Isozyme variation between species and formae speciales of the genus Puccinia

Abstract

Soluble proteins extracted from germinating urediniospores of 11 different species of Puccinia Pers. and from three formae spéciales of each of 3 of these species were subjected to starch gel electrophoresis and the resultant isozyme banding patterns compared.Isozyme patterns obtained for the 11 different species showed considerable differentiation between species, indicating that all species were distinct taxonomic entities. Patterns obtained for the formae speciales were, in general, much more similar and suggested relationships which agree with existing knowledge from taxonomic and fertility studies.