New species of Gondwanamyces from dying Euphorbia trees in South Africa

Mycologia. 2012 Mar-Apr;104(2):574-84. doi: 10.3852/11-166. Epub 2011 Nov 15.

Abstract

Gondwanamyces and its Custingophora anamorphs were first described from Protea infructescences in South Africa. Subsequently these unusual fungi were also found on Cecropia in Central America. During an investigation into the decline and death of native Euphorbia trees in South Africa, several fungal isolates resembling the anamorph state of Gondwanamyces were obtained from diseased tissues. In this study these isolates are identified based on morphology and comparisons of DNA sequences. Two previously unknown Gondwanamyces species were identified, both were associated with damage caused by beetles (Cossonus sp.). Inoculation studies showed that the new species of Gondwanamyces are pathogenic on Euphorbia ingens and may contribute to the decline of these trees.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascomycota / classification*
  • Ascomycota / genetics
  • Ascomycota / isolation & purification
  • Ascomycota / ultrastructure
  • Base Sequence
  • Coleoptera / microbiology*
  • DNA, Fungal / chemistry
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / genetics
  • Euphorbia / microbiology*
  • Euphorbia / parasitology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny*
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology*
  • Plant Diseases / parasitology
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • South Africa
  • Spores, Fungal / ultrastructure*
  • Trees

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer

Associated data

  • GENBANK/JF947182
  • GENBANK/JF947183
  • GENBANK/JF947184
  • GENBANK/JF947185
  • GENBANK/JF947186
  • GENBANK/JF947187