Rust Fungi of Southern Africa

Authors: Alistair McTaggart, Dean Beasley, Roger Shivas, Andre Drenth, Alan Wood, Zakkie Pretorius, Mike Wingfield, Jolanda Roux

Contributors: Louise Shuey, Stuart Fraser, Elenimo B. Khonga, Esna du Plessis, Malte Ebinghaus

Welcome to Rust Fungi of Southern Africa, an interactive key for species of plant pathogenic rust fungi (Pucciniales) known from Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland. Worldwide, there are about 8000 species of rust fungi and approximately 200 generic names have been proposed. Within South Africa, there are estimated to be over 530 species.

The rust fungi of South Africa were largely studied by Ethel Doidge and monographed in 1950. Recent additions and taxonomic changes are not included in the species diversity of this monograph, which remains the standard for identification of rust fungi in southern Africa.

The Rust Fungi of Southern Africa is an online resource to provide an updated comprehensive list and identification guide to simplify the identification of these important fungi. The descriptions for each taxon are specimen based, and for this reason, there are some differences between these and the type description, such as missing spore stages.

The key is dynamic, and more taxa will be added as specimens become available. Everyone is invited to contribute specimens or images that can help build this resource.

With Rust Fungi of Southern Africa you will be able to:

• Use the interactive Lucid key to quickly and accurately identify species of rust fungi commonly found in southern Africa.
• Access comprehensive information for each species, including descriptions, field photos, scanned specimens and light micrographs.
• Browse information by species and also view supplementary information including a host index and list of references.

The Rust Fungi of Southern Africa is a collaboration between the Forestry Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (University of Pretoria), the Department of Agriculture and Forestry (Queensland Government, Australia), and the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (University of Queensland, Australia).

For more information about Rust Fungi of Southern Africa please contact: