Phylogenetic analysis of rust fungi (Uredinales) from the Colombian Andean region using 28S ribosomal DNA sequences

Rust fungi (Uredinales, Basidiomycetes) are one of the most diverse and economically important plant-obligated parasites. Taxonomy of this group has been under revision during the last years using molecular techniques to define phylogenetic relationships. In this study we evaluated the phylogenetic affinities of a group of 40 rust fungi obtained from different plants in the Colombian Andean region using sequence analysis of the 28S ribosomal DNA, specifically D1/D2 domains. Comparisons were undertaken with sequences of rust fungi from around the world deposited in the GenBank database. An alignment of sequences was used to build a phylogenetic tree through Maximum parsimony analysis. Our results support the taxonomical validity of families Pucciniaceae, Phakopsoraceae, Phragmidiaceae, Pileolariaceae, Mikronegeriaceae, Coleosporiaceae and Cronartiaceae, while Pucciniosiraceae represents redundant taxa with Pucciniaceae. The analyses indicated that Uropyxidaceae, Raveneliaceae, Chaconiaceae and Pucciniastraceae correspond to polyphyletic families. Melampsoraceae appear to be a basal taxon to the Uredinales. Information obtained in this study will be useful to incorporate a higher number of sequences from tropical rust fungi within global efforts to redefine the taxonomy of order Uredinales. Additionally, we propose to give priority to future phylogenetic studies of taxa: Gerwasia, Hemileia, Phragmidium, Prospodium, Puccinia and Uromyces, genera that include a high number of rust fungi from the tropics.