Soral synapomorphies are significant for the systematics of the Ustilago-Sporisorium-Macalpinomyces complex (Ustilaginaceae).

Persoonia, 2012/12;29:63-77.

McTaggart AR[1], Shivas RG, Geering AD, Callaghan B, Vánky K, Scharaschkin T

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PMID: 23606766DOI: 10.3767/003158512X660562

Impact factor: 11.658

Abstract
The genera Ustilago, Sporisorium and Macalpinomyces are a polyphyletic complex of plant pathogenic fungi. The four main morphological characters used to define these genera have been considered homoplasious and not useful for resolving the complex. This study re-evaluates character homology and discusses the use of these characters for defining monophyletic groups recovered from a reconstructed phylogeny using four nuclear loci. Generic delimitation of smut fungi based on their hosts is also discussed as a means for identifying genera within this group. Morphological characters and host specificity can be used to circumscribe genera within the Ustilago-Sporisorium-Macalpinomyces complex.

Keywords: Ustilaginales; columella; maximum likelihood; morphology; peridium; smut fungi; spore balls; sterile cells; systematics

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