A NEW SPECIES OF HALOPHYTOPHTHORA FROM ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC SUBTROPICAL ISLANDS

Halophytophthora exoprolifera is described from decaying mangrove leaves in coastal marine environments. It was discovered wholly independently and nearly simultaneously in Atlantic and Pacific mangrove systems, both near latitude 26-degrees-N. Key characteristics that distinguish H. exoprolifera from other species of Halophytophthora are: a) sporangial dehiscence tubes containing clear closure material that rapidly expands outward and immediately dissolves at zoospore release; b) external proliferation of the sporangia; and c) readily produced sexual structures.