Distribution of species of the genus Gymnosporangium (Pucciniales) in Uzbekistan

In this study, we analyzed distribution of species of the genus Gymnosporangium in the mountain regions of Uzbekistan, including the Western Tien Shan and Pamir-Alay. Four species of Gymnosporangium (G. confusum, G. sabinae, G. fusisporum, and G. turkestanicum) are reported for Uzbekistan. The telial hosts of these rust fungi are species of the genus Juniperus, while aecial hosts in Uzbekistan are representatives of the genera Cotoneaster, Crataegus, Sorbus, and Pyrus (all Rosaceae). It has been found that the distribution patterns of species of Gymnosporangium within mountain areas of Uzbekistan depend largely on distribution of juniper woodlands because representatives of the genus Juniperus as telial hosts play a major role in the life cycle of these fungi. In that regard, Gymnosporangium species have not yet been recorded in the Nuratau Nature Reserve despite other favorable conditions for these rust fungi in this territory.