Rw. Barreto et al., THE MYCOBIOTA OF THE WEED LANTANA-CAMARA IN BRAZIL, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO BIOLOGICAL-CONTROL, Mycological research, 99, 1995, pp. 769-782
A survey of the fungi associated with the tropical weed Lantana camara
was conducted during 1988 and 1989 in part of its native range in sou
thern Brazil. The sampling activity was concentrated mainly in the sta
te of Rio de Janeiro, covering 70 sites located in different climatic
or ecological zones. The survey continued and was extended to the Amaz
on and northeast regions. Nine fungal species were identified as membe
rs of the mycobiota, including the previously undescribed fungi: Cerat
obasidium lantanae-camarae sp. nov., Dendryphiella aspera sp, nov. and
Micropulstulomyces mucilaginosus gen. et sp. nov. Perisporiopsis lant
anae, which has not been recorded previously in Brazil, has its anamor
ph described for the first time. The rusts Aecidium lantanae, Prospodi
um tuberculatum and Puccinia lantanae, as well as Mycovellosiella lant
anae, Pseudocercospora guianensis and Anhellia lantanae were also reco
rded. Field observations suggest that several fungal pathogens have po
tential as classical biocontrol agents of the weed in the Old World tr
opics: Ceratobasidium lantanae-camarae and Puccinia lantanae in lowlan
d humid climates; Mycovellosiella lantanae, Prospodium tuberculatum an
d Micropustulomyces mucilaginosus in more elevated or subtropical area
s. In addition, databases and herbaria were consulted in order to comp
ile a world list of fungal pathogens associated with L. camara.