Population evidence of cryptic species and geographical structure in the cosmopolitan ectomycorrhizal fungus, Tricholoma scalpturatum

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Tricholoma scalpturatum is an ectomycorrhizal fungus that forms symbioses with roots of diverse trees and shrubs. It is commonly encountered in a wide range of habitats, across temperate ecosystems. A previous study has revealed a high genetic diversity at a local scale, and ruderal abilities. To examine genetic structure at a large geographical scale, a total of 164 basidiocarps were collected from 30 populations located in Western Europe, from Spain to Scandinavia. These samples were analyzed by three molecular methods with different levels of resolution: inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs), restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and ITS sequence analysis. Considerable genetic variation was found, and the morphospecies was separated into two genetic groups that were distinct from each other. The ISSR data and the relatively low percentage value (96%) of shared sequence polymorphisms in the ITS between isolates from the two groups, strongly suggest cryptic species and long-lasting separation. No geographical exclusion was detected for these two widely distributed taxa. However, high estimates of population differentiation were observed in each group, including between populations less than a few kilometers apart. This result provides evidence for limited gene flow and/or founding effects. It also indicates that T. scalpturatum does not constitute a random mating population, and the hypothesis of endemism cannot be excluded for this cosmopolitan wind-dispersed fungus.
Original languageEnglish
JournalMicrobial Ecology
Volume56
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)513-524
Number of pages12
ISSN0095-3628
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Agaricales, Base Sequence, Cluster Analysis, DNA, Fungal, DNA, Ribosomal Spacer, Europe, Genetic Variation, Microsatellite Repeats, Molecular Sequence Data, Phylogeny, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Polymorphism, Genetic, Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

ID: 41935635