| Cylindrocladium pauciramosum is a common species of Cylindrocladium occurring in forestry nurseries in South Africa, Australia and South America. Although this species is known to be heterothallic, little is known about the variation occurring within C. pauciramosum at population level, as well as between this species and other, closely related taxa. The aim of this project is to develop a set of microsatellite markers to determine gene flow between populations, and to better elucidate the species structure between closely related species in the complex. C. parasiticum causes black foot rot of peanuts, and is regarded as a serious pathogen of this crop. However, it has also been associated with crown rot of soybeans, and leaf spots of numerous ornamental and forestry trees. Little is known about its population structure, or the possibility of cryptic speciation within this complex. A set of microsatellite markers are presently being developed to determine the origin of this pathogen, which was apparently introduced into North America from Central or South America. These markers will also provide valuable information about the possible existence of cryptic species on crops other than soybean. |
