Abstract:
The genus Quambalaria (Microstromatales, Exobasidiomycetes) includes six species, five of
which are pathogens of Eucalyptus and Corymbia species. The only exception is Q.
cyanescens, which has been shown to be non-pathogenic to plants, but can be an
opportunistic human pathogen. The symptoms on trees include shoot and leaf blight, which
is characteristic of Q. eucalypti and Q. pitereka and stem cankers caused by Q. coyrecup.
The studies in this dissertation arose from the discovery of a Quambalaria-like species
infecting Eucalyptus seed capsules. The complete body of research on Quambalaria is
reviewed here, focusing on the taxonomy, pathogenicity, host range and geographical
distribution. The review revealed a lack of knowledge on basic aspects of its biology,
especially in terms of its mating behaviour and sexual reproduction. For this reason, these
two aspects in related in species of the Ustilaginomycetes were also considered. This
revealed that whole genome sequences and some knowledge regarding mating genes in14
species of Ustilaginomycetes have been published. This knowledge provided a framework in
which a whole genome sequence of a Quambalaria species could be explored for the
presence of genes related to sexual reproduction. It is suggested that such knowledge could
shed light on many unknown aspects of the reproduction and life cycle of Quambalaria
species.
