title: Violaceomyces palustris gen. et sp. nov. and a new monotypic lineage, Violaceomycetales ord. nov. in Ustilaginomycetes.
abstract: Numerous strains of a novel yeast were isolated in Louisiana, USA, from the leaves of several palustrine plants, most frequently from the invasive aquatic ferns Salvinia minima and S. molesta. This fungus produced fast-growing colonies that were grayish violet to dark blue in culture and rapidly reproduced via production of copious ballistoconidia that germinated to form pseudohyphae. Colonies produced many two-celled yeasts that were distinctly hourglass-or peanut-shaped, and occurred singly or in chains. Phylogenetic analyses of translation elongation factor 1-α, β-tubulin and the nuc rDNA regions encompassing 28S D1-D2 domains, 18S and the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2, including 5.8S, indicate this fungus is a member of Ustilaginomycetes but holds an isolated position, distinct from the two currently recognized orders, Ustilaginales and Urocystales. Here we describe Violaceomycetales ord. nov., Violaceomycetaceae fam. nov. and Violaceomyces palustris gen. et sp. nov. for this unusual fungus.
authors: Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 salbu3001@gmail.com.
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Albu
authors: Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907.
authors: Merje
authors: M
authors: Toome
authors: Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907.
authors: M Catherine
authors: MC
authors: Aime
mesh_terms: D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D010802:Phylogeny; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer
keywords: Ustilaginomycotina; fungal systematics; invasive plants; phylloplane; smut fungi; taxonomy