic data for: Synchrospora gen. nov., a new Peronosporaceae genus with aerial lifestyle from a natural cloud forest in Panama

During a survey of Phytophthora diversity in Panama, fast-growing oomycete isolates were obtained from naturally fallen leaves of an unidentified tree species in a tropical cloud forest. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences from the nuclear ITS, LSU and ß–tubulin loci and the mitochondrial cox1 and cox2 genes revealed they belong to a new species of a new genus, officially described here as Synchrospora gen. nov., which resided as a basal genus within the Peronosporaceae. The type species S. medusiformis has unique morphological characters. The sporangiophores show determinate growth, multifurcating at the end forming a stunted, candelabra-like apex from which multiple (8 to >100) long, curved pedicels are growing simultaneously in a medusa-like way. The caducous papillate sporangia mature and are shed synchronously. The breeding system is homothallic, hence more inbreeding than outcrossing, with smooth-walled oogonia, plerotic oospores and paragynous antheridia. Optimum and maximum temperatures for growth are 22.5 and 25–27.5 °C, consistent with its natural cloud forest habitat. It is concluded that S. medusiformis is adapted to a lifestyle as canopy-dwelling leaf pathogen in tropical cloud forests. More oomycete surveys in the canopies of tropical rainforests and cloud forests are needed to elucidate the diversity and role of oomycetes and, in particular, S. medusiformis and possibly other Synchrospora taxa in this as yet under-explored habitat.