Epichloë melicicola | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Sordariomycetes |
Order: | Hypocreales |
Family: | Clavicipitaceae |
Genus: | Epichloë |
Species: | E. melicicola
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Binomial name | |
Epichloë melicicola (C.D.Moon & Schardl) Schardl
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Synonyms | |
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Epichloë melicicola is a systemic and seed-transmissible endophyte of Melica dendroides (syn. Melica decumbens Thunb.) and Melica racemosa, grasses endemic to southern Africa. It was described as a Neotyphodium species in 2002 [1] but transferred to the genus Epichloë in 2014. [2]
The two host plant species are locally called "dronkgras" because they can cause staggers in grazing livestock. [3] Similar staggers symptoms are associated with several other grasses worldwide when they possess certain symbiotic Neotyphodium species that produce indole- diterpene alkaloids such as lolitrems. [4]
Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that E. melicicola is an interspecific hybrid, and that its closest relatives are the teleomorphic (sexual) species, Epichloë festucae, and the anamorphic (asexual) species, Epichloë aotearoae. [1]
Epichloë melicicola | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Sordariomycetes |
Order: | Hypocreales |
Family: | Clavicipitaceae |
Genus: | Epichloë |
Species: | E. melicicola
|
Binomial name | |
Epichloë melicicola (C.D.Moon & Schardl) Schardl
| |
Synonyms | |
|
Epichloë melicicola is a systemic and seed-transmissible endophyte of Melica dendroides (syn. Melica decumbens Thunb.) and Melica racemosa, grasses endemic to southern Africa. It was described as a Neotyphodium species in 2002 [1] but transferred to the genus Epichloë in 2014. [2]
The two host plant species are locally called "dronkgras" because they can cause staggers in grazing livestock. [3] Similar staggers symptoms are associated with several other grasses worldwide when they possess certain symbiotic Neotyphodium species that produce indole- diterpene alkaloids such as lolitrems. [4]
Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that E. melicicola is an interspecific hybrid, and that its closest relatives are the teleomorphic (sexual) species, Epichloë festucae, and the anamorphic (asexual) species, Epichloë aotearoae. [1]