Names of phytopathogenic fungi and oomycetes are essential to communicate knowledge about species and their biology, control, and quarantine as well as for trade and research purposes. Many plant pathogenic fungi are pleomorphic, meaning that they produce different asexual (anamorph) and sexual (teleomorph) morphs in their lifecycles. Because of this, more than one name has been applied to different morphs of the same species, which has confused users of names. The onset of DNA technologies makes it possible to connect different morphs of the same species, resulting in a move to a more natural classification system for fungi, in which a single name for a genus as well as species can now be used. The move to a single nomenclature, as well as the advent of molecular phylogeny and the introduction of polythetic taxonomic approaches has been the main driving force for the re-classification of fungi, including pathogens. Nonetheless, finding the correct name for species remains challenging, but there is a series of steps or considerations that could greatly simplify this process, as outlined here. In addition to various online databases and resources, a list of accurate names is herewith provided of the accepted names of the most common genera and species of phytopathogenic fungi.
Names of phytopathogenic fungi: a practical guide