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A phylogenetic hypothesis of Ustilaginomycotina based on multiple gene analyses and morphological data
Dominik Begerow1, Matthias Stoll, Robert Bauer
1Universität Tübingen, Lehrstuhl Spezielle Botanik und Mykologie, Auf der Morgenstelle 1, Tübingen, Germany. dominik.begerow@uni-tuebingen.de
Mycologia
|May 10, 2007
Summary
The Ustilaginomycotina subphylum, comprising plant parasitic fungi, is reclassified into three distinct lineages: Entorrhizomycetes, Ustilaginomycetes, and Exobasidiomycetes, based on new phylogenetic data.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Plant Pathology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- The subphylum Ustilaginomycotina includes approximately 1500 species of basidiomycetous plant parasites.
- These fungi are typically dimorphic, exhibiting both a saprobic yeast phase and a parasitic hyphal phase.
- Most species parasitize angiosperms, particularly grasses (Poaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae).
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the most recent consensus on the phylogeny of the Ustilaginomycotina.
- To discuss the relevant characteristics of this fungal group.
- To incorporate anamorphic species, identified through molecular methods, into the Ustilaginomycotina classification.
Main Methods:
- Morphological analysis
- Ultrastructural examination
- Molecular phylogenetic analyses
Main Results:
- Phylogenetic data support three main lineages within Ustilaginomycotina: Entorrhizomycetes, Ustilaginomycetes, and Exobasidiomycetes.
- Entorrhizomycetes includes root parasites on Juncaceae and Cyperaceae.
- Ustilaginomycetes, the largest group, is characterized by enlarged interaction zones and includes Urocystales and Ustilaginales.
- Exobasidiomycetes features local interaction zones and encompasses various teliosporic, nonteliosporic, and anamorphic orders, including Malasseziales.
Conclusions:
- The classification of Ustilaginomycotina is refined into three distinct classes.
- New taxa, Entorrhizomycetes, Exobasidiomycetes, and Ceraceosorales, are proposed.
- The description of Ustilaginomycetes is emended to reflect current phylogenetic understanding.
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