Claviceps pusilla, also known as bluestem ergot, is a parasitic fungus primarily of the grass tribe Angropogoneae, particularly those in the tribe referred to as "bluestem". C. pusilla occasionally manifests characteristic triangular conidia which appear to be unique among Claviceps species.
| Claviceps pusilla | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Sordariomycetes |
| Order: | Hypocreales |
| Family: | Clavicipitaceae |
| Genus: | Claviceps |
| Species: | C. pusilla
|
| Binomial name | |
| Claviceps pusilla Ces.
| |
Range
editClaviceps pusilla has been documented in Australia,[1] and in the US in the states of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Iowa.[2]
The earliest record found for C. pusilla was by Pammel and Weems in 1900. Scientists have identified C. pusilla on Andropogon species based on examination of ascomata from germinated sclerotia. Examination of a collection from Texas revealed yellow capitula characteristic of C. pusilla. However, in certain collections labeled as C. pusilla, triangular conidia characteristic of this species were not present. Additional collections need to be examined to confirm the presence of C. pusilla in the United States. C. pusilla has a wide geographical distribution, is known from Andropogon spp., and likely occurs on Andropogon spp. in the United States. However, we[who?] consider reports of C. purpurea var. purpurea on Andropogon spp. to be incorrect.[2]
Ecology
editClaviceps pusilla infects the inflorescence of certain grasses by replacing caryopses with fungal sclerotia.
List of published host species:
- Andropogon gerardii Vitman = Andropogon furcatus Muhl. in Wild.[2]
- Andropogon hallii Hack.[2]
- Andropogon spp.[3]
- Arundinella nepalensis[1]
- Bothriochloa biloba[1]
- Bothriochloa bladhii[1]
- Bothriochloa decipiens[1]
- Bothriochloa erianthoides[1]
- Bothriochloa ewartiana[1]
- Bothriochloa glabra[1]
- Bothriochloa insculpta[1]
- Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng = Andropogon ischaemum L.[2]
- Bothriochloa macra[1]
- Bothriochloa pertusa[1][4]
- Capillipedium spicigerum[1]
- Chrysopogon filipes[1]
- Cymbopogon refractus[1]
- Dichanthium annulatum[1]
- Dichanthium aristatum[1][4]
- Dichanthium caricosum[1]
- Dichanthium sericeum[1]
- Heteropogon contortus[1][4]
- Hyparrhenia hirta[1]
- Pennisetum glaucum[3]
- Sarga leiocladum[1]
- Sarga plumosum[1]
- Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash = Andropogon scoparius Michx.[2]
- Themeda triandra[1]
- Urochloa sp.[1]
Taxonomy
editA synonym for Claviceps pusilla Ces. is Hypocrea pusilla Ces..
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "Ergot Fungi of Australia". collections.daff.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
- ^ a b c d e f Alderman, Stephen C.; Halse, Richard R.; White, James F. (January 2004). "A Reevaluation of the Host Range and Geographical Distribution of Claviceps Species in the United States". Plant Disease. 88 (1): 63–81. doi:10.1094/PDIS.2004.88.1.63. ISSN 0191-2917. PMID 30812458.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b Pažoutová, Sylvie; Odvody, Gary N.; Frederickson, Debra E.; Chudíčková, Milada; Olšovská, Jana; Kolařík, Miroslav (2011-07-01). "New Claviceps species from warm-season grasses". Fungal Diversity. 49 (1): 145–165. doi:10.1007/s13225-011-0102-4. ISSN 1878-9129. S2CID 23477761.
- ^ a b c "Claviceps pusilla". www.cabi.org. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
