Biodiversity in rust fungi

Rust fungi are plant pathogens that parasitize ferns, conifers and angiosperms. They cause major diseases on economic plants like wheat, soybean, maize or coffee. Most of the estimated 7'000 described rust species grow on wild plants, however, that are not used by man.

The United Herbaria of ETH Zurich and University of Zurich hold a collection of some 57'000 specimens of rust fungi. Presently we digitize all type specimens on a microscopic level with the aim to provide micrographs of the important characters for public access. In the course of this project we also restudy the specimens in order to reappraise or supplement the original descriptions.

Swiss rust fungi are another current research focus. We keep a checklist and study the species distribution and threat. In addition, work on the species richness and taxonomy of southern African and neotropical rust fungi is continued.