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Title: BIONECTRIA ERUBESCENS ON SMOOTH CORDGRASS ALONG THE COAST OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA WITH COMMENTS ON A NEW FAMILY, BIONECTRIACEAE, HYPOCREALES

Author
item Rossman, Amy
item NEWELL, S - MARINE INST. UNIV. GA
item Schultheiss, Rebecca

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/25/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In the course of work on decomposers of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel) along the coast of eastern North America, a Nectria- like fungus was common. This fungus was identified as Bionectria erubescens, known previously on herbaceous debris in warm temperate regions. In summer 1997, an apparent bloom of B. erubescens occurred in saltmarshes of Georgia and Florida. In previous years the species had bee seen only rarely, even in intensive examinations for ascocarp density occurring on <0.2% of samples, in summer 1997 B. erubescens was found on 49% of cordgrass-blade samples (n=81) from three saltmarsh watersheds of Sapelo Island, GA. Frequencies at individual subsites ranged from 11 to 78%. In autumn (Nov 97) sampling from saltmarshes form FL to ME, B. erubescens was found only in GA and FL marshes. On Spartina, the fungus occurs on standing-decaying leaf blades low on shoots, is regularly immersed in seawater, and is at least, facultatively marine. Cultures obtained from single ascospores were used to obtain sequence data that confirm its placement in the genus Bionectria. With support from molecular data the new family Bionectriaceae is recognized for members of the Hypocreales having pallid Nectria-like ascocarps.