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Published on: March 29, 2012
Anther smut fungi on monocots
Robert Bauer1, Matthias Lutz, Dominik Begerow
1Universität Tübingen, Botanisches Institut, Lehrstuhl Spezielle Botanik und Mykologie, Tübingen, Germany. robert.bauer@uni-tuebingen.de
Mycological Research
|July 22, 2008
Summary
A new genus, Antherospora, is proposed for anther smuts (Ustilaginomycotina) found on Hyacinthaceae plants. Phylogenetic analysis reveals distinct species correlating with specific host plants like Scilla and Muscari.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Plant Pathology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Ustilago vaillantii species complex on Muscari and Scilla exhibits unique characteristics.
- Previous classifications within Ustilaginomycotina require refinement based on molecular and morphological data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the taxonomic position of Ustilago vaillantii s. lat. within Ustilaginomycotina.
- To establish a new genus for anther-smutting fungi on Hyacinthaceae.
- To investigate the phylogenetic relationships between these fungi and their host plants.
Main Methods:
- Morphological examination of teliospores and hyphal septa.
- Analysis of nucleotide sequences from the ITS and LSU regions of the rRNA gene.
- Phylogenetic analyses to infer evolutionary relationships.
Main Results:
- Ustilago vaillantii s. lat. specimens are placed within the Urocystales, as a sister group to Urocystaceae.
- A new genus, Antherospora, is proposed for anther-smutting fungi on Hyacinthaceae.
- Strong phylogenetic correlation observed between Antherospora species and their specific host genera (Muscari, Scilla).
- Phylogenetic divergence identified within Antherospora on Scilla species, leading to the description of Antherospora vindobonensis sp. nov. and new combinations for A. scillae and A. vaillantii.
- Additional Ustilago species are reclassified into the new genus Antherospora.
Conclusions:
- The proposed genus Antherospora accommodates anther-smutting fungi with distinct phylogenetic lineages tied to their Hyacinthaceae hosts.
- Molecular data support the reclassification of several Ustilago species into Antherospora, reflecting their unique ecological and evolutionary traits.
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