| Abstract Detail
Poster Session McCotter, Sean [1], Aujla, Iqbal [1], Garfinkel, Andrea [1], Jardini, Teresa [1], Mullahy, Sean [1], Xia, Chongjing [1], Adams, Michael [1], Carris, Lori [1], Peever, Tobin [1]. Multiple phylogenetic species of morels (Morchella) occur in landscape settings in the Pacific Northwest. Recent advancements in phylogenetic species recognition of morels (Morchella spp.) have resulted in a major reorganization of the understanding of taxonomy and distribution of this edible ascomycete. Despite renewed interest in the evolutionary history of morels, our knowledge of ecological associations, relatedness, and morphology of this group is incomplete, especially among morels that inhabit landscape settings. Phylogenetic and morphological approaches were used to characterize a sample of morels collected from landscape settings in Idaho, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada. This sample formed the basis of a class project by graduate students enrolled in Plant Pathology 526 “Advanced Fungal Biology” at Washington State University. Phylogenetic analyses of RNA polymerase 1, RNA polymerase 2, 28S ribosomal subunit, and elongation factor 1-α sequence data were used to identify and compare specimens to described morel species. Additionally, light and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize ascospore wall ornamentation of representative specimens. Sampled landscape morels belonged to several phylogenetic species of black morels, including M. importuna, M. brunnea, and M. populiphila. While M. importuna has previously been recognized as a landscape morel, M. brunnea and M. populiphila have generally been associated with forest habitats. Our results suggest that ecological associations of some morel species may be more diverse than previously thought. Microscopic examination of ascospores demonstrated that the spore walls of the three species were striate to wrinkled, in contrast to species descriptions indicating that they are smooth-walled.  This study contributes to our understanding of morel diversity that occurs in landscape settings.
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1 - Washington State University, Department of Plant Pathology, Advanced Fungal Biology Class, Pullman, WA, 99164-6430, USA
Keywords:
landscape morel
ascospore ornamentation
ecology.
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: P3005
Abstract ID:146
Candidate for Awards:None |
