Katsuhiko Ando

Dr. Katsuhiko Ando


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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8 April 2026 in Journal of Fungi
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Journal Article
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CPCELYNNE OCAMPO PADILLA
CELYNNE OCAMPO PADILLA
YTYoshiki Takata
Yoshiki Takata
SNShunsuke Nozawa
Shunsuke Nozawa
YHYui Harada
Yui Harada
KAKatsuhiko Ando
Katsuhiko Ando
KWKyoko Watanabe
Kyoko Watanabe
The genus Lasiodiplodia includes numerous plant-pathogenic species whose delimitation is complicated by overlapping morphological traits and limited resolution of common genetic markers. Lasiodiplodia brasiliensis was described as a species closely related to L. theobromae; however, its taxonomic status remains controversial. In this study, we re-evaluated the species boundaries between L. theobromae and L. brasiliensis using an integrative approach that combined multilocus and genome-scale phylogenetic analyses with morphological comparisons. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, tef1-α, tub2, and rpb2 revealed an unresolved relationship between the two taxa. The L. theobromae clade had low bootstrap support, whereas the ancestral node connecting both species had high support. In contrast, genome-scale phylogenetic analysis using hundreds of single-copy orthologous genes strongly supported a single monophyletic clade encompassing isolates assigned to both L. theobromae and L. brasiliensis. Morphological analyses further revealed that conidial dimensions and other diagnostic characteristics largely overlapped between the two taxa, rendering them unreliable criteria for species separation. Considering the combined molecular and morphological evidence, our results support treating L. brasiliensis as a synonym of L. theobromae. Clarifying species boundaries within this group helps stabilize the taxonomy of Lasiodiplodia and provides a reliable foundation for accurate pathogen identification and disease management.