Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #274997

Title: Taxonomy of mayapple rust: the genus Allodus resurrected

Author
item MINNIS, ANDREW - Rutgers University
item MCTAGGART, ALISTAIR - Louisiana State University
item Rossman, Amy
item AIME, CATHERINE - Louisiana State University

Submitted to: Mycologia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2012
Publication Date: 7/26/2012
Citation: Minnis, A.M., McTaggart, A.R., Rossman, A.Y., Aime, C.M. 2012. Taxonomy of mayapple rust: the genus Allodus resurrected. Mycologia. 104(4):942-950.

Interpretive Summary: Rust fungi are parasites that cause considerable damage to both crop and wild plants throughout the world. Accurate scientific names of each rust species that reflects its relationship to other species is important for communicating about them. For years the rust fungus on mayapple, a common native plant in eastern North America, has been named in a common rust genus with many other species. Using molecular sequence data this research has shown that the rust on may apple is unusual and should be recognized as distinct from most rust fungi. A distinct name already exists for this fungus but was not being used. In this paper mayapple rust is shown to be unusual and distinct, thus it should be regarded by this unique name. In addition the mayapple rust fungus is described and illustrated. This research will be used by plant pathologists to accurately identify and communicate about this rust species.

Technical Abstract: Mayapple rust is a common, disfiguring disease that is widespread in temperate parts of eastern North America, wherever the host, Podophyllum peltatum, occurs. Puccinia podophylli, the etiological agent of this rust, has been shown to be distantly related to both Puccinia and Uromyces as exemplified by their types. A systematic study was made to address the generic classification of P. podophyllii. Phylogenetic analyses of two rDNA loci from multiple pecimens support the non-congenerity of this taxon with other genera of Pucciniaceae. Based on historical literature and type material, P. podophylli was found to represent the type of the forgotten genus Allodus and it is correctly named Allodus podophylli. A neotype is designated for Puccinia podophylli Schwein. (Allodus podophylli) and a lectotype is designated for Aecidium podophylli.