New and Recommended by APS PRESS

By Emory G. Simmons

Alternaria: An Identification Manual fills a very large void in the scientific literature and it is quite certain that the volume will become the standard reference for those needing to have critical access to Alternaria literature and taxonomic information. This beautiful tome is a compilation of a lifetime’s work on Alternaria and related genera and will help scientists, both research and regulatory, facilitate routine identification. Most importantly, it provides plant pathologists, mycologists, and others the tools that they need to accurately identify a species of Alternaria.

The book begins by introducing the taxonomy, nomenclature, and classification of Alternaria including the author’s own classification viewpoint for the manual. Similar genera are discussed and differentiated from Alternaria. Additionally, basic protocols are recommended and an important section on cautions, conventions, usages, and nomenclature are provided. At the end of this section, an outline of the keying system is presented.

Chapters two through six are the main body of the manual that includes the 276 species that are accepted, keyed, described, and illustrated. Descriptions are in a standard format and include colony development and appearance, sporulation patterns, conidiophore and conidium morphology, and comparison with similar taxa. A full-page drawing is provided for each species illustrating diagnostic characters.

At the end of the book is a comprehensive list of nearly 1200 names historically associated with Alternaria since 1796, their current taxonomic placement, a host-substrate index, a general index, and an extensive literature cited section.

Cultures, on which the descriptions in the book are based, for nearly all species, have been deposited into the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures where they are available to serve as authenticated, reference cultures. Therefore the research results based on these cultures is more trustworthy because the cultures are identified correctly. Many that are deposited in collections by others, or sequences in GenBank can be based on misidentifications. This will be a major boon in the development of phylogenies as well as dependable diagnostic tools. As the author states, “The value of a correct and restrictive identification is obvious to anyone needing a key to information on an Alternaria collection or isolate.” 

 

Key Features:

- Nearly 1200 old and new names treated

- Descriptions and illustrations of 276 species

- Useful protocols and tips for culture and identification

- A practical host-substrate index

- Definitions and illustrations of terms and important characters

- A comprehensive list of old and new names and their taxonomic placement

- Complete index and references

- Discussion of how to differentiate Alternaria from similar genera

Species Descriptions Include:

- Full-page illustrations of diagnostic structures

- Complete list of synonyms

- Host/substrate information

- Detailed descriptions in a standardized format

- Notes from the author’s personal experience

- Keys to groups and species

- 88 new species or new combinations

Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction
            Development of Alternaria Classifications
            Viewpoint of E.G.S. for this Manual
            Alternaria within the Context of Hyphomycetes
            Differentiation of Alternaria from Somewhat Similar Genera
            Basic Protocols Used and Recommended
            Cautions, Conventions, usages, Nomenclature, ICBN Guidance

Chapter 2: Introduction to the Keying System and Outline of Descriptions in Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Species Accepted, Keyed, Described, Illustrated

Chapter 4: New Genera Segregated from Alternaria

Chapter 5: Taxa Accepted but Requiring Expanded Comparison

Chapter 6: Comprehensive Name List and Catalogue Raisonné

Chapter 7: Host Index

Chapter 8: Literature Cited

Chapter 9: General Index