A SURVEY OF THE MYCOBIOTA OF A NATURAL KAROO PASTURE

The survey of a natural Karoo pasture from 1978 to 1982 showed that a wealth and variety of fungi were present in the semidesert environment . Hyphomycetes and Coelomycetes represented 45.8% and 34.6% respective ly of the taxa identified. A total of 135 genera was identified of whi ch Altenaria alternata, Cladosporium spp. and Fusarium spp. of the Hyp homycetes, Phoma spp., Ascochyta spp. and Camarosporium spp. of the Co elomycetes and Leptosphaerulina spp., of the Ascomycetes represented t he most prevalent fungi in this order. This survey has shown conclusiv ely that Pithomyces chartarum, which is associated with photosensitivi ty diseases of sheep, can always be recovered from the veld if the cor rect isolation techniques are employed. A number of new records for So uth Africa, as well as undescribed species, have been found, highlight ing the necessity of correct methods and intensity of approach.