Aecidium species on Agathis

Examination of 14 collections of Aecidium on Agathis, including type material of A. balansae Cornu ex Pat. and specimens of A. fragiforme Gesati from the type locality, by optical and electron microscopy indicated two morphologically distinct taxa. These are distinguished primarily by ornamentation of the aeciospore surface. Taxon I (A. balansae) has aeciospores with surface projections each consisting of a stalk and hemispherical head superposed by a conical cap, and Taxon 2 (A. fragiforme) has aeciospores with capitate, distinctly ridged spines.