Reinhard Berndt

Comparative studies on the teliospore morphology and ontogeny of Spumula serispora, spec. nova, and Ravenelia texensis (Uredinales, Raveneliaceae).

A new rust fungus,Spumula serispora, is described. The morphology of the teliospores and the telia was studied. In the teliospores ofS. serispora andS. quadrifida, the type species of the genus, sterile cells could be found, which are comparable to “apical cells” of otherRaveneliaceae. Similar sterile cells were also present in the telial heads ofRavenelia texensis. The ontogeny of the teliospores ofS. serispora and the teliospore heads ofRavenelia texensis was studied and compared. In both species the ontogeny of the spores heads was similar. InR. texensis hygroscopic cysts sustaining the spore heads were produced by division and not by conversion of basal sterile cells of the teliospore heads.

Ultrastructure of the parasitic interface of Pucciniastrum, Thekopsora, Naohidemyces, and Calyptospora (Uredinales, Pucciniastraceae) in the dikaryotic stage*

The ultrastructure of dikaryotic haustoria of sevenPucciniastrum species,Thekopsora galii, Naohidemyces vaccinii, andCalyptospora goeppertiana was investigated.Pucciniastrum actinidiae, P. agrimoniae, P. pyrolae, andCalyptospora goeppertiana revealed haustoria whose necks were wrapped by a fold of the extrahaustorial matrix. The matrix-fold ofCalyptospora goeppertiana was characteristically shaped.Pucciniastrum circaeae, P. epilobii, P. hikosanense, P. styracinum, Thekopsora galii, andNaohidemyces vaccinii showed typical haustorial necks which were not sheathed by a matrix-fold. Haustorial necks which were wrapped by a fold of the extrahaustorial matrix were designated “velopedunculate,” and those which were naked “gymnopedunculate.” The application of haustorial ultrastructure as a character for use in systematics is discussed.

NEW SPECIES OF NEOTROPICAL RUST FUNGI

New species of rust fungi (Uredinales) are described from Ecuador and Venezuela: Prospodium manabii on Bignoniaceae, Puccinia garcilassae on Garcilassa rivularis, Pu. machalillae on Wedelia cf.

HAUSTORIAL ULTRASTRUCTURE AND MORPHOLOGY OF MELAMPSORELLA AND THEKOPSORA AREOLATA

The morphology and ultrastructure of di- karyotic haustoria (D-haustoria) of Melampsorella car- yophyllacearum and Melampsorella symphyti (Uredi- nales, Pucciniastraceae) were found to be different. The haustorium of M. caryophyllacearum was branched apically and the haustorial neck was sheathed by a fold of the extrahaustorial membrane. A system of filamentous structures was present in the matrix fold around the neck. In M. symphyti, no such matrix fold was present and the haustorial body was unbranched. D-haustoria of Thekopsora areolata were bulbous and unbranched. They differed from D-haustoria of other Thekopsora species by the pres- ence of a matrix fold at the haustorial neck. Melamp- sorella, Thekopsora and Pucciniastrum are the only pucciniastraceous genera, so far that revealed differ- ent haustorial types. The systematic implications are discussed.

Morphology of haustoria of Ravenelia and Kernkampella spp.

The haustorial morphology of 21 Ravenelia species, two Kernkampella species, and four leguminicolous Uredo and Uraecium species which are probably related to Ravenelia, was investigated by light microscopy. Three different kinds of interaction could be found: (1) species with haustorial complexes comprising dikaryotic haustoria and intracellular hyphae. These species showed strictly intracellular growth of the parasitic mycelium. (2) Species with only dikaryotic haustoria, and (3) species with only intracellular hyphae or monokaryotic haustoria. Complexes of dikaryotic haustoria and intracellular hyphae were found in 17 of the investigated Ravenelia species and three Uredo species. Three Ravenelia species revealed dikaryotic haustoria, and Ravenelia lonchocarpicola had only intracellular hyphae. Complexes of dikaryotic haustoria and intracellular hyphae are probably the prevalent type of parasitic interaction in Ravenelia. The investigated Kernkampella species revealed dikaryotic haustoria.

ULTRASTRUCTURE OF SEPTAL PORES OF MYCORRHIZA-FORMING ASCOMYCETES

Septa of the ascomycete partners of mycorrhizal silver fir (Abies alba) were investigated. Septal pores are accompanied by few Woronin bodies and are usually plugged by dark-staining, membrane-bound material. In one mycorrhizal type, groups of vesicles with electron-dense contents commonly are associated with the pores. They seem to originate from a Golgi-like endomembrane system and appear to contribute to the septal pore plug. In another ascomycete mycorrhiza, plugging of pores by Woronin bodies occurs at septa separating vigorous and dying fungal cells. Pores plugged by Woronin bodies are usually sealed by the vigorous cell with a layer of electron-translucent wall material. Characters of ultrastructure and anatomy suggest that the Ascomycetes belong to the Tuberales or Pezizales.

New species of rust fungi from Brazil

New species of rust fungi (Basidiomycota, Uredinales) are described from Brazil: Maravalia allophyli on Allophylus sp., the first Maravalia species on Sapindaceae, Puccinia tianguensis on Hyptis sp. (Lamiaceae), Uredo calatheae on Calathea neoviedii (Marantaceae), and Uredo schizolobii on Schizolobium amazonicum (Caesalpiniaceae). Puccinia fuireniphila is proposed as a new name for Puccinia fuirenicola.

Additions to the rust fungi of Argentina

A contribution is made to the rust fungus flora of Argentina: Puccinia baccharidis-boliviensis, P. cordyceps, P. pucarae, and Aecidium hypseocharidicola are described as new species. Cionothrix praelonga, Frommeëlla mexicana var. mexicana, Phakopsora compressa, Prospodium peruvianum, Puccinia amphiospora, P. chaetochloae, P. liabi, P. pappophori, P. sanguinolenta, P. subaquila, Ravenelia havanensis, Uredo leonuri, Uromyces orbicularis, and U. cnidoscoli are new reports for Argentina. New observations on already known species were made: the aecia of Puccinia subaquila and aecia and uredinia of Uromyces cnidoscoli are described for the first time. Senecio hieronymi is a new host for Puccinia lagenophorae. Uredo leonuri belongs to the genus Coleosporium. Melilotus albus is a new host of Uromyces anthyllidis in Argentina.

Dicellomyces calami sp. nov., from India

Dicellomyces calami sp. nov. was collected on rotang palm in southern India. It is the first Dicellomyces species on palms. A key to the known Dicellomyces species is presented and possible relationships of the genus are discussed.

Uromyces vankyorum sp. nov. and Uromyces atriplicis, putative vicariant rust species of Patagonian and Australian semi-desert biomes

Uromyces vankyorum (Basidiomycota, Uredinales) growing on Atriplex lampa in the cool Patagonian dwarf shrub semi-desert is described as a new species and a new member of the Argentinean rust mycota. The fungus is morphologically similar to Uromyces atriplicis on Atriplex vesicaria from halophytic shrublands of South Australia. U. atriplicis seems to be derived from U. vankyorum as indicated by its shortened life cycle lacking the urediniospore stage.The species are interpreted as trans-pacific vicariants and represent one of the rare examples for the austral South American-Australasian element among rust fungi. The disjunct distribution of rust fungi between austral South America, Australia and New Zealand is reviewed and discussed. Available data suggest migration of rust fungi along Gondwanan land bridges rather than long-distance dispersal of spores by air currents.