THE MYCOBIOTA OF THE WEED LANTANA-CAMARA IN BRAZIL, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO BIOLOGICAL-CONTROL

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.