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Fungal pathogen (mis-) identifications: a case study with DNA barcodes on Melampsora rusts of aspen and white poplar

Nicolas Feau1, Agathe Vialle, Mathieu Allaire

  • 1Laurentian Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, 1055 du PEPS, PO Box 10380, Stn. Sainte-Foy, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 4C7. nfeau@bordeaux.inra.fr

Mycological Research
|March 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Accurate identification of fungal rusts in the Melampsora genus is challenging. DNA barcoding, using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large ribosomal RNA subunit (28S) sequences, effectively resolves species identification in this difficult group.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Plant Pathology
  • Molecular Systematics

Background:

  • Morphological variations in the fungal rust genus Melampsora cause significant identification challenges, particularly for species affecting white poplar and aspens.
  • The Melampsora populnea species complex and Melampsora pinitorqua, a rust impacting both Populus and Pinus species, are especially prone to misidentification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare morphological identification with genetic data for resolving taxonomic ambiguities in Melampsora species pathogenic to aspen and white poplar.
  • To utilize DNA barcodes from internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large ribosomal RNA subunit (28S), and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) sequences for species delimitation.

Main Methods:

  • Morphometric analysis and DNA sequencing (ITS, 28S, CO1) were performed on Melampsora specimens.
  • Initial species delineation was based on host specificity and morphometric traits, followed by the integration of DNA barcode data.
  • Specimens from Canadian herbaria were re-examined to identify potential misidentifications.

Main Results:

  • DNA barcodes, particularly ITS and 28S sequences, proved highly effective in accurately identifying and resolving Melampsora taxa.
  • Misidentification was noted in Canadian herbarium specimens previously identified as Melampsora medusae f. sp. tremuloidae or Melampsora aecidioides.
  • The North American Melampsora aecidioides found on Populus alba was confirmed as closely related but distinct from Eurasian M. populnea complex species.

Conclusions:

  • DNA barcoding provides a robust method for accurate species identification within the challenging Melampsora genus.
  • Re-evaluation of herbarium specimens using molecular data is crucial for correcting taxonomic errors.
  • Distinct evolutionary lineages exist between North American and Eurasian Melampsora species affecting Populus hosts.

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