Hemileia vastatrix

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1. Classification

a. Higher order taxa

Cellular organisms; Eukaryota; Opisthokonta; Fungi; Dikarya; Basidiomycota; Pucciniomycotina; Pucciniomycetes; Pucciniales; Zaghouaniaceae; Hemileia; Hemileia Vastatrix

Species

NCBI: [1]

2. Description and significance

Hemileia vastatrix is a multicellular fungus that causes the coffee leaf rust disease. This disease is characterized by yellow-colored spots under the coffee leaf, causing the leaves to drop, subsequently killing the coffee plant[1]. Coffee leaf rust has spread across coffee cultivation regions around the world, and damage from coffee leaf rust costs one to two billion U.S. dollars per year. Most notably, H. vastatrix was responsible for epidemics in Central America, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador[1]. Current H. vastatrix research focuses on controlling the spread of coffee leaf rust and preventing future epidemics[1].

3. Genome structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

4. Cell structure

Interesting features of cell structure. Can be combined with “metabolic processes”

5. Metabolic processes

Describe important sources of energy, electrons, and carbon (i.e. trophy) for the organism/organisms you are focusing on, as well as important molecules it/they synthesize(s).

6. Ecology

Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.

7. Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

10. Current Research

Include information about how this microbe (or related microbes) are currently being studied and for what purpose

11. References

It is required that you add at least five primary research articles (in same format as the sample reference below) that corresponds to the info that you added to this page. [Sample reference] Faller, A., and Schleifer, K. "Modified Oxidase and Benzidine Tests for Separation of Staphylococci from Micrococci". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 1981. Volume 13. p. 1031-1035.