A global survey of Puccinia-rust on Cucurbitaceae

In this paper, all known autoecious Puccinia species (rust fungi, Uredinales) on Cucurbitaceae are described and most of them illustrated. A key and information on their host range and distribution is presented. Four species, Puccinia antennata, P. arbor-miraculensis, P. hieroglyphica, and P. rhytidioderma are proposed as new. P. momordicae and P. trochomeriae are recognised as valid species different from P. cephalandrae. Uredo melothriae is a new combination for Uromyces melothriae. P. cucumeris is a new report for Namibia, P. momordicae for Zimbabwe and P. vanderystii for Kenya. The species appear to be host specific with regard to host tribes, but P. citrulli and P. cucumeris may pass tribal boundaries. Most species are morphologically very similar and are characterised by a unique set of teliospore characters. They are therefore regarded as a natural group. The distribution of this group in semiarid habitats, mainly from southern Africa to India, is discussed.