Abstract
The morphology and phylogeny of anther smut specimens on Tractema verna collected in the United Kingdom were investigated using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and partial rDNA sequence analyses. The anther smut of Tractema verna shows similarity to Antherospora eucomis, A. scillae, A. tourneuxii, A. urgineae, A. vaillantii, and A. vindobonensis but differs in spore size range, spore wall thickness, host plant genera and considerable divergences of ITS and LSU sequences. Consequently, the smut is described here as a new species, Antherospora tractemae. The host plant was formerly included in the genus Scilla (S. verna), but recently moved to a distinct genus Tractema. Molecular phylogenetic analyses reveal that Antherospora tractemae is sister to the lineage of Muscari-parasitizing Antherospora and only distantly related to the Scilla-parasitizing Antherospora species. Thus, the phylogenetic placement of the smut fungus supports the systematic placement of its host plant.
Highlights
The smut fungi sporulating in the anthers and on the surface of the inner floral organs of different Hyacinthaceae have recently been accommodated in a separate genus Antherospora (Bauer et al 2008)
The phylogenetic results demonstrated that Antherospora vaillantii s. str. could infect two different hosts, Muscari comosum and M. neglectum (Bauer et al 2008), indicating that some Antherospora spp. infect more than one host species
It is probable that host specificity is a widespread phenomenon and evolutionary driver in the genus Antherospora, similar, for example, to the anther smuts classified in the genus Microbotryum (Lutz et al 2005, 2008, Le Gac et al 2007, Refrégier et al 2008, Denchev et al 2009, Kemler et al 2009, Piątek et al unpubl. data)
Summary
The smut fungi sporulating in the anthers and on the surface of the inner floral organs of different Hyacinthaceae have recently been accommodated in a separate genus Antherospora (Bauer et al 2008). Antherospora includes eight species, parasitic on hosts in seven different plant genera (Bauer et al 2008, Vánky 2009). Molecular phylogenetic analyses of Antherospora specimens parasitic on species of Muscari and Scilla have revealed significant genetic divergence between accessions from different host species (Bauer et al 2008). Much collecting and sequencing effort is necessary to understand the level of host specificity and the phylogenetic relationships within the genus
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
