Taxonomic revision of the banana Fusarium wilt TR4 pathogen is premature

Abstract

Taxonomic revisions for pathogens of crops should be based on robust underpinning evidence. Recently, a substantial revision was proposed for the taxonomy of the causative agent of Fusarium wilt on banana. We re-analysed the data on which this revision was based and discovered that the data do not robustly support the proposals. Several apparent discrepancies and errors in the published phylogenies cast further doubt on the conclusions drawn from them. Though we do not assert that the authors' conclusions are incorrect, we posit that the taxonomic changes are premature, given the data currently in the public domain.