Book of Abstracts (PDF) - International Mycological Association

IMC7 Monday August 12th Lectures
43 - Witches' broom and frosty pods: The unexpected
relatedness of two major cacao pathogens
G.W. Griffith 1* , J.N. Nicholson 1 , A. Nenninger 1 , R.N.
Birch 1 & J.N. Hedger 2
1 Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales
Aberystwyth, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23
3DA, Wales, U.K. - 2 School of Life Sciences, University of
Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1M
8JS, England, U.K. - E-mail: gwg@aber.ac.uk
The agaric Crinipellis perniciosa is a hemibiotrophic
pathogen which causes witches' broom disease of cacao
and has recently decimated the Brazilian cacao industry. In
addition to the pathogenic C-biotype, other biotypes are
found associated with unrelated plant taxa, notably lianas
(L-biotype) and solanaceous hosts (S-biotype). The C- and
S- biotypes are non-outcrossing and form broom symptoms
on hosts whereas the L-biotype is outcrossing and
asymptomatic. Genetic relatedness within and between
biotypes can provide information about the past spread of
the disease and the likely future direction of evolution of
the pathogen. Phylogenetic analysis of several regions of
the rRNA locus (ITS, partial IGS, partial 28S) revealed
near identity between all C- and S-biotype isolates from
diverse locations. L-biotype isolates formed a discrete but
distinct clade. Surprisingly, analysis of sequences from
Moniliophthora roreri, an imperfect basidiomycete
pathogen of cacao in the New World revealed a very close
relationship with C. perniciosa (closer than the
morphologically very similar C. eggersii). Similarities in
host infection between C. perniciosa and M. roreri were
noted by Harry Evans but it is difficult to reconcile the
gross morphological differences. Pairings between
monokaryons of C. perniciosa and M. roreri (both lacking
clamps) gave rise to a clamped dikaryotic mycelium
suggestive of a hybridisation event. The nature and
implications of these findings are discussed.
44 - Conservation of fungi in the Southern Hemisphere
- Challenges and progress
P.K. Buchanan 1* & T.W. May 2
1 Landcare Research, Private Bag 92170, Auckland, New
Zealand. - 2 Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood
Avenue, South Yarra, Victoria 3141, Australia. - E-mail:
buchananp@landcareresearch.co.nz
Fungal conservation in all parts of the Southern
Hemisphere lags well behind organisms of larger size,
capable of movement, or coloured green. Other challenges
are the inadequate inventories and knowledge of
distribution of fungi, the few professional and amateur
mycologists, and the simplistic world-view confined to
'plants and animals'. The authors are not aware of any
Southern Hemisphere government Red Data Lists for Fungi
using IUCN criteria. But in Australasia and other southern
regions, some progress is evident. In New Zealand, the
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Book of Abstracts
conservation status of fungi is being considered for the first
time at national level with iconic threatened fungi
including species of Claustula, Ganoderma, and Puccinia.
In Australia, distribution of selected species of fungi is
being mapped in the nationally coordinated programme
'Fungimap', and two reserves have been established based
in part on the presence of threatened fungi including
Hypocreopsis and Hygrocybeae. Both countries have
checklists of all recorded fungi in preparation. In southern
South America corticioid fungi have been assessed for
rarity. The conservation status of many South Australian
macrofungi has also been assessed, although incomplete
knowledge of distribution often limits definitive
conclusions. Examples are given of threatened fungi in
different regions and a summary presented of fungal
conservation hemisphere-wide.
45 - How alpine are 'alpine' fungi?
M. Moser
University Innsbruck, Tschnikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck,
Austria. - E-mail: Meinhard.Moser@uibk.ac.at
Several of the 'alpine' fungi from alpine tundra have been
observed in lowlands but in association with Salix species;
others can change the host genus in lower elevations. Vice
versa 'lowland' fungi are occasionally observed in alpine
tundra but seemingly without being able to establish
permanent populations. Factors, which enable alpine fungi
to survive the stress conditions of the alpine tundra, are
either passive (growth respectively fructification in
especially protected habitats or only during favourable
periods or the ability of basidiomata to revive) or active
(reduction of water content, increase of carbohydrate
storage, special proteins and enzymes, membrane lipids
etc.).
46 - Cortinarius favrei: an example for phylogenetic,
morphological, and ecological species concepts in alpine
fungi
U. Peintner 1* , M. Moser 1 , E. Horak 2 & R. Vilgalys 3
1 University Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, 6020 Innsbruck,
Austria. - 2 ETH Zürich, Zollikerstr. 107, 8008 Zürich,
Switzerland. - 3 Duke University, P.O. Box 90338, Durham,
NC 27708, U.S.A. - E-mail: Ursula.Peintner@uibk.ac.at
Extensive analysis of closely related species from alpine,
subalpine and montane habitats should facilitate the
investigation of ecological, morphological and
phylogenetic species concepts in ectomycorrhizal
mushrooms. Cortinarius favrei is one of the most frequent
alpine Cortinarius spp. associated with dwarf willow (e.g.
Salix herbacea, S. polaris) and Dryas. The
morphologically very similar C. absarokensis occurs with
shrubby willow in subalpine habitats. In contrast, C.
septentrionalis, C. trivialis and C. vernicosus are closely