Abstract:
Gondwanamyces and its Custingophora anamorphs
were first described from Protea infructescences
in South Africa. Subsequently these unusual
fungi were also found on Cecropia in Central America.
During an investigation into the decline and death of
native Euphorbia trees in South Africa, several fungal
isolates resembling the anamorph state of Gondwanamyces
were obtained from diseased tissues. In this
study these isolates are identified based on morphology
and comparisons of DNA sequences. Two
previously unknown Gondwanamyces species were
identified, both were associated with damage caused
by beetles (Cossonus sp.). Inoculation studies showed
that the new species of Gondwanamyces are pathogenic
on Euphorbia ingens and may contribute to the
decline of these trees.