partially overlap on asymptomatic and symptomatic tissues of in agroecosystems and conservation areas in northern South Africa.

Members of the are well-known endophytes and stress-related pathogens. We recently characterised the diversity of in healthy tissues of three tree species in the , namely , and . Here we ask how that diversity compares with the diversity associated with dieback on those tree species. Samples were collected from agroecosystems (Tshikundamalema and Tshipise in Limpopo) and conservation areas (Nwanedi and the Mapungubwe National Park in Limpopo and the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga) ecosystems. Species were characterised using multigene sequence data and morphological data. , , , , and occurred on both asymptomatic and symptomatic samples, and , as well as a previously unknown species described here as , only occurred in asymptomatic branches. An interesting aspect of the biology of is that it appears to be adapted to higher temperatures, with an optimum growth at 30 °C, and faster growth at 35 °C than at 25 °C. only occurred in symptomatic branches. was notably absent from conservation areas, and in agroecosystem it was most common on . Only and overlapped on all three tree species and were the dominant species associated with dieback. These results show that not all occurring asymptomatically in an area contribute equally to disease development on a related group of hosts, and that environmental disturbance plays a significant role in the distribution of . Slippers B, Ramabulana E, Coetzee MPA (2024). partially overlap on asymptomatic and symptomatic tissues of in agroecosystems and conservation areas in northern South Africa. : 131-142. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2024.13.07.