title: Soral synapomorphies are significant for the systematics of the Ustilago-Sporisorium-Macalpinomyces complex (Ustilaginaceae).
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.
authors.affiliation: Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity, GPO Box 5012, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia; corresponding author e-mail: alistair.mctaggart@gmail.com. ; Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Ecosciences Precinct, GPO Box 267, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia. ; EEBS, Faculty of Science and Technology, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia. ; Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Ecosciences Precinct, GPO Box 267, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: McTaggart
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Shivas
authors.forename: A D W
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Geering
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Callaghan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vánky
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Scharaschkin
keywords: Ustilaginales; columella; maximum likelihood; morphology; peridium; smut fungi; spore balls; sterile cells; systematics