Puccinia embergeriae
Common name
Chatham Island sow thistle rust, Embergeria rust
Family
Pucciniaceae, Basidiomycetes
Flora category
Fungi – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Current conservation status
2015 | Threatened – Nationally Critical
Distribution
This rust is known only in the Chatham Islands, and has been collected from Kaingaroa, Ocean Mail and Waitangi West (de Lange 2021)
Fruiting
There are eight collections of this rust held in the New Zealand Fungal Herbarium (PDD) and Unitec Herbarium (UNITEC), collected between November 1992 and February 2021.
Threats
Sonchus (Embergeria) grandifolia is a at risk species de Lange et al. (2018). Puccinia embergeriae, which is an obligate parasite, probably co-exists with its host plant. However, the Puccinia is also a threatened species (Denchev et al. 2015), absolutely dependant on its host for survival (Denchev et al. 2015; de Lange 2021). Puccinia embergeriae is assessed as CR B1ab(iii); D (Critically Endangered) using the IUCN Red Listing Categories (Denchev et al. 2015). There is no equivalent, up to date, threat listing for this species using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) categories - however, the IUCN assessment is similar to the New Zealand definition of ‘Nationally Critical’ using the NZTCS, so that approximation is used here. New Zealand Fungi are overdue for a threat assessment using the NZTCS.
Substrate
This rust is an obligate parasite on leaves of Sonchus (Embergeria) grandifolia.
Where held
PDD (holotype) and additional specimens, UNITEC
Extant collections
8
References and further reading
de Lange, P.J. 2021: New locations for embergeria rust (Puccinia embergeriae McKenzie et P.R.Johnst.), Pucciniaceae, on the Chatham Islands. Trilepidea 208: 3-7. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/publications/documents/trilepidea-e-newsletter-for-july-2021/
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla, J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.M.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants. 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 22: 1–82. Department of Conservation, Wellington.
Denchev, C.M.; McKenzie, E.H.C.; Denchev, T.T. 2015: Puccinia embergeriae McKenzie & P.R. Johnst. In: The Global Fungal Red List Initiative. http://iucn.ekoo.se/iucn/species_view/370658/.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Puccinia embergeriae Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/puccinia-embergeriae/ (Date website was queried)