An Annotated Checklist of Powdery Mildew Fungi (Erysiphaceae) in the Ile-Alatau Mountains (within Kazakhstan)

Abstract

The Erysiphaceae family is a diverse group of fungi with complex evolutionary relationships. All previous data for powdery mildew fungi in Ile-Alatau are outdated and needed to be revised due to changes in the Erysiphaceae taxonomy. The purpose of our research was to revise all data and to compile an actual checklist of Erysiphaceae in the Ile-Alatau based on revisions of the available fungal samples of the Herbarium Fund of the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the authors' own collections and a critical revision of the genera. Mycological survey of the territory of the Ile-Alatau was done by the route method during 2013-2020. An actual checklist of powdery mildews in the Ile-Alatau Mountains was compiled. The powdery mildews are represented by 91 species of 8 genera. The largest genus is Erysiphe containg 30 species and forms recorded on 99 angiosperm host plant species. The genera Podosphaera and Golovinomyces have 20 and 17 species, respectively. Totally, 40 species were recorded as host plants for the first time, including 24 of them due to taxonomic revisions. The greatest number of species and forms of powdery mildews is noted at altitudes of 1200-2000 m above sea, in the forest belt of Ile-Alatau Mountains. Three most numerous genera-Erysiphe, Golovinomyces, Podosphaera-prevail in all gorges and habitats. Five species were found on plants listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. The coefficient of similarity of the species composition of powdery mildew fungi on the territory of the Ketmen and Ile-Alatau ridges is 60%, while on the territory of the Terskey and Ile-Alatau ridges 70%. The value of the study and practical significance lies in obtaining data on the diversity of powdery mildew fungi in the Ile-Alatau Mountains, their location, distribution and association with the host.