Abstract Detail

Poster Session

Reitman, Maxwell [1], Bonito, GM [2], Brenneman, T [3], Guevara, G [4], Healy, Rabern [5], Trappe, JM [6], Smith, ME [1].

Molecular systematics of the Tuber lyonii species complex.

Tuber lyonii (the pecan truffle) is a spiny-spored true truffle that belongs to the rufum clade.  Although originally collected with Tilia in Minnesota, edible truffles identified as Tuber lyonii have also been reported with Quercus and Carya species from Canada, northern Mexico, and across the eastern USA. Tuber lyonii is also common in orchards of cultivated pecans (Carya illinoinensis) throughout the southeast where efforts are underway to cultivate and commercialize the pecan truffle as a crop. Recent molecular studies on the genus Tuber suggest that T. lyonii sensu lato is likely comprised of several cryptic species. In order to clarify the diversity, distribution, and plant host associations of the cryptic species within the T. lyonii complex we obtained specimens from across North America and subjected them to morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis. Our preliminary multi-gene phylogeny based on ITS, EF1-alpha, and RPB2 suggests that the T. lyonii complex is comprised of at least six distinct species. Here we discuss our phylogenetic and morphological results as well as the ecological and taxonomic consequences of these findings.

1 - University of Florida, Plant Pathology, Fifield Hall Off 2523, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
2 - Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne, Fungal Sytematics, Private Bag 2000, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, VI, 3141, Australia
3 - University of Georgia, Plant Pathology, 2360 Rainwater Road, Tifton, GA, 31793, USA
4 - Instituto Tecnologico de Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulpais, Mexico
5 - Harvard University, Farlow Herbarium, Cambridge, MA, USA
6 - Oregon State University, Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Corvallis, OR, USA

Keywords:
Truffle
Tuber
Systematics
phylogenetic species
Carya
Pecan.

Presentation Type: Offered Paper - Poster
Session: P3
Location: Lincoln Room/Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Date: Monday, June 9th, 2014
Time: 8:00 PM
Number: P3008
Abstract ID:94
Candidate for Awards:Graduate Student Poster Presentation Award