Abstract Detail

Poster Session

Pitt, John I [1].

Aspergillus and the International Code of Nomenclature.

The new International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (ICN) demands that fungi with both sexual and asexual names now bear only a single name. Although priority is no longer associated with the mode of reproduction, the ICN requires justification for choosing an asexual name over an existing sexual one.  The phylogenetic approach that made dual nomenclature for fungi obsolete can be used to assist the process of choosing names for large groups of fungi commonly known by asexual names, in this case to one of the largest and most diverse groups, the genus Aspergillus.  This genus is associated with 11 sexual genera, some of which are well supported clades with distinct phenotypes, which include sexual morphology as well as physiological attributes associated with xerophily, thermophily and mycotoxin production.  Several such sexual genera can continue to be used without recourse to the ICN.  One group of species important to food production and food safety, Aspergillus section Circumdati, lacks a well supported clade and we suggest that the name Aspergillus continue to be applied to this section.  This will require retypification of Aspergillus on A. niger as type, but also allows retention of the important spoilage genus Eurotium, which currently includes the type species of Aspergillus. Using the phylogenetic approach, we discuss the consequences of various scenarios to implement the new “one name for one fungus” Article in the ICN, and show that our approach requires the fewest appeals to the ICN while retaining the name Aspergillus for many of the most economically and socially important species.

1 - CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Sciences, P.O. Box 52, North Ryde, NSW, 1670, Australia

Keywords:
International Code
phylogeny
Aspergillus
Penicillium
Eurotium
Neosartorya.

Presentation Type: Offered Paper - Poster
Session: P7
Location: Lincoln Room/Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Date: Monday, June 9th, 2014
Time: 8:00 PM
Number: P7013
Abstract ID:73
Candidate for Awards:None