IN SEARCH OF NEW FUSARIUM SPECIES

John F. Leslie

Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA (United States)

Brett A. Summerell

Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Mrs. Maquaries Road, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia (Australia)

Abstract

Fusarium is a large fungal genus, but scientists who work with it continue to search for new species to help bridge perceived phylogenetic gaps and to assess the biogeography of species origin and distribution.  Potential new sources for species include collections made from plants and soil in native ecosystems and  ubsistence agriculture farms. These ecosystems are less likely to have suffered anthropomorphic changes and  may offer the best hope for identifying previously undescribed species and for obtaining reliable data on species distribution. In addition to new collections, new species also may result from the break-up of a number of  large species complexes that are held together primarily by   orphological similarities. The two approaches  are complementary and should collectively help to increase the number, diversity and quality of the species  known within the genus.

Keywords:

Fusarium, native ecosystems, species concept, subsistence agriculture