Strains Isolated from Hosts in the Family Araceae Reveal Diverse Phylogenetic Relationships and Origins.

The family Araceae, comprising ornamentals including , , , , and , is susceptible to pathogens. Previous analyses have established heterogeneity in aroid strains, yet unresolved taxonomic positions and dynamics between and frequently associated in aroids necessitate in-depth genetic investigation to resolve these complex relationships. This study utilized multilocus sequence analysis of housekeeping genes , , , , and to investigate 59 aroid strains, selected based on hosts, time, and geographical origins. After adding sequences from additional strains from NCBI GenBank, analysis of 161 concatenated sequences indicated that all aroid strains fell within and . Thirty-six strains isolated from grouped under , with outliers including one strain each in and and two in . Six strains from , , and formed host-specific subgroups within . One strain from aligned with , whereas strains from , , and clustered with Apart from the zantedeschia strain described as pv. , two colocasia, one epipremnum, and one anthurium strain joined the group. Overall, this study revealed significant heterogeneity among aroid strains, with anthurium strains clustering closely despite distant geographical origins. The analysis underscores the complexity of host-pathogen specificity within and emphasizes the need for further taxonomic clarification through whole-genome analysis of representative strains. The findings of this research will facilitate strain selection for inclusivity and exclusivity panels in developing diagnostic assays for and xanthomonads affecting aroids.