Imminent Extinction of Australian Myrtaceae by Fungal Disease. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fensham, Roderick J.; Carnegie, Angus J.; Laffineur, Boris; Makinson, Robert O.; Pegg, Geoff S.; Wills, Jarrah
• Is Part Of: Trends in ecology & evolution. Volume 35:Number 7(2020)
• Page Start: 554
• Page End: 557
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: extinction -- Myrtaceae -- myrtle rust -- plant disease; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; 576.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.03.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-5347

Abstract

Abstract : Myrtle rust is a fungal disease that has spread rapidly across the globe, arriving in Australia in 2010. The tree species Rhodomyrtus psidioides is nearly extinct in the wild as a result of the disease, leading to potential disruption of ecosystem function. Many other Myrtaceae may also be threatened and unprecedented impacts of the disease are predicted.