ALBERT

Description: Puccinia psidii is a major threat to members of the Myrtaceae worldwide. New Zealand is still free of P. psidii but possesses significant Eucalyptus plantations as well as valuable native tree species such as Metrosideros excelsa and Leptospermum scoparium that could be at risk in the event of an incursion. As part of preparing for a potential incursion, we generated a barcode reference library for 〉100 diverse species of Myrtaceae occurring in New Zealand by sequencing internal transcribed spacer (ITS), external transcribed spacer (ETS) and maturase K ( matK ), or by obtaining relevant sequences from GenBank. The Myrtaceae DNA barcoding database will enable rapid identification of large numbers of host species in the event of a myrtle rust incursion. We undertook a comparative analysis of the ability for the three mentioned loci to discriminate species. Interspecific divergence was assessed by mean interspecific distance, prime and minimum interspecific distance; intraspecific variation was evaluated by mean intraspecific difference, and coalescent depth. Overall identification efficiency of the three loci sequenced was determined using BLAST1 and Near Distance methods. Barcoding gaps between inter- and intraspecific divergences were also analysed. ITS and ETS share similar mean interspecific distance, prime and minimum interspecific distance values – both higher than obtained for matK . In contrast, in terms of intraspecific variation, matK had higher values than ITS and ETS in all three metrics analysed. ITS had the highest identification success rate for species followed by matK and ETS, respectively, as measured by BLAST1 and Near Distance methods. Overall identification success rate increases when a combination of ITS and matK in particular is used. The sequence data are not only a valuable reference collection for a myrtle rust response but also a national botanical resource.