RESEARCH ARTICLE On the Evolutionary History of Uleiella chilensis, a Smut Fungus Parasite of Araucaria araucana in South America: Uleiellales ord. nov. in Ustilaginomycetes Kai Riess1, Max E. Schön1, Matthias Lutz1, Heinz Butin2, Franz Oberwinkler1, Sigisfredo Garnica1* 1 Plant Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Evolution and Ecology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany, 2 Am Roten Amte 1 H, 38302, Wolfenbüttel, Germany *
[email protected] Abstract The evolutionary history, divergence times and phylogenetic relationships of Uleiella chilen- OPEN ACCESS sis (Ustilaginomycotina, smut fungi) associated with Araucaria araucana were analysed. Citation: Riess K, Schön ME, Lutz M, Butin H, DNA sequences from multiple gene regions and morphology were analysed and compared Oberwinkler F, Garnica S (2016) On the Evolutionary to other members of the Basidiomycota to determine the phylogenetic placement of smut History of Uleiella chilensis, a Smut Fungus Parasite of Araucaria araucana in South America: Uleiellales fungi on gymnosperms. Divergence time estimates indicate that the majority of smut fungal ord. nov. in Ustilaginomycetes. PLoS ONE 11(1): orders diversified during the Triassic–Jurassic period. However, the origin and relationships e0147107. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0147107 of several orders remain uncertain. The most recent common ancestor between Uleiella chi- Editor: Jonathan H. Badger, National Cancer lensis and Violaceomyces palustris has been dated to the Lower Cretaceous. Comparisons