Abstract
ABSTRACT A new rust genus, Quasipucciniastrum, typified by Q. agrimoniae sp. nov., is proposed based on distinct morphological characters and phylogenetic placement. This genus is characterised by its uredinial ostiolar peridial cells with rough surface and sessile, multicellular teliospores with apparently thickened apical wall. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using internal transcribed spacer regions and intervening 5.8S nrRNA gene (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU) rDNA revealed that this genus is sister to the genus Cronartium (Cronartiaceae), but morphologically it is distinct from Cronartium in the sessile teliospores that are divided by vertical septa. Morphologically, Quasipucciniastrum should be compared to Pucciniastrum (Pucciniastraceae) in its multicellular teliospores, but they were phylogenetically distant.
Highlights
Agrimonia Ldb. species, known as “common agrimony”, are perennial herbaceous flowering plants widely distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and they have been commonly planted for ornamentation and medicinal use (Lu 2001)
These characters are to some extent, similar to Pucciniastrum spp. (Pucciniastraceae), but the rDNA intervening 5.8S nrRNA gene (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) sequences showed its close relationship to genus Cronartium Fr. (Cronartiaceae) rather than Pucciniastrum
Schröt. have been recorded on Agrimonia species, but Quasipucciniastrum clearly differs from above-mentioned genera by its hypophyllous telia, subepidermal teliospores with subglobose shape, and multicellular teliospores with thickened apical wall. rDNA based phylogenies further supported the independence of Quasipucciniastrum from these genera, especially Pucciniastrum and other genera in Pucciniastraceae, which have similar uredinial and telial morphologies
Summary
Agrimonia Ldb. species, known as “common agrimony”, are perennial herbaceous flowering plants widely distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and they have been commonly planted for ornamentation and medicinal use (Lu 2001). Seven rust species have been recorded on Agrimonia species (Farr and Rossman 2018), among which, Pucciniastrum agrimoniae (Dietel) Tranzschel (Pucciniastraceae) and its synonymies, P. agrimoniaeeupatoriae (DC.) Lagerh. During our study on rust fungi in China, a morphologically distinct species was found on Agrimonia pilosa. It produces Milesia-type uredinia and ostiolar peridial cells with rough surface, and have subglobose teliospores divided by vertical septa. These characters are to some extent, similar to Pucciniastrum spp. Our critical morphological and molecular comparisons of this fungus with Cronartium, Pucciniastrum and other related genera suggested that this rust fungus represents a new genus described as Quasipucciniastrum agrimoniae gen. Our critical morphological and molecular comparisons of this fungus with Cronartium, Pucciniastrum and other related genera suggested that this rust fungus represents a new genus described as Quasipucciniastrum agrimoniae gen. et sp. nov
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